Crazy 'Bout Dazie

I love that Dazie’s family all came for the newborn session. These portraits show how willing everyone is to lend a hand as they envelop the newest family member in a supportive group-hug.

Like the “sleepy angel” pose above, we got many wonderful solo-shots of Dazie herself. Nevertheless, my favorites are the ones that include her mom Kassie, big-brother Dracen, and daddy David. So, Dazie may be the one wrapped in soft swaddling, but she has everyone wrapped around her little finger!

Ready for Reade

Meet Reade, one of my seniors from summer 2021. Picking highlights from this session was especially hard because they all turned out great! As you can see from his relaxed and joyful expression, Reade truly loves the outdoors -- from fishing and hunting, to snow skiing, to boating on the lake, he’s 100% comfortable in all sorts of natural environments. A little surf on the cuff of his slacks and some sand between his toes didn’t dim his smile in the least.

While it’s always a bonus to have such a photogenic subject, Galveston is a venue that keeps on giving. Within a tiny geographic area, there are plentiful places for my subjects to stand, sit, and recline. Note how many different looks we got from sand (flat beach and dunes), verticals of the pier, rocky jetties, and seawall stairs. And, since the standard session can accommodate up to six people, we tucked in a few sibling buddy-shots as well. Like the carnival in the background, this project was a real pleasure from beginning to end. Big thanks to Carin (Reade’s mom) for getting in touch, and big congratulations to Reade himself.

Can't Get Better Than Ezra

What are newborns used to? Being curled up in a cozy, semi-contortionist pose! Cuddly, squishy, sleepy babies are fun to turn into portraits (and pretzels), and I’d been looking forward to meeting this little one since his mom’s last session with me (remember Mikala’s farm maternity session? This is her little one!).

These soft neutrals used in props, wraps, and backdrops will stand the test of time and look good with any decor. Plus, they let the focus be on the gorgeous little dude — every hair, wrinkle, and posture.

Now I lay me down to sleep…

No fluffy photo props can compare to the arms of mama - that’s where Ezra really wanted to be. I love this portrait of Mikala and how the lighting shows off the warmth, strength, and softness of a mother’s love. And, since she invested in my “Bump to Birthday” bundle, I will get a front-row seat to their 6-month and 1-year milestones!

Stunning Maternity

Mikala’s model-like poise and serene expression made this session a joy to edit. She hit the perfect window for maternity sessions: 32-34 weeks. That’s when the bump is bumpin’ and mom still has energy to bring to the session, which may take her trekking around in nature.

Next step: delivery!

Eli, big-brother-to-be, came along to the session. No rivalry here — just sweet anticipation. I know he’ll be a big help when the demands of a new baby change all the routines in the house!

Farewell, sweet sleep… I’ll miss you when the baby comes.

Oh, My -- That Amaya Smile!

Sometimes a smile is subtle — an almost imperceptible Mona Lisa twist at the corner of the mouth, a softening around the eyes. But sometimes a smile lights up a person’s entire face. Amaya’s poise and cheerfulness made every spot in the city look like a fun place to take a picture, but whenever she was just on the verge of laughing, that smile became the focal point.

Part of the reason we spent time in this area was that urban-chic is a cool aesthetic choice. Hard, rugged old architecture contrasts beautifully with the bright energy of youth. Amaya loved the pink and peach tones of the downtown spots, which paired perfectly with the cotton candy colors of a beach sunset sky. She asked me to pick a favorite 3rd location, so I chose a local park, which carried the theme of greens, columns, and bricks throughout the session. Check out where I pulled the blue from her first dress into the blue in the columns at the urban location (a happy accident, to be honest- but part of the fun is seizing the perfect opportunities!).

We’re definitely having fun at your session, but I’m always working to make sure our gallery is cohesive, so the images look great hung next to each other or printed in an album! Which is great in this case, because Amaya’s family chose a gorgeous 16x24 canvas, a 10x10 acrylic album, several prints, and a fun memory trio! See them below!

All your dreams for the future? Hook ‘em!!

Unboxed this gorgeous product and couldn’t wait to grab a quick snap of it!

Hannah has Cake... and Style!

I remembered this family from my summer 2020 B.I.G. Love Cancer Care charity minis — WOW has baby Hannah grown since then! All the sunshiny vibes made it into this session also, but instead of “red, white, and blue” for 4th of July, we’ve got toddling independence with a one-year-old’s cake smash.

Maybe just a taste…

Co-creation credit for the sweet theme goes to Hannah’s mom, Amanda. From the cheerfully-striped romper to the funky paper flowers, everything about this set-up suggests warmth, happiness, and fun. And Hannah brings it all to life with her super-expressive face and bold interactions.

Hanna’s look went smoothly from casual afternoon to evening elegance. The pinks switched from bubble-gum to antique-rose, and she traded her simple chambray headband for a romantic flower crown. I know it’s MANY years away, but I’m secretly hoping she’ll choose something like this for her first homecoming or prom! For now, though, we just wish her congratulations on a great first year; may she always keep the same joyful spirit that she brought to the studio.