Bull Creek District Park was one of the first locations I shot at when I first moved to Austin, TX from Colorado. I pulled up to the parking lot in the middle of January and no one else was there. My clients and I explored this BEAUTIFUL area without seeing a single person! I thought “Wow, I think I just found a hidden gem.” Turns out….Texans just don’t come outside in the winter.
Fast forward to this late-spring session a few weeks ago and there was barely even parking left when we arrived that weekday evening because it was so packed — and for good reason (it’s such a gorgeous and versatile park). But we were still able to work smoothly around kids splashing in the water, dogs playing fetch, and I kid you not 10+ other photographers and their clients all dying to soak up that golden hour light amongst the lush trees. But after seeing these photos, can you blame us???
It’s always such an honor to take photos for a fellow photographer. When Hunter and I connected, she let me know that she had NEVER done a sunrise session before. So obviously, we had to change that. We showed up at the crack of dawn and were pleased that we had pretty much the entire park to ourselves, with the exception of a few runners and a family of geese.
As the sun woke up, we frolicked through a long window of golden light. A photographer’s DREAM, however cliche it may be.
Note to anyone interested in shooting here: go in the morning. Such a refreshing way to start the day and, for it being such a hub for photography in the area, it was nice have total creative freedom and not deal with crowds for once!
Picking the perfect outfit is a key part of planning any photo session — but it’s especially important when planning an adventure photo session. After all, this is not your typical photoshoot. This is a full-blown exploring experience. And for obvious strategic (and safety) reasons, you’ll want to make sure you’re dressed to make the most of the great outdoors!
Here are some paramount points to ponder when planning the perfect adventure photo session ‘fits!
1. Comfort is Key
This is not the time to wear those suffocating jeans that make you irritable because they’re squeezing you in all the wrong places nor strut in those shoes that give you tear-jerking blisters five minutes into wearing them. Instead, reach for your tried and true, go-to staples that are equally as stylish as they are comfortable and functional. This is especially important if your session is going to include a lot of hiking or if your photographer has a movement-based shooting style. You’ll want to dress in a way that elicits easy movement and helps you let loose so you can participate in all the fun posing prompts and directions your photographer gives you! If you don’t feel comfy in what you wear during your session, it’s going to show in the end result!
2. Options, Options, Options
A billowing ballgown and statement suit pairs perfectly with the dramatic view atop a mountain peak, but it’s obviously not going to be the best choice to hike up said mountain in. Instead, you’re going to need to come prepared with multiple hiking- climbing- and other bada** activity-friendly footwear and clothing options to wear leading up to that epic shot. At certain locations, it’s smart to show up ready to tackle uneven terrain in a casual look with hiking shoes or boots then change into a fancier look with chunky heels/dress shoes once you’re in a spot where it makes sense to do so. For my extra-adventurous clients, I always recommend packing an outfit to drive home in afterwards just in case you feel up for a spontaneous swim or get a little too wild playing in the sand!
3. Layer Up!
Mother Nature doesn’t care about your photoshoot, sorry. She’s gonna do what she wants when she wants and if that means sun, rain, wind, and snow all within one hour long session… so be it. I promise to come prepared with gear to adventure through unexpected weather conditions, but that means you better come prepared, too. Okay? A light coat, cardi, sweater, scarf, etc. can be a great way to add some style variety throughout the session, keep you cozy between shots on cold days, or protect you from the sun on warm ones.
4. Neutrals are your BFF
Repeat after me. “You can NEVER go wrong with neutrals.” Okay, now say it again. You got that? Good. Black, white, and/or earth tones look GREAT literally any and everywhere in nature. Don’t complicate it. Keeping within that color scheme will keep the focus on the emotion and location, where straying from that can make the photos feel distracting. Of course, if bold colors are your thing, then it can totally be pulled off with careful planning, specific location selection, and balance! Just make sure to talk to your photographer beforehand so they can guide you toward a tasteful way to strut your stuff!
5. Make it your Own!
If you take one piece of advice from this post, let it be this one! Remember: This is YOUR adventure session, so use your style to express your personality and help tell your unique story! This can be done through incorporating meaningful accessories or props like hats, jewelry, sunnies, bags, blankets, umbrellas, etc. OR you can take it a step further and make your shoot/style have a sentimental theme. For example, if your favorite way to spend time with your partner is rock climbing, wear your climbing gear and do a climbing shoot together. Maybe riding dirt bikes is a key part of your kiddo’s childhood, so bring your motorcycles and gear for a trail riding shoot in the desert with the whole fam. The possibilities are endless when you apply tried and true style guidelines then add your own personal twist!
When I first visited Walnut Creek Metro Park to scout the area for this Couples Session, I’ll admit that I wasn’t that thrilled to shoot there. As an adventure photographer who started out in Colorado, I guess it’s fair to say that I’ve always been spoiled when it comes to locations for photoshoots and hiking. The number of spots to shoot that offer sprawling mountain ranges, snowcapped peaks, alpine lakes, etc. are too many to count where I’m from! So, the idea of shooting at a crowded city park on the outskirts of the major city of Austin, Texas was… slightly underwhelming…?
But that mindset changed when I met Cynthia and Lee at the park on the day of their shoot. They were both so eager to show this newbie Texan around one of their favorite stomping grounds. We hiked through wooded forests together on that Saturday evening as they led me to a canyon like riverbed where dogs ran freely and kiddies splashed in the water and bicyclists descended into a rocky river crossing. We started their photoshoot there then decided to hike to the other side of the park to shoot at a bridge.
Though, we never even made it to the bridge because we kept getting sidetracked by even better hidden gems along the way. (If you’ve shot with me before, you know that’s not a surprise though. My sessions are laid-back, go-with-the-flow and off the beaten path — that’s part of what my clients love about adventure shoots with me!) We cut through branches to shoot in a small patch of cacti, ventured off trail to dance in some dreamy back-lit trees, and ended the session with some cozy sitting cuddles in tall, winter field grass.
I didn’t go into the session feeling all that excited to explore a downtown park and participate in a so called “hike” that I knew would be more like a moderate walk on cement paths instead of the treacherous backcountry hikes I’m used to in the Rockies. But I left the session with a completely new view on my new home of Austin, Texas. It’s beautiful. In its own ways, of course. No, there’s no Pike’s Peak or Maroon Bells. And yes, I may always be partial to my home of Colorado. BUT after exploring this area with a rad couple of clients, I’m so excited to keep shooting here while making the most of what my new home has to offer. Here’s to seeing things in a new way. After all, photography is all about perspective. Isn’t it?
The other day, I heard a saying about hair stylists also doubling as therapists because, for whatever reason, people feel comfortable opening up to them about anything and everything. And, after working with Meredith, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a saying more accurate.
Meredith is a hair dresser in the quiet, rural town of Elizabeth, Colorado and is everything one could want in a hair stylist — relatable, kind, a good listener, and an even better advice giver. During our consultation for her branding shoot, she mentioned that she’d like to keep the style as natural as possible. Posing was not on the agenda, instead we’d go for a candid lifestyle approach that reflected her fun-loving, free spirit, and love for the Lord that clients experience when they come in for a cut or color.
After an hour of gallivanting around parks in the area, playing on the front steps of her salon, and strolling in the middle of Mainstreet Elizabeth, I think we were right on the money of capturing just that. It was confirmed when I showed the gallery to a friend of mine right after delivery and her response was, “WOW. First, she is such a natural beauty. Second, these images say, ‘Please, come inside, have a seat in my chair, and let’s have a girl chat.’ She’s so warm and inviting! I’m going to go book an appointment with her right now!” If that doesn’t scream brand shoot success, I don’t know what does.
I’ve known Jade my whole life, so when I was asked to capture her Senior photos, I was nothing short of thrilled. But, we’d completely lost touch since she was barely 10 years old and we all know a lot changes between then and high school. What’s she into these days? What’s her style? What’s her personality like? I couldn’t answer any of these questions. And, honestly, during her consultation… neither could she.
It’s one challenge to recreate a clear vision a client brings to your table, but it’s a different challenge to create an entirely new vision the client doesn’t even know exists yet.
Good thing I’m always up for a challenge.
Variety was the key to figuring out what she was going for. A little bit of urban, a dash of nature, some classy, and a smidge edgy. I will say, it’s fun having complete creative control when tackling the task of creating a vision for someone. We meandered around downtown Denver for a couple of hours looking for spots that caught our eyes. Our favorites ended up being Union Station and walls we found in the Arts District.
On the drive home, I was giddy with the thought of heading straight into my office to look through the magic we’d created and get to editing. Not to my surprise, Jade’s posing experience matched with our incredibly diverse backdrops made for hundreds of drool-worthy images. Upon their gallery delivery, they had the same feeling. And boy is that a good one.
Search the hashtag “#seniorsunday” and your screen will be flooded with dreamy images of girly-girls in frilly, pastel dresses frolicking through colorful flower fields and rotating through the same 5 cookie-cutter poses. No, there’s nothing wrong with that at all. Actually, the photos are usually quite stunning IMO. But…
“They’re just not… me,” said Adilyn while we worked together to narrow down the style for her upcoming shoot.
Being that I’m not just her photographer, but also her older sister, I saw where she was coming from and knew we had to find something totally… Adi. I mean, isn’t that what senior photos are all about? If your senior portraits don’t showcase exactly who you are during this monumental season of life, then what’s the point?
So, we made a list of all things, well, her:
Art
Grunge
Urban
90’s Trendy
Natural
Street
After a trip to the local thrift store for some vintage items and a quick Google search for street art in Downtown Denver, we were on our way…the next day at 4:30am.
We aimlessly drove around the sleepy streets in search of a hypothetical location that just screamed her name. And there it was. The stone alleyway with vibrant murals and string lights was the perfect blend of vintage style and urban edge for her.
We began to shoot and WOW was she a natural. I used to dress her up in girly outfits and makeup to take photos of her in fields like the ones I mentioned at the beginning of this post and, don’t get me wrong, she was photogenic…but nothing like this. Here, she was herself and there’s nothing more beautiful than that. Here, she was in her element. No makeup, no fancy outfit, no extravagant location — just her in comfy clothes, barefaced, in a location as creative, bold, and interesting as she is.
That’s what I call a successful senior photo session.
What would you describe your style to be and is there a place in your mind that fits that exactly? I’d love to know in the comments!
Erin L Malcolm Creative 