They have added a +one by this time (congratulations!!!!), but even though this session wasn't terribly long ago, I had to ask myself, "Is this for real?" How in the world did we get so lucky to have perfect weather, this incredible field, a glowing mama, and crazy charming little (big?) brothers all to align at one single maternity session? This family makes me smile.
That's probably the first word that comes to mind when I think of this session. I wasn't quite sure how we were going to top their last session, but I think we managed to pull of something so different and so incredible for them...
Tracy (an amazing photographer!) really, really, really wanted to go to a carnival, so planned the session date around that. Well, unfortunately, we got a little caught up in the flowers and didn't quite get over to the carnival as early as we planned. It was pure AGONY standing in line to get in watching the sun steadily slip behind the horizon. We had to hoof it to get our images and the kids (bless their hearts) were so patient with us. In spite of the darkness, we found some really cool spots to work in and I love how they turned out! Tracy...I hope you do, too, and I can't wait to see what display you create with these!
We've been having some amazing sunsets at the Pinkle Toes studio this winter. Add that to the amazing green grass my hubby planted + two beautiful expectant parents and it makes my heart flutter with joy. All of my newborn clients have the option to add a mini maternity session to their newborn session to document this precious time without having to invest in a full session...definitely take advantage of that opportunity if you can!
Speaking of opportunities, if you have a baby or are expecting to have a baby any time between 1/10/12 and 1/31/12 and live in Austin, we want to hear from you!!! It could definitely be worth your while ;-).
[Aaaaaaaanddd...just a thought, but all of you expectant mommies (or even if you're thinking of having a baby in the near future) in Austin...our .emme. boudoir sweetheart mini sessions coming up next weekend might just be the perfect Valentine's Day gift ;-).]
I sat down to post the annual Year in Review slideshow, but instead, I'm finding my mind is still swirling from what happened yesterday. I need to explain to you just how grateful my heart is on this first day of 2012. As some of you may have seen on my Facebook page, I spent the very last day of 2011 worried sick over my baby sister in the hospital. She had been complaining of a pain in her leg since her trip to New York earlier in Dec. and she called me early yesterday morning saying she had just blacked out in her hallway. My first thought was a blood clot...and then immediately, the fear of a pulmonary embolism. [I want to pause right here and thank someone very special--she will know who she is--for unknowingly giving me a key bit of knowledge about this very dangerous condition and possibly helping to save my sister's life. Thank you and my heart was very much with you during this holiday season.]
My first words were, "We're going to the hospital..NOW!"
As she was going through the barrage of tests with so many unanswered questions and the very real fear that my sister could die, all I could think was how desperately I wanted the gift of another year with my sister. Just the day before, she and I watched this and marveled over his courage and peaceful outlook on life and death. While we were waiting in the hospital, we read this and this, pleased with how many of those we had done and vowing to check off the rest this year.
Turns out, she did indeed have a blood clot in her leg, but thank goodness her lungs were clear!!! She has started treatment, but now we have to figure out why the clot formed so we can keep it from happening again. She is so young and a very healthy, non-smoking young woman...this kind of thing just doesn't make sense for her. As I'm writing this, I am actually glad to share this story with you in the hopes that should you or someone you know experience symptoms of DVT or a pulmonary embolism, you'll know to get immediate medical attention.
2011 was one of the busiest years I can recall in a long time and I know that busy=blessed. I had the privilege of meeting and/or working with hundreds families and photographers from all over the world. (It's funny how small my world has become thanks to Facebook ;-). However, to be honest right now, when I think back over the year as a whole, it's pretty much a blur to me--the only thing I can really remember is yesterday.
But I feel it's important to always acknowledge and thank the people who allow me into their lives and trust me photograph their most important family moments. I want to remind them how beautiful they are...how special their connections are...what a gift their families are. So, like I've done every year since 2007, I pulled just one image from each session to create the 2011 Year in Review...
(Google Reader users: you'll need to click THIS LINK to see).
My sister, my mom, and I all had separate plans for New Year's Eve yesterday, but all of our families ended up at my house last night. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful evening...cooking up an impromptu batch of homemade chili, all of us watching the 360º of fireworks in the horizon at midnight, listening to "Auld Lang Syne" on the iPod, toasting in paper cups, ringing in 2012 together. Grateful.
[p.s. Clients: I sent out the details on the 2011 Pinkle's Pic of the Year contest to you all. If you had a session with me in 2011 of any kind and did not get this info, let me know ASAP so I can get you up to speed.]
I'll be cliche...it seems like it was just yesterday when we...
I hold onto those precious memories so tightly, I sometimes worry if I will squeeze the joy out of them.
*You* are pure joy. Even in your sassiest moments (and lord knows, you have plenty of those), we can't help but to smile...
That giant image above will join the other two canvases from here and here. I feel so blessed that you've allowed me to create this tradition and I hope you'll continue to humor me for at least another couple of years ;-). (Oh, and let's be sure to thank Daddy for snapping some of just you and I together ;-).
You are the most beautiful person I've ever met. You have more love in your heart than I've ever seen. You are clever, and intelligent, and witty, and creative, and brave. How did we get so lucky, Amry? Why did you choose our family? It is such an incredible honor to be your mother. I don't think you'll ever comprehend how much you made our dreams come true. I love you and I wish you the happiest birthday in the world, my princess.
[Speaking of princesses, dress by Palm Tree Princess]
