Well, I finally did it... I opened an Etsy shop to offer some of my Photoshop actions.  I've been using PS and creating my own actions for years.  The ones I make for myself aren't user friendly and aren't labeled in any way that would make sense to anyone else, but I hadn't really planned on anyone else using them. It was actually my husband who planted the idea in my head.  But it takes time to recreate the actions in ways that would be meaningful to others.  And I wouldn't feel right about offering something without an accompanying how-to video.  But... here I go!  Wish me luck!

I've decided to keep the prices low, too.  Most people starting out have already spent too much money on everything photography.  And people who have been doing it as long as I have don't really have the need to buy actions - we make what we need.  

That said, if you need an action that will do something that you don't know how to do, feel free to email me!  

Oh my gosh, this family was so much fun! 

The Van Slykes booked a beach portrait session and, as the weather is often tricky by the beach, were hopeful there wouldn't be rain.  We were fortunate that the rain held off, even though the temperature dropped right before their session date.  What we DID have to battle was the wind - 26mph sustained!  

They were SUCH good sports about the whole thing, though.  Mom brought hair pins and bands, just in case it was too much, and they were all super cooperative.  

It is often windy in Corpus Christi, especially by the beach.  As a photographer, I find that the biggest challenge is keeping the wind blowing the hair out of their faces.  But the Van Slykes took it all in stride and had a fun session!

What we DID have was an amazing set of colors in the sky.  It was evening and clouds kept shadowing the sun and causing the most beautiful colors to bounce around the heavens.  The sand was mostly compact from recent rains, and we still had soft, dry sand in places because of all the wind drying the surface. Sometimes the most difficult elements of an outdoor session are also what cause it to be beautiful. 

The family did such a fantastic job coordinating outfits, too!  Some solids, a pattern, and a consistent color pallet... it makes my job so easy when my clients also put some effort into the planning. This family was prepared and in a wonderful, upbeat mood for the session. There was a lot of interaction and input, something I love!  It makes me happy when the kids have input and the parents welcome it.  It makes me smile inside when I see a family work together so beautifully.

A beautiful beach sunrise!  This gorgeous couple made it easy, but in order to make it flawless... it takes precision editing.

​Enjoy and feel free to ask questions and/or comment!  XOXOX

Newborn photography is one of my favorite genres, but each image takes quite a bit of time and effort to perfect.  This is a small example of editing the skin.  Even when the video ends, the editing is not complete (though it's close).  Enjoy!

Tri Delt and Gamma Phi sororities both gave the top performances of the evening and the annual "Islander Revue."  I brought my daughter to the performance and she was thrilled, despite the lack of judgment from whoever was judging.  The best of the evening did not win and it became apparent that there was a bias against the Greeks, but it didn't stop the audience from enjoying a spectacular show!  

Great job, ladies!

Here is a gallery of the Tri Delt performance.  I also have a gallery I could share of Gamma Phi, should there be a request.  

When Roda called me to book a newborn session, I was able to move around a couple things and get her booked quickly.  Why such a hurry?  Her sweet baby Sofia was already over two weeks old.  The prime time for capturing newborn portraits is when your baby is 5-10 days old.  The swelling has subsided and the baby is still sleeping like a dream.  But friends, I'm here to tell you... it's not too late, even after 10 days.  It may take longer, but with the right amount of patience, we can get you the images of your dreams!

One of the things that stood out to me from this session was how relaxed mom and dad were.  First time parents are usually the MOST anxious, but not these two!  They were calm and happy and it completely reflected in the mood of baby Sofia.  She was calm and happy.  

We made several attempts to get started, but each time, Sofia would wake and want her mommy.  Roda would calmly rock her, nurse her, and get her back to sleep.  This is very normal during a session, and momma handled it like a champ - not a worry or concern.  This made my job super fun and easy.  

When Sofia finally reached a good, deep sleep, we were able to capture her in various accessories and poses.  My favorite images are always the ones that look like art for the wall.  But I'm always happy to accommodate every wish of the new parents.  

Note to future clients... I WILL insist you get into the images.  No matter how tired you are or how much you don't feel like being on the other side of a camera, I will not allow you the regret of not being in an image with your new little blessing...

And mom and dad were really cool about my insistence.  You see, I am busy with the baby, so this allows the parents time to get ready to be in front of the camera (you'll notice in the pictures... mom and dad didn't need to do much - GORGEOUS couple!)

I was thrilled with the images we were able to create, but more than that, I so thoroughly enjoyed working with this family.  When my clients fully trust me, the world is our oyster - we can relax, have fun, and create art!

Call now to book your portrait session!  We specialize in portraits - couples, engagement, maternity, newborn, children, family, seniors, boudoir, and more!  If you want a beautifully crafted portrait, call today to book!  512-820-5332

There is something extraordinarily special about your first baby.  Your first child makes you a mother.  When the next come along, you are growing your family, but that first one… the MOST life-changing birth.  It isn’t as sudden as you would think.  You feel like a mother all of those months you feel that baby growing inside you.  You feel protective, excited, hopeful, scared…

But when that baby comes out, you feel so fully responsible for another life – someone other than yourself.  It is overwhelming and such a complete feeling of joy. 

When a mother holds her baby for the first time, it isn’t an introduction – she already knows that baby.  It is that moment of, “Finally, we are face to face.”  And there is also a sense of loneliness.  It is the oddest thing.  That baby was inside you, right next to your beating heart, fully protected by your own body.  Now your body is returned to you, empty. 

But your arms are full.  And your heart is full. 

So when you see a mom who has just been made a mom, know that she is experiencing so many feelings and emotions that words will never be enough to feel like anyone really understands her… and she will feel that way for a while.  But other mothers… they will look at her and know. 

Those emotions rush you like a tornado dropping down from the sky.  They lift you up so high and fill you with so much joy and wonder, then they drop you down so fast and fill you with every fear every mother has ever had.  Sometimes you look at your baby and smile, and that can quickly turn to tears – overwhelmed by the joy… or the fear. 

​When I have a newborn session, I spend the rest of the day – sometimes several days – floating in a cloud of memories and emotions.  Especially when it is a first baby. These feelings are some I know firsthand.

I met the Parmars for their newborn session and fell in love with the whole sweet family.  They were blessed with a gorgeous baby boy and were excited to be parents.  Their sweet boy was a doll… slept, ate, cried, and did all of the usual… and every moment was amazing!  It was beautiful watching mom and dad work together and support each other, both smiling when the baby smiled and gazing at him in wonder.  And they were so relaxed and happy that, even when the baby cried, they laughed and took care of him together.

It was a joy and a pleasure to capture this special time for them.  I know their lives will be so full and the love in their home complete.  

To book a session, call 512-820-5332!

Another blessing.  Another miracle.  Another Tiny Footprint.

When I met Vanessa, I was impressed with her positive energy.  She was so excited about her sweet baby boy and how well he was doing... they would soon be released from the NICU! 

Imagine all those fears, the fight to survive, the struggle, and the endless hours pacing the halls of the hospital, hoping and praying your baby would pull through and come home with you.  

Joy.  Pure joy.  That's what this momma exuded. Her baby is a survivor!​

​​Motherhood begins the moment you find out you’re carrying a child.  Your life changes. From what you put into your body to the risks you’re willing to take, everything you do is now influenced by that tiny being growing inside you.  You’re committed.  You’re a mother before you ever lay eyes on your child.  Your heart is filled with hope and wonder… and fear.  Every day that you’re pregnant, you hope and pray that your child is doing well inside you.  You would give anything, ANYTHING, to make sure that your baby is healthy and strong.  Nine months. 

“Come on, baby… nine months.  Stay strong, baby.  Keep kicking.  Come on little heart, keep beating.”

The doctors poke and prod and test… they want to make sure everything is doing well and after each test, your chest is tight.  You’re hoping everything is as it should be. 

​“Please let all the test results come back normal.  Father in heaven, touch this baby.”

​I have four children.  Each one of those pregnancies was a blessing, each birth a miracle.  I had four full term babies, all strong and healthy.  I rejoiced at each birth, and at the joy of being able to take my baby home the next day.  I’ve never lost a baby.  I’ve never had a baby in the NICU.  I’ve never had to experience that kind of pain.  But my heart… Oh, my heart hurts for the mothers who have!  It is something I cannot begin to fathom…

​"My miracle baby, Ximena, is a rainbow baby born after a stillbirth I had last year at 35 weeks. Ximena was born at 27 weeks, 1 day, due to low amniotic fluid and preeclampsia. She weighed 1lb, 6oz."

My own mother knows the pain.  I grew up knowing that a mother never recovers from that loss.  My mother had five miscarriages before I was born.  I was her rainbow baby.  Her miracle.  The thing that doctors told her that her body would not do... And I grew up knowing how incredibly blessed she felt when she had me.  But that never erased the loss she experienced.  

Gratitude.  That’s what I feel, more than anything, when I see these babies in the NICU.  These tiny little babies, who have to fight so hard for their own survival.  These parents who are there every day, all day, talking to their tiny little miracles, encouraging them, touching and holding them whenever possible, praying over them… and hoping.

When I found out about The Tiny Footprints Project, the photographer in me recognized an opportunity to give back to the community.  The Tiny Footprints Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. They match affiliated photographers with families of infants living in the NICU to provide one complimentary lifestyle portrait session and one complimentary downloadable gallery with the digital images from the session. As a newborn photographer, contributing in this way was a no-brainer.  It was my heart’s way of paying it forward.  

​What it’s like in the NICU.

Walking through the NICU, you are confronted by a feeling of protectiveness.  Everything inside you wants to just pull all of those babies close to you and hold them tight until they are big, strong, healthy babies.  But you can’t even touch them.  They’re so tiny and fighting for life.  So you pray for them and their families and you head to the baby you are there to see. 

​You look at the parents.  They’re smiling.  The nurses are smiling.  It’s quiet and calm.  The place is filled with hope.  Filled with a spirit of strength. 

"My son was born 23 weeks. At 32 weeks he is doing amazing for only having had a 10% chance of living. He truly is my miracle baby."

You watch as mom takes her tiny baby from the plastic incubator.  She’s smiling as she nestles the baby against her chest.  This tiny baby that’s barely bigger than her hands… SMILES BACK!  Yes, that is the most miraculous thing of all… these tiniest of babies smile when they hear, smell, and feel their moms.  Babies that leave their mothers’ bodies months before they were supposed to… KNOW their moms.  They respond.  And the babies thrive the most when they get the most skin to skin contact with mom.  How incredible is that??? 

I wish there was a way for me to accurately convey what it is like to witness all of this.  It is emotional.  It is heartbreaking and heartwarming, all in the same breath.

​And it makes me want to go home and squeeze my babies to me.