No one pass out, but yes, I’m still here. I’m actually here! And blogging…really blogging…for the first time in quite a while. I can’t even begin to count how many sessions I have to catch up blogging-wise from as far back as 2017, but I’m not going to focus on that right now. Instead, I’m going to focus on the thousands of incredible memories I have made over the past few years, working with hundreds of wonderful families…like this one…and their fantastically creative Gatsby family photo session we did at Chateau Bellevue earlier this year. These three are near and dear to my heart and every year, I love creating with them! It is always a visual and artistic treat! This one was probably one of the most detailed photo sessions they’ve ever put together, don’t you agree?

I’ve had the extreme honor of photographing the newborn sessions for each of their 3 babies and I had to giggle when I walked in for this little guy’s debut photo shoot because his basically a carbon copy of his brother and sister ;-).  I LOVE that they all seem to have inherited that beautiful red hair, but they still have so much of their father’s features in them. This guy in particular. He was a perfect little doll the entire session, doing exactly as the third baby typically does: putting up with the antics of his older siblings and being totally chill about the whole thing. Mom and dad are an amazing parenting team and this sweet baby is going to have no problem fitting in with the rest of his fam. A perfect summation of their lives right now can be seen HERE.

Hair and makeup by Katie of Modern Muse Beauty in Austin, TX.

It was a bit of a glum day when we got together to do their annual family photos, but somehow, the decision to dress up and take a bit of a “domestic chic” approach turned glum into glam. It was the perfect amount of sparkle and rich velvet and deep jewel tones and I just love how these images turned out! Especially the “looking glass” series, including this one HERE. {Hair and makeup by Katie with Modern Muse Beauty}

The last time I saw the boys, I believe they had just turned one and NOW look a them???? So much fun…so much energy…and stunning smiles! It was incredible weather that evening and I LOVED the outfits mom picked out for the family. I also LOVED this shot HERE.

Hair and makeup by Modern Muse Beauty!

[Sorry for not being very wordy on this post and probably the posts to come…swamped with holiday stuff over here and my main goal is to get these pics out to my families as soon as I can ;-).]

Each time I ask a family to do their outdoor session at sunrise in the summertime, I hold my breath because I know no one wants to do that. In Texas, however, sometimes that is just the necessary evil. I know it’s early and believe me, I don’t like getting up before the sun either, but it is *always* always worth it. This family photo session by this gorgeous lake dock was no exception and boy, we got SO lucky that it happened to be a bit overcast that morning, allowing us to play at the dock a little longer than usual and also allowing us to work pretty much any place we wanted to outside. Sure, it was humid, but at least we were not dealing with the sun beating down on us during the hottest part of the day. We were even luckier that the boys stuck with us long enough to go back to their house and take some fun pics there as well. They did a fantastic job (even in spite of getting up so early) and goodness, there were so many giggles throughout my time with them. I hope they look back on these pics fondly for years to come and see all of the joy, love, and wonder their parents have been smart enough to gift to them during their childhood! Favity fav photo HERE.

[mom’s hair/makeup by Modern Muse Beauty]

I was so thrilled when this mama mentioned to me her idea to have an Americana-themed photo session this summer filled with all things Red, White, and Blue, complete with confetti and sparklers. I think it all came together beautifully and just in time for celebrating the birth of our nation ;-). My most favorite patriotic image from this session is HERE. Hope you all have a happy and safe 4th!

{Hair and makeup by Modern Muse Beauty}

Oh, wait! *I’m* not saying goodbye to Austin…but I am sad to know this family is. I’ve been fortunate enough to get to work with them a couple of times during their short time living here and it was my honor to help them document their life in this wonderful city. I know they are probably busy packing right now, but I hope they get a few minutes before the big move to see these images that will hopefully commemorate Austin for them and their children.

I definitely hope they never forget how much fun they had here…

at the gorgeous parks.

Always remember those big, blue,

beautiful Texas skies.

The wildflowers, sigh.

Golden sunsets.

Oh, yes, never forget the grackles 😉 and yummy treats!

Doesn’t THIS look tasty?

And magical sparkles in the water.

Most of all, never forget that no matter where you are, home is where you are loved.

I wish you all the best on the upcoming move and come back and visit Austin any time, y’all (I had to throw one in there ;-).

{Hair and makeup by Katie at Modern Muse Beauty}

2016 marks the 10th birthday of Pinkle Toes Photography! I can’t believe this little dream is a DECADE old!! Lots of changes going on here at www.pinkletoes.com and I will be announcing several mini celebrations and surprises throughout the year.

Meanwhile, if you have ever had your photo taken by me or have worked with Pinkle Toes Photography in some way over the past 10 years, please, please sign up HERE to be sure to get the info on the HUGE birthday party will be throwing this fall.

xoxo to my good friend Katie with Modern Muse Beauty for not only providing me with hair/makeup for my birthday shoot, but ALSO taking this pic! You rock, Katie!

I first met Kari at the start of the year…she was one of my most favorite Pure Barre instructors…she was funny, down-to-earth, had a very unique look (something I’m always drawn to as a photographer) and most of all, she did a phenomenal job of encouraging me to believe in myself and gently pushing me beyond my limits at Pure Barre. I’ve had this need pulling at my soul for quite sometime to do something creative and different…fine art photography…reaching above what is typically “my day job.” It sounds so silly to me now, but I really wanted to work with Kari on this project and I was so afraid to approach her about the idea.

When we first started discussing our goals for this collaboration, we tossed out words that were inspiring to us at the time. I have lately been drawn to watercolors and the desert. Kari was inspired by her time at Burning Man and the need to show her strength and independence, but softer side at the same time. Slowly the ideas started forming and it was then I decided to invite my dear friend Katie (Modern Muse Beauty) to work with us–there was no one else I would trust to be able to follow our creative vision for this project, but to be able to have her own take as well.

I wish I could describe this night so you could understand how it felt. How was it possible for three very different women with very different backgrounds and points of view to work so perfectly together??? The hair and makeup, the costuming, the location, the photo session itself…everything was so organic…not forced…it just happened. It was like we all had the same need to tell the same story. Kari and Katie: I cannot thank you two enough. I am seriously so grateful to know you both and to have had the honor of working with you as artists.

While I was able to get very creative with the actual photo shoot, I also wanted to experiment with the image editing in post. I struggled for a long time to be able to translate what I was seeing in my mind’s eye to the images on my screen, but finally, I landed on these “watercolors.” I’m almost embarrassed to say that I have twice as many images as shown here. I will probably have to come back and blog the non-watercolor images, too, because there are some super cool shots! And, this is only the first of what I hope to be several more photo shoots in this series. Meanwhile, please enjoy the first installment of Firebird Rising: Cracked Earth in Watercolor.

Oh, and do not miss my personal favorite from this segment HERE.

I was so. Overwhelmed. They brought me to one of their most favorite places in this world and the beauty of it and all of the picturesque possibilities had me going in 1000 different directions in my mind. SO many things to do! I was telling them it was like one of my recurring nightmares as a photographer…that a location was too inspiring and the sun would set and I wouldn’t have been able to take a single picture.

But of course, I *did* take plenty of pictures that night. And they made it so easy for me. They spend so much time together as a family on/in this river, they were completely at ease. Their kindness and thoughtfulness has led to a wonderful friendship and so they were also completely relaxed and very much themselves around me. Of all the sessions we’ve done together, this was by far the most meaningful and authentic because of those things.

Just now realizing her kids have the same exact eyes. But only P can roll his tongue ;-).

I really don’t know if I’ve ever seen her look more beautiful or content. She’s a wonderful wife and mommy! And Katie with Modern Muse Beauty ROCKED her natural beauty!!!

And then, I got in the water. And let me tell you, it was c-c-c-c-c-o-l-d! I wasn’t sure I could take pictures in focus because I was shivering so much. I really should invest in a wetsuit, huh?

K…your legs look Ah-Mazing!!! All that barre and running!!!!

The two of them paddling together = precious!

Look at the ducks!!!

Above is the color version of THIS. I love them both equally.

Another fav from this group HERE.

And then they paddled off into the sunset. And I was sad to see this session end :-(.

From mom:

Tell us a little bit about your family…

We are a family of four. Nathan and I will celebrate 10 years in a few months. Kennedy just turned 5 and Parker is 2 ½. They adore each other and are as thick as thieves.

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

I feel like we are entering into a really fun stage in life with the kids. They are now old enough to get in the boat with us. They love playing in the river. They love going to races and cheering everyone on. They are fully on board with river life and I wanted to capture that.

Where was your session held and why?

The San Marcos River. 6 years ago Nathan started canoe racing. 2 years ago I got hooked. Not only have we fallen in love with racing but the rivers on which we race. The San Marcos river is gorgeous and is home to the Texas Water Safari, the race that got us hooked. We spend so much time in and along the San Marcos, it feels like our home away from home, and seemed like a no brainer for where to take pictures.

What did you like about your session location?

It was such an effortless backdrop that we got to just be ourselves and have fun.

What was your favorite part of your session?

All of it. We had so much fun and laughed the entire time. [I agree. I don’t think I could pick a favorite part either.]

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

This was a location Michele had never been to and we had only been with the intent of paddling. I had never looked around thinking about how or where exactly we might take pictures. I felt like we were all going in blind. [Sometimes, the unknown spurs the greatest amount of creativity.]

Any funny stories or interesting happenings during your session?

Parker’s three loves are water, bears and trains. Right in the middle of the session a train went over the bridge above us. The kids loved it. It was such a random surprise but so fitting. And definitely less stressful than if we had run into a bear. [um, yeah.]

Any advice to other families before their photo sessions?

Tell Michele your vision and then just sit back and let her work.

What made you choose Pinkle Toes Photography?

It was sheer luck that I came across Pinkle Toes shortly after we got married. We never had any kind of engagement photos or photos of just the two of us and she was the first photographer I came across whose photos felt natural and real. Years later and Michele is still the only one I will call. I’m an architect and I can be really picky when it comes to design. I get an idea or image in my head and want to turn it into reality. Michele is able to do that. Our canoes have always been a part of our sessions since Kennedy’s newborn pictures and when I suggested this time we get in the water she didn’t hesitate. She gets me, our kids LOVE her, and the end result is magic.

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

I hope when they look at these pictures they will remember the feel of the water, the sound of laughter, and the love within this family. I hope they will see just how much they are loved and how much we love this place.