He cooperated so perfectly for his newborn photo session! I was so surprised at how quickly it went and kept thinking surely we forgot something, but nope. He was just completely content…slept peacefully for the first half and then woke up to show off his adorable smile and DIMPLES in the second half. Interesting story: his mommy started having contractions the morning the moving trucks showed up at their old house to move them into the new house. All day long, they moved as her labor kept progressing. Last box unloaded, off to the hospital they went and he was born that evening! Isn’t that crazy?!? To represent that big day, we took THIS ;-).

And also, here’s a short trip down memory lane to the maternity photo session we did out here at the studio not too long ago:

So, when I was in Houston a few weeks back, I got to meet the newest addition to this family and honestly, I just didn’t want to leave. I had so much fun getting to hang out with them in their beautiful home and watching big brother and big sister love all over their baby sister. I’m not sure if I’ve ever laughed so much at a newborn photo session in all my photography days…and let me tell you, the parents are just as hilarious as the kiddos. And when they’re not being hilarious, they are being so very, very sweet.

And then, when we finished up all of the sweet newborn snuggly photos, we did what everyone naturally does at the end of their newborn photo shoot: DANCE PARTY!  

And these guys take their dance parties VERY SERIOUSLY. This was for real. Complete with lights, custom sound, and a robot dance off. Like I said, I was cracking up the whole time and feeling like these three children were very, very, very lucky to have such cool parents like this.

From mom:

1) Tell us a little bit about your family… We are chaotic and silly and a mixed bag trying to navigate life as a family of five. We have lost any notion that we can control anything, and when we try, it is a complete fail. But we love each other and we learn all the time how to do that better.
2) What made you decide this was the time to do a photo session? Were you marking any special occasion, etc? Baby Ruby arrived!
3) Where was your session held and why? At our home because we couldn’t possibly get all five of us dressed and to a location and all be in a good mo about it. I hear this is possible later, though.
4) What did you like about your session location? It was the cleanest the house has been in months. Seriously. Months. Also, it made it very laid back and we just had fun.
5) What was your favorite part of your session? Hard to say whether it was the robot dance off or the battle over the smelly stickers.
6) Was there anything you were nervous or worried about before the session? Lactating all over myself. [bwa ha ha ha – that’s a new one on me!]
7) Any funny stories or interesting happenings during your session? Dance party again here. And August and Matilda wrestling. Standard.
8) Any advice to other families before their photo sessions? Relax and just enjoy your family. [Truly…relaxed parents make for relaxed kids and babies which all make for a relaxed and AUTHENTIC family photo session.]
9) What made you choose Pinkle Toes Photography? Michele. Done and done. [xoxoxo]
10) What do you hope your kids/family will say years down the road when looking at these images? They love each other and they have fun!

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And now, I have to share a couple of outtakes – this was our first attempt at getting a solid family pic:

And then big sister totally smothering her baby sister with love:

A little while ago, we did his official newborn photos, but because his grandparents live out of state, his mommy decided to give them a very special gift: their own session with their first grandbaby when they came to visit again in August. I thought that was incredibly thoughtful and such a wonderful idea! It was amazing to watch how he connected with his grandparents and how much they adore him. I also was reminded of how quickly babies can change in just a short time…he has filled out so much since I last saw him and those smiles…those sweet little gummy grins are priceless!

See what they were seeing HERE (which also happens to be one of my favorite newborn images EVER)!

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that I heard these two were high school sweethearts? Or maybe even together longer that that? Wow. Wow. Wow!

At the newborn session, baby boy’s daddy was really excited about these hats he had for him, but little man ran out of patience before we could use them. But we got to use them this time!

Her dad is reading to her son just how he used to read to her as a child. Price. Less.

Surely you remember when this stunning family was featured on the Pinkle Toes Photography blog during their maternity portraits? Well, this little apple did not fall far from the tree as I was completely blown away to find that she is pretty much a carbon copy of her mommy. Face shape, jawline, and delicate lashes. It’s too early to tell on eye color, I know (by the way, mom’s eyes were green at the maternity shoot, but proved to be a gorgeous ice blue during the newborn photo session ;-)), but she even looks like her mommy in the eyes, too!

I love that baby girl spent equal time passed out and beautifully alert during her photos.

It wasn’t terribly hot yet outside that day, so we got to spend a little bit of time outdoors and I think this little one quite enjoyed it!

Amazing eye contact, don’t you think? This is one thing I do love about working with newborns in the 4-6 week age range.

This face!!! But my favorite shot outdoors was THIS one!

She is also lucky enough to have TWO big sisters. I’m so sad we missed them at the newborn photo session, but I can’t wait to get to see them all together soon!

Random snap, but I loved that it captures this time when she still looks so small in this chair.

I mean, really? Gorgeous.

Sooooooo sweet!

And then at the end of our photo session, I wanted to capture how mommy expertly carries her around in the wrap. There’s something so beautiful and intimate about baby-wearing and it’s obvious that baby girl is completely comfortable here:

There’s been a whole bunch of new little babies born this summer, so here’s another treat! This little cutie did soooooooo great during her newborn photo session…LOVE her sweet little poses that she did all on her own. I think she knew she was being photographed ;-). My favorite moment was between her and her big sister HERE.

From mom:

Tell us a little bit about your family…

Our family balances each other out. We are different from one another but complement one another at the same time.

What made you decide this was the time to do a photo session? Were you marking any special occasion, etc?

We wanted to do a newborn session since we recently had our second child.

Where was your session held and why?

At home.

What did you like about your session location?

Everyone could be comfortable. With a new baby, there is more chaos and being at home made most sense.

What was your favorite part of your session?

Sibling pictures- big sister Amara is super excited about her new role and adores her baby sister. Amara is very loving and loves helping her mom out however she can.

Was there anything you were nervous or worried about before the session?

Getting everyone ready and hoping for cooperative kiddos!

Any funny stories or interesting happenings during your session?

Amara wanted to spend the session holding or being close to her new baby sister and could not get enough!

Any advice to other families before their photo sessions?

Michele is great to work with and she is very laid back and makes everyone feel comfortable- easy to be yourself. Try to relax and have fun!

What made you choose Pinkle Toes Photography?

As above, plus Michele’s pictures are so unique and she is so creative. When we were looking for a photographer, she stood out from the others with her vibrant and fun picture.

What do you hope your kids/family will say years down the road when looking at these images?

That it was so worth taking the time to do them.

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And, how about a short trip down memory lane with a look at some of their maternity portraits we took in downtown Austin. Side note: this was the only time I had to call a session early because of LIGHTNING!!! Whew…it was crazy! Made for beautiful clouds, but eventually it got to the point where it just wasn’t worth being outside anymore ;-(. Fortunately, we had gotten plenty of images beforehand and everyone did so great working so quickly!

I first met this mommy and daddy when that little baby up there was still in his mommy’s perfect little round tummy (see below). I knew two things instantly about them: 1) they were very much in love with one another and 2) they were going to be amazing parents. And when I got to hang out with them a few weeks ago to celebrate the arrival of their baby boy, those two things were still very, very evident. These are the kind of newborn sessions that I live for: pure, honest, raw emotion, love beyond words, a little bit of trepidation, but soooooo much wonder and amazement. The whole family is so natural in front of the camera and in their interactions with one another. I kinda wanted to just stay there all day and watch them adore their son. My personal favorite image is HERE.

Candid moment caught looking through his grandfather’s WWII medals and pins.

That eye contact!!! Wow!

Melt our collective hearts, why don’t you?

The focus so did not fall where I had originally intended, but I ended up keeping this version…it communicates to me without being so literal. I kinda dig it.

I was actually in the process of taking some closeups of the baby alone when I noticed the way mom and dad were watching over him and it was absolutely beautiful!

Speaking of beautiful, motherhood looks really good on her, doesn’t it?

The pupster, on the other hand, well, I’m not so sure how he feels about all this ;-).

And, since I hadn’t blogged the images from their maternity photo session a few months ago, please enjoy:

Soooooooooooooo sweet!

I didn’t realize this until I started culling and editing this precious baby boy’s newborn photos, but I must have been really boring him because he yawned SO MUCH, lol! Here are just two examples:

Actually, I think he was just happy and content and why wouldn’t he be? Look at how well he fits into his little family! You all may remember those lovely red curls of big sister from the maternity photo shoot HERE. Well, it was so crazy because the whole time I was editing the images, I could NOT get over how much he resembles his big sister! Something about his nose and lips, I think? Wonder if he’s going to have the same red curls, too…

While he LOVED snuggling up with his mama, he was pretty awesome with his big sister, who LOVED to love on him! My personal favorite image is HERE, because you can literally SEE the wonder in his sister’s eyes as she is watching over her little brother. I teared up several times at her interactions with him. I know she is struggling to figure out her new role, but she loves her brother so much. You can just tell it.

She is one of the most gorgeous little girls ever, isn’t she?

Then of course, look at her parents ;-).

These two. So happy to hang out…

…and nap together ;-).

Counting baby toes.

I mean, seriously?

We had to work hard to wake him.

And to try to keep him awake ;-).

But I think our persistence paid off with the very last image of the session right up there.

The moment I walked into their home, I knew it was going to be a wonderful newborn photo session. Why? Because the first thing I saw was big sis changing her baby sister like a champ. This girl is completely amazing in her role as big sister and this sweet baby is very, very lucky to have her. She is also very, very lucky to have these loving parents, too…

I can’t quite explain why, but there’s another version of mom/baby by the window up there that jumped out as a fav to me.

And see what I mean about big sister? Seriously, I could have used that kind of help when I had my babies!

From mom:

Tell us a little bit about your family…

My family is my entire purpose for being. My oldest daughter, Charlotte, is not biologically related to my husband but he’s every bit the father she’s always deserved to have. We tell him he’s our God-sent angel. Little Evelyn is our first baby together. We are beyond blessed.

Where was your session held and why?

We chose our home because it’s our Sanctuary…. Our happy place… The first place that’s ours as a family.

What did you like about your session location?

It’s where we feel comfortable just being ourselves.

What was your favorite part of your session?

Our favorite (and most appreciated) part was Michele’s patience with all of us. She was fantastic with both Charlotte and Evelyn. She truly has a gift with children.

Was there anything you were nervous or worried about before the session?

Yes. My husband more than either of my daughters. He isn’t the most comfortable with having his photos taken. In fact, he was dreading our session. After it was over he was surprisingly upbeat and positive about the entire experience. My point is, Michele not only has a gift with children but she is awesome with husbands too!

Any funny stories or interesting happenings during your session?

My husband conveniently avoiding the session as much as possible. Michele handled it with such grace and felt comfortable searching for him in our home a couple of times. She’s a doll and I’m again thankful for her patience.

What made you choose Pinkle Toes Photography?

My brother and sister get annual photos with Michele. Those photos are priceless to both of their families. My sister actually encouraged me to secure a deposit with Pinkle Toes shortly after I made my official pregnancy announcement. There was absolutely no convincing necessary!

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Also wanted to take a moment to share photograph of baby E taking a snack break during her session. Moms: frequent breaks to feed, change, and calm your baby are totally common during newborn sessions as a photo session is pretty much like exercise to new babies. I often ask to snap some pics during these times because they are fleeting and precious. Usually it’s just for parents to have these images to look back on years down the road, but sometimes, mom lets me share and I’m so glad she is letting me post this image because when I saw them like this, it took my breath away. The peace, the bond, the soft pinks, the hazy light…they look as though they could have come to life from a Renaissance painting, do they not?

As part of a very special project I’m working on, I was fortunate enough to be present the very moment he entered this world! This entire family is very dear to me and I cannot think of anything more wonderful than to actually get to document his (very fast) Birth Day.

And then, a few days later, we all got together again, this time during daylight hours to photograph their new family of FIVE!

Attention Disney Channel scouts: if you are looking for your next star, this little guy is your man right up there. He was cracking me up with all of his camera-poses!

Was trying to take pics of dad and his youngest boy, but oldest boy (AKA Mr. Disney Channel) couldn’t resist coming over and showing some love. I didn’t mind at all ;-).

And oh, the sister of the family. Little does she know how her little can-do spirit amazes and inspires us. She has been through soooooo much and yet she is completely unfazed and marches around like the princess she most certainly is.

 And this little prince. He has quite the namesake to fulfill and he is so very loved and adored by his entire family.

 Interesting tidbit: we used this basket during his older sister’s newborn photo session.

And this blanket was used in his big brother’s newborn session!

His little crown. So perfect for him.

And I totally emotionally lost it when she insisted that she place the crown on Mommy’s head. Yes, honey. Your Mommy absolutely deserves to wear a crown.

 He was made for this family. He fits in so magnificently (favorite image HERE). His arrival couldn’t have been at a more necessary time. He is needed. He is adored. He is perfect, Prince Jun.

All of my newborn photography clients qualify to add on unlimited mini sessions for their baby’s first year. It’s a wonderful way to document those major milestones in a child’s first year of life and experience all of the beauty in Austin’s “seasons”. This beautiful baby girl’s 7 month mini session happened to fall right in line with peak wildflower season, so at the last minute, we changed our location from downtown Austin to this incredible wildflower field filled with Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush. This family is completely gorgeous, but what I want to know is how mom was able to coordinate their outfits to PERFECTLY compliment the orange and blue hues of the flowers we were in? I don’t recall telling her what kind of flowers were here, but maybe I did? Or maybe she’s just that awesome? Yeah, I think she’s just that awesome. My favity FAV is HERE!