Give a boy a chair and next thing you know, we’ve got Pinkle Toes X Games going on here. LOVE it! [Not sure if you can see it, but in the top left pic...check out the tongue...cracks me up!]

There is just an incredible amount of interest and texture and unique style on the east side of Austin and we could not have had more beautiful weather. It was so very wonderful to see you guys again, but mostly, it was wonderful just to give you a big hug.

[As with all Xpressions sessions, these images have only received basic edits to enhance contrast, but have otherwise not been retouched. The April 18th Xpressions are booked solid, but we do have 2 openings left for March 21st - The Clawfoot Tub Sessions. I've also opened up May 16th where we're introducing a new concept that I'll tell you about later. More details on Xpressions HERE.]

We’ve got one, teeny-tiny little opening left in the morning for our Xpressions sessions, Sunday, February 21st. We are going to be touring some of my favorite spots in trendy East Austin. Think hip, colorful, urban, funky, and fun! If you’ve been thinking about grabbing one of these photo sessions, just do it.

• Maybe you need engagement pictures or haven’t had your picture taken with your significant other in a looooooooong time?
• Some hip bridal portraits would be amazing at this location!
• Maybe you’re expecting a baby and haven’t had maternity pictures done yet?
• Maybe your baby has just figured out how to sit up on his own?
• Perhaps your older "baby" is about to lose her first tooth and you need some pictures before it’s too late?
• Or maybe you’re a graduating senior in Austin need to have your senior portraits made?

Let me know and let’s see if we can get together this Sunday.

[As with all Xpressions sessions, these images have only received basic edits...no retouching or additional enhancements.]

I figured while we’re waiting around for you to pop, I could at least show you the 8×10 prints I had made for you!

P.S. Xpressions sessions are going faster than I thought, so if you want one this spring, book soon.

At long last, we are ready to start booking for our 2010 Xpressions Sessions! To see the dates and all the info, visit THIS PAGE (we’re doing some new things this year, including special discounts AND themes!).  These openings are very limited and will fill up quickly. Graduating high school students in Austin…now is the time to book your Xpressions session for senior portraits! Also, clients who have already booked a 2010 Premium Session or who had a Premium Session in Nov. or Dec. of last year qualify for special discounts and get first priority on our openings. 

I’ve been meaning to blog more images from our last round in Fall 2009, so I figured now would be a good time. So many incredible families and oh, we had the most perfect weather and light! I can’t wait until we start doing this again this year…especially with the fun new themes and seeing new places all over Austin. (As with all of our Xpressions sessions, these images have not been retouched.)

My temp gauge in the car read 18, yes 18, as my sis/assistant and I set out for Baby Coco bright and early yesterday morning. All of these adorable expectant moms sure made it worth it and they braved the cold beautifully. We’ll be seeing everyone again soon when these babies start "hatching," as my middle child would say ;-). Just a few quick peeks for the mommies and of course, the newest Baby Coco model is featured above. I think we could have stayed all day and played with her…she giggled and cooed and smiled pretty much the whole time.

[Voting ends THIS Friday for Pinkle's Pic of the Year!]

You are all beautiful. You are all patient. And you are all wonderful for braving the cold that day. [Sigh...this was the only Xpressions session in VA that didn't get completely snowed out :-(.]

We held our last round of the Austin 2009 Xpressions Sessions today and all I can say is, "Wow!" I cannot even begin to tell you how beautiful all of these families were, how wonderfully charming the kiddos were, how kind and patient the parents were, and how absolutely outstanding my baby sis/assistant was. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who made these Xpressions sessions FANTASTIC!  As always, the images shown have only received basic edits to enhance contrast/color, but no full retouching.  I’ll show you an example of the difference at the end of the post.  Also, before I forget, if you’re pregnant in the Austin area and want maternity portraits and are due in February, March, or April of 2010, you can get a FREE mini maternity session (kind of like these Xpressions Sessions) in January. And, I *still* have a few spaces open for the Xpressions photo sessions in Washington, DC and Richmond, VA in December.  Meanwhile, to continue these awesome sneaks:

And to illustrate the difference between the digital negatives (the files that are sent on CD with the Xpressions sessions) vs. the files that are fully retouched (prints ordered through me or those that are available as part of a Premium Session):

Oh, I cannot wait to go through all of these images! Today was a great day all around. Thank you all again!  I’m so honored to get to do this for you.

1. Isn’t she stunning? Just naturally beautiful.

2. I’ve never done a session in the rain before, let alone the pouring rain, but somehow, it just worked.  Well, $70 worth of umbrellas, shooting under the H-E-B awning, and stumbling upon a rockin’ old barn helped us out a little.

3. Also from our Xpressions sessions (but again, these images here have been retouched).

Call me crazy, but I imagine she’ll be able to get away with a lot with just one look from those big brown eyes. (Also from the recent Xpressions sessions, but these images have been retouched).

Can you believe the incredible variety of color in Austin right now? And then there’s the variable temperature which allows for stocking caps one minute and then baby in the buff the next minute. He was thrilled to be able to explore like this and can you believe his amazing hair??? (Also from our recent Xpressions, but these images have been retouched).