I am pretty certain you will recognize this gang from my blog over the years. Funny enough, a few days after we finished up THIS session, I got the cutest text from Tracy:

So, I guess that was a maternity session you just did.

Aughhhhhhhhhh! How incredibly exciting that they were going to add another to their photogenic and loving little brood. They are such amazing parents and it was so touching to see how little man’s big brother and sisters doted on him non-stop. LOVED this family pic HERE and this ONE is probably my fav from the session.

Thank you again, Tracy, for this wonderful honor. I could not be happier for you guys!

Funny story: way back in June I was in the airport trying to fly out to Charlotte for a workshop. Of course, my flight got cancelled and I was a bit vocal about it on Instagram. Next thing I know, this lovely blonde walks up to me and says, “Are  you Pinkle Toes?” WHAT??? She had been standing in another line ready to board when she saw my post on Instagram! How cool is that???? It was so neat to chat with her that day and I was really honored when she commissioned family portraits a little while later. Small world 😉

Words that come to mind when I think of this session: joy, giggles, motion, dance, childhood, beauty, love, wonder, curls, dimples, jump. Thank you guys so much for an incredible session! What an joy to get to work with you in your home!!! Lovin’ this mommy/daughter portrait HERE, too. And my absolute FAV HERE.

Kinda can’t believe I haven’t blogged this session from Virginia last fall either. Kinda been dying to share THIS IMAGE in particular and I think it’s pretty fitting for today. Kinda loved absolutely everything about this session. Kinda got pretty lucky that even though we played with the umbrellas, the weather cleared up and we didn’t actually *need* them. Kinda adored her kiddos. Kinda adored mom and dad as a couple. Kinda glad we got THIS, too ;-).

This session completely embodies why it is so awesome to have your family photo session in your own home! I love that we had the opportunity to capture them…in their environment…a place where they spend their time and play together and do things together as a family. These are the kinds of images their kids will look back on years to come and say, “I remember when my daddy would play blocks with me,” or “That was my favorite book my mommy would read to me over and over.” Lucky boys, indeed! (Oh, and here’s my fav in black and white).

I had a couple of clients who originally had sessions scheduled in Texas last year, both of them ended up in Virginia so I decided to make a trip back to my motherland to handle those sessions for them and of course, to show my kiddos where I grew up and visit with dear family.

I was a little worried when I saw my window of travel for this trip…it was late November and fall–my absolute FAVORITE season and one of the things I miss most about Virginia–would typically long be over by this time. Oh, no. What a fabulous surprise when we showed up to the most incredible weather and beautiful foliage my kids had ever seen. I think they could have played in the leaves for hours and hours. They absolutely LOVED it!!! And so did I. So much so, I can’t deny that we may have toyed around with the idea of moving to Virginia. Of course, with my little nieces on the way (both my sister and the girls are recovering well from the TTTS laser ablation, by the way!!!) we couldn’t *really* move away, but it was nice to fantasize.

Anyway, I realized that I haven’t blogged Karen’s session (who is a photographer in Maryland, herself!) and that’s sad because I REALLY LOVED it! Her family was a blast and those girls made the session so much fun. And Karen’s smile…is that not the most contagious smile you’ve ever seen? I felt very lucky to get to work in such amazing fall colors with perfect shooting weather on the grounds of the National Cathedral that day! It was actually our second visit to the landmark…we ended up going there are first day in D.C. not knowing that we would be shooting there later. I thought my kids would find it a little boring, but we were all quite surprised that everyone was excited to go back! Beautiful building, amazing gardens, and a perfect experience all around! Thank you so much, Karen, for trusting me with this job and I truly did have an incredible evening with you guys!

Another one of my family lifestyle photo sessions (in Austin) last year. I felt like I could relate so much to the mommy of this family: super busy, two energetic boys, a sweet baby girl to complete the picture, and just plain, all-around quirky family fun (see what I mean?). I love that you can see mom’s joy with her amazing life in every one of these images!

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 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.

For the first five years of motherhood, I was a boy mom and totally immersed in the world of Legos, trucks, construction vehicles, and things that I could step on in bare feet. So, I could totally relate to reading this mommy’s client interview before her session…especially the part where she said it usually wasn’t five minutes when she’d get home from work and there’d be a NERF dart stuck to her high heel (we paid homage to that scenario in this last image ;-). I love that she is the picture of grace and beauty, city-mouse-meets-country-mouse, surrounded by those rambunctious, fun-loving, outdoorsy boys of hers! Lots of fun and loads of giggles in this session for certain! {One more of the pupster HERE}.