A Vision with a Clock

The Shultz family came to us with a clear, beautiful vision and a very tight window of time. They needed more than just a family portrait; they wanted a collection of specific sibling groupings and a condensed senior session for their son—all in a single afternoon. For a team that believes in "freezing time," this session was about making every second count.

Location Scouting as Architecture

To give the Shutzes the variety they craved—blending scenic nature with historic architecture—we chose a downtown park connected to the University. But knowing a location isn't enough; you have to know how the sun "lives" there. Because light changes with the seasons and the clouds, Janiece and I scouted the grounds in advance, mapping out a path that maximized the "Golden Hour" while providing shaded architectural backdrops for their specific groupings.

Pre-Planning in Action

On the day of the shoot, the pre-planning paid off. While Janiece managed the family dynamics and kept the kids engaged and perfectly positioned, I focused on the shifting angles of the sun. We moved with purpose, transitioning from limestone arches to sprawling greenspace, capturing the specific "wish list" of shots the family had entrusted us with.

A Senior’s Story

We concluded the afternoon with their son’s senior portraits. Despite the fast pace of the day, his relaxed demeanor allowed us to slow down for those final frames. The result was a diverse gallery that didn't look like it was shot in a rush—it looked like a family at ease, captured in the heart of the city they call home.