Sometimes, you just get overcome with the need to create and when you are able to connect that need with people who 1000% get your vision for what you want to create, MAGIC happens!!! I left this session physically exhausted but mentally buzzing with joy at what we painted with light and sparkle that day. I was so grateful to these two (and their family) for trusting me to do just do whatever I wanted and being able to instantly set the tone and embody the glam that we were hoping to capture. Definitely one of the most unique (and somehow also very Austin) senior portrait sessions I’ve ever gotten to do!!!

This family is certainly no stranger to the Pinkle Toes blog and when mom first contacted me about their upcoming session, she mentioned that they wanted to do something different and fun. Over the years, they have set the bar pretty high (exhibit A), so I was a little nervous that we would be to do yet another session that would highlight this dynamic crew properly. But when mom brought up the idea of using color powder, I knew it would be a huge hit with the kids and make for incredibly bold, colorful, and creative family photos for them.

On the evening of our session, before breaking out the color powder, we started with some traditional family portraits:

And then we had a costume change to serve as a blank canvas for the colorful splash we were about to make! We picked a place where the sun would shine through the trees and allow the vibrant colors to contrast beautifully against the natural Texas landscape. Mom had a great idea to put the powder into squeeze bottles and on the count of three, everyone squeezed their bottles into the air creating a burst of colors that looked simply magical. Kids and grown ups alike were screeching and giggling and having an amazing time, and I could tell that this was going to be an awesome session.

One of the things I loved most about this shoot was how unpredictable it was. You never knew exactly how the colors were going to mix, and every photo turned out differently. It was a welcome challenge as a photographer to capture these ever-changing and fleeting moments.

Even their wonderful nanny jumped into the action!

The leaf-blower was the icing on the cake for me :-).

It’s safe to say that their color powder family photo session was a huge success, even if it took quite a while to clean the powder out of our hair and teeth. We were all thrilled with the photos, but I think the memories created will have an even deeper impact. I can’t help but to imagine these kiddos all grown up, flipping through an album of these images and talking to their own children about this awesome day where their parents willingly let them make a gigantic mess! I can’t wait to see what other creative ideas my clients will come up with for their own family photos.

P.S. As promised, a behind-the-scenes look of the aftermath:

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.

I’ve admittedly fallen behind on my blogging as of late, but I thought no better time to pick it back up than with this awesome vintage, Texas-inspired family photo session we did not too long ago. The old pickup truck belongs to their grandfather and I was so glad to see it come along for the ride that evening. It not only provided an amazing backdrop for the images, but it is authentic to their family which makes it all the more special. The girls were so giggly and had us all cracking up throughout the session. But it was also great to get more introspective images like THIS one, too. {Behind the scenes shot by mama HERE}.

We were barely able to squeeze in this maternity photo session in the GORGEOUS Texas bluebonnets before their precious baby made his way into this world. And, we happened to hit this field right at peak season with perfect temps and a perfect sunset to go along with it. Another FAV HERE. I hope that every year when the wildflowers come out, they’ll remember this time of anticipation and excitement over the miracle that was about to grace their lives ;-).

Speaking of whom, would you like to meet him?

Yes…he is *really* cute and I very much look forward to getting my hands on him again soon to properly appreciate his squishiness ;-).

Wanted to get this blog post up super quick today before I prepare for tomorrow ;-). We started out our session not really knowing what we were going to do or where we would end up, but I know this gal and I are super glad we stumbled upon an amazing and kind artist/sculptor who let us work in his beautiful old Chevy pickup! If you’re ever in Georgetown, look up Island Gypsy Art and check out their amazing creations. Another fav from the session HERE. Now, I gotta go charge my batteries (literally and metaphorically) for the last weekend of Holiday Minis!!

Like, literally chillin’ – as in what is up with this Texas weather because it was reaaaaaally cold during our session. But that’s okay, the girls managed to have fun and let their true, energetic, sparkling personalities shine through the brisk wind that followed us up and down the streets of Georgetown.

I love this giggle shared above between Mama and baby girl, who, by the way, I guess isn’t a baby anymore because we were technically celebrating her ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY! My, my, my, how Baby Q has grown since her newborn photo session:

 This series above cracked me up. I told her mom there is no shortage of personality in any of these images!

 Cinderella kept losing her shoes

Sometimes, I enlist the help of older siblings to get mom and dad to relax while I’m taking their photos. Usually it results in a photo bomb or two:

 Such a sweet moment!

And really, it’s a toss up between this one above (look at Q’s face…she is SO done with us) and THIS one as my fav family image from the shoot. Thank you again, guys, for having me document these days for you. Your family has grown into such a beautiful, fun little brood! [And once again, hair and makeup rocked by Katie with Modern Muse Beauty!]

That I have been “working” with these little sweeties since they were in their mommy’s tummy. I remember her maternity session so vividly…she was so tiny…so lovely and I couldn’t believe there were two babies in there (her belly is featured in one of my portfolio galleries, but you’ll have to guess which one). And then I remember the day I officially met the girls, some of my favorite newborn images were taken at their newborn session (I do believe the adorable toes in the fourth image HERE belong to them) and then I remember a cute little vintage session in downtown Georgetown to celebrate their 1st birthday and then playing in a park at sunset to commemorate age 2 and now here we are, THREE years later and I feel like I *know* them. And it makes me equally proud and wistful to look back on all of those images we’ve taken over the past three years. And it makes me excited to have this little “preview” of my twin nieces. These girls are such bright little bundles of happiness and joy and spunk! Loved getting to play hide ‘n seek with them and their mommy (probably my FAV image HERE ;-).

Oh, and while we’re on the topic of spunk, how about this little outtake from their holiday mini session:

On that note, I am finishing up the last round of holiday minis starting Friday! It’s not too late to snag a spot, *if* you can make it Friday morning as Saturday and Sunday are totally full. Drop a line and I’ll get you all the info you need to know. I can’t help it that I’m just a teensy bit excited that there’s a light at the end of the holiday tunnel (that started in August) and super duper thrilled with all of the images we’ve taken at the mini sessions so far and the BEAUTIFUL, wintry holiday cards I’ve helped my clients create. They are turning out just amazing!

I can’t say it’s any big secret that I kinda dig Georgetown and have quite enjoyed photographing several families and high school seniors there over the past 8 years. It’s got this cute vibe that’s retro, Texas, antique, vintage, funky, cool, hip, and country all at the same time without the same level of traffic and parking issues as one might face here in Austin. So I was thrilled when I got to work with these guys again, but this time, on their turf.

While I’m very used to the little ache in my heart I often get when I see a newborn baby or toddler grow up before my camera, it still amazes me how much even older kids can change so quickly in the span of just a few years. I take this little preview into what I have in store for me as a blessing and a constant reminder to relish every single moment and milestone I have with my own kids.

K…your boys are still as fun and funny as they were two years ago. I think you are obviously doing something right. And they are obviously kindofamazing all on their own.

A little moment that was both spontaneous and created as I was leaving that night HERE.