Dayton-area photographers Austin and Shilo Kirkpatrick met in their art school photo studio 12 years ago, and they’ve been clicking shutters side by side ever since. When they’re not helping Centerville Lifestyle bring community stories to life, they’re running Austin + Shilo Creative, capturing the magic, mess and every moment in between for local families' lives.
As the parents of three young kids, they also know firsthand how much patience and snacks it takes to get out the door and photo ready! While they love photographing in the many beautiful outdoor locations around Dayton, they are proud to offer their clients the option of shooting in their thoughtfully designed space, Arrowood Studio, located east of downtown. No matter what you’re looking for, they'll collaborate on the perfect setting and show up with kid-friendly jokes and playful prompts to engage the whole family.
What drew you to photography as a career and to photographing families?
We began our journey in wedding photography and built lasting relationships with our couples over time. As their families grew, we captured newborns, milestones, family moments and senior portraits. It happened organically, and now that we’re parents ourselves, we feel right at home in the beautiful chaos of photographing families.
What makes a great family photo?
From our perspective, the best family photos are the in-between moments. A child’s arms wrapped tight around dad’s neck, or a big brother resting his head on mama’s belly. The photo where you can tell dad knows exactly where all the tickle spots are. It’s those unscripted moments, while sometimes a little imperfect, that are always so beautiful and real.
What is your best advice for a successful photo session?
Personalize it. Visit your favorite ice cream shop. Splash in the creek. Snuggle on your couch and read a book. Bake cookies together. Whatever feels like you, that’s what we want to document. Just invite us into your world and we’ll take it from there.