by admin | Dec 17, 2018 | advice / tips, photography
Working at newspapers (The Daily Texan, The Palladium-Item, and The Newport Daily News) while majoring in photojournalism in college (University of Texas at Austin, 1994-1998) satisfied three things for me:
- I got to create on a daily basis.
- Every day was different – and I loved the variety.
- Having a camera got me access to lots of events and satisfied my curiosity about what was going on around me.
I only went to UT Football games when I got to photograph them.
I’d never been to a Monster Truck rally until I got to photograph this one in Indiana.
So taking what I loved back then and applying it now with family photography…
Creativity = with family photography, I still get to take pictures often (usually weekly)
Variety = Every family is different. I like to explore different locations in and out of town as well.
Curiosity = I get to know people better when they’re in front of my camera.
I also want to take the skills I learned back in college and apply them to how I approach a session right now. A portrait session can tell a family’s story. So what are the five elements to build a good photo story?
ESTABLISHING SHOT: This is where the photo story begins. I like to show the environment the family is in (their home, out in nature or in an urban setting). I imagine this type of image as being the first page spread of a photo book.
I usually shoot these images with a wide angle lens. The establishing shot tells the audience what the setting of the photos will be.
PORTRAITS: These images tells the audience who the cast of characters are. I make sure to get multiple close-ups of each family member by themselves. These can be silly or serious – but meant to capture the personality of each individual.
DETAILS: Supporting images that help tell the story. They might be close-ups on hands or features as well as details on outfits or any props.
INTERACTIONS – Hand’s down – these are my MOST favorite type of image to shoot. Action, reaction and interaction – all to show the relationships between family members. Here’s the heart of the story.
CLOSING SHOT – The image that wraps it all up. It can also be used at the end of the photo album. I prefer something silly or an image that clearly shows the end (ex. people walking away). For the silly ones, 90% of the time, these seem to involve Dads.
Going forward, two of my three packages will include photo book options, and using these five elements will make those story easier to show. It’s all about the characters and their connections in all their combinations.
by admin | Dec 13, 2018 | photography
You can read About Me on my bio page, but in honor of Throwback Thursday, let’s take a walk down memory lane. Won’t you join me on this journey that led me to Family Photography…
Secret Shopping
I’ve always liked learning about new things, so after graduating college in Photojournalism, I would sign up for UT Informal Classes. Classes I took included Ballet, Swing Dancing, Alternative Photo Processes and Secret Shopping. That Secret Shopping (or Mystery Shopping) class led to me getting paid to see almost every movie at Regal Cinemas (circa 1999-2003).
With secret shopping, the most stressful part was having to count every person who came in the theater (while subtracting anyone who went out to get popcorn or made a trip to the bathroom before the movie started).
My favorite part was liking movies that I might not have seen except they were free.
Yoga Instructor
In 2008, I got my Hatha Yoga 200 hour certification through Yoga Yoga. Once I graduated, I was part of their “Yoga at Work” program where I went to different offices and taught classes. My favorite part was how relaxed people were after class (and that I got to wear yoga pants for my side job). My least favorite part was how disgusting office conference room floors were. Nowadays, I still occasionally teach a class to my own co-workers.
As part of my Yoga Yoga Teacher Training, I taught free classes (here at Hill Country Weavers)
Fabric Artist / Etsy Shop
The next phase went closely together. I had bought a sewing machine on eBay and was excited to use it. I opened up my (now empty) Etsy Shop in 2008 to sell fabric art and hand goods. My favorite part was being an active member of the Etsy Austin community. My least favorite part was when my appendix burst during an Etsy Austin show at SXSW in 2009 (not the fabric’s fault). In 2015, I sold my last item: a gift certificate for a Family Photo Session.
Close-up of sewn piece
Family Photographer
For the last few years, I’ve been mostly focused on Family Photography. Whether with my own kids (or yours), my favorite part is capturing family connections. And I don’t have a least favorite part yet 😉
Showing Max & Miles the test shots for the “fake snow” set-up
by admin | Dec 10, 2018 | advice / tips, photography
Do you (or your clients) feel awkward when in front of a camera? You’re not alone. Maybe 20% of the families I photograph are completely comfortable (and will love and snuggle with little prompting at their photo session). But if you find yourself standing there, “What do I DO with my hands?!?” or “What direction should my legs go when I sit down?!?” I’m here to help.
The posing directions I give the most are: “Lean in!” and “Snuggle!” and “Make angles!”
If those posing instructions aren’t enough, I’ll also give playful prompts at family portrait sessions (that you can also use when taking photos of your own kids). My goal is images that show a natural connection.
I’ve split suggestions out by age ranges below:
Age 1-3
Peek-a-boo
Tickle Monster
Make animal noises
Hold kids upside down
Swing kids as you walk
Hold kids up in the air
Play “hug attack” game
Play chase
Play freeze dance
Give Eskimo kisses (nose to nose)
Kids up on Parent’s shoulder
Age 4-9
Make fart noises
Have the parents dance behind me
Joke contest
Reverse Psychology – “Don’t Smile!” “Don’t Laugh” “Oh, no, you’re starting to smile, stop it, stop it, I’ll get in trouble!!”
Have kids race towards me while the parents walk behind
Have a staring contest
Spin around as fast as you can until I say stop
Do silly dance moves
Ask them, “What ideas do you have for a photo?”
Play “two truths and a lie” game
Give me your best fake laugh
Pile all together in one big hug cuddle
Match your breathing with your parents
Play the telephone game or just have them whisper secrets to each other
Age 10-18
I find this age to be the most cooperative – in which case I just talk to them as we photograph and also ask them, “What ideas do you have for a photo?”
I’ll ask about their favorite movie, book or class – what their hobbies are. What’s their dream vacation? What would their ideal day be like? What are they up to that weekend?
I’ll also ask them to imitate the sound of their dad snoring or their mom dancing. Or if that doesn’t get a natural smile, also ask them to give me their best fake laugh.
Couples/Adults
Walk like your hips are drunk but your face is not
Walk like your hips are glued together
Walk like this is the most fun walk you’ve ever been on
Whisper something silly in a sexy voice in your partner’s ear
Don’t break eye contact with each other
I’ll ask them lots of questions as well – “Which one of you would be the first to go sky diving? Who is the better cook? What’s the other person’s favorite food? If you planned a perfect day for them, what would it be like?” etc.
____
I hope these ideas help you the next time you’re in front of or behind a camera.
![New Client Questionnaire – Photography Tips]()
by admin | Dec 6, 2018 | advice / tips, photography
One of my favorite spots on the internet is the Humans of New York Instagram feed. And while I like his photography, it’s his interviewing skills that bring out moving stories of honesty and vulnerability that I love the most.
When he was asked how he does it, “To get good answers, you have to ask good questions.” To which I’d modify to say, to get good pictures, you have to ask good questions. If his questions can elicit emotion, one of my goals as a photographer is to have photos that elicit strong emotions.
I think the way to start is to ask better questions. Before I lift up my camera with a client, I’ll want to know what is most important to them at this very moment? What do they want to remember about right now?
So here are some things I plan to ask new clients during the booking process (through my client questionnaire) and why I will ask them.
Question: Have you had a chance to look at my website?
Why do I ask? To make sure we’re a good fit before we even start. My ideal client is one who falls in love with my style and wants that type of imagery for themselves. If they’ve seen my blog and galleries and then contacted me, I know we’re off to the right start.
Question: What type of session are you interested in?
Why do I ask? I offer on-location (or in-home) lifestyle portrait sessions for couples and families. If the client is interested in something else (weddings, highly posed newborn shots, etc.) – then I want to direct them to a different photographer that would better suit their needs.
Question: Tell me why you’re getting your portraits taken now?
Why do I ask? If it’s for holiday cards, that lets me know their end goal. If it’s to celebrate a milestone (1st birthday, 10th birthday, etc.), I like to have that background context. Is it a family reunion? I’ll need to plan for plenty of family combinations. Will they be interested in a photo album? If so, I’ll want to make sure to capture extra details and establishing shots to tell the full story.
Question: What most do you want to remember about this time?
Why do I ask? This question gets to the heart of it. To find out what’s most important to them. To capture that feeling.
Question: Is there anything your family/you as a couple especially enjoy doing together?
Why do I ask? So we can incorporate it into the pictures. Either the activity or some object that’s meaningful to that couple or family.
Question: Do I have your permission to post to social media?
Why? Because a Person’s or a Parent’s privacy preference is always paramount.
Question: What makes your kid laugh / What is your kid interested in these days?
Why? I like to ask kids lots of questions when I’m photographing them – so it’s great to have a jumping off point for our topics of conversations.
Last Question: Anything else you want me to know before our shoot?
Why? This is when I might find out their kid hates getting their picture taken or that Grandmas is also coming to the shoot to help (and to add her in to some pictures), etc. The more info, the better I know their story to tell.
The rest of my questions tend to center around logistics (What part of town do you live in? Do you prefer a natural or urban setting? Do you need suggestions on What to Wear? etc.) And if we don’t get to all of these questions before your session, I’ll ask as we go along during your shoot.
If you want more details on what it’s like to work with me, visit my Session Details and Let’s Work Together pages.
by admin | Dec 6, 2018 | family, photography
Now that Christmas cards have gone out, it’s safe to share this Holiday Portrait session taken at Zilker Botanical Gardens. Like years past, we did a combination Halloween / Christmas photo session. Carsyn loved spotting all the bugs, fish and furry creatures among the flowering plants and pond.
1. How did you choose Stephanie Friedman Photography?
Stephanie has been taking photos of my daughter and me for 6 years now. I initially chose Stephanie Friedman Photography because of the passion she puts in to ensuring your photo shoot is as easy and smooth as possible, with resulting photos that are simply breathtaking. For example, I came to Stephanie with my daughters Halloween costume idea and within a week she had scouted multiple locations that would provide the perfect backdrop for the costume theme. She also helped me choose props to accentuate the impact. As a repeat client, some of the things I value most out of our professional photography sessions are Stephanie’s interaction with my 6-year old daughter, goofing when necessary, being kind and warm with instructions, her creativity and dedication to quickly setting up the shot, and having the magical ability to capture the perfect instant on camera.
2. What was your favorite part of the session?
I appreciated that Stephanie had already scouted the location so when we showed up she had multiple specific ideas and placements for our photos. That being said, when my spunky kid had new ideas, Stephanie graciously accepted each request.
3. What advice do you have for other families looking to book?
Share your ideas for themes or props before your shoot and let Stephanie collaborate with you on a location and how to accentuate your original thought. And always discuss your outfits prior to the shoot, particularly if you have multiple people in the photos.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of their family photo session images. To see all the photos and purchase prints from the gallery, click HERE.
If you’d like to book your own family session in Austin, contact me:
