Service area · Bayou Vista, Texas
Bayou Vista Newborn, Maternity and Family Photos
Bayou Vista is built along twelve dredged canals that open to Galveston Bay, and the city’s motto is “Where living on the water is a way of life.” I’m Jen Duke. If your house is filling up with kids, or a new baby is about to make someone a big brother or sister, I photograph maternity, Fresh 48, newborn and family sessions so these years don’t slip by without good photos.
Newborn sessions are in my natural-light home studio in Richwood. Fresh 48 can be at the hospital or at home, and family sessions can be at your home or an outdoor location. Every session includes a digital gallery to download, share and order prints from.
Over 15 years of family photography · Natural-light Richwood studio, by appointment · Edited gallery with downloads and prints
Local to Bayou Vista
Life on the canals, and photos to plan around it
Bayou Vista is a small city in Galveston County with 1,763 residents at the 2020 census, up from 1,537 in 2010 (Wikipedia). The city describes itself as a residential waterfront community near West Galveston Bay, Jones Lake and Highland Bayou (City of Bayou Vista). Here is how canal life can shape the photos you plan.
Pelicans and herons out back
The city notes that pelicans, herons and mallards live right in the community (City of Bayou Vista). Kids pointing at a pelican make a better photo than kids told to say cheese. Keep your phone handy on the dock and shoot from behind them as they watch.
Crabbing from the dock
Residents can fish or crab right from their docks (City of Bayou Vista). Big brothers and sisters showing off a crab to the new baby is the kind of sibling photo families end up printing. Take it in the shade of the house, not in full sun.
One family's neighborhood
George and Louise Saconas developed Bayou Vista and nearby Omega Bay, and their son has given talks on the city’s early days (City of Bayou Vista). Family history sticks when there are photos to go with it. Print a few each year so the grandkids have them.
Sessions
Photos for each chapter, from baby bump to big siblings
Maternity
Outdoor bump photos at a spot within 15 miles of the Richwood studio. Book them on their own or add them to your newborn session. See maternity sessions
Fresh 48
Your baby’s first 48 hours, photographed at the hospital or once you’re back home. See Fresh 48
Newborn
Classic newborn posing with organic, natural tones and a modern feel, in my Richwood studio. Book in your second trimester, since spots are limited. See newborn sessions
Family
At home or outdoors, with time for siblings to warm up and be silly. See family sessions
Before you book
Phone photo tips for Bayou Vista parents
- For sibling photos, sit the older child down first, then lay the baby in their lap. Shoot from slightly above.
- On the dock, the water reflects light up onto faces. Late afternoon, with the sun low and behind the kids, looks best.
- Pelicans and herons won’t wait. Turn on burst mode and hold the shutter while the kids watch them.
- Indoors, use the window facing the canal if it doesn’t get direct sun, and turn off the overhead lights.
- Be in at least one photo a day. Ask a sibling old enough to hold the phone to take one of you.
Where I work
How Bayou Vista sessions work
My natural-light studio is in my Richwood home, in Brazoria County, and works by appointment. Newborn sessions happen there. For Fresh 48 or a family session, tell me where you are in Bayou Vista and I’ll let you know what works.
Bayou Vista kids are zoned to Texas City ISD, which kept the old La Marque school zones, so they attend schools like Hayley Elementary, La Marque Middle and La Marque High (Wikipedia). A first-day photo on the dock each fall shows how much they grow.
Nearby towns: Tiki Island, Hitchcock, La Marque, Galveston. See every town I serve.
Studio: 239 Stuart St, Richwood, TX 77531 (by appointment)
Phone: 409-392-6844
Questions
Bayou Vista families want to know
How much is a photo session?
Pricing is shared by inquiry. Tell me the session you want and your due date or number of kids, and I’ll send you the details.
Where do sessions take place?
Newborn sessions are in my Richwood home studio. Fresh 48 is at the hospital or your home. Family sessions are at your home or an outdoor location, and maternity is outdoors within 15 miles of the studio.
Can older siblings be in the newborn photos?
Ask in your inquiry and I’ll let you know what works. Family sessions at home or outdoors are an easy way to get everyone in the frame.
Can we take family photos on our dock in Bayou Vista?
Family sessions can be at your home. Tell me where you live and what you have in mind, and I’ll let you know what works.
What if the kids melt down?
It happens. I have 15+ years of experience and aim for a safe, fun and relaxing session. One client called me “very patient” and said I “did not rush the session at all.”
When should we book newborn photos?
Reach out in your second trimester. Newborn spots are limited and usually booked months ahead.
Ready to capture these days before they're gone?
Tell me your due date, how many kids you have and which session you want. I’ll reply with dates and pricing.