I mean seriously, have you ever seen a cooler newborn baby before? Probably not. Who else can pull off “vintage suitcase in a hipster hotel” better than this guy? I loved my time working with this family (I actually photographed their eldest way back when *he* was a newborn) and celebrating baby brother’s early, but safe arrival. He was incredibly relaxed and chill throughout his entire photo session, but what would you expect from a baby that’s as cool as he is? And with an older brother who is so doting?!

This was also my first time working directly with Shelley at Shell Styling and I think she did a fantastic job pulling together outfits for this family newborn photo session! I love how the clothing represents Austin and gives us a glimpse into this family’s personality, yet these are things they will be able to wear for other occasions outside of their photo shoot. I also love that it’s not your “typical” newborn photo session wardrobe…I mean check out the star elbow patch on baby G’s sweater???? How perfect and quirky and clever is that? Love, love, love! And mom’s skirt is divine! Well done…all of you!!!

austin urban family photography

I’ve had the pleasure of working with this family for years…many of my most memorable sessions have been documenting their lives and the girls growing up. We’ve spent most of our sessions at their beautiful ranch land, exploring the outdoors. However, they have since traded some of their ranch life for city life in the heart of downtown Austin and it was a super cool change of place to explore the urban outdoors for this session. Such a fun family, always up for anything and we always create something unique together! (Favorite family shot is HERE.)

Looking at these images together like this, it’s very Halloween inspired, huh? Very much looking forward to seeing everyone’s pictures on Instagram and Facebook tomorrow! Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

austin urban family photo session

I mean really…how could you not look up there and smile at all of that wonderful, loving energy up there?! These three kiddos truly brought their A game to their family photo session in downtown Austin that night. They were up for *anything* I asked of them, including laying down in the grass that may or may not have had a couple of bugs hopping around. And fortuitously, we even happened upon a toad (NOT a frog, right T?) which happened to be one of his most favorite animals! Little Miss Sassafras definitely stole my heart sporting those fashionable boots and big bro was absolutely amazing at leading his younger siblings and getting everyone to cooperate happily. Yup, rockin’ session all around!

While it was stifling hot the evening we did their family lifestyle photo session in downtown Austin, we were sure treated to some incredible light and a BEAUTIFUL sunset. I loved that they brought their puppy dog with them to the session and even more so, that he could pull the skateboard! How cool is that? We did spend more time than I should probably admit stuck in the parking garage, trying to get everything to align for that perfect shot, but I’m fairly certain it was totally worth it. What I first considered to be an outtake, actually turned into one of my favorite images from their session and you can check that one out HERE.

[Austin senior portraits: Class of 2015]

I promise to get to the point of this post title in a little bit. Meanwhile, just let me tell you this young lady positively sparkles! Her smile is radiant, yes, but she was so pleasant…so confident…just easy to be around and work with. Lovely, lovely young lady! Another fav HERE!

Okay, now on to the post title: at the end of our session, as I was taking that very last image of her up there, I had been gearing up for the perfect skyline shot, but as I was about to press the shutter, a couple situated themselves just to the left of my frame. I thought I’d wait it out a bit and just decided on vertical pictures for a few. But they just weren’t leaving. They were talking. A long time. Just as I was about to move us to another location, I saw him drop to one knee. Oh, my word! They were getting engaged!!!! LOLOLOL. My frustration quickly melted away into pure joy…they were so adorable and everyone around started clapping and cheering them on. I’ve never seen a proposal before (it has always been a secret dream of mine to photograph an engagement), so on the sly, I snapped a few images for them when she said yes. My model up there was such a good sport, too, letting me share her spotlight with the happy couple for a few minutes.  I was so thrilled to have been in just the right place at just the right time! It was indeed a good interruption.

I’ve been an Austin family lifestyle photographer for how long now? Eight years? In all that time, with all of the photo sessions I’ve done, I have never had to bail in the MIDDLE of a session because of rain. Never. Let me tell you, we tried SO hard to push through the first morning I got together with this family. Kids were adorable, everyone was cheerful, we were excited to play (and for me, I was excited to explore a place in Austin I’ve never really been to before). We had all gotten up insanely early that morning to make this shoot happen and things were going SO perfectly until…

…we were a good distance from our cars (and umbrellas) when the skies just opened up on us. No lightning (thank goodness), but a rain shower just strong enough to drench clothing and to threaten my camera equipment. I raced back to my car to grab a supply of umbrellas and all-Macgyver-style, craft a shield for my camera/lens using a grocery bag and a headband. By the time I got back to this poor family, everyone was pretty much soaked. It was at that point, I knew we were not going to be able to recover to finish the session properly. Kids were starting to get tired and wouldn’t you know it, the clouds (in a rather untimely manner) completely cleared to leave us in a full, too bright, and much too hot Texas summer sun. So, we let the boys play in the water a bit and decided to cut our losses and try again another day.

And I’m so glad we did! I would not have traded the fun pictures we got on day one, but day two was even better! It was like we got to have two sessions in one, even throwing in some shots with the iconic “I love you so much” wall so synonymous with Austin now:

I want to thank these guys for being such troopers and hanging in there with me, even when Mother Nature turned against us. I know it takes so much effort to get yourself ready at the crack of dawn, let alone a family of five, and I know nobody wants to have to do it TWICE, but they did and they did not complain. And I got to have two very fun and very different little mini sessions with them in the span of just a few days.

See a collage of my favorite interaction between oldest and youngest HERE ;-). It was such a random moment, but it was REAL and sweet and 100% love.

I left their photo session that morning feeling joyful and refreshed (in spite of having to get up at 5 a.m. to be there). I feel as though I met lifeline friends and I probably could have hung out with them all day at the hotel. They were bright and fun and funny and enthusiastic and loving and wonderful. I very much look forward to following these girls as they grow up in such an amazing family unit. (Still my FAV!)

Once again, AWESOME hair and makeup by my friend Katie with Modern Muse Beauty. I’m serious. Make your life so much easier and just hire her to get you ready for your family photo session. Even if I’m not your photographer ;-). It just takes SO much pressure off, especially when you have several other people to get ready for the session. Katie is dependable and does a fantastic job of making everyone look their best! And, she’s kinda awesome. Mama insisted that we took a pic that included Katie:

And this was the first time it was ever CLOSED. Gah, we were crushed, but not for long as we quickly regrouped and found a new place to shoot, which was pretty much in the same place, but from a different perspective:

Oh man! This is a FUN bunch! Look at all of that personality!!!! I promised the kids each a turn to photobomb me (what’s with the obsession with photobombing, anyway?) and you know what? I LOVED the results. Baby girl is just the icing on this 6-layer-cake! She’s kinda got someone (well, more like 5 someones) wrapped around that cute dimpled pinky of hers.

The more I work with this little ray of sunshine, the more I get to see that exuberant spirit and endless love for her family.  She is a spitfire, yes, but that giggle…that giggle is infectious. Still my fav image of her I’ve ever taken, even though her talented mommy has bazillions from which to choose herself ;-). Oh, and she had us ALL cracking up when she found that mirror. Mom…I think she needs to get one of those in her room somehow. Maybe you can paint it pink and add some flowers to dress it up properly?

———–

By the way, did you know her mommy is a Pinkle Toes Workshop graduate? AND I am SO excited I get to see her as well as 20+ other grads at our SECOND Pinkle Toes Workshop Reunion trip to New York City NEXT WEEK???????? Yeah, I’m a little excited and I cannot wait to hang with all of those talented ladies again AND see new friendships form as workshop groups from the past three years mingle and meet for the first time.

If you want to be a part of future workshop reunion trips (by the way, there is no fee to attend those reunions…just the cost of your trip, food, etc.), you simply have to have attended a Pinkle Toes workshop. We still have openings for one of the Austin workshops (where attendees get to stay at my home!) as well as Northern and Southern California and Washington (housing is included in all of those, too, and let me tell you, our hostesses have found some AMAZING spots!!). Oh, and the “Everything’s Better with a Friend” special offer is ending April 30th ;-).

I think it’s safe to say mission accomplished. How beautiful is she??? And they soon will be joined by a beautiful baby girl. Good thing she has her big brother to look after her. Loved this family shot HERE and this candid little moment HERE.