San Antonio Family Photography- Fall 2024

Fall Family Photos, San Antonio

It’s that time again! September… when it’s still 90 degrees out in San Antonio, but we’re finally feeling hopeful that the 70’s will soon come! The next three months are the busiest time for my family portraits- both for my returning families whom I’m lucky enough to photograph year after year- as well as for new clients who’ve recently found me in the area! I’m SO excited to get back into nature, meet new families, and have fun while we make some amazing memories of their littles…

Book your session early!

You may not even be thionking about fall family photos just yet… (I mean, I’m still trying to make sure all my kids’ band/choir/art fees are paid for the new school year! Oh yeah, and lunch money… Never ending to do-lists!)

Even though you may be not ready for famnily photos YET, I recommend BOOKING your sessions as soon as possible. Meaning.. today!

Once that cooler weather “sticks” I typically get inundated with inquiries asking if there’s still availability to have photos done before the holidays.

And it’s not long before there’s not!

Stress-Free Family Photos in SATX

Here’s the thing: I get being so busy you hardly can keep track of what day it is. And I get wanting photos of your loved ones more than anything… but then life getting in the way of having them done!

So, I try to make my family sessions as stress-free as possible!! You just get in touch , let me know which week works best for your family’s session, and I’ll take the lead from there!

I can suggest great locations to shoot at…

I’ll send you a prep guide that is short, but super helpful on telling you what to expect, so you’ll not only show up and your session ready to have fun, we’ll create beautiful photos as well!

And: I even help you style your wardrobe!

That can mean face timing while we “shop” your closet (and fyi- I’ve never met a family who didn’t already have perfect outfits in their closets!)

OR: Even better, it can also mean shopping my own Client Closet! That’s right- For families that book a Signature Family Session , they can borrow clothing from the SLP Client Closet. It’s still growing, but the client closet now has dozens of outfits- most of which are for Moms and littles (the hardest to plan for!), as well as a few for Dads. The gowns for moms are especially beautiful! No need to spend additional money shopping for new outfits- you can wear brand new gowns from the CC!

Clients can stop by my home studio (in NE San Antonio) to shop the client closet and even try on outfits if you’d like! Just give me a call or email before hand and we’ll set up a time to stop by.

Those littles aren’t slowing down their growing. Capture those sweet faces now so you’ll have them forever. Book your session today!

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

For photographers: My super simple dog bed poser!

It occurred to me recently that a lot of newborn photographers may not know just how easily a dog bed can be modified to create a perfect newborn poser. The dog bed is already a sturdy, stable surface. It already has a frame perfectly sized for clamps- making it easy to pull backdrop fabrics smooth and taut. The only thing it doesn’t have (when you buy it) is something to extend the fabric in order to create that beautiful, blurry fall-off in the background like this:

Dog bed backdrop stand: It’s simpler than you think!

I figured the easiest way to create a tutorial isn’t a list of steps or a list of materials (because it’s just these: five pieces of 1/2″ PVC pipe, a couple of 90 degree elbows, and a couple of 60 degree elbows).

The simplest way, I think, is to simply show you how the pieces of PVC fit together and how they then slide into the dog bed frame… Yep, they just slide right in.

And don’t forget: This is just one of many, many things that will be a part of my upcoming comprehensive online course Newborns. Simplified. If you’d like to register to test the beta version when it launches later this year, you can do so here!

Here you go!

https://youtu.be/MnOjKc1BVBo?si=9ad2jgQUba-_zYfF
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

It’s official! We’re staying in San Antonio!

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted anything here on my blog, or even much on social media for that matter. Several months in fact. Reason being… we’ve been planning to have to move (again) out of state because my husband’s employer closed their office here in San Antonio. It looked like we were likely going to have to move back to the DC area. (Which I did NOT want to do.)

So since August of last year, my hubby had actually been working (and living as a “geo-bachelor”) in DC, while we stayed here in our San Antonio home. And since we didn’t think we would be here much longer, I didn’t do much marketing for this area.
Ok. I didn’t do ANY. 🫣 😆
Those four months he was away just happened to be the busiest four months since I started my photography business back in 2014! Now, I am sooooo grateful to be so busy with my clients! ( I just wished it wasn’t when I was parenting solo!) It was a rewarding, but very exhausting, four months.

Long story short, the other position he’d hoped to get fell through. And as I started begrugingly looking for homes in DC/VA (soooooooooo expensive! 😱), my husband– as sort of “hail mary” to be able to stay here with his family– reached out to his Army Reserve unit and… they instantly snatched him up for active duty! (Turns out they’d wanted to get him on board long before this!) 🤷‍♀️ 

So, thankfully, after 4 long months, my hubby is finally home again! 🥰 He’s putting on cammies once again each morning, which is a little strange to see. But I’m so thankful he’s home!

Plus, I am thrilled to announce that we no longer have to move! We get to stay here in San Antonio!!!

So I am now officially *STILL* booking newborn and family sessions!


And this meant: I could finally start my second studio space! 🎉

Another perk of realizing we no longer have to move (and I no longer have to set up a new studio in another city!) is that I can start projects here in my Stone Oak home studio that I didn’t think I’d be able to do!  

Prior to our *supposed* move, I’d wanted to create an additional shooting space here. But I’d chosen not to start it because, well… that’s foolish to do when you have to move in a few months!

But once I found out we get to stay here in San Antonio for at least another 2 years, I IMMEDIATELY started planning it! It’s small but mighty corner in my office (n our huge bonus room on our 2nd floor)- which is my favorite room in our home because of all the lovely natural light.) 

Not only did I start planning it last month, it’s already about 97% finished!

Here’s what I did!

First and most important thing was to create a floating floor- a beautiful neutral wood floor that would be a simple, subtle backdrop for babies and families.  It took a while (I’m picky!) but I found the PERFECT shade and texture of flooring. 

I got about halfway through laying it down when I got sick (January was NOT a good start for me!).  My sweet husband knew I was stressing about not finishing it, so he took it upon himself to knock out the rest of it.  

He’s my biggest cheerleader.  🥰

The other important part of this space was something large enough for a family to sit on for portraits (comfortably) but minimal enough to fade away in the image.  I found an huge ottoman that was the PERFECT size, and covered it with a fabric the exact shade of neutral I was looking for!  (I have to say, I’m not super skilled at sewing, but I’m pretty pleased with how the slipcover turned out!) 

Lastly, a new permanent curtain rod. Ugh. I hate hanging curtain rods almost as much as I hate doing laundry.  (Almost.) New sheer curtains to diffuse light.  And our spare single bed loaded with new pillows and a gorgeous crocheted bedspread handed down in my family. 
Lastly, just a fresh coat of paint, and some proper photos with my camera (instead of iPhone pics🙃) and it’ll be official!

I also Ordered the new, flush LED studio light (that I’ve been eyeing for a couple years) that should be arriving in the near future.

I’ve been calling it Studio B! Sounds super techy and artsy, right? (Or maybe like a west hollywood nightclub…)🤷‍♀️😆

And here is a peek from the first sessionI shot here! I first photographed this sweet family when baby brother was still in mom’s belly. Look at him now! 😍

a collage of photos of a family with a baby boy and toddler girl, sitting on a large upholstered bench.
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Announcing…. my new Gallery Proofing Site!

Hello All!

This has been in the works for a while (since I feel like an old dog learning new tricks!) but I am excited to finally announce:

SLP has a new gallery proofing site!

A beautiful gallery homepage…

During the past few years of offering all-inclusive sessions here in San Antonio, I’ve had the nagging desire to create an easier way for all my clients to enjoy ordering print products at their own convenience. (I’ve always offered custom print products, but I wanted my families to be able to print their photos at any time, effortlessly!) 

Long story short, I discovered Pic-Time- a beautiful gallery proofing site created by a husband and wife photographer/designer team that has a custom Print Store (with gorgeous products and automatic previews of your images) built in! 🤯 🤩

Check out the new SLP Pic-Time Galleries here!

I can’t get over how lovely and simple the design is, and how easy it is for my clients to order custom products with just a couple clicks. No uploading files. No uploading a print release… 

Super-simple ordering from your very own print shop!

Now, you can easily browse beautiful keepsakes while seeing your own images previewed in them! You can shop at your own leisure, and have access to your gallery and store at any time. 

Ordering prints and keepsakes couldn’t be easier.

The beautiful and simple print store that’s a part of every gallery- with automatic previews for every print product!

Plus, EVERY product in the SLP Print Store comes directly from one of my trusted professional labs. And I guarantee the quality of everything in the print store- just as I have always have for all the products I offer.

And of course, I’m just a call or text away should you ever need help with anything! 😉 

-Sarah

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Why I invested in professional photography for my baby

newborn baby girl wrapped in pink sleeping in a basket

It’s not a secret that professional photography is an investment. And it’s not lost on me that my clients trust me to accept their hard-earned money in exchange for creating something very special for them. It’s a privilege that I don’t take lightly.

I recently asked a very dear client- whose sweet baby girl I photographed throughout her entire first year of life- if she would share about her experience in hiring me for professional portraits.

She graciously wrote this testimonial for me to share with other families who might be considering this important investment.

Why I invested in professional photography for my baby

When I was getting close to my due date I decided I should find a photographer to take pictures of my daughter. I looked everywhere to find someone within our budget but quickly realized that this was going to be an investment. I finally told myself that I needed to find someone who has not only experienced with newborns, but also someone who produces amazing pictures.

That’s when I found Sarah Lake Photography. Looking through her portfolio, I knew she would be the one to capture everything we want and more.

You may be thinking, “we take plenty of photos on out phone,  why would we pay someone else to do it?”. The answer is simple. You may have a great quality phone camera, but the pictures that Sarah took of my daughter were immaculate! I’ll now be able to cherish the little details of my little girl. Her fingers and toes, ears and nose, and even her tiny head in bows.

My family will forever hold these tiny moments in our hearts, but being able to show and share it with others. I will continue to have Sarah capture ALL of her milestones, because babies grow so fast and I know each stage of her life will only last for so long.

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

LBGTQ FRIENDLY BUSINESS