Sixty, seventy, golden
A sixtieth birthday, a retirement, a fiftieth anniversary. We make unhurried portraits of people at their proudest milestones - in your living room, your garden, or our South Congress studio. You will look like yourself on a good day, because that is who shows up.
Why a milestone portrait
Every family has one: the picture from the reunion where everyone is mid-blink, or the birthday snapshot where the guest of honor is half out of frame. The milestone deserves better, and so does the person standing in the middle of it.
We photograph at a conversational pace - seated when you want to be seated, resting when you want to rest - so the face in the frame is the one your family knows, not the one a stranger's camera usually catches.
From recent sessions
The studio
01
Owner & photographer
Thirty years of portrait work and still fine with retaking it until it feels right. Certified member, Professional Photographers of America; her sixtieth-birthday clients now outnumber her newborns, by request.
Marcus Bell Photographer
Former newspaper photojournalist. Best in the business at catching the laugh that arrives after the "official" shot, and patient with every hesitation before it.
Rita Alvarez Wardrobe & styling
Twenty years in personal styling for a department store. Books a complimentary wardrobe call with every session, and will happily tell you the turquoise stays home for this one.
James Okonkwo Print production
Handles the gallery, the color work, and the framing partners. Believes a printed wall portrait will outlast every phone in the family, and says so at holidays.
Packages
Start here
One hour, up to four people, two outfit changes. Twenty fully edited images in a private gallery. The right size for "we just want one good picture".
$390 session
$780session
Most booked
Ninety minutes at home, garden, or studio. Wardrobe call, sixty edited images, and an 11x14 matted print of your favorite.
$1,450session
Bring everyone
Up to ten people, two hours, your location. Every grouping: the whole family, the siblings, the grandkids, and the person of honor alone and glorious. Includes a 16x20 framed print.
$2,450year of portraits
The full story
Four seasonal sessions over twelve months - birthday, holidays, spring garden, and one "just because". Two framed prints, a linen heirloom album, and every edited file.
All prices in USD; Texas sales tax added at checkout. Sessions may be rescheduled once at no charge with 14 days notice. Gift certificates available and, statistically, a very good idea.
How it works
01
Fifteen minutes on the phone: the occasion, the people, the location, and what "good" looks like to you. No charge, no pressure.
02
Rita helps with clothing (bring the candidates; she picks), and we scout your home or garden by photo if we have not seen it before.
03
Unhurried by design. Seated poses, standing poses, breaks for tea. We keep shooting until the smile stops being practiced.
04
Twenty-one days later, a private online gallery. Full-resolution downloads for the family, and print ordering for those who prefer paper.
Client stories
"My mother told the photographer she was unphotographable. Ninety minutes later she asked which picture would go on the mantel. It is there now, and she mentions it weekly."
Deborah S.
daughter, booked her mother's 80th (Austin)
"I have hated every photo of myself since 1991. This one I put on the refrigerator myself, which if you know me is astonishing."
Ken W.
retired engineer, 68 (Georgetown)
"Four generations, one afternoon, zero meltdowns - and a family picture from Christmas that my sisters actually fought over copies of."
Luz M.
family reunion organizer, 54 (San Marcos)
// Before you book //
Check dates
A sentence about the occasion and roughly when you would like to shoot is plenty. We reply within one business day, and Dolores picks up the phone herself more often than not.
TEL (512) 555-0184
Hours Mon-Sat 10am-6pm CT