Archive for 'Austin Children'
I was grinning ear to ear during their entire session. And when I got home. And when I proofed their images. And now while I’m posting this. They were the giggliest girls I had ever met…a love of life, their family, and this precious time they spend together. Those girls are so lucky to have one another. They’re lucky to have such a warm, relaxed, loving, caring family. And I’m pretty sure mom and dad know just how lucky they are to have all of that.
No really. This has to be one of my most memorable lifestyle family photo sessions from last holiday season and I can’t believe I haven’t shared it yet. Why is it memorable? Because to me, it fully embodies lifestyle family photography with the perfect balance of getting those great smiling images and then those little moments in between. I find that it’s often those little moments that have the greatest impact when viewing the pictures years down the road. Look at the way mom is looking at her baby in the last image…my word, can you feel the intensity of her love?
Rumor has it that I get to work with little sister again for an upcoming commercial shoot for Baby Bugaloo and Gro Boutique! Can’t wait to see how much she has grown!!!!
Apr 06, 2012
When mama completed her client questionnaire, she was quite detailed and had tons of ideas for her session. I like that. It gives me something to work with. We always have the understanding that’s it’s most likely we’ll only get to one or two, but I think she and I were both surprised we checked pretty much everything off her list…and then some.
First on the list: “Welcome to Austin”
Check.
Next up: snuggles, togetherness, and painted toes–even on big brother:
Check. Check. Check.
Sidewalk chalk, rainbows, and bubbles:
Check-ity, check, check.
Grand finale: A sign that says “It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere.” ??? That one stumped me. But mom came prepared…
Big ol’ check + the added bonus of a “juice box happy hour” (phrase coined by Dad). I loved it. I absolutely LOVED it!
Apr 05, 2012
That’s the word that comes to mind when I think of her session. They were ALL sweethearts and you could just tell that these girls loved their parents and were well-versed in having their pictures taken. Mom mentioned that she and her husband were inseparable…I loved that word, too, and it totally showed during our session together. They are so very lucky to have one another and I know they cherish the life they’ve created together for their girls.
Lauren was one of my roomies at the Jinky workshop last fall. I so enjoyed getting to know her during that time and we had been chatting back and forth since then about her desire to capture her family as it is right now. Finally, I think she just decided it was time and by some miracle, we were able to work out a session for her over spring break. We had perfect weather and perfect light, but most of all, her children were AMAZING. It was so cool to watch her boys care for their baby sister, giving me a glimpse into what I can hope for in the future with my own kiddos. Lauren, I had a great time with you all and I hope we captured the moments you had in mind.
They have added a +one by this time (congratulations!!!!), but even though this session wasn’t terribly long ago, I had to ask myself, “Is this for real?” How in the world did we get so lucky to have perfect weather, this incredible field, a glowing mama, and crazy charming little (big?) brothers all to align at one single maternity session? This family makes me smile.
Mar 26, 2012
That’s probably the first word that comes to mind when I think of this session. I wasn’t quite sure how we were going to top their last session, but I think we managed to pull of something so different and so incredible for them…
Tracy (an amazing photographer!) really, really, really wanted to go to a carnival, so planned the session date around that. Well, unfortunately, we got a little caught up in the flowers and didn’t quite get over to the carnival as early as we planned. It was pure AGONY standing in line to get in watching the sun steadily slip behind the horizon. We had to hoof it to get our images and the kids (bless their hearts) were so patient with us. In spite of the darkness, we found some really cool spots to work in and I love how they turned out! Tracy…I hope you do, too, and I can’t wait to see what display you create with these!
Mar 04, 2012
Bless his little heart…this boy gives a new meaning to the word “thriving.” He must have been in the middle of one of those cluster-feeding spells when I was there because all he wanted was to nurse with his mama. But, somehow, we managed to snap a few pics here and there between feedings and it worked out just fine.
P.S. His mama should seriously consider going into interior design because the woman has got outstanding taste and style. Wish I had more time to take more pics of the house…think I need to go back sometime. Either that or move in 😉
Mar 04, 2012
I think it was 2-3 years ago when I first met these kiddos. We were doing a session to capture big sis before she started losing her baby teeth. At the time, my eldest hadn’t lost any of his teeth, and I remember her mom’s words really hit home with me–just how precious this time is when they are not babies, but they still have that one last thing that ties them to their baby/toddler days…the baby teeth. And now, just like we did back then, we had the opportunity to catch little bro before he starts to lose his teeth (which, ps…we’re lucky because he’s *very* rough and tumble and I’m quite surprised he hasn’t accidentally lost them, LOL).
I hadn’t been to this part of Austin in, gosh, 2 years? And eep…it was actually a little scary, I’m sad to say. I LOVE my city, but I’m not sure what happened here. Regardless of the horrible parking, the noise, the people, and the general disorder, they stuck with me and we got absolutely fantastic and super fun pics of their family. This is definitely going down as a fav session!
Mar 04, 2012
The other day, my eldest read about the durian fruit in a book and he’s been obsessing over it since then. Things you should know about durians:
- They are from Indonesia
- They have been known to kill people when falling from trees and hitting them on the head.
- They are mostly well-known, however, for their horrendous odor, described as rotting flesh.
- They smell so bad, they are prohibited on public transportation in Indonesia. You can find signs like this:
- It’s *supposed* to be delicious:
Naturally, we had to try it. Durians are not easy to find here in Austin, TX, but we do happen to have a wonderful Asian grocery store, MT Supermarket, and I read that they carry durians. For a homeschool lesson, we ventured out to MT Supermarket in search of durians and we DID find them…frozen, of course ;-). It was about $20 (eep), but we just had to find out it if was as bad (or as good) as everyone says.
After letting it thaw for about 12 hrs, we were able to give it a go. Um. Yeah. I’m glad we tried it, but I think the pictures say it all. Unique and beautiful on the outside, absolutely disgusting on the inside. I’m still trying to get the stench out of my mouth :-(. The little princess, by the way, preferred to keep a safe distance and munch on Jell-o instead. Smart girl.
At any rate, our $20 “trip to the other side of the world” was fun and worth it, even if it was gross, gross, gross.