When It's Good, It's Good

Our pre-session phone consult covered a variety of topics including twins with a best friend dynamic worth capturing. We talked about getting family photos that showed love and life being lived, about connection and quiet. We also discussed places that feel like their own around Dallas and landed on Fair Park for a warm afternoon spent in the sun.

I witnessed that twin thing that is a pair ten-year-olds somehow both childlike and wise beyond their years in the way they seem to know each is a great gift to the other. By the end of the shoot I felt like I'd know this crew forever, and I am thrilled to share the results. The best of sessions are a collaboration between photographer and subjects and when it's good, it's so very good. 

Side note: if you follow me on social media you may have noticed my husband and I have relocated to New England. Dallas friends, have no fear. I will boomerang back for photos (I have 5 portrait weekends available in 2017). If you're in New England, particularly Connecticut, Boston or Cape Cod, I'd love to hear from you! I look forward to continuing to capture families, newborns and the beautiful moments of life here, there and everywhere.

October Daily Photos

With October's close, four months of daily photos have been captured, and the rhythm continues to be meaningful and fun. This month included a ton of work along with a weeklong visit with dear friends from Australia. I saw so many beautiful moments during sessions and weddings and lived so many beautiful moments while working and playing and running and breathing. I love the mix from this month.

October 1: Farmer's market radishes.

October 2: Sweetest sisters at a framily brunch.

October 3: On the eve of my sister's return to work we updated her family photos.

October 4: Evenings at our house are spent playing green bean games with Millie. 

October 5: Hair wash.

October 6: I got to do newborn photos for my friends James and Devon's second son. This was my favorite image. Is there anything better than brothers who are buddies from the get-go?

October 7: I spy a hint of fall.

October 8: Emily on her wedding day.

October 9: He cleaned the house and did all the laundry while I was shooting a wedding, and I came home from work to find them like this.

October 10: One of those portraits that spoke to me when I shot it.

October 11: Adoption.

October 12: State Fair.

October 13: Christina and I run our portrait businesses separately, but when one of our first wedding clients welcomed their sweet girl, we shot their newborn session together. It's so fun when we get to shoot work we usually do as individuals alongside each other.

October 14: Tater came our way for a tennis and birthday date.

October 15: We met Ty's cousin and her family for a photo session in Waco, and this shot... I love that Cole looks like both his baby and big boy self as he clings to his mama's shirt.

October 16: Grandma met Jameson. Here she was sharing mothering advice with Meghan. 

October 17: Dusk.

October 18: Their mama has worked with me for several years now, and she has continually referred me new and amazing clients. I'm grateful for her kindness. I'm also grateful that these girls now know me, that they bring smiles and hugs when they arrive, and that they bring high fives and more hugs when they say goodbye. This is the good stuff of this job.

October 19: Millie. As she is.

October 20: Batman in the shadows. Cat in the light. Probably not what Commissioner Gordon had in mind.

October 21: Super G wore a tie to "look like a college kid." I had the privilege of being his nanny when he was a baby. We had dinner after the session, and after our goodbyes, Ty asked me, "how do we get a kid like that?"

October 22: Gold sequined table cloth for the win.

October 23: Halloween costume approval.

October 24: It was shocking. Apparently. Sweet Carson was just 5-days-old at his newborn session!

October 25: Kate (and Steve) arrived from Australia, and we spent the day after drinking coffee and shopping and laughing and talking, and my world was better for it. Emily Dickinson's, "my friends are my estate" rings true.

October 26: Two of our favorite people in one of our favorite places.

October 27: A wetsuit was required, but Steve learned to wakeboard, and we skied the sun down.

October 28: No costume required.

October 29: If guests from Australia during the lead-up to Halloween, then take them to Target because consumer culture at it's finest.

October 30: Scary handsome. First Halloween.

October 31: I spy a peacock princess raiding the trick-or-treat giveaway stash.

Everyday Extraordinary

Allison and Adam first contacted me before their firstborn arrived, and from the time we did that initial maternity session they've wanted photographs that reflect the simple beauty of everyday life. Our sessions have been conversational and low-key, allowing me glimpses into a family's growth and change over time. When we did family photos last year, Allison told me she was expecting twins, and we pencilled in a newborn session. I never imagined when booking that session that their newborn session would shift to a family session a few months later. The boys arrived early, and their precious Sam never left the hospital. You can read more of their story on their blog. I found myself amazed at the extraordinary courage this family displayed.

I am so glad Allison and Adam decided to do this session at home, letting the nuances of their family shape the session's flow. Home often trumps the most interesting of locations, because it's so decidedly specific and familiar. This session was passing boys back and forth, reading stories, tickling bellies and a demonstration of the great love that belongs uniquely to one family. The desire to honor Sam was an integral part of this session, and we did some photos in his memory. That said, the truth is they honor Sam all day every day in the way they love and care for one another and his brothers. It is beautiful to see. 

Incredibly Not Perfect

When Caitlin inquired about booking a session for her family, their third with me, she thought a lot about what she wanted to preserve about this season with her brood. Just before their shoot  she sent me an email that said, "I've finally decided to face the fact that every time my family is in front of a camera I try very hard to make us all look 'perfect.' (I use quotation marks because it's really such a farce.) Well, despite my efforts, my family and I are so incredibly NOT perfect... And I just can't do masks anymore...

"...Where I am now is that I want REAL... even if the cost is imperfect pictures where the darkness is captured along with the light." I heard a quiet yes resonate in me as I read her email. I knew their session would be something special from the moment Caitlin shared her heart. And it was. It really was. We hiked the muddy woods the children love. We wandered and talked and paused and laughed. It was incredibly not perfect. It was incredibly real and raw. Mostly it was incredibly beautiful.

This session makes me want to capture these kinds of photos for all the families I work with. They move me. I hope they move you.

Sunsets and Sweetness

Shelly and Justin were some of my first clients, and I'm amazed at all the goodness in their lives. I've had the privilege of capturing so many significant moments. This session, Riley's six-month and Cooper's three-year session, took place a couple of months after both significant dates. That meant Miss Riley was sitting up and Mr. Cooper had even more words than you can imagine a precocious kiddo having. I love these kids. I love this family.

We played and laughed and carried on, and towards the end Justin headed to the playground with Cooper so that Shelly and Riley could do a few nursing shots. They are among my favorites from this beautiful family in all of our years together. I love her chubby hand reaching up, her feet kicking wildly, the sun setting in the distance. It was one of those sacred moments in my little corner of the world when everything seemed just right.

Austin at Three Months in Black and White

The black and whites of Austin's three-month session: this boy is loved, cherished and wanted by a proud big brother and a busy big sister. His pudgy feet kicked and kicked as their play surrounded him. His patient mama redirected them when it was time for Austin's solo portraits, but they hovered close, watching me and doting on him. I've worked with Austin's family on an ongoing basis for the better part of three years, so capturing this little man growing up makes my day. Isn't he adorable?

Magic Light and Real Life

Real talk: the families who sign up for a session at the day's end when the light is golden and beautiful have regular kids, meaning kids who get tired and are sometimes a *wee bit* grumpy towards the end of the day. When Andrew and Alex arrived for family photos they'd had a big day, so we spent a few minutes just kinda being. Real talk, part two: almost any kids, given the undivided attention of their parents at the park will warm up and get distracted from said end-of-day *ahem* challenges.  A little bit of play, a whole lot of laughing, some fast running and a good bit of interacting created one of my favorite spring family sessions this year. So much love shines through in these photos. 

If your photo shoot feels a little crazy while in process, have no fear. Good stuff is happening, and it looks like what is uniquely beautiful in any given family, through a camera lens. I love this job.

Almost Trio: A Maternity Session

Jessica and Sam's dynamic duo of brothers will expand into a trio in a few short weeks, and I got to take a few photos as they await the arrival of their new guy. It was the muddiest day, and the boys were so excited to have an excuse to get their feet dirty and play. I've done sessions with this crew for several years, so the kids know me. I love that the familiarity yields stunning results every time, and I love that I'm getting to watch a family grow and change and make room for one more. Such a sweet time. I cannot wait to post newborn photos soon!

Just a reminder that I'm running a maternity and newborn special through August, so if these photos appeal to you and you or someone you know is expecting in that time frame (or in the fall... the special can be extended by paying a retainer while it is running), I'd love to hear from you. Pricing starts at $425 for 20 digital files, a $125 savings with the option to upgrade to the full gallery. Maternity sessions are minis priced at $275, a $75 savings and include 10 digital files with the option to upgrade to the full gallery. Some restrictions apply. So excited to fill my summer calendar with beautiful bumps and babies!

Brand New Big Sisters Make the Sweetest Newborn Session Magic

Poppy's arrival meant two-year-old Violet graduated to a new role of big sisterhood. I love seeing the way a family grows and expands not just in number when a newborn comes home. Hearts open wide and even the tiniest toddlers discover they are capable of great big love. Violet's busy, big-girl-self nestled alongside of sleepy Poppy was not the only magic moment at the session, but it is a good place to start in sharing a family's warm welcome of a second beautiful daughter. 

Newborn sessions are day in and day out among my favorites, and in sharing this session I want to share that I am running a newborn special through the summer. Full newborn sessions with all digital files are $550 (a $300 savings) or with 25 digital files are $425 (a $125 savings). Maternity options are also available. If you or someone you know is due June through August, I'd love to hear from you. I want all families to have beautiful photographs like Poppy's sweet session!