The Making of a Portrait {Austin Newborn Photographer}

There are so many things that go into a photo session.  Preparation time, consulting with clients to get them the shots they are dreaming of, shooting the session, and then comes editing.  Hours are spent on editing and really taking those captured images and finalizing them in a way that goes with the vision I had during the shoot.

This month, I have done a lot of shopping for photography props.  And I have to say, it is SO much fun!  But I wanted to go into the story of one particular prop and the process of looking for it, buying it, and bringing a creative idea to life through a sweet new life.

I have been on the hunt for living room curtains for months.  I don't think I am that picky... other than price point.  So the fact that it took 3 times of buying (and then returning) curtains shocked me.  (I'm happy to say I finally found some in the right color that fit my budget!)

Anyways... a few weeks ago, little Miles and I headed to Garden Ridge to return curtains.  I thought it would be a quick in/out trip, so I didn't get a shopping cart to put him in.  (Mistake #1.)  When I walked in, I saw all of the beautiful pots, and thought, "I have several newborn shoots coming up... I should go check them out real quick."

Well, "real quick" turned into me finding a few pots, having to set them next to each other in order to pick "the one" - all while trying to keep an almost 2 year old in my arms.  (My fitness background certainly comes in handy with my photography business!)  I just couldn't do it anymore, so I had to set Miles down.  (Mistake #2!)  

That little man was OFF to the races, let me tell you!  He took off, and before I could catch him, he had covered about 3.5 aisles and was just laughing, laughing, laughing!  (I have to admit, although inconvenient, it was cute.)  I grabbed him, grabbed this pretty little pot, and lugged them to the counter thinking, "Oh, Sarah... how hard would it have been to have gotten a cart?!"  Live and learn, right?

Anyways... that is how the idea started... In my head.  Then in Garden Ridge.  And later in my backyard with this beautiful baby girl.  I love this job.

Colorado... Part III

I know it sounds silly, but other than our great times as a family of 3 and seeing all the beautiful sights of Colorado, the other favorite part of our trip for me was sitting at the kitchen table playing with playdough in the mornings.

We don't get to do that much in Austin during the week due to our work schedules, so I soaked up every moment.

 

Colorado... Part II

Here are some more pretty pictures from Colorado.  Talk about a photographer's paradise!

Colorado... Heaven on Earth - Part I

We've been back for a week and a half, and I'm just now getting to blogging about our little family vacation.  It was magical!

I don't know exactly WHAT part of our little family vacation to Colorado was the best part.  It is probably a tie between the following things.

• Laying on a couch and reading a book (an actual BOOK!) at 2:00 in the afternoon.
• Having five whole days to spend with my sweet boys.  Just them, me, and the beauty of Colorado.
• Not having a computer anywhere near me for five days.  That. was. heavenly. 
• Not having to worry about drop-off / pick up schedules and not looking at my daily planner. 

Don't get me wrong - I'm happy to be back in the swing of busy things... but that vacation was heavenly.  It just reminded me how important it is to truly "unplug" from our busy lives for a few days and completely focus on the things that are the most important to you.  And making new memories that we'll always cherish wasn't bad either!

 He got a new bear and named it "Colorado." 

Dreamy... Sweet Baby Girls {Austin Newborn Photographer}

Last week, I had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot with twin baby girls!  Meet Miss Mary and Miss Tamar.

Now - let me tell you why I was so excited about that.  I grew up in a house full of boys.  I was the only girl other than my pretty mama, and I used to beg her for a sister.  (No luck then, but now I have four amazing sister-in-laws!  And my older brothers are the best ones in the world.) 

As an adult, I continue to live in a house full of boys.  Even our 2 pets are boys!  I love my boys... Boys are great - don't get me wrong.  But every now and then it is really fun to be girlie.  So the idea of pink, tutus, flowers, and frilly hats all around made me sing!  

This family was so sweet, and they were so much fun to work with.  More photos coming soon at the "Miles of Smiles Photography by Sarah" facebook page.

Newborn Props

I love props.  Here are some of my newborn props that I use in shoots.  It is fun collecting props... especially anything girlie, as I live in a house full of boys!  For more of my available props, visit the "FAQs" page at http://www.milesofsmilesphotography.com/.

Sweetness Defined {Austin Newborn Photographer}

I'm not sure any words can sum up "sweet baby girl" more than this portrait does.  Sometimes I have to pinch myself and make sure I'm living in reality - where I get to do this as my job.  :)  Don't get me wrong - it is a lot of work... but the rewards (like working with angels like this) are too many to count. 

Isn't little Mary precious?!

Funny Out-take

Sometimes the out-takes are just as cute as the best shots from the session!  This one was just too funny not to share.  Baby sister was just not "havin'" this pose, and big brother was trying so hard to stand still and hold her hands up... but not sure what else to do!  Look at his sweet little concerned face.  Too cute!

Sweet Pea - Part II {Austin Children's Photographer}

I was excited to do a shoot with this family!  They first heard of me from a fun event at my church that I volunteered at last December called "A Wonderful Life."  (Click here.) 

Their mama was supermama!  She came prepared with all sorts of fun things and had puppets playing behind my head.  She was awesome! 

These two were so precious.  You could really see how much this big brother loved his "sister baby" (as he calls her). 

SWEET Pea! {Austin Children's Photographer}

OH my goodness... I am having one of those days where I am just overflowing with excitement for getting to do what I do.  This week has been jam packed with photo sessions and lots and lots of editing, and my brain is overflowing with creativity!  I'm working like crazy to get all editing done and images to clients before we take off for the mountains for a short trip.  Whoo hooo!

Look at the little angel that I got to spend my morning with!  Is she just the cutest thing you've ever seen or what?!  Happy 1st Birthday, Miss I! 

I don't know what was cuter... her incredible big blue eyes - or her beautiful reddish blonde hair.  Precious!

Funny out-take: She wasn't loving it here... but that didn't last long.

Back to smiles and flashing those beautiful blue eyes!

Sweet little necklace.

This little girl defines cuteness!

Sweet M Family {Austin Newborn & Family Photographer}

I had such a lovely time this week doing newborn "W's" pictures, as well as portraits of Mr. J and Miss K.  And tieing it all together with pictures of the sweet kiddos with their pretty mama.  Are these beautiful kiddos or what?!

Check out their mama's web site.  She wrote an incredible book called "The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby."  Click here, and enjoy all of her mama advice and wit. 

The Attitude of Gratitude

I was going through some old photos the other day, and came across this snapshot I took.  It was taken about 10 months ago.  And for me, it has such strong ties associated with it. 

It was taken on my son's first birthday as I had the day off of work and we were enjoying some time at the park in our neighborhood.  He had just learned to walk, and I was reminiscing on the journey of the last year that had taken him from birth to this day in the park.  I have always know that God has loved me, but when I became a mother and felt the love for my son, I understand God's love and plan for me so much more. 

And I remember thinking, "I wonder what the next year will hold for not only my son, but also for me."  I knew I needed to have a job that allowed me to have more time and energy for my son, and my current situation - although an incredible job - was just not fitting that puzzle of my life. 

So when I look at my life that day... less than one year ago - and look at my life today and the way that photography has become such a fun and exciting expression of my creativity, I am blown away. 

I think of all of the amazing families, babies, children, and couples that I have had the joy of serving with my photography, I cannot fight this feeling (and don't want to fight it!) of absolute gratitude. 

And a feeling of pure excitement for what is to come in the upcoming year. 

Thanks to all of my clients - past and future - for making me the luckiest girl in the world.  I truly have the attitude of gratitude.

Hot Dog

Is this a cool dog or what?  You can tell he loves living in this beautiful city...

30 Years Later...

I am a total fan of nostalgia.

When a client came to me and asked if I could recreate photos from 30 years ago of her and her father when she was about 2 years old, I said "ABSOLUTELY!"  This time, it would be her father and her daughter, who is almost 2. 

She wanted to give a photo session to her dad as a gift, and I couldn't wait to revisit the past, but also capture the very sweet present times as well.  What an incredible gift idea, and boy did he ever love the pictures!

Miss "E" and her "Pa" have a very special relationship, as I'm sure he had with his own daughter when she was 2.  They love to explore and just hang out, and they go to breakfast and get pancakes and grits every Tuesday morning.  It was very apparent from watching them (and Ma) interact that they share a very special love.

Here are a few shots from our day, as well as some of the original shots from 30 years ago.