the mays | austin family photographers

By the time we headed to the park with the May family, the sun was already soaking through the trees and resting on the water of the little creek behind the trail. As I watched their entire family wade ankle-deep into the creek, and sat watching Amanda and Colby throwing rocks into the pond with their boys, I just thought to myself: these are the kind of people that make everyone want to be parents. Amanda is one of those great moms who unearths rocks to show her boys a spider, while wearing a dress and looking absolutely stunning. Colby talks about the joys of being a dad with the excitement of someone who'd just won the lottery. They have so much fun with their kids and you can just see in the way they glance at each other during those moments of blissful commotion that their two little guys have made every part of their life sweeter.

And, really, I think that is what family is all about.

Aren't his eyes gorgeous?

Grin | Sneak Peek

Don't these sweet grins make you happy?

That's what Olivia did for us yesterday. She's too cute.

More to come.

summer nights | sneak peek

Had an amazing time with this family tonight!

Don't you just love summer? And dads? And kids? And flying?

Me too.

Emily + Pete | Austin Engagement Photographers

We'll call this one...Beautiful People.

We had the distinct pleasure of photographing my sweet friends Emily and Pete a couple weeks ago.

These dear friends are planning an October wedding in Chicago that will bring friends and family from all over the country to celebrate. With ten Pete siblings, five Emily siblings, parents coming from Alaska and Illinois and friends from Austin, their wedding day will be one for the books....much like this outstanding couple. 

After moments with Emily and Pete anyone...scratch that...EVERYONE feels welcomed and loved. The kindness of these two is unmatched.  

They were made for each other.

And I'm just so thankful I get to call them friends...and that they're sticking around Austin.

Did I mention, they're beautiful?

Austin Motel...that one's for you, Peter.

Thank you, South Congress.

Bling!

and...a little Austin skyline

Love it!

Love them.

What do you think?

Pete and Emily Engaged | Sneak Peek

We'll save our gushing over how much we love this couple's fun, authenticity, laughter, kindness, etc for the full post.

For now, feast your eyes...and wait anxiously for what's to come (in the next couple days)!

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.