Pinkle Toes Photography

BIG blue eyes and a special reveal in Austin

Michele — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:32:37 +0000

Okay, this little angel has the most incredible blue eyes I have ever seen and a sparkling personality to go with it. I’m always a little bit nervous when doing a cake smash photo session because I’m never sure how it will go. More often than not, we all end up being a little disappointed when a baby decides to have nothing to do with the cake. That was NOT the case this time as she put on quite the show. I’m pretty sure we stayed there and watched her attack this cake for about 40 minutes. My favorite moment is HERE.

In addition to celebrating her birthday, we had another surprise planned for this photo session: mom and dad would get to find out the gender of their next baby! I was incredibly thrilled when mom and I cooked up a plan to make it happen. They had the big appointment a few days before the shoot and mom gave the secret envelope to their nanny (I so do not know how mom didn’t manage to sneak a peek, but she didn’t). When I came over that afternoon, I met behind closed doors with the nanny to help stuff the colored balloons into the box she had made. I was SO scared I would somehow say something to give it away before it was time. I don’t think I did . And when the time came, this is what happened:

The greatest part was baby girl’s reaction…she was SO enthusiastic, clapping and grinning! It was priceless!

flowers and trains and the threat of rain

Michele — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:55:39 +0000

I was very, very excited about the location choice for this photo session, but the morning of, the clouds loomed over us like it might pour at any second. Thankfully, we managed to just finish up as the rain began…what timing! Probably the most infectious smiles I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing!

It became a chilly spring day [austin newborn photo session at home]

Michele — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:48:18 +0000

We started our session off indoors with the intention of going outside to enjoy the nice spring weather. That sweet baby girl was so content snuggling up with her mommy and daddy that we ended up staying inside perhaps just a little too long because by the time we ventured outside, well…we could only stay a few minutes. No matter, though, because she was a perfect angel the whole time and we were able to capture so many sweet moments with her family. And that little furrowed brow of hers…love how that makes babies look so much wiser than we are. Two more favs HERE and HERE.

On the subject of chilly weather (which, sadly, I’m missing big time today, LOL), we spent a great deal more time outdoors for their maternity photo session and let me tell you, mama surely took one for the team. If you look closely, I’m sure you can see her goosebumps, lol! I don’t know how she managed to look SO beautiful and glowy while shivering like crazy that morning…

watercolors – newborn photo session at home in Austin

Michele — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:13:32 +0000

It was so much fun to go back to their house to meet baby brother. I also love seeing what decorating changes have taken place. When we did big brother’s newborn session, they had *just* moved in. This time, I got to see a little more of mom’s aesthetic and I LOVE it. His nursery is so calming and peaceful. Reminds me of the ocean without being too nautical. Watercolors. Be sure to check out two more big favs not pictured HERE and just posted today, HERE.

P.S. Next time I’m at the house, I’ll have to take a pic to show you what mom has done with the hallway pics from each of her sessions. We’ve done one every time I’ve been there and I LOVE that tradition!!!!

A note of thanks…

Michele — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:41:50 +0000

I posted this on my Facebook page yesterday, but in case I missed anyone:

Thank you to everyone who has shared their condolences over the loss of Jim. I have been deeply remiss in sending thank you’s and acknowledging your acts of sincere kindness and support and I apologize for that. To describe our state right now in a word, it’s lost. No real sense of desire or direction…hope was ripped out from under us and we just don’t know what to do or how to feel right now. But thank you. Every note, every card, every little gift does indeed bring a sense of comfort to us and most of all, your patience and understanding helps us all find some way to cope with this loss.

Much love,

Michele and Virgil and the rest of our family

The good things in life.

Michele — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:35:02 +0000

I can’t say it’s been terribly easy, but I can say it’s been incredibly therapeutic to get back to work today. And most importantly, working on images of joyful blessings and joyful people in a newborn session such as this one. Two more super duper favs HERE and please don’t miss this one HERE.

In memory

Michele — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:13:00 +0000

It is with a very heavy heart that I tell you that Jim, my husband’s brother, lost his incredibly short battle with metastatic melanoma earlier today just a few weeks past his 36th birthday. It is a surreal time for all of us and words cannot appropriately convey our shock and sadness. To friends and family of Jimbo that are reading this, we have arranged two memorial/celebration of life services for him this week and if you would like information on those, please e-mail info @ jimprints.net to get those details. To all of our friends and family that have offered their support and words of encouragement over the last few months, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It is quite uplifting to know how much love has surrounded us. Every e-mail, every phone call, every hug has meant the world. All I can say is thank you. Thank you.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in Jim’s honor to www.melanoma.org, that would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you again, and much love to all of you who have shown such kindness and concern for Jimbo and his family.

(To all of my clients, we are taking the next week or so to be with family and I will return messages as soon as I am able.)

A magical find: Austin family photo session in spring wildflowers

Michele — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:03:52 +0000

I know you must recognize this beautiful family by now as they are no strangers to the Pinkle Toes blog. I look forward to our session together each and every year when they drive in from New Mexico. Meg really wanted to do something in the wildflowers this year and oddly enough, I stumbled upon the perfect place just as my car broke down. I guess it was meant to be. Loved this little undiscovered spot. So much so, when Meg took our pictures , we came right back here. Can’t wait to see what Meg created for our family, too! Two more favs HERE and HERE.

Blue and Yellow {austin family photo session – city life}

Michele — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:08:03 +0000

ADORABLE fellow! He is the quintessential baby…chub in all the right places, dimples, big hazel eyes, and a smile that lights up a room! Finishing up my edits on this session today was quite therapeutic. His infectious smile and the relaxed, lifestyle nature of our session made me very, very thankful for the opportunity to be there to capture this time for their family. (Don’t miss this little gem!)

My sister’s bridal portraits (University of Texas Austin)

Michele — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:03:05 +0000

A while back, someone mentioned to me that I never shared my sister’s bridal session that we did back in September. How could that possibly be???? I had to check and sure enough, I had not. I also did not realize that the other day was National Sibling Day. She’s been on my my mind a lot, for many reasons. I love my sister very much. We’ve been through a lot together and I feel very blessed that we now get to live right down the road from one another. She has the most wonderful sense of humor and is such a thoughtful, beautiful person. I am grateful to have her.

So here is my beautiful, beautiful sister just before she got married last year. I will never ever forget this day we had together. I loved throwing together her bouquet from a bunch of grocery store flowers while we listened to music and she got made up. I loved that we changed our location plans last minute just because we felt like it. I loved helping her get into her gown in the parking garage at UT . I loved how it took me FOREVER to actually shoot the images because I kept breaking down into tears of happiness for her. I loved hearing all of the “Congratulations!” and “You look so beautiful!” and the other well wishes all of the people on campus sent to her while we were shooting. I loved seeing her look so radiant and confident and happy. I loved our dinner afterwards. I loved how much we laughed and laughed and laughed. It could not have been more perfect (well, I wish our mommy could have been there to share in it with us).

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I recently put together an album just for myself from the FABULOUS wedding images by Tanya with Cozy Impressions Photography. Not having professional photos from my wedding and considering the timing of her wedding, these images mean the WORLD to me and I can’t help but to grin from ear to ear each time I flip through this album. Looking through images on a CD somehow just doesn’t have the same power and impact as they do when they have been put together to tell the story in something tangible. Tanya’s images are gorgeous. I can’t wait to take my album to my date with my sis tomorrow so she can enjoy her day all over again, too!

Wedding photography by Tanya with Cozy Impressions Photography (I’m sorry I can’t get my watermark off the gallery…please forgive me).

Hair and make up for the bridals AND for the wedding party by my friend Katie with Modern Muse Makeup