Wow! I’ve never had such a hard time deciding like this. Oi! Thanks to everyone for your input.

[What does this mean?]

This beautiful mommy-to-be (who is due to give birth any day now) will receive and 11×14 canvas of this image AND a $500 gift card for a 2010 Pinkle Toes Premium Session.  Congratulations, J! 

We also have two runners up, who will each receive $100 gift cards for a 2010 Premium Session:

and

Congratulations once more to winners and all of the nominees who ran a very close race.  Thanks so much to everyone who took time to vote and help make this tough decision. I can’t wait to see what kind of images 2010 turns out for us!

To help get YOU motivated to be the 2010 Pic of the Year winner, I have a VERY limited time special offer:

Book your Premium session by NEXT SATURDAY to be held in April or May 2010 and receive a complimentary leather accordion album featuring 14-4×6 images from the session! (Not valid with any other offer. While supplies last.) Contact me to set up your session now!

This is it! This is the last Pic of the Month for 2009 and our last entry for the Pinkle’s Pic of the Year contest!!!!  Drumroll, please….

Chosen because I love the color. And I love the hat. And I love babies that love to rock. Congrats to the V family.  (And mama…would you like to share your other awesome news regarding your rock/superstar son?)

ETA 12.14.09: He is not only a rock star, but he’s soon to be a TV star as well.  I got a notice from one of the casting directors of Friday Night Lights asking if I knew of any cutie patootie newborns to film some scenes. Well this little guy just landed the role and has already begun filming. Congrats on all of these great developments!

What does this mean? Read up here. It also means we’re just ONE pic away from the vote to determine Pinkle’s Pic of the Year for 2009!  I cannot even believe we’re that close and I’m extremely excited to see which image YOU (the blogstalkers) choose!

I selected this image because it was such a new and challenging technique for me, but mostly because she worked so hard, was so patient, and sacrificed this dress, her beautiful curls, and make-up just to get this shot. Congrats, J, and congrats on your upcoming arrival. It won’t be long now… (the rest from her maternity session here).

[P.S. Even though I can't promise any underwater shots, if you're pregnant in the Austin area and would like to have maternity portraits taken, check out the FREE Bump Mini Maternity Sessions coming up on January 9th!]

Wow, I just realized there can only be TWO more Pic of the Month winners before the year ends and you get to start voting. This year sure has flown by. Guess I ought to be thinking of how I’m going to put a fair voting poll up here, too, huh? Anyway, this was my choice for Pic of the Month for obvious reasons ;-). Congrats Miss A!

Because it’s got beauty, love, passion, and it’s the essence of motherhood.

Click the image to see more pics from their session or HERE to see what Pic of the Month is all about.

Okay, folks, we’ve got another two-fer.  I just couldn’t pic one, so here are the Pinkle’s Pic(s) of the Month for August:

Because I loved the yellow flowers at his house.

And our tie:

Because they glowed with happiness.

Congrats to both families!  (You can click the above pics to see more images from their sessions).

Wow!  I just looked at all of the winners so far. So glad *I* don’t have to be the one to choose Pinkle’s Pic of the Year!

(What does this mean?) At first, this may seem like an unusual choice for Pic of the Month, but I do love these images together.  She’s a mom of 2 boys and had her daughter (just like me). I love the connection, the wonder, and the purity that was captured at this session. Congratulations!

What does this mean?

Because she trusted my vision.

Because she bought the dress just for this experiment.

Because she laid down in a creek with crawdads.

Because she made it look beautiful anyway.

———–

We are back from vacation, but it’s going to take a bit for me to get caught up on e-mails, calls, proofing, ordering, laundry (ha), etc. so hang in there. I know this sounds odd, but if you haven’t already, the time to book your holiday session is NOW! (Check out the session calendar for openings.) I kid you not, these will fill up before you know it. Hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th!

(What does this mean?)

Clear winner this month for obvious reasons:

#1 – Father’s Day is this month.

#2 – It has the “Awwwwwwww” factor.

#3 – Baby A is *smiling*

#4 – Again, awwwwwww

Congrats to the P fam (also seen here and here)!!!!