Power of Pink!

This lovely group of ladies is the "S" family. Marsha and I have been friends for almost TWENTY years (I hate saying that because that makes me feel old...). She was a wonderful mentor and friend to me when I started out teaching, way back in 1990. A few years ago, Marsha was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I'm happy to say is doing GREAT, not to mention looking FABULOUS! She is a great inspiration to me, both professionally and personally, and I am thrilled that she brought her daughter and granddaughter in to have portraits made. They all three wore the most gorgeous pink pearls and I love the images so much! Here are a few of my favorites.

I also want to say THANK YOU to Marsha for being a great friend to me all these years - teaching me things, looking out for me, trusting me and always supporting me!

Little Charmer

This is little Mr. "R" who came in to see me recently. He is only 2 (and a half) but he was such a mature little guy. And what a smile! He had me at hello, really :) We traipsed around the studio grounds and found all sorts of treasures. We even had some fun tossing leaves - almost looks like we have a "real" fall around here (which everyone knows is like 15 minutes total)!!
I know his mom is anxious for a sneak peek. I had so many faves from this session, Brandy, you are definitely going to want them all :)

Cowboy Christmas!

Leigh has been bringing her boys to me every Christmas since her oldest was a baby. This year she wanted to incorporate their little cowboy clothes, who they "really" are. I came up with the cutest Cowboy Christmas set! The guys looked adorable, even though little "K" wouldn't keep his hat on after the first few minutes. Big "K" was a trooper, as always, and kept his adorable smile on the entire time! I think he was just excited to go out and see the chickens afterward!
The Cowboy Christmas set is available to anyone who wishes to use it, now that we know how to do it :) Here are a few of my faves...

All-American Girl

Meet Marissa, a gorgeous soon-to-be graduating senior!! She is the most well-rounded girl I have seen in a good while. She brought in so many fun activities to show off who she "is" as a senior - her cooking gear, her violin, her favorite team jersey (Hook 'Em!!). We had a great time both in the studio and all around the grounds with her Artist Choice session - we even took a little trip to the railroad tracks - a favorite with kids this age. I know Marissa is anxious to see a sneak peek, so here are a few of my (many) favorites.

I Love This Family!

The "T" family is one of my new favorite families this year. I met Cheri when she came in for maternity portraits, along with her two "K's." Then I met the third and newest little "K" for her newborn session. They were in the midst of selling their home (which I cannot imagine with two under five and a newborn - she is one strong woman!!) and did not get to hang the portraits.
This past week, she called to schedule a family session and sent me the SWEETEST note, which I am sharing below, along with a few faves from their session this weekend. Thanks, Cheri, you really, really made my week with your kind words!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with me!
Teri,

I just wanted to take a quick second to thank you for making our new house our home. Not sure if you remembered or not, but our house was on the market when I came in for my maternity/family session back in April and it was still on the market when we came back for Kohen's newborn session in May. For months, I longed to display our AMAZING portraits from our sessions, but since our house was on the market I kept my prized art neatly and safely packed away. From time to time, I would open my Teri Mason boxes, smile, reminisce, and visualize how I would display our portraits once our house came off the market. Our house remained on the market for 6 long months and was due to expire at the end of July. Can you believe that we got an offer on our expiration date and our house sold? Long story short, I never got to display our portraits in our house since it sold. In September we moved into our new house, but it did not feel like home to me. However, that all changed when I got to display our portraits from our prior sessions. They brought back so many special memories and gave me a sense of peace. I finally felt at home in our new house. You captured our family so perfectly. Your art work has brought me so much happiness and every time I walk past our portraits, I stop, stare, and think to myself that I have been so blessed. Teri, you are truly an amazing artist and I want to thank you for making our new house our new home and for capturing such beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. I'm very much looking forward to our upcoming family portrait session. Thanks again!!!!

Sincerely,

Cheri Thompson

And no session with small children is without some funny outtakes... I love how Cheri & Ken are so calm in the midst :)

Stylish Family by the Creek

I met Judy at the Sisterhood Gathering a few weeks ago. She hired me to come to their home for a session, initially for just her grandson, but we ended up photographing the whole family, and I'm so glad we did. Their home is located on a gorgeous creek, I was so excited! They were such a sweet family. Clay, who just turned 16, was really great and patient with all my poses - maybe just trying to "be good" because he's in the running for a car?? And, wow, their outfits were GREAT! I think the red is going to be perfect on their holiday card! Here are a few of my favorites...

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!!

Georgetown has a new restaurant - and my dear hubby Will is one of the chefs!! Well, he's technically still in culinary school, but he is cooking up a storm at the new Silver and Stone restaurant, owned & managed by Chef James Ramsey. The menu is HOT HOT HOT and you will want to get over there soon! The grand opening is this Friday night (10/24) but they are already open and if you want a treat with less waiting (hint hint), get in there this week! As soon as the word gets around, I know it's going to be "the" place to go eat in G'town! And not just b/c of my own (former) personal chef :)
Oh - and if I have spoken to you and told you the location, please consider that a BLONDE moment, since the restaurant IS in the new medical building on Austin Avenue - not the street behind (that was where the interviews were held - duh!!).
Check it out!! Oh, and be sure to let them know you heard about it from ME (or Will, hehe).

A Run for My Money!!

This sweet family came in last week and boy, little Mr. "L" gave me a run for my money! I know that his mom and VERY patient dad are thinking we surely got nothing. I assured them that I am used to rambunctious toddlers and that they'd be pleasantly surprised. I think they will be thrilled! And of course, the pretty Miss "A" was delightful. Here are a few of my faves of this beautiful family...

Gorgeous Outdoor Family

I traveled all the way to Elgin for this session, and boy, was it WORTH it! The "T" family was so wonderful to work with, and their home property was just stunning! Being somewhat of a country girl myself these days, I can certainly appreciate a wide expanse of hills and trees. Of course, Stephen thought I was crazy to leave behind the areas he had neatly mowed and head toward the shaggy areas on the fringe of the property. What can I say, but the light there was too pretty to pass up!
After some fun with the girls, we were joined by the rest of the clan. What a fun time, feeding the fish, playing with the dogs and riding on the golf cart. I really enjoyed the time I spent with this family. Here are a few of my favorites (and yes, Amy, you are going to have a hard time choosing!!)

Yes, you do see a "Hook 'Em Horns" sign!! This is an AGGIE family, hehe, but you all know that anytime I see the Hook 'Em sign, it makes the blog :)