Shannon Stroubakis Photography
Photographer in the Woodlands, Spring and Conroe TX
I’m thrilled to announce that my work has been published in Stacie Turner’s new fantastic magazine devoted to toy camera work! The first part of my series “To Live in the Suburbs” is a work in progress, and I’m working to complete the series about adapting to suburban life, through the lens of my Holga. Click this link to download your free e-copy, or print versions are available for purchase.
This senior photography session in the Woodlands started a little urban, then moved to greener spaces for variety along with the outfit changes. Senior portrait clients can change as many times as they can fit into their 3 hour session, so we mix it up! This senior girl has such a beautiful classic look, with a bit of spunk, I just love how her gallery had so many different looks while still being totally *her*. So fun to meet you Miss D!
Are you looking for senior portraits? I’m now booking new senior sessions click HERE to email me about a custom session.
For more information about Senior Photography view my information page HERE.
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!
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.
Fabulous Sunday morning session with this amazingly gorgeous high school student. She chose a more glamorous look for her make up artistry, just perfect for her and her personality!
Head on over to Denim&Grace Magazine, to see my feature as their Limelight Photographer this week! A lot of amazing photography inspiration over there!
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.
Numbers was accepted for display at the gallery.
Light Mirror was accepted for display on the online gallery.
This family was a real blast! Instead of the typical posed family portraits, they came to me for some fun family photos of them just being together, having fun, blowing bubbles and tickling and laughing — portraits that show them together and the loving sweet relationship they have. These are my favourite kind of family portraits, with everyone just laughing and hugging and teasing and being themselves. Beautiful, beautiful family and I really enjoyed this carefree lifestyle session.
Looking for style inspiration for your senior portraits? Check out the Senior Style Guide, where Jodee Ball interviewed myself and several other amazing photographers around the country to discuss digital files for our clients.
In June I had the honor of taking business headshots for Jeffrey Clark, D.M.D of Lakewood Dental Associates in Huntsville, TX.
He wanted his business headshots to be less formal, and incorporate the outdoors to reflect his personality. We met at a local field, so we could include the scenery for a environmental feel with natural sunlight and the colors of the trees in the background.
I really enjoy meeting our local business professionals and discovering new businesses in our great area.
Lakewood Dental Associates is located at:
901 Normal Park Dr. Ste. 200 in Huntsville, TX 77320
To contact the office, call 936-291-0032
Website: www.lakewooddentalassociates.com
Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood, we find a delightful creature of a boy.
– Unknown author
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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
A touch of glamour for this senior session. I just loved her stunning floor length red dress! Perfect for some street shots for a chic urban look, and we had plenty of gorgeous backlighting.
I’m available for Senior Portraits! Email shannon@shannonstroubakis.com or use the contact form HERE to inquire.
CLICK to view all sessions posted in SENIORS and join me on Facebook HERE
I had a great time with Miss G at her senior photoshoot! Three outfits, for three totally different looks, and with her gorgeous colouring the weather was just perfect to catch the sun in her hair and light in her eyes. I adore simple serene black and white images, and her calm and laid back style made for some beautiful and slightly moody monochrome shots. We got a lot of variety from this senior photo session!
I’m available for Senior Portraits! Email shannon@shannonstroubakis.com or use the contact form HERE to inquire.
CLICK to view all sessions posted in SENIORS and join me on Facebook HERE
This local author contacted me for updated headshots months ago, and the weather has finally cooperated with us to go outdoors on location to do her photoshoot. We were looking for several different angles to get a variety to choose from for promotional images for her new book coming out this week. I like to use natural light and soft flattering lighting to bring out the beauty in my clients, and we found a few little pockets of nice light in her home garden.
Are you looking for business headshots? I shoot outdoors for environmental portraits in natural light for a friendly and organic feel to your business headshots. Click here to view my portfolio.
Congratulations Barbara on the release of your latest work, and I wish you much success!
There are so many sides of you. Capture them all in your senior photography session.
Our beautiful weather continued into the holiday season, making for some pretty golden light for outdoor on location family portrait sessions here in the Woodlands. I photographed this beautiful family on a bright and cheerful Sunday. Lovely family and they even brought their fluffy and friendly dog to join in for some family picture fun!
As a photographer, nothing gives me greater joy than showing my clients the images from our family and senior sessions, wonderful outdoor family portraits that I want you to love and cherish for a lifetime! I present your gallery images to you in person for ordering, so you can see them on a full screen and touch and look over the prints and products when deciding which package is right for you. I will also help guide you when ordering gift prints, wall art and canvases because the ratio matters for the most flattering presentation.
The standard gift print size is usually 8×10, perfect for sitting framed on your desk or in a scrapbook album. However, it is not the same shape as the original 8×12 ratio that the camera produces. Since 8×12 is not the standard, you might be hesitant to order your favourite images in the original ratio. Let me show you why it’s sometimes better to retain the original composition and ratio in which the image was shot and compare to the cropped version.
On the left is the original image with the 8×12 ratio, within an 11×14 frame and matted, with an 8×12 opening. As intended, this young couple is framed perfectly, with some ground below them to stand on and the beautiful fall colours of the trees in the background. It’s just as common to find 11×14 frames in stores as it is to find 8x10s!
On the right is the 8×10 crop, within an 8×10 frame. Due to the way the 8×10 ratio crops into the image, they have lost their feet! And the beautiful background trees and sky are almost gone, losing that environmental feel.
Another example shows how this pretty little fairy shot changes when the 8×10 crop closes the frame in around her. In the 8×12 ratio on the left, she’s lost in her own little world, in the forest. On the right, cropping in closer lets us focus on her but eliminates some of the environment. In this case, it’s a personal preference which crop ratio you may prefer for the final print.
Just one more reason why I am happy to do in person viewing and ordering sessions with my clients! My goal is to make absolutely certain you are happy with your final images and order the right size and shape for your prints, so your family looks their absolute best!
Thank you very much to Katie Belmont at Katie Belmont Photography in Omaha, NE for providing the template for this comparison. Please follow this link to view her wonderful work at her website, and follow along here to Facebook and “like” her page!
This month truly has been all about families! I love to do photography sessions on location, outdoors in The Woodlands, where families can have fun, relax and interact together for natural looking portraits. This family was so much fun to meet for their fall mini session, and you can feel the love between them!
Just a quick little mini session with good friends! We’re enjoying some beautiful weather here in Spring, TX and it’s perfect for outdoor portraiture. And with these two cute little girls, it was a fun and easy little mini session!
How far is far? How high is high?
We’ll never know, until we try.
One of the great joys of being a photographer for children is capturing each person’s unique personality. When I heard about this spritely little man and his many talents, I couldn’t wait for our portrait session in the Woodlands.
“A” could be for animated, ambitious, alive and affectionate — all words that describe this six year old piano playing, golf club swinging charmer! Thank you to Ashtin and his family for letting me capture his enthusiasm and his great smile!
