The H Family {Austin Family Photographer}

For almost the last year, I have been partnering up with The Meridian Sun, a gorgeous community newsletter publication that comes out monthly in The Meridian (neighborhood) just down the road from me.  It has been such an honor seeing my images on the covers and the pages of the Featured Family articles there every month!  I swear, it's like a "warm fuzzy" every time I pull one of these beautiful newsletter magazines out of my mailbox and see my image on the front and images inside on the pages.

This session almost didn't happen.  If you can believe it, we spent the first 10 minutes of the session hanging out under the cover of a picnic shed because of the downpour that was happening outside at the time.  But then the clouds parted and gave way to a fun session with so many sweet images!

Enjoy a look into the H Family's session.

The K Family {Austin Family Photographer}

This session took place awhile back, but I never got it blogged.  The couple and their adorable dog are just TOO cute not to blog... so here we go!

I first met The K Family when she contacted me after winning a silent auction prize I had donated to Mother's Milk Bank of Austin for one of their events.

Enjoy a sneak peek into The K Family's session.  This dog-mama had everything her pup needed in a doggie diaper bag.  I was so impressed!  He was such a beautiful Vizsla.  Reminds me of my friend's dog that I used to take for long runs in the mountains of Alaska when I used to live there for a few summers.  Gorgeous.

Giving Back: Easter Bunny Photos - 2015

One of my goals for my Miles of Smiles Photography business is no matter how busy I get, to always do little things to give back to the Austin community and the families and neighborhood that I live in.

I think this was my third year of doing Easter Bunny photos in my neighborhood for their annual Easter Egg Hung event.  And every year, it gets more and more fun.  (As do the Santa pictures I do with the kiddos in December.  That is always a hoot!)

Here are some cute shots from our morning.  Just like the Santa event, there are usually three reactions from the children in meeting the Easter Bunny, which always keeps things interesting.

1) Total excitement
2) A little apprehensive
3) "Mommy - do NOT set me on his lap!" Fear.

Thanks to the HOA for putting on such fun family events for all of us each year.  Blessed to live here!

Giving Back: Portraits with Santa - 2014

OH how I love photographing this event in my neighborhood each year!  I adore my community, and love getting to witness the kiddos and their reactions to Santa Claus himself.

One of my goals for my Miles of Smiles Photography business is no matter how busy I get, to always do little things to give back to the Austin community and the families and neighborhood that I live in. 

Here are the 3 reactions that I see most when photographing this event.

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 reaction 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 always 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 Claus.

My kiddos had a fun reaction this year (no tears!).  Miles climbed right up on his lap and gave him a drawing he had made, and Avah (though shyly) sat on his lap and once she got back off and into her "safety zone," she was chatting his ear off.  ;)

Here is a tiny little peek into my day with Santa.  It was wonderful serving the adorable children and families here in my neighborhood, and I am already looking forward to Snapshots with Santa in 2015!

Happy Easter! {Austin Family Photographer}

I grew up in a town of 1,200 in the Midwest where everyone knew everyone.  Although I adore this wonderful city,  living in a big city makes me miss that a lot sometimes, which is one of the many reasons I am grateful for my little community here in Austin.  It is pretty big, but not so big that I don't see someone I know or have met at some point when I'm out and about.  I love that.

And I love getting to volunteer and do photography at some of the amazing events that our Home Owner's Association puts on.  It is always so much fun working with all the kiddos and families!  Here are some sweet shots we got of kids with the Easter Bunny at the Easter Egg Hunt event recently.

CC Families: You may find your images here for free downloads through May 31st.  Enjoy!

4th of July Parade - 2013

I love the community that I live in, and feel so blessed to be a part of it.  It's sort of like my "small town" in a big city, which is great to have because I am still a small town girl at heart.  

This was my third year of photographing the community's 4th of July Parade.  As always, it was lots of fun!  It is fun giving back to a place that gives so much to my family.

Here are some images from the day.

First Family Portraits {Austin Family Photographer}

There are so many things that I love about being a photographer.  I have always been a people person and a creative person, so joining those two things together to serve the clients I work with is just the perfect job for me.  One of the other things I love most is getting to capture special moments for families as their babies and children grow. 

The P Family was so wonderful to work with.  I noticed on their client paperwork that this was going to be their first family picture.  Their little man is 6 years old, and although they have had a few pictures done of him as a baby, this was to be their first family portrait experience.  He was so funny, and so much fun to work with.

I feel so honored that I was able to capture these moments for The P Family.  And how amazing do their colors look?!  Way to go, J!!  Love the look you created for your family.  And I love that these pictures will soon adorn your walls.  You have a beautiful family.

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!

School Portraits for the CDC {Austin Children Photographer}

To say we had fun yesterday out on the playground would be an understatement!  Today is day 2 of 3 of doing child portraits at the CDC, and I can't wait to get back and work with the sweet little ones today.  Talk about keeping me on my toes, though... these portrait days are a pretty darn good workout!  Here are a few sneak peeks (posted with their mamas' permission) from yesterday.  Enjoy!

(Not all kiddos have shots with the glasses, but aren't they adorable?!)

 

4th of July Parade - 2012 {Austin Family Photographer}

I love my community.

I love being involved here and giving back.

The people are amazing, the kiddos are adorable, and I feel honored and blessed to live here.

I had such a great time shooting the 4th of July parade for the second year.  Red, white, and blue are such amazing colors (for so many reasons), and I love the way they turned out.  Brace yourself for the cuteness...

Looking forward to next year!

Our Portraits are in RWG Offices {Austin Family Photographer}

I am so excited to say that my images are up and in action over at Renaissance Women's Group - in Dr. Mills' exam rooms.  It is such an honor having them there for RWG patients to enjoy, and it felt so good to see this project come to completion. 

It started with an idea  in my head, thinking of some of my favorite images, figuring out which ones would work well in groupings, finding the frames, framing the portraits, and then hanging them up with the assistance of my handsome hubby.  And like almost every aspect of my business so far, these two hands did the work.   (And let me tell you... after framing all of those portraits, these two thumbs were pretty sore from pushing in all those little framing tacks!)  :)

I have to say, waiting in those exam rooms will be a lot more fun now with all of these sweet faces to look at!  Dr. Mills told me she's already received so much sweet feedback about the images there.  Stepping back for a moment and seeing my images on those walls really gave my heart a "warm-fuzzy" moment.  To see a dream become reality is what this business is all about. 

Befores (top 1/2) and Afters (bottom 1/2):

FREE WalkFit Class is Coming! Strollers invited. South Austin...

FREE WalkFit Class: Thursday, June 21st 8:45-9:45am

All right, Ladies... it's time to start your engines!  I'm back in action with my WalkFit classes after having my baby girl, and ready to lead you through a great workout, have you enjoy time with other ladies and mamas, and sweat it out while having FUN!  Strollers are invited, too!!  (I'll have my duallie and 2 kiddos with me for some added "resistance.")  :) 

Your first class is FREE, and future classes are about the price of a latte!  Class takes place in the Circle C neighborhood (near Mopac and Slaughter Ln).

Bump up your fitness level while having FUN in the process!   Wondering what a photographer knows about fitness?  Click here and here.  So put it on your calendar, commit to making it happen, and I can't wait to see you there!  (Trust me... I know it is tough (chaotic!) getting kids out the door, in the stroller, and getting a workout in, but it's Soooooooo worth it!  Promise!)

DETAILS: 
Join us for WalkFit while we strengthen and tone our bodies and infuse 3 cardio strength challenges into the workout while speed walking 2 miles.  I will provide equipment as well as modifications and options, so this is great for varying fitness levels. (Participants should be able to walk 2 miles in 35 minutes or less.) See photos here from one of our fun classes!)

Please feel free to invite your friends. Limited to 30 people. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated!

We will meet on the BACK side of the Circle C Swim Center/pool (there is parking back there and/or along LaCrosse).  Allow a few minutes for parking.  5919 LaCrosse Ave.  78739.  Click here for info/map. 

Please be there and ready to go 5 minutes before class starts to sign a waiver.   If weather is looking questionable, Sarah will post an update on our "Miles of Smiles Photography by Sarah" Facebook page.  Be sure to "Like" us there so you can get updates and details on upcoming classes.

See you on the 21st!  

Why Hire a Professional Photographer? {Austin Family Photographer}

One of the many things I love about photography and being a photographer is providing people with special images that they can cherish for many years to come.  Haven't we all said at one time or another, "Gosh, I wish I could freeze that moment in time."  We all know that our babies grow up too fast, and the beautiful thing is that through photography - we can freeze time, and I love that!

Or we've said, "I just can't get a good picture of my kid because he/she won't sit still long enough for me to do so."  Just another reason to hire a professional.  You see, we photographers have little tricks up our sleeves - and the right equipment - for making those moments still enough to photograph.

I know that children (especially ages 1-3) can be very hard to photograph because they are so mobile and busy.  (I have learned that very quickly with my own little busy boy, Miles!  Stay tuned for a blog post about a sweet (but challenging) Valentine's Day mini-shoot I had with him... coming in early February.)

I love capturing those little still moments for parents to enjoy.  I met the little cuties below at the "A Wonderful Life" event (click here) that I volunteered at in early December at my church.  I only had about 60 seconds to work with them, and as I did so, their mama mentioned that she's never gotten a good picture of the two of them together, and she has had to actually Photoshop them together in the past.  Well, with a little coaching and a new lady making them laugh (me!), we got these images for their mama in just about 60-seconds.  Imagine if we had a full 1-2 hour session together.   The little guys were just too cute!

It Really IS a "Wonderful Life" {Austin Event Photographer}

I had such a lovely time volunteering at the "A Wonderful Life" event again this year at First Evangelical Free Church.  Last year's event was great, but this year's event was even better!  I can't wait to see what they have in store for 2012.  I enjoyed working with all of the sweet little families and kiddos and providing free portraits for them to download and enjoy.

Here are just a few fun images from our evening.  Enjoy the cuteness!

How funny are their little "beards?"  They had just come from a pirate party. :)