A morning with the Lambert girls - austin family photography

If you've never heard the Loudon Wainwright III song "Daughter," you should go listen now. I'll wait. Every time I spend time with a family of girls, this song runs through my head.

I first met Iyla when she and my own daughter were in the same infant swim class, 3+ years ago. It's fun being back in touch. Our girls share a passion for swimming, imaginative play, flouncy dresses, and running wild outside.

Iyla now has a baby sister, Eloise, who is obviously some kind of genius. I kid you not -- this tiny, eight-month-old thing poops on the pot. The highest marker of intelligence, right? But also: Eight. Months. Old. What. The. Hell. Right??

Clearly, mama Jules is doing something right. These girls are both damned adorable, totally adoring of their mother and each other. Mornings in their home are peaceful, gentle, and full of sweetness. Here's a little peek at our time together last week.

it's more than just bluebonnet season, y'all!

It's not just bluebonnet season, y'all. It's creek-splashing season. Hiking season. Outdoor music season. Gardening season. Bike-riding season. Campfire season.

And yet. Why are all of us Austinites compulsively drawn to plopping our children down in a field of bluebonnets, taking slightly-awkward portraits there, and then putting our cameras away until our summer vacations?

Don't get me wrong. Bluebonnet portraits are a time-honored tradition for Central Texans, right? But here's the thing. There's so much more activity and content to our glorious springtimes. 

This year, let's all put our real life in our record books, shall we?

A morning in the life of the Stennes clan - austin family storytelling photography

When I say this family is full of life, I'm not exaggerating. Robin invited me into her temporary residence in Dripping Springs to photograph the love and chaos of this moment in their life. She, her husband, and her two young boys are world travelers, rarely settling in one spot for more than a few months. Their latest travels brought them to the Austin area, home of Robin's sister Annie and her family.

The sisters are close. I mean real close. They laugh together and cry together and aren't afraid to be totally vulnerable and trusting with one another. The kind of sibling relationship we all wish for. Their family lives have been oddly parallel, too. Robin and Annie's eldest children were born within weeks of one another. Same with the second set -- another boy for Robin, and twin girls for Annie.

For a family that hasn't lived in the same town in over a decade, this time together is extra special. Watching the children develop and strengthen their own bonds and play and fight like siblings is a beautiful thing. And parenting in parallel with your sister and closest friend is a rare gift in life.

In our time together, these guys made and ate breakfast, and then smeared it all over their chins and clothes. Played Candy Land. Read books. Chased and screamed. Got so muddy in the world's most glorious puddle that you almost couldn't tell which child was which. Spashed and fought in the bathtub. Painted. Threw tantrums. Shared quiet moments. Loved one another.

Next week, Robin's crew heads off to New Zealand, then to Minnesota, then Chile. But for this fleeting moment in their life, they'll always remember this deep, messy, beautiful, emotional togetherness that they shared, for a brief while, in Austin.

To book your own Day in the Life or for more info, click here.

Fine Art Child Portraits: Stella

I met the sweetest little girl last month, and she lives right in our neighborhood! Stella is as curious, busy, and precocious as they come, and stunning red curls that the rest of us would KILL for. 

Fine Art Child Portraits are available to individuals, schools, and any other official or unofficial group. For more info, click here.

In the studio with Mingle Jewelry

I first met Rachel, owner and artist at Mingle Jewelry, in 2008. I fell in love with her art at a local shop, and contacted her to create some one-of-a-kind pieces for my wedding. Years later, she's still creating and innovating.

She welcomed me to the studio of the great Mingle Jewelry a couple weeks ago to watch her do her magic, making thoughtfully-designed, lovingly-crafted pieces that are both understated and magical. Here's a little peek at her artist's world.

To inquire about artist-at-work sessions, click here.

February (a 365 project)

February. What a month. Judging from the child nudity in these photos (and in my real life), you'd guess this month closed out the hottest winter on record in Austin. Oh wait. It did. In hot pursuit of each other and the proverbial family glory, both kids learned to ride a balance bike. It's frightening and wonderful how well a little competition works on them. We ditched diapers once and for all. Went to E's first movie. Studied a sunbathing raccoon. Reveled in the magic of a beloved preschool tradition. Swang, swam, and skied outside, all within a week of each other. And seriously upped the ante of our bedtime insanity.

This 365 project attempts to capture a little slice of each day of 2017. Babies don't keep, after all, and the months just keep rolling by.