Natural Light Children's Milestone Session | Austin's So Cute at 9 Months!

As a photographer, working with babies and toddlers is a complete joy! The little ones are inquisitive, spunky and often full of soulful expressions. Take Austin, for instance, the latest kiddo who was behind my camera. He is 9 months of sweetness; beautiful eyes, long lashes, lips for days, and an adorable head of hair!

His nine month session was truly laid back. I selected a location that has warm, golden light to best flatter the subject. I also utilized one of my newest props – a wooden bucket. It adds a certain rustic element that works well with the environment. It is important to always embrace the spirit of the kiddo, as each child has their own dynamic. Austin was quite curious and sweet!

Here are some of my favorite images from his session. I am looking forward to seeing him again at his 12 month cake smash – it’ll be worth the wait!

A few of my favorite details are the warmth in this image; Austin is meant to be the focal point and the creamy, compressed background showcases him. The sun acts as a spot light on him! 

His expressions are precious! I love how he let me place him the bucket. Sometimes kiddos like this and sometimes they don't. No worries! Safety and his happiness is the number one priority so we go with the flow to ensure a smooth session and enjoyable experience for little ones. 

Peek-a-boo! Oh, Austin! I adore you! This is an example of an image I'd recommend for a large canvas on your wall. Swoon swoon!

For this part of the session, we moved over to the bridge. His little toes are so sweet here - one of my favorite details!

I always try to involve Mom if I can. I am keeping the rest of the Mommy and Son photos under wraps but here is a little preview. A quick outfit change for Austin was in order; Mom brought so many adorable options, so we had fun dressing him, haha!

Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is a Houston Newborn Photographer specializing in gorgeous posed newborn sessions. Her studio is located in Northwest Harris County. In addition to breathtaking baby portraiture, Sarah also offers stylish natural light family photography as well as dynamic outdoor maternity sessions for expecting mothers and couples. Sarah joyfully serves the entire Harris and Montgomery county areas including Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Memorial & West Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Richmond, West University and Rice Village.

Booking a session with your family photographer | Cypress, Houston, and Tomball Texas natural light family photography

As a photographer, one of the first questions I am always asked is, "How do I book a session? What goes into this process?" Good thing I have an answer! This blog post will showcase the process, while also previewing one of the latest families I photographed. 

While every photographer has their own way of doing business, such as filing taxes, booking sessions, sending invoices, selecting locations, ect - you'll get to see inside the process of how I run my own small business. I am excited to share this process with you so that potential clients can see the ease in which one does this.

Okay: here's my rocket science formula - it's fool proof. Be prepared to be wowed!

(1) Select your session, (2) Pick a location, (3) Show up and let me make you look awesome, and (4) Receive your final high resolution images via a private downloadable gallery, and (5) Let me design a wall art package. 

Phew! I may have exaggerated about the rocket science, haha! In all seriousness, one of my favorite aspects of family photography is guiding you throughout the entire process, from the first phone call to hanging your images on your wall - breathing life into the preservation and honor of your family memories. Every detail I plan for you; I help you with selecting the package that best fits your needs; to wardrobe and flattering outfits/color combinations, to the location that best depicts your story, to leading you through the posing and giving direction, to professionally retouching your photographs, delivering them, and then helping you utilize your print credit. It's meant to be laid back for you, but involved for me because, well, I love all the details! I love everything behind the scene; customer service is key. And frankly, I pride myself on the experience at Sarah Borchgrevink Photography.

For example: for this family, we chose a selection of colors that are timeless and classic. We also kept the posing formal yet connected. When shooting, I think about how these will frame on your walls; how we will arrange them. We also photographed these in their own neighborhood called Fairfield, a large planned community located in Cypress, Texas. 

For your session, we want a variety of set ups. It's not about lining everyone up and having you say, "Cheese!" It's about spending time with each family member; talking, laughing with you - bringing out your spirit. To further explain, for each family I spend time with your kiddos, one on one. I like to think about the images grandparents may like or where these shall be placed on your end table. 

See? With just ten minutes, we did a few set ups so you have lots of variety for your kiddos. She is about to head off to college, so I want her parents to have photos of her as she begins one of life's greatest adventures. 

We also cannot forget about your youngest! I want to preserve his youth, too and show him at a time in his life when he is growing up; he's not a little boy but he isn't an adult either. It's the age where you're teaching him to drive; where he may go on his first date. He might be taking advanced placement courses and you're so proud of the young man he's growing into. And hey - my job is to pick up on that!

And hey - Mom! I love the set ups of you and your little ones (who may or may not be so little now). You, more than anyone, know how fleeting time is and how quickly they grow. Taking time to photograph you with the kiddos as well as individual shots of you with each child makes me happy. I want you to have these images! As a mommy myself, these are what I look forward to. As mothers, we usually are the ones behind the camera or organizing everything. 

And of course, Dad has his time, too!

We also spend time capturing Mom and Dad together. Because let's face it: you probably have not had a session since your wedding day. So let's celebrate your love! I may even make you smooch your wife!

And family pets....well...THEY'RE ALWAYS WELCOME! :) Fur babies are family. Bring 'em along!

Located in Cypress, a suburb of Houston TX, Sarah Borchgrevink specializes in stunning natural light portrait photography. Investment for professional photography sessions begins at $230.00 and includes high resolution digital files, released printing rights, private downloadable galleries, and beautiful heirloom products to purchase.

If you’re seeking a Houston TX photographer who specializes in modern and custom newborn, child, maternity or family photographs I’d be happy to design a session for you. Sarah Borchgrevink Photography is proud to offer a customer service driven experience. Please visit the contact form or connect with Sarah via Facebook. Moreover, feel free to browse customer reviews.

Houston photographer Sarah Borchgrevink is a natural light and on location professional who currently documents newborn, child, family and maternity sessions. She serves the greater Houston area. Locations include, but are not limited to: Houston, Cypress, Tomball, Katy, Cinco Ranch, The Woodlands, Cy-Fair, Richmond,  Rice Village, Montrose, Waller, Harris County, Montgomery County, Bellaire, The Galleria Area, Porter, Kingwood, The Heights, Pearland, Sugar Land, Oak Ridge North, League City, Galveston, Stafford, Spring, Conroe, Montgomery, Willis, Champions, Jersey Village, etc. Travel fees may apply.

Cypress, TX Child Lifestyle Photographer | Embracing Natural Light and the Spirit of Little Ones

Good morning! If you follow me on Facebook or my photography work in general, you may know that aside from being a full time small business owner, I am also the mommy to two little girls, Emma (5 years old) and Lucy (12 months). I am also pregnant with number three - another girl!

And while I've always enjoyed photographing my littles, my photography business has allowed me to grow and develop as a photographer. I am constantly practicing, investing in new equipment, watching You Tube videos, actively participating in constructive criticism groups, and striving to better myself. The moment you think you "know it all" is the moment you cease to grow; a step back into the darkness occurs. Because of this, I take several sessions a month, but always make time to photograph my own kiddos. I don't want to miss anything and I am looking forward to having a beautiful collection of photographs as they age. 20 years from now, when they're graduating college or walking down the aisle, I want to remember their newborn features, first steps, or them jumping into a pool for the first time. I want tears of happiness to fill my eyes when I see photos of them playing together, or being carried on Dad's shoulders. Photographs are a concrete connection to the past - they're the chocolate chips to our cookie in life!

And as stated, I do not know everything about photography, though I do not what has been working for me, from a personal perspective. Often, fellow mommies ask me how to take candid and natural, less formally posed images of their own children. Because let's face it: a photographer may not be present the first time your little one smiles at you or when they accomplish a milestone.

First things first: my equipment. I am a prime lens (set focal point) collector. When photographing my children inside, I use a Canon 6d body and the following lenses: 24 mm f/1.4 ART, 35 mm f/1.4 ART, and a 50 mm f/1.4 ART. Outdoors, I use a 135 mm F/2L and a 200 mm f/2.8L. These, however, are not necessary to take nice photos of your little ones. I run a full time photography business so I am always lusting after the sharpest, best reviewed lenses. Something like 50 mm f/1.8 (roughly 125 dollars, great deal) is perfect indoors or out.

Secondly - perspective! Always get on the level of your children. Get on your tummy! Crouch behind the couch. See them for who they are; what are they viewing? What has caught their attention? I avoid saying, "Look at mommy!" Instead, I observe. I patiently wait and do not have expectations. After all, they're small children and it's not their job to "perform" for me; part of the magic of child photography is embracing who your child is and not forcing them into any posing.

Thirdly - settings! With my own children, I shoot at fast shutter speeds, such as 1/500 or faster usually. If they're moving, this helps to ensure the photo is not blurry. I also like wide apertures such as f/1.4 because I adore background compression (aka "the blur") you see in my photographs. I do not add anything like that in processing. It's all in camera. But remember: you'll also have to bump your ISO up a smidgen (which is your camera's sensitivity to light). I always select the middle focal point and then meter for the skin. It's important to retain highlights. And finally - I shoot in RAW. While I do strive to have everything right in camera, I like to have all the data at my hands. This helps in case my white balance was off or I slightly under exposed an image. 

And that's it! Have fun with your kids! And practice. Lots of practice. That's the joy of a digital age: with DSLR you have unlimited "film".