by admin | Mar 15, 2019 | family, photography
BFFs
Do you think a photo shoot is more fun with your best friend?
I do!
For this shared portrait session at the Sekrit Theater, Arden and Blakeley each got time for their own photos as well as some together. These 6th graders are schoolmates and gave me a great mix of sweet, serious and silly. I wish more middle schoolers got their own portrait sessions. (It seems there’s a dry spell between cute squishy toddlers and graduating seniors that will hopefully change in the future).
Location
It was my first time photographing at the Sekrit Theater – though I’ve admired other local (and not-so-local) photographer’s images from there since they opened on the East Side of Austin a few years ago.
If you’re interested in this spot for a session, and why wouldn’t you be – that greenhouse! the school bus! the random couches! the bathtub! – it does have a location fee.
I’m so glad I spent $7 on those giant green leaves at Central Market the day before our session.
See what I mean: sweet, serious and silly.
A big Thank you to Arden’s mom, Cynthia, for helping me move that flowered couch to a better spot on the lawn and holding up my portable fan to make “wind” for the girls’ hair.
And we couldn’t visit the Sekrit Theater without documenting some secret-sharing as well…
I loved Blakeley’s idea to move the magnets to get their initials together.
Thanks, girls – you both were a treat to photograph!
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
Stephanie is a friend and neighbor and has done our family photos in the past. They turned out amazing so we knew we wanted her to do the photoshoot of my daughter and her best friend.
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
My favorite part of the photo session was definitely the location. Stephanie recommended the Sekrit Theater, and it was awesome. So very “Austin”. We plan on having our family photo session this fall at that location too. So many cool backdrops for photos. I also love how knowledgeable Stephanie is. She has so many ideas for posing, props and styling. The pictures of my daughter and her friend are amazing.
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
I would suggest that families talk to her about styling. She has so many ideas of what types of clothing might work well with the location. I would also recommend that you take a couple outfits for the kids. When we did our family photo shoot, we got lots of family pictures and also pictures of the kids in a different outfit than we used for the family pictures. During this shoot with my daughter and her friend, Stephanie suggested two outfits. It is nice to have pictures with two different stylings…one dressy and one more casual.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of their shared portrait session images. To see all the photos and purchase prints from the gallery, click HERE.
If you’d like to book your own portrait session in Austin, contact me:
by admin | Mar 4, 2019 | extended family, photography
If you’ve ever wondered what happens from booking to file delivery with an extended family photo session, I’m excited so share some recent photos of a sweet family and list how my timeline works:
Pre-Session
One family member will reach out to me to coordinate their session. I’ll ask questions about their needs and preferences, and we’ll settle on a date and time.
If we don’t already have a spot in mind, I’ll go out location scouting. For this 14-person family, we needed a spot that was wheelchair accessible and in Pflugerville.
We settled on Pfluger Park (scouted here on a much gloomier day). That spot behind the bridge is where most of the photos were taken.
Next steps: the family decides what to wear, and I start memorizing names. I also create a loose shot list (entire family, grandparents with grand kids, etc.)
Session
The day of the session, I usually arrive 10-15 early to a location to double check where I want our spots to be. With a large group, we tend to have only 1-2 backgrounds. I make sure to get the largest group shot done first (especially if multiple little kids are involved).
I shoot a variety – the “everyone look at the camera” pose as well as ones that involve the family interacting with each other.
I really like to show that love and connection. It’s my favorite.
I make sure each grandchild gets their own portrait.
And that the parents get photos together without their kids as well.
With lots of other family combinations in-between. Such as sibling groups:
As well as each family unit by themselves.
It takes about an hour total.
Post-Session
Once the photos are done, the family gets to relax (I often hear that ice cream rewards are involved ;).
I go home and start downloading files to edit. And a few weeks later, blog post and galleries are ready to share!
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
Erika works with Stephanie.
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
Stephanie was so friendly, happy and nice to everyone!
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Be flexible to changes in plans due to weather, location, etc. Also bring water and snacks. It’s hard to smile when you’re hangry and thirsty.
by admin | Feb 16, 2019 | photo booth, photography
After I made fake snow for the Holiday photo booth at school, I knew I wanted something equally fun for the Valentine’s Day party.
Cue the scrolling on Amazon for Valentine’s backdrops and Pinterest for ideas. A trip to Target netted the heart tablecloth (around $4) – and then a balloon search led me to Studio DIY’s great balloon letters.
I would be photographing all the 2nd grade classes as well as one for PreK.
I took over part of the blacktop and got ready. Besides great weather, fun props and cooperative kids, the best part was getting in the photos as well.
And now onto editing over 1,000 photos, and brainstorming ideas for a Mother’s Day set-up.
by admin | Feb 6, 2019 | photography
If you live in or around Austin, and are interested in a family photo session this Spring during March, April or May – now is the time to book.
Trying to decide on the best time for your family…
…and you want bluebonnets – last week of March/first week of April are usually the best bets – but I’ll be keeping a close eye on the available fields and giving you updates if we need to move up or move back a session date.
…and you want wildflowers in general – end of March through beginning of May should be fine.
…and you don’t require flowers – starting Saturday, March 9th through May 19th is your time window for Spring. Let me know if you’d prefer an urban setting or a park. And if you have any locations in mind or want suggestions.
The best light is right around sunrise or 1-2 hours before sunset. So in Spring, you’re looking at starting around 7:30am/8am for morning sessions and starting around 4:30pm/5:30pm for evening sessions (time can vary depending on location).
Next steps:
Contact me and we’ll book your time, date and location.
by admin | Feb 1, 2019 | advice / tips, photography
Having small children is exhausting. They have so much more energy than we do. To burn off that energy, we take ours on hikes or swimming or have family dance parties. But then I often say to my husband:
“Tire out the children and you tire out yourself“
But a post I read recently reminded me of some ideas of how to play with your children when you also really, really want to lie down with your eyes closed.
So I present to you: “10 Fun Games for Young Children with Exhausted Parents” – in order of when you’re most tired to least tired
Reverse Bedtime
- Reverse bedtime – the kids get to put you to bed. Here’s what you do:
-Lay down in your bed (the most magical instructions of all)
-The kids are in charge of putting you to sleep, they need to bring you blankets and sing you lullabies and tell you a story.
-You can really get into character by asking for water or a bedtime snack or “just three more stories!”
2. Visit the Doctor/Dentist
Besides boxes, rocks and sticks, if it doesn’t have a screen, my kids next most favorite toy is flashlights. For this game you:
-Give the children any flashlights you have in the house
-Lay down on the floor or couch with your eyes closed
-Kids take turns shining a flashlight into your open mouth, into your ears, etc.
-They can also use any doctor kit supplies you may have around.
If your kids are anything like mine, be ready for some hard truths: “Mommy, why are your teeth more yellow than Daddy’s?”
3. What’s on my butt? / What’s on my stomach?
I saw this idea on Say Yes who got it from the Longest Shortest Time podcast (and it inspired this whole blog post of ideas).
-Choose if you’d rather lay on your stomach or your back, eyes closed, no peeking.
-The kids have to slooowly choose objects around the house that they will then either place on your stomach or your butt and you have to guess what they are.
-Take your time guessing.
4. Light show
Flashlights are really wonderful toys. Here’s another idea with them (Pink Floyd soundtrack in the background is optional).
-Turn all the lights off.
-Lay on your back, this time, eyes are open.
-Give the kids flashlights.
-They are in charge of creating a light show on the ceiling, finger shadows are encouraged.
5. Measurement game
-Give the children a ruler and/or measuring tape.
-Lay down with your eyes closed.
-The children are responsible for measuring how tall you are and how long your different body parts are.
If they’re old enough, they can also fill out a data log on you. (ex. Mommy’s feet are 8 inches long, Daddy’s nose is three inches long).
6. Day Spa
-Give the children your hairbrush, and any hair accessories you have on hand.
-Lay back on the couch with your eyes closed.
-They are in charge of brushing and fixing your hair.
-Ooh and ahh when they are done.
7. Guessing Game
-Lay down on your stomach with your eyes closed.
-Have the children trace different letters or shapes on your back.
-You have to guess what they are drawing.
Variation: You can also ask the children to walk on your back.
My niece walking on my husband and sister-in-laws backs one past Thanksgiving visit.
8. Scavenger Hunt
This game may involve a little pre-planning and some talking.
-Give the children a bag and a list of 10 things they need to find around the house (ex. something red, something fuzzy, something magnetic).
-Lay on your back with your eyes closed telling them you are going to count to 200.
-Children need to run around finding all the objects and can’t come back until they’ve found all of them or you reach 200.
9. Art Studio
-Give the children some art supplies, tell them you are going to be a “still life.”
-Lay down with your eyes closed. (The children can feel free to add props on top of you).
-Have the children draw your portrait.
-Hang it up on the fridge when done.
Variation: If you don’t mind getting messy, give the children washable markers to draw on you (another variation is giving children makeup to apply on your face).
10. Erupting volcano
(Requires some movement)
-Lay on your back with your eyes closed.
-The kids are responsible for covering you with as many pillow and blankets they can find in the house.
-When you’re good and covered – ERUPT – and all the pillows and blankets go flying.
-Repeat until they tire of the game.
Be prepared for the children to want a turn as well.
If you are too tired to move, but still want to play with your kids, I hope you find these games helpful.
😉
Having small children is exhausting. They have so much more energy than we do. To burn off that energy, we take ours on hikes or swimming or have family dance parties. But then I often say to my husband:
