Little (BIG) brother was doing fantastic too. He’s sliding into that new role of big brother just fine and was super helpful with his toy saw in “fixing” my camera. I am in awe over their house. I wish my house would be put together like this. One can only dream

J. – I hope the b&w family shot turned out to your liking. Things definitely turn a little more challenging when you throw a toddler into the mix. LOL!

Thanks again for having me and sharing that beautiful family of yours!

Holiday Mini Session Dates are finally set!

The holiday season is upon us (Well, not really yet for “normal” people but for photographers September is the start of the holiday season or how I like to refer to it : “CRAZY SEASON”) Things tend to take on a different speed in a time warp like fashion around this time of the year. I’ve been starring at the calendar over the last couple of days and really when it comes down to it, I am almost at capacity for the 2010 holiday season!!! Crazy, I know!!  There’s a few weekend dates left in October and maybe a couple during the week but that’s it! If you are interested in booking a full session in time for the holidays please contact me as soon as possible. I have a feeling I will run out of dates very soon.

I do however have a few dates reserved to hold limited holiday mini sessions.

The mini sessions are ideal to get a new family picture for your holiday cards this year. They are quick fast paced sessions so they don’t necessarily work for everyone. If your kids tend to need some time to “warm up” in front of the camera or if you ‘d like a lot of variety in your images, different settings, outfits, mix of more posed and natural, unposed images – a full session is recommended. If you are looking to get that ONE good family picture or updated pictures of the kids then the mini sessions are perfect for you. And even if the thought of family pictures is too stressful you can also use any of these session for just the kids. Children must be at least 3 months old.

I am doing things a little different this year and will include high resolution files in the package price. An awesome value if you consider that individual high resolution files are normally $75 with the full sessions! What do you do with those files? You can take these to any print lab and get prints and enlargements at whichever size and quantity you ‘d like. Think about the potential, you could be set for holiday gifts for the whole family!!!I do provide print lab recommendations with those files to ensure best print quality.

Here are the details on the Mini Sessions:

• approx. 20-30 min session for up to 4 family members (must be same immediate family, additional family members are $25)
• 10 fully edited and retouched proofs in online gallery
• Pick 5 High resolution files on CD with print release to print to your heart’s content
• One 8 x 10 print

Saturday, September 25th – The Natural  $325 (tax incl.)

Morning mini sessions held at a natural location around Austin (to be determined)

Natural feel, setting in park or garden area. If you are the outdoorsy type, this setting is for you! Generally works well for babies and toddlers. Babies must be at least 3 months old.

Sunday, October 3rd – The Studio $275 (tax incl.)

Morning mini sessions held at my studio (North Austin/Cedar Park area)

Quick little fun sessions for the kiddos. We have some awesome holiday props and different colored backdrops available. Or to personalize your session, bring your own fun props! Preview from last year

Sunday, October 10th – The Urban $325 (tax incl.)

Morning mini sessions held at an urban location around Austin (to be determined)

More edgy, urban setting. Think urban colors and textures. If you love bright colors and cool textures this is the setting for you. Generally works better for kids that are at least pre-school age.

In addition to the files and print included in the session fee,  I will be offering a range of custom designed holiday cards, 2011 calendars and specialty items such as mini accordion books, canvas prints, press printed coffee table books etc. Please inquire for a full price list.

To reserve your spot for any of these dates please fill out and submit the linked inquiry form. I’ll get back with you shortly to provide more details and let you know what times are available.

Texas sales tax is included in the above listed session fees. Session payment is due at the time of booking to hold your spot. (Checks or paypal payment accepted)

Should you not be able to make it to your scheduled session time due to illness or other unforseen circumstances I will make every effort to provide an alternative date. In case of inclement weather (for the outdoor sessions) an alternative date will be provided. Session fees are not refundable but can be applied towards a future mini session or full session.

I hadn’t seen her in a good 6 months or so, she recently had turned the big One and Oh my, has she changed! Walking, running, a bunch of teeth and a sense of wonder and exploration in every step. We had a blast, besides totally melting during the shoot, she did not mind one bit. She was all game for whatever came her way until the very end when she gave me the “We-are-done-now-aren’t-we-kinda look”. And yeah, the balloons, she didn’t enjoy those one bit!!! Bubbles and balloons – part of the universal photograher’s tool kit

Someone please explain to me how this could possibly be fair! But jealousy aside I adored this beautiful mama and her equally beautiful kids. She seems so relaxed and at ease and glowing.

I wanted to share some of these before baby number 5 arrives, which I know is supposed to be any minute now. I am anxious to meet the little peanut when they come in for their newborn session!

YES, toddlers are challenging to photograph! Always on the move, easily distracted and well if you’ve tried to get your 2-year old to do something you know how hard it can be to get them to listen to instructions, it might happen on the first try or the 50th, or never. Oh and did I mention the triple T threat (Terrible Twos Tantrum)??? Yeah, you know what I mean. BUT it is so rewarding to watch how the whole world unfolds in front of them. I have never seen more awe in a person’s eyes then when those 2-3 year olds find something terribly intriguing (and really this could be ANYTHING, a leaf, a bug, a rock, something you’d consider trash…). I like how it really makes you look at everything differently, through their eyes and turns ordinary objects a lot less ordinary, more wonderful.

I met this sweet little girl and her mommy one hot summer morning a week ago and we went to explore. Her mommy mentioned that she loves to dance and let me tell you this girl has the moves! I hope she keeps groovin’, there’s talent there. We went through our share of coaxing and playing and exploring and a little of the triple T mentioned above but she really gave it her all. She did awesome! And while I am sure her mom thought this wasn’t the way she had envisioned this, we walked away with some amazing images that hopefully show her true personality in all of it’s facets.

A look back at 8 months

These two brothers I got to see a few weeks ago (um, it might have been a month actually now that I think about it :-0). Little bro’ has been busy growing from the last time I’ve seen him and coming up with all kinds of new tricks. Namely he’s turned into a climbing little monkey, is speed crawling to break all kinds of records and is into wearing soccer team shirts. I was especially proud that he owns a German team shirt

Big brother was super sweet albeit in a rambunctious kinda way. I am thinking it won’t be too long before little J. here will take off running. These two are so handsome, aren’t they?

This little man just recently turned one and started walking a little while ago so I knew I wanted to have him show off his new skills for his 1 year session. And the little bridge is perfect, symbolic in his crossing over from babyhood to toddlerhood. I loved his approach when he started walking, all confident, big steps, almost running. Then it went a little downhill and he almost lost his footing but luckily daddy was right there to catch him. This stage when toddlers go from holding on to letting go and toddling around is one of my favorites. So cute to watch, the “drunken sailor walk”!

We’ve had an awesome time and little B. threw many adorable smiles my way. His smile just makes your heart melt, don’t you think?

But don’t be fooled, the young man eats frogs alive! Well, almost. Daddy caught a tiny little frog to show him and he promptly wanted to put it in his mouth. Luckily no child or froggy was harmed in the shooting of these photos, Dad was quick to keep him from actually eating it I wish my kids would be this adventurous with food!

Happy 1st Birthday Big Boy!!!

She wasn’t too keen to really fall asleep, she loved to be tightly wrapped up and seems to love motion. She ‘s happiest in mom or dad (or grandma or grandpa’s) arms. (This so reminds me of our little man, who would only fall asleep being tightly swaddled, walked/rocked and we had to stand in a certain spot in our house where he could look up at the high ceiling. High maintenance!)

I hope they are adjusting well and finding a new family routine. The first couple of weeks are always a period of adjustment, for baby, for mom and dad and of course for little sister. Not even two years herself I can imagine that she’s struggling to make sense of it all. But seeing her with her little baby sis, I know she’ll be fine and slip proudly into her new role.

Cool little story about the hands picture, we did this for big sister’s newborn session, the three generations together. So now we got to add another one to it. Love this one and what it means to have this image captured forever.

This last pic just kills me, she makes these silly little faces and those eyes… beyond words!

I’ve been looking to find a way to have my clients keep their images in a digital format that is easy to look at, can quickly be shared with their friends and family and gives them a way to go back to that photo session and remember the experience, front to back. I feel like the images belong together like a story of that day, a short little glimpse into your family’s life. You should have them forever.

Enter: the slideshow! (Yeah, I know that’s not really a new idea just these are a little different, you’ll see). The slide show will come in an easy to share mp4 video format and in a higher resolution DVD format. They will be available as part of a collections purchase or can be purchased individually. Please inquire for a full price list and further details.

Here’s a sample show of this lovely family of 6 I had the pleasure of photographing during the “bluebonnet bloom” this April.