BABIES!

Dear webfriends,

Guess what...Julie had a baby girl!! 'Tis true...believe it! Much like her mother, she is one of the most adorable little things on the planet.

Hadley Joy Prothro was born on July 3, 2011 weighing in at just 5lbs14oz. Mama and baby are doing wonderfully.

In addition, I had a niece (my first)! Sweet Maggie Beth Welch was born June 23, and has made this girl one very stinking proud AUNT!

So it is baby-ville around Everest Road.

You want to see pictures? Check out our personal blogs:

Hadley

Maggie Beth

life lately

Life for me lately has been a a lot about lists. I'm a list-maker by nature, generally at any point in the day I have about two or three different lists on my desk to help keep my thoughts organized. With a baby coming anytime in the next two weeks, my list making has gotten a bit extreme. All of a sudden my lists have categories and prioritization schemes and maybe its just nesting but it is certainly getting out of control.

Luckily, the lists are winding down and the day where we get to meet our precious baby is fast approaching! Evan keeps reminding me that we have done everything we need to do to bring a baby home, and all the things left on the list are icing on the cake which is very true. So in the spirit of embracing the icing on the cake mentality here is a list of all things I've been enjoying while waiting for the baby.

1. Frozen desserts--I've been figuring out ways to get at least a sno-cone, some frozen yogurt or ice cream almost everyday
2. Walks--Evan and I have been spending the evenings walking around the neighborhood at sunset
3. Crafts--I've started heat-embossing stamps, and lots of random projects for the nursery
4. Swimming--going to the pool makes me so happy
5. Netflix-there is something glorious about a lazy evening spent on the couch watching random tv shows

Our glider arrives tomorrow and then I'll take more nursery pics but until then here is one of the awesome bedding Evan's mom made for the baby. LOVE!

So our bags are packed and until then we'll just be sitting, waiting, wishing (and eating pineapple/coconut frozen yogurt!)

We can't wait to meet you little one!

julie likes....

Here is a quick sampling of some of my favorite things for the past few weeks. 

Reading-I've been ingesting books lately. On top of wanting to read all the good baby books and then decide what I think is the most valuable in each of them, I feel this need to finish every half-read book I've started over the last year. Generally, I have about six books going at one time. I'll open up a different one depending on my mood, so some books take me months to finish, while others take a day or two. To top that off, I've been heading to half price books too and getting "summer reading" books so my list keeps growing.

My nail polish- Last week Evan and I went on a vacation to the Lost Pines Hyatt where we relaxed in a lazy river, read by the pool, ate great food and I got a pedicure from the spa. This trip could have single-handedly summed up all my favorite things. Instead I'll pinpoint down my nail color-the pretty light coral makes me happy every time I see it! I may be confusing just how much I love my nail color with how happy I am every time I get to see my toes make an appearance from under my stomach but I don't think I'd be nearly as happy if they weren't such a great color. Also, had no idea how difficult it would be do take a picture of my feet, so ignore its sub-par quality. 

The Mavericks- I'm not the biggest basketball fan, I prefer football about tenfold. In fact, I don't think I watched any regular season basketball games this year but playoffs are different. Not only have both the games been really intense so far, but its also just more fun when you feel like you have a home team to support. (Any Texas team [except the Texans]=home team) So we've been watching all the games and I've even been wearing the giant foam finger I got when we went to the Dallas/OKC games while I lay on the couch. Thursday's game almost gave me a heart attack but it was well worth it. 

So those are my favorite things! Hope everyone enjoys their weekend and the Mavs game tonight!

editing mix | Issue 4

Sometimes when it comes to the music I edit to, I become my own little Pandora radio station, deciding on a unique thread that runs through a few artists and picking all my music based on that similarity. Usually it has to do with musical style but this week I was all about Austin bands. So here is a taste of the best of this week's Austin playlist.

Moon Rocks by Jesse Woods
This actually started the Austin trend. He's so talented and has such a unique voice.
Also, his sister is one of by best friends in the world. 

Gimme Fiction by Spoon
Spoon is one of my favorite bands to listen to, they're the perfect amount of upbeat. 

Let the Light In by Bob Schneider
I'm loving his new single.  I need to get out and finally see him in concert.

moms

I spent the early part of Friday morning with one of my favorite new moms, soaking in the sweetness of her new motherhood and capturing some moments so she can always remember this time in her life. I love witnessing the transformation of a woman becoming a mom. There are so many subtle changes. Her sleeves become spit-up rags, her sleep grows light from anticipating the cries of her little one, and her schedule moves and molds to meet the needs of her growing baby. It is a role in life that requires more selflessness than any other, and yet moms achieve it with such grace and love because at the end of the day they get to cradle their sweet children in their arms, with an entire little hand wrapped around their finger, and feel absolutely blessed to have the job.

So here is a very sincere thank you to all of the wonderful moms out there, including our own. Thank you for your selfless love and the joys you took in raising us. We owe so much of who we are to the sacrifices you made in raising us and we are forever thankful!

Also, with Mother's Day fast approaching we've gotten several e-mails asking about gift cards, and wanted to announce on the blog that we do offer gift cards. They come personalized with the recipient and gifter's names, printed on heavy card stock and packaged in a thick bright envelope with white ribbon. Of course, for procrastinators there is also a pdf version that can be sent via e-mail within the day.  :)

We hope everyone has a wonderful time celebrating their moms this Sunday!

editing mix | issue 3

Oh how I have needed music lately! Before I left town to see my sweet nephews in Arizona I  spent some late nights editing and had it not been for Grooveshark putting music at my fingertips, I'm not sure I would have been able to keep my eyes open. Here are the albums that did the trick:

Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars

Music for the morning when I still had lots of energy

Interventions and Lullabies by The Format

One of my favorite pick-me-up albums for when I start to drag

For Lack of a Better Name by Deadmau5

Generally techno is not my thing but it really saved me when I was totally drained

Any good music recommendations? I'm always looking...

WWW: What to Wear Wednesday

One of the things that Julie and I have realized as we take photos of folks is that most people aren't really used to having their picture taken professionally.

We get that!!

In fact, we relate to that. We had some photos taken of us in the last several months and it was so clear that we're not really used to it either. We struggled. :) Julie's still making fun of me for the serious faces I tried to make.

It wasn't pretty.

One of the more common questions we get before a session is, "What should we wear?" 

In order to answer that question for coming shoots, I've decided to start posting outfit ideas on Wednesdays. Now these outfits will always be ideas...templates if you will, for you to draw inspiration from.  

What you wear for a photoshoot should fit your personal style. You should always wear something that makes you feel comfortable. Clothes should enhance your personality not take away from it by being too tight or too awkward or not "you". We often suggest layers and accessories because they they offer more versatility. In the end, you should always choose outfits that make you feel great about how you look. 

Today's look is for Jill and Steve, the engaged couple planning a fall wedding. Their wedding isn't until October, but they need to get their save the dates out, so they scheduled a spring engagement shoot. These outfits aren't too match-y, but go well together. They picked an awesome little splash of color to go with their urban shoot.

In the coming weeks I'll give you different outfit ideas for you to flip through before your shoot. It is possible to have your outfits go together without matching so much you look like you're in a Mervyn's catalog.

Check back on Wednesdays for how to dress your the whole crew for a family portrait session. And let me know in the comments if you have any questions!

Merry Christmas!

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Hallelujah!

We'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Another Year

Blog post about my best friend/business partner/sanity keeper/ life saver's birthday.

Unoriginal - maybe.

Useful for letting you know just how valuable she is - certainly

As we explored Annapolis yesterday and watched the sunset out the airplane window last night, I thought of how many exciting events we've done together. I am so extraordinarily blessed to do life beside this woman. When I think of God's provision to David in Jonathon, my eyes begin to sting and the crocodile tears fall because of how familiar that feels to me.

If I could tell you how much I value Julie, I'm certain I would run out of words. Using up all the words I know wouldn't suffice. If I imagine my life without her, I get not only sad - but terrified.

Julie, you have this unique ability to make everything ok for me. When life feels out of control your steady, kind, love and presence bring me peace. So many areas of my life would be lacking without you, dear friend. I'm so so thankful that you and Evan love me so well. I know Jesus better because you're in my life. I love you tons and tons!


Happy Birthday to the half of Everest Road that never walks through autumn leaves without tossing a few!

happy birthday jessica!

To my dear, wonderful, business partner, mentor, sanity-keeper and friend,

There are few things in this world that can elicit a larger contented sigh from me that the thought of you. You are one of my greatest earthly blessings and closest friends. It's funny to look back at the short timeline of our friendship and see a common theme: struggle. We've struggled through the Forge together, through adjusting to real life and then through starting a business but we've never struggled with each other. You've always given me the perfect balance of grace and conviction to allow me to flourish. If ever there's a foxhole, I want you beside me. Period. I'm so thankful for you and the jackpot I hit by having you not only as a friend, but as a business partner. I hope you have an unbelievable birthday!

I couldn't love you more,

Julie

Since this was a sappy post, I'll end it with a silly picture. (Mwhahaha!)

editing mix | issue 1

One of the best things about sitting at a computer for large chunks of time editing pictures is that it provides a great opportunity to discover and rediscover great music. I loved the challenge of finding new music in college, but I've been far less diligent about it in recent years. Luckily, with sites like pandora and grooveshark it no longer takes diligence. Just time to listen.

And I have that.

So we're going to start a little segment of posts on our current editing mixes, just for fun. This week my editing mix includes:

Balmorhea (for when I'm in the zone and want no distractions)

The Glee Soundtrack (for when I get stir-crazy and need to sing OUT LOUD–don't judge)

Amos Lee (for when I need a little inspiration–his voice does that for me)

I think I could make a pretty good argument for music making me more productive by helping get me into the right mood.

sandwich satisfaction | austin sandwich shop

I got to go back to Avenue B Grocery in Hyde Park and this time it was open.

And......WOW!

Those sandwiches really are amazing. I definitely achieved sandwich satisfaction. I couldn't believe how simple such a perfect sandwich could be. Delicious bread, fresh veggies, quality meats, good cheeses, and specialty sauces (habanero mayo!)-all stacked into a wonderful sandwich and wrapped in butcher paper. It is the perfect lazy weekend lunch spot and I will go back often.

Happy Thursday!!

P.S. The honey mustard is out of this world.

Tortured

I'm being tortured.

Okay, that is a big word. What I'm being is a smaller word, maybe tormented. No, smaller still.

I'm being vexed.

Why this vexation you ask?

Well, I'll tell you.

Last weekend our amazing friends Michael and Danielle came to visit and Michael took us to one of his favorite Austin sandwich shops, Avenue B Grocery. It's this precious little store that sells a small amount of grocery items and makes delicious sandwiches in the back.

BUT IT WAS CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND.

Everyday since, I've thought about how cute it was, how delicious the sandwiches probably are, and how much I want to go there immediately. I'll admit I've even added to my own vexation by looking up reviews online and reading things like:

"The store's garlic habanero mayo - WOW, so GOOD!"

"I like this little place with it's perfect park benches outside to enjoy you sandwich"

"The oldest operating grocery store in Austin"

"Frito pie."

"Fresh quality ingredients"

"Charming little mom n pop store"

I've been aching to get a chance to go back but the schedule has yet to allow for that, hence the vexation. (Nothing vexes me quite like unfulfilled food cravings.) So until I get the chance at a delicious sandwich with habanero mayo and a Dublin Dr Pepper, I'll longingly look at pictures and dream of Frito pies.

Isn't it just wonderful?

Thanks for the wonderful weekend, and slight vexation that will, no doubt, turn into sandwich satisfaction sometime soon. You guys are great! And now you have a picture together!

Why Everest Road?

If you talked to anyone who's climbed Everest, they'd tell you it was hard. They'd likely have a sizable list of moments when they wanted to throw in the towel. There are so many reasons a challenge like this is insane. The oxygen at the top of Everest is too thin to breathe on your own. It's so cold frost-bite is nearly inevitable. The death toll on Mount Everest is over 200.



Some might say anyone would be foolish to attempt such a task.



But they keep doing it...



Why?

In 1922 George Leigh Mallory said about climbing Mount Everest, " ...there is something in  man which responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it...the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward...What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy." 

The climb is motivated by the joy and reward of the summit, but the struggle and adventure that pave the road to Everest are what defines it.

So what does that have to do with photography?

Well, all of our lives are characterized by our own summits, those moments and relationships that give our lives meaning. From graduating, to marriage, to starting a family, we all have peaks. Much like Everest, the road can be hard but we are driven on by the joy and rewards ahead.
If you talked to anyone who's been married for 50 years, they'd tell you it was hard.

But they'd tell you the adventure was worth it.

That’s what we love about photography. It captures not only our time at the summit, but also our journey there. It gives us a tangible memory of our transition from optimistic, inexperienced climbers to veteran hikers wise enough to understand the challenges and devoted enough to face them each day until we ascend that summit. We delight in capturing the journey and joy of life's adventures. Whether it's a new life, the start of a marriage or a 75th anniversary, being able to look back on the journey makes reaching the summit even sweeter.