Bluebonnets!

Bluebonnets are not only a harbinger of Spring, but also of Texas pride. They are the Texas state flower, and it's only natural that any native Texan (or "foreign"-born resident) should want to capture the blossoms along with their cute kids. I've photographed my niece around her birthday for the past two years in a secluded patch of the lovely flowers. See a few tips on capturing the moments at the end of this article.





Tips for photographing your family in bluebonnets:

• Safety first. Don't be tempted by patches of bluebonnets that are too close to roads and highways. If you can, find a more quiet area where there is no traffic. Also, be aware of fire ants, which come alive during wet spring weather and like bluebonnet fields, too.

• Wildflowers tend to grow best in bright, open fields where sunlight is abundant. If you come across a nice spot during mid-day, you're going to contend with bright sun. Bad thing: it can wash out the color of the flowers. If the light is bright, don't face your family into the sun, as the brightness will make them squint. Position your subjects so light falls to the side/slightly behind them. Focus on eyes and faces and fire away. The ultimate is to photograph in the early morning or early evening, when the sun is lower in the sky. This creates beautiful, directional light. But that's not always practical when you're traveling. Shooting directly into the sun will wash out the sky as well, so avoid that if you can. If your camera will allow you to use a flash in bright light, use it to add sparkle to the eyes and fill in some of the potential shadows.

• If a background is distracting or ugly, put the camera higher so you are photographing down onto the flowers. That way, you can hide the horizon if necessary. Your subjects, surrounded by flowers, will be the main subjects.

• Props can add a little punch to your photos. Above, my oldest son holds a picture frame. We were shooting at mid-day, and the colors aren't as rich as I'd like. The bluebonnet field was a little disappointing that year, too. Think about old chairs, or a special family blanket, etc. Adding an extra element can make your images that much more special and unique.

• Get into the flowers yourself. Invest in a cheap tripod, set up your camera (ensuring it's steady and won't tip in any wind) and use the self-timer (it delays the release of the shutter so that you can get into position).

For fellow Texans, the Texas Department of Transportation maintains a Web site this time of year that collects reports of wildflowers. You can find it here.

With lots of precipitation this winter, I'm hoping for a spectacular wildflower season. This is going to be the year I get some frame-worthy portraits of my sons – both of them native Texans – amid a field bursting with bluebonnets. I would love the opportunity to photograph your family among wildflowers this year. Give me a shout at todd@toddovermanphoto.com, and we'll keep an eye on the blooms and find the perfect time, date and place to create art worthy of your walls.