[Disclaimer: so as not to spend the entire evening behind my big, black Nikon box, I only took pics w/ my iphone 😉 You can forgive me, right?]

A good friend of mine shared THIS video with me and it absolutely inspired me because let’s face it, after our family’s fair share of hurt this year, I definitely have a desire to be happier.  So, I decided to throw a party to thank some very special clients…people who have been with me since the very beginning, people I see year after year, people with whom I’ve shared laughter, tears, elation, and heartache. What better way to thank them than to give them a little shopping spree at one of my favorite stores, Kendra Scott Jewelry in good ol’ Austin, TX? And, even better, in the process, we were able to raise more than $1,100 to go toward the Melanoma Research Foundation. (Why?).

It could not have been a more perfect evening. I had SO much fun getting to visit with my clients dear friends while doing some girlie girl shopping with them. I got to hug each and every one of them and say, “Thank you,” in person. I even had a visit from my sissy and my hubby brought the kiddos by for a cupcake or two (PURE yumminess from Nothing Bundt Cakes in Westlake).  I was walking on air that night. So much so, it is pretty much a given that we must repeat this next year. Right, ladies? Those who were not able to make it…here is your hug, too ;-). Sorry we missed you and hopefully, we’ll catch you next time around 😉

I still pinch myself sometimes. I can’t believe how many families I’ve been able to watch grow and change over these last seven years. I was telling a client the other day it’s funny because this is the longest I’ve stayed in one job…by far. My second longest was 2 years ;-). I am very thankful to have found a career that doesn’t really feel like “work.” It fulfills me and keeps me going. I get hang out with the most interesting, humorous, brilliant, beautiful people from all over the world…from all walks of life. I am very thankful for all of the clients I’ve met and the miracles I’ve witnessed and celebrated. Very thankful.

XOXO and very humbly yours,

Me

You can try, but you are never going to meet a couple this kind, loving, generous, understanding, fun, and IN LOVE. I left this session on cloud nine, knowing I would love the pictures simply because I completely enjoyed the subjects. It makes my heart swell to think that good people like this in the world have found each other and will start a life together. I could not be happier for them. XOXO {another fav HERE}.

I first met Erica last year (?) when she attended one of my lifestyle photography workshops in Austin. She is a VERY talented photographer in the Washington, D.C. area and I was very honored when she said that to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary, she and her new husband were planning a big trip to Texas and she wanted to do some portraits…in her wedding dress…in a creek. Um. Yes, please.

While we were hoping for some golden Texas sunshine that afternoon, it ended up being rather overcast. I actually liked the moodiness it added to the images as we sort of ended up telling the story of a Sleeping Beauty resting in a quiet creek, rescued by her Prince Charming…

[Is this one my fav? Can’t decide…]

Her vision for their engagement pictures was perfectly clear to me…we were speaking the same language. And it was as if the sun and the light and the beautiful weather spoke it, too.

We started out inside…

…on dry land. And these two (three) are beautiful. So beautiful together. But the real fun came when we took it underwater…

Underwater photography is extremely challenging, but I LOVE the freedom of creation it allows…unusual compostions and happy mistakes. I definitely look forward to more underwater shoots…clients if you have session coming up with me in the next few weeks (well…except newborns 😉 or if you’re thinking about booking one for next summer, consider some underwater work…especially if you have a pool (or access to one). We could do something very cool and unusual for you!!!

G & K…it was SO great to see you guys again and I am just thrilled for you guys. Can’t wait to meet baby brother this fall!

Love, love, loved that they wore this traditional dress for their baby boy’s nine month session. LOVE!

I probably get more nervous when I photograph a repeat family…repeatedly (I can’t find the links to all of the sessions right now, but I think this makes 5). I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to come up with something new and innovative and exciting and different. What I tend to forget is that families are constantly changing and therefore, any session with them is going to be new and exciting and different by the very nature of it. This is one of those sessions that will go down in my memory as perfect.

The children were perfect, mom and dad were perfectly happy, the weather was amazing, and everyone seemed to fall into the good light without even trying. My favorite part of this session, though, was not captured “on film.” It was the 30 min. or so I stayed after we had finished taking pictures to listen to the oh-so-amusing story of how these two met and fell in love. I think I could have stayed all morning just listening to the two of them reminisce and watching their eyes sparkle as they told their stories. Thank you for that moment, guys. It was a wonderful memory for me.

P.S. Those little toes you see peeking out from behind mom/dad’s arms w/ the peach stripe shirt on my home page slideshow? Those are his. 😉

P.P.S. My personal fav HERE.

Goodness gracious, these two are going to have a BEAUTIFUL baby! I mean, look at Miss “Angelina Jolie’s” eyes and lips for goodness sake? The thing that really struck me about their maternity session was how connected and in love these two were. Everywhere we walked, they were hand in hand. Sometimes I felt like I was peering in on their private little world. Thank you two for letting me peer in and I just can’t wait to meet this little baby of yours!

Side note #1 (for photogs): While I actually do about 95% of my photo processing in Lightroom (thanks to Photography Concentrate’s amazing tutorials…they’re having a sale, btw), lately, I’ve been loving my friend Leah Cook’s Matte Black and White action. Thought it would be fun to see this post in color and in Matte Black and White:

It’s so cool how her eyes pop both in color and in black and white!

 Side note #2: Literally just a handful of openings left for the Back-to-School mini sessions.

Side note #3: My friend Leah, whom I mentioned above, is single-handedly responsible for convincing me to give in to my latest obsession that is Instagram. If you’ve follow me  (pinkletoesoriginal), you will see that I’ve been getting a bit experimental with my newfound art medium. I’ve got a little something special in the works that I will introduce soon…I’m quite excited about this new project. At any rate, thanks, Leah, for giving me something else to do with my “spare” time ;-).

Side note #4: I didn’t show you my favorite image from this session up there ;-).