Springtime Fresh - Austin Newborn Photographer

It is raining outside today - hooray, the first real rain we've had in MONTHS! I'm looking forward to seeing the new spring freshness that appears after the first good rain. And lucky me, I am working on a beautiful newborn session, more sweet freshness! Little Miss Rylie came in to see me recently and she was just such a precious baby. No fussiness, all wide awake and alert. And her big brother, Rody, was a real charmer himself. He is going to be an awesome protector to his baby sister, I can tell! Here are a few of my (many) faves from their session...

Isn't mom just gorgeous??

GO VOTE!! Austin Children's Photographer

The voting is still open for the National Charity Model Search. Our sessions have wrapped up but voting is open until April 2. Currently in our city (Houston), one of our own models is in 4th place!! Yay Kayden Miller!! Go here to vote. Each vote costs $1 and goes to an amazing charity. Of course you can vote for any of the adorable kids, but we are partial to the ones that say "teri_mason" in the name :)
Don't forget to send the link to your friends, too! The model from our studio that has the most votes (even if not the overall city winner!) will win a session, a 16x20 canvas print, a $100 gift certificate to Gingersnapskids.com, and more! so GO VOTE!

Lil Buckaroos - Austin Children's Photographer

It's rodeo time here in Central Texas! I have always wanted to do a western theme session around rodeo time, and this year decided to just go for it. My sweet hubby put this amazing wall together for me out of vintage wood and rusted tin, and then scrounged through all his old cowboy gear to create an authentic Texas cowboy set. We've got a saddle, barbed wire, even a real cow skull!! We'll be photographing your lil' buckaroos on March 13 & 14, for only $25 per child. So rustle up those cowpokes and give us a call at 930-1902 to wrangle yourself a session!

Cutie PIE - Austin Baby Photographer

This little guy is a member of our Bright Beginnings Baby Club. This was his second of three sessions during his first year. And oh he is SOOOO CUTE! I swear, I tell his mom "he is just the happiest baby" every time I see them. This session was no exception, he was just as happy as a clam. Loved all my tricks and noises, all the toys I brought out to let him explore. Let's hope we bat 1000 and the one-year is as much fun! Here are a few of my favorites of little G ...

Two's Company - Austin Children's Photographer

I {puffy heart} these kids. I think I first photographed them when G was a newborn, and look at him now, a big FIVE year old. And B has been this gorgeous from the moment I met her. They come to see me at least once each year and I love seeing how much they have grown. I have to applaud you, Heather, for continuing to bring them in for portraits that show their true personalities. The "school-age" years often become a no-man's land of {God-awful} school mugshots, which have as much personality as, well, as a school mugshot! If you have a child this age, I urge you to step outside the box and really capture your child at this age, whether it is at a studio or by taking them out to a park on your own (but man-oh-man even the best pro has a hard time with their own kids, hehe). Off my soapbox, and onto the faves. There were many, but here are the top few ...

Little Miss "C" - Austin Children's Photographer

I'm sure you recognize Cassidy from my site and blog. I have been photographing her for the last several years and it sure has been fun watching her grow. She is a big girl in Kindergarten this year and I'm floored at how much she has changed even since last year's session. She is a natural in front of the camera and we always have so much fun. Here are a few from her "almost six" session...

Why I Do What I Do - Austin Family Photographer

So many times I hear from clients (especially us women) that they want a family portrait but "when I lose 10 lbs" or "when her teeth grow in" or "when ...." While I can relate to all the reasons we give that it's just not the perfect time for a portrait, I know that I get such great joy out of the portraits I have of my grandparents, and my great grandparents. It's funny to imagine your own children with children or grandchildren of their own, but the portraits we create WILL live on to bring joy to their lives.
I came across this video (and I hope I've embedded it correctly, it's from YouTube). I'm sure that many of you have seen it when it was a commercial, but it really reminds me why I do what I do. I love knowing that I am preserving a memory for each family that I touch - so that when those newborn wrinkles are all plumped out, that toothless grin has grown into a handsome teen, or when your "baby" is leaving home for the first time, you'll look back at these portraits, these memories, and smile, and remember.
Enjoy!

Baby, it's a Small World! - Austin Newborn Photographer

When I got the call to photograph this precious newborn, I had no idea that it would be someone I knew long ago. Turns out this little sweetheart's daddy used to be my DENTIST. Like ten years ago! Talk about small world. Anyway, I was thrilled to be able to be photograph this gorgeous family, and thanks to Michele for the referral! Little Parker was just a dream baby - so calm, and wide awake for most of the session. Then after a nice snack, she settled right down and gave us some super sweet sleeping images, too. The perfect session!

I have way too many faves, but here are the top few. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!

With Daddy being a dentist, I just had to include this one of Parker sucking her thumb. I'm sure she won't do it forever (but if she does, you'll have an "in" on the braces! :) )

Isn't this baby pettiskirt the cutest? I have so many of them but not a tiny one like this. Ahhh, more fuel for my addiction ...

She's Growing So Fast! Austin Baby Photographer

The youngest "K" of the Thompson clan just "happened" to be at the studio recently and she is just so darn cute that I grabbed her for a few photos. Her mommy is just the most gorgeous woman and always lets me be creative with her and her brood. Here are a few of my faves from their mini session ...