I’m always so honored when I’m asked to photograph a family again. I love to see how everyone has grown and changed.  Plus, there’s none of that "getting to know you" stuff…you can just pick up where you left off.  But most of all, when the kids jump out of the car and run up to me and say, "Michele! Michele!" excitedly…wow. Now that will get ya. 

This is only a small peek for you guys, but the whole session was awesome! 

[And to the blogstalkers: if you haven't arranged a 2010 session yet, don't forget about the special offer this week.]

Thank you for pushing us to do this. It only took us a year to make it happen, ha! I hope this is close to what you were looking for. We had a wonderful evening with you guys!

[embrace the grain. embrace the grain.]

And although you can’t see it just yet in these pics, thanks so much to Modern Muse for the outstanding make-up (would totally recommend her!).  And now, the awesome pics from the other side!

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!

I wrote a book. Kinda. Actually, my first book was a few years ago, when my eldest was 3. I did an entire construction-themed session just for him and then (with the help of his daddy) turned those images into a storybook just for him. I really, really, really wanted to do the same for my Logi Bear, but I could never summon the inspiration or energy. But at last, he’s got his own book based on his favorite word, "Awethome!"  [Hmmmmm...I wonder if I should have spelled it in the book like it's pronounced ;-)]  Okay, so I maybe writing children’s books aren’t my forte, but I LOVE these images of him…probably my favorite ones I’ve taken of him ever because they’re SO *him*. And the graphic art by Elizabeth is amazing, no? Or should I say, "Awethome?" She and I are working on a very special project for PT4P to be released later this month.

M’kay…here’s the book: 

 [P.S. 800 votes and counting...choose your fav for Pinkle's Pic of the Year 2009!]

I took some risks and tried something new. Couldn’t have been a cooler family to try this with and I am VERY excited about the cool stuff we got tonight. So great to meet you!

P.S. I’m so behind on blogging here, it’s not even funny.  I did manage, however, to eek out a homeschool post (with the gentle, yet persistent urging of the hubs).

P.P.S. Only three openings ONE opening left for the Austin Baby Coco Mini Maternity Sessions next week.

P.P.P.S. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite image if you haven’t already – voting ends the 15th!

Love.  As in, "I would have LOVED to have a pic like this of me and my sis growing up." As in, "I LOVED these colors." As in, "I LOVED this session!"

Deadlines. As in, we are going to be closed for the holidays starting December 16th, so if you have last minute orders for holiday gifts, it needs to be done by the end of the week.

Oh, and who bought out all of the winter coats and boots in this town??? I’m getting ready to go to D.C. and I’m going to freeze! I swear the whole "snow in Austin" thing was just huge marketing ploy.

But he gets even cuter:

Driving out to his house today to drop off some stuff, I realized that I hadn’t blogged his session yet! Gasp! Especially since out of all the sessions I’ve had with his family, this was my absolute favorite. The first time I met him a few years back, I dubbed him Mr. Cool because no matter what I did (and I know a lot of tricks) he was soooooo serious!  He was just a baby at that time and I could not figure out what he could possibly have to be so concerned about. Mr. Cool has always plays it cool.  So, I was a little nervous this time because I was out of fresh ideas to break Mr. Cool. But evidently, Mr. Cool is now Mr. Giggles.  Seriously, he was laughing and giggling and cracking us all up the whole time. I think we finished up the entire session in less than an hour, he was so easy to work with!

Check out the sweet mom and dad time. By the by, I had to take these shots with Mr. Cool Giggles on my back to make sure he stayed safe. It was a kick butt location, though.  Definitely want to go back here!

Lurved this shot. He’s such a sweetie! Thanks again guys for such fun and relaxed session. (Now hurry up and finish that tree!)

It’s "Sneak Peek Sunday" again, so thought I’d share a carnival-themed image followed by a parade of other little sneaky peeks from the past week or so. The holiday rush is *almost* over, whew!

Well, it’s official. My baby turned 1, my eldest lost his first tooth, we hosted Thanksgiving, AND we had a One Year Birthday blowout all in the span of 4 days and we’re all still standing. A’s 1st birthday party was so amazing! Thanks to all of our wonderful family and friends for coming out and making it so very special. I’d especially like to thank my little grandma for making the trip from ALASKA to visit with us. I was so excited to get to spend some time with her, for her to meet her first and only great-granddaughter and for us to snap some pics of "4 generations of women." I truly think my baby girl knew exactly that this party was for her and she enjoyed every second of it:

(Hmmmm…I look reaaaaaaally tall in the generations pic. Okay, my mom and grandma *are* short, but they’re not that short. Definitely the way I was sitting, I think I hope.)