The Raybon’s family portrait was shot in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana.  We had a great time and I think it shows in the photographs.  The whole family got into the show, even the little girl.  Here are some of my favorites from the photo shoot.

I love the animation on the oldest boys face.

Everything about this little girl is darling.

This is the coolest location.  I had seen this before when I was shooting a wedding, but it works better with a group of people you can space out in-between the pillars.  Of course, the location called for an interesting photo treatment, full color was too over powering and black and white blend together too much.

Too cool for school.

This was a pretty funny surprise.  The whole family had fake mustaches.  I loved it.  I like people who don’t take themselves too seriously.

We went down to the fountains at the riverside and the whole family played in the fountain.  It was just as the sun was going down, so I was shooting with a very high ISO and working very hard to grab focus in-between all the water droplets.  When shooting something like this, I shoot a lot because I have to shoot wide open, things are moving very fast and there are too many variables, it’s easy to miss focus, miss the frame, etc.  The real treat is going through the photographs and finding the gems.  This next one is definitely one of those gems. I love the joy, the splash, everything.

I didn’t think about the result of this, but I told them to walk into the fountain with the umbrella, which traps the water shooting up and brings it pouring down on anyone under the umbrella.  It was hilarious!

Photography by Jared Platt, Platt Photography

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana.

Slideshow Music: Mindy Gledhill, courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

The Smith family portrait was taken at the Norton Art Museum in Shreveport, Louisiana.  While dad is deployed, the rest of the family did a portrait session as a surprise for him.  We had a lot of fun, the kids were great and I was very pleased with the way the photos turned out.  Here are some of my favorites.

This is the shot I would want if I were gone from my girls for a long time.

This guy reminds me of my son, they could be brothers.  I was taking portraits of him and then I started looking around him at all the foliage and thought, how beautiful that mess of greenery is back there, so I recomposed to emphasis the background more.

I can’t get over how cute the youngest is with he little bun on her head…  such a cutie.

This one could be used as a lifestyle shot in a magazine.  I love it.

If they were my kids, this would be a huge canvas print on my living room wall.  But they are not my kids, so I think my wife would find it strange if I print and hang this in my living room.

This shot is just cherubic.  I love everything about it and she is an absolute doll.

Photography by Jared Platt, Platt Photography

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana.

Slideshow Music: Mindy Gledhill, courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

The Maranto family portraits were taken in Shreveport, Louisiana at a duck pond/park.  I have taken a number of portraits there over the years and love the trees, the pond, and the fact that there is a playground there for the kids.  It makes the event a lot more fun for the kids and gives them a reason to be there other than getting their picture taken.  And kids love ducks.

Here are my favorites from the family portrait session.

Not quite steady on her feet just yet.  I love the pink boots and the pink leggings, that was a good choice.

This shot is my favorite of the day.  We had to do a creative crop on it to avoid an unladylike pose, but I wasn’t about the trow it out for that.  It was too cute a shot, so I made the crop.  I like it cropped like this though.

Yes, I know, this one is perfect.  This tree has a whole mess of exposed roots, so the texture just wraps around the baby.

Some dads can throw their kids higher than other dads.  Mr. Maranto is a champ!  I can’t do that… can you?

Oooops.  A little help please!

Photography by Jared Platt, Platt Photography

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana.

Slideshow Music: Nancy Falkow, courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

The Karren’s family portraits were taken in Shreveport, Louisiana this fall.  As you can see the autumn colors are out in force.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Here are some of my favorite images from the portrait session.

The barn is a perfect backdrop.  I am so glad that someone has not taken it upon themselves to repair this old barn, it is too perfect as it is.

This shot just makes me smile.  I love the implications of the older brother’s gesture.

This one is just full of joy.

Someone is pleased with their load of leaves and what they will do with them.

I love the throwing leaves concept.  Do people do this outside of a photo shoot though, I don’t remember.  It has been so long since I have lived somewhere with seasons and leaves that fall off trees, I have forgotten.  I think as a kid I used to rake the leaves and jump in them, but I can’t be certain…

I love this shot.

This was an interesting shot.  The barn is a beautiful red barn, as you have seen, so why didn’t I keep this in color?  Well, that fence is an ugly pinkish color.  Enough said.

Photography by Jared Platt, Platt Photography

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana.

Slideshow Music: Mindy Gledhill, courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.

The Herrera’s family portraits were taken in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana, which is one of my favorite down-towns in the country, and I’ve been to a lot of cities around the world.  There are several reasons for it being my favorite, the first is the beautiful textures, the second is the impressive number of different options in a relatively small area, and third is that is it not a busy metropolis (parking is not an issue, there are not a ton of people getting in the way, etc).  The Herrera’s are on their way to Spain I believe where Mr. Herrera will be forming a Christian congregation, I wish them the very best.  God bless you Herrera’s.

Here are a few of my favorite images of the Herrera children.

I guess it is my own daughter that makes me prone to love shots of fathers and their daughters.

Photography by Jared Platt, Platt Photography

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana.

Slideshow Music: Mindy Gledhill, courtesy of Triple Scoop Music.