Warning: you are about to be inundated with photos that are full of preciousness and Pinkle Toes!

The light, the richness of the colors, the peace and beauty of the entire family, the EXTREMELY cooperative children all made for a morning where I actually did not want this newborn photo session to end!

This one right up here. Can you even believe how perfect this moment was????

The second I saw this rug, I knew I wanted to incorporate it somehow. See what I’m saying about the richness in the colors?

And, for nostalgia’s sake, let’s see mom and dad celebrating the upcoming birth of their second son during their maternity photo session on a warm, breezy day in downtown Austin:

Somewhat unrelated to maternity and newborn photos, if you are wanting holiday family photos, believe it or not, NOW is the time to book those! This month is already full, September and October are almost full as well. With all of this wonderful rain in Austin, I am hoping for gorgeous greenery throughout Austin to last us through the fall. Let’s take advantage of that! Contact me to get session information soon!

This is your (my) little reminder that there are *still* wonderful things happening in the world. I cannot wait to meet this little miracle very soon!!!

Gosh, I think I’ve known Sabrina for almost 5 years now, which seems like so long and also not long enough. She is INSANELY talented and has an incredible eye for color and design–as evidenced by her gorgeous home that they completely renovated in mere months. I was so overwhelmed by the beauty and attention to detail in their home…there are so many stories to tell and very personal and thoughtful details throughout. I am amazed at how it all came together, how hard they worked to make all of these visions come to reality.

Sabrina is a funny, warm, easy-going person and I feel incredibly blessed call her a friend. We were treated to the most delicious meal (her hubby is an excellent cook) and relaxing evening at her place and I don’t know if I could ever thank them enough for that. She also happens to be a fantastic travel companion and I’m hoping to figure out a way to run a destination half marathon with her in the very near future (hint, hint).

Thank you so much, Sabrina, for inviting us into your colorful, loving world and for even thinking to document this time with your kiddos as their mommy. They are pretty lucky to have you!

I don’t know why, but blogging has become this impossible task for me this year. I used to blog almost every day in years past. What is the deal?

Anyway, I figure I should probably try to blog her newborn photo session before she graduates college :-). She was just too adorable not to share! From her mommy:

What made you decide this was the time to do a photo session? Were you marking any special occasion, etc? Newborn photos of our first born
Where was your session held and why? Held at our baby’s 2.5 week mark at our house
What was your favorite part of your session? The entire session! We waited a long time for our baby and to be able to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment made it even more special and priceless. I loved Michele’s attention to detail and in working with us to ensure we captured all of the appropriate shots. She was amazing in handling our newborn and working to get the everyone involved, including the dog!
Worries, concerns before the session: Narrowing down the photo selects. They were all amazing!
Funny stories or interesting happenings related to your session: Loved seeing how involved the dog got in the session!
Advice to other families before their photo sessions? Have realistic expectations. This is a newborn and when dealing with pets and kids, you also need to factor in the unpredictability of both. Limit your wardrobe changes and room set-ups and you’ll be much happier with the final result than if you had unlimited changes and set-ups.
What made you choose Pinkle Toes Photography? Loved the quality of the photos, the unplanned moments, Michele’s flexibility.
Describe your favorite image from the session and why it’s your fav: I love the photo of Emily looking at the camera, eyes open. It’s so precious and at two and half weeks, difficult to capture eyes wide open (vs. shut). I also love the images of our family (including the dog!) and will cherish this moment forever.

[And, one of my personal favs from sweet Emily’s session HERE].

Okay, okay. I know this one is super photo heavy, but #sorrynotsorry. I love it when good things happen to good people and I love getting to document those good things for good people. Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, shall we? It all started when dad wanted to surprise his then girlfriend with an engagement session with me. And then we celebrated the good news that they were expecting their first baby. And then he was born. I will remember each and every photo session I’ve done with this beautiful family for the past several years (even if I haven’t blogged them all yet…ooops). Somehow, they’ve each remained true to this bright, clean, modern aesthetic even with all of the changes over time.

And now they’ve built their dream home with lovely clean lines and subtle pops of color and INCREDIBLE light (mom is a photographer, so that makes sense) and they have settled into their new home beautifully. And we got to do all of little man’s favorite things like reading stories, playing with construction vehicles, stacking blocks, snuggling, airplane, and making coy model faces at me. He even learned to “toast” and thought that was the funniest thing he’d ever seen. It was just the most glorious morning hanging out. Favity fav HERE. So happy for you guys and the life you have created for each other and that sweet boy!

He was such a perfect little angel during his official newborn photo session (his debut appearance on the Pinkle Toes Photography blog was actually on his Birth Day). I can’t believe how he just let us dress him up and take photos all over the house, posing *just so* it seemed for every single picture. He was completely content snuggled up in his mommy and daddy’s arms, that was for sure (favorite image HERE). If I were to give out grades for a newborn photo shoot, he would get an A++++ GOLD STAR in my book, with extra credit for that adorable baby smile up there ;-0.

They may not realize it, but I teared up several times during this photoshoot for these two sisters in the stunning Texas bluebonnets. I couldn’t help but to think how lucky these two are to have one another and how lucky I am to have my own sister so close to me. The older sister is getting ready to graduate and go to college and both of their worlds are going to change so much. But at least they’ve had their childhood together and I hope that they will continue to maintain their precious bond well into adulthood and beyond. THIS pic was a special request by their mommy and I knew I was going to love it the second I took it. How did the light know to form that halo around their heads together like that?

And what do you know? Turns out today is National Siblings Day!

This little guy was SUCH an angel for his newborn photo shoot! He was asleep and cozy when we needed him to be and then alert and curious for the later half of the session. It was really a perfect blend for newborn photos. I also loved that when I first arrived, there were mimosas (for two) and a bottle of milk (for one) to celebrate Dad’s birthday…my how life changes after having a baby, huh? And then…we got to go out and take photos around/in their adorable Casita! I can see so many wonderful memories being made for him as they travel together. The connection and love flowed with authenticity and ease among this sweet family. It really reminded me of why I like doing what I do so much: getting to see those interactions on such an intimate level, watching people actually become parents, seeing the looks of wonder over their baby and one another…enough to make my heart burst with joy! Favity fav HERE.

Her 9 month photo session was shot during the craziest time of year for me, but it was a welcome little respite from the hustle that comes along with holiday sessions in the fall. It was perfectly candid, relaxed, laid back, and documentary:

• a sweet little round face peering through the crib in the early morning sunrise
• snuggles and bedhead between baby sister and her big brother before they head downstairs for breakfast
• building Legos on the living room floor
• a shy game of peek-a-boo
• the perfect water spout cascade of pigtails
• clumsy, yet loving hugs from big brother
• dimples in all the right places
• breathing in warm, bare baby skin
• playing in the light and shadows of a warm fall morning in Austin.

My heart skips a beat when I look at the images from sessions like this because if I squint my eyes and try really hard, I can almost see my own kiddos at these ages again. I can almost feel the sticky kisses from a toddler and the whisper of milky baby breath and I realize how lucky we are to live in a time and place where we can take a few moments to document these seemingly “everyday” occurrences and file them away until we need a little reminder of how life used to be and how completely wonderful “ordinary” actually is.

[The black and white image in the shadow grid up there…I couldn’t decide which one I liked better…that one, or color?]

The last time I saw their eldest, it was in celebration of his first birthday! Now he’s a big brother and I can tell those two are going to be the best of friends and be up to all kinds of shenanigans as they grow up together ;-). Love that we were able to capture big bro and his furry bro on their lookout up there. And this one of the whole family together was too cute to pass up.