I have completely enjoyed my little break so far, hanging out with my kiddos and doing all of these holiday-like things with them each day (in spite of being sick). It has been so nice to get offline and off the computer and out of packing tape to play board games, watch movies, look at Christmas lights, snuggle, laugh, bake sweets, and soak up every thing I missed while I was caught up in the holiday photography whirlwind.

Pinkle Toes Photography will continue to be closed until January 9th (well, still got some sessions and still have workshops coming up), but please be patient as e-mails, facebook messages, and phone calls will likely not be returned until after the 9th.

Clients…I will be sending you the details of the 2011 Pinkle’s Pic of the Year contest. Changing things up this year to make it more exciting and the prize is even bigger! Be on the lookout in your e-mail next week and if you don’t get something by the 1st, let me know!!!!

I will try to catch up on the blog sometime next year (ha!) to share all of the incredible holiday family sessions and beautiful cards from this year. I have so enjoyed getting all of your cards in the mail!!! Gosh, there are a lot of beautiful happy families out there and that make my heart happy. Meanwhile, if you didn’t get a copy yet, here’s a peek at our holiday card this year:

I hope you ALL have a WONDERFUL holiday season and are spending lots and lots of time with the ones you love, enjoying old traditions and creating new memories. 

Much love,

Michele

[View through the aquarium last night ;-)]

Okay, it’s crunch time. For the next two weeks, I’m basically going to lock myself up in my office and proof and design until I bleed red and green ;-). I will return e-mails as I can…clients will come first (well, clients and family). Just a reminder that there are NO more openings for holiday sessions. While I can take a couple more sessions for December, I cannot have images/items back to you in time for cards or gifts.

A different kind of reminder to photogs: we do have a few more openings for the professional lifestyle family photography workshops for March (the January workshop is full). Be sure to check out that page! Lots of new info has been added, including some video testimonials from several past attendees. I know March is a little ways off, but the deadline to receive the extra $100 discount is coming up December 15th, so you’ll want to reserve your spot ASAP! 

I’m so looking forward to the holiday minis this weekend and of course, to showing you all of the neat-o holiday cards my clients are sending out this year. Thanks so much for your patience and I’ll talk to you when I make it out on the other side. 

Happy Holidays!!!

~M

When I was at their home for her newborn session last fall (remember the canoe?), it was under major construction (her mommy is an amazing architect). So it was wonderful that they opened their home to our workshop group this spring and let us see the progress. It was BEAUTIFUL and she did an incredible job of utilizing the space. Love, love, love what they did for the master bedroom and kinda wish I had taken more pics for her to show it off.

But of course, we weren’t really there to photograph a bedroom. We were there because of this blue-eyed angel. She was all smiles and giggles for us and am very much looking forward to seeing her again next week to celebrate the big “oh ONE!”—canoe, and all.

Wow. Was this *really* all the way back in March??? He was such a perfect angel for our newborn workshop demonstration and let me tell you, his poor dad (who was suffering through some kind of cold) was quite the trooper. These tender moments of mom and dad cuddled up with a brand new baby are what keep me going. You just don’t get these memories back and when you’re in the middle of trying to figure out your new role as a parent (a sleep-deprived parent at that), you can quickly forget what it was like when they were *this* brand new.

Looking forward to demonstrating this kind of newborn photography for the 2012 workshop attendees (we have some openings left), but with a little twist…this time, we’re going into homes for the newborn part. I’m excited. I love exploring my client’s environments!

Why, yes, my jaw hit the floor when mama showed me her incredible dress she had chosen for her session. Wow. And she pulls it off so perfectly. Sigh. What a treat to see this happy and loving family again after their newborn session last fall.

To say I’m behind on blogging would be a bit of an understatement, but in light of announcing the 2012 Professional Family and Child Photographer workshops, I figured I should catch up a little on the workshop family sessions ;-). (P.S. If you live 61 miles or more from Austin, you might want to check out the latest announcement on Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers ;-).

What you’ll learn from Michele of Pinkle Toes Photography:

• Watch how Michele approaches and sets up a newborn session
  in a client’s home.
• See how Michele interacts with parents and baby to create
  relaxed, natural images.
• Choosing wardrobe, shot locations, and setting up the scene
  to tell a story.
• Finding and using available light.
• Finding and using elements from a client to personalize
  their session.
• Creating variety in newborn images.

What you’ll learn from Laura of Laura Brett Photography:

• Watch how Laura sets up for a studio lighting newborn
  session;choosing textures & accessories to make each individual session
  unique.
• See how Laura handles the baby from start to finish, learn
  how she transitions through each pose to help with the flow of a newborn
  session.
• Learn how to use studio lighting while making the light look
  soft and natural.
• Getting the image perfect SOOC through simple setups to cut
  down on the editing process.
• Learn how Laura started over from scratch; moving her photography business from
  one state to another, as well as establishing your baby plan and pricing.

What you’ll learn from BOTH photographers:

• Two models for running a successful newborn photography
  business.
• Post-processing techniques.
• Marketing and pricing tips and tricks.
• Understand how we converse with the parents beforehand so
  they are prepared for their session.
• Also receive Laura’s complete action set and a goodie bag
  full of coupons and surprises!

Detailed Schedule:

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012:

8-9am – Meet and greet at Michele’s studio
9-11am – Newborn session in studio by Laura
11:30am – 12:30 pm – Lunch (included) at the studio
12:30pm – leave for on-location newborn session
1:00-3:30pm – on location newborn session with Michele
4:00-7:00 p.m. – marketing and business and dinner
(included) at the studio

Thursday, January 26th, 2012:

8-8:30am – Setup
8:30am-12pm – Dual newborn session at the studio (Half
lifestyle + family with Michele; half studio just baby with Laura)
12-1pm – Lunch (included) at the studio
1-5pm – Michele & Laura’s Digital Workflow and Q&A

Travel Information:

• Michele’s studio is about 10 minutes from Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
• You are responsible for transportation to/from the airport, hotel, and studio. We will coordinate transportation arrangements for you to/from the in-home newborn session.
• It is recommended that you stay in a hotel near the airport if possible:

Holiday Inn Express – Austin Airport
7601 E. Ben White Blvd.
Austin, TX  78741
(512) 386-7600   Toll Free:  (888) 465-4329
Average Room Rate:  $115/night

Courtyard by Marriott – Austin Airport
7809 Ben White Blvd.
Austin, TX  78741
(512) 386-7464
Average Room Rate: $150/night

Hilton – Austin Airport (Literally at the airport; surprisingly, no airplane noise and the nicest of the three)
9515 Hotel Drive
Austin, TX  78719
(512) 385-6767 Toll Free: 1.800.HILTONS
Average Room Rate:  $180 per night

FAQ’s:

• Can
  I use the images taken at the workshop for my portfolio? Yes, you will have opportunities to shoot throughout the workshop. 
• Will
  we go over your workflow? Yes! We will dive right in and show you step
  by step from start to finish how we achieve our looks.
• Do
  you have to shoot or own studio lighting to attend?  Not at all. We
  will demonstrate studio lighting basics and natural light principles, and you can return home and
  continue using natural light if you choose. You will just have the
  knowledge on what to purchase if that time comes. Artificial light should act just like your window except ours plugs in.
• What
  do I need to bring? Your camera and a fixed lens such as a 50mm or
  35mm. A wide angle zoom lens would also be helpful. Its assumed that attendees know how to shoot in manual mode and
  have a basic understanding of Photoshop. You do not need to know how to
  use studio lighting, we will teach you the basics to return home and put
  your new found knowledge to use.
• What should I do to prepare for the workshop? In the past, we have found that connecting with and getting to know your fellow attendees has allowed for a more enriching workshop experience. We will create a private Facebook group just for these attendees where you can chat and even coordinate travel and lodging arrangements with one another if you so choose.
• How is this workshop different from Michele’s Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers workshops? This workshop is completely focused on newborn photography and you do not have to be a member of Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers to attend. You will have the unique opportunity to view two very different approaches to newborn photography in a single workshop. (Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers are longer, more intensive, cover a broader range of topics, and are only hosted by Michele.)
  
• How is this workshop different from Laura Brett’s Baby Business Workshops and Mentoring? This workshop will actually be about the same
  as what Laura does with her 1;1, but this workshop is a dual effort
  where you see two different styles and approaches.
  

The 1st 1/4 of the day.

….what a room full of women and an adorable baby sounds like? Actually, a lot like a baby shower. If I had a dollar for every “oooooohh” and “awwwwww” this little man solicited from his watchful crowd, well, let’s just say I’d be sitting pretty.

Thankful to have been introduced to yet another amazing group of photographer ladies today at our workshop and I’m very much looking forward to spending tomorrow shooting for and with them!

I.love.this.kid. And his family. It was truly by luck that we were able to squeeze in his newborn session almost a year ago and I’m so happy we did. Oh, did I ever share pics from his 4 month session in November?

He just kept making the most adorable faces…he was perfectly alert and then perfectly sleepy. He was almost too good for us! [Workshops are currently full for this year, but you can still follow me on the Pinkle Toes 4 Photographers blog and on Facebook to stay updated in case anything changes].