Our Little Family Photo Shoot at Verve Portraits

It's no secret that Jesse and I are crazy in love with our pup, Chanel. Actually, the entire family is. We all gush over her and think she's the cutest darn thing in the whole wide world - and she is. 

So naturally, when Verve Portraits got in touch with us about running a competition to give away four Verve Portraits experiences and coming in for our own photo shoot, I knew we had to bring Chanel along too! 

Verve's studios are incredible as they allow the photographers to get super creative. They have drive in studios so they've had people bring in their cars, motorcycles and even horses - so teeny little Chanel was very welcome. 

 

So way back in December we loaded up Chanel's toys and bed and popped her in the car and Jesse, Katrina and I headed off to Verve's Rushcutter's Bay Studio...

At first, Chanel was super shy. She's a Chihuahua Shitzu cross and her chihuahua side means she can be a little freaked out by other people or weird (to her) places so we expected her to be a little bit camera shy at first. Whilst Chanel settled in with her Aunty Trick, we had some shots as a couple.

As well as some individual shots (and Jesse says he doesn't like the camera - HA!) 

Our photographer, Cam, was incredible and so warm and welcoming. We hit it off right away and felt totally comfortable with him - exactly what you need when having your pictures taken. 
Whilst Verve has some awesome styled shots - we wanted something that was totally natural. 

We'd already had our Wedding Photos and Our Engagement Photos that were both taken in Centennial Park - and I thought it would be really cool to have a casual and relaxed photo shoot in a studio where traditionally the photos are more posed and proper.
Something that was us.... 

And Cam totally achieved that - I loveeeeeeeeeeeee that shot on the right. The texture, Jesse's face, the tones - everything. 

Cam was so welcoming, in fact, that Miss Chanel soon warmed up to him too! 

Verve asked us if we had any items that represented us - and I immediately thought of our boots! We call my DUO Boots my "Southern In-Law boots" because they have a little bit of a Southern influence mixed with modern city girl style, whilst Jesse has his very traditional Southern style work boots/cowboy boots and I knew together they'd be perfect.

Combine the boots with Chanel and you have a super fun shoot. Chanel had the best time running around the studio and by the end of the shoot, she was completely worn out and passed out on the floor :P 

Our time at Verve was so much fun and I love every single one of the images - and I really can't wait to see what the four lucky Southern In-Law winners do in their own photo shoots! We're giving away FOUR Verve experiences - so you'll have to find out how to enter here.

But tell me, have you ever had a photo shoot with your partner? Was it more relaxed or posed?

And if you could only choose one thing in a photo to represent you and your partner (or yourself) what would it be?