Due to some recent work and family travel, I’ve gotten to photographseveral members of my department. In addition to being a family photographer, I also work with a group of image acquisition specialists for an educational publisher. For these family sessions, I’ve flown to Orlando, driven to Pflugerville and Tayler, Texas, and this last trip took me to the Chicago/Evanston area. After some discussion over where to meet up, we went exploring on the Northwestern University Campus for their family photos.
Lia was a great sport as I stuck her in various trees and plant-life.
And the weather couldn’t have been nicer for this Texas visitor as we walked through the campus buildings and gardens and viewed the Lakefront.
And thanks to another one of my co-workers (Shout Out to Jenny!) for capturing some fun behind the scenes pics as well.
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
I work with Stephanie. I’ve always loved her photography, I follow her on Instagram. I’m impressed by the artistic quality of her family photo sessions; the photos turn out so natural and candid.
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2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
Getting to see Stephanie in action. She’s very energetic, and she’s great at generating ideas for where to take photos. I really liked it when we found a building on the campus near Northwestern that looked like a Harry Potter backdrop with it architectural features. Also, I enjoyed when she used all plants and flowers that she could find as we were walking along the paths.
“Harry Potter” looking building on campus
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Just do it! Quit stalling and enjoy yourselves while capturing some memories. We hadn’t had a photo session since my daughter was in pre-school. Time passes quickly.
4. Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks so much, Stephanie!
Please enjoy this sneak peek of their family 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 (or want to know if I may be traveling soon to your neck of the woods), contact me:
While the wildflowers were putting on such a show at St. Edwards Park, I met up with this sweet family for some Spring portraits.
The kids were great sports to go exploring in the tall grass among the sticky burrs.
We had staring contests:
Piggy-back rides:
And lots of snuggles, silliness and smelling the flowers:
Please enjoy these sneak peeks from their family portrait session.
To see all the photos and purchase prints from their gallery, click HERE.
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
I met Stephanie when our kids went to the same pre-school – and we became connected on social media. It was through her darling Instagram account where I was wow-ed with how she approaches photography – especially capturing natural and sweet moments with kids. (Edit: Thank you! It was so fun to see how much the kids have grown since their Montessori days – Stephanie)
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
My favorite part of the photo session was Stephanie’s presence and sense of adventure. She had great ideas for the shoot – and then worked in the moment and with the kids to come up with ideas on the fly – like my daughter’s bridge in the field of flowers! You can also tell that Stephanie is a mom – she knew how to work with my kids to get what she wanted, and also knew when it was time for a break. (Edit: Thank you! See “I wish I could do that” bridge pic below, and I always follow the kids’ leads when it comes to taking breaks – Stephanie)
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Go with the flow and let natural moments happen – those typically end up being the most memorable shots. (Edit: Yes! The in-between moments are always my favorites – Stephanie)
4. Anything else you’d like to add?
Stephanie is really easy to work with. Great communicator. Great ideas. And most of all, a great photographer! (Edit: 🙂 – Stephanie)
What does the promise of a trip to the Arcade get you?
Cooperative children for 30 minutes in the beautiful fields of wildflowers at St. Edwards Park in Austin this Spring.
This year has been so glorious for wildflowers (the best one in the last 10 years), and when I saw this field of flowers popping up online and then went on a hike by myself to scout – I raced home, got the kids dressed and told them we could go to Pinballz if they’d pose for some shots.
St. Edwards Park was already one of my favorite spots for family photos, but this Spring it really took the top honors for favorite Austin location.
Dodging sticky burrs, we explored the horsemint (the purple ones), the Mexican hat (the yellow ones) and Indian blanket flowers (the red and yellow ones). If you want to see what will continue to bloom for the next few months (heat notwithstanding) – check out the Wildflower Center’s bloom chart.
Later that weekend, the boys were interested in helping me edit their pictures.
Though if you let an 8 year old boy in Photoshop, be warned for what he might create:
Potty humor aside, they were really good sports during our location scouting.
So, Arcade achievement unlocked. And a few days later, I made good on my promise.
ps. Thanks to Max for taking the photo of me in the wildflowers below
You may not believe it, but this was the first time this family of five had ever had family photos taken. They requested Spring wildflowers, so we met out at the Southwest Greenway (part of the Mueller Park development).
If you’ve never had a family photo session yourself, here’s how my workflow usually goes – with each family photo session, I like to do a mix of posed and more casual shots.
I also want to make sure each child gets their time to shine. All three kids were great sports to climb into the tall grass for their individual portraits.
I like to get different combos of family members.
And capture those sweet and silly in-between moments as well.
And if you have a toddler who doesn’t want to sit still for very long, I have solutions. One idea – toss him up in the air…
Another possibility, put him on dad’s shoulders…
Or mom’s back…
Or tickle his feet…
He’ll let you know when he’s done.
To keep everyone happy, I like to give the kids a chance to stretch their legs…
Then Mom and Dad can get get a moment to themselves.
To round everyone back up, it’s always good to add more snuggles.
And if it’s the very end of the session, I’m not too proud to pretend to trip and fall backwards in the grass to get some real laughs.
And that’s a wrap!
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
I know Stephanie through our children’s school. (Edit: We’ll miss you all when you move! – Stephanie)
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
Stephanie did all the work finding the perfect location with fields of beautiful wildflowers. I loved how well she did with my kids above all else. She knew how to make it fun and keep them involved. She was patient and kind and had great methods to settle down the rugrats. (Edit: All three were such troopers, not every kid wants to climb into grass as tall as they are – Stephanie)
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Let Stephanie take the lead. Don’t worry about your kids looking or doing the right pose. Relax. The best photos happen when you aren’t focused on the fact you’re taking photos. (Edit: Yes! The in-between moments are always my favorites – Stephanie)
