Archive for 'Austin Kids'

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We got amazing pics at his newborn session, but these just crack me up! Every time I’d get an image perfectly composed, his big sis wanted to be part of the action. Not sure if he loves My Little Pony as much as she does ;-).

Feb 13, 2011

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While I was busy with the workshop this weekend, my kiddos were away having adventures at the ranch. When they finally made it home this morning, I just hugged them and stared at them and breathed them in. How do children grow and change so much in just a matter of a few days?

Earlier this week, I was blessed enough to get to spend a little time in the morning snuggling with each of my three in their beds. It’s so funny how each experience was so wonderful, but so different. Amry smelled like warm milk, rosy cheeks, breathy voice, hair parted just enough so I could barely see her eyes. She likes to snuggle. Tristan was wiggly and squirmy and busy and so excited to talk about his day ahead. He still likes to snuggle, though, and it made me sad to realize he won’t much longer. Logi Bear was still in hibernation, he is is own heater. He never woke up, but he let me cuddle up close…breathing deeply, resting so soundly. I fell back asleep next to him.

I cannot imagine my life any other way. These three keep me grounded and purposeful. They make me giggle each day. Their thoughtful Valentine’s Day cards they made while they were away made me cry. I can’t believe I turned into *that* mom. But I’m thankful for my sweet little Valentines and also of course my big, handsome Valentine who makes it possible for us to live this dream.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours!

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I’ve used this location before, but on this day, we just kept finding gem after gem after gem. Little miss wasn’t too keen on being there at first, but after she warmed up…just look at those grins. Little man, however, may very well be destined to be a model. He’s so young, but he can totally turn on the charm for the camera. I so enjoy photographing this family.

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I first met them when baby girl was still in mommy’s tummy. I was so excited for them because they were having a girl. At the time, I was just a few months pregnant behind her and didn’t know what I was having. (I think she did an excellent job of sending those pink vibes my way.) And then, I got to watch her grow up: newborn, 4 months7 months, and one year…and see my future a few months before my own little girl reached those milestones. I just love looking back on all of these images and I try to imagine what kinds of memories we preserved for this family.

[“Sweet” tidbit of info: a few months ago I was contacted by the owner of Hey Cupcake! looking for a family to serve as the models for a new print ad campaign and THIS family was the one they chose! I can’t wait to see how the ads turned out!!!]

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My SIL sent me this dress a long time ago and it’s been on my list to photograph. It wasn’t until I started reading Water for Elephants that inspiration struck for these images. I wish had more vintagy circus things to add in here and I actually think I will revisit someday to carry that out. However, I was proud to experiment more with OCF and I really liked the feel it gave these images.

There were two other dresses on my list, but Amry was only willing to do one more that day:

light_austin_commercial_kid_photographer.jpgI LOVE this dress so and I can’t wait until Spring when she can wear it regularly.

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This family, near and dear to my heart, is no stranger to this blog. I have had the honor of photographing babies #2 and #3 as newborns with several wonderful family sessions woven throughout. This time, we wanted to do something different. Something more lifestyle. How are they when they’re just hanging out together? What do they do as a family? It was such a fun afternoon, although I will admit that bouncing around on the trampoline made me the teensiest bit woosey ;-). This kind of love and connection cannot be forced. These kids could not be happier. Their mama could not be a better example of what a mommy/wife should be. Their dad could not be funnier.

Their holiday card proved to be quite a challenge for me, though. There were so many images we wanted to feature, but short of sending out a poster-sized card, we had to come up with some way to tell the story of their session. So, we ended up with this tri-fold:

austin_holiday_card_templates.jpg I LOVED how it turned out. In fact, I decided to turn the JOY, HOPE, LOVE lines into a 12×12 storyboard AND it was used as the title page of their album:

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[Don’t forget, voting ends TONIGHT at midnight central for Pinkle Toes Photography’s 2010 Pic of the Year]

Jan 30, 2011

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It’s not what you think. “The Booty Seat” (ie. Beauty Seat) is where my little princess goes to prim on a daily basis. She’s very skilled. And she does laundry. She’s going to make a much better wife than me someday.

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This is what happens when you show up, hang out, and happen to take a few pics of a family being a family. Well…we did have some mosquitoes and a mishap with a set of stairs, but just look at their connection! Can’t beat that!

[Ahem…by the way, only a few votes are separating first and second place right now. I’m even biting my nails. VOTE!]

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This morning, you were greeted with streamers in your doorway and a visit from the Birthday Fairy downstairs. Just like we do every year, for each child’s birthday. But this year is different. Instead of the tell-tale yellow construction toys that you loved back when you were 2-5, or the strange boxes that would arrive from mail order butterfly catalogs when you were 6, this year, it’s all about gears and motors and creation.

7_austin_kids_photographer.jpgYour room looks like a funhouse, filled with all kinds of brightly colored things that come to life with the touch of a button. Your ability to read through those complicated instructions and turn those into real working models impresses me beyond belief. You live and breathe Legos and Erector Sets and Knex.

7_austin_child_photographer.jpgAnd that’s one of the things I love most about you. When you get into something, you jump in FULL FORCE, usually pulling in everyone else around you as well. It can be exhausting at times, but I love to watch your imagination on fire, your unbreakable concentration as you plug through a project, your elation when you finish and it actually works.

Today, you’re working on something that has 2,004 pieces and will stand a little more than 4 ft tall. That’s funny…you were born in 2004 and now stand a little more than 4 ft tall. You’ll get to break another board in karate to honor this day and then it’s off to the Lego store, followed by the dinner of your choice (sushi), and the birthday cake of your choice (key lime pie). You were totally understanding when we discovered your sister had already opened your birthday present. You’re up at the crack of dawn every day and chances are if I checked your pockets right now, I’d find some change and a bunch of Werther’s original wrappers (I swear you’re a 60-year-old man trapped in a 7-year-old’s body). You are a funny little man, T. My quirky, funny, sensitive, technical, creative little man. And we love you…

Jan 26, 2011
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I don’t do weddings. And I don’t do parties. But, when her mom started telling me about this incredible birthday party she had planned for her daughter, I decided to make an exception. I’m SO glad I did! I was completely blown away with mom’s creativity and attention to detail. We’re talking full on Alice in Wonderland…complete with costumes, a mad cake, and a rabbit hole that was simply amazing. I just took snappys at the party, but I had to share anyway because it was such a clever event!

Jan 26, 2011

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Her mom gets full credit for that title. As the baby girl after 3 big brothers, I love that her mom has a special tradition to get a photo session…just for her…before each birthday. Speaking of which, I had the honor of attending her birthday and pics from that AWESOME event will follow soon.

By the way, voting ends Jan 31st for 2010 Pinkle’s Pic of the Year. Have you voted?