Family photos are a great way to spend time with your loved ones and signify a milestone, event, or life stage. The Johnson family agrees, which is why they chose to have their family photos taken while on vacation in Austin! It’s not easy to find a photographer you love in an area that isn’t local to you, so I was especially grateful that they trusted me as their Austin family photographer.
![A family of four in Autumn at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. Lake Travis is visible in the background as the family walks, holding hands.](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-6-1024x768.jpg)
Pace Bend Park Family Session
Pace Bend Park is a great choice for any portrait session. Known for its hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, the park is a popular choice for Austinites looking to get outdoors. The view of Lake Travis is jaw-dropping, and screams “Texas Hill Country”. There is a wide variety of scenery and landscapes to work with as well! We took advantage of the waterfront view, the wildflowers and greenery, the waterfall across the lake, and my personal favorite, the cacti.
![A family of four in Autumn at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. Lake Travis is the subject of the image as the family hugs eachother.](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-37-768x1024.jpg)
![Two sisters at a fall family session at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. The youngest sister wearing a flower crown wraps around the oldest sister from behind.](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-31-768x1024.jpg)
![A family of four in Autumn at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. Lake Travis is visible in the background, as well as a waterfall.](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-97-1024x768.jpg)
![A couple looks off into the distance during a family session at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. There is a cactus visible in the foreground of the image.](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-49-1024x768.jpg)
Candid Family Photos
As a documentary-style Austin family photographer, I spend the majority of my sessions focused on curating images that don’t involve forced smiles or stiff poses. This results in images with natural expressions, movement, and most importantly, a great memory for the kiddos. Some of my favorite prompts include cuddling, kissing, hugging, or for non-lovey families, walking and tackling.
![A family of four in Autumn at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. Lake Travis is visible in the background as the three oldest hold the youngest, pretending to throw her.](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-61-1024x768.jpg)
![A couple dances during a family session at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. There is a cactus visible in the foreground of the image.](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-55-1024x768.jpg)
![A school-aged child wearing a flower crown kissing her mom on the forehead during a family session at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX.](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-71-1024x768.jpg)
Sentimental Family Photos
That being said, it’s not ALL fun and games! I still use about 1/4 of the session capturing more “serious” images, and of course, the one you’ll send to the grandparents 🙂
![A mom and her two daughters during a family session at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. The two oldest wrap around the youngest as she holds their arms.](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-63-768x1024.jpg)
![A family of four in Autumn at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. Lake Travis is visible in the background as the family stands shoulder to shoulder, facing away from the camera](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-41-768x1024.jpg)
![A couple in Autumn at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. Lake Travis is visible in the background as the couple snuggles up](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-12-1024x768.jpg)
![A family of four in Autumn at Pace Bend Park in Austin, TX. Lake Travis is visible in the background as the family smiles at the camera.](https://kdcaptures.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicole-Johnson-Finals-76-768x1024.jpg)
All in all, this was a session for the books for this Austin family photographer, and, as always, I am so grateful to the Johnson family for trusting me with their memories!
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