Knowing that her kiddos love the freedom to run and play, we decided to have an adventure at the park. I really loved how we were able to capture the spirited nature of these two at this session! They are real! And it’s clear that these two embrace parenthood with energy and real appreciation for the humor in life. Love this family, I do! {Beautiful mommy and her baby girl HERE.}

P.S. If you don’t follow this mommy on Instagram, you should. She makes me laugh with every post. And I really, really hope she writes a book someday.

[Fabulous makeup and hair by Katie with Modern Muse Beauty].

Seriously, one of the most beautiful families ever! Even as a baby, little man had the coolest eyes and hair ;-). I can’t even believe how much older and grown up the kiddos are now. Can’t even. Makes me all kinds of happy and sad at the same time. I guess that’s the good thing and bad thing about this job, huh?

We had planned to do most of their session actually on South Congress, but it was sooooooo crowded that afternoon that we were forced to find an alternate. And honestly, I think it worked out better allowing us to explore places we hadn’t visited before and providing fresh backdrops for this super fun and hip family. And how about those awesome yellow shoes? Her mommy has the BEST fashion sense!!! Love! And I sure did LOVE this pic, too 😉

I’ve been working with this sweetie since she was just a wee babe. And now, she is just unstoppable. I love her adventurous spirit and her enthusiasm for everything around her. She is a beautiful, beautiful little girl…the product of two awesome parents, I must say 😉 (Some sweet sunflare HERE.)

I need to be completely honest here and say that while mommy had her heart set on this particular Austin landmark, I *might* have tried to talk her out of it simply because I was a bit concerned about having littles in that location. But all my fears were quickly put to rest as her children were WONDERFUL and were absolutely perfect here! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that these parents are very “go with the flow” and just so willing to let their children be themselves. Bravo, guys! I am totally tickled with how fun and vibrant your images turned out!!! One more of this cutie HERE and then, my FAV family image from this session HERE.

For the first five years of motherhood, I was a boy mom and totally immersed in the world of Legos, trucks, construction vehicles, and things that I could step on in bare feet. So, I could totally relate to reading this mommy’s client interview before her session…especially the part where she said it usually wasn’t five minutes when she’d get home from work and there’d be a NERF dart stuck to her high heel (we paid homage to that scenario in this last image ;-). I love that she is the picture of grace and beauty, city-mouse-meets-country-mouse, surrounded by those rambunctious, fun-loving, outdoorsy boys of hers! Lots of fun and loads of giggles in this session for certain! {One more of the pupster HERE}.

So much has changed since the last time I visited their home, but these two sisters are still just as close and equally adorable. The last pic of baby girl going down the slide slays me! P.S. Fruit at the bottom is picked from their very own Brazillian Guava tree and let me tell you, it is yummmmm-mmy!

Our second workshop in Toronto this summer got off to a perfect start. We had a short little break after the first one  (literally, less than 24 hrs 😉 and we even had a chance to see Niagara Falls! One pic from that is HERE, but yeah, eventually, I’ll get around to going through the rest of the pics from that awesome evening ;-).

Anyway, after a FAB dinner out the first night–where I might add, I had my first ever Caesar–the next morning, we had a lovely, lovely in-home newborn photo session with this beautiful family. Oh, that baby girl was delish!!! And I loved how into the session her big sister was!

Then, we ventured out into a beautiful little park, found completely by mistake, for our family photo session, subjects = the wonderful Kerri Davis (who also happens to be a Pinkle Toes Workshop grad ;-)–oh man, I went to look for her workshop post and I realized I have not blogged her workshop yet!!! OH MY WORD! Must fix that as soon as I can).

So, I was told by a certain someone that there were no rattlesnakes or the likes of fire ants up in Toronto and I may have let my guard down a little too much. OH MY WORD! We were attacked by the most vicious biting ants I’ve ever dealt with in my life!!!! I’ll take fire ants over these little devils any day! They would NOT leave us alone and each place we would get bitten would go almost totally numb. WHAT? Yeah. At least I know how to spot a fire ant mound to avoid it 😉 No matter…we still had a rockin’ session!!!

And then, it was time to play with some maternity photos:

And who can resist some super fun behind-the-scenes shots?

Meet the awesome gals of Toronto B, brought to you by our hostess with the mostess Hilary Camilleri with One for the Wall Photography (check out her amazing work!!):

• HRM Photography – http://www.hrmphotography.com – London, Ontario
• Purple Tree Photography – http://www.purpletreephotography.com – Northville, MI
• Juste Ciel! Photographie- http://www.justeciel.ca– Montreal, Quebec
• Simply Said Photography-http://www.simplysaidphotography.com ~ Tillsonburg, Ontario
• Megan Johns Photography – http://www.meganjohnsphotography.com – Jacksonville, FL

Some of their blog posts and more fun pics here:

• Purple Tree Photography 
• Megan Johns Photography

I know there are many photogs out there anxiously awaiting word on the 2014 workshops. Trust me…I am right there with you. Lots of factors coming into play making scheduling a little bit tricker than I had anticipated. But soon…very, very soon, I promise. Hang in there.

I love, love, love working on SOCO (South Congress) in downtown Austin. I love, love, love when I get to do so with a VERY fun family that loves to laugh and explore and is up for pretty much anything. Makes me really appreciate the city in which I live and the awesome people that dwell here with me! (Another fav HERE).

[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