Family Photo Workshops

Family Photo Workshops

Color, Inc. ATX workshop

Color, Inc. ATX workshop

So one of my goals for next year is to attend another photo workshop. In the past, I’ve gone to the Maine Photographic Workshops (where I shot film, ate a LOT of lobster and focused on fine art photography), the Santa Fe workshops (shot film, ate a lot of green chili and focused on landscape photography), Click Away (shot digital, ate a lot of Tex-Mex and focused on family photography) and some smaller ones locally with Color, Inc. (shot digital, ate a lot of cookies and focused on family photography).

For next year, I’d like to try someplace new. Since I was doing the research for myself, I thought I would share what’s on my list of possibilities.

Click Away, San Antonio, TX

Click Away, San Antonio, TX 

The Family Narrative

When: March 11th – 14th, 2019

Where: New Orleans

How much: $2000-$2500 for workshops, website review, lunches and board (airfare extra)

Click Away – Dana Point

When: Feb. 8th – 10th, 2019

Where: Dana Point, California

How much: $600-$1600 for workshops only (hotel and airfare extra)

Unraveled Retreat

When: May 3rd-6th, 2019

Where: Fairview, UT

How much: $1800 for workshops, meals, yoga, lodging (airfare extra)

Photo Native

When: Feb. 11th-13th, 2019

Where: Palm Springs, CA

How much: $750 for workshops and snacks (hotel and airfare extra)

Emily Lucarz

When: Nov 17th-18th, 2018 (Austin), Scottsdale, AZ (Jan. 2019) – more dates to come

Where: see above

How much: $1200 for workshops (hotel and airfare not included)

Alcamey and Sage

When: Jan. 15th-18th, 2019

Where: Joshua Tree, CA

How much: $2500 for workshops, meals and lodging (airfare not included)

Color, Inc. ATX workshop

Color, Inc. ATX workshop

Questions I’m asking myself as I try and decide which one to attend:

  1. What do I want to get out of this experience? (portfolio building, connecting with other photographers, being inspired, etc.)
  2. How much does it cost?
  3. Who do I really want to learn from?
  4. Will this help with my business, my creative side or both?
  5. Where is it located?
  6. Does the timing fit in with my shooting season?
  7. What’s the lodging like (does everyone need to share a room)?

If you have any other workshop recommendations (or feedback if you’ve attended one listed above), please leave a comment.

 

Top 12 Things to Do with Kids in Austin

Top 12 Things to Do with Kids in Austin

Bat watching boat cruise on Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas.

Bat watching boat cruise on Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas.

Looking for things to do in Austin with kids? I’ve lived here since 1994, and while I’ve seen it change a bunch, I wanted to share some of my current favorite things to do with kids throughout the year. Whether you’re an Austin native or visiting from out of town, I recommend the following places to visit. So grab your camera & your kids to explore all year long…

Johnson City Science Mill

Johnson City Science Mill

JANUARY – Visit Museums!

In January, the weather may be iffy, so it’s a good time to explore some indoor options. Some of our favorite museums in Austin (and nearby) to visit with kids include:

Thinkery – Austin’s children’s museum.

Hill Country Science Mill – located in Johnson City, TX. Great hands-on science experience (and their cafe has A+ mac and cheese)

DoSeum – located in San Antonio, TX. We spent over four hours there recently.

St. Edwards Park Austin, Texas

St. Edwards Park

FEBRUARY – Go on a Hike!

In February it’s not too hot to be outside (like over half the year in Austin). So take this opportunity to go on some hikes with your family. Kid friendly hikes can be found at each of the following:

St. Edwards Trails – also fun to visit in the summer to splash in the water, but lovely throughout the year.

Bull Creek– also popular in summer for swimming

Balcones Park – also good later in Spring for wildflowers

Emma Long Park – multiple trails, small stretch of beach on the shores of Lake Austin

Common Ford Park – nice dock for fishing, scenic old barn good for photo backdrops

Sweet Berry Farm strawberry, Marble Falls, Texas

Sweet Berry Farm strawberry, Marble Falls, Texas

MARCH – Pick Strawberries!

Spring is a great time to go pick your own fruit. Some farms we really like include:

Sweet Eats Farm – in Georgetown. Also fun to visit in the summer to pick peaches, wade in the river and ride the ziplines or to visit in the Fall for Pumpkins.

Sweet Berry Farm – in Marble Falls. Also fun to visit in the Fall for Pumpkins, pick your own flowers and Corn Mazes.

There are also loads of kid-friendly events during SXSW over Spring Break.

bluebonnets

Mix of different colored bluebonnets

APRIL – Bluebonnets!

The wildflowers are out – go visit the Wildflower Center and admire all the bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, primrose, poppies and all the other Texas natives in bloom. And it’s tradition to get your photos taken in the flowers.

Mueller Park kid-friendly music shows

Rock the Park drawing

MAY – Listen to Music!

See a show at Central Market, North Lamar or KUTX Live at Mueller ParkYou can also check the Austin Chronicle for local music listings.

Rock'N River waterpark in Round Rock, Texas

Rock’N River waterpark in Round Rock, Texas

JUNE – Pools are open!

Lots of favorites to visit with kids:

Deep Eddy Pool (make sure to get a Jim-Jim’s water ice while you’re there)

Barton Springs Pool (the fastest way to cool down in a Texas summer)

Rock’n River (multiple slides, lazy river and splash areas at only $10/ticket for kids)

Veterans Memorial Pool (slides, jumping platform, rope bridge, etc.)

El Salido Pool (great diving board)

Quest ATX Waterpark (must be 7 years old)

Krause Springs, Spicewood, Texas

Krause Springs, Spicewood, TX

JULY – Keep swimming!

It’s still blazing hot – check out these swimming holes just outside of town:

Krause Springs (go early to avoid the crowds – pretty much my life philosophy)

Hamilton Pool (you need a reservation)

Blue Hole Georgetown (go early to avoid the crowds)

Blue Hole Wimberley (you need a reservation)

Bats over Lady Bird Lake

Bats over Lady Bird Lake

AUGUST – See Bats! On Boats!

It’s still hot but being on the water is always nice. Try a Bat-watching boat tour on Lady Bird Lake. We got tickets to the Lone Star Cruises – and it was a hit with all ages. Cost is $12/adult; $7/kid; $10/seniors. The tour lasts about an hour, runs from March – October, but if you go in August, the bat colony is a real sight to see. You can also rent a kayak or canoe and hang out under the bridges at sunset.

Or you could take a Glass-bottomed boat tour in San Marcos.

Downtown Austin Central Library

Austin Central Library

SEPTEMBER – Learn something new!

In celebration of Back to School  – Visit the Downtown Central Library. The kid’s area is amazing. Board games to play, books to read, toys to play with and lots of computers. I also want to try their Cookbook Cafe with rotating cookbook menus.

Pumpkin Patch at Barton Hills Farm

Pumpkin Patch at Barton Hills Farm

OCTOBER – Pick Pumpkins!

Sure you could go to the grocery store and spend under $20 on a fresh pumpkin – but what’s the fun in that? Get dressed up in your costume, drive a bit out of town and explore nearby farms – and then buy your pumpkin.

Barton Hills Farm (45 minute drive from Central Austin)

Sweet Berry Farm (1 hour 15 minute drive from Central Austin)

Sweet Eats Farm (40 minute drive from Central Austin)

Volunteering with Generation Serve

Volunteering with Generation Serve

NOVEMBER – Volunteer!

It’s time to Give Thanks and Give Back. Sign up to volunteer with your kids through Generation Serve.

Zilker Tree

Zilker Tree

DECEMBER – Celebrate the Holidays!

Spin under the Zilker Holiday Tree

Make gingerbread houses at the Thinkery

Drive around and look at lights

More holiday ideas

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For even more ideas of things to do in Austin with your kids, visit Do512 Family, Free Fun in Austin and Austin City Mom’s blog.

And if you want your family photos taken doing any of these things, please let me know.

What to do with your photos after your session?

What to do with your photos after your session?

What do you do with your family photos after a session?

When we get professional photos taken every year, I like to use them on our holiday card, get framed prints for our house, make a yearly ornament of the boys and incorporate them into the photo books I design as gifts for the grandparents and my husband containing photos from all year long.

Do you just enjoy your images in a digital format? Share them only on social media? Or do you also like to make products out of the images that you can hold and pass around and then eventually pass down?

The Zenfolio galleries where I post full sessions make it easy to order a variety of products. And if you want help designing something special with your images, contact me.

How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session

How to Prepare for a Family Photo Session

Want to work together for your Family Photos this year? Here are my Top 10 Tips:

  1. Take a look at my galleries and blog and see if my style is a good match for you.
  2. Contact me at least a few weeks in advance (though Spring and Fall get booked up- so the earlier the better) and tell me what’s most important to you for a photo session.
  3. We’ll start to design your session. Decide what kind of shoot you want to have – in-home lifestyle vs. out-on-location? If out-on-location – do you prefer a nature vs. urban setting? What area of town is easiest for you to get to? Does your family have a favorite place? Then I’ll send you options. And we’ll finalize date/time/place.
  4. Decide what everyone is going to wear (give yourself enough time if you want to shop online (What to wear in Spring, What to wear in Fall) – Dress for the weather (and in Texas – that’s hot and a little less hot). Clothing guidelines: pick 3-4 colors that the family can mix and match. Remember accessories AND at least 1 week before the shoot – have everyone try on their clothes – shoes included – you don’t want any surprise growth spurts catching you unprepared.
  5. Book haircuts – 2-3 weeks out.
  6. Book manicure/pedicure for yourself a few days out (if you enjoy that kind of pampering).
  7. Night before – lay out the clothes, have a bag packed with a hairbrush, and some water/snacks, get a good night’s sleep.
  8. Day of – give yourself plenty of time to get ready, eat before you come – no one wants to be hangry, if you have littles, pack extra clothes in the car. Be on time (we choose your start time for the best light). Do one last check of faces (I’ll have wipes) and hair before we start.
  9. Remember – I like to let kids be kids – and I’ll give you lots of direction and games to play during our session. You may be asked to play chase, twirl in a circle, toss your youngest into the air or participate in a hug attack. And if you have ideas of images you want, please let me know.
  10. Have fun!