I love this family, and so appreciate teenage boys who are willing to show up for their mom like this. We had a great time highlighting their loves: guitars and shoes!
Category: Portraits
K+T
One of my favorite secret spots!
C + C
Some lovely shots from this evening!
Holidays
A few selections from various holiday mini sessions!
L+S
I love these kids, this family, and most importantly, that turtle.
S+S+A
So. Much. Fun.
A
I really enjoy photojournalistic sessions, where I get to just photograph the normal aspects of everyday life. Most clients want to make the most of their sessions, with planned outfits and a fancy location, and I get that… but there’s real beauty in the daily routine, and it’s worth catching. I love doing these in black and white to cut down on the visual distractions, and it gives them a timeless feel.
S + S
These are some of my favorite shots from my career. Enjoy!
K+T
Another great session with my lovely clients!
Quarantine
It has been quite some time since I’ve been able to photograph anyone else! My poor kids have HAD IT! Regardless, I was able to take them to a new location and we got some lovely shots out of it.
A + E
I’ve known these adorable boys since they were newborns, and it always gives me great pleasure to see them again! We headed to Buffalo Bayou park and took some photos while they explored. I love my clients- particularly the ones who have continued to share their journey as parents with me!
D+J
It’s fairly rare that I take my own children out for “official” photos anymore- my house has enough natural light that I take shots here and there, without really sitting the kids down for anything like a “mini” session. Luckily, I had a minute this weekend to take them out and enjoy the bluebonnets, which aren’t as impressive as last year, but are looking beautiful just the same. Is there anything more gloriously Texan than bluebonnet photos? And although I wasn’t all made up and dressed to do so, I got in the picture too, and I’m super glad I did.
O + T
I’m in a fortunate position with my business: I don’t actively advertise, instead choosing to meet clients organically or via word of mouth from other clients. It results in a really cool group of people that I am always happy to run into and interact with. I get super attached to watching the kids grow up, too! I really enjoyed this particular session because we were at a new-to-me location, Buffalo Bayou Park. It was a beautiful fall day, made better by spending time with great clients!
A
Every once in awhile, I am presented with a unique opportunity to document something new. When my friend Anna came into town, I planned to sit with her for a bit and watch her while she was tattooed by my favorite local tattoo artist, Johnny Beavers. He was open to me taking a few photos of the process, and I had such a great time. It was really amazing, and I’d love to do more tattoo documentation in the future, so if you’re planning on getting a new tattoo soon, contact me!
Theodore
I was so excited when my friend called to tell me their baby had arrived! These images were taken last March, and you wouldn’t believe how much this kiddo has grown! I love these newborn sessions- I get to visit people in their homes and talk to them during those magical early moments when their entire lives are changing. I know that’s sappy, and I don’t care! I love it!
Naomi Turns One
I love this family! They joined me at Casa Water Oak to celebrate Naomi turning one! Congrats, little Naomi! We ended up at Water Oak thanks to some pretty ridiculous rain- we’d planned to be outside, and I think it rained for exactly the length of the session and then stopped! I loved sharing this space with them and getting some fun, laid-back shots.
The K Family
I did this session back in July of 2016, but I wanted to share it because of a few things. First off, I love this family so, so much. They were my very first clients, so they will always hold a special place in my heart! Secondly, I love this session as an example of what happens when you rent a studio space for your session. Because it’s so miserably hot at this time of year (and the rain is hard to predict, too), it’s a really safe bet to rent a studio space for your session. This one is Fill in the Blank Studio in the Heights area, and I love it so much! I always feel bad when a client spends time and money on hair and makeup, only to have their session postponed due to weather. Here are a few of my favorite images of this sweet family!
Grace
I did this session back in February, when I was 7 months pregnant. I really love shooting when I’m pregnant, because it makes me think out of the box about how to approach a session. Typically, I’d be lying on the ground, etc to get the right shot, and that’s just not feasible with a big belly!
Luckily for me, Gracie is always a pleasure, and we got some of my favorite shots of the season during her session. As a reminder, you can click to enlarge these images for easier viewing. Thanks for stopping by!
February Favorites
Here are a few of my favorite shots from February 2016! It was hard to narrow it down, but I really loved these sessions. The weather was starting to get warm, and we welcomed a few new babies (and anticipated the arrival of one more!) and enjoyed a birthday or two.
I find myself being drawn to many of these images because I feel like they’re authentic expressions of moments- less formal and posed, and more about having fun or feeling love in the moment. My favorite sessions are ones where we work together to create special moments that are focused on the great emotions that come with raising kids: love, excitement, hilarity… It’s all good!
Overall, it was a wonderful month for Water Oak Families!
Devin | Houston Portrait Photographer
Back in January, I posted images of Devin from May of 2015. Well, it’s May of 2016, and I just got back from my annual trip to visit my lovely niece and extended family. Except in the last 12 months, she has apparently turned into a FULL FLEDGED TEENAGER PERSON. I was totally flabbergasted at how grown-up she looks. Special shoutout to the amazing Natalie at Sephora in Polaris mall, who did her makeup with just the right balance of “cute” and “oomph”.
I have so much to say about this age, which I feel is wholly under-photographed. We take tons of pictures of our babies, plenty of blurry toddler photos, and then there’s this desert from about 5th grade until senior year (or quince, for some people). We’re missing out on SO MUCH. Preteens and young teenagers have a ton of personality and individuality, and they’re relegated to an annual yearbook photo that doesn’t even show off who they are. Anyway, rant over! Enjoy!
Meredith | Houston Newborn Photographer
Last November, I had the chance to photograph a newborn session for little Meredith. This session was awesome- partly due to older sis being hilarious and fun, and partly due to Mom and Dad being super cool human beings (and also from Ohio, so bonus points!) Rock on, little Meredith! O-H! I-O!
Ansel | Houston Newborn Photographer
We’ve had some serious rain down here in Texas, so what else is a gal to do but update the old blog? Ansel’s newborn session is being blogged out of order, because I just love it so much, I had to share it. 2016 has stood out as The Year of the Amazing Rugs and The Year of the Awesome Dogs. My clients are so stylish… And their pets are cracking me up! Ansel’s family is no exception. Enjoy!
Holiday 2015 Superpost!
Okay, here’s the big Holiday 2015 Superpost! I had so many images I wanted to share, but I narrowed it down to just a few… It was a wonderful season with old and new friends, and I am always so honored to be a part of people’s holiday cards and memories during that special time of year. Thanks to everyone who joined me for 2015!
The Birons | Houston Family Photographer
I LOVE this family! 2 parents, 4 kids, 11 grandkids… A giant bunch of awesome people, who were cracking me up the whole time we shot. We spent the morning at Rice, and although it threatened rain the entire time, everyone was fantastic and fun.
Charlotte | Houston Maternity Photographer
I love maternity photos, but it’s even more fun to shoot maternity sessions for second/third/more babies. I love the expressions of the siblings-to-be, and the “calm in the chaos” chill of parents. It was an honor to be able to shoot Charlotte’s maternity photos, because she is a very close friend of mine, and a fantastic person.
The Stewarts | Houston Family Photographer
The Stewarts contacted me last May to take photos of their son for his 4th birthday. They were so much fun! I love it when families let their kids choose the outfits and “props” for a session… It’s such a genuine experience.
When they contacted me in late November to shoot their daughter’s 2nd birthday, I was super excited to see them again! Rain didn’t stop us from documenting a lovely morning.
And then -this is a testament to my poor blogging skills- I had a session with the Stewarts just last weekend, when it was pretty chilly out! They were excellent sports and we got some more great images. You can really see the kids growing up in these sessions. I love this family so much!
Josephine | Houston Baby Photographer
I was so excited to meet sweet Josephine in May after her parents’ maternity session. And by December, when we did holiday photos, I was blown away by how much she’d grown! Sweet Josephine, I can’t wait to see you again!
And the photos from November:
Devin | Houston Portrait photographer
Devin is 13, and she’s just about the coolest kid you’ll ever meet. Maybe I’m biased because – full disclosure – she’s my niece, but I’m pretty sure you’d agree with me. We got together in Ohio and took some photos at a cool little park with some really neat old doors. We had a blast, and it reminded me of the last time we took photos… Um, she’s grown up juuuust a little since then!
Grace | Houston Baby Photographer
Sweet little Grace turned one and had a cake smash. It was AWESOME. One of my favorite cake smashes to date… We did this session last April, and I remember the rain started just as we finished – how lucky is that? In addition to the cake smash, we did a few portraits of Grace as well as a few with her mom and dad. I love combo sessions like this. It’s super easy for the parents to get a good variety of images without all the stress of multiple sessions. Hope your next birthday is just as rad, Grace!
Elijah | Houston Baby Photographer
Elijah took advantage of some local bluebonnets for a very Texas-y session back in March. We headed to his house afterward for a few Easter photos. Thanks, Elijah!
Luke and Isabel
Who doesn’t love siblings?! Luke was one of my first Father’s Day mini sessions, and now look how big he is. I can’t believe it. And he has a little sister now, too! She’s a sweetie! I can’t wait to see if they look alike!
Claire and Bradley | Houston Family photographer
Claire and Bradley are bright and active two year olds with big plans! Our session was a lot of fun. I plan to do a post on photographing children at this age, since it’s so different from the first year “milestone” sessions I normally do. Anyway, these two twins were awesome, and it was really fun trying to capture their personalities while they explored. Thanks for the fun day, kids!
Sage | Houston Newborn Photographer
Little Sage is such a sweetheart! Her session was last February, and I got to hang out with her and her newly-minted older sister, Serena! Sage is part Turkish, so we got to do some fun shots with some of the evil eye stuff around the house. They also had some amazing matching pants with their names printed. Think they come in adult sizes? Welcome, Sage!
Evan and Melissa | Houston Engagement Photographer
Oh, just about forever ago, I was honored with the chance to photograph a proposal in Hermann Park! How cool is that?! The groom-to-be, Evan, surprised his now-fiancee, Melissa, with an adventure of epic proportions, culminating in a dramatic flash mob dance routine! I am not making this up, and yes, I am just this lucky to get to shoot this kind of stuff! Congrats, Evan and Melissa!
As always, click to enlarge images.
Serena | Houston Baby Photographer
What happens when it’s too hot out? Well, we head inside! Adorable, expressive little Serena had a mini-session inside on one of Houston’s more brutal afternoons!
Wells | Houston Baby Photographer
I’ve been so fortunate to meet tons of sweet little babies this year! Wells is no exception– so precious she could be the new Gerber baby! Her session was a blast!
