Service area · Dickinson, Texas
Dickinson Family Photos With the Grandparents in the Picture
Dickinson is one of the oldest mainland settlements in Galveston County still standing, named for a settler who bought his land from Stephen F. Austin’s colony in 1824 (Galveston County Museum). I’m Jen Duke, and I photograph maternity, Fresh 48, newborn and family sessions for Dickinson parents who want the newest generation on camera, with mom in the pictures too.
Newborn sessions happen in my natural-light home studio in Richwood, by appointment. Fresh 48 can be at the hospital or at home, and family photos can be at your house or outdoors. You get a digital gallery to download, share and print from.
15+ years of experience · Natural-light home studio in Richwood, by appointment · Digital gallery with downloads and prints
Local to Dickinson
What Dickinson's bayou town life means for your photos
Dickinson had 20,847 people at the 2020 census, up from 18,680 in 2010, and Dickinson Bayou runs right through town (Wikipedia). Italian families settled here in the early 1900s, and Dickinson became the largest Italian community in Galveston County (Galveston County Museum). Here is how a few things about Dickinson can shape the photos you plan.
Festival of Lights at Paul Hopkins Park
Each December, Paul Hopkins Park fills with lighted snowmen and stars hung in the trees for the free, walk-through Festival of Lights, open evenings from 6 to 8:30 (The Daily News). If you want family photos printed for the holidays, ask about dates by late summer, since my sessions often book months ahead.
Keep the prints, and a backup
When Hurricane Harvey hit in August 2017, about 90% of Dickinson flooded (Wikipedia). Floods can take boxes of photos with them. Every session with me includes high-resolution files you can download and share online, so save a copy in the cloud and order prints from the gallery for the wall.
Grandparents in the picture
In 1905 the Italian ambassador encouraged about 150 Italians to move to Dickinson (Wikipedia). When the grandparents come to meet the baby, put a photo of them holding the baby at the top of your list. Those are the pictures families go looking for later.
Sessions
Pictures for each season of family, from bump to grown
Maternity
Outdoor bump photos at a place within 15 miles of the Richwood studio. Add them to your newborn session or book them on their own. See maternity sessions
Fresh 48
Hospital pictures or at-home pictures from your baby’s first 48 hours, while everything is brand new. See Fresh 48
Newborn
Soft natural tones and classic posing with a modern touch, in my studio in Richwood. Book in your second trimester, as spots go months out. See newborn sessions
Family
At home or outdoors, with grandparents, siblings and you all in the shot. See family sessions
Before you book
Phone photo habits for Dickinson parents
- At the Festival of Lights, turn off your flash and hold the phone steady against your chest. The lights stay warm and faces don’t wash out.
- After a big storm or a move, back up your phone photos the same week. A cloud folder takes five minutes.
- When grandparents visit, take one photo of them holding the baby near a window, not under the ceiling light.
- Pick one plain spot at home, like a bed with white sheets, and use it for a photo every month of the first year.
- Hand your phone to your partner once a day. You should be in the pictures too.
Where I work
Dickinson to the Richwood studio
I photograph from my natural-light home studio in Richwood, in Brazoria County, by appointment. Newborn sessions happen there. For Fresh 48 and family sessions, let me know where you are in Dickinson and which hospital you’re using, and I’ll tell you what works.
Maternity sessions are outdoors at a spot within 15 miles of the studio.
Nearby towns: League City, Texas City, San Leon, Bacliff. See every town I serve.
Studio: 239 Stuart St, Richwood, TX 77531 (by appointment)
Phone: 409-392-6844
Questions
Dickinson families often ask
How do I get pricing?
Pricing is by inquiry. Send me a note with the session you want and your due date or family size, and I’ll reply with the details.
Do sessions happen in Dickinson or in Richwood?
Newborn sessions are in my studio in Richwood. Fresh 48 is at your hospital or your home, and family sessions can be at your home or outdoors. Maternity sessions are outdoors within 15 miles of the studio. Tell me where you are and I’ll let you know what works.
How early do I need to book a newborn session?
Reach out in your second trimester. Newborn spots are limited and often booked months ahead.
Can we take family photos with the holiday lights?
Family sessions can be at your home or an outdoor location. If you have a spot in mind, put it in your inquiry and I’ll let you know what works.
We lost our old photos in Harvey. Will I get files I can keep safe?
Yes. Every session includes a digital gallery of edited images. You can download the high-resolution files, share them online and order prints right from the gallery.
What if the baby cries the whole time?
Babies cry, and that’s okay. I have more than 15 years of experience and aim for a safe, fun, relaxing session. One client said I was “very patient” and “did not rush the session at all.”
Ready to capture these days before they're gone?
Send me your due date or family size and the kind of session you’d like. I’ll write back with dates and pricing.