Since we are getting ready to do their 2018 family photo session, I thought it would be a great time to blog their jewel-toned, desert-themed shoot we did at Enchanted Rock last fall. Mama did an incredible job outfitting everyone, though I remember she struggled with the decision to wear this dress, but I’m so glad she decided in favor of it because it set off the overall feel of the session perfectly. The kiddos LOVED exploring with us and they especially thought it was funny when I (being silly) knelt on a cactus. It was totally worth it for the laughs and pics. I really, really loved the images around the big tree. One of my favs HERE.

From mom:

What made you decide this was the time to do a photo session? Were you marking any special occasion, etc? We always love to schedule our family photos between August and October to capture our kids birthdays and also try to make it the less “hot” as possible for DD!;)

Where was your session held and why? Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg, TX. Jeremy and I have hiked there and always thought it would be be a cool place to come back to once we had children!

What was your favorite part of your session? Michele always makes everything fun and relaxing! We loved the adventure and beauty of our surroundings!

Worries, concerns before the session: The night before our session, I had a nightmare about Ransom falling off a boulder or getting bit by a snake! However, Michele has always taken safety first! {Note from Michele: Oh my word, Joy! I had no idea!!! I’m so glad none of those came true, but I must admit to those same worries myself at times. But we were all totally safe. Well, except for me and that cactus.}

Funny stories or interesting happenings related to your session: It’s not really a funny story, but Michele took several cacti injuries during our shoot and was a champ! She totally takes pain for the fame!!!!

Advice to other families before their photo sessions? I would suggest that you are prepared with outfits, snacks, locations, etc. Aside from that, let go of all control and have fun! Michele is an artist and sees things you and I could never dream of! Trust her and go with it!

What made you choose Pinkle Toes Photography? Everyone has something they invest in and investing in our family memories is priceless to us!

Describe your favorite image from the session and why it’s your fav: I love the photo of all four us with Enchanted Rock in the background, the photo of myself with my children and the photo of my husband and I together. We are so blessed and grateful.

I’m almost embarrassed to point out how long it has been since I have blogged, but let’s just say busy season came roaring in on a freight train last year and I was doing my best to hang on for the ride. I’ve certainly been shooting a lot and have quite enjoyed these mild Texas winter temps (with the exception of a few snow storms). I will probably *never* catch up with all the work I didn’t get around to blogging last year, but I’m going to try, starting with this STUNNING at home family session from last fall…

This little guy was not having the best day and I felt so bad for him. At one point, he just gave up on us all and laid out on the steps. Bless his little heart! Turns out, there was a good reason why (see below).

I was very happy that his mommy could comfort him in front of the most INCREDIBLE WALLPAPER I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!!!! Yeah. I think we were both equally excited about getting to feature it as a backdrop for the last part of their session. Mama has impeccable taste when it comes to wardrobe and interior decoration!

My personal fav from the session is HERE 🙂 (and another HERE), but find out Mama’s favs in her words:

What made you decide this was the time to do a photo session? We were just about to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and were in the mood to celebrate! We were just feeling so unabashedly proud of our little family, ten years in- in awe of our kids and grateful for each other.

Where was your session held and why? At our home in Rollingwood. We thought being in our natural habitat would make the kids feel more comfortable in front of the camera- and make for more believable smiles 🙂 Also, I recently wallpapered my bedroom with this dramatic floral print so I wanted to use that as the backdrop for some of the photos.

What was your favorite part of your session? My favorite part was the ease with which it came about! We just got dressed, went downstairs and started playing! While we certainly aren’t all coordinating in wardrobe (or mood) any time other than when we’re having our picture taken, the photos totally capture the spirit of our family, which is fun and loving.

Funny stories or interesting happenings related to your session: Well, we were pretty sure there wouldn’t be a single picture of Griffin smiling, as he was welcoming a new molar that day… But, naturally, at the end of the session he just turned into this totally animated kid. How you were able to get so many shots of his cute smile from before those last five minutes was a huge surprise to us!

Advice to other families before their photo sessions? Have a joke on hand to tell your spouse who is uncomfortable smiling for long periods of time 🙂

What made you choose Pinkle Toes Photography? A friend had used you for newborn shots, which were gorgeous, of course. I didn’t know if that would translate well to full family photos, but one trip through your website and I was sold!

Describe your favorite image from the session and why it’s your fav: It’s so hard to choose! I love the one of us lounging on the backyard sofa, taken from above the string of cafe lights- I remember that we were just sitting there talking and laughing. We have so many photos of the four of us sitting together, posed stiffly, uneasily. This one is us actually being a family, so it’s really special.

And how could I not choose the one of Rob and Sloane twirling in the living room? That picture is never coming off the wall!

Things to know about this fabulous family’s very lifestyle photo session:

1. Those little boys are as charming as they look.
2. Mama is incredibly organized and creative!
3. Dad is super patient and such a good sport!
4. “Super Hero Chase” is a real game that they really all play together and I think that is the coolest thing ever!
5. Fav image HERE.

October 20-23rd at the Pinkle Toes Studio in Manor

Bring your cute little goblins to practice their “Trick or Treat” skills and have their photo taken at the Pinkle Toes porch (which will be all decked out by the super talented Julie Rodgers)! As always, I’ll be posting sneak peeks of the set HERE, so be sure to follow along.

I will contact you after booking to help you finalize your session time. You only need to book one session for your child(ren) and you will have the option to purchase additional files if you choose after you see the unedited proofs. Due to the nature of these mini sessions, fees are non-refundable and not transferrable to another session.

These sweet girls are sure lucky to get to grow up in this historic, magical house with these incredible gardens and structures all around! What a childhood to have! And I adore their halo of curls that crown their busy little bodies. It was a fantastic morning with their family for sure. One of my favs in the bamboo and a close crop of THIS one.

Is this thing on? Hmmmmm…think I’m going to try to dust off the old blog and come back to the joy and vibrance of life…especially demonstrated by this sweet family at their annual family photo session. I love that we got to revisit their home and play and have fun in their backyard again. It basically worked as a way to perfectly compare just how much the boys had changed since last year. Loving the farmer’s tan and the mischievous smiles flashed to me as they ran from place to place, so eager to show me their new tricks on the playscape and in the pool. These boys have an amazing life and amazing parents who love them with their whole hearts. Favity fav.

I’m so excited that this gorgeous family blessed with two children with charming, exuberant personalities will soon have THREE children with charming, exuberant personalities! I know mama is doing her best to keep up with these two cuties in the heat and it’s going to be so beautiful to watch big brother and big sister with the new baby. Favity fav HERE.

It won’t be long before we get the good news that baby #3 has arrived. And it is still hard to fathom that this little Maverick has risen from some of the most difficult times this family has ever faced. However, it was nothing but smiles and joy on this evening as we celebrated this incredible blessing (well, except for the part when we had to duck into a building to hide when the tornado sirens went off ;-)…false alarm).  I know his big brother and sister and mom and dad and all the rest of us are very, very, very eager to meet him. One of my many favs HERE, as well as HERE and HERE.

Ironically enough, I first met Mom and their eldest about 5 years ago…the first time I did my Back to School mini sessions…which reminds me…I should dig those pics up because I know he was absolutely adorable during that photo session. I was sad to hear they were moving to Washington state, though maybe a tad jealous of their cooler summers ;-). Earlier this summer, they embarked on an EPIC road trip across the country and I was honored that a family photo session with Pinkle Toes Photography was one of their included stops. We got to do the first part of their photo shoot in lovely park during a gorgeous sunrise. I know we were nice and toasty at the time (and not in a wonderful way), but in going through the images, honestly it didn’t even look like we were even in Austin. My absolute FAVORITE image from that series is HERE. And then, we got to stroll over to get a bit more of the colorful, urban side of Austin to round it out.