by admin | Oct 17, 2019 | family, photography
My ingredients for a successful photo shoot?
- Pre-planning
- Lots of communication
- Keep the kids happy
- Keep the parents relaxed
Pre-Planning
For this family, I made sure to scout out Bull Creek before their session since it’s been so dry (until recently). But if you squint, the dead brown leaves and golden hour light kind of resemble fall colors 😉
Communication
From my client questionnaire, I knew this family had recently moved, and the mom wanted a few pics at their new house before we went to the park.
Keep the Kids Happy
Whether it’s asking them silly questions or letting them take the lead on exploring, I always like to collaborate on ideas during a family photo session.
Keep the Parents Relaxed
I find that giving specific posing instructions makes some families feel more comfortable in front of the camera. And my favorite is just letting the kids love on their parents – that usually gets my favorite images from the whole shoot.
And once we get the posed shots….
… I always leave time to play around.
And one extra fun thing from this family’s photo session – from chatting at the park, the Dad and I realized that we used to work together at the Daily Texan back in the mid-90s. And even flew to Boulder, CO together to cover a UT Football game (him writing / me shooting it). Thank you to online archives for this photographic evidence from 1996!
Please enjoy this sneak peek of this family’s photo session. To see all the files, visit their (password protected) online gallery HERE.
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
Stephanie/s kids and our kids have been at the same school and even same grade. Over the years, I have seen Stephanie’s photographs because of her willingness to help out and generously donate her time and talents to the school. I knew it would be easy and stress free to use her for our family photo session since my kids know her already. Plus, I always love her work.
Check out PreK Sam at my first school photo booth “The Bubbles in the bubbles”
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
It was a beautiful evening at Bull Creek. I loved being down there in the “golden hour” as Stephanie called it. Plus, Stephanie was super patient and willing to humor my kids with their ideas as they were excited to explore.
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Stay calm. Don’t let it stress you out and try to have fun with it. Picking outfits can seem so difficult (for me) but as long as you stay relatively simple, it wasn’t too hard.
4. Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for taking the time and being so pleasant to work with. I know it was so hot, but you made it enjoyable and really took the time to make sure you got what you needed.
If you’d like to book your own family photo session this year, contact me below:
by admin | Oct 15, 2019 | family, photography
Have you heard of the Flower Vault? It’s a temporary art installation full of fake flowers. They have one location in San Antonio and just opened a second spot in Austin at the Domain this season.
With eight flowery backgrounds for October and plans to swap in more holiday themed settings in November/December, it’s a fun spot to explore and be photographed in.
Kids 10 and under are free with an adult ticket (cost is $20/adult).
Swinging and dancing are encouraged.
If you’d like your own family portrait session in this location, check out my blog post with details or just view the available mini-session dates for October on Calendly.
Cost
It’s a $50 deposit (includes tickets for two adults) to save your date/time
Remainder of fee due at your session: $275.
It’s a very fun place to play! To see the rest of the photos from this session, check out the (password protected) full gallery HERE.
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
Stephanie has been a co-worker of mine for many years. She also took pictures of my oldest when she was 1. That was 7 years ago!
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
The venue was really cool and engaging for the girls. But mostly it was how great Stephanie was at putting the girls at ease and also letting them have fun. They immediately felt comfortable with her.
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Don’t be pressured to get that perfectly-posed shot. Often the best pictures are the candid ones when you didn’t even realize you were being photographed. I think kids need to be captured when they are having fun!
4. Anything else you’d like to add?
My kids are much more likely to participate when I bribe them with ice cream after the shoot. 🙂
If you’d like to book a family photo this season (not necessarily at the Flower Vault), you can see my remaining dates in 2019 HERE. You can also contact me below:
by admin | Oct 7, 2019 | photography
Announcing Flower Vault Mini Photo Sessions this October!
Do you still need to book your Family photo session this year?
Are you looking for a unique, colorful indoor space?
Check out these photos from the Flower Vault’s website of their latest Austin installation at the Domain:
If you’d like to book a 45 minute session for your family…
Total Cost:
Deposit: $50
Remainder of session fee: $275
(includes tickets for two adults (kids under 10 are free) – $40 value)
Visit my Calendly link to book your spot – see you in the flowers!
If you’re interested in a regular family photo session at a different location, check out my November availability HERE.
by admin | Sep 29, 2019 | location scouting, photography
Are you interested in a personal branding or family photo session and are considering the Domain shopping area in North Austin as your location? Wondering where the best spots are along Rock Rose Ave.? If yes and yes, then follow along below:
Parking:
You can park at either the Blue or Red Garages (see map)
Storefronts:
Then there are a lot of cute spots to explore. Like the ivy wall next to the Apple store.
The colorful mural on the Erin Condren store.
And even stores that aren’t open yet have colorful wallpaper on their windows.
We went on a Saturday night and it was plenty crowded – but everyone was nice about taking turns at their favorite photogenic spots.
You’ll even spot some greenery in places – such as next to the Lavaca St. Bar.
And if you’re over 21, we can go inside the Wonder Bar – but if not, we can enjoy the colorful mosaics outside the entrance.
And slightly off of Rock Rose Ave. further west are some more cute spots. You can sit on the striped orange couches behind Restoration Hardware.
Or check out the men’s clothing store across the street with the fantastic green tilework.
It’ll be fun!
Ready to book? Check out my Fall calendar availability and contact me below 🙂
by admin | Sep 19, 2019 | branding, Creative Business Stories, photography
Headshots and Branding
Does your website need updated headshots and branding imagery?
Are you not quite sure where to start?
Let me help. One of my favorite parts is talking through your Creative Business Story. What do you want to show? What’s your story to tell?
Location, Location, Location
This group was updating their website and needed a variety of new headshots. First, we discussed shooting indoors vs. outdoors (it was August in Texas after all). Then, once they decided they wanted to be outside, I sent them three different downtown skyline options
- The view from the Long Center
- The view from Palmer Event Center
- The view from the Pedestrian Bridge
(Butler Park is under construction or I would have sent that as an option as well).
They decided on the Austin downtown skyline view from the Pedestrian Bridge.
The night of the shoot, I came prepared with a portable fan, ice packs and cold water (since it was a “balmy” 98 degrees). We made sure to get a variety of close-ups as well as images that showed the skyline.
And at the end – when they suggested a team pyramid – I was happy to comply.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of their Creative Business Story branding package. To see all the photos, click HERE.
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
We had our family portraits done with Stephanie several years ago and she recently did a “Best Friends” photoshoot with my daughter. The pictures from both sessions were amazing. We have another family photo session scheduled for October with Stephanie.
2. What was your favorite part of your branding session?
There were two favorite parts for me…the location and how fun it was. First, Stephanie recommended the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge over Lady Bird Lake and it was perfect. The skyline at sunset was amazing and the photos turned out great. Second, it was so fun! There were 4 of us and we got to ham it up for the camera and just be silly. We got the serious shots we needed but also got some hilarious shots. We also took some headshots in front of some trees and greenery and they turned out really nice.
3. What advice would you give to other people planning a branding session?
Do the session outside if possible. The lighting was great and it gives a different look than just taking your headsets in the studio. If was 100 degrees when we did our shoot. Stephanie had a handheld fan and blotting tissues that came in very handy! If you do it inside, pick a location that has some really interesting backdrops for your photos. It is always better to have more that just headshots in case you ever need them.
4. Anything else you’d like to add?
Just that I think you should book a branding session with Stephanie. You won’t regret it!
If your small business also needs updated images, please contact me below:
