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!

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.

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!

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. :) 

SANTA Came to Circle C Town! {Austin Event Photography}

Last month, I had the fun task of photographing Santa and all the great Circle C kids here in Austin.  It was so much fun, and so entertaining to watch their reaction to him.  Some kids went straight up to him, hopped up onto his lap like he was their best friend, and had no reservations about it.  Others were very shy - but pushed through it.  And there were a few that just plain "weren't havin' it."  I've found that those make the most hilarious shots to capture!  (See below for an example.)

In the week leading up to the event, my little Miles was all about sitting on Santa's lap and telling him he was wishing for a swing set and slide for Christmas.  Well, that was until he walked into the room and saw Santa.  There was no sitting on his lap, but he did let me hold him and he did confidently and sweetly ask Santa for his wishlist.  Maybe next year he will be a little more familiar with Santa and sit on his lap with baby Sister.  We shall see about that one.

Enjoy some of the sweet shots from our morning together!

Little man slept right through his first visit with Santa!  

Does this not make you laugh?!  Look at the baby's face... but even funnier is SANTA's face!

Here is little Miles saying, "Cheeeeeeeeeeese."  

The petting zoo was a hit!