Since I learned the field we met at last year was now dug up and under construction, we headed to Northwest Park for the C. Family’s yearly bluebonnet photo session.
The boys had lots of ideas for their photos so we thoroughly explored the patch of wildflowers by the bridge in the park.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of their Spring bluebonnet 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:
For this Couples Portrait Session, Zach and Drew needed updated photos together, new headshots and some images that show their favorite hobbies.
So we met up to walk around their neighborhood and hang out in their backyard.
Zach has a green thumb, and Drew loves to cook.
I’m so glad I got to document this phase of your life and talk about all the good things ahead.
1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?
Stephanie and I are friends from way back. She first photographed me during freshman year of college. I complained about having my picture taken, and she said “Oh, you’re a fashion plate.” (Edit: I have NO memory of this conversation – Stephanie)
2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?
Meeting our neighbor when we tried to use her beautiful flowers as a backdrop. (Edit: Shoutout to Selena with the green thumb!)
3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?
Choose *lots* of different outfits in advance if you want different looks in different photos. (Edit: And now Drew knows he has some jean-shopping in his future)
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:
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.
Please enjoy this sneak peek of their extended 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 (or the surrounding area), contact me:
