I first met Kari at the start of the year…she was one of my most favorite Pure Barre instructors…she was funny, down-to-earth, had a very unique look (something I’m always drawn to as a photographer) and most of all, she did a phenomenal job of encouraging me to believe in myself and gently pushing me beyond my limits at Pure Barre. I’ve had this need pulling at my soul for quite sometime to do something creative and different…fine art photography…reaching above what is typically “my day job.” It sounds so silly to me now, but I really wanted to work with Kari on this project and I was so afraid to approach her about the idea.

When we first started discussing our goals for this collaboration, we tossed out words that were inspiring to us at the time. I have lately been drawn to watercolors and the desert. Kari was inspired by her time at Burning Man and the need to show her strength and independence, but softer side at the same time. Slowly the ideas started forming and it was then I decided to invite my dear friend Katie (Modern Muse Beauty) to work with us–there was no one else I would trust to be able to follow our creative vision for this project, but to be able to have her own take as well.

I wish I could describe this night so you could understand how it felt. How was it possible for three very different women with very different backgrounds and points of view to work so perfectly together??? The hair and makeup, the costuming, the location, the photo session itself…everything was so organic…not forced…it just happened. It was like we all had the same need to tell the same story. Kari and Katie: I cannot thank you two enough. I am seriously so grateful to know you both and to have had the honor of working with you as artists.

While I was able to get very creative with the actual photo shoot, I also wanted to experiment with the image editing in post. I struggled for a long time to be able to translate what I was seeing in my mind’s eye to the images on my screen, but finally, I landed on these “watercolors.” I’m almost embarrassed to say that I have twice as many images as shown here. I will probably have to come back and blog the non-watercolor images, too, because there are some super cool shots! And, this is only the first of what I hope to be several more photo shoots in this series. Meanwhile, please enjoy the first installment of Firebird Rising: Cracked Earth in Watercolor.

Oh, and do not miss my personal favorite from this segment HERE.

Every year, she steals my heart a little bit more. And she wins (again) on wardrobe ;-). Oh, and for my sweet Christmas present ;-).

I may have 2-3 openings left for the Kids-Only Holiday Mini sessions tomorrow. After that, it’s all over for 2015. The session + one digital file of your choice is FREE to all clients who book a full session for 2016. Please message us for more details and do so quickly before all the spaces are gone!

Okay, holiday season is literally in full swing and I have not been able to blog every family photo session as of late, but I really, really, really wanted to take a few minutes to share this one. I’ve had so many wonderful times with this family, starting back when that baby girl was just a few days old. Each session has had its own unique story, but this one might be my favorite one to date because it was held at one of their favorite places to play as a family: The Thinkery – the children’s museum in Austin. As creative and energetic and playful as this entire family is, The Thinkery is quite perfectly suited for the not-so-typical family portrait session. The kids absolutely LOVED showing off all of their favorite things to do when they visit and though I had a tough time keeping up with their excited activity, their authentic joy and enthusiasm was 100% worth it! How lucky are these kids to have a mom and dad completely willing (if not actually excited) to get on the floor and play and explore and build and create right beside their children?!?!? My favity fav from this session, though it’s tough to pick, is probably THIS ONE.

I don’t know if I’ll have a chance to get back to the blog this week as I’m gearing up for the FINAL WEEKEND of the Kids-Only Holiday Mini sessions starting Friday and running through Saturday (I’ll be seeing these guys this weekend, as a matter of fact). We have a handful of openings left and I can squeeze you in if you want your kiddos to play in Santa’s Workshop! The session + one digital file of your choice is FREE to all clients who book a full session for 2016. Please message us for more details and do so quickly before all the spaces are gone!

It took us a little while to solidify a concept for this session (we’ve had so many wonderful times in the past), but once the wardrobe was planned out, it was a no-brainer. I’ve been wanting to do a chic, classy, city-inspired session at night in downtown Austin for some time and this was the PERFECT family to convey this vibe. And they absolutely NAILED it! I loved the personality that just couldn’t be contained in their kiddos. I loved the contrast of chic, classy, wardrobe and the silly faces they couldn’t help but to make. I loved the plush interior of the hotel and the sparkling lights at dusk. It was just all-around perfection and such a blast! Fav moment right over HERE.

Recently, you may have seen a few Pinkle Toes photographs featured in the Austin American Statesman in an article about taking Austin-centric family photos (one and two). In doing that interview, I got to take a few minutes to really consider what makes Austin such a unique backdrop for Pinkle Toes photo sessions and here’s what I came up with: Austin has its very own personality and when you photograph a family in Austin, the personality of the city magnifies that of the subjects.

And so it is with this family: when working with fun people in a fun place, you can help but to get fun imagery! It took baby girl a little bit to warm up to me, but once she did, I totally fed off the energy and love among everyone. It may have been one of the speediest family photo sessions, too, as we were pretty much nailing every single shot in the first one or two takes and that allowed us enough time to explore several different parts of the city. I think my favorite image came about when a passerby handed baby girl a pretty flower and she sat down and did THIS ;-). And another rockin’ photo bomb HERE.

Just a small peek into what I’ve been working on over the past several weeks. Debating on if I should show more or keep it as a surprise for all the kiddos who are taking part? Hmmmmm…

These kids-only holiday mini sessions are already HALF FULL and I only just opened the sign up last week! Wow! The 10 minute mini session + one FREE digital file of your choice is ONLY available to clients who book a full session for 2015. (Sorry, you cannot purchase the mini session on its own). Also, while I totally understand that grown ups want to play in my wondrous wintry set, these sessions are kids only. If you’ve been thinking about experiencing a Pinkle Toes photo session, this is a GREAT time to take the leap! Please contact us as soon as possible to get the full session and mini session details because there is an EXTRA bonus that comes with your holiday mini for booking early. *hint, hint*

Okay, off to play in the “snow” some more…

austin urban family photography

I’ve had the pleasure of working with this family for years…many of my most memorable sessions have been documenting their lives and the girls growing up. We’ve spent most of our sessions at their beautiful ranch land, exploring the outdoors. However, they have since traded some of their ranch life for city life in the heart of downtown Austin and it was a super cool change of place to explore the urban outdoors for this session. Such a fun family, always up for anything and we always create something unique together! (Favorite family shot is HERE.)

Looking at these images together like this, it’s very Halloween inspired, huh? Very much looking forward to seeing everyone’s pictures on Instagram and Facebook tomorrow! Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

I left their photo session that morning feeling joyful and refreshed (in spite of having to get up at 5 a.m. to be there). I feel as though I met lifeline friends and I probably could have hung out with them all day at the hotel. They were bright and fun and funny and enthusiastic and loving and wonderful. I very much look forward to following these girls as they grow up in such an amazing family unit. (Still my FAV!)

Once again, AWESOME hair and makeup by my friend Katie with Modern Muse Beauty. I’m serious. Make your life so much easier and just hire her to get you ready for your family photo session. Even if I’m not your photographer ;-). It just takes SO much pressure off, especially when you have several other people to get ready for the session. Katie is dependable and does a fantastic job of making everyone look their best! And, she’s kinda awesome. Mama insisted that we took a pic that included Katie:

It has been such an honor and a beautiful journey to get to photograph this family as each of their children reach milestones of “fives.” I first met this young lady when she turned five and I’ll never forget her mom begging me to move her session up as soon as possible because she wanted to capture her before she started to lose her baby teeth. That really struck me because at the time, I just had my boys who were ages 3 and 1 at the time, I believe. I couldn’t imagine the day when they would start losing their baby teeth. I couldn’t imagine that it would be as significant to me as mother as it turned out to be. But thankfully, this mommy prepared me for it.

And now she’s TEN! I cannot even believe our first meeting was five years ago. And look at what a beautiful young lady she has become. Next milestone will be FIFTEEN. I don’t even know how I will be able to hold myself together for that one. And before we know it, we’ll be celebrating brother’s TEN year milestone. Oh, I can’t take the passage of time sometimes.

While this photo session was focused on the kiddos, at the end, we just couldn’t miss out on this amazing sunset, so we got the whole family in ;-0.

P.S. The swing shots crack me up. So very big sis + little bro.

And it made me happy. I don’t do it as much as I used to, but when I do, it makes it that much more refreshing.