They drove in from Houston to do their session and we had big plans of working outside in colorful, downtown Austin. The weather, however, had plans of its own. Thank goodness they happened to be staying in the ultra fabulous W hotel and we were able to get permission to shoot in/around the hotel. We tried…we really tried to go outside for a few minutes. The wind that day was crazy and their beautiful spring clothes didn’t do much to save them from the chill so we had to move indoors. No matter. These guys are a pretty FUN family and we found plenty of ways to keep ourselves entertained even while in a little hotel room. Mom’s dress, by the way, um…LOVE! Also, HERE’s what every mom should do at least once with her children ;-).

I was blessed to be able to photograph both his older sister’s and his older brother’s senior portraits and something came up last year that threatened our chances of continuing this tradition. Which is why this session meant the world to me. Which is why THIS image is one of my favorites. Which is why I am always grateful for any chance I get to have pictures taken with my own family. Which is why I do what I do. XOXO, M. You inspire me and your children are amazing extensions of the incredibly wonderful, giving, loving person that you are.

And even then, she was still just as quietly confident as she is now! I was so very excited to have the opportunity to capture this monumental time in her life (in her parents’ lives, too!). They have every reason to be proud of her! She’s going to do just fine out in the real world!

P.S. So my editor asked me if I’d seen it in one of the images from her session. No…I hadn’t, but I’m glad she did. What is it?

I will admit I was a little nervous when her mom booked her senior portraits with me. It wasn’t all that long ago when I did her sister’s high school senior pictures and as these girls are very different from one another, I wanted to make certain we did a session that was very much aligned with her personality and her unique talents and abilities. I was elated leaving her session in downtown Austin that morning because I *knew* we did just that. She nailed it and she was so wonderful to bring her own vision to the session, helping me show her personality through her pictures. Couldn’t resist that last one…the minute she held her guitars up like this, her big sis started doing the little cartoon voices for the “angel” and “devil” guitars and we cracked up!!

Not me, not me. But gosh, I can imagine how I would feel if I were picking up my family and moving to a new city in a new state and leaving behind this amazing city we call home. We managed to squeeze this session in literally days before their big move and I loved how they wanted to capture the funky Austin vibe with their family photo session. I hope they’re staying bundled up all the way up north (even though we *are* in the middle of an Ice Apocalypse here in Austin right now, LOL. Hey…did you see my song?) and I hope I get to see them when they *must* come back down to visit family someday 😉

This session, my friends, was a DREAM come true! I’ve been working with this beauty every birthday since she turned 5 (a little bittersweet to me realizing that her mommy and I first started talking when I was preggo w/ my own daughter 5 years ago). I know her mommy (owner of Haute Child in the City, a children’s boutique in Austin, TX) had the concept for this session in her head for a loooong time and it was just amazing that it was finally the right time for it to come to fruition.

The theme for this shoot was “Dressed to the 9’s” and my word, our model couldn’t have been any more perfect! She has got the sassitude to pull this off, that’s for sure. I have LOVED watching her grow into a little lady over the past 4 years!

Side note, in case you missed the announcement, you you might want to consider following me on Instagram because I’m going to be giving something away that will only be announced on there. First clue coming December 1st!!!!

Another side note, I have just a *few* openings left for the holiday minis (one tomorrow and then a couple next weekend), so you can snag one if you’re quick.

See you on the other side of the holiday minis!!!!

Seriously, one of the most beautiful families ever! Even as a baby, little man had the coolest eyes and hair ;-). I can’t even believe how much older and grown up the kiddos are now. Can’t even. Makes me all kinds of happy and sad at the same time. I guess that’s the good thing and bad thing about this job, huh?

We had planned to do most of their session actually on South Congress, but it was sooooooo crowded that afternoon that we were forced to find an alternate. And honestly, I think it worked out better allowing us to explore places we hadn’t visited before and providing fresh backdrops for this super fun and hip family. And how about those awesome yellow shoes? Her mommy has the BEST fashion sense!!! Love! And I sure did LOVE this pic, too 😉

I’ve been working with this sweetie since she was just a wee babe. And now, she is just unstoppable. I love her adventurous spirit and her enthusiasm for everything around her. She is a beautiful, beautiful little girl…the product of two awesome parents, I must say 😉 (Some sweet sunflare HERE.)

I need to be completely honest here and say that while mommy had her heart set on this particular Austin landmark, I *might* have tried to talk her out of it simply because I was a bit concerned about having littles in that location. But all my fears were quickly put to rest as her children were WONDERFUL and were absolutely perfect here! I think it has a lot to do with the fact that these parents are very “go with the flow” and just so willing to let their children be themselves. Bravo, guys! I am totally tickled with how fun and vibrant your images turned out!!! One more of this cutie HERE and then, my FAV family image from this session HERE.