Last month, I was one of the photographers at the Amplify Black Austin event. I first met Matthew (one of the organizers) at a Color, Inc. Workshop back in 2017 – and now we both belong to the Austin chapter of Rising Tide.
Matthew photographing one of the cute models at the “Capturing Joy” workshop we both attended at the Star Hill Ranch in 2017.
So when he put out a call for Volunteers a few weeks earlier in alignment to all the Black Lives Matter protests going on, I was eager to sign-up.
The Amplify Black Business event was held at SHDW Studios. I was able to photograph several Black Business Owners that day. I wanted to share some of my favorite images from the event and introduce you to these amazing women.
Events Unleashed
First up was Lahoma of Events Unleashed. She helped organize the whole day with Matthew.
Lahoma is a corporate, non-profit and wedding event planner. And even though we only had 15 minutes together for her mini-portrait session, the smiles under my mask matched her joyful ones. She is organized, thoughtful and fun to be around.
Her thoughts on the experience: “My experience with Stephanie was top-notch! She instantly made me feel comfortable during the session but leading up to the session she was thorough, detailed and available for questions. During the session, it felt like we really clicked! It was easy to pose because she gave clear direction and a vision in mind for the shoot. I got to peak behind the lens a few times and I couldn’t believe that she really captured the essence of who I am!”
An Event to Remember
Next was Shamika of An Event to Remember. She provides clients with fun, stress free and customized wedding and event planning.
From Shamika: “The experience was very uplifting and I feel like it brought a lot of business professionals together.”
Your Journey with J
After her was Jeslisa of Your Journey with J. In her own words: “Whether your first birth or your last, I truly believe that birth is a journey and something that should be supported along the way with a doula.
My goal is to shift the way we think about birth and replace fear with education and empowerment – while centering BIPOC, single, and LGBTQIA+ people. It is my training from Re+Birth Equity, Birthing Advocacy, and DONA International, as well as years of working with families in various capacities and personal lived experience allows me to provide comprehensive and culturally inclusive support.
Birthwork is my social justice work. I provide in person and virtual doula offerings that include prenatal education, birth support, postpartum support, and more.”
About the experience: “For someone who loves serving others, being the focus of attention is not comfortable to me – especially when it includes a camera. Stephanie made this, first real, photoshoot experience so enjoyable for me! Whether it was building my confidence through affirmations, providing useful direction tips, or just being flexible while also incorporating my son. This was only a mini-shoot, so I can only imagine what the full experience with Stephanie would be like. I would highly highly recommend doing a photoshoot with her.”
Blackbird Bath
Next was Shannon of Blackbird Bath. Her company’s mission is “to make sure every bath you take is a moment of luxury and pampering just for you!!” Check out their products and treat yourself 🙂
Exp.Design
After her was Antoinette, the CEO of Exp. Design. She runs a creative learning agency that partners with people-centric brands to design and develop result-driven learning experiences.
From Antoinette: “The session was so fun! This has to be the best experience I’ve had in a long time! Stephanie was amazing!”
Chic Resumes and Services
Up next in front of my camera was Larisa with Chic Resumes and Services. Chic Resumes & Services is a comprehensive resume service company designed to focus on developing career documents that represent what each client has to offer.
From Larisa: “Stephanie was such a pleasure to work with. Her “easy-going” spirit and personality was amazing and her promptness and knowledge behind the camera as well as ability to create a relaxed environment was phenomenal!! I thoroughly benefitted from the yoga techniques she implemented before and during our shoot!”
JMercer Music
My last session of the day was with Jessica, a bassist, music producer and singer/songwriter who believes “Humility in Life | Excellence in Art.”
From Jessica: “I had so much fun. It was like picture day but 100x better!”
While fully masked, working from six feet away, it was an uplifting day to photograph all these women.
If you’re interested in your own Branding Session, you can find more information HERE or you can contact me below.
This Front Porch Session (that spread into a neighborhood walk) got to include some of Truman’s favorite things: skateboarding, his new puppy Georgia and playing the trumpet.
I wore a mask and mostly used my 85mm to stay at least 6 feet away. I’m so glad we got to capture another year’s memories with this Spring portrait session.
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
We may have been Stephanie’s first customer! She is a friend so we already knew how talented she is, and we turned to her years ago when we needed a family photographer.
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
We always appreciate Stephanie’s expertise, but as people who don’t like to be photographed, we also appreciate her speed and efficiency. She also works well in the moment and comes up with extra ideas on the spot.
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session during Quarantine?
Be flexible and treat it as a fun diversion from lockdown. Our first date got rained out, so we had to postpone. The social distancing aspect puts a little crimp in the types of shots Steph can take, but she came prepared with multiple lenses and ideas. Our shoot was mainly about our son’s photos, but we did bring our masks and have Steph take a family photo with masks on. Hopefully one day we’ll look back on it and laugh.
4. Anything else you’d like to add?
Nope! We love Stephanie and always appreciate our beautiful photos. We drag our feet about it every year, but especially when the holidays roll around, we’re so grateful that we did it and chose Stephanie.
Please enjoy a preview of some of my favorite images from this at-home Front Porch Portrait session.
What do you do when your Spring bluebonnet photos are cancelled due to Stay-at-Home orders during Covid-19 quarantine? You wait until it lifts for a front porch session that coincides with both of your kids birthdays.
Celebrating as a family with birthday cake, new trampoline and new puppy – I was able to document the togetherness in this Front Porch (and backyard) session.
Here’s to all the families making new sweet memories in these strange times.
1. How did you find working with Stephanie Friedman Photography?
We took family photos in the blue bonnets last spring with Stephanie, and they are my favorite pictures, so scheduling a porch photo session this spring was another way to capture precious memories of our growing kids even in these challenging times.
2. What was your favorite part of the photo session?
Even behind a mask and from six-feet away, Stephanie is magical with children. She put them at ease right away and had them smiling and posing like professional models.
3. What advice would you give to families planning a portrait session during Quarantine?
Plan the session, so you can share photos from the Covid-19 era with your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Remember looking at all the Spanish flu images. We are living history right now. Wear your masks, but also make it fun by decorating your yard and porch. Show off all that landscaping work.
4. Anything else to add?
Only Stephanie can capture multiple photos where my entire family is smiling and looks good. She is a total pro!
See below for a sneak preview of some of my favorite images from this session:
The kids are at home for at least the next few weeks, and I’m so grateful that our school district sent out some resources and lesson plans over the weekend. I wanted to share some of the sites from that list as well as places my co-workers, friends and family have been sharing among ourselves.
If you have elementary age kids, I hope you find this list helpful:
May we all figure out our own Corona Curriculum. And if you have suggestions for other sites, please leave me a comment below. I’ve found this Facebook group has loads more specific resources – go check it out!
20+ years in the image department of an educational publisher (photo researcher, photographer, etc.)
5 years volunteering as a photographer for my kids’ school events (Field Day, Class Parties, etc.)
10+ years photographing kids and families
It was a perfect blending of my experience and interests.
Next, I went out to the school four times to photograph various classes, events and student groups. Now the International School of Texas has a fresh stock image library for mailers, brochures, social media and website updates.
