Archive for 'Austin Volunteer'
As I’m gearing up for the FINAL Pinkle Toes Photography Workshop of 2016 [by the way, there is ONE opening left and the workshop is THIS weekend], I wanted to take some time to reflect on how much we accomplished during the February workshop. Day one was spent getting to know one another, talking all things pricing and marketing and branding and then playing around taking headshots in a lovely winter sunset. We tried to go to bed early because day two is always super busy, starting with hanging out with this adorable little guy and his amazing parents for the in-home newborn lifestyle photo session demonstration:
He was such a sweetie and gave us plenty of chances for all of the attendees to step in and take their own versions of the shots we set up during the session:
And I loved that his family wanted to take a group photo with all of us at the end of our fabulous morning. Sigh…
After re-fueling on some food and re-grouping, we went out that evening for an urban-ish, outdoor lifestyle family photo shoot. I’ve known this mama for several years so it was a wonderful experience to get to see her with her family. What a dynamic group full of personality and love! We hunkered down inside the parking garage for a little bit and then braved the wind to get more images closer to sunset. It provided us with perfect opportunities to practice in all kinds of lighting situations.
How to use shadows and light to your benefit. And then, below, embracing full sun and making it work for you.
I’m pretty sure I teared up when this image came across the screen as we culled them following the session.
That sunflare…YESSSSS! And they were just so cute together!
Finally, on the last day, we were up much, much too early to catch an incredible (albeit, chilly) sunrise for our maternity model photo session. So fantastic walking around and observing the attendees who were able to take chances and discover new skills, practicing with different lenses and techniques. I was very impressed with the images they created for our models!
Here they are…the Pinkle Toes Workshop Class of Feb 2016:
Good looking group, no? And great personalities and energy to match. They made it a fantastic weekend for us all!
And now, please if you will, go on over to Missy Mayo – Dallas Family Portraits and check out her take on the workshop (that’s Missy up on the left, by the way 😉 Loved what she told me the other day about the Pinkle Toes Workshop:
I was warned that this workshop would ruin me for all other future workshops. It is true. Every aspect of being a photographer is covered – even the parts you don’t consider. I came home with a revived passion for my art and business and pages of ideas to try.
[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
When I got the call that this would be “the day” I was so caught off guard. He wasn’t supposed to arrive until the end of August. This was the middle of JUNE! But it was an emergency situation and he had to be born…immediately. Driving over to the hospital that day, I was so full of concern and emotion and I just kept wondering how in the world these parents (first-time parents) would be able to deal with what was about to happen? I mean, it’s scary enough having your first child, but to get a surprise like this and not knowing how this new little life would manage outside of the womb…I can’t even imagine.
I remember sitting in the waiting room…alone (nobody had time to get there), waiting for some sort of news when a man in glasses strode through the door leading to L&D. He was grinning from ear to ear and perhaps still a little white from the shock of it all. His son was here! He was tiny (2lbs 3oz), but he was healthy and it was an absolute a miracle!
I’ve had only a little bit of experience with preemies, but in that experience, I knew that this new family of three had a long road ahead of them. A road filled with machine beeping and tubes and tests and unknowns and ups and downs and infinite 3 minute hand-washings. While I was supposed to be there to capture the “birth day,” I knew that all of those amazing first moments of this particular birth would be delayed over many, many days (67 days in all). And so I asked them if they wanted me to chronicle this very different birth journey. And so we did.
Beverly (who happens to be a very talented photographer) has allowed me to share the birth of Baby Miles with you all in the hopes that it will help other parents who are in or may someday be on a NICU journey and to generate support for the March of Dimes. After watching Miles’ birth slideshow, if you are so inspired, perhaps you could donate or volunteer? In fact, to help celebrate Miles’ homecoming, I pledge to contribute $1 per comment left on this post (one per person; up to $300) left between now and Sept. 1, 2010 to the March of Dimes.
So here you go. This is Miles’ birth story…from the day he was born…to the day he got to come home. Truly something to celebrate:
[Music by Philip Hintze and “Welcome Baby” by my dear friend Michelle Jamail. Interestingly, I used this same compilation for previous births, but it fascinates me how “Welcome Baby” took on an entirely new meaning here.]
Such an honor yesterday to be part of Texas CASA’s “Prevent Child Abuse Rally” in San Antonio yesterday. As much as I loathe that drive from Austin to San Antonio, it was very worth it…especially since the rain decided to hold off on us. And, what a lovely surprise to see my images all over these banners and brochures for their latest volunteer recruitment initiative.
Years ago, I used to work for Texas CASA managing the license plate program. It was all behind-the-scenes work, so I didn’t really get the chance to see the kind of dedication and positive change brought about by all of these amazing volunteers who serve as a voice for abused or neglected children caught up in the system. But my word, this young man…
…this young man had quite the story to tell. He’s a CASA kid [he made the important distinction that he’s not a ‘former CASA kid’ because once you’re a CASA kid, you’re always a CASA kid] and he spoke about the incredible difference his CASA volunteer made in his life. It was amazing to see the two of them together. During his speech, I just set my camera down. Honestly, I couldn’t really see behind the tears that kept welling up. I was blown away by his confidence, his sense of humor, his humility, and his genuine appreciation for the kind of change a CASA volunteer can bring about in child’s life.
Perhaps you can, too.