CATEGORY outdoor

I’ve always thought renting a house or a string of hotel rooms for a reunion would be so much fun, rather than keeping a huge house all year to host everyone every so often. Plus you get to choose gorgeous and serene locations, which is exactly what this family did over the Thanksgiving holiday in a villa in southwest Austin near Dripping Springs, TX. They laughed a lot and were great listeners and quick, so we got in a lot of sets with the the full and smaller groups and couples in spite of the quickly fading early winter sunset light.

Dripping Springs, TX has so many great rustic, historical, and natural photo back drops, and I love shooting there! This family recently bought the dream home there and loves the quaint atmosphere of the place too, especially this historic cabin near the famed “dripping springs” themselves. Their kids were so well behaved and fun, and the parents so relaxed (or so it seemed to me, not a harsh word to anyone). Sometimes shooting families is so challenging because the tension level can be so high, but the more relaxed, the better the photos! The kids were giggly and playful, and that combined with such beautiful people made the shoot so smooth.

Time flies by: when I showed up to this family shoot, the newborn that I photographed was already a 2-year-old toddler running around and beginning to talk! Their boys and those gorgeous eyes were full of fun and personality, and my skills to capture artistic and natural candid moments were put to the test as I got to just follow the little ones around as they played. I always appreciate easy-going and laid-back parents because it helps bring the emotion of the family through in the photos. Plus they chose great wardrobe colors and back drops near their house and nearby preserve areas in southwest Austin.

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.

Cosima & Jonathan were married in Germany several months ago, and had an American ceremony at Vintage Villas in Lakeway, Texas to celebrate their multi-cultural families in classic style. The event was simple and elegant with beautiful friends and family. The couple was so easy going and likable with great senses of humor, and as they relaxed into the evening it was fun to watch their tender moments with each other and family as they said goody-bye before a move to Florida. Thank you for having me there, it was such a fun wedding!

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!

Kim and Landon were married a week earlier in his hometown, and came back to Austin for a local reception at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock. Second receptions are always fun and low key, and the bride and groom are always so much more relaxed. It was great to see the families again and share in this whimsical Western-themed event.

This gorgeous little family was in town visiting from Europe and had a photo shoot at the Spanish Oaks cabins in Bee Cave with their adorable daughter and another on the way. Mom used to work as a candy developer with a food science background, and raided Big Top Candy for fun and colorful photo edible photo props. I love using props, but especially when the families bring items that really convey a part of their family identity. Good luck on the upcoming addition, and hope you have fun finishing off all those props!

This gorgeous couple definitely made the most of their day with some of the best silly facial expressions I’ve seen yet! Of course, only those that showed their intense devotion to one another that is the flip side of their intense senses of humor! During our consultation I asked if they wanted to forward any links to favorite wedding photos so I could get an idea of what they like, and Chris said, “We didn’t look at any other web sites but yours. Your personality had us hooked!” So my honest sarcasm for once hasn’t bitten me in the butt. When I met their friends I fit right in. A great laughing group with so many inside jokes like Charlie’s Angels and the “claw,” all the time they spend together was obvious.

They chose the beautiful outdoor Chapel Dulcinea in Driftwood, TX with a reception following at the Salt Lick BBQ Garden Room. Of course they were generous enough to feed me at my favorite restaurant. Best to the both of you on this next phase in your lives together, and thank you for having me a part of your wedding.

Kim is the daughter of some long-lost friends of ours (lost all the way in north Austin!) who made the trek to see me (all the way in south Austin) at the Salt Lick Cellars garden and vineyard in Driftwood, TX for an engagement shoot to her college sweetheart Landon. With a great easy-going attitude and dry sense of humor the shoot was a lot of fun, and a bit of a walk down memory lane. My oldest daughter is the age Kim was when she used to babysit for us, and suddenly I see how fast the time has flown! Congratulations to you both on your next adventure in life, and all that stress you gave your parents during your early teen years seems to have proven worth it. Can’t wait to see you in your dress for your bridal!

Having some fun with wacky hair color during summer vacation, these sisters wanted to capture it in all its glory before the sad fading set in. They had just redone the color for full vibrant effect! With their gorgeous eyes and lashes I couldn’t help thinking of Japanese Anime characters the entire shoot! We went to the Lakeway TX marina to shoot at the park and out over the water. The level was so low with the drought it was a challenge not to get the rocky shoreline into the frame. The girls had a fun playful time experimenting with different poses and scenes. I love when they really get into it like this!

I love following a couple through several months and several sessions with the “triple threat” of engagement, bridal, and wedding portraits, getting to know them and creating photos that show off their unique personalities and relationship. Ruth and John, you are both beautiful and easy to work with, chose gorgeous locations like Springhill Event Center in San Antonio for your sessions, and actively created your photo experience. I enjoyed working with you and for you, and thanks to my second shooter Soobum Im for capturing me capturing you. Congratulations on your wedding, I know your marriage will be blessed!

Dripping Springs has some fantastic central Texas landscapes for photos, and the Highpointe community has a beautiful pond, trail, and park path system with gorgeous photo ops. The only thing that could make it better is a gorgeous family to go in it! With two incredibly happy smiling boys, we spent a lot of time trying different sets and poses because they were so cooperative. Here are some of my favorites.

Oh, Jessie, you had me laughing as much as Krystal, which makes taking photos difficult! When the camera wasn’t shaking with my mirth, I caught a few serious moments and especially enjoyed the intimate exchanges of tenderness when the two of you forgot we were watching. The only sad part was driving home to Austin because I thought we would be moved into our new home in Kyle, TX near the venue in San Marcos, TX and that 45-minute drive felt a lot longer than the 15 I was planning on last fall when we booked. But who cares? I got such a kick out of attending and documenting your wedding. Huge congratulations to you both, and you will certainly enjoy life together even more now that you are together forever.

Beautiful Ruth booked the San Antonio Mission national park for her bridal, and what an amazing opportunity to shoot there with a such a beauty. Her unique dress and cathedral veil created a dreamy mood with the quiet stone cathedrals behind her. I loved her quiet but quirky sense of fun, and the exchange of ideas we both had for shots we wanted to capture was custom photography at its best. Good luck on your upcoming wedding, I can’t wait to be there!

Ruth & John are a quietly hilarious couple getting married this summer in San Antonio, Texas. They chose a fantastic photo locale for their engagement session on his grandparents’ ranchette in Boerne, Texas. Old farm equipment with vintage lawn furniture and greenhouse combined with the naturally wild central Texas autumn landscape to create a unique shoot that really captured their personalities. They have also chosen a gorgeous wedding venue at the Springhill Event Center just off Stone Oak Parkway that I am excited to shoot. It’s right by our own grandmother’s house, and I look forward to working there as often as I can. Congratulations Ruth and Johnny, you’re a sweet, fun, and beautiful couple!

Amy & Thell were married in a mid December day that felt like a gorgeous fall day at the LDS temple in San Antonio TX. They shared that beautiful wedding day surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and lifelong friends. As always with intimate family weddings I was honored to be included. They were so excited to finally be married it was a joy to watch!

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!

We used some awesome vintage buildings in downtown Dripping Springs, Texas on Mercer Street for a family session tonight. Four young children always makes for a fun challenge in family photography, but as I am a family photographer I enjoy the challenge! Having five young rowdy kids myself, and my kids make these look tame, I can also fully appreciate the importance of putting in the time and effort of getting family photos done. I’ve been there: the stress of finding suitable clothing without stains, the aggravation of being in a hurry, the annoying dad who gets grumpier than the wee ones (I’m talking about my own man, er, not any other dad I’ve ever worked with!) So I definitely get the hassle, which makes each and every family session precious to me.

Despite all the hassle, it’s also my job to create FUN once the family arrives! Tickles, cuddles, playfulness not only makes for more fun at the session, but far better photos afterward! These kiddos did an outstanding job, holding still, following instructions, natural smiles almost on cue, and check out the outfits! Tell mom way to go!

Debra & Edmund had an intimate ceremony surrounded by their family in San Marcos, Texas. They were so obviously in love and relieved to be finally getting married that it was infectious. I smiled the entire time I was working with them, enjoying their unabashed affection and laughter, and had a silly grin on my face almost the entire time I edited their session. I was able to work with Nichole Wright as my second, and as I was getting into my car to leave my 12 1/2 year-old daughter popped in, all dressed for the wedding with such a hopeful look on her face that I gave her a camera and let her shadow. Being there with my daughter and the couple’s grown children made me so wistful that I did not attend my own father’s wedding last year. Sharing this moment with their family was so special to them that it made me feel a bit of vicarious joy for my family’s new adventure. We followed it up with an elegantly casual dinner at Myron’s Steak House and winery in New Braunfels, Texas. Congratulations on your marriage, and I know all the best will come to you!

Old Glory Ranch in Wimberley, Texas is exactly the kind of old time Texas rustic ranch chapel you’d expect in these here parts. We adore Wimberley with its antique downtown charm, but mostly for the almost lush nature scape along the lazy creeks and rivers that crisscross this area. Complete with boots and a wagon, these bridal shots will be displayed at the reception for all to bask in her beauty, and I promise those are her real eyes with no assistance from Photoshop!

Laurel Johnson of Sunbelt Business Brokers negotiating buying/selling businesses, and Business Works Consulting specializing in small business enhancements, is launching a joint effort and online presence to improve her ability to work with small business owners. She needs a wide variety of headshots over the coming months for speaking engagements and scheduling consultations, and this is a part of the first set. She wanted an outdoor, fresh look rather than a stuffy professional studio lit effect, which is my specialty! I love the more raw result as opposed to perfectly wrapping the subject in studio light, as this conveys personality in so many more obvious and subtle ways.

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!

Dunvegan Keep in south Austin has been a fun photo op location these past few weeks! Last I was there the Greek architecture inspired body artist Michelle Pulsifer of On the Spot Body Art to recreate the classic pottery on a human canvas. A beautiful location, beautiful artwork with a beautiful model made for a beautiful shoot!