Every year I choose a different photographer to take our family photos (I like variety) – and it’s a great experience to be in front of the camera (rather than safely behind it). With each session, I narrow down what’s most important to me as a client. I appreciate photographic talent, clear communication and how comfortable you make my kids feel.
That’s what I look for. Now, you might have different criteria. To help you decide if we’d be a good match for each other as photographer/client, here are more details on what a photo session with me is like.
Why choose me?
Pre-session value
Do you like my work? If you haven’t already, take a look at my blog and galleries. Is my style something you want for yourself? If yes, keep reading. If not, and you’d like recommendations for other local photographers with different styles, price ranges, etc. – I’d be more than happy to share.
We’ll start with the end in mind – I’ll ask at the beginning – “What do you want to do with your photos?” Are these for a holiday card, to document a family reunion, for a birth announcement? Will you plan on ordering wall art or an album? That helps me tailor your session.
If you need help deciding what to wear, I have several Pinterestboards of outfits.
If you’d like a recommendation to a local Hair and Makeup Artist, I can provide that.
If you need help choosing a location, I have lists sorted by nature vs. urban and parts of town (North, Central and South) and spots outside of town.
I’ll also send a short checklist of reminders before your shoot so you feel ready. In fact, you’ll get several check-ins from me by email and/or text
Booking FAQ
How to Prepare for your Session
Text reminder/weather check the day before
What happens next after your shoot
Your photos are ready!
Value during session
I’ll help you find your most flattering poses (the secret is angles), but we’ll also have fun and play games so you forget about the camera.
I tell bad jokes.
I’ll ask your kids to make me laugh.
Your kids will get to climb and explore.
I’ll ask your kids (and you) if you have your own ideas for poses.
I’ve scouted your spot ahead of time so we’ll know where to go – but I’m also flexible if we need to adjust on the fly (and find the best light)
Value after session
You get to download all your files from the session.
Your photos will be processed in color as well as black and white (to give you all the options).
I’ll do light photoshop retouching on faces (I’m not taking out wrinkles, but if your kid has a cut on their face that won’t be there next week, it’s getting removed).
I make it easy to download and print products from your image gallery.
I make it easy to share your photos with friends and families – on the flip side, if you don’t want any of your images shared online or don’t want your images shared in any social media, I follow your guidelines there – your privacy is important to me.
If you think we’d be a good match, contact me below. I’d love to hear from you!
(And a BIG Thank You to all the Parents who took these behind-the-scenes pics: Ann, Katherine, Heather and Alfred)
Your milage may vary – but I don’t think my kids (age 4 and 7) are ready to enjoy traditional Museum spaces (i.e. not run and not touch). Here are my Top 10 recommendations of where to “Explore Art in Austin with Kids”.
First, I look for the following criteria:
Is the art outdoors?
Is the art interactive
What’s the admission price for a family of four?
Does it have a S.T.E.A.M. aspect? (will they build or make something during or be inspired to build or make something after)
Is it photogenic?
(Some of these recommendations are seasonal).
Second Saturday at Laguna Gloria (ice-themed)
Laguna Gloria
My number one favorite is Laguna Gloria. It’s a short drive from our house. The boys can appreciate the 14-acre sculpture park (lots of room to run and explore). But the extra special part is their “Second Saturdays” series. We’ve made gingerbread houses, foam monsters, bird houses and melted art.
The Ellsworth Kelly “Austin” exhibit at the Blanton Museum of Art is kid-friendly. And you can also use that as an excuse to explore the University of Texas campus.
4. Fairy Houses / Woodland Faerie Trail at the Zilker Botanical Garden
The Woodland Faerie Trail (or Fairy Houses) at the Zilker Botanical Gardens happens only in Summer. And you can even sign up to submit your own entry.
5. Fortlandia at the Wildflower Center
(since they’ve opened, you can no longer climb on some of the forts) – just check the posted signs
As of this post, we’ve already visited the Fortlandia Exhibit at the Wildflower Center four times. But the exhibit is only up until February, 2019. It has 10 unique forts where your kids can climb and swing and build. Highly recommended before it’s gone!
It takes a short drive out to the Hill Country, but the Science Millembodies S.T.E.A.M activities. Your kids will have a great time exploring. And inside the Silos, there’s often a rotating art exhibit.
8. Waller Creek Show
Since 2014, every November in Austin, the Waller Creek light show is a must-see. (Just make sure your kids don’t mind waiting in potentially-long lines to get in).
And if all this art inspires you to want your own art-themed family photos… Let’s Play. We can do face paint, body paint, color smoke bombs, color pellets (Holi powder), chalk and more. The only limit is our imaginations.
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.
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
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:
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 theirCookbook Cafe with rotating cookbook menus.
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.
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.
Want to work together for your Family Photos this year? Here are my Top 10 Tips:
Take a look at my galleries and blog and see if my style is a good match for you.
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.
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.
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.
Book haircuts – 2-3 weeks out.
Book manicure/pedicure for yourself a few days out (if you enjoy that kind of pampering).
Night before – lay out the clothes, have a bag packed with a hairbrush, and some water/snacks, get a good night’s sleep.
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.
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.
Every year I choose a different photographer to take our family photos (I like variety) – and it’s a great experience to be in front of the camera (rather than safely behind it). With each session, I narrow down what’s most important to me as a client. I appreciate photographic talent, clear communication and how comfortable you make my kids feel.
