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!