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 showed up to their beautiful home bright and early at 7 a.m. and I have to say, when you’re greeted with, “Miss Michelllllllle! I love you so much! We are besties!” well, you just can’t be grumpy about being up so early, lol. By the way, that was from Mr. Man and he rolled the ‘l’ in Michelllllllle every time he said it and I thought that was the cutest thing ever! Hard to believe I first started working with them when he was just a wee babe and now look at him! And now look at baby sister, too?! Yes, this family is indeed near and dear to my heart. So many wonderful memories at our photo sessions through the years. But probably most of all, this one lol ;-).

So, funny enough, just a few seconds after I started taking the pool pics, I stuck my arm in a wasp nest!!! Yeeeeeowtch!!! Occupational hazard. It’s crazy, too, because we had been working so much by it earlier in the session and nothing ever happened to the kiddos, thank goodness! I’m so glad it was me! Once I stopped crying (nah…I only cried on the inside), we got to play a little bit more and the kiddos were rewarded with popsicles. I’m glad we stuck it out because my favorite image was taken right here by the pool ;-0.

From Mom:

Tell us a little bit about your family…

Holden & Calla are growing up so fast and we like to capture as much of their lives as we can. We took our first family photos with Pinkletoes when Holden was 9 months old and have done sessions every 3 months for the past 2 years 🙂 We hang the canvases all over our home so that we can be surrounded by what we love the most – our family 🙂

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

We try to do them every three months to capture Holden & Calla – they change so very much at this age 🙂

Where was your session held and why?

Our home – we wanted to capture our family together where we love to be – at home with each other 🙂

What did you like about your session location?

The trees were in bloom and we were at home with each other.

What was your favorite part of your session?

Playing ring around the rosie 🙂

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

No.

Any funny stories or interesting happenings during your session?

Calla is funny in that she is always smiling, however, for some reason she gets stonefaced when we do actual photo sessions 🙂

Any advice to other families before their photo sessions?

Relax & have fun 🙂

What made you choose Pinkle Toes Photography?

When we moved to Austin 3 years ago, our photographer from Illinois said “you HAVE to get Pinkletoes to shoot you, I’ve been following her work and it’s beautiful.” So we booked our first session 3 years ago and we are always THRILLED with how they turn out – always better than expected (and we have high expectations). Also, we’ve come to love Michele, our kids get SO EXCITED to see her when we do a shoot.

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

Look how much fun we had together. Look how much we love each other.

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?

The day I flew back home to Austin from the Pinkle Toes Workshop Reunion and family photo session in Charleston, SC, I was actually VERY concerned that I wouldn’t even be able to fly home that day due to the start of what would end up being historic (and historically damaging) rainfalls in Texas. By some miracle, I did make it home that morning and by the time our session rolled around for this beautiful family, the SUN even popped out for a few minutes. Of course, looking at the incredibly beautiful home this mama has put together for her family, we probably didn’t even need to go outside at the end of our photo shoot like we did, but…any excuse to soak up the sunshine that had been in short supply over the past several weeks was a good excuse.

We started off with a little mother/daughter time, snuggling in bed. Baby brother joined us for a little bit, too!

EVERYONE in this family gives the BEST smiles. They smile with their entire being and you can’t help but to smile yourself when they do!

 We spent some time in little brother’s room…I could totally move in here ;-).

 He is seriously one of the happiest little dudes I’ve ever photographed.

 Really glad we got to get away for a bit to get some images of just mom and dad together. It’s not always all about the kids 😉

 I changed my mind, I’m going to move into their dining room instead ;-).

 Guys, you should just see how this little girl dotes on her daddy. He is her prince right now, through and through. THIS image, something she did all on her own just gets me all choked up.

And this candid moment captured between these two…the wind playing with her hair…golden sunshine…authentic smiles. Melts my heart, too!

Beautiful makeup and hair by Katie with Modern Muse Beauty.

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.

Oh…I can FEEL this hug right here!

She is a complete and total ham!

Loved it when the sisters reached for one another…all on their own…

These are wildflowers…country girls through and through. They thrive when given the chance to run freely, giggling and laughing and playing on their family ranch. And when they do this in those perfect, flowy white dresses, it makes for a magical set of dream-like imagery. And I loved every second of it. And is it just me or are moms incredibly beautiful when being moms??? No. It’s not just me. I know I feel my best when I’m snuggling with my own kiddos ;-). Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mommies out there!

Like many of my clients, Jennifer is a photographer and so she totally knows the value of having your family photographed and not waiting for the perfect time. She also knows the value of having your own family photographed in your home.  Her children are leaving the nest one-by-one, but at least she took the time to make sure to capture this irreplaceable time spent together as a family doing family things in their beautiful family home!

 Loved that we got to work with all of the pets. And did you see what that talented kitty can do?

 Mom and dad are very much in love and they were *supposed* to have a little smooch. LOVED that her son came in to break it up!!! He ended up getting the smooch instead 😉

Yes, there is a lot of love for their mom, here.

 And this one…I can FEEL this hug she shared with her own mother. I love this image.

 I think he was illustrating that he is taller than his dad now. ;-). Guys, we laughed constantly during this session!!! FAV HERE!

Everyone was starving by the end of the session, so they all got to have a snack break. Of course, I’m a sucker for those family dinner table images, so I was the creeper on the ladder outside taking pictures, lol. This session was truly memorable and I am so happy that she finally did this for herself and for her family. I know as they each begin their own journeys, they will hopefully look back on these images and remember all of the wonderful laughs and moments shared together, so deeply connected in their home.

Um, yes, I will gladly travel to Houston to get to work with a family this colorful, this vibrant, this fun, this loving, this energetic, this full of love! Beth, it was my absolute pleasure!

Since mommy is a photographer, it was super important to get lots of pics with her in them. LOVE their natural interactions here. It’s pretty clear that he loves his mommy.

Of course, he loves his daddy, too ;-).

OMG. The doggie was cracking me up!

Can’t resist a little bubble magic!

Um. They’re kinda gorgeous.

This was making me giggle because of course, when we wanted to take pics with little man in them, he had better things to do. But the second we stopped paying attention to him, he HAD to pop into the scene! Love it! After bubble time, we got to venture out for a tricycle ride…

Yeah. This photo session pretty much rocked my world. Also, THIS trike shot makes me happy.