Helpful Tips for a Meltdown-Free Family Photo Shoot

Photoshoots with an Austin family photographer can be stressful, especially when they involve unruly or uncooperative children. Professional Austin newborn photographers and family portrait specialists are used to the chaos that can come with trying to get everyone to sit still and smile for a photo.

Tips to Keep Children Breakdown-Free While Having a Photoshoot

The following are some helpful, common-sense tips to help calm your children long enough to snap a portrait that will represent a slice of time in your family’s history.

Keep It Simple

The more you try to pack into your photoshoot, the more that can go wrong. Keep in mind the main goal is to get a great photo of you and your family. Going to too many locations, or trying on too many outfits, might be too much for the younger family members. Break it down to the most important elements and accessories and stick to those instead of attempting all of your ideas at one time.

Expect the Unexpected

The phrase "kids will be kids" is never more appropriate when trying to get them to perform a specific task, let alone when that task is to simply sit still and smile.  A photoshoot is a different experience to them, and each child acts and reacts differently to them, with some of them acting out and being uncooperative. It is best to enter the day expecting to roll with the punches and trust your photographer can wind up capturing stunning and meaningful portraits of the family.

Pre-Shoot Planning

Plan all of your family’s outfits, props, and accessories well in advance so you will not have to think of those things on the day of the shoot. Depending on the location of the shoot, the weather, and the nature or theme of your photoshoot, you will want to prepare the following items in advance:

●     Backup clothes and outfits

●     Blankets or chairs to sit on

●     Child’s favorite toys or books

●     Comfortable shoes

●     Lint roller

●     Snacks and drinks

●     Tissue and wipes for runny noses and small messes

Make It Fun

Frame the experience for your kids as an exciting adventure rather than an appointment you have to meet. Make them excited about going on a playdate and explain they are going to get to play with toys, dress up in different clothes, and go to the park (or wherever the shoot takes place).

Nap It, Snack It

One of the most important planning elements that can make or break the experience is the timing of naps to fit into the shooting schedule. It is also essential to always have a snack around to keep the kids occupied and satisfied throughout the shoot.

Bribes Work

This is no time for humility or lessons. When in doubt, bride them. Bring a favorite toy or candy, or use the promise of a trip to the ice cream shop to get the kids to calm down long enough to get a beautiful family portrait. Just remember to follow through on the bribe, or it will not work the next time.

Why Choose Rising Oak Images for Your Family Photoshoot

Rising Oak Images is a trusted Austin family photographer with years of experience dealing with families of all sizes and dynamics. With skill, patience, and creativity, Rising Oak Images creates spectacular family portraits Austin families treasure and cherish from generation to generation.

Contact Rising Oak Images Today

Contact Rising Oak Images today for complete information about the wide range of Austin family photographer services available at the most affordable rates in the business. Rising Oak Images is the Austin baby photographer and family photographer Austin TX trusts to capture memories to last a lifetime.

Tips, Tricks to Take Great Family Photos for Easter

The signs that Spring has sprung include the fresh bloom of flowers and the smiles on kids' faces that have been waiting all winter to get outside. The combination of the wonders of Spring and the ceremony of Easter provides ideal conditions for family, maternity, and Austin newborn photographers to capture spectacular photos that will jump off the page and offer memories to last a lifetime.

Austin Newborn Photographers Tips for Getting Great Easter Family Photos

Get in Your Easter Sunday Best

For Christians, Easter is a religious holiday that is symbolized by formal church Sunday best clothes. It is also often one of the first times to display new spring dresses, shirts, and ties. There is not much cuter than a little one dressed up in a bright, formal spring suit or dress. You will be surprised how nicely your family cleans up

Colors Galore

Easter has the good fortune of landing in the springtime when Mother Nature puts on a spectacular color show. Easter embraces the pastels and bright colors of Spring to create an Easter décor scheme that is complete with a kaleidoscope of color sensations that will infuse dynamic energy to family, newborn, and maternity photography Austin families will treasure for decades to come.

Easter Family Poses

Experimenting with different poses, backgrounds, and subject combinations will help to ensure you get the ideal photos of your family. Use different angles and perspectives with a variety of combinations to offer a wider range of options.

Using Props

The Easter holiday offers many options for colorful, eye-catching props for an experienced family and Austin baby photographer to use for Easter photographs and portraits, including:

●     Colored plastic eggs in varying sizes and patterns

●     Egg baskets

●     Colorful flowers

●     Bunny ears and costumes

●     Stuffed animals

Being Candid

Between Easter egg hunts, the large consumption of chocolates, and the kids dressing up in suits and dresses, capturing candid shots can create some incredible family memories. Kids often make the most interesting and photogenic faces when they are on the hunt for Easter eggs. Shots of the search and the joy of discovery will create lasting images to pass down to the next generations.

Why Choose Rising Oak Images for Your Easter Photoshoot

Rising Oak Images offers reasonable rates for professional photoshoots to create memories and moments for families, newborns, and maternity portraits and photos. They specialize in newborn and maternity photography Austin TX trusts for holiday, event, and occasion photoshoots resulting in professional-looking snapshots that record the journey and history of your family.

Contact Rising Oak Images Today

For complete information on the wide range of options from the experienced family photographer Austin TX trusts with their most precious and priceless memories and images, contact the respected family Austin newborn photographers Rising Oak Images today.

Newborn Photographers for St. Patrick’s Day Photo Shoot Ideas

People all over the world take the opportunity to celebrate Irish culture and traditions on March 17 every year. St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday filled with (green) color and pageantry that makes it an ideal setting for Austin newborn photographers to capture the beauty of the latest addition to your family.

Austin Newborn Photographers Go Green with St. Paddy’s Day Portraits

When St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated in the 7^th century, blue was the color associated with the festivities, as blue was the official color of the Order of St. Patrick. With Ireland's nickname of The Emerald Isle and the tradition of shamrocks bringing good luck, green eventually overtook the color most recognizable with the St. Patrick's Day holiday. 

Now, as the day approaches, green clothing and accessories get pulled out in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day. Adults and kids alike enjoy dressing up in green to celebrate the day when everyone is Irish. But if your child or due date happens to fall on March 17, it is a perfect chance for family photographers Austin trust to incorporate the green of St. Paddy’s Day into your maternity or newborn portrait shoot.

Leprechaun Themed Maternity Photography in Austin

Leprechauns are mischievous little elves that sprung out of local Irish folklore and superstitions. They are typically shown as a tiny, wrinkled old man dressed from head to toe in green, and are said to be smart, devious figures who love to play practical jokes. The leprechaun is the perfect character to associate with a St. Patrick’s Day baby and maternity photography Austin parents use to keep the precious memories of their children and family.

St. Patrick’s Day Props Used by Austin Maternity Photographer

Props are an important element for both St. Patrick’s Day festivities and for an Austin maternity photographer or newborn photographer looking to capitalize on a St. Paddy's Day baby photoshoot.

Dressing the baby or expectant mother and family in green is an important feature, but it is just the beginning. Put an orange beard, a green top hat, and bow tie on your infant, and their face will do the rest. Add some shamrocks and lucky horseshoes, and rainbows to their attire and background to give you a St. Patrick's Day memory for your child and the whole family.

Leprechauns are supposed to be able to find the pot of gold at the end of rainbows. Take advantage of this imagery by placing your baby in the pot of gold with a rainbow leading to it. You can also have a rainbow lead to the Mommy’s pregnant tummy as you wait for your new little pot of gold.

Contact Rising Oak Images for St. Patrick’s Day Maternity Photography Austin TX

Reach out today for specialized, theme-related newborn and maternity photography Austin TX families rely on. Contact Rising Oak Images for complete information on Austin newborn photographers and maternity photoshoots around St. Patrick's Day, or any other holiday or occasion.

Maternity & Newborn Photos

Pregnancy is an exciting time, and when you are looking for maternity photography, Austin, TX professionals at Rising Oak Images can help you capture the moment perfectly. When the new little one arrives, what better way to document the birth of a new family member than newborn photos! When you are looking for quality photos, nothing beats a true Austin baby photographer for those memories you will cherish for the rest of your life.

Choosing A Setting

The first step to getting the perfect newborn photos is picking your setting. Maybe you and your family have special traditions, or share a love for something specific, such as roses. Incorporating these things into the setting of your photos is a great idea. Depending on the time of year, you may also be able to get some beautiful outdoor backgrounds. No matter what your setting is, or where, make sure to get the best lighting possible. When looking for a family photographer, Austin TX has the professionals that can make sure you have the perfect setting for the perfect shots.

Special Props

Props are a great way to make newborn photos even more special. Maybe the baby's father is in the army, or another area of service - making dad's combat boots, hat, or fatigues a part of the photoshoot would be a great homage. In some states, people are absolutely football crazy! Props like football helmets, or even little crocheted or knitted baby hat that looks like a football, or in your team colors would be the perfect way to show love for the sport. Almost anything and everything can be used as a photo prop if done properly.

Perfect Timing

Believe it or not, there is a perfect time to getting your baby’s newborn pictures done. You obviously want to catch them when they look fresh and new to the world, but babies grow fast! Scheduling an appointment before he or she is 10 days old is the perfect time to get those precious pictures.

Getting Family Involved

When you hire an Austin maternity photographer, they understand how important of a time this can be for the entire family. Involving some of, or even all of the family, is always a beautiful idea. Getting some pictures where future dad, or older siblings, are holding mom's belly captures a beautiful moment. If you don't have other children, involving your best furry friend is always an adorable idea. Get silly and experiment with different things. Whatever you do, make sure you have fun with it.  

Documenting your pregnancy, or the start of a whole new chapter in your life is essential. One day when you are older, and your kids have kids of their own, you'll be able to show them photos of one of the most important times of your life together. When looking into newborn, or maternity photography, Austin TX company Rising Oak Images can’t wait to help you catch this wonderful time on film.

Announce Your Pregnancy With These Inspiring Ideas

Heading into 2020, it’s clear that social sharing is more popular than ever! Everything is documented, whether it’s as mundane as your daily cup of coffee or as poignant as your grandmother’s 99th birthday. And one of the most significant communiqués you’ll ever deliver is the news that a baby is on the way. A couple of decades ago, expectant parents may have simply mailed an announcement card. But in the modern age, couples are finding creative ways to showcase this life-changing event in photos, and then share the news on Facebook or Instagram.

Photos provide so many opportunities to capture the genuine emotion displayed when a wife lets her husband know he'll soon be a daddy, or when an only child is told he's going to be a big brother. For authentic and uniquely personal maternity photography, Austin TX families turn to Rising Oak Images to document this life-altering announcement.

Maternity Photography Austin - Props for Photo Sessions

Rising Oak Images designs photoshoots that authentically express the personality of the expectant mom and her family members. Communication and collaboration between family and photographer is the key to creating unique and memorable images. Below are some creative props and ideas to introduce in a maternity photo session:

Chalk Boards, Dry Erase Boards, and Other Signage

A mom-to-be surprised her husband by writing the news on a dry-erase board. The resulting emotion on his face when he read the message produced an unforgettable photographic image. One especially creative use of chalk portrayed the expectant mom’s future belly as she stood sideways against a chalkboard wall. Then there’s the couple who posed their dog with a sign that read, “My parents are getting me a human.” The possibilities for incorporating a clever message are limitless.

Clothing, Accessories, and Baby Supplies

A onesie can display a unique message like “Can’t Wait To Meet You!” and other items like baby shoes, bottles, rattles, or blankets can be incorporated into a pose. Older siblings can join the session when they wear t-shirts that say, “Promoted to Big Sister” or “Only Child Expiring.” Rising Oak is the family photographer Austin TX parents seek out to elicit genuine emotions from kids of all ages. And real emotions make the best photos.

Incorporating Hobbies, Special Locations, and Favorite Activities

A favorite activity or hobby can make the photo session especially personal. A couple of outdoor enthusiasts included a pair of tiny skis in their shoot, and even techies and gamers can find ways to communicate the big news in a unique way. And If there’s a landmark that has special meaning for the family, Rising Oak will gladly work to schedule the session at that location.

Austin Baby Photographer

Once the special bundle arrives, capture the special bond between the newborn and her parents and siblings. Rising Oak offers a Maternity + Newborn bundles that include a four hours total session time, and an online gallery.

Contact Rising Oak to Schedule a Family Photo Session

Whether it’s a pregnancy announcement, gender reveal, newborn photo session, or a family shoot, Rising Oak is the Austin Family Photographer that can deliver truly unique and timeless photos. Get in touch today!

Tips for Making Beautiful, Memorable Maternity Photos

Pregnancy is a uniquely special and fleeting time in a woman's life and a profound period in the history of the family. As the baby grows and develops inside them, pregnant women feel compelled to capture this magical time by having professional maternity photos taken by family photographers Austin trusts with their most precious memories.

Location and Background Essential for Austin Family Photographer of Maternity Photos

The setting for maternity photos is a crucial decision that will set the tone for the pictures that capture this most special time. Contributing factors that go into choosing the location that will perfectly display the beauty of the pregnancy include the geographical area, the weather, and the personal preferences for the style and character of the family. Consulting with a family photographer, Austin TX trusts will help to determine the best options for the location of the maternity photo shoot.

Using exterior locations makes for spectacular backdrops to enrich photos taken at a local park, forest, or garden. Downtown metropolitan areas also offer unique backgrounds that feature the family’s hometown resulting in dynamic pictures with a permanent location stamp.

Props

Using props in a maternity photoshoot serves several purposes and benefits. The internet is filled with a limitless supply of suggestions and ideas for adding props that will add texture and context to the photos. Giving the expectant mother or another family member a prop to hold will put them more at ease and provide them with something to do with their hands while being photographed.

An experienced and engaged Austin family photographer will partner with the family to get creative to find the perfect props and accessories to add character, style, and depth to the maternity photo shoot.

Set-Ups and Poses

With the background, location, and the props decided on, the next big decision is how to set up the maternity photos and which poses to use. Creativity and experimentation are always encouraged by the maternity photography Austin TX trusts, as the best photos often come from spontaneous moments during the photo shoot.

• Show off the baby: The reason for the session is the glorious baby bump of pregnancy, so show it off. The mother-to-be and the rest of the family can feel free to touch and hug the belly, which produces genuine, spectacular reaction shots.
• Partners: The classic silhouette shot of a pregnant woman highlighting her belly rises to a new level of “aww” when partners stand face to face with their expectant baby in between. Silhouettes in front of white backdrops or large windows create an elegant work of art.
• Walk it off: Speaking of partners, the two walking hand-in-hand offers a chance to catch a real shared moment with a natural background. Motion creates emotion.

Getting the Family Involved

Pregnancy is a personal wonder for the woman who is carrying the child. It is also a major family event. Including other children in maternity photography, Austin families rely on will create a family history timeline to be enjoyed for years and generations to come.

The respected professional family photography available at Rising Oak Images is dedicated to creating an environment suitable for getting the best and most memorable maternity photographs possible at the best rates in the industry.

Tips & Tricks To Getting A Great Family Photo Outside

There’s no better way to capture a moment in time than a picture. Whether candid or done by a professional, a picture is worth a thousand words - and help that memory live on for years to come. However, if you’re looking for the perfect setting for the perfect family portraits, Austin has some ideal outdoor options, and outdoor photos are absolutely the way to go!

When hunting for that ideal spot for your family portraits, there are several things you want to keep in mind. You want to make sure you have plenty of space and good lighting, with minimal distractions - and bring any necessary props!

Location, Location, Location!

Location is essential. You want to find an area with wide-open space, and lots of room to roam. Not only does this lessen the chance of strangers wandering into your shot, but this also gives the kids space to run around. Choosing an open space where the kids can enjoy themselves, and not having to be constricted to too small of an area, will keep them more content. Ample space will ultimately make things much less stressful for everyone.

Distractions

Along with having a wide-open space for kids to stay happy, bring along something as a distraction. Whether it be a book, or a favorite toy, or maybe some sort of little snack to keep the little ones from a cranky-hunger meltdown. Objects of distraction are also great for when you’re ready to snap that picture and need to get their attention!

Bring A Sheet Or Blanket

Getting a shot where your family is either lying or sitting can make for a great portrait! Having a blanket or sheet available can make it more comfortable Not to mention, the last thing you need is everyone getting dirty from being on the ground. Use a sheet that is solid colored, and with few to no patterns. Doing this will assure that the attention won’t be drawn away from the main focus of the picture - your family!

The Perfect Pose

When your main objective is to get that perfectly posed, wall-worthy, family portrait - start there first. Especially if your family includes smaller children. Little kids lose interest, get squirmy, and get dirty a lot faster than we'd like them to. To make sure everyone is clean, happy, and reasonably focused for that perfect picture, do your posed photos first. Of course, bribing the small ones with snacks or playtime is always a good incentive, as well!

Be Patient & HAVE FUN!

If you have children, you know that most tasks require you to have a lot of patience. Make sure to give your photoshoot a fairly good-sized time frame. This way, if there are meltdowns, crying fits, snack breaks, or you simply can't get them to hold still for a moment, they have time to get it all out of their system. Most of all, while you want to get that perfect pose of the whole gang, remember that family portraits are about family. Have fun and enjoy the time you're getting to spend together - and don't forget to get some silly ( and candid) pictures!

Austin Children’s Photographers

Sometimes trying to take your own family portraits isn’t easy. You may not have the right lens or lighting, or even the right kind of camera. Often, it’s just too challenging to try to get the pose right and get the picture taken at just the right moment. In this case, call for back-up! Rising Oak Images is your go-to when it comes to Austin family photographers!