Pace | Newborn | Central Texas Newborn Photographer

He's here! My life-long friend's baby boy has arrived :) I've known this little guy's momma since we were infants ourselves. We grew up in the same small town, took oatmeal baths together when we had the chicken pocks, celebrated countless birthdays together, walked down the aisle in each other's weddings, and then I found myself cradling the new life she brought into this world. And I can't wait for the day that she will do the same for me :)

Just look at those big blues!

Doin' a little booty workout!

Sitting in Daddy's baseball glove with his Daddy's baseball cap from when he was a baby... yes, my heart was puddle on the floor!

Big blues and little coos,

HK

Elise + Kenny | Houston Engagement Photographer

It was 2008. Kenny was looking for a change in his career and was offered a promotion at work, but there was a catch - he had to find a replacement to take over his position before he could move up.

She was looking for a change, too. After graduating from college, Elise was living in Dallas but looking to move back to Houston to start her post-college life. She wanted to pursue her dream career in advertising, but moving to Houston was her first priority. So she packed her bags and down the state of Texas she came.

Meanwhile, Kenny took advantage of social media and placed the position on Facebook. A friend of his, Kaitlin (who also so happens to be Elise's Matron of Honor in their wedding!), said that she had a friend whom she thought would be interested in the position. Elise interviewed for the position and was hired on as Kenny's replacement.

The two began working together in 2010. Little did they know that their career changes would soon turn into a life change. The two started dating shortly after they began working together, despite the company's STRICT no-dating-coworkers policy, and had to keep their relationship a secret at work to avoid the risk of losing their jobs (I love this little detail! Love always wins :) )

Now it's 2012. Neither of them work for that company any longer, but they are both working their dream jobs, all-the-while knowing that in less than a year each will be married to the man and woman of their dreams :)

Kenny planned a date night starting at Pinot's Palette (seen in the photo above), followed by a delicious meal at Max's Wine Dive, and topped off with the question and a gorgeous diamond ring to symbolize their eternal love and commitment to one another :)

Elise and Kenny, I wish to both of you the happiest life. I know that 2013 can't come soon enough, but the wait is well worth the end result! Thank you for giving me the privilege of capturing your love :)

Night lights and loads of laughs,

HK

Graham | Newborn | Houston Heights Newborn Photographer

Scott and I walked up the steps onto a quaint wooden porch. Signs of young life living within the walls of the bungalow-style home were evident, and I couldn't wait for that front door to open and meet baby Graham :)

He was bundled up in his baby carrier, sound asleep, while big brother was perched high in his high chair with bits of snack remains on his cheeks and his feet bobbing to the sound of Elmo singing songs.

We took a few minutes to get our cameras ready, then began the shoot with Graham in nothing but a crocheted hat in the shape of Yoda's ears - I just about died from cute overload! What is it about kids taking on the form of a character that just keeps a huge grin plastered on your face?

His equally adorable big brother was growing just a bit envious of all the attention, so we snapped a few shots of him, too :) Scott and I unintentionally made a game out of jerking our cameras away when he reached for our lenses with his splayed hands, haha. Every time he reached over to touch our lens we quickly pulled back, which of course to any little kid quickly becomes a funny game - we definitely got some good laughs!

Needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with this sweet family :) Thanks for bringing us into your home to photograph such a precious time in your lives!

Wagon wheels and little sneakers,

HK

Kelly | Maternity | Sugar Land, TX Maternity Photographer

When Kelly emailed to say that she wanted her maternity photographs taken in "Old Sugar Land", I instantly pictured rustic buildings with chipped paint clinging delicately to the remains of red clay and mortar, and I smiled. There is something so wonderfully nostalgic and charming about old buildings. And the contrast of celebrating the anticipation of a new, innocent life in midst of the old, strong history preceding that life was a concept that I was excited to capture in front of my lens :)

I arrived on location at the Old Sugar Mill a few minutes early to scout out potential locations and I just swooned when my tires hit the gravel of the small parking lot. Before me were towering sugar mill silos and a red-brick factory just adjacent. A farmer's market meets at the sugar mill weekly, so there were nooks and crannies filled with little rustic gems - piles of wooden crates, leaning planks, and a perfectly positioned red truck... a dream! 

Kelly and Ben pulled up shortly after, and I knew immediately that this would be a fun shoot! They were so comfortable together, Ben providing plenty of jokes to keep the mood light and Kelly gazing into my lens with those big blue eyes right on cue. It was a perfect shoot :)

Thanks, you two, for having fun together and being willing to climb across a fairly  very active railroad track to get the perfect images! You guys were truly amazing :)

Little laughs and baby bumps,

HK