Scarfing 103: Final Warnings

Alrighty, I know everyone might be a little scarfed out, but I thought I’d offer a few final warnings before you and your fashionably{?} covered neck venture out for a photo session.

As a gentle reminder, I intentionally mentioned venturing out into photo session, NOT the public at large. If you want to head to Home Depot in workout tights, a lumberjack flannel and a pashmina, then go for it.

This post is to help save your from yourself when negotiating/bribing family members during the Pre-Family Photo Clothing Smackdown. {This is when the adult female involved in pictures hauls out carefully selected and possibly prayed-over clothing options before the family and they all yell “NO!” before they’ve even seen the goods.}

To be honest, this can be a touchy subject, because the possibility of dear blog readers having committed one or more of these scarf mistakes is high. Heck, I’ve committed them, because no one wrote a blog about good fashion sense to save my husband and I from a Delightfully Denim engagement photo look back in 1998. Someday, I’ll post pictures.

Let’s all put our overly-sensitive selves aside, hold hands, and agree to move forward in fashion harmony. I could remain horrified at my engagement photos starring an over-sized denim shirt with button covers (OH YES I DID), or I could laugh, realize I was not the only one showcasing that look {SEE? You’re all under the bus with me!} and move into 2011 with grace and dignity.

And a well-styled scarf.

Warning #1: Everyone in the photo doesn’t need to wear a scarf

{I desperately want to mention something about not having a fluorescent light as the focal point for your picture, but I feel confident that Chris will steer clear of office-cubicle ambiance.}

The other risk the family runs with multi-scarfing might even scare Ebenezer Scrooge:

{thelildickenscarolers.com}

Warning #2: Your scarf is not a noose.

I can see that this would be a cozy look for the streets of New York City in January, but not for your photo session.

{via Pinterest}

Make sure the scarf is a part of the overall look and feel of the photo, so viewers don’t wonder if you coiled a yacht rope around your neck.

Warning #3: Your scarf shouldn’t be the center of attention.

It’s a fine line between taking a fashion risk that pays off and making a decision that your family will bring up for hundreds of years.

Even if you love the playing the piano and Peanuts is your favorite comic strip of all times, don’t say it with a scarf.

Same goes for pirate lore. Essentially, the bad men’s neckties of the 80’s have deported themselves to the women’s department in attempt to reinvent a career. Don’t assist them.

If you look at the following photo and feel like it might be a possibility, then I say: GO FOR IT. You might be eccentric enough to pull it off.

If you are still unclear or want to see a lot more questionable scarves, check this out. (Disclaimer: Although entertaining, not all featured scarves are family friendly. Ahem.)

Warning #4: Keep that scarf out of your hair.

This is possibly the trickiest scarf tip because I know several people cool enough to actually wear scarves in their hair.

{And just for clarity’s sake, I’m talking about females here. I think it goes without saying that a guy in any type of head-covering scarf will resemble either a) Hulk Hogan, b) Jack Sparrow, or c) Willie Nelson.}

So maybe I should amend this warning to say: If you usually and successfully wear a scarf as part of an up-do or casual Nicole Richie thing, then go for it.

Otherwise, save your Scarf-in-Hair Fashion Risk for a day at the pool when you can abort mission after friends ask what’s up with the Aunt Jemima look.

Warning #5: Bandanas around the neck (as scarves) are best saved for hoe-downs


Enough said.

I love bandanas, and every four or five years, they make a resurgence in some part of my wardrobe. {The neon green one I wore as a headband in the early 90’s still brings a tear to my eye.}

But generally, it ends up looking more like theme-clothing than a great photo session accessory.

Especially when guys start to get really daring:

Even the 2008 Teen Choice Awards unanimously agreed that Chris Brown was a fashion don’t. That said, I think more than just the bandana contributed to that honor.

Ok, so there you have it–five scarf warnings to heed next time a photo session looms in your future.

Are there more we forgot? Any other Delightfully Denim offenders that want to come clean?

Have a great, scarf-filled week:)

 

 

 

Scarfing 102: Pop of Color

Some call it a “pop,” some call it a “punch”…guess it depends on if you’re in a combative mood or not while you’re tying a scarf.

One of my favorite photo session tricks to make almost any outfit work is to add a scarf in complementary colors.

For example…let’s take a basic black shirt, grey jacket, and jeans. Right now, you’re feeling safe. If it worked for Danny and the T-Birds in “Grease,” how could jeans and a basic black t-shirt go wrong?

Never mind.

Truth is, it might not actually “go wrong,” but it might be a little bland…blah…non-memorable. And photos are about memories, after all. Life gives us plenty of opportunities for non-memorable attire {a dark move theater, for example.}

Add a patterned, complementary scarf to the mix and a basic outfit suddenly comes to life. {Bonus points for the cute earrings and shoes.}

Basic black just got camera-ready! The above outfit would look fabulous in an eclectic urban setting or in front of an amazingly lush, fully-blooming garden.

Just NOT in front of a prom backdrop.

{Surely it goes without saying that even the ferns are embarrassed to be in this photo.}

Ok, so now you’re feeling confident with the safety net outfit of black and denim. So slide your pinky toe outside of the comfort zone and let’s check out a few more basic colors brought to life through scarfing.

While at first it might appear a little intimidating, the outfit below is beautifully simple. Jeans, a solid but colorful top, and a cute brown cardigan.

Untitled{I thought it might be intimidating because at first glance, the scarf looks more like a tube top, which is a unanimous photo shoot “don’t,” but alas, it’s our hero…The Scarf.

SHAZAM!–add the brilliant orange silk scarf, and this photo session outfit has layers and depth and varying texture. The burnt orange now seems perfectly toasted and fabulously colorful with the scarf as a whimsical accent.

{I could definitely write another post on the smokin’ hot leopard belt and jewelry, but I’m trying to stay focused.}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{As you can tell.}

Lastly, we are going to spice up the plainest of janes…the cream cardigan.

 

Fat Face cardigan

 

Typically, white isn’t the best color for photo shoots, unless you’re in a wedding dress.

People with amazing skin tones can wear whites just fine, but most of us look like a giant bottle of Elmer’s paste. If you even remember what paste is/was. {do they still sell it?}

********************

Let me find out…

“Kiddos, do you know what paste is?”

In unison: “No.”

9 year-old: “Is it like glue or something?”

***********************

But this is where the scarf gets all Wonder Woman on us and saves the day:

Red Leopard

 I KNOW!!

It would be especially great if the other family members wore bold, warm colors. Boring cream became the backdrop for photo shoot awesomeness.

You could also go this direction if plum is your bag, baby:

Autumn Cranberry

The earrings and shoes highlight the scarf…just leave the beautiful camel coat in the car;)

If I was involved in an Eiffel Tower prom photo shoot anytime soon, I would totally wear the red/leopard ensemble.

Hopefully you’re feeling inspired to spice up your closet basics with a scarf. Maybe the next scheduled photo session doesn’t require an entirely new outfit–just a scarf. They’re like buttah.

I also hope you’re inspired to go pull out the prom pictures and “Hold On to the Night.” Or is that just us?

Scarfing 101

A few weeks ago, we covered the awesomeness that is fall.

Along with hurricane force winds, fashion challenges arise due to unpredictable weather mood swings.

Today we’ll tackle the tricky accessory sometimes misused as a neck brace or apron: The Scarf.

I know, scarves don’t seem that challenging, but on a photography blog we need to discuss something important: the difference between wearing a scarf on a midnight grocery run for tortilla chips and the scarf as an accessory in a family picture that could be on the wall forever.

Tortilla Chip Degree of Difficulty: 1.5

Family Picture Degree of Difficulty: 9.9

There are so many Scarfy nuances and complexities that I’m tempted to make this an 8-part series, but I’m afraid readership would dwindle a bit during the “Scarves as Worn by Scooby Doo Characters” segment.

So over the next week, we’ll tackle Scarfing in a few simple segments.

Ready?

The scarf should look like a proportionate accessory that complements the entire outfit.

UM, NO

In the example above, we kind of get the feeling that the scarf magically spun out of control on the loom in a Disney movie or perhaps a rust-colored, silky anaconda is about to strangle the life out of this poor girl.

Sometimes, when excited by a full, dramatically awesome scarf , we want to wear it for a fall photo shoot. When people look at the picture, their minds aren’t noticing the stellar photography, kids’ expressions, or the breathtaking scenery. They’re wondering, “What is the actual yardage of that scarf?” or “Did the Smith’s get a new family pet to replace Snowball?” and “Did she lose a bet?”

{Also in reference to the photo above, please don’t wear shorts that are inches shorter than your hands in for a session.}

{BECAUSE.}

YES

In this photo, the scarf seems like a natural extension of the outfit. The colors complement each other, the scarf isn’t trying to eat the child, and with the wind gently blowing, it even seems seasonally appropriate.

And remember…this shouldn’t change how you bundle in a scarf during a blizzard while shoveling the driveway. By all means, stay warm and mummify your neck if need be. But hopefully that swaddled look won’t carry over into your family photo session.

Lastly, to prepare for Scarfing 102 {Pop of Color Tutorial}, here’s a quick and fun video to spark your creativity 🙂

Fall is Awesome Even Though Cold Weather Is Part of the Deal

 

Fall and Fashion 

Happy First Day of Fall!

{I added the orange for dramatic graphic effect.}

As citizens of Colorado, it’s pretty much mandatory that we get excited about fall.

Any hesitation to jump on the “aren’t the leaves beautiful?” and “cooler weather is the best!” bandwagons certifies one as a renegade spy from the South who shivers when it dips below 75.

{guilty}

But fall, and even it’s snobby cousin, autumn, are actually pretty great.

The colors are breathtaking, the photography possibilities endless, and the food choices rock.

Back in colonial days, the only thing special about fall was the annual showing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Now people create bucket lists of 55 activities to accomplish during one little season.

Not one to miss a bumpy bandwagon ride, here are the Top 5 Things About Fall In My Biased and Narrow Opinion.

5. Boots

Boots are like a spicy-hot bowl of 5-alarm chili–totally inappropriate during July. But come fall, even if the temperature reads 70, there is still something acceptable about your calves being swaddled in leather for the sake of fashion.

They add so much character to any outfit and can be dressy, casual, fun or furry.

That said, a boot is not the same as a “bootie.” Proceed with caution if you choose to go down that road.

**update**After researching booties–ahem–they weren’t actually as bad as I originally thought. Look out, I might be drinking the Kool-Aid after all.

4. Pumpkins

It is pretty much in the Constitution that you have to love pumpkins. Or at least it would be if the founding fathers weren’t so worried about freedom and instead focused on the dinner buffet at the First Continental Congress.

Pumpkins are the superheros of the vegetable world. What other round gourd is eaten in soups, breads, granolas, pancakes and lasagna? Even it’s seeds are snackable.

We carve them, dress them up, and beautify our front porches with their whimsical roundness.

Entire patches are dedicated to pumpkins, festivals named after them, and newborns lovingly cooed at as “my little punkin’.”

Celery lies awake at night wishing life was this good.

3. College Football

I know, that sounds a little cliche. And it is…as evidenced by the fact that tens of millions of people feel the same way.

It’s hard to decide what’s best–the cheering, the fight songs, the chips and queso at halftime? True, the BCS can take years off one’s life, but the controversial rankings just give us more to talk about.

A Saturday just isn’t complete without a little College Gameday and taunting your university’s rivals on the TV screen.

2. Pumpkin Spice Candle

Fully realizing this might better fit with the “pumpkin” category, I still thought the pumpkin spice candle needed a shout-out all it’s own.

I mean, have you smelled it? The idea sounds a little grandma-esque, but be not deterred. This candle will better your life.

And don’t be lured in by the pumpkin pie candle. They aren’t equals.

Just go buy one and you can thank me later.

p.s. It will only be grandma-y if you put a doily under it.

1. Layered Clothing/Starbucks

What do perfectly layered accessories and over-priced warm drinks have to do with each other?

Not tons, but there was a two-way tie for number one. True, Starbucks is a year-round kind of joint, but all of the summery iced drinks seem like a contrived ploy to keep us coming back in the blazing heat when we should be at Sonic.

Fall is the secret force driving their coffee business. All the great seasonal flavors like Salted Caramel Mocha and Caramel Apple Cider taste way better while wearing a scarf and boots {see #5.}

Did you catch what I left out? That’s right…the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Even though a pumpkin is typically as versatile as Deion Sanders, it still seems the PSL is a little artificial  and strong. Plus, the orangeish hue is questionable.

If you were wearing a chunky sweater, however, the flavor of the Pumpkin Spice Latte might even be saved. Guaranteed that the Salted Caramel Mocha will create joy in the inmost places when sipped during a high-school football game.

Yes, layered fall clothing is that powerful.

This year, I’m especially excited about tunics, ponchos, and vests.

And can a guy go wrong with plaid? Just maybe.

So I’m off to wear my boots while eating pumpkin bread, watching college football, and smelling my pumpkin spice candle.

So what about you? What is your favorite part of fall? Any defenses of the Pumpkin Spice Latte are welcome…:)

Golden Engagement | Blake + Sara

Time to dust off the keyboard…

For Blake and Sara’s engagement session we spent the morning checking out some of their old haunts in Golden, Colorado. My favorite had to be an old… um, slightly grungy, albeit charming bar where Blake took Sara on their first date. Golden has a bit of an industrial scene and this bar happens to cater to the nightshift workers which means it’s open 24 hours a day. It has character along with some of it’s customers. 🙂 Needless to say, we were slightly overdressed and had ourselves a skeptical audience. After buying a drink or two everything settled down and they even made some room for us to take pictures!

denver wedding photographer

 

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