Sara and her husband Jonathan, a French footballer, brought their two daughters to Vrtba Garden for a family portrait session in autumn 2017. Sara was expecting their third child. The photographs became a coffee-table book.
The Vrtba Garden
The ivy on the garden wall had turned crimson. They dressed to stand apart from it: a pink chiffon gown for Sara, matching pink sweaters and tulle skirts for the girls, and a navy jacket for Jonathan.
The Ivy Wall
On the stone steps, the girls settled in around their mother as Jonathan held her tight.
The Lawn
On the lawn, the girls ran circles around their mother, then settled against her, laughing.
The Upper Terrace
From the terrace, the rooftops of Malá Strana run up toward St. Nicholas Church and Prague Castle.
Sara wanted one portrait of herself alone with her unborn child.
Photographer’s Insight: Dressing for a Colorful Wall
When the background is this saturated, clothing has to separate from it. Soft pink against crimson ivy, with navy as an anchor, kept the family readable in every frame.
For Vrtba Garden, I’d book the last hour before closing, when the light turns warm and the garden empties. If you’d rather have it to yourselves, we can arrange a private session.
Facts
- Date: autumn 2017
- Location: Vrtba Garden (Vrtbovská zahrada), including the upper terrace and lawn
- Package: maternity and family collection, including lighting, hair, and makeup
- Result: coffee-table book
After so many years and family portrait sessions, Sara & Jonathan’s remains one of my all-time faves.