Adorable Sisters – Professional Photographer The Woodlands

Another gorgeous day for a family portrait session for this family from Spring, TX. A clear blue sky, beautiful fall light, a field of wheat coloured grasses and these adorable sisters – such a fun session!

For family portraits with little ones, I make sure to leave enough shooting time to accommodate snacks and time outs, and some cuddles with their favourite blanket or teddy bear. We’ll start with the family together, since at the beginning of the session children are often the most coooperative and a little curious, which helps get those formal shots where we want eye contact. We will move on to  mother-daughter and daddy-daughter portraits, so every child gets a special moment alone with mom and dad. They love this part of the photoshoot!  I won’t let you get away with not having a shot of the two of you together either — children love to see portraits of their parents, and walking by a portrait of their parents happy and together has been proven to help boost their self esteem and happiness!

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 The kids are usually more at ease towards the end of the session, to get some individual and sibling shots. Families often worry about their little ones not cooperating, and sometimes all the naps and kisses in the world can’t make the portrait seem less scary for toddlers. With time and patience, we’ll get those family portraits you’re looking for! Some of my favourite child photographs are of the children just being themselves – and if teddy, a soother, or a comforting blanket is a part of your child’s life right now, making it a part of the portrait session (even if just to help soothe tears) may be something you’ll be thankful for years from now. I aim to capture your family, your children, as they are so you have those visual reminders in the years to come how they are NOW, while they’re little. Embrace this now, and document it forever.

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Are you looking for a family photographer in the Woodlands, Spring, Oak Ridge or Conroe area? Email me directly with this CONTACT FORM.

To learn more about full sessions CLICK HERE for session info and click to see my FAMILY PORTRAIT and CHILDREN galleries.

Family of Boys – The Woodlands TX Portrait Photographer

Most families want their family portraits taken in spring or fall, when the weather is nice and temperate, and the flowers are in bloom or the leaves are changing towards beautiful fall colour.  This family flew in to their home town in Spring and the Woodlands for the holidays, and we were a little worried about the cold winter weather for their family portraits in January!  Chilly as it was, the winter light is really light and airy which makes for pretty photos, the sky is clear and blue, and the grass is a natural wheaten shade that looks rustic and country. Overall, it’s a really pretty look for your family photos and I rather like shooting in winter here.

This family with four  handsome boys braved a chilly but beautiful January afternoon for their photography session, and you’d never know they were cold by how natural they look in front of the camera! They struck every pose perfectly and were stylish to boot. Thanks for being such good sports!

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Do you need a family photographer? I’m now booking!  To inquire email me directly with this CONTACT FORM.

To see more information see the FULL SESSION INFO PAGE and check out the FAMILY PORTRAIT PORTRAIT GALLERY.

Family Portraits with a Lifestyle Twist – The Woodlands Photographer

When you’re shooting family portraits with the happiest little toddler, and you catch some of the best laughs,  you can’t help but smile when you see the final portraits! This little guy was so adorable, with the cutest smile and funniest expressions, it was easy to see how his parents were so laid back and relaxed for their family session. We were able to get some amazing shots of their family connection, for more of a lifestyle feel, which is harder to do with little ones who tend to shy away and take a while to come out of their shells. Not this little guy! He was grinning from ear to ear and ready to give kisses to mom and dad and pose for the camera.  This shoot really made my day!

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Do you need a family photographer? I’m now booking,  email me directly with this CONTACT FORM.

To see more information see the FULL SESSION INFO PAGE and check out the FAMILY PORTRAIT PORTRAIT GALLERY.

Child Photographer in The Woodlands – Birthday Session

This is sweet little Noah, and his mama contacted me to do a very special shoot to celebrate his third birthday. I offer short one hour “mini shoots” in Spring and the Woodlands for exactly these kind of sessions — to celebrate a milestone or just get a handful of beautiful portraits to remember this moment, this now, and how someone special in your life is at this point in time. Our children change so fast, and keeping an album of yearly pictures or a wall of portraits as they grow up is a great way to capture forever every stage of their life.

This little sweetie and his big blue eyes was full of wonder and giggles. And his blue shirt was the perfect outfit to show off those gorgeous eyes!

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Would you like to celebrate a milestone with photographs? Do you want to start keeping an album of your children, to capture them as they are year to year, or have a framed wall gallery? To inquire about a session, email me directly with this CONTACT FORM.

To see my Children’s Portrait Gallery click HERE. To learn more about short ‘mini sessions’ visit the INFO PAGE.

Relaxed and Fun Family Portraits in the Woodlands

I get all kinds of families who come to me for their family portraits, and no two families are alike. Some want classic and traditional portraits for the mantle, formal poses and elegant styling. Some want documentary style lifestyle photos of their families at home, to personalize their family sessions and to remember where they were at this time in their lives, as moments are so fleeting. And some, like this family, want to have fun and relaxed candid portraits of their family, mixed with the traditional, to celebrate the relationships we share and the fun we have as a family when we are together.

We will include some traditional family portraits, for sharing with family members (remember — Grandma always really loves that one posed photo of her beloved family together, happy and smiling at the camera, and she’ll be expecting her print!) but then we can skip around, laugh and run, and really get down to the serious business of enjoying this day together making beautiful family portraits that really capture YOU as you truly are. For this family, that was bright, happy and lots of smiles!

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These types of family sessions make great collages and albums, since we shoot for family combinations having fun, dancing, snuggling, playing games and just enjoying being together.

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We’ll take each child separately, and capture some beautiful portraits that match each child’s personality.  I love to include photos that tell the entire story of each child, from the fun and perky shots to the serene and lovely – the girl with her eyes closed, dreaming. The sweet boy who offers me a flower. The little one with her bright eyes and big smile.

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And of course, photos of all the kids together. Look, ma! No fighting!

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I think the kids are trying to tell their parents something here! LOL!

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I had SUCH a great time with this family. Lots of laughs and everyone had fun being together.

Are you in The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, Oak Ridge North, or Montgomery County and looking for a family photographer?

Email me directly with this CONTACT FORM. Check out the INFO PAGE for family sessions and the gallery HERE.

Holiday Portrait Sessions – Spring, Conroe and the Woodlands TX

I welcomed back this wonderful family for their annual family portraits, and I love seeing how my littlest clients have grown from year to year! This year for their holiday family pictures they chose this gorgeous fall colour palette of purples and magentas, which always looks amazing against the deep rich hue of the early fall foliage. When clients ask, “What should I wear for our fall family photos?” this is a colour I always recommend, as a jewel tone that really pops!

As always, for your family portraits I shoot the entire family together for that coveted fantastic photo of everyone happy and together, for the wall above the fireplace. I won’t let you forget to get a couple portrait of just the two of you either! Thank you to this fabulous family for choosing me again for their yearly fall family photos here in the Woodlands!

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With the “perfect shot” done, then we move about for individual shots of the kids, together and by themselves. Kids are so much fun to work with, with their spontaneous genuine smiles and natural curiosity. I love to capture the happiness of children as well as their inner quiet souls, the sides of them we as parents see inside their gentle hearts in unguarded moments.

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We’ll shoot the family portraits again, with a little change of location, for variety and a more casual feel. These make great album portraits, when put together. Family portraits can be really fun and it’s a great chance to hang out together, laughing and smiling, and celebrate what makes you a loving family!

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Are you in The Woodlands Spring, Conroe, or Montgomery County, and are looking for family portraits?  email me directly with this CONTACT FORM.
To view booking information, see my INFO PAGE HERE for family portrait information and CLICK HERE to see the family portfolio gallery.

Family Photographer Spring TX

This lovely lady booked a family session that included her sister’s family and their parents (more photos from the extended family session to come!) for holiday portraits of the whole family together. I always make sure to shoot each family unit individually too, so everyone gets their own family photograph as well. Beautiful family, and I can’t wait to share more!

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Are you looking for a family photographer in the Spring, Woodlands, Conroe or Tomball area?

To get more information or email me directly with this CONTACT FORM.

Woodlands Family Photographer

This awesome family knew exactly where they wanted their family portraits done this year! One of my favourite new families, they are fun, fearless and full of laughter and I loved this whole shoot.  And big winner – everyone happy and smiling for that holiday card portrait!

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Children’s Photographer in the Woodlands and Spring TX

This adorable little girl and her family came in for a family photography session this summer, and was such a happy child I could have done a whole session just for her!

Did you know you I offer mini sessions, for if you want a special photography session for just one or two children? My Simplicity Sessions are designed for when you want just a few images for holiday cards, to celebrate a milestone or graduation, or just for fun! CLICK HERE for more information about Simplicity Sessions and book yours today!

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The Woodlands Photography Family Session

This wonderful family in the Woodlands called me for a family session when the grandparents were expected in town, for pictures of everyone together. They chose their own home as the location, to make it more personal and for pictures of their everyday life. Lifestyle sessions are always a lot of fun to do, and this family was so sweet and warm! It was pleasure to do their family portraits.

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Accepted to Holga Out of the Box Art Show

In addition to the digital and film work I do for my fabulous clients, I also dabble in artistic photography.  I’m honoured to have two of my images accepted to the Holga Out of the Box exhibition for TCC Photo | Gallery and Productions in Longview, TX, with Juror Ted Orland.

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Tips for a Successful Photoshoot ~ The Woodlands Family Photographer

Your family photo shoot doesn’t have to be stressful, and it’s my job to make things as wonderful and enjoyable for you as possible. Here are a few things you can do to prepare for your family photography session, to ensure smooth sailing!

1. Be YOU.

This may sound obvious, but you’ll have so much more fun and be more comfortable if you are dressed and styled in a way that you feel reflects you and your family.  If you are not comfortable in high heels or a tie, or if you feel too dressed down in jeans, then you may be worried that the photos won’t “feel” like you. Don’t worry! We have a chance to go over styling at our Pre Consultation, and I’ll help guide you with wardrobe. Also, check out my Style Guide here: STYLE GUIDE.

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2. Have a relaxing day.

Don’t plan any unnecessary activities the day of the photo shoot. Sleep in, have a nice breakfast and leisurely lunch, and have a restful day. This is especially important if you have little ones, so they can be relaxed enough to take their nap. The day before the shoot is a better day to clean and press the outfits,  and have the bag of snacks, accessories, and toys ready and waiting by the front door. All you’ll need to do before you get in the car is check your lipstick! If the kids are relaxed, they’ll be much more open to having fun during the shoot!

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3. About those snacks and toys…..

To keep little ones happy and entertained between set ups, or while we’re taking individual pictures of each child, make sure to have some books, bubbles or other toys on hand. Just make sure to avoid snacks that stain, so not popsicles or chocolate! Cheerios and gummy bears won’t make too much of a mess.  But even if your little one gets a little cranky or has a fit, don’t worry! I’ve seen it all before! We’ll just let the little one walk it off, or take a breather, before we set up again.  Your child won’t be the first to stress out on the shoot, and we’ll still come away with amazing images, wait and see!

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4. Talk to the kids before the shoot

Very often, children over the age of four really, really enjoy getting their pictures taken. They love the attention, and the praise, and being my little helper while I take pictures of mum and dad. So it may help to get them a little excited and practice some fun poses on the days leading up to the shoot. For younger ones, or children who are a little shy, you may want to emphasize that it’s all for fun, and they won’t be expected to “perform”.  If you feel it’s appropriate, you can always promise a bribe (a trip to the ice cream parlour? a new book or toy?) after the shoot is over. Lighten the mood and watch the kids laugh!

 

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5. Bring a helper

If you have a friend or family member who can come along with us while we shoot, they can help keep the kids entertained while we take photos of you and your spouse. Helpers can also keep the children’s attention while we’re shooting, help fix wardrobe malfunctions, wipe little noses, and crack jokes to make everyone laugh and ease any tense nerves.

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6. Bring a prop

While I don’t emphasize photography that utilizes a lot of props, some children may be more relaxed if they have their favourite teddy to hold onto during the shoot. Keep it simple and small if they will be holding it, but even larger furry friends are welcome. That oversized Hello Kitty doll can sit next to me and be my helper. And hey, anyone that Hello Kitty likes can’t be all bad, right? It might just get us those happy smiles we’re looking for! Cute signs and personal mementos are a great way to personalize your session, too.

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7. And lastly, be open to just letting go and trying something other than the “perfect pose”. You want to remember your family as they are right now – the laughs, the interaction, the love of family you share. Kick off your shoes, start a tickle fight, and you’ll find those are the very images you love the most!

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Are you looking for family portraits?  Email shannon@shannonstroubakis.com, Or use the contact form HERE to inquire.

CLICK to view all sessions posted in FAMILIES  and join me on Facebook HERE

 

Choose Your Location with Shannon Stroubakis, The Woodlands TX Outdoor Photographer

Looking for a family portrait, engagement, maternity or senior session? There are plenty of great locations around the Spring, TX and The Woodlands, TX where we can meet outdoors on location! Each  Full Session and Simplicity Session with me also includes a Pre Session Consultation, and we’ll go over the perfect place that’s convenient for you and that reflects you and your family!  A lovely flower field?  An urban location? How about near the park and canals?

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Remember the Details ~ Spring, TX and the Woodlands TX Family Photographer

When it comes time to do your family portraits, it’s important to remember the details. Time passes quickly, and it’s easy to forget how tiny a child’s hand once was. Or the delicate sweep of eyelashes brushing across a cheek. Little toes grow into Daddy’s big shoes all too quickly. And one day you’ll cherish the simple but moving image of your mother holding your daughter’s hand, as a testament to a love that crosses generations.

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Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.
~Lois Wyse