Playing Dress-Up

When my sister and I were young, our dress-up box (who are these kids who have trunks?) was something to be envied. Thanks to a grandmother who bought any and everything she found on sale, whether bedazzled, feathered, or gilded, and a mother with enviable style for a woman on a budget, we had our pick of the beautiful and the bizarre.

Playing dress-up the way we did as kids - wearing clothes that transform us into a person from another country, universe, or time - is a pastime that rarely makes it to adulthood, even if the pull to become someone else is still there.

Luckily for ME, I have clients who have kept a firm grasp on the kids they used to be, marrying them with the women they have become, to make for some quality dress-up shoots. Sprinkle in some moody lighting and set the whole play date in a beautifully appointed living room, and playtime begins.

The Family You Choose

After almost 15 years, the categories of photography in which I've earned experience points are almost too many to list. 

Hey, let's try, though: Wedding, concert, event, sports, newborn, maternity, family, engagements, proposals, product, lifestyle, landscape, pets, corporate head shots, food, senior portraits, and real estate. 

Then of course there's the newer categories like dating profile portraits and social media brand photography. But one of my favorites that I rarely get the chance to shoot is the elusive "best friend shoot."

The first time the idea was posed to me, I asked for clarification. I met Laura and her best friend at the National Zoo in DC, followed them around for an hour and documented what they did, with a few posed shots sprinkled in.

Fast-forward a few years to my time in Austin, and the friends shoots have kept coming, but this time set against the backdrop of Ladybird Johnson Lake, South Congress, and the East 6th Street Murals.

Deep in the Heart ...

Last week marked my second full year in Austin, Texas. While it's not nearly long enough to call myself an official Austinite, enough time has passed that the image in my head of the stereotypical Texan has faded for me - in part because, of course, not everyone fits the description. But it also helps that the stereotypes do exist, and I've gotten used to seeing them walking around all over the gaht durnt place. 

But a four-day trip to Dallas to shoot Alpha Kappa Psi's annual international convention reminded me that the Yosemite Sam-like caricature that is the rest of the world's view of a Texan is still going strong. The brothers hailed from all over the world, but few neglected to pack a Stetson, bolo tie, flannel shirt and/or boots for the occasion. 

The stars at night were big and bright in Dallas last week. Here's some proof. 

SXSWomen

I’m pretty lucky as far as working photographers go. For one, I’m working, specifically for myself in a thriving portrait business that grows every day.

But along with getting to photograph families, happy couples, and job-seekers, I also get to return to my roots as a concert photographer, thanks to my partnership with Women Crush Music. The Austin-based chapter of the nonprofit focused on advancing performance opportunities for female musicians hosted an unofficial SXSW show last week, featuring the likes of:

Caitlin Jemma
Abigil Orsborne
Hannah DiMo
Erica Michelle Band
Nicole Amine
Sister Neopolitan
Zinda

12 Days of Christmas Cards

This holiday season was a huge one in Austin! Despite the cloudy, rainy days that characterized most of our November and December, you all came out in full force - some repeat clients, and some new families looking to get holiday photos.

We shot at the Texas Capitol, Mueller Lake Park, Mt. Bonnell, the Austin Boardwalk, church, and of course, your beautiful homes. Families of all sizes, from 2 to 20, were represented, and the pups got their 15 minutes of fame as well. All in the name of that perfect holiday card.

Happy 2019, Austin! We nailed it.

I Make This Look Good

As is painfully obvious from my site, I shoot on location. I don't shoot on location because I hate studios, or because I love trying to replicate perfect lighting in imperfect spaces. I do it because I learned photography through the lens (sorry) of journalism - where every moment is documented without interference or alteration. 

Well. I still touch up your blemishes, and I've been known to edit entire children out of the background of photos. But I still prefer the candid, in-the-moment shots that come from letting clients just do their own thing. 

Buuuut, sometimes "on location" means you have to shoot a dozen of Austin's most talented and beautiful dancers in one of its least flattering, most unromantic of locations: Town Lake YMCA. 

As a fellow dancer with these women, I love Town Lake YMCA with all my heart. But weight benches and finger paintings on the walls don't scream "sass," which is what dance troupe Sass N Strut absolutely does. So in honor of the great battle against fluorescent lighting, here are some of my favorites from the past three series.

Cue shameless plug: If you'd like to dance in the next series, beginning Sept. 24, registration is open! Sign up here or check out Sass N Strut on Facebook and Instagram @sassnstrut

Above the Boardwalk

Almost two years ago, I visited Austin, Texas, for the first time. And one of the first things I did was check out the Boardwalk along Ladybird Lake/Town Lake /the Colorado River. (We really need to make up our minds.) 

Today marks exactly one year that I've been living in Austin, and what better way to commemorate it than with a maternity shoot on that same Boardwalk. We got started a little late for this sunset shoot, but Emily glowed nonetheless. 

Oh, The Places You'll Go

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with four people that the world needs more of. Lisa, Bob, Anna, and Allyson of College Matchpoint are college and education consultants, and they help high school students in Austin, Texas. 

As College Matchpoint revamps their new website, we had some fun with an on-location session around the office. With gorgeous natural light and pops of color, I'm in love with the results from our photo shoot. Enjoy!

Put Some Sass In It

Every once in a while, the personal and professional collide. This week, I had a camera in hand and dancing shoes on my feet while shooting head shots for local dance group Sass N Strut, which I'm so lucky to be a part of! 

This season's performance, set to none other than Queen Bey's "Work It Out," included some strong and beautiful women decked out in gold, gold, and more than gold. Shot on-location in the dance studio ahead of our July performance, the photos from this session turned out fantastic! 
 

Look Mom, A Diploma!

With Mother's Day around the corner, Michael wanted to surprise his parents with photos to celebrate his college graduation. (Congrats, Michael!)

Wanting a portrait session that screamed "Austin!" Michael chose some iconic Austin locations for his locations, including the Blue Tile Wall on Sabine and the soon-to-be-relocated Baylor Street Art Wall. The results were brightly colored magic ... with a skateboard flip.