CATEGORY portraits

Legalzoom.com has an office here in Austin and held a fantastic holiday party for their local employees at the Oasis in Lakeway. The Oasis burned several years back and rebuilt with a vision, adding amazing event rooms to their spectacular Lake Travis views we’ve come to expect when dining there. Legalzoom founders came in from Los Angeles, California for the party, gave a speech I’ve heard is funny every time, and sat in my photo booth just to show some solidarity! Great food, fantastic band, a dj with some creative karaoke, a great photographer (me!) with portraits printed on site, and a gorgeous setting made a very fun night!

Every year I vow I will hire another photographer to take amazing photos of my family, and every year I end up with a self-timer on a tripod. If you’re a photographer reading this and want to trade a family session, please email me! But I finally got around to holiday photos this fall, and even made it before December! Plus I’m really thrilled I finally got to shoot at this awesome old building on 290W on the way to Dripping Springs, and that all my kids got individual shots. Cobbler’s kids, shoes, check! Arms crossed pose, quadruple check.

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!

Wedding photo booths are such a fun way to spend a weekend night! A silly backdrop, a bucket of props, and the aid of a few cocktails or crazy friends or party crashers, with great Indian food and lots of sparkling Hindu saris optional=500 wedding guests going crazy at my photo printer laughing and pointing, “Three of that one! And four of this one! And I need seven of this other!” I think it may have actually caught fire at one point during the busiest time of the party. Thank you to Dalia and Gopal, their family, the JW Marriott event center in San Antonio, my charred on-site photo printer, Nicki Wright and Bill Peary assistance and equipment, wedding planners Melody and Christy, and of course we couldn’t have done it without 500 of our closest friends. And note to self: always bring the big backdrop, even if you don’t want to haul it around, because the backdrop is never big enough!

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!

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.

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!

Halloween Express in Cedar Park, Texas just north of Austin hosts body artist Michelle Puslifer of On the Spot Body Art every year to decorate their patrons for Halloween parties and haunting. This year they wanted to showcase their costume selection by allowing their staff to creatively “shop” the store and put together unique ideas for their customers. This is a small sampling as they really got into it, each choosing multiple costumes ranging from the Mad Hatter and crazy Queen of Hearts complete with severed head, to a broken antique china doll. Here we just see how Beetlejuice and Sally of The Nightmare Before Christmas make friends with a wraith and Indian maiden. I sense the plot of a new B movie coming on.

Allie (aka Allie Danielle of Nashville) and her sweetheart Christian were married in a family-filled ceremony at the antique Georgetown Heritage Society chapel in Georgetown, Texas. With a simple, intimate,  and fun reception following at The Old Pecan Street Cafe, between the good country western and Greek music, the guests really got into the dancing! This was my first time second shooting, and it was such a relaxing experience to be able to experiment and work with yet another talented photographer, Tara Pottichen sent to me via our mutual shutterbug Bill Peary. Good food, good music, family close by, and a couple in love, I had as much fun as they did!

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.

This family reunion was on gorgeous Lone Man Creek in even more gorgeous Wimberley, Texas. Everyone had enough personality to fill up two photo shoots, playing and laughing together. And a gorgeous group of people they were, too, easy on the camera!

Just doing my part to uphold our local motto of “Keep Austin Weird” this weekend as Austin Fashion Week opened with its Kick Off Red Carpet Party at GSD&M Idea City downtown. The clever designers and creative stylists put on a fantastic show, as well as local graphic artists creating the original virtual signature characters to advertise the event, and body artists Michelle Pulsifer and Donald McCaskill recreating them in the flesh to the thrill of the paparazzi! I came in to do head shots of the models and got to hang around pretending like I was blending in to the camera crowd.

Luisa & Johnny had a step below an elopement when they decided wedding planning is for the pros and decided to just go for it! A simple ceremony at the intimate Chapel Dulcinea in Driftwood, TX with just the two of them, the priest, and me: which always makes me feel so honored to be included, unless you count the little dog ahead of me in priority. They are a gorgeous couple with a beautiful and sweet history. And not long before their wedding day they found out they are expecting their first child, (congratulations!) but it made zipping up the dress a fun adventure for us! May your life together be a sweet as your lovely wedding!

Alex & Joaquin shared a beautifully tender but monstrously hot wedding ceremony at the outdoor (in August=really, really hot!) Chapel Dulcinea south of Austin in Driftwood, Texas. Joaquin is faithfully serving his country and about to embark on his second deployment (military dress uniform=really, really hot!) A huge crowd for the small chapel of family and friends surrounded them, as well as their adorable son. Congratulations on the next step in your adventure together, and here’s to hoping it stays just as hot for years to come!

Miriam and Joseph asked for a fantasy location for their engagement session with lots of water and greenery, so when I suggested the fairytale Dunvegan Keep in south Austin it fit their personalities perfectly. I love romantic shoots because of the tenderness the couples always display so openly for the camera. It seems that at those times my soul mate can do no wrong, and that’s important to offset the crash back to reality when he and the kids are screaming while I work in Photoshop ignoring them all wondering what their problem is! But back to my sweet, romantic, simply in love couple. No pretenses, no power struggles, just in love. Thank you for trusting me to capture that!

Michelle Pulsifer of On the Spot Body Art in Austin recently scheduled a painting party to beef up her photo portfolio with a day-long marathon of face and body painting. Lots of kids and pizza and paint, along with two gorgeous pregnant women for maternity painted and henna belly art to literally round out the event!

We have new belly art and boudoir body art joint packages starting at $160 that include painting and a photo session with 8×10 either in the studio, at your home, or outdoors in a private venue, and I’m excited about our new offerings.

While doing the portfolio shoot for On the Spot Body Art, this little model came from a local acting class taught by his father. He was so cute with a great look and attitude that conveyed well on the camera so that after he cleaned off his make up I had to take some head shots for him as he makes his young way in the entertainment industry.

This young couple married at the outdoor Chapel Dulcinea in Driftwood, Texas just outside Austin had a great level of energy and excitement to be together. Their colorful sense of style came through loud and clear with great slightly punk rock hair, eyes, and nails on the bride and a pop of bright color on the groom. A gorgeous pair who genuinely enjoyed the time and attention during their photo shoot to focus on each other. I always enjoy the sense of relief that follows a wedding ceremony, and this wedding in particular seemed to mirror that same feeling I had after my own wedding like we had just jumped off a cliff together and landed safely! Best wishes to Carlos and Iris on their new journey together.

This beautiful little family grew a little larger today! Tracy and Kieran were wed at the outdoor Chapel Dulcinea in Driftwood, Texas in a quiet, lovely, intimate ceremony with their 2 daughters and infant son. The new stepsisters have known each other since birth and were adorably excited to help and snuggle new baby brother during the wedding. Coming from someone like me, who had only immediate family at our wedding and chose to homebirth to keep the experience small and intimate, being privileged to document their wedding with the officiant as the only other participant was an honor. Congratulations on your new lives together, and thank you so much for allowing me to play a small role. Your deep devotion to each other was evident, accented with a pop of spunky personality symbolized by that fabulous sunflower yellow gown, and I hope these photos do that justice!

Loretta Sommers is new to Austin and a long-time member of the entertainment industry. She has some great new opportunities in Central Texas, but needed new and updated head shots to convey her look, physique, and personality for TV and radio host positions. She said, “I didn’t know I could look like that!’ but well, she’s gorgeous, and it IS what she looks like. Just a reminder that who we see in the mirror is never as wonderful as how other people see us.

Happy Father’s Day to my sweet husband, and happy 4th birthday to the best little Father’s Day gift ever!

This adorable trio we shot at Bee Cave Central Park just outside of Austin and Lakeway  just may have been the best behaved, most cooperative little group I’ve worked with. When I complimented them on how well they were doing, mom whispered to me that she’d been prepping them for weeks! It certainly paid off with their great smiles, eye contact, and close poses. She wanted tight head shots in black and white canvas gallery wraps to update some she’d had done six years ago for a previous father’s day gift. It’s a surprise, so shhh! don’t tell!