CATEGORY mother

The W family got together in Austin for the holidays with their mother for a quick visit and photo shoot we were able to quickly cram in the day after Christmas! They were so happy and smiling the entire shoot, easily giving genuine reactions and smiles.

The E family drives past these cabins in the Spanish Oaks neighborhood in Bee Cave, Texas frequently and sees all their buddies with family photos in front of them, so this year is their turn. Getting ready for the holidays with the whole family smiling in one shot is the holy grail of family photography, and with young children is difficult that it’s incredibly rewarding. I love working with families, the interaction with the parents and playing with the kids, and children of these hobbyist photographers knew the drill and did a fantastic job.

The owner of Westlake’s Lone Star Stables had me out for a sunset family shoot this fall after my daughter attended camp there last summer. A gorgeous little ranch surprisingly tucked away in the heart of Westlake matched by a stunning family. Beautiful children with a fun, playful attitude surrounded by a place they love to be. With the kids getting frequent photos with their horses for shows, the mom decided it was high time she had something with her and her spirited horse too!

I have been with this precious family since maternity photos for her first child. These were taken at their home in Spicewood, Texas. Certainly I hope this won’t be the last session with this gorgeous group of people: even their dog smiles well. This is their fall holiday card, 6-month baby, 3-year toddler shoot: multi-tasking!

Another gorgeous henna maternity belly art masterpiece by Michelle Pulsifer of On the Spot Body Art! She had to remind me to go set up the studio as she was nearing completion because I became completely mesmerized watching how quickly this intricate artwork appeared! A beautiful client set it off and was so fun to work with. It was like having our own live doll to play dress up with: girls never grow up, even when we become mothers!

We’ve been following Baby McD and his family since his mommy’s maternity session, and he is now almost 3 years old (I can’t believe it, but I have a daughter the same age, so I guess I have to). He just welcomed a baby brother into the world! It’s uncanny how much they look alike, I felt like I stepped into a little time warp at first glance of this new little one. The mood of a first-time mom and a seasoned pro was very different this time around, as big brother kept us company playing and laughing most of the time. When his dad distracted him by inviting him to watch the drag race on TV, he bid us farewell saying, “I have to go watch the dragons racing!” This baby was also exceptionally calm, spending long periods of wakefulness just chilling out. I stayed after a bit to teach mommy how to use her various baby slings, and the duck in water saying comes to mind. What an adorable little fellow!

A great looking family, a fall scene (and let me tell you, fall color is pretty difficult to find in central Texas!), and beautiful warm autumn colors with a warm sunset thrown in, and here’s what you get! All available light, I didn’t even have to break out my softboxes. Isn’t it great when mother nature and children cooperate? A 4 year old plus 1 year old twins, let’s just say cooperation was not a given, but a privilege they bestowed! Especially as they discovered little one had a fever after returning home. Happy Holidays!

Baby Gavin arrived a little bit early, so his mommy’s maternity session turned into a newborn session! That happens sometimes, and we’re just happy baby is healthy and had no NICU stay. I, however, arrived just on time as he had just fallen into a deep slumber, and allowed me to pose him like Gumby for some precious naked sleep baby poses. The white comforter did end up in the laundry, of course, as did most of our clothing. He made up for it by being very cooperative and happy the entire session by willingly rolling into a little ball most of the time. Congratulations to Jane and Gareth! Thank you for letting me get my baby fix for a few hours, he was a joy. And I am still waiting for my photographer of the year award for posing a newborn and a big puppy into one photo! A few massages should cover it.

My first shoot with this family was a maternity and baby’s first year package for their first, long awaited child. Now he is two years old and expecting a new sibling! I think we’ve had 8 or 9 sessions together in the past 2 years between baby portraits, family shoots, and holiday cards, and the personal friendship we’ve developed has been such a welcome blessing! I can’t wait to start all over this spring with your new addition. Happy birthday and congratulations!

Our friends added a last little baby to their family this week, a little sister for her three big brothers. A tiny but perfect little creature (a slightly early C-section tends to create those gems) she is dainty and delicate and girly, which cannot last growing up the smallest among all those brothers! Congratulations to Ruth and Shaun on their beautiful bundle of fluff.

Mrs. C called me this morning right after I posted my holiday push mini shoots, and we certainly put a rush on things! We met same day, after the Belterra holiday party to capture some family moments for her holiday cards, and of course I couldn’t stick to the 1-2 poses. They looked amazing with the coordinating outfits: simple yet fun, matching but not over the top. And these kids are gorgeous, who could resist? We still did a pretty good job keeping to 30 minutes because the rain and the dark helped us out.

I always love when a client is up for anything, and having a 9-month pregnant belly painted and displayed like fine art definitely ranks up there with anything! Beautiful mommy and gorgeous daughter are about to welcome a baby brother to the family (and handsome dad who does not make an appearance this session, we’ll try again). Thanks to Michelle Pulsifer with On the Spot Body Art for the paint and henna maternity artwork!

A year goes by so quickly, and it’s incredible to watch baby McD grow from a wriggling newborn to a laughing, running toddler! Babies grow so fast, it’s like watching mold in a petrie dish (except a lot cuter!) This family shoot was the culmination of a year’s portfolio from maternity, newborn, holiday card, 6 month, to 1 yr. Happy first birthday little man!

Sometimes it’s hard to be pregnant and in front of a camera. I had 9 months to convince you to allow me to photograph you during this amazing and short-lived time. We’ll not mention the part where I actually had only 4 months because you hid your secret so well from everyone, even me! Did I just mention that? I hope you don’t regret having me, and that these make you feel every bit as beautiful as you are.

When will I learn that newborn shoots are a painful marathon with the sweetest moments at the end? The general pattern seems to be arrive to a sleeping baby whom I promptly wake up while trying to photograph sleeping while mom gets her make up on because I forgot again to warn her that she’d likely be in the the photos. Then the wriggly baby gives me some weird faces and postures before turning into screaming baby who nurses despite not really being hungry. For just a bit, I get active baby who makes great eye contact with the camera, or at least the appearance of it, for the “money shot” for the birth announcement. Then wriggly baby returns and swaps place on and off with screaming baby, who finally gets very hungry, and while stressed mom lamenting that her newborn won’t “cooperate” settles in for a long nursing saying, “We should have something decent by now, maybe we should call it a day?” But I persevere and assure her this is where it finally gets good, hours 2-3. Nursed and relaxed baby falls asleep and allows all sorts of prodding and repositioning. Finally, we’re shooting nothing but net! Thanks for putting up with me hanging at your house, even if we nurse and talk as much as shoot!

The McD family has 12 months of photo shoots to commemorate their baby’s first year. Starting with a maternity session, they have a few last days of only one child. Becca the dog is certainly excited to be getting a new baby brother!