{ deeply shallow } ~ austin area photographer

Yesterday (and for a while before that) I was a mess. Unhappy and just not myself. I could argue that things aren't as I would like them to be in all areas of my life, but that's no excuse to remain unhappy. I was so upset with myself for not being able to escape the funk I was settling into. All my usual tricks to lift my spirits were not working, something was seriously wrong. Today, after sleeping in a while, going to a good yoga practice, and laying in the sun sweating out the negativity, I came inside and watched a lot of Californication then sat on my balcony and watched it rain while flipping through Shape magazine. In that moment of looking at beauty tips and new moves to mix into my workout, I snapped back into me. I felt happiness when I thought about how I wanted to fix my hair and new make-up I wanted to try. The thought of painting nails with a friend and getting outside my own pity party made me smile and that's when the sadness went away. I wonder now if I was just trying too hard to smile or was I looking for something bigger and more meaningful than YSL mascara? Maybe and I guess for me, I just need to stay open, stay appreciative, and not get in the way of my own happiness.

{ following in leaps } ~ austin area photographer

For the past couple of weeks I have been researching what it would take for me to become a certified birth and postpartum doula. Having delivered both with and without medication, I am passionate about helping women recognize the energy and power of their own bodies and how beautifully labor and delivery can be when approached freely, naturally, educated, and with great support.

Typically when I have talked to people about this I am met with the question "what's a doula?" A good web definition I found here is: "a woman who gives continuous physical, emotional and informational support during labor and birth; she may also provide postpartum care in the home."



My personal vision of what I want to do is be there as a friend and helper to the mother and the father if he is wanting that inclusion, to assist and comfort, listen and support, ect. I want to offer my photography throughout the pregnancy as well, so many people miss the opportunity to capture that time and then later down the road have no photo memories to show their kids or just reminisce over. I also plan to continue into the postpartum stages and would like to dive deep into training regarding postpartum depression as I had a very trying year after Masyn's birth and would have benefitted from having that support.





Truly I'm excited, as I began the training it just felt so right and like a perfect fit. I have so many ideas forming and little plans I want to get going, but I have to take it one step at a time. It feels so good to be so passionate about the direction I am going and the steps I am taking, I needed this jolt and this ah-ha moment. As I continue on through this and can develop a clear plan and what exactly I will be looking to make from all this, I will post and update. All of the text and messages from those that I told personally have been such great confirmation, thank you for that!! I look forward to hearing any ideas you guys have or feedback, stories, anything you want to share!



Images from previous maternity and infant shoots in the Austin area.
Visit my website to see more.

{ competition + perks } ~ austin area photographer

I haven't held a "giveaway" on here in quite a long time. This morning on my drive to work my creativity must have been turned up because I had a great idea...

I'm going to host a contest. Any Austin area photographers looking to build their portfolio?... send them my way! I want a photographer to take my photo and maybe my girls if it works out for both of us. In return, I will give a $125.00 sitting to the winning photographer, and I will allow it to be used as a gift or for their own portrait by yours truly. Prints will be optional, but for a reduced rate.

If you want to enter, email me your favorite portraits that you have taken recently or in the past couple years. Tell me a little about yourself and let me see your personality, as that is VERY important to my comfort level in working with you. Feel free also to nominate someone or pass along the link to this blog to anyone in the Austin area you think might be interested.

Here are some of my past photos that I thought I'd share...been a while since most have these have made a showing on here.

I am thrilled about this and cannot wait to see all the submissions and talent!