Last month, when we went to Houston for a little family time + a few photo sessions, the days leading up to our departure were dry as a bone. And then all of a sudden, much to my dismay, the storm clouds started rolling in over the Houston area :-(. Amanda and I were in touch the night before, trying to decide what our plan of action would be. I mean, if worse came to worse, I could do a family photo shoot in the rain, but really, who wants to deal with that???? I think the thing that was making me nervous is that I was going to be driving (before sunrise) about an hour from our hotel to a place I’d never been before with unpredictable weather and I was going to have to pull off a photo shoot, site unseen. There…the truth is out. I actually like to plan my sessions well in advance and try to eliminate as many variables as possible. I like to control the things I have control over so that I can handle the things I can’t control (like fussy kiddos or bad weather).

But this post is called the “good luck” session for a reason: we had really, really good luck!!! Watching the radar, there was literally rain and storms all around us. Sure it was a little dark when we got started, but here and there, the sun actually peeked out! But here’s what made this session most enjoyable: Amanda’s children!!! Typically, children of photographers have what we like to refer to as “Photographer Child Syndrome.” If you haven’t heard of it before, basically children w/ PCS turn into little ornery buggers whenever a camera comes near them (I give you exhibits A and B). Amanda’s kiddos, on the other hand, were perfect angels. I don’t know what they’re doing, but they have raised some loving, polite, respectful and joyful children and they should be very, very proud.

My personal fav is HERE!

…because believe me, it’s not been very quiet over here at all over the past week and a half. In between the launch of the 2013 photographer workshops and mentorships, a mad rush of newborn, maternity, and family sessions, a hurt knee, a birth on Sunday followed by a super duper fast birth on Tuesday, and my dear mommy moving away :-(, my universe has been a little out of sorts. Honestly, I’m not quite sure what day it is today. But, I’m finally back at my desk today and proofing like a mad woman. It feels nice to be hanging out in my office again for a change and I’ve quite enjoyed going back and reliving these sessions as I proof them. This session in particular reminds me of the hour-long conversation we all had after we finished shooting, talking all things birth and nursing and what it’s like to have more than one child. The times I spend with my clients behind the camera are amazing, but the memories that stick with me come from the times when we can put the camera down and just hang out. You guys…I just can’t wait to meet your new baby girl…I know she’s going to be beautiful and oh-so-loved by her big brother!

…”It’s a GIRL!” and everyone–and I mean everyone–in the room felt their joy! Major congrats to you guys…little girl, your mama is pretty amazing!

Normally after a photo session, I only have time to sneak peek just one image. But this session deserves its own blog post sneak peek because I have a lot of gratitude to express. First and foremost, I want to thank this beautiful couple for serving our country…willingly and proudly. I want to thank them for driving all the way into Austin for this very special day. I want to thank dad-to-be for spending his birthday doing something so sweet for his beautiful wife. I want to thank Dr. Seuss for being the inspiration for their nursery and this photo shoot. And I want to give a HUGE round of thanks and applause to the folks at Art on 5th for letting us come into their space and for being so incredibly warm, kind, and accommodating.

6-7 years ago when I was working for Texas CASA, I used to walk on my lunch break and explore downtown. One day, I stumbled upon Art on 5th and I was blown away by the Dr. Seuss gallery. When I first started communicating with this couple, she mentioned their love of Dr. Seuss and I immediately thought of this gallery. I am so thankful to Joe and the rest of the gang at Art on 5th for opening their doors to us yesterday.  I would highly, highly recommend a visit (or two, or three) to the gallery. Such a treat for the eyes!

(Part 2 HERE)

Let me preface this that while the title of this post is a “walk in the park,” with little miss in full speed, it was more like a dash in the park. We couldn’t have had more perfect weather on this day and it was really fun to watch this little one explore her surroundings with 100% curiosity, 100% confidence, and 50% balance, LOL. Um, I know why her mommy is so tiny 😉

So I looked up “cool” in the dictionary the other day and I happened to see THIS family ;-). Seriously, who else elects to have their family portraits taken inside the awesome office space of Google in Austin. These guys, that’s who. I could have stayed there all day and played with all of the fun stuff and the kids just LOVED being there. Lucky ducks. Oh, and did you see my absolute fav image I sneaked from this session? Oh, yes. Cool, indeed.

They say the grass is greener. So I had to take another look. If you’ll recall, I switched from Canon to Nikon in 2010. Now, two years later, I guess I must be getting bored ;-). Thought I’d do a little side by side comparison with my Nikon D700 50mm 1.4 (which I currently own) and the Canon 5D miii 50mm 1.2 (just because I hear all of my colleagues raving over this camera). I’ll let you know what my personal verdict is in the follow up post. Meanwhile, feel free to weigh in…

Also…still gauging workshop interest and possible locations for 2013. You’ll definitely want to check out THIS PAGE and fill out the form “let me know” if you want to be notified when we decide.

So this AWESOME reversible skirt came in from her Auntie Dee. Little girl has been begging me for WEEKS to do a photo shoot. We go to do the shoot today and she was totally not into it. Why is that, I ask you? PCS? [Photographer Child Syndrome] or just the makings of having a girl child?

I met Jackie about a year ago at Barb’s amazing workshop and learned that Jackie lived just down the road from me (which is rare because I’m in the boonies!!!). Love Jackie’s work, too!! So glad she was willing to come out for some underwater play before her sweet baby girl was born! (One on dry land HERE and my personal underwater fav HERE.)

Speaking of workshops, did you see my announcement on Facebook? I’m considering starting professional photographer workshops back in 2013!! I’m incredibly excited about the potential plans (which may include me traveling for the first time–eeep!). To make sure you’re among the first to know the details, fill out the “let me know” link on THIS page!

I know it is said that “home is where the heart is” and that’s true…you can make almost any place into a home if you fill it with love and happy memories. But I also believe that some houses have a life and energy all their own. I understand the life-long connection some people will have with the places in which they grew up and so did she. And this is the main reason why I went to Houston last month…to capture their house…their home…the place where they brought home their first babies…and ALL of those memories tied so closely to those rooms before they move into their new house next year. I know she already appreciates the kind of value these kinds of photographs will have for her children, but I don’t think her kiddos will fully realize the significance of this particular session until they are off finding houses of their own years from now. I hope they do.

That last image has got to be one of my most fav mother/daughter moments ever. If it was of my daughter and I, it would totally be going up on my walls ;-). Two more session favs are HERE and HERE. And then one more fun thing below (it’s animated…might take a bit to load):