Did you open this post and think your web browser took you over to an advertisement for Baby Gap? I’ve been photographing this handsome little model baby since he was in his mommy’s womb, so I have loved watching him grow and develop his sweet personality over the past two years.

A Precious Keepsake

This vibrant shoot took place at the Sugar & Cloth Color Wall and Rainbow Staircase, right on the edge of downtown Houston. Sadly, it no longer exists :( —so these will be historic photos! The cheerful colors reflected Joseph’s joy and attitude perfectly. His silly grins and laughing faces are my favorite...capturing natural images of kids is always my goal! To get him in his element, I let him just explore and have fun. He checked out the staircase and showed his mom all the different colored stripes on the wall while I discreetly snapped away. I never want to over-pose kids because it hides their individuality (which is what most parents want to really highlight).

I pulled out a little stool and miniature wooden ladder as simple props for some up-close (somewhat) still shots. As with all two-year-olds, he was eagerly trying to climb up the ladder before I even had it set up! When he got to the top, he looked over at us triumphantly as if to say, “Did you see that? I did it!” I love that he has his little tongue sticking out as his focuses on his steps.

Joseph, I had a blast capturing this milestone year for you. You are one special guy! Happiest of birthdays!

What an amazing day Joseph and I had together. The opportunity to be his Houston Child Photographer was nothing short of an absolute joy!

As a Family Urban Session photographer, one of my greatest joys comes from returning clients who want new pictures as their family grows (either with new members or just with progression of time). I love having the pleasure of seeing how tiny newborns develop into preschoolers full of personality and how big brothers and sisters adapt to their vital roles over the years. As a mother myself, I see a glimpse of my future as I capture families with older children. It reminds me of how quickly time flies and to really soak it all in as it’s happening.

There's A First For Everything

The Simpson family booked me for a baby plan when baby girl #2, Elena, was born in 2017. For her One Year portraits earlier this year, we decided to make it a family + cake smash session. I adore family portraits at this age. I truly think every family should have updated family portraits done when their babies turn one. It's such a huge milestone and fun age—they grow exponentially in those first twelve months!

We did this session in one of my favorite urban locations in Houston, and the creative results are so different but perfect! I really enjoy it when parents have unique artistic styles they want to try out for some out-of-the-box portraits. The abstract urban landscape gives dynamic dimension to the images, but it is also beautifully symbolic of the city where the Simpson’s have established their roots. If they ever relocate, they can look back on these photos to remember the place they first called home.

Meet baby Hazel. Ruler of my studio who wrapped her parents and Jenna and I around those tiny little fingers. Her little sister and this doll baby are both so photogenic and just so easy.

Because this family is a family of girls (sorry dad) we wanted to style it with all the girlie things. How did I do? ;) We used florals, pinks, rhinestone embellishments, lovies, lace and all. the. snuggles. 

This sweet girl was so sleepy and so easy to photograph, she let me do so many poses. And we were able to document this fleeting time in their lives so beautifully with a variety of set ups and colors.  When clients follow my prep guide for newborn portraits, you can expect to have a session with this much variety! That said,though, it is also important to note that newborn babies also are human! So they do possess their own personality. So some may not like certain poses or positions.  Do not fear, since I am trained and experienced with newborn portraiture, I always have been able to fill up a gallery- even if your baby does not like a certain pose!

This session also highlights a great example of outfit ideas for mom, dad and siblings! We stuck with neutral tops, and a neutral background.This allowed us to bring in some color from big sis and mama on their skirts!  I also recommend doing your hair and makeup (makeup is priority, here) or getting it done.  You may not feel up to it, but you will look back on these images and be grateful you chose to.  These are the very first moments in your baby’s life, so we want to make sure we are jumping in the shots, and feeling our best(with little sleep ha!). 

This just promotes that fun and exciting experience that I am always trying to achieve for each one of my clients.

Questions?  I am here to help! I would love to talk with you!

Happy Wednesday, friends! I am so excited to be sharing this sweet Vintage One Year session with sweet Camila. We went to the Houston Warehouse Studios. This worked well for this sweet family (and me!) because we got to avoid any crazy Houston winter weather.

This is also a great option for any client that may be on a time crunch and cannot really fit reschedules into their scheduling. Rain? No problem! Cold winter days? No problem! And yep, HOT Houston days? No problemo!

This sweet family and I went with a beautiful vintage vibe. We managed to get a ton of Camila by herself along with some family shots- I always recommend doing this for one year sessions. Our children are probably the most important thing in our lives (aside from our sweet spouses), so naturally we want to catch those fleeting moments of them. However, your babies will want pictures of you one day, so please- jump in the frames!

One of my favorite additions to this session was the floral crown and tee-pee that I use. It looked absolutely stunning in front of that exposed brick wall. The natural lighting paired with those natural elements made these images look soft, inviting and aesthetically pleasing.

Be sure to scroll below to view the highlights from this session. And as always- I want to hear from YOU! So if you are looking for a photographer to document your most precious moments in life, be sure to reach out and get in touch!

One the most common laments I get from clients is, “I can’t seem to find coordinating family outfits for our upcoming session! How can I make this easier?” I’m a mom of three—I get it. Rather than sorting through FIVE closets to scrounge up semi-coordinating outfits, we as moms decide that it would probably be easiest to the just start all over and go buy some fresh new clothes. That being said, as busy moms, making a trip to a men’s store for Dad, the women’s store for mom, and then another trip for the kids just sounds miserable. So, just like Target is the one-stop-shop for home and groceries, these are my top 5 stores for finding clothes for the entire family. I want to make your job a little easier!

My Top 4 Favorite Outfitters for Family Sessions

1. Gap—Gap has a classic, yet colorful style. They’re my go-to store because you can find one in any city, they have clothes for newborns up to adults. Their clothes are great quality, reasonably priced, and will stay in style until you wear them out! They run true to size, so ordering online is pretty safe. (Plus, they usually have great sales going on—like the current up to 50% off everything online…plus and additional 20% off the total. Can’t beat that!!

2. Old Navy—Looking for something similar to Gap but on the cheap? Old Navy offers amazing discounts if you’re buying clothes in bulk (like for the family). They also have some trendier, edgier, and funkier clothes than you’ll find at Gap if you’re looking for that. I always get stuck looking at their amazing accessory selection!

3. H&M—This store is great for mixing up the style. You can even search collections online based on the style you’re going for. For instance, under “Campaigns,” you can see their Denim Style, Guide, Shades of Fall, Masters of Monochrome, and more. Under “Shop by Concept,” you can view party, casual, modern classic, premium quality, or trendy collections. Of course, you can search by product or sales, too. H&M has a HUGE selection, and they make it so easy for customers to pull a specific look together.

4. Nordstrom Rack—Want a luxury department store collection without hurting your wallet? Check out Nordstrom Rack! They offer a similar leading fashion selection as Nordstrom but at a discounted price. They also provide easy online shopping convenience for everyone from baby to Dad, but I always like to take an afternoon out for this one. ;)

Bonus: So, the kids and Dad have their clothes, but you want to splurge on something extra special and beautiful for the session. These are my personal favorites for Mom:

• Free People (a specialty bohemian and vintage brand)

• Zara (a Spanish-founded fast fashion brand)

• ASOS (British online fashion and cosmetic retailer)

Just look at those sweet pouty little lips! Who couldn't help but fall in love with this sweet girl? I know I sure did! Elena is a part of our Baby Planner program, so I've had the pleasure of seeing her a few times over the past months. Each time I get to see her, I am reminded just how quickly time truly does pass.

An Absolutely Adorable Session

Mom brought along the ride-on-lamb with her, which made for some absolutely adorable shots. Just look at that smile! Can't you hear the sound of her laughter fill the air? My favorite part from the session though had to be when Elena donned her sweet little overalls. Swoon! Do you think they make those in my size?!

As a mama myself, I feel as though I blink once, and an entire year has passed before my very eyes. It's for this reason that I truly adore what I do as a child photographer. I am given the unique gift of providing parents with a snap-shot in time. What an amazing gift it is! As I walk through the halls of my home, I am always reminded of the endless laughter-filled memories and quiet peaceful moments I've shared with my babies.

Looking for the Best Birthday Photographer in Houston? Look no further that Taryn Melgoza Photography, your one stop shop for all things baby and child photography!

I am absolutely in love with this newborn session. Charlotte came to me at just a few short days old, and boy do I love those squishy baby cheeks! I had a ton of fun with this session, playing with moody tones and various textural elements. She was such a trooper throughout the entire session, hardly making a peep. In other words, a Pearland Newborn Photographer dream client!

A Photographer's Dream

We started our session wrapping little Charlotte in a mauve swaddling blanket, and laying her on layered blankets. Each accented the other perfectly. I wanted to add an additional feminine touch, so we placed a few sprigs of flowers and greenery around her. So adorable!!

One of my favorite shots from this session is of Charlotte surrounded entirely by varying shades of blue. It's definitely her color! I am loving this vintage floral trend I've seen sprout up lately. Crossing my fingers it's here to stay!!

Tea parties, ruffles, lace, and sweet delicate florals. All things girly, and all things my sweet Penelope loves. This is my very own daughter, we just celebrated her fourth birthday and wanted to commemorate this adorable stage in her life with her very own birthday session. As so many little girls are, she is absolutely obsessed with tea parties and playing dress up. As her mother, what could be better than providing for her the perfect afternoon, filled to the brim with everything she loves. Luckily, I was there every step of the way to capture each joyful grin and silly giggle.

Golden Light and Bright Brown Eyes

We decided to have our session outdoors, taking full advantage of that dreamy dusky light that appears right before sunset. I set up her favorite tea set next to a ruffled tent adorned with natural greenery that accented her floral crown perfectly (provided by Ode to Joy Flowers in Houston). Add in a happy little girl with bright brown eyes, and you have all the makings for a wonderful evening.

Being able to document my own children throughout the years brings me such satisfaction as a mom and child photographer. I can capture their individual personalities, remembering each little quirk that I love so much. As time always does, it shocks me that my baby girl is already 4 years old. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was taking her home from the hospital? I feel as though she went to bed a sleepy infant and woke up as a happy little girl, an absolute ray of sunshine that brightens the day of any who crosses her path.

Happy birthday, Penelope!!

The opportunity to capture my sweet daughter's idea of a perfect evening was such a treat. As a Houston Child Birthday Photographer, I would love to make your vision a reality!

Baby Boy Blue

I’m a sucker for the blues—blue hues, that is. Especially striking cobalt against natural, rustic tones. I am obsessed with the color scheme and props that we used for baby Michael’s newborn portraits. We kept it simple yet still creative. Michael looked like the cutest special delivery you’ve ever seen tucked inside a blue pail wrapped in soft blankets and topped with his little baby cap. We also used a tiny vintage doll bed to make him look larger-than-life with a miniature stocking cap and some pants with adorable stitching and great cribs from the Treasure Rooms site online. I really love all the button accents—they were the perfect little motifs to match the cute-as-a-button baby. Michael was such an easy newborn to pose, giving us tons of mischievous smirks, smiles and scrunched-up faces. He woke up briefly in the middle of the shoot to give us a picture of his big, handsome eyes before succumbing to sleep again.

This newborn shoot was extra special since it let me catch up with my friends who are previous clients. It is such an honor to get to watch my clients' families grow! I had the pleasure of photographing Michael’s big sister's newborn session a few years ago, and I was so excited when they asked me to do their next baby’s (Michael) portraits earlier this year! This family is so sweet, beautiful, and easy to work with. And baby Michael has the cutest dimples ever!! He was such a trooper through it all, and I have a feeling he’ll get a kick out of this portraits when he’s older—maybe as his parents show off their cutie at a high school graduation party in 18 years or even at a rehearsal dinner later?!

This family ranks high amongst my favorites! They are Baby Planner clients of mine, so I have had the immense pleasure of capturing their maternity, newborn and one-year photos! Getting to see this family (and families like this) grow in numbers and in love brings me so much satisfaction and happiness as a family photographer.

A Golden-Light Sunset Session

We decided on a secluded beach for our golden-light sunset session together to celebrate their littlest one's first birthday. Happy birthday Baby A! It was the absolute perfect location, with plenty of room to play and explore, but boy was it WINDY! Nonetheless, we were able to get some truly stunning images of this family of five. I love how thoroughly they enjoyed their time together. Baby A has the most striking eyes, that were highlighted by our natural light environment. Although this session was in celebration of A's first birthday, I was sure to capture some images of each child individually. After all, these little ones grow up so fast! How could I resist documenting their growth?!

Initially, we had hopes of getting a few more individual swimsuit images of little bit (speaking of her swimsuit, make sure you sneak a peek!! SO cute!!), but this Texas day was just too chilly! I know... chilly and Texas in a sentence together. Weird right?! The best tool a photographer can have in their arsenal is the ability to go with the flow and be able to think on their feet. Especially one that works with little ones! Plan B turned out to be just an equally gorgeous option, as we decided to snuggle Baby A up in the warmest, softest blanket we could find. The sweet snuggles made for some breathtaking images that I'm sure will be cherished for years to come.

This has been an amazing year of returning families!! I always look forward to seeing familiar faces, catching up, and seeing how much the little ones have grown. The opportunity to develop deeper relationships as a Houston Newborn Photographer with these families might have secretly been the reason I started the Baby Plan. It’s working. ;)

Sleeping Beauty

Baby Zoe is a gorgeous baby girl! I had the pleasure of photographing baby #1 (a boy) for the Wood family a few years ago. I loved watching him develop his own little personality over the course of that year, and I am so excited to do the same with his baby sister. Plus, we made sure to include him in Zoe’s shoot, and I can’t believe how quickly he has transformed into such a handsome little boy! I almost didn’t recognize him. Zoe is so blessed to have such a sweet big brother to watch over her. I have no doubt that these two will have a close bond.

Mom loves all things floral and girly, so I made sure to do it up on this precious newborn session! I am obsessed with all of the color combinations and styles we used for this shoot. It was a lot of fun for me to be able to create some different looks so that the Woods have images they can use for just about anything—nursery décor, wall art, announcements, or even a mantelpiece display. I love the soft lavender blanket, rustic moss-covered basket, and pastel florals for the newborn portraits. They added a creative touch without going overboard. For the family portraits, we used a neutral background to really highlight the family as a unit and capture their interactions with each other.

I am so happy for this growing family, and I am thankful that they have chosen me as their photographer to document this special time in their lives. They are not just clients, they are friends. Congratulations Wood Family on baby #2—she is perfect!

Zoe Wood Newborn Photos

Howdy friends!  I am so excited to be offering fall mini sessions again this year!  You may remember I did NOT offer them last year as I had just had my third baby.  I've missed seeing so many of you and hope to see you sometime this  fall!  Here are all the important details and information you need to know about this year's fall mini sessions.

DETAILS + PRICING

$400

20 minute indoor session

15 high resolution images of your choice

IMPORTANT INFO

When and where will these sessions take place?

They will take place on Saturday October 13, 2018 at the Houston Warehouse Studios.  There will be 11 time slots available.

What can these sessions be used for?

They may be used for single portraits, couples, or individual families (no extended families please).

What does the studio look like?

The studio is actually a restored warehouse in downtown Houston.  It has tons of character, an exposed brick wall, lots of windows, and various furniture props.  I plan to utilize part of the space for some Christmas themed portraits (think Christmas tree, wreath, TBD) but also plan to have space for some timeless (non-themed) family portraits as well.  All the above images were taken at this studio.

When will my images be ready?

All galleries will be delivered by (or before) November 1st, 2018.

How many images will I receive?

Your gallery will include a minimum of 15 fully edited high resolution digital images from your session. Most of the time I am able to capture more than the minimum, so it is likely you will get to view more than 15 images. You will then have a chance to choose your favorite 15 images via digital download with the option to purchase additional images if you choose to do so.

What if I cannot attend my mini session for an unforeseen reason?

Please note that these mini sessions are nonrefundable, nontransferable, and cannot be rescheduled for any reason. Please be sure you are 100% available for the date and time before registering.

How can I sign up?

Times will open to the public through my store link on Monday August 13th at 6pm.  Be sure to join my newsletter to get first dibs to the link!  In the past, these sessions have sold out in minutes, so be ready to grab your spot!  A completed contract and $200 plus tax deposit is due upon booking and required to hold your time slot. The remaining $200 plus tax balance will be due one week before your session date.

Please send me an email if you have any questions at all to TarynMelgoza@gmail.com.

Join the newsletter HERE!

Houston Newborn Studio Photography | Alexander

Look at this sweet newborn session! Alexander is such a sweet baby boy who is perfect from his full head of dark brown hair down to his little toes! I wanted to make sure that I captured every flawless detail of him for mom and dad to reminisce on forever. I can’t stress enough to these families to get their little angels in as soon as possible because they grow up so quickly.

A Simplistic Approach

For this session, mom and dad requested something simple in order to keep the spotlight on Mr. Alexander. I’m such a fan of the earthy color scheme that they went with. You never know if newborns will get fuzzy during a session, but this one slept the entire time. Even when I moved him from position to position. I was lucky enough that he wasn’t too sleepy because he gave me the cutes grin when he was wrapped up in the material. Especially when he was placed in my little wooden basket. The most heartwarming part of the entire session was when mom was holding him close and kissing him on those big cheeks! There’s nothing quite like watching a mother’s love right in front of you, and it never gets old!

Ten perfect toes, perfect pouty lips and sweet bare bottoms. These are a few of my favorite things as a Houston Newborn Studio Photography artist.

Pearland Studio Child Photographer | Charlize Studio Milestone Session

Check out this cutie pie, Charlize! I first just want to say that I am in love with her name. It's so unique and beautiful just like her. Mom and dad requested a fun and girly session to celebrate her being one year old, and that’s exactly what they got. If there’s one thing I am an expert at, that is coming up with sassy and girly sessions. I know that these images will be something that brings the entire family smiles for a lifetime.

Ruffled Bottoms and Sweet Smiles

Mom dressed Charlize up in the sweetest outfits, and it really showed off her bubbly personality.  From the bows, ruffles, and flowers, she was all dolled up for the camera. We couldn’t stop ooing and awing over ever little move that she made because she’s just so adorable. She stole my heart with big brown eyes, and I just know that she has mom and dad wrapped around her little finger. My favorite part of the session is when we placed her in this little pale that I had laying around my studio. She was so curious as to what we were doing, and kept reaching out for momma! I had so much fun laughing during this session, and I hope to see them again!

As a Pearland Studio Child Photographer, I am so blessed to have the opportunity to meet and work with so many sweet little ones!

Houston Outdoor Maternity Photographer | Miranda's Maternity Session

I had a great time capturing Miranda and her oldest daughter for her Maternity Session.  Both of these ladies were as sweet as they are beautiful.  Their smiles were so bright and full of excitement about welcoming a little baby into the family.  Miranda was stunning in the eggplant gown that she chose from our studio wardrobe.  The gown cascaded beautifully over her baby bump.  It was a nice balance of getting dressed up for the special occasion but casual enough for their laid back outdoor session.

Mommy and Me Time

The sun was shining and the trees were gorgeous.  There is something about Houston that draws people here and keeps them here.  Aside from good ol southern hospitality, the trees and basically year round warm weather are high on the list of what makes Houston great.  They definitely made these January Maternity Photos possible.

Miranda and her daughter enjoyed this special day together.  I thought it was so sweet to do a mommy daughter session before welcoming baby brother into the mix.  Her little girl was so sweet and I could not wait to meet their little boy.  Since they booked a baby plan I knew I would not have to wait long to meet him.  I could hardly wait to capture his Newborn Session.

As a Houston Outdoor Maternity Photographer I am so blessed to meet adorable growing families. Just like this sweet duo! Congrats on your newest arrival!

Baby Photography in Houston, TX

Let’s face it - being a parent is hard. Sleepless nights, the feeding struggle, and the “why are you crying” struggle are just a few of the things that keep us constantly on edge. As a new mom, I totally understand the pain! So… I went on the search to find some relief. What if I told you that there were some products to make the life of a parent slightly easier? Here are the top baby products on the market that have made my life as a mommy just a little bit better:

The Ergobaby 360 Baby Carrier

My little one constantly wants to be carried. And if I’m being quite honest, I constantly want to hold them, too. However, it’s not always practical to have my baby in my arms at all times. The Ergobaby 360 Baby Carrier is the perfect compromise. It fits super comfy around my shoulders, and my little one often falls asleep to the rhythm of my footsteps. This baby carrier is a must for busy moms who are looking for a safe and comfortable way to hold their baby close to their heart!

Arm’s Reach Concepts Mini Ezee 2-in-1 Bedside Bassinet

This bassinet is the perfect baby bed for all the moms out there that prefer to co-sleep with their little ones. It is natural for you and your baby to want to spend every minute together - even sleeping. It’s so hard for us mamas to resist the urge to co-sleep with our little ones. This bedside bassinet is the perfect bed that has one side that folds down, allowing your baby to sleep right next to you, but in his/her bed as well. This is a great bassinet to have if you plan on transitioning your baby to their room in the future.

Rest Night Light and Sound Machine

The Rest Night Light and Sound Machine is such a nifty device that will last you for years. This machine is a night light and a sound machine all in one that will leave you and your baby at ease. This device allows the parents to create a custom nighttime routine for your kiddos, allowing you to select light and sound schemes that you and your little ones like best. When your baby gets a little older, the Rest Night Light and Sound Machine can encourage your toddler to have healthy sleeping habits, such as projecting a light that alerts them when it is time to wake up or go to bed. Better yet, this can all be controlled by your smartphone!

Boudreax’s Butt Paste

The last thing we want is for our babies to be in pain. Hearing them hurt is seriously a stab to the heart. If your kiddo is anything like mine, they tend to break out in rash at the slightest thing. Diaper rashes are no joke, and can be so stressful to deal with. I have found that the best product out there to soothe the annoying pain of a rash is Boudreax’s Butt Paste. This product is a life saver in terms of healing your kiddo’s rash. Putting this paste on your child with help relieve the pain instantly, and completely getting rid of the rash in two days or less.

Inglesina Fast Table Chair

Eating at the table is something we definitely take for granted before we have kids. Meal time can be such a stressful experience for parents of little ones. The Ingesina Fast Table Chair attached to the edge of a table in a secure, safe, and comfortable way for your kiddo to eat. Not to mention, it folds in a sleek way, allowing for you to take it literally anywhere! This chair was the Winner of the 2014 Gold National Parenting Publications Award. I found this awesome product at my favorite Houston boutique, Haute Mommies and Bella Babies. This cute little store has so many must-haves in terms of maternity, newborn, and toddler products!

Capturing Baby Photography in Houston, TX is such a joy and passion of mine. Here are some products that make my life as a mom and photographer easier!

What to Wear to Your Newborn Session

Having a newborn session is such a fun experience! However, being a mom with a new little one can also be a very stressful time. Our newborns are precious to us, and we don’t want anything to go wrong. As a Houston Newborn Photography artist, I have seen it all, and quite frankly - I expect it! Babies will be babies, and it is totally something that everyone understands. They cry, spit up, etc, and there is nothing wrong with that. My motto is to let the baby be in charge of the session. Although us moms worry about the small things that we literally have no control of, we tend to forget the things that we do have control of, such as our wardrobe! If you have a Houston newborn photography coming up and have totally forgotten to plan your outfit, I am here to help! Here are 6 tips on what to wear to your baby’s session:

Stay Neutral

You will want your photos to stay current, so try to pick out neutral colors. This will ensure that your images won’t get dated. There is nothing worse than looking back at a photo and thinking, “what in the world was I wearing?!”

Be Comfy

You will not regret wearing breathable clothing! The studio can get warm, and you will want to be as comfortable as possible during your newborn session.

Dress it Up

Women, it’s always a good idea to wear a cute flowy dress during the session. Not only will you look dressed up for the session, but dresses that allow for movement will flatter your body and keep you comfortable at the same time.

Sharp but Casual

For all the dads out there, staple v necks and crew neck shirts look super handsome, yet casual for your newborn’s session. Some of my favorite stores that provide affordable men’s clothing is Gap and Old Navy.

Think Simple

If you have other children that will be in your newborn session, dress them in simple and neutral colors. Kids have such cute features, that I think it is important for the focus to be on their cute eyes and smile, rather than the clothes they are wearing. Dressing your kids up in clothing that has different textures can provide cute and playful details in the photos.

Go Shopping

If you are looking for the perfect outfit for your newborn sessions, you’ve gotta checkout some of my favorite stores! Free People, Gap, and Old Navy never fail to provide me or my clients with the perfect outfits for the occasion!

Are you at a loss on what to wear to your newborn session? Read on to learn more from one of the premiere Houston Newborn Photography artists.

Spring time is upon which means baseball is too!  My oldest son Jensen is playing the the Angels this season with the Pearland Little League and my hubby is coaching.  My business also sponsored their team this season so you will see my banner hanging in the outfield on field 5 at the Dad's Club.  I am honored to be able to support their team AND to get to photograph them in action.  This past Saturday was their opening day and it was so fun to cheer them on from the stands!  They have been practicing for several weeks leading up to  their first game on Opening Day so it was great to see them finally use their skills on the field.  Here are some of my favorites images from the day.  To see more from their Opening Day, click HERE to see the full gallery.

Newborn Photography Safety

Your precious newborn arrives, and all you want is to hold them forever. It’s moments like these that make you want to cherish each and every memory your share with your new child. As sweet and as precious as having newborn photos done, it is crucial that safety is the number one priority. Here are 4 rules of thumb that I follow as a Houston Newborn and Baby Photography Studio artist in order to ensure that your newborn is the safest it can be:

Four Rules for Newborn Photography Safety

Have Help On-Hand:

I always have an assistant with me. There will never be a time that the baby is left unattended. This is very important to me, because there are moments where I may have to step away, and the last thing I want is for your kiddo to be alone. My assistants are always very trained and prepared for whatever comes their way.

Vaccinations:

I make it a priority of mine to be current on all of my vaccinations. I want your children to be clear of obtaining a disease that may be harmful or life threatening. If you are interested in seeing my vaccination records, please do not hesitate to ask!

Sanitation:

Sanitation is a must. Not only do I sanitize the props and equipment that is being used, I also keep hand sanitizer all over the studio. On top of that, I make sure to wash my hands throughout the entire session. Your baby deserves to have a germ free environment!

Composites:

I never put babies in unnatural positions unsupported. We all see those adorable photos of a baby propped up on their hands or holding their heads up by themselves. The reality is that newborns simply cannot support themselves yet. Many photos you see me do are composites, which are multiple images put together to create just one photo.

As a Houston Newborn and Baby Photography Studio artist, I believe that keeping your little ones safe is the most important part of the session. The cuteness overload tends to follow shortly after we have a clean and comfy environment for the baby!

Four Ways to Keep Kids Engaged Throughout a Session

As a mom myself and Houston Child Photographer, I know that a kiddos attention can last so long. Read on to learn how to keep your little ones engaged! Family sessions are some of my favorite sessions, because it gives me the opportunity to capture such sweet moments between parents and their children. I love kids, but I realize that getting pictures taken can often be a stressful experience for the families I work with. As a mom, I totally understand the questions and thoughts that go through parents’ minds: “What if my child starts running around like a crazy monkey?” “What if they won’t stop crying?” And once the session starts, “Oh my gosh, what do I do with these kiddos?!” I get it. It’s hard. However, I encourage you to relax, take a few deep breaths, and follow these 4 tips to keep your kids engaged throughout a session:

1. Bribery - Yes, I said that right. Bribing your kiddos with small toys or snacks is a great way to encourage positive behavior. Because of my teaching background, I know that positive reinforcement is a good tactic to help keep your kiddos engaged. My favorites are candy and money. Every time your kiddo follows directions the first time you ask them, give them a sour patch kid. Or better yet, give them a quarter!

2. Relax - It’s easy for us to get stressed and get angry at our kiddos. However, try your best to relax and be care-free. This is my top most rule during a family session. This is the only hour that I will let them be themselves completely (as long as it is safe).

3. Give Breaks - Your kiddos need breaks. Let them shake it out. Let them run it out. Their attention spans are shorter than an adults, so to set unrealistic expectations just isn't fair!

4. Be Fun - Bring something that you all will enjoy to do together. This will help me get candid pictures, and help them to not feel like they have to act/be a certain way for the entire session.