You may think grey is dull or that it won’t photograph well, but quite the opposite is true. Especially if you have a large group, the more contrasting colors and patterns you add to the mix, the more they start to clash, and the attention is stolen away from the faces. So here’s a grey palette that includes plenty of textures, shades, and subtle patterns to make it lively and interesting while also understated and elegant. Always remember to reserve the brightest and most playful outfit for the smallest body so it will be more of an accent and will not overwhelm the picture.

I love how playful they all are, how the girls are loving on daddy and that I captured how comfortable they all are rolling around together. I was using a magnificent new lens–Canon 85mm 1.2–which makes the backgrounds buttery soft and painterly. I enjoyed using reflections in the water to create an unusual and richly patterned effect. The clothing colors were selected to convey the brightness and joy of the occasion—which was a reunion—and the girls’ lively personalities; the guitar, lake, and sunset set a beautiful mood as they round out the color palette.

Here’s a Little Dynamo in fiery red frolicking around Town Lake against an explosion of fleeting winter colors.

Bounding with life and full of expressive poses, this little dynamo gave me plenty of material for my upcoming movie, “The Girl who Rubbed Habanero-like juice into her Eyes after playing with Unsuspecting Berries and, After Screaming her Lungs Out, went back to Smiling and Having Fun. You’ll notice the pomegranates, too—not quite as lethal. This shoot shows the Best of Austin backgrounds— arty graffiti, bright painted walls, rustic wood fences, adobe stucco, cool signage, and glorious foliage.

This is what I felt during the session with this beautiful family. So much warmth and connection. And the kids were literally screaming–and almost crying–from laughter. Sure, I engaged in the usual antics— swinging my hips and singing, shouting silly things, and kicking off my shoe, which flew over my head–yes, I’m completely shameless and will do anything to entertain my subjects. But these kids were in stitches over their father, who was clearly funnier than me. And if a guy can make his 12 year old daughter laugh for an hour, pose with a pile of contented kids on his back, and elicit hugs, licks, and so much joy, then he must have a really big heart.