After feeling like I had made the wrong weather call for my session the day before (it was supposed to rain, but didn’t), I was determined to play the odds and said we could meet up for his senior photo shoot in spite of the *very* small chance of rain. As I was driving closer and closer into Austin, the skies got darker and darker. I stayed positive, “Well, at least we will be able to shoot wherever we want,” I told myself. Sure enough, the minute they pulled up, a light, but steady drizzle started. I still wasn’t ready to give up and we started to shoot anyway thinking for sure the rain would stop at any minute.

Turns out, we were totally wrong. The rain didn’t stop so we decided to cut our losses and try again another day. That ended up being a very good decision because THIS super cool ATX sculpture was discovered in between our session attempts and it was a bonus to get to use it! So take THAT, rain ;-).

Words are not going to be able to do my feelings justice on this concept shoot I collaborated on with some very, very dear friends last summer in Kansas. First of all, these beautiful young ladies are the three daughters of my talented photographer friend, Carol. While I have “known” them online for years, this was the first time getting to meet them in person and you are simply not going to find a more confident, self-aware, kind, friendly, polite, smart, creative trio of sisters anywhere. Not only were our models gorgeous, the styling and setting were breathtaking! I couldn’t believe the magic contained in my sweet friend Janie Jones Photography’s place! To be able to peek inside her non-stop, creative mind, how she puts seemingly incongruous pieces together so artfully…it really is quite an incredible thing to witness. I absolutely loved going back through these images, reliving the memories and the sights and smells and feels from that afternoon and that trip as a whole. I love you, my Beans! [Another fav HERE].

We were able to squeeze in her Senior Portraits last fall…just before the holiday rush hit here at Pinkle Toes. The weather gave us quite a time trying to find a good day to shoot, but finally, the rain stopped and the sun came out for a couple of seconds and we made it happen! Love that we were able to incorporate all aspects of what she enjoys at this time in her life (including her Jeep “Roscoe”). H…you are absolutely STUNNING, yes, but your personality and heart gleams through your smile. Everything your mommy said about you was perfectly true and she has every reason to be super proud of you.

Before our session, I learned that H loves all things Christmas and lucky for her, we had *just* finished my set for last year’s (whoa…that’s not really as long ago as it sounds) Holiday Mini Sessions when she came out to the studio. So, she got to play around on the set for a bit:

Yup! Merry & Bright, indeed!

If you are a high school senior in or near the Austin area and in the Class of 2017 or 2018, it is not too late to schedule your senior portraits! Drop me a line and let’s see what we can do to celebrate your senior year!

I feel like I have watched these girls grow up right before my eyes. Actually, I *have* in fact watched these girls grow up right before my eyes. Each photo session with this family has been unique and memorable for various reasons. This evening was memorable for me because of the absolutely AMAZING weather and lighting that we had. Such a treat! It honestly felt like I was hanging out with my own family, enjoying the beauty of Austin. My absolute favorite shot from this family session is HERE.

Putting it out here again: We are currently booking for the 6th Annual FREE Pinkle Toes Photography Kids Only Holiday Minis! A little sneak peek of the set is HERE and to find out more (and see more pics) and snag your spot, inquire HERE. There is a bonus offer that is ending soon, so you’re going to want to learn all about these ASAP!

There is so much I want to say about this family photo session we did during their trip to Austin, but I also want to get these sneak peeks up ASAP. So here’s what you should know:

1. There was SO much laughter the entire time. I don’t think I could take a serious picture even if I tried and that is totally wonderful.
2. I LOVED how he used his mommy as his armrest…a habit I don’t think he even realized he was doing most of the time. I know it won’t be long before my own sons are taller than me and I hope at least one of them develops this habit.
3. I didn’t want the session to end. But eventually, it did get too hot and too sunny to continue, so we all went out to breakfast together instead and I will never forget that.
4. I love Angela’s hair…gah! The color! Interesting to note, I actually met her years ago when she came to a Pinkle Toes Photography Workshop here in Austin. She came all the way from Roatan which blew me away (and what a GORGEOUS place that is!). Now she’s a photographer in Colorado…check her out.
5. I also loved her daughter’s new look that she got just for their visit to Austin! See us playing below and also don’t miss another version HERE.
6. And finally, I love that I got to use that wall I’ve had my eye on for a while now. I mean, it just was the PERFECT place to end our session. So. Much. Fun.

And finally, this might be what I loved most about this session: these two! I’m so glad their mama found this little sign because it couldn’t have been more perfect. It is quite clear that they are indeed best of friends and that they look out for each other. And they are incredibly lucky to have this kind of relationship. Good work, mama!

Let me tell you that it was such a joy to get to edit this senior portrait session while the rain poured down outside my office! This young lady is about to start her final year in high school and I can’t think of a better way to kick things off than by celebrating what makes her…*her*. I’ve had the honor of working with both her big sister AND her big brother in years past, and it really amazed me that we were still able to make this session unique. Her smile is radiant and her self-confidence and genuine compassion really shined through. Just an incredible end cap to the senior photo session series in their family and I can’t wait to hear about her adventures as she leaves the nest next year!

Oh, loved this quick snap with her parents below and her eyes HERE and the colors (in spite of the dark) HERE.

I’ve worked with him and his family for years. It was jarring to me realizing that this would be the year we would have to do SENIOR PORTRAITS. While no tears were shed at the session itself, I know that this journey is going to be equal parts thrilling and heartbreaking for his mama. I may or may not have gotten choked up a couple of times imagining myself in her shoes in just a few very short years. And whoa…I know she has GOT to be so incredibly proud of him!

Listening to the soft sounds of him playing the ukulele at the end of our session was a tremendous treat. The joy on his face and the feeling of peace that washed over all of us, I will never forget. My absolute FAV image during this time is HERE.

This silhouette might be my second favorite image from our private concert.

But THIS was definitely my favorite moment of the entire session right here. His mom’s look. Sigh…

And speaking of his mama, the session in her words:

1) Tell us a little bit about your family… Its just the three of us – Preston, Parker and myself. Life raising two boys has been such an adventure. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
2) What made you decide this was the time to do a photo session? Were you marking any special occasion, etc? For Preston’s Senior portraits, I had no hesitation in booking Michele. It is such a bittersweet time – with Preston being my first born leaving for college. She has captured my family so perfectly, I would entrust no one else for a time as important as this.
3) Where was your session held and why? We held the session in downtown Austin. We have done a family shoot on South Congress (a favorite spot of ours) and one in Georgetown where we live. Preston loves the urban setting of downtown Austin, and despite of where he decides to spend his next four (or six!) years – Austin will always be *home* and he has always said he wants to come back to Austin at some point after he starts his career. We wanted the backdrops of his shoot to mirror the different shades of his personality and his passions. Knowing that there might not be too many other opportunities for a portrait session with him by himself – a senior portrait is much more significant than just about a kid graduating from high school. It captures that moment of transition from childhood to adulthood. It captures 18. It captures those last moments that a senior has at home before taking those significant next steps in life.
4) What did you like about your session location? I was thankful that Michele was able to find a location for us that in a short amount of time gave us such varied backdrops for Preston’s shoot. It will give Preston and I so much to choose from. In coming to know my family and describing Preston’s personality and passions, she was able to choose a location that would be the best fit.
5) What was your favorite part of your session? My favorite part was watching Michele enjoy Preston playing the ukelele during the shoot. Not just posing with it. I loved watching her ridiculous and awesome creative skill kick in – working to capture his personality.
6) Was there anything you were nervous or worried about before the session? Not one thing.
7) Any advice to other families before their photo sessions? Trust Michele. Let her do her magic. Follow her advice. Enjoy it. It is an investment you will never regret.
8) What made you choose Pinkle Toes Photography? I was a portrait photographer when my babies were babies. I am very particular and know what I want the end result of a shoot to be. In researching photographers after I moved to Austin, Michele stood out amongst them all. Her shoots capture personality. Capture life. Capture relationships.
9) What do you hope your kids/family will say years down the road when looking at these images? It’s not even a hope…I *know* that years down the road, we will look back and the series of photos of each shoot will take us back to that time in our lives. The images are like a little time capsule of memories that we will have to treasure forever. My only regret is not discovering Michele and her talent 10 years ago.

…we braved the cold and explored South Congress. I love that we got to see so many new places that I hadn’t really photographed before. It’s pretty amazing that for as long as I’ve been taking pictures in Austin, we can still find something new…a different perspective…something unique to the area and to the subject. Her smile is absolutely gorgeous and she just naturally lovely and radiant and graceful. What a pleasure to get to commemorate her senior year with this photo session! One of my favs HERE.

Sometimes, Austin falls into this gloomy little weather pattern and it seems like every day is met with overcast skies and drizzle. We’ve had her senior portraits planned forever, but sure enough, the morning of our shoot was chilly, overcast, and there was the ever-present drizzle (I wonder if this is what it’s like to live in Seattle?). But Ally’s fun personality and roll-with-it attitude brightened our entire session. She brought such a positive energy and I had no choice but to giggle with her (and her parents who were goofing off in the background to keep her laughing). As funny as she is, she’s also incredibly graceful and it was quite the treat to have her en pointe in the middle of Congress Ave! I posted this image already, but this one is probably my fav ;-). Best of luck to you, Ally, as you finish up your senior year in high school! Your personality is going to serve you well as you pursue your dreams, my dear, I have no doubts!

Wanted to get this blog post up super quick today before I prepare for tomorrow ;-). We started out our session not really knowing what we were going to do or where we would end up, but I know this gal and I are super glad we stumbled upon an amazing and kind artist/sculptor who let us work in his beautiful old Chevy pickup! If you’re ever in Georgetown, look up Island Gypsy Art and check out their amazing creations. Another fav from the session HERE. Now, I gotta go charge my batteries (literally and metaphorically) for the last weekend of Holiday Minis!!