Form submitted successfully, thank you.

Error submitting form, please try again.

Spring Mini Sessions update {Austin Kids Photographer}

Just a quick update on the scheduled spring minis. See full details on these here.

The ad in the Austin Kids Directory is out so don’t wait to book your spot. (These two look familiar??)

All of these are first come first serve for the open time slots so contact me today if you are interested in reserving a spot.

AKD HMP March 2010 blog

March 13th (Spring Minis – Studio /Kids only) – ideal for babies or if you are concerned about the freaky Texas weather ;-)

3 spots left!

9:15 – 9:45am

10:00am – 10:30am

12:15pm – 12:45pm

March 20th (Easter/ Bunnies – Outdoors / Kids only) – Good for toddlers on up

3 spots left!

9:15am- 9:45am

10:00 – 10:30am

11:30am – 12:00pm

April 17th Couch in the Bluebonnets Family minis

are completely booked!

If you were interested in those please contact me so I can get you on my wait list for the next date. I might do this again soon!

Bookmark and Share

Ready, Set, ACTION {Austin Family Photographer}

Family means love, comfort and a connection that lasts a life time. For this clan of five it also means lots of action with three energetic kids, full of silliness and surprises. Big brother is into sports, both football and baseball so you can just imagine what their weekend schedule looks like. Mom said he doesn’t like to be in pictures anymore and he doesn’t want to smile. (Oh, that happened to mine at age 3!)  Well, we got him to smile and by golly look at those dimples, what a handsome young man! The two younger ones seem to have a really strong bond, so nice to see and encouraging that the good times can last.

This session was pretty fast paced just like them and so much fun, I had no plan, I knew this bunch would call the shots and I really wanted for this to unfold like it would at any other family outing. So it’s real and really them.

IMG_6863 LV CP blog

BlogBoardShare 6 picsBlogBoardShare2 6picsBlogboardshare 4 3picsBlogBoardShare3  6pics

Bookmark and Share

March 4, 2010 - 6:43 am Karen Radtke - WOW! These are great guys!!! You too will have a very hard time choosing! LOVE the candid shots! Feels like a motion picture ;) LOVE IT!

March 5, 2010 - 8:20 am tina - Heike, These turned out great! You captured their energy and silliness. They even seem like they LIKE each other! I can't wait to see the rest of the pics.

3 months and growing {Austin Baby Photographer}

I promised this sneak for tonight and well, technically it’s already past midnight but I hope M. didn’t stay up waiting for it, I got a little distracted watching the Olympics  ;-) I did a little extra since you had to wait a little longer. Actually I really had to restrain myself from blogging the whole session!

Little O. is just about 3 months and he was a true champ. Like it often happens he decided to cut his morning nap short the day of our shoot so I knew we were on a short time frame before he would get tired and/or fall apart. Despite the lack of sleep he was pretty happy throughout and proudly showed off his excellent kicking skills. He even endured some extended tummy time (which is apparently not his favorite). He was giving it his all though. You can feel the effort he put into this, one moment he’s still smiling and trying to hold on to his head and then boom, his eyes turned red, that bottom lip came out (so cute!) and he had ENOUGH!But he recovered quickly until his little body requested well deserved rest.

I loved his awesome nursery and all the sweet colors and light throughout the house. O’s little smile is to die for! What a beautiful, happy family!

IMG_5987 SL blogBlogBoardShare 6BlogBoardShare 7BlogBoardShare3 7

Bookmark and Share

Snow Day!

It was a day that brought back child memories for me. As soon as I woke up and discovered that it was REALLY SNOWING I felt giddy and the feeling never left me all day. I was excited that my kids finally get to experience this simple pleasure, waking up to snow fall, going out to make a snowman and snow angels and the sense of peace you get when suddenly everything turns white. And the snow actually stuck! I am sure the rest of the country is laughing their heads off but this happens here about every 6 years or so. The last time I can remember considerable snow for a day was Valentine’s day 2004 and Isa was 2 months old!

It was a fantastic day of play and joy (and forgetting daily chores and worries), the kids stayed home so I got NOTHING done but didn’t mind one bit!

When they woke up they couldn’t believe their eyes (apparently) so they went to check out ALL the windows, front and back to make sure it was really true. Nico kept saying “I can’t believe my eyes!”. They were excited, wired, squealing with joy. So we bundled up and ventured out. Isa has experienced snow a few times visiting Germany over Christmas in past years, Nico has never been in the snow in his short 3 years of life. He seemed to like it but I am not sure he enjoyed having the snow fall on his face…

We made our first snowman (or snowwoman, there was argument over the snow person’s gender)! And then a second more refined version was created by Dave after my first one toppled over.

The dogs went crazy, snow for our dogs must be like catnip for cats. They went ballistic! (don’t worry no child or dog was harmed in the process, they are just playing ;) ) Being that they are a chow chow and husky mix I can see how they felt like they were finally “home”.

Snowpics_BlogBoardShare 5Snowpics2_Blogboard 5Snowpics3 blogboard 5picSnowpics4 blogboard 4pic

Yes, there is s girl under all that hair somewhere!

IMG_7439 SL blogSnowpics 6 5 pic

After being covered in snow and getting soaked and eventually cold we went back inside to warm up. Nothing better than snuggling up with a blankie and cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. This process was repeated several times throughout the day. Just pure bliss and all the fun things about snow (no shuffling or window scraping or snow that’s turned brown over days)

The day ended with piles of wet clothing, foot prints all over the house and red cheeked children. Definitely a day we’ll remember for a very long time!

Snowpics 5 BlogBoardShard 5

Snowpics 7 BlogBoard 3 pics

Bookmark and Share

February 27, 2010 - 10:06 pm Michele (Pinkle Toes) - These are ADORABLE!!!! I wish we had that much snow here. So fun and childlike, these images!

Hey Mr. Blue Eyes {Austin Baby Photographer}

Yep, his eyes are that amazingly blue.  I almost did not recognize him from his previous session since he ’s gone really blond since then. Well, technically he didn’t have a whole lot of hair at his 3 months session but it was definitely a lot darker. Love those light feathery hair wisps he’s sporting now!

I still had the bed set up going in the studio so we started off with some cuddles and playtime “on the bed”. He really liked it, especially when mom and dad broke out his favorite blocks.

And then he got his cool dude look on and boy is he cute! Awesome session and he worked it like a superstar (except for one little meltdown at the end…)

BlogBoard2 5picsBlogBoardShare 4picsBlogBoardShare 6pics

Bookmark and Share

Tricky {Austin Baby Photographer}

This little cutie pie is already 7 months and came in for his second baby steps session. So fun to see these babies grow and this stage is one of my favorite. They can sit up unsupported and are generally quite happy and easily entertained. Well, things don’t always go as expected and this one turned a little tricky.

C. did awesome but wasn’t really in the mood for a photo shoot. Add some trouble with studio lights and it turned a little hairy. Walking out I thought this was going to be a re-shoot so I was surprised to find so many good ones in this set. Luckily my camera is awesome handling all kinds of light situations, these were shot with just available light and a speedlite bounced of the ceiling (due to my studio lights suddenly giving out) Did not really think these would come out…

C. wasn’t so impressed with the bed set up so I had to bring out one of my trusty friends, the rubber chicken. Yet, to find a baby that does not respond to it. Unfortunately he was not willing to give it up after he calmed down. Sorry mom, you’d probably prefer not to have it IN the pictures but I figured a happy baby WITH rubber chicken is better than a screaming one WITHOUT. (Hmm, I think that makes for a good baby quote ;-) )

BlogBoardShare1 4 picBlogBoardShare2 4pic2BlogBoardShare 5pic

Bookmark and Share

Let’s spring into Spring – Mini session dates {Austin Kids Photographer}

Ready? I am! So ready for spring to arrive! I know we don’t really have a winter here but it’s been pretty cold for Texas and I am done with it! I am ready to get outside and start shooting again. Spring is THE BEST TIME for outdoor photo sessions, so don’t wait to book your session! (The bluebonnets are supposed to be good this year and after the blow last two years I am expecting a full out frenzy once they pop up)

I’ve had quite a few inquiries for spring mini sessions and finally had a chance to sort out my schedule and put down some dates. I am super excited to try out some new things!

So first things first, “what’s a mini?” you ask – It’s a shorter photo session for either just the kids or I now also offer family minis. Mini sessions are scheduled for a particular day and several sessions happen consecutively, starting in the morning and scheduled in 45 min intervals they last until noon or early afternoon depending on how much interest we have for each of the dates. You get a dedicated time slot depending on preference and availability. The minis are usually themed in some way but by all means the themes are just suggestions, ideas to inspire you, hopefully.

I am planning on offering a mini session date at least once a month so stay tuned for more announcements, down the road.

Spring Dates

March 13th – “Ready for Spring” Studio Minis (Kids only, up to 3 kids of the same family) – Think bright spring colors, fun props and backgrounds, outfit change included

March 20th – “Bunnies” Outdoor Minis (Kids only, up to 3 kids of the same family) – Bring the kids in their “Easter/Spring Finest”, outdoor location to be announced (North/Central Austin)

April 17th – “On the Couch” Outdoor Minis (Family sessions up to 5 immediate family members, pets count) – Picture your family hanging out on a couch in the middle of an open field (of bluebonnets hopefully), outdoor location to be announced depending on where the bluebonnets will pop up


Info and Pricing

Pricing for these sessions starts at $150 for the kids only sessions and $200 for the family sessions. This fee includes 10-15 proofs in an online gallery and 1 fully retouched and mounted 11×14 print from your session (sorry, no substitutions or credits). Digital file purchase is optional.

Special bonus – book your mini session date by Feb 28th and receive a $60 print credit. (Don’t wait, these will book up fast!)

Session fee must be paid in advance to hold your scheduled time slot. In case of inclement weather an alternative date will be scheduled for the outdoor sessions or the paid session fee can be credited towards a full session instead. If you can’t make it to your session due to sickness you can choose one of the future mini session dates or use the paid session fee towards a full session.

If you are interested to find out more or want to reserve a spot for one of these session please click here.

Looking forward to an awesome spring season and meeting lots of new faces!

Bookmark and Share

February Promotion! {Austin Newborn Photographer}

I’ve you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know that I love newborns. Newborn sessions are probably amongst the most challenging and the window of opportunity is so short since they change so rapidly during the first weeks of life but I love doing these sessions. They are in a way like meditation for me. You have to be calm and relaxed and super patient.

New parents sometimes stare at me in disbelief when I tell them it will take approx. 3 hours or so to do the session. I am sure they are like “she’s crazy, how long can it take to snap a few pictures?”. Well, let me tell you, it’s not unheard of for me to spend 4 hours at a client’s house out of which actual shooting is maybe an hour. It’s all about getting baby to sleep so that they can be posed in those adorable curled up newborn poses. And as any parent knows that has brought a newborn home, THEY are in charge. So it’s a challenge sometimes but I ‘ve learned lots of tricks over time to get baby to calm and eventually sleep. What I love about those sessions is that I get to spend time with the new parents, really get to know them and talk while we wait for baby to fall asleep, or eat or calm down. It’s such an incredible time during a family’s life, having that new baby and getting to know them and I am so honored to be there with them and to capture this fleeting moment for them.

I don’t have any newborn sessions on my schedule until later in March and I am itching to try out some new things  so if you are expecting within the next couple of weeks and have thought about having  a newborn session contact me in the next 2 weeks to receive 25 CUSTOM BIRTHANNOUNCEMENT CARDS FREE with your booked newborn session. ($75 value) The newborn session must be held on a weekday during the month of February or March and baby must be 4-10 days old when the session is held.

Here are some of my faves from recent sessions. And just to show, it is possible to take good pics even if they don’t sleep…

Newborn BlogBoardShare 6

Bookmark and Share

February 19, 2010 - 12:59 pm Katie Robillard - I just noticed the sweet photo of Luke in this post. We love our photos you took- You are the best!

February 19, 2010 - 1:04 pm admin - Thanks Katie! Can you believe this was just a couple of months ago? I saw his last pic on FB, my gosh he's growing like a bean sprout!

Love is in the Air {Austin Couples Photographer}

These two love birds are the lucky winners of our Helping Hearts Contest and so we got together on a beautiful afternoon last weekend. This couple’s session was something new for me since I spent most of my time photographing kids and families…and I must say I really enjoyed it!

They’ve recently got engaged so perfect timing to do a Valentine’s inspired session. I’d love to do this again so if anyone wants to get together to get some pictures with their sweetheart taken, contact me!

K. and R., you guys are so cute together! Hope you like these!

IMG_4909 LV blog

BlogBoardShare 6 picBlogBoardShare 4 picsBlogBoard 4 pics 3v1lBlogBoardShare 5vrt

Bookmark and Share

February 12, 2010 - 2:29 pm Sangeeta - What wonderful pictures of a beautiful couple. Great job as usual Heike.

February 12, 2010 - 4:32 pm Noelle - These are beautiful and really capture their personalities!

February 12, 2010 - 9:27 pm Michele (Pinkle Toes) - Great job! So glad this worked out for you!!!

February 13, 2010 - 10:12 pm Simi - Beautiful pictures and a beautiful couple! Awesome!! :)

February 14, 2010 - 2:59 pm Kate - THANK YOU!! This was such an amazing experience for Rich and I!

My mommy is 60 today!

And since we can’t be there to celebrate, we made this silly little video for her…

Happy 60!!! from Heike Murphy on Vimeo.

Bookmark and Share

February 11, 2010 - 4:34 pm Katrin - So Nico still hasn't taken off the dress ;) Cute video! Oma wird es sicher gefallen.

UA-3737940-2