Pretty In Pink {Austin Baby Photographer}

I love doing infant portrait sessions.  Those sweet cheeks, chubby legs, the baby's ability to sit up but not yet run away from my camera... Those are just a few of the things I adore about infants. 

I also love capturing this time in a baby's life, because soon comes the first birthday, and we all know how fast time flies and babies grow after that!  The 9-month session is really their last "little baby" stage.  

Nothing says girly more than pink and pearls.  Love this sweet-cheeked 9-month old and all the fun we had during this little session!

I am gearing up for all of the sweet newborn, infant, child and family sessions to come in 2013!  Don't forget - we also do Cake Smash Sessions... perfect for a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd birthday.  Click here and here for more info. on that.  And ask us about our Baby's First Year plan for big savings!

The B Family: Maternity & Newborn Sessions {Austin Family Photographer}

I got a phone call from Rachel about 3-4 weeks before her due date, and she said she realized last minute that she wanted to have maternity portraits done during this (her second) pregnancy.  She had them done during her first pregnancy, and realized that the second pregnancy needed some documentation, too.  :)  She took advantage of my Maternity + Newborn Session Combo discount, and away we went!

I know how much I love looking back at my maternity portraits.  Was pregnancy the most glorious or glamorous time of my life?  Definitely not.  However, once that baby is born and grows like crazy, it is amazing (!!) to look back on those images and realize where it all began.  And it brings back memories of how that sweet baby moved inside my belly, or the very first time I held him (and her).  (I do try to forget about the fact that my daughter didn't let me sleep through the night during the last 7 months of my pregnancy with her.) 

Pregnancy in and of itself is just a miracle, and the miracle continues with the birth of that tiny little newborn.  Above my daughter's changing table are a few framed maternity portraits on the wall, and I just love saying to her "Who is that in my belly?" as we look at them and she just smiles that big (almost) toothless grin of hers. 

I enjoyed meeting the B Family at the maternity session.  Little Andrew just couldn't wait to be a big brother and help care for his baby Sis.  (That reminded me so much of my own son when we were preparing for his Sissy's arrival.) 

And then I enjoyed seeing them a few weeks later once sweet little Paige arrived. 

Sweet Paige was an amazing newborn to work with.  She is one of those "dream babies" for photographers who just pretty much sleeps the whole time (with a little extra help from the environment I set up for the babies I work with).  I love how our session turned out, and love that her home now has images (and soon to include two beautiful canvas gallery wraps when they arrive) hung on the walls to remember this special time in their lives. 

To the B Family: It was a pleasure working with you.  Thank you so much for the sweet review (click here) of your Miles of Smiles Photography experience.  I look forward to watching your family grow and documenting it through my camera.  Happy Holidays to you!

The W Family... Take III {Austin Family Photographer}

To say I enjoy working with the W Family would be an understatement.  It has been so fun watching them as a couple, then watching them prepare for their baby's arrival, and now watching them as parents.  Not to mention the fact that it has been fun watching their sweet baby grow!  She's such a doll.

Photography itself is such a rewarding journey for me.  Going from an idea in my head... to bringing it to life through my camera... and then finalizing it with editing and creation of custom artwork for my clients.  And it is so rewarding to get to be on this journey with families like this. 

Click here for their newborn shoot and here for maternity session.

Here is a sneak peek from our session. 

A Big Thank You... Looking Back on 2012

As I sit here (image below was taken as I'm typing this blog post) reflecting on 2012, I have so much gratitude in my heart for the incredible people, babies, children and families that I have gotten to work with this year and for all that I have learned from the many webinars, books, conferences, and educational things that I have completed in 2012.

You see, photography is not a hobby for me.  It is my job.  One that I take very seriously... one that helps feed my children... one that I work very hard at - and very interesting hours for.  But one that I wouldn't trade for any other job in the world.  And the last two years of Miles of Smiles Photography have been nothing short of amazing, action packed, and rewarding.

2012 has been a year of huge changes for me.  It was the year that I made the leap and left my secure job to pursue photography full time.  It was the year that I put my belief of knowing what hard work, dedication, and creativity would bring if I just believed in it and jumped in without reserve.  It was the year that I pursued the one thing that would allow me to work, but also to have much more time with my children during the week.  It was the year that my sweet baby girl was born and joined her big brother, daddy, and me.  It was the year that I implemented numerous business changes.  And it was pretty much a year that I believe defined the journey that my life is taking the next decade or longer. 

That picture above... the one of me holding my baby girl while working at my desk today is so symbolic of where my life is at right now.  (Notice from the picture that my office sometimes doubles as a baby entertainment space, prop storage, home gym, and creation station.)  Of course, I miss the people, salary, health benefits, and security of my previous full time job (I used to be the Fitness/Wellness Program Coordinator at the University of Texas).  But do you know what I never got to do during my work week there?  I never got to do the one thing I'm doing in that picture above.  Hold my baby.  Cook my son lunch.  Snuggle with the kids before their nap.  The list goes on and on... And that is ultimately what jump started Miles of Smiles Photography in 2010 when my son, Miles, was just a tiny little thing, and took it from an idea to a business.

So, with an enormous amount of gratitude in my heart for all of my wonderful clients, Facebook followers, and encouragers... I thank you for an incredible 2012.  And with excitement, I look forward to 2013 and seeing what God has in store for Miles of Smiles Photography, the Miles of Smiles Photography family, and my own little family.

Wishing you and yours a very blessed holiday season, and a year of unforgettable love and fun in 2013.

Snapshots with Santa {Austin Family Photographer}

I have to say, Snapshots with Santa is one of my favorite events each year.  For one, I absolutely love the community that I live in, and I love getting to serve the people here.  I grew up in a town of 1,200 people and I feel like my subdivision is my little "slice" of "small hometown" goodness here in this big old (but awesome) city.  Also, I love doing Santa pics because there are usually three reactions that children have... and it is hilarious to witness.

Number one reaction: The child is SO excited to meet Santa and runs right up to him, hugs him, looks him over, tells him exactly what they are hoping for this Christmas, and acts like Santa is their best bud.

Number two reaction: The child is excited but SO shy and isn't quite sure what to think about Santa, sitting on his lap, or having a picture taken with him.  This is usually calmed by Santa giving the child a candy cane, and usually, a small smile appears in time for me to snap a portrait of it.

Number three reaction: Sheer and utter fear.  Santa is such a nice man... I love getting to work with him each year at this time.  But Santa doesn't love when parents shove a screaming baby onto his lap.  So we work together... Santa and me... as a team, to make sure the children who are super scared get a little distance and comfort while they visit Santa man.

My kids had a great reaction to Santa this year.  Miles ran right up to him this year (unlike last year), and little Avah didn't even realize she was on his lap, because she was too busy focusing on Mommy taking pictures of her.  :)  

Here is a tiny little peek into my day with Santa.  It was wonderful serving the adorable children and families here in my "hometown subdivision," and I am already looking forward to Snapshots with Santa in 2013!

Fun Day at the Park... Take 2 {Austin Family Photographer}

I always have fun working with this family.  (Click here for last year's session.)  These two kiddos have grown so much since last year!  If you are a patient of this Doctor, you'll be seeing my portraits on the walls of her exam room.   

When I see boys who are 5, I just can't believe that my own little Miles will be like that in 2 years.  He's already changed so much from 2 to 3... I can only imagine how much he'll change by the time he is 5.  I always tell him, "Mama's not going to let you grow up."  And he just giggles, shakes his head, and says, "Well of course I am going to grow up.  But I'll always be your boy."  Oh, what a bond a mamas have with their little boys.  And don't even get me started on seeing little girls who are 2 or 3, and envisioning my little Avah at that age.  (I'm in denial that in a few months, I'll be planning her first birthday party already!)

Enjoy a sneak peek into our session.

Saxon's 3rd Birthday Party

I enjoyed doing sweet Saxon's 3rd birthday party pictures recently.  It is always fun working with this family.  I did big sister Suri's birthday party last year and look forward to doing it again this December.  And of course, there is one of my favorite sessions to date... the wildflower session (click here). 

Here is a little preview of Saxon's party at Little Gym.  Complete with an entertaining visit from Rapunzel! 

HUGE 48-Hour Sale on Canvas Gallery Wraps!

HUGE Canvas Gallery Wrap Sale!  2 days only!  Available Nov. 29 & 30 to the first 10 people who email me with a purchase.  The perfect gift for yourself or a loved one this holiday season.  Canvas gallery wraps look great in any room in your home... from a living room to a playroom, or a master bedroom or child's room!

(The "link" I'm referring to in the image below is the page you're currently viewing.)

What is a canvas gallery wrap?  Your image is printed on beautiful gallery canvas (which gives it incredible texture) and is then stretched around a frame.  Such a cool and timeless way to display your favorite images!  No framing needed.  Our professional canvas gallery wraps have an enclosed back (see image below), sturdy interior, and come ready to hang, which makes them MUCH more sturdy and long-lasting than many wraps on the market that have a bare frame on the back and no interior structure to the canvas. They are sturdy, but light and very easy to hang with just one small nail. 

Details: 

• For Miles of Smiles Photography clients / any image taken by Miles of Smiles Photography in the last 2 years.
• Sale is on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 29 and 30 only and is limited to the first 10 clients who email me about a purchase.  To be fair to all clients, there are no exceptions to the sale dates.
• A la carte only.  Not included or available with any Collection or package.
• Available for pickup only.  We are located in South Austin.

To take advantage of this sale, email Sarah at milesofsmilesphotography@yahoo.com and she will email you with details.  Orders must be placed and paid for within 24 hours of receiving PayPal notice from Sarah.   From date of order, it will take about 4 weeks to receive products. (Due to our schedule and upcoming travel, we cannot guarantee them by Christmas.)

SALE Pricing (You save 45%!!)
Tax is not included, but will be added to all orders.  Price of shipping to our studio is included in the pricing below.

• 10x10: $99 (You save $81!)
• 12x12: $110 (You save $90!)
• 11x14: $110 (You save $90!)
• 16x20: $148 (You save $122!)
• 16x24: $192.50 (You save $157.50!)

 This is what the back of the canvas looks like.

The L Family {Austin Family Photographer}

This family was so much fun to work with! 

Working with Jack and Josie made me really look forward to the years to come with my little Miles and Avah.  Jack just adored his little sister, and she adored him right back.  Their sweet hugs and cuddles during the session were 100% genuine, and it was so sweet to watch.  At one point, I even had to ask their parents, "Is this for real?"  And they assured me it was.  I can't believe this will be my kiddos in five years or so. 

Such a sweet family, and so much love between each of them.  It was a pleasure getting to serve them and capture such sweet moments in their family's life.  As these kids' mom and I sat down at the ordering session and I started the slideshow of images for her, she kept saying, "I'm so glad we did this!"  And, "You captured exactly who she is!"  That, my friends, is the best feedback a photographer gal like me could ask for.  I love this job and what it allows me to do for my amazing clients, and I am grateful to get to serve families like the L Family. 

Enjoy a sneak peek into our morning.

Cooper & His Family... Take II {Austin Family Photographer}

I was excited to see the W Family again recently on the morning of my mini-session specials this fall.  Last year, when I first met them (click here), Cooper's mama warned me that they were unphotogenic.  I'm certain that isn't true... And I love "proving them wrong" with adorable portraits of their sweet little family.  :) 

I love working with children, and am SO thankful that I'm a mama myself.  I have so many "get them to smile tricks" up my sleeve, and most were learned from working with my own kiddos.  There is something about having a 3 year old and little baby that just helps you "get it" as a child photographer.  For this session, there was a whole lot of talk about trucks, animal sounds, and I can't even say what else we talked about to get this little guy to laugh... but it rhymes with oogers.  :)

Enjoy a sneak peek into our mini-session. 

Mr. Holden... One Year Later {Austin Family Photographer}

I swear... I have the best clients in the world.  And I love being able to serve them year after year and to get to watch their sweet kiddos grow up.

I first met the D family last year about this time when little Holden had just turned one.  I remember how amazingly (!) blue his eyes were.  (Click here for last year's cuteness... still one of my favorite holiday themed shots.)  And this year he was such a big boy.  And so sweet.

It was such a pleasure serving the D family again with their mini-session, and even getting to do a few headshots for Holden's daddy.

Enjoy the blue-eyed cuteness.

Little Man Weston is 1! {Austin Family Photographer}

I'm so glad I could squeeze in the R family for a mini-session this fall as little man Weston turned one!  Oh, did he ever bring back memories of my sweet Miles turning one a few years ago. 

Raising toddlers and babies is certainly no walk in the park, but OH how sweet and rewarding the sweet little moments and cuddles are!  But as we all know, the "tiny years" go so quickly!  And that, my friends, is why I do what I do... I help other mamas like myself freeze those moments of squishy cheeks, "mama" and "dada" vocabularies, and those oh-so-sweet cuddles.

Enjoy a sneak peek from our session in their back yard.  I even got to enjoy Weston's daddy performing a few songs for him while I snapped away behind the camera. 

Cute Charlotte {Austin Family Photographer}

One of the best parts of my job as a photographer is getting to work with families again and again.  I love creating a photography experience for them from start to finish... one that they enjoy coming back for each year.  And I love that they allow me to capture such special moments in their families' lives year after year. 

I first met the M family last year around this time when Miss Charlotte was turning one.  What a big girl she has become in the last year!  Her mom and dad are so in love with her, and rightly so... she's a doll.

Enjoy a sneak peek from our mini-session. 

Sweet Violet {Austin Newborn and Family Photographer}

As I sit here typing this with my 7 month old daughter sitting on my lap (how is she 7 months old already?!), I find that I am just such a sap for newborn sessions.  This one was no different.

Sweet Violet was ten days new when we did her portrait session, and let me tell you, her two big brothers were already so in love with her.  It was so sweet to watch.  It made me wonder if my two older brothers felt the same way when I entered the world way back when. 

What a lovely family of five they are, and what a pleasure it was to capture such sweet and special times for them to enjoy forever.  I have the best job in the world... freezing special moments like this in time and documenting the newborn tiny-ness that is over in a matter of mere days.  And then turning those sweet moments into artwork for my clients' homes.  I feel incredibly blessed to get to do what I love and work with such great people in the process.

Enjoy a little peek into our session.

Violet's mom had always wanted to have a portrait of her daughter laying on her wedding dress one day.  I love that we made that dream into something tangible that she can hang on her walls and something that will melt her heart for many years as she watches her sweet baby girl grow, and one day get married herself.

Savannah - Class of 2013 {Austin Senior Photographer}

What a beautiful night it was for this senior portrait session in one of my favorite green spaces. 

I love Austin this time of year because a) the heat has let up! and b) it is so green right now.  Last year at this time (due to the terrible drought we had), the grassy areas were just yellowed and crunchy.  This fall, everything is green, lush, and even full of yellow wildflowers right now.  Love it! 

Savannah is such a sweet gal... I know she will be a big success wherever her college career leads her!

Cute {Austin Family Photographer}

This family was just cute, cute, cute. 

The R Family {Austin Family Photographer}

Miles of Smiles Photography just celebrated our second birthday this weekend, and OH did I have fun doing some amazing shoots with adorable families!

I enjoyed every minute of my session with the adorable R Family.  What adorable little men they have, and how stylish all four of them are!  Their mama is a super creative gal with her photography business.  And she even made little E's bowtie!  She is doing my family's portraits in a few weeks.  We are like a zoo on wheels sometimes, so it will be fun having someone else in charge of capturing my kiddos on camera.  Like any mom, I know that taking pictures of your own kids can be quite the adventure sometimes.  :)

It is always a treat getting to shoot in downtown Austin.  We live in such a beautiful city!  We had a great morning together, and I just love how these turned out.  Enjoy a sneak peek from our session together.

I'm loving the "R" on the building in the first image below... for the "R" Family.

The B Family {Austin Family Photographer}

I had so much fun doing the B family's session in downtown Austin earlier this fall.  Beautiful city in the background, and such a nice (not to mention hilarious) family to work with.   I am so blessed to get to work with such amazing clients in this business.

Enjoy a sneak peek from our session.

The E Family - Iowa Mini-Sessions

Here is a sneak peek into one more of my Iowa mini-sessions from earlier this month.  I have known B for many years, as she was my hair stylist from my early high school years on.  In fact, any time I am back, I always land in her styling chair for a haircut and highlight! 

She and her husband just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, and she decided it was time to update the pictures in their home, so she booked a mini-session.  We even got to include their adorable grandkids in the session.  Whoa... talk about the bluest eyes I may have ever seen!  These sweet kids were so fun to work with.

Oh... and another bonus... We got to include his amazing car.  L rebuilt this car from scratch.  It was amazing to see before, during, and after pictures of this car.  Talk about a labor of love, and something that they will cherish forever!  So cool.  

Enjoy the sneak peek...

And here's to 30 more wonderful years, E family!  

The VP Family - Iowa Mini-Sessions

I always enjoy getting back to Iowa in the fall, and have started doing annual mini-sessions there every October.  I'm already looking forward to October 2013 in Iowa!

It was great working with the VP family and meeting their sweet kiddos.  I went to high-school with their pretty mommy and played basketball, volleyball, and ran track with her.  And I even used to "go out with" (as we called it in Junior High) her younger brother when I was in 7th grade and then went to prom with him my Senior year.  You see, when you grow up in a town of 1,200, everyone really does know everyone.  :) 

It is always cute seeing how high school friends' lives turn out.  And how sweet their families are.  This little family of four is just beautiful all around.

Enjoy a sneak peek into the VP family Iowa mini-session!

Sweet Sidney {Austin Newborn Photographer}

This little gal might have been small, but she was mighty!

I first met her mama when she still had a few months left in her pregnancy.  We planned to do a maternity session and then follow that up several weeks later with a newborn session.  But little Sidney had other plans.  She decided to come about six weeks early - before we even had a chance to do the maternity session. 

We may not have been able to get the maternity session in, but we certainly captured plenty of cuteness at her newborn session.  Little Sidney was a little less than six pounds, but she was around four weeks old at our newborn session, so she was quite alert.  With a little bit of my "baby whisperer" magic, I got her nice and sleepy. 

The perfect addition to a sweet family...

Fall Mini Session Specials are Here! Limited Availability...

I am excited to announce my fall mini-session specials and FREE holiday cards for 2012!  My calendar is almost booked for the rest of 2012, so get your full or mini-session scheduled and we'll get you on the calendar.  I cannot wait for all of the families and adorable babies and children coming up in fall sessions!  

TEXAS MINI-SESSIONS: October 27 and November 3, 2012
Location: South Austin (Beautiful park area near MoPac and Slaughter Ln)

•       Sat, October 27^th  30-minute sessions between 8am-10:30am
•        Sat, Nov. 3^rd   30-minute sessions between 8am-10:30am; 5:30-6:30pm
•       Refer a Friend and Get Rewarded! 
• For every friend you refer, you will receive a FREE gift print (8x10 or smaller) of your choice!   (Refer 5 friends = get 5 gift prints!!)  Your referral must book a session this fall and mention your first and last name on their client paperwork.  Referral rewards are non-transferrable and hold no cash value.

PACKAGE 1: $450 + tax (Most popular!  Over $800 value.)
Let us do all the work for you and guarantee that your prints get printed professionally and quickly.  They will be ready for those frames in your home and gifts for your loved ones!  The best part?  Once you pick your images, you don't have to lift a finger!  (This is the perfect package for getting gift prints to give grandparents for holiday gifts.)

Includes a 25-minute session and: 

• 7 gift prints of your choice (8x10 or smaller)
• 1 11x14 mounted wall portrait
• 8 high-resolution images on a CD (the same poses as your prints) with print release
• 20% off our a la carte pricing menu on prints, products, and boutique frames 
• An online viewing gallery available for one week to share with family and friends
• PLUS a gift of 48 4x6 holiday photo cards and a Facebook timeline image!  

PACKAGE 2: $275 + tax (A $350 value.)
Includes a 25-minute session and: 

• An 8x10 gift print
• 4 high-resolution images on a CD with a print release
• PLUS a gift of 24 4x6 holiday photo cards.  See digital options note below.
• Additional prints and boutique products are available for purchase. 
  

Contact me (milesofsmilesphotography at yahoo dot com) with any questions and to book your session.  Prices include up to 5 people.  Please add $15/person above that. 

CARD OPTIONS: Sessions include a gift of free 4x6 photo holiday cards!

Please note: Text on card can be customized (ex: instead of "Merry Christmas," it can say, "Happy Holidays," "Happy Everything," "Happy New Year," etc.  Additional cards are available at a great cost, and/or you can upgrade to 5x7s as well.  Contact us with questions.

Info needed from you: 

1. Your card choice.  (Card titles are on each card template below.)
2. Text for the card (Word for word how you want it to read.  It needs to be about the same number of words as you see on the templates so that the text fits.)
3. The images you want.  (For vertical spots, choose a vertical image.  For horizontal/landscape spots, choose that type of image so that they fit in given space.

Click on images below to enlarge.

Tan 1-Image Holiday Card: 

Tan 3-Image Holiday Card

Red Star Card:

Teal and Yellow 2-Image Card

Teal 4-Image Card

Tan 3-Image Vintage Card:

Red Ornament 3-Image Card:

Green/Red Snowflake Card:

6 Square Image Card:

3 Image Tan with Wrap Card:

Don't forget to refer your friends.  Referrals = Freebies for you!  

The J Family - Iowa Mini-Sessions

I always have such a great time working with the J family when I head back to Iowa for mini-sessions in the fall.

This pretty mama is my cousin.   I remember being in the waiting room the night she was born.  And I very vividly remember her being about 4 years old (and I was about 7) and standing outside my rabbit shed (after I told her something she probably didn't want to hear) saying, "Fine then.  I won't be your friend anymore!"  Well, I'm glad to say that all ended happily, and we are great friends.  :)  She even went up to Alaska with me one of the summers I worked there.  And she is a supermama and such a loving wife to her hubby.  She makes an older cousin proud!

Enjoy a sneak peek from the J family's Iowa mini-session.  Can't wait for Iowa mini-sessions in the fall of 2013!

The P Family - Iowa Mini Sessions

I had such a wonderful time working with the families in Iowa earlier this month during my mini-sessions there!  It is always great to get back to where I grew up, and even more fun now to do portrait sessions while I am there. 

It is so funny... in Austin, we are just begging for the weather to turn somewhat cool.  (Cool for us in the fall is a high of 75.)  And in Iowa, we were begging for the weather to be somewhat warm.  (It was nice and warm the day we got there, but then there was a five day cold-front with overnight lows of 20 degrees and highs of about 45 or 50.)  But even in the chilly weather, we were able to get in some great sessions! 

The P family was so much fun to work with.  These three kiddos were not only adorable, but also very well behaved.  The kids' grandma gave the session to her son and daughter-in-law as a Christmas present.  Now that is a gift that keeps on giving! 

I love the way their portraits turned out.  Here is a sneak peek.

HUGE SPECIAL for Senior Portraits: FREE 11x14 Canvas Gallery Wrap

For Miles of Smiles Photography FACEBOOK FANS only: ("Like" us at "Miles of Smiles Photography by Sarah")

Starting October 15th: Anyone who books a Senior Portrait session by October 19th, 2012 will receive a beautiful 11x14 canvas gallery wrap for FREE!  (Valued at $200!) 

Take advantage of this great offer and book your Senior Portrait session today.  Spots are limited.  Session must take place before February 28th, 2013. 

Please visit our Seniors by Sarah Jordan page at http://www.milesofsmilesphotography.com/seniors-by-sarah.htm to see our work, learn a little more about our Senior portraits, and for our contact info. 

The L Family... Take 2 {Austin Family Photographer}

I feel so privileged to get to serve so many wonderful families with my photography, and even more honored when I get to watch their children grow and do their family portraits year after year.

Here is the L family last year (click here).  And here they are this year.  They are such a sweet family of four, and it has been fun watching their adorable baby girls grow!