Sam Houston Park in Downtown Houston, Part 2

The first Sam Houston Park in Downtown Houston article covered three of the eight historic structures in the park.  This post will discuss the remaining five plus the gazebo sitting strategically in the middle of the park.

Gazebo: The gazebo is not the cleanest structure in the park but it is fun and inviting.  Play with the angles within the gazebo and shoot your clients sitting on the rail, laying on the rail or walking up the steps of the gazebo.

Kellum-Noble House (1847): The columns around the porch are tantalizing to the eyes.  Position siblings on each side of the column with their body facing each other but looking at the camera or have each lean their back against either side of the column.  If you are photographing couples then lean the girlfriend/wife's back against the column and have the boyfriend/husband face the woman and tilt his head down and toward the camera.  Have the couple whisper to each other and capture that perfect moment when their eyes meet, their mouths touch or they make each other laugh.  You will capture a great shot using this technique.

Nichols-Rice-Cherry House (1850): You can play with the columns of this house as well as the the birdbath sitting just off to the side of the stairs.

San Felipe Cottage (1868): A quaint cottage with a picturesque white picket fence.  Position the family on the steps and frame the shot with the porch rails or even frame the porch rails with the white picket fence.  For a children/sibling shot - experiment with the children sitting, laying on their back, tummy, etc in front of the white picket fence then get down to their level and shoot with the fence as the background.  Change it up and take pictures of the children behind the fence peeking out.

Yates House (1870): The gray of the house is a great compliment for colorfully clothed clients.  The columns this home offers are much smaller in width and great to have a family or children sitting from tallest to shortest and take the shot at an angle - off to the left or to the right.  The stairs of this home are awesome as a frame for a large family shot.  

Staiti House (1905): This home is large and beautiful.  The porch is small compared to the house but the area still offers photographic opportunities.  Sit or stand your subjects in front of the small square windows set in white wood.  Next move to the brick for an interesting background.  Move your client back in front of the small square windows and have then sit or lay on their stomach with their heads close together looking through the white porch fencing.  Move to the lawn area and shoot their faces close up.  Ask them to look at you, look at the sky, look at each other and make faces.

4th Ward Cottage: The tiny cottage offers an interesting white and green background.  Position the client(s) near the door and focus on the family but include the length of the house in your photo.  This will provide an interesting angle surely to become a treasured keepsake for your client.

Trees: The park is full of low hanging tree limbs perfect for individual, sibling, couple and family shots.  Make sure to bring a small step ladder to assist with climbing on to the limbs.

The second week of February we will begin discussing the photography possibilities of the almost dozen monuments.

Sam Houston Park in Downtown Houston

Downtown Houston is more than the hustle and bustle of the oil industry.  It can be a photographers dream.  There are so many opportunities compacted within the oddly shaped circle of highways 45, 59 and 90.

One of my favorite shooting locations is Sam Houston Park located at 1100 Bagby.  The first thing you notice are the beautiful period homes that grace the grounds of the park.  Each of the houses has an interesting history.  Visit the Heritage Society to learn more.

Old Place (1823): The house is not in the park but across the street within a gated area.  If you enjoy a rustic look then this house has a lot to offer.  A wood fence, wood steps, fascinating wood siding for a background.  Around the house are metal tubs and different types of metal structures.  The only thing that would make this house better would be opening the door and shooting within the rustic decadence.

Pillot House (1868): This house has many beautiful angles and interesting backgrounds.  Walk up the stairs and through the white picket fence.  Veer to the right and walk towards the back of the house.  Line each of your subjects along with steps and take pictures from the ground.  Then everyone move towards the front of the house - you on the ground and the photography subjects on the balcony. Experiment with the angle.  Have everyone look to the right and then the left, look at you, etc. If there are younger children then you can ask the parents to have them sit on the bannister but make sure to hold them tight. Next move to the opposite side of the yard and porch and take the same pictures.  The two boys that I took pictures of loved sitting on the Pillot Dogs statue which is on either side of the steps. Stop to let the children play as you walk out of the white picket fence and take some random play shots.  As the children play - pose the couple on the steps directly outside of the fence  - on the steps or on the sloping sides.  Snuggle the wife to her husband and take some intimate shots.

St. John Church (1891): The church does not have many opportunities for photos but what it does offer are some beautiful frames.  The church door is a unusual frame for a standing family shot.  Move to the side of the church for a slanting walkway with church windows in the background.

The week of January 18 we will cover the Kellum-Noble House (1847), Nichols-Rice-Cherry House (1850), San Felipe Cottage (1868), Yates House (1870), Staiti House (1905), 4th Ward Cottage.  The week of January 25 we will begin discussing the photography possibilities of the almost dozen monuments.

Who is traci-marie Photography?

If you want cookie cutter photography then traci-marie Photography is not the right photography studio for you.

But if you want unique portraits that become keepsakes for you and your loved ones to treasure - then you are in the right place.

traci-marie Photography captures the personality of each person. We do this by working with you, listening to you and understanding what you like and what you want out of your photo session.

Do not settle for a picture of you when you can have a portrait of who you are.