...is still just as sweet.

Let me just tell you that I'm glad I decided to go to bed at 11 last night instead of staying up to proof pics because that 2 a.m. call this morning wasn't quite in my plans, LOL. This little man surprised us all just a bit as we were planning to meet him on Monday. It was absolutely incredible to get to be there with this family again (I was there the day their first son was born) and wow, were we all impressed with how big brother *immediately* took to his new sidekick. It was beautiful! 

Speaking of beautiful...

....I know. I know. I should just make this the fashion!

It was an exhausting (I haven't pulled a double header in a long time ;-) but ULTRA JOYOUS day! Gosh, I had to pinch myself periodically--is this really my life...my job??? I absolutely adore this family and it was such an honor to get to document his birth. Congratulations again, you guys (guess I'll find out his name at his newborn session, LOL?). You make beautiful babies!

But of course, then look at his parents! We were delayed a bit for one reason after another, but we finally got to celebrate his one year birthday at tad late.  We definitely did it in style:

I always get emotional at newborn sessions, but recently, I've started getting choked up at the 1 year sessions. I guess it's just the shock of greeting a family and all of a sudden, their little baby is walking (or in his case, running) all around. He's not a baby...he's a toddler...and then next thing you know, he's going to be a teenager. Okay...a big leap, I know, but it just seems so in-my-face lately how kids (read: my kids) are going to keep growing up and I'm kind of stuck in this time vacuum. Does that make any sense? Probably not. But it sure does fill me with a strange mix of joy and longing. I mean...I photographed that beautiful couple when they hadn't yet become parents...and then I saw them again during one of the most joyful and yet vulnerable times of their lives as parents of a newborn. And now I see them again and how gracefully they've embraced parenthood and how this little guy is thriving and it just overwhelms me. 

I'm a mess. I'm a big ol' mess tonight. But that's good. It means that I don't take this responsibility lightly. I'm honored. Truly.

 ....from line item 2 in this post, a sneak from the fantasy makeup concept shoot this afternoon for .emme. boudoir in prep for next week's mini sessions. More here if you're so inclined. Line item 1 will be coming later tonight ;-).

Even before I met her, I could tell on paper that her senior portrait session was going to be vibrant, bright, and full of energy--just like her! She knows exactly who she is and makes no apologies for it. What a rare and invaluable thing to have as a high school senior. We had a blast!

[Attention graduating seniors in the Austin area: NOW is the time to book your senior portraits...do not wait until April or May...those spots fill up *very* quickly and I wouldn't want you to miss out.]

[Upon further reflection after taking our group shot, all we could think was, "Wouldn't our husbands/fiances just loooooooooooooove this?"]