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.
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.
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.
As part of the booking process, I ask questions to determine the best location for a family.
What part of town do they live in?
Would they prefer a nature or urban setting?
Do they have a favorite spot to go as a family?
Any other details to help determine where to go?
For an extended family session next month, I was asked for a spot that is wheelchair-accessible, close to Pflugerville and has space for 14 family members.
Challenge accepted!
First step, Google image search.
Second step, start scouting.
I decided to go visit the Green Red Barn in Heritage Park in Pflugerville with my sister-in-law. Thanks so much, Allison!
Handicap accessible in multiple spots? Check
Variety of backgrounds for multiple family combinations? Check
Easy parking, away from the road and restrooms for the kids? Check
Lots of space? Check
Ding, ding, ding – we have a winner!
Between the Red Barn as a backdrop, to the metal building next door to the Heritage Museum on the same lot – lots of good options to be found at this location.
When we went to location scout, it was VERY windy.
And I think I would go back 1-2 hours later in the day to get some different light options (closer to golden hour).
If you’re looking for a similar spot, make sure to check out the list of events around town – this space is also bookable (used for Farmer’s Markets and Weddings, etc.)
And if you live near Pflugerville and want your own family photos, contact me:
What are my favorite locations for Spring Family Photo Sessions in Austin?
Hint: They involve wildflowers.
If you’re looking for a spot for your own family photos – and remembering that wildflower crops can vary from year to year, going from North to South, here’s where I recommend:
1. Balcones District Park
12017 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78759
My favorite bluebonnet spot in North Austin is Balcones District Park. You can find a large field that runs against Duval Rd. as well as bluebonnets near the playground closer to Amherst Dr.
Parking: yes, parking lot
Bathrooms: yes
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
2. Northwest Park
7000 Ardath St, Austin, TX 78757
On the Shoal Creek side of this park, you can find bluebonnets and then mixed wildflowers growing under and around the metal bridge throughout the Spring season.
Parking: yes, lot and street
Bathrooms: yes
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
3. St. Edwards Park
7301 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78759
In Northwest Austin – you can visit St. Edward’s Park. Along their trails you can find large patches of wildflowers – peaking closer to May.
Parking: yes
Bathrooms: no
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
4. Southwest Greenway at Mueller Development
2501 Tom Miller St, Austin, TX 78723
The Southwest Greenway at Mueller has restored Texas blackland prairie that incorporates native plants in partnership with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Parking: street
Bathrooms: yes but not very close
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
5. Lady Bird Lake
Hike and Bike Trail – park near Austin High School (1715 Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78703)
My favorite bluebonnet spot farther South is along the hike & bike trail. If you park near Austin High School and walk on the hike & bike trail towards the baseball fields – just beyond the baseball fields, you’ll find a large patch of wildflowers.
Parking: yes, school lot on weekends or pay for street parking during the week
Bathrooms: yes
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
6. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
Multiple spots at this botanical garden can provide beautiful backdrops for your photos. The Wildflower Center has an admission fee as well as a photography fee if you’re hiring a professional. Make sure to read their guidelines here. They also have a Bluebonnet FAQ.
Parking: yes
Bathrooms: yes
Kid and pet-friendly: kids – yes; pets – service animals only
7. Circle C Metropolitan Park
6301 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78739
In the same neck of the woods as the Wildflower Center down South – you can visit the Circle C Metropolitan Park. Along their trails you can find large patches of bluebonnets.
Parking: yes
Bathrooms: yes, near the sports fields
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
Other good locations for Spring wildflowers (some outside of Austin) include:
Brushy Creek Park – 3300 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Old Settlers Park (by the intramural fields) – 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
McKinney Falls State Park – 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
Pace Bend Park – 2011 Pace Bend Rd N, Spicewood, TX 78669
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:
