For one reason or another, we kept having to reschedule his newborn photo session. I actually think it worked out for the better because he was absolutely amazing during his shoot…so incredibly expressive and turning his head and following me with the camera, smiling and cooing and completely wrapping all of us around his cute little baby pinky. His big brother even let us take a few pics with him in between his busy schedule of watching the trucks on TV and playing with his blocks ;-). These boys are both so handsome! Well done! Another fav HERE.

When it comes to lifestyle family photo sessions, the person who schedules the session is technically my boss. But if that photo session happens to involve an adorable, precocious two-year-old, it is pretty much a given that she becomes the boss…of all of us. And so it was when we got together in downtown Austin a few weeks ago. It was super early in the morning (to escape the heat) and it took her a little bit to decide if she liked me okay or not, but it wasn’t long before she was leading the way, eager to explore everywhere and beckoning us to follow along. This family dynamic was something really special and it is clear that she is the center of their universe and everyone is completely okay with that. So many laughs that morning and sweet, sweet moments sprinkled throughout!

Melt my heart!

Oh! Mom’s shoes were SPOT ON!!!! If I could walk in those, I would totally own a pair myself 😉

That look!

And her ring matched her shoes???? How amazing is that?!

We thought we would try to play a game that she loved, but she had other ideas. These expressions crack me up!

Sister. Brother. Best. Friends. I really hope one day my boys will get along with their sister just like these two. Their relationship is so special!

Yup! Pretty much sums it up. I really enjoyed all of the personality that really came through in these images. I laughed to myself several times when editing this proof set. THIS one made me smile really big, though.

She couldn’t have done any better at her newborn session if we had planned it that way. She was amazing and smiley and oh that hair and just the right amount of baby chub! I think this may be why I’m equally drawn to newborn photo sessions when babies are a little bit older as to when they are just a few days old. So many favs, too…like the one with her hand by dad’s face? The way her mommy is looking at her in all of the pics? And also, this perfectly adorable yawn.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this precious little boy and his awesome parents. His lifestyle newborn photo session was a dream, really, filled with all of the elements that make a baby’s first photo shoot pure and perfect: he was so fresh and new, his parents were incredibly relaxed and easy going, he was dressed simply to show off his perfect newness, there were so many *real* moments captured so the photos don’t look posed, and we were able to add a touch of whimsy with his beautifully decorated nursery (see below). But first, you have GOT to make sure you look at what he did pretty much the entire first 5 minutes I was there! Favity fav, fav, FAV!

Um, yeah. His mom is stunning.

Look at that perfect pout!

When I had my FaceTime consult with his mommy before he was born to discuss her session goals, she showed me his woodland-themed nursery complete with FOX wallpaper and I may have passed out from sheer delight!

Even the pupsters got to check out their new baby brother:

Okay, so baby O was indeed an angel throughout his entire session…sleepy perfection, really. BUT, you know we have to get a peek at those beautiful eyes at some point. This last series gives you a small taste of what we had to do to get him from completely zonked out to quiet alert for literally just ONE image:

So this isn’t that one image…I’m going to save that for his birth announcements (and it’s a GOOD one, too), but after at least 30 minutes of trying to gently wake him up, we *finally* succeeded. I’m so glad we stuck it out and didn’t give up because while he’s adorable with his little eyes closed, when they’re open, he sparkles!

I don’t know if you remember her newborn photo session at all, but oh my word, has this little one changed since then! I mean, I can still see her baby features, but she’s got so much personality and curiosity and wonder and she radiates joy and life! And make no mistake, she is very, very loved and the perfect addition to this family. It was such a pleasure to see her parents and her beautiful big sisters dote on her they way that they do.

As is always my favorite custom for summertime photo sessions in Texas, we ended with a dip in the pool! I love how the kids seem so surprised that we let them do this, but little do they know, it’s just as much of a treat for me as it is for them!

These faces! She totally doesn’t love the water at all ;-). Nope, not one bit!

While the underwater photos were full of exuberance, I quite loved the moodiness of this particular image HERE.

“That’s a wrap!”

It is ALWAYS bittersweet to meet up with my newborn clients to do milestone sessions, and celebrating his half-year birthday was no exception. It’s crazy to see how he is so different yet so much still like himself at his newborn session. His mommy warned me that he was already exhibiting signs of PCS (Photographer Child Syndrome) and smiles might be tough to get, but we were all happy to see that he only needed some snuggles from mom or dad and he would gladly smile for a few pics. My favorite one is HERE, but I do also love the pic of the crazy goose stirring up a little trouble in the water ;-).

You truly cannot go wrong when you #1 let your family photo session take place at your own home and #2 you let your boys just be themselves and do the things they like to do. It creates an opportunity to capture their childhood in such a real and authentic way…an invaluable gift to give your children that they may not fully appreciate until years and years down the road. These boys are beautiful, yes, but their smiles are genuine because they were genuinely having a wonderful time and the love is visible because their parents were so incredibly relaxed. And then you add the underwater photography and yup, perfection all around. Check out the black and white version of one of my favorite color images blogged HERE.

This little man’s arrival was much anticipated and I must say, his newborn photo session did not disappoint. I mean, I can count on maybe 1 finger how many times a newborn baby has smiled during the very first 5 or so shots taken. He was cuddly and snuggly when we wanted him to be and he treated us to his beautiful eyes at the end of his session (we had to work for that just a little bit). What a handsome and sweet little baby boy. He is the perfect addition to their family! In honor of Father’s Day, HERE’s my favorite father-son image from the session.

From his beautiful mommy…

1) Tell us a little bit about your family… Geoff and I have been married for almost 5 years and just had our first baby, a boy named Fisher.
2) What made you decide this was the time to do a photo session? Were you marking any special occasion, etc? We knew we had to have Michelle document our new baby.
3) Where was your session held and why? Our house. A place we feel comfortable and convenient with a newborn.
4) What did you like about your session location? It was easy!
5) What was your favorite part of your session? All of the creative ways Michelle photographed Fisher. it was so much fun creating different backdrops and places to put him.
6) Was there anything you were nervous or worried about before the session? If the baby would cooperate for long enough to get all the shots we wanted.
7) Any funny stories or interesting happenings during your session? Fisher was out like a light for most of the session. He wasn’t even phased by all the positions and places we put him.
8) Any advice to other families before their photo sessions? Trust Michelle!
9) What made you choose Pinkle Toes Photography? My family has used her for years (she even did my bridal portraits) and her pictures turn out perfect every time. Her eye is incredible and she really knows how to capture those sweet and special moments you don’t even know are happening.
10) What do you hope your kids/family will say years down the road when looking at these images? I’m so glad we have these!

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Don’t forget: If you are expecting and due this fall, you might want to check out the Pinkle Toes Summer Baby Shower!

If you are in or near Austin, Texas and are pregnant and due anytime now through December, you can take part in the first-ever Pinkle Toes Summer Baby Shower! Those who book their Pinkle Toes newborn session will receive a complimentary 15-20 minute mini maternity session + 10 digital files + an 8×10 mounted print of their choice from the maternity session! Drop a line to get full details on newborn sessions as well as the dates/times/locations of the mini maternity sessions.

Oh, wait! *I’m* not saying goodbye to Austin…but I am sad to know this family is. I’ve been fortunate enough to get to work with them a couple of times during their short time living here and it was my honor to help them document their life in this wonderful city. I know they are probably busy packing right now, but I hope they get a few minutes before the big move to see these images that will hopefully commemorate Austin for them and their children.

I definitely hope they never forget how much fun they had here…

at the gorgeous parks.

Always remember those big, blue,

beautiful Texas skies.

The wildflowers, sigh.

Golden sunsets.

Oh, yes, never forget the grackles 😉 and yummy treats!

Doesn’t THIS look tasty?

And magical sparkles in the water.

Most of all, never forget that no matter where you are, home is where you are loved.

I wish you all the best on the upcoming move and come back and visit Austin any time, y’all (I had to throw one in there ;-).

{Hair and makeup by Katie at Modern Muse Beauty}