This had to have been one of the most natural, relaxed, easy-going families ever. And that always results in natural, relaxed, easy-going family portraits. I especially loved the last series with just the two of them. Their connection was tangible! And could those children be any more adorable?! I think we could have played all night in the creek! (Another fav HERE).

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!

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.

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 think you all know by now I ADORE family photo sessions at home…especially when working with small children or larger groups of kiddos. It’s soooooo much easier for everyone. You tend to be more relaxed. You’re more comfortable. We can take more breaks if needed. Kiddos are in their own environment. But perhaps most importantly, you’ve captured where they lived and how they lived so that years from now, after they move away, they can always look back on these images and say, “Hey…I remember when I used to play with that toy.”

I met Brandi (a photographer!) last summer when she attended one of my professional photographer workshops. I knew I liked her right away and as I got to know her more, I realized she is quite the incredible mama! It was such an honor when she asked if I would photograph her family while I was in Houston this summer. Gosh, I was so impressed to see how they run their household first-hand (they are a GREAT team) and she just seems to bask in the glow of being a mommy, even when her youngest daughter decides to put on eyeliner just before the photo session. They have done a wonderful job cultivating these personalities and I can honestly say I loved every second of this session.

(Which ones are my favs from this session? Pretty much all of them, but to highlight, I love these ones HERE and HERE and HERE).

As I promised yesterday, here is the silver lining to all of those “clouds.” See, I told you she turned it around ;-). I just adore her mom’s sense of style. Always have.

…things aren’t always hunky-dory. I find it somewhat humorous that one of my most “liked” images on Facebook came from a session where sooooooo many tears were shed. Bless her heart, for as adorable as she was (and as STUNNING as everyone looked), it was just NOT baby girl’s morning that day. Somehow, we managed to get through (and mom, we have *plenty* of wonderful images coming your way). Will blog more soon, just thought this was a nice reminder of how much effort can go on behind-the-scenes (moms, dads, and photographers alike) to create images that look effortless.

I didn’t realize the significance when her mommy suggested this place for her 9 month photo session. And then…while we were shooting, her mommy said that one year ago they had gotten married there. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh! Well now that is an idea I totally dig! Loved the urban, city-chic vibe of this photo session. And I loved that we plopped down an adorable little girl with chubby baby legs right down on these fancy, urban, city-chic couches ;-). That last image up there? That’s my fav. (Recognize her? To review, you’ve seen her here, here, and here ;-). And another newborn baby grows up right before my eyes. Sniff, sniff 🙁

Our photo sessions are always fun, always colorful, always an adventure and I’m going to tell on myself here…they’re always easy. They just seem to flow naturally…very organic and not forced and that’s what makes it so easy…even when it’s 150 degrees outside…even when someone is having a crying fit, it’s still easy because they both embrace parenthood with a GREAT sense of humor and a relaxed nature. I am pleased to say that I learned a new word at this session:

hangry

adj. han·gri·er, han·gri·est

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