Stress Free Family Photos

Written by Nicollette Vizuet Photos by Melanie Hodskins Photography

Crisp leaves and pumpkins on every porch can only mean one thing – it's fall here in Kentucky. If you’re anything like me, cooler temps somehow indicate it’s time to schedule a family photo session. While my boy crew typically gives a ton of pushback, I somehow wrangle everyone together for a few forced smiles in hopes of one useful Christmas card photo. Sound familiar?! While I don’t have all the answers, I can attest to these tips making our most recent family session less stressful. We lucked out and scored genuine belly laughs without a toddler tear in sight!

OUTFITS MADE EASY

Planning ahead is key when it comes to outfitting your crew. Rather than basing your color scheme on current trends, stick to basics. I usually go with one or two colors that complement our home décor since that’s where these will be displayed. Shop your closets and see what you have on hand and can utilize! Not only does it save money, but it’s a little more genuine when everyone gets to showcase their personal style.

I went a little out of my comfort zone with the hunter green shade for this session and I’m honestly so happy with how it came together! Our photographer, Melanie Hodskins, has a wardrobe we were able to shop and style our looks prior to photos. Regardless of how you opt to pull looks together, do so a few weeks before your scheduled photoshoot. It’ll minimize stress and last-minute Target trips!

LOCATION, LOCATION

Let’s be honest – you can experience all four seasons within the same week here in Kentucky. We have done most family photos outside, so I was over the moon to have an indoor session. It was so nice not having to plan around weather or chasing our kids around a big open field! Bonus points for the comfort of having A/C and not attempting to hide how warm we are under layers of fall or winter outfits.

If outdoor photos are more your style, I always suggest planning in an area that has pretty structures you could utilize in case the weather takes a turn. Most photographers will reschedule for weather issues, but accommodating schedules and getting your crew re-prepared can be a headache in itself! Chat with your photographer beforehand so you’re on the same page with backup and possible rescheduling plans.

ALL SMILES HERE

Make sure your photographer knows your objective and vision from the get-go so they can help build that experience. Walking into the studio with rambunctious toddlers, my first instinct is to say “don’t touch that!” or “stop running!” Meanwhile, our photographer picked up her camera and made these little moments a permanent memory. I wanted photos that were so authentic you could almost hear their genuine toddler giggles. It’s instant relief in realizing your photographer isn’t stressed about getting your kiddos to sit in a picture-perfect pose or forced smile. Sometimes that’s great, but it’s not the phase of life we’re in with on-the-go toddlers. Keeping them happy and tear-free is a breeze when you let them be themselves. Ten years from now, I know we’ll look back and be extra grateful we let them be exactly who they are instead of overly styled and posed.

Have you avoided updating your family photos? Dreading pulling together outfits or hyping up your whole crew? Let this be your sign – book the session! Refresh that outdated portrait hanging in your living room and let your family show their personality. Hey, you might even have a crew that’s excited and ready to schedule the next photoshoot after seeing how fun you’ve made this experience! OP

Enjoy this read? Follow along with Nicollette Vizuet on her blog and social channels! Instagram: @nicollette.vizuet Blog: TheFrivolousFashionista.com Facebook: The Frivolous Fashionista

Saving your life starts now

Mammograms can’t prevent breast cancer, but they can do the next best thing: detect the cancer early when more treatment options are available, before it spreads to other parts of the body. The best part? When breast cancer is found while it’s still

contained to the breast, the survival rate is 99%.

You read that right. 99% according to the American Cancer Society. Once the cancer spreads throughout the body, the five-year survival rate drops to 25%. Getting regular mammograms is the single most important thing a woman can do to reduce her chances of

dying from breast cancer.

At Owensboro Health, we’re passionate about making sure women get the mammograms they need. We care about you as members of our community, as wives, and especially as mothers, because we want you to be there as your kids grow up.

Our doctors recommend a

yearly mammogram for women starting at age 40. Here are a few reasons why we think that’s important.

MAMMOGRAMS CATCH CANCER BEFORE YOU CAN

Breast cancer rates have been declining for the last 25 years, in large part because of early detection with mammograms. You can and should do breast self-exams, but you may not feel any changes in your breasts until the cancer has grown enough to produce a lump. By that time, it could have already spread and may be harder to treat.

The mammogram will produce an x-ray image that a radiologist will examine for any signs of breast cancer. If they see anything abnormal, you may need a biopsy or further testing. If cancer is confirmed, you can promptly begin treatment — the earlier, the better.

MAMMOGRAMS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE — AND YOUR BREASTS

One of the reasons breast cancer can be traumatic is the possibility of a mastectomy, or surgical removal of your breasts. When the cancer is detected early, though, a lumpectomy may be possible to remove only the cancerous tumor while preserving the breast around it.

YOUR RISK INCREASES AS YOU AGE

While the risk of developing breast cancer is higher if you have a family history of the disease, you’re not free and clear if you have no family history. The biggest risk factors are being a woman and your advancing age — that’s why it’s so important to get a mammogram every year after you turn 40. It’s not a one-time test because your risk increases every year.

You can’t control your age, but you can control other risk factors for breast cancer. That risk increases if you’re overweight or obese and if you’re not physically active. It also goes up the more you drink. To reduce your risk, lose weight, get active, drink less alcohol and get a mammogram!

IT’S FREE FOR ELIGIBLE PATIENTS

If you’re worried about the cost of a mammogram, help is available. The Mammograms for Life program through Owensboro Health Foundation provides free mammograms for women who qualify and need help paying for the screening.

We want to keep you healthy and we want to make you proud, so Owensboro Health is doing everything we can to make mammograms accessible to you. OP

Schedule Your Mammogram

To schedule your mammogram, call 1-800-50-MAMMO or visit OwensboroHealth.org/ Mammogram. Don’t wait — fighting breast cancer begins before diagnosis.