I first spoke of my friend Michelle (my sister in Virgo-hood) several years ago on my blog. I have longed for the opportunity to do something for her and I was thrilled when I finally got the chance to photograph her stunning family. She and the rest of the Heartsong family have given me and my kiddos and many, many other families in the Austin area the precious gift of music...together (did you see her on the news???). It is a gift which has extended beyond the classroom at Heartsong for me and has even allowed my mother and I the opportunity to sing together in the Women of Heartsong Choir. I am eternally grateful for that.
Michelle was gifted with not only a beautiful voice and the talent to play the guitar (did you ever hear her song, "Welcome Baby" featured on this birth slideshow?), but she is magical when it comes to working with children...and their parents. Not surprisingly...she is also magical when it comes to her own family. It was a beautiful evening and I hope you love these images as much as I do, Michelle.
...is still just as sweet.
Let me just tell you that I'm glad I decided to go to bed at 11 last night instead of staying up to proof pics because that 2 a.m. call this morning wasn't quite in my plans, LOL. This little man surprised us all just a bit as we were planning to meet him on Monday. It was absolutely incredible to get to be there with this family again (I was there the day their first son was born) and wow, were we all impressed with how big brother *immediately* took to his new sidekick. It was beautiful!
Speaking of beautiful...
....I know. I know. I should just make this the fashion!
It was an exhausting (I haven't pulled a double header in a long time ;-) but ULTRA JOYOUS day! Gosh, I had to pinch myself periodically--is this really my life...my job??? I absolutely adore this family and it was such an honor to get to document his birth. Congratulations again, you guys (guess I'll find out his name at his newborn session, LOL?). You make beautiful babies!
But of course, then look at his parents! We were delayed a bit for one reason after another, but we finally got to celebrate his one year birthday at tad late. We definitely did it in style:
I always get emotional at newborn sessions, but recently, I've started getting choked up at the 1 year sessions. I guess it's just the shock of greeting a family and all of a sudden, their little baby is walking (or in his case, running) all around. He's not a baby...he's a toddler...and then next thing you know, he's going to be a teenager. Okay...a big leap, I know, but it just seems so in-my-face lately how kids (read: my kids) are going to keep growing up and I'm kind of stuck in this time vacuum. Does that make any sense? Probably not. But it sure does fill me with a strange mix of joy and longing. I mean...I photographed that beautiful couple when they hadn't yet become parents...and then I saw them again during one of the most joyful and yet vulnerable times of their lives as parents of a newborn. And now I see them again and how gracefully they've embraced parenthood and how this little guy is thriving and it just overwhelms me.
I'm a mess. I'm a big ol' mess tonight. But that's good. It means that I don't take this responsibility lightly. I'm honored. Truly.
Even before I met her, I could tell on paper that her senior portrait session was going to be vibrant, bright, and full of energy--just like her! She knows exactly who she is and makes no apologies for it. What a rare and invaluable thing to have as a high school senior. We had a blast!
[Attention graduating seniors in the Austin area: NOW is the time to book your senior portraits...do not wait until April or May...those spots fill up *very* quickly and I wouldn't want you to miss out.]
