Hola, everyone!

Oh how I just adore the family I’m blogging about today. I’m lucky enough to say I’ve been photographing Shinavia’s family for eight years now! I truly can’t believe how much her son, Logan, has grown and changed since I first met him, especially since I’ve known Shinavia for over 20 years.

Today, Logan is 9 years old and on his way to the 4th grade.  And, it goes without saying, his mom Shinavia and I have become even better friends over the time we’ve worked together. It’s hard to not become friends with someone like Shinavia, frankly; she’s such a peach!

When Shinavia called me to take their photos again, I immediately began counting down the days to our session! And as for the day of the shoot, I had a blast! They had a pretty great time, too, posing between running around the playground and making funny faces.

About our shoot, Shinavia said, “I liked that [our session] was very spontaneous and free. We didn’t have to pose a lot because with kids, they don’t focus for long so ask them to keep posing isn’t going to work but capturing those cute moments are key.”

• Location: Watkins Park
• Shinavia’s Wardrobe: Marshall’s
• Logan’s Wardrobe: Children’s Place

Once Shinavia saw her photos, she said, “I love the photos because I think they capture our personalities. They show how loving and playful we are towards each other. You can tell he’s my only child and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Okay, enough text. Check out the awesome mother/son duo, Shinavia and Logan.

I’ll be scheduling another family session like this in August. If you’re interested in your own individual or family portraits, shoot me an email at insana@insanacollins.com or a text to 202-738-9007 to book. Until next time!

Insana

Getting married this year? What about next year? Wouldn’t it be cool to discover the latest wedding tips, tricks and trends before your planning gets underway? Know how much couples are spending on flowers, how to find the right vendors, etc.?

Well, you’re in luck! The online wedding resource, Wedding Wire, has just published the wedding trends of 2017. They surveyed more than 13,000 couples who married in 2016 to get the scoop, just for you. Here are some of the results:

1. Technology matters: Couples now spend 50% of their time planning from a smartphone (up from 30% last year). 87% read reviews and ten 60% reach out by email.

2. Uniformity is out: Bridesmaids are more likely to wear non-matching than in previous years, a trend we’ve seen continue to grow.

3. While the average wedding price tag hasn’t grown, millennials spend a bit more: $31,000 on average. However, overall, the average price of a wedding is still about $28,000. Spend on honeymoons ($4,000) and engagement rings ($5,000) is also about the same as last year.

4. 42% of couples pick out the engagement ring together.

5. 56% of couples only consider booking vendors they can find on social media. (Find my page on Instagram at @insanacollins)

6. 71% of couples marry between May and October.

7. 62% of couples take professional engagement photos.

8. 65% send traditional Save-the-Date cards.

9. When searching for vendors, most couples hire an average of 13 vendors from the venue to the florist to catering and the DJ, with photographers 4th on their list.

10. More than 60% of the wedding budget goes towards catering, the venue, music and photography/videography.

It’s great to know what’s trending, but for your big day, what’s most important to you? Most of my clients say photography is most important, because for all of the time and money spent, it’s the one thing that lasts longer than anything else. While you’re planning, discuss and prioritize as a couple. Save. Search. Budget. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Shoot me an email at insana@insanacollins.com and I can help answer your questions and cross at least one thing off your list!

Good luck! Until next time,

-Insana

Hi there!

I come from a pretty large family (did you know that I have six brothers and sisters?) so that may be the reason that I love, love, love family portrait sessions. There is a lot of coordination that goes into sessions like these, from scheduling, outfits, personalities, hair and makeup, and weather, but in the end, it’s all worth it. Check out this portrait session of the lively Jenkins family in Maryland.

Summer and fall are absolutely the best seasons to take photos like these! If you have questions about this session or want one like it for your family, just email me at insana@insanacollins.com.

Until next time,

Insana