summer family session // herndon

wooop! it's friday and i have this adorable little of three soon to be four to show you. they were serious troopers, we took the session out in charlie and it was hot and even worse, the gnats were on attack. they were flying in ears, eyes and up your nose. this was my last session charlie for awhile because it's just not fun, for anyone. 

thank you whitney and blake for making me laugh and being the best sports! you guys are great and i can't wait to meet your new little lady in a few short weeks!

happy campers // lake murray // memorial weekend

i made the announcement last week about our little family growing into a family of 5. baby hager #3 is due Halloween 2016. the first 4 months were pretty ruff and i was extremely discouraged with life and work. don't take that the wrong way. i have to be honest and say that everything isn't always easy ALL the time. i love my family and my work and God has truly blessed me with wonderful clients and amazing children. 

something i decided when we found out we were expecting was a little cut back. i have been giving myself no down time. i was working every weekend and on my days off (sunday & monday) the first thing i'm cutting back on is weddings, i will no longer be shooting weddings. i am finishing the weddings i have in contract and then that will be it. bittersweet because i love all the emotion and happiness that comes with weddings but i know in my heart it isn't the right fit for me. 

i also added a wonderful creative entrepreneur to the store to help me out with the hours. her name is Alison with Lily & Sparrow Designs, she hand letters and is an amazing artist all around. so if you stop by and don't see me, more than likely it's her! i know 4 days a week seems limited to some but this store isn't the only thing i do. i have to make time to screen print, run errands, and be there for my family. 

with that, i am determined to do more of what i love and what fuels my creative side, CAMP! we bought a little 19' camper and it's amazing. we went on our first trip memorial weekend, it was less than 24 hours but i can already tell we are all going to love it. lake murray is in oklahoma, about 1 1/2 hours from wichita falls. it's spring fed, clean, and so much fun. i tried to relax and not focus on capturing every moment. i couldn't hold back when we woke up monday morning and the kids couldn't resist the water. the kids are hooked. we leave this weekend for another camping trip! here's to summer, water, family, and happy little campers. 

and here's a little video of our morning on the water. at the very end annie is trying to get Ryan in the water, don't be fooled the water freezing and it was 9am. we couldn't hold them back.

newborn family session // wichita falls, texas

this little family was so sweet! little man had a head of hair, was so calm, and was born at 12Ibs! usually my newborn lifestyle sessions take place in the clients home but due to their house being dark later in the evening we held this session in the apartments above my shop, white walls and lots of light was perfect! it was rainy and cloudy outside and everything worked perfect. enjoy!

adventures in peach blossoms // charlie, tx

spring weather came early this year which means peach blossoms came early this year. these beauties come and go really fast and not all varieties of peaches produce large blooms. so it's a hit or miss and i pray i catch them every year.

i've been eyeing a few different orchards in the charlie area waiting for them to be in full bloom and right when they hit full bloom last week we had a lot of rain which weighs them down and they fall easier. the rain stopped in time for me to get home last friday, grab the girls, and go enjoy these beautiful blossoms. it was cloudy and perfect. the girls weren't really up for getting their picture made so we played and i practiced shooting video. 

i'm glad i took advantage on friday because by sunday there were nearly all gone. green is peaking out in the trees and soon we will have little peaches hanging from those trees. 

these blossoms make me so happy. they remind me summer is near with lots of fresh produce. we are praying we don't get hit with a late freeze. if we do, no peaches will be had. 

annie is my little story teller. she plopped herself down in the grass and let her imagination run wild. she is so dramatic and puts so much emphasis into what she says. i love to watch her and pray she stays just like this. 

and now, a short video of our time exploring and savoring these beautiful blossoms. 

sutton 7 month // studio session

when a client contacts me about a portrait session and doesn't have a set plan or know exactly what they want, i get really excited. this allows me to use some creative freedom and suggest a few ideas to the client so this session is something they will love. with spring near all i can think about is flower crowns, sunshine, my little studio and  short and sweet sessions. 

meet Sutton, a cutie with cheeks to die for and the sweetest little smile, not to mention she has a momma that is so beautiful! when alysha booked the session for sutton and we decided to make a flower crown, i knew i would have extra flowers so i ask if she would want to end with a little mommy and me session with both ladies in flower crowns. i'm so happy she agreed!

i'm booking studio sessions now, contact me here and click here for pricing. 

puddle time

north texas received a beautiful rain yesterday and then the sun came out and it was the most peaceful evening. i knew i didn't want to spend time inside so i told the girls to grab their rain boots and get in the puddle. our driveway is like a mini lake when it rains. 

it doesn't bother the girls one bit. jane lost her balance a few times and fell right in the water. once she realized i wasn't going to be upset and that i was allowing her to get muddy she was all over it. so happy and filled her boots with muddy water. 

texas skies, big mud puddles, and my girls means i am a very happy mama. i am so thankful for this life. 

i would love to book a lifestyle session like this. posed family pictures are important but so is the simple meaningful moments you live everyday. if you are worried about having a session in your home because you don't want to clean, the house is too small or to dark, lets get together and play in a puddle or in your backyard and capture wonderful memories for you and your family. 

family session : mason

the weather was perfect on this beautiful winter day! the sun was shining and this family was the sweetest. casey is my cousin, we grew up attached to the hip and i am so happy for her and her growing family. mr. john quinn is 2 and is going to be a big brother. 

he's a little boy who doesn't want to look at the camera. he is so cute and quiet and i love his mannerisms. congrats casey and john on the pregnancy announcement and the addition to your family and happy birthday john quinn! 

family sessions are so fun. i love my job and i love to tell a story. now booking spring sessions! i will also be scheduling a select number of peach blossom and wheat field sessions this spring so be on the look out for those details!

family session : finney // archer city, texas

i've gotten to know jordan through work related projects this year and it has been such a joy to get to know her and her family. she writes a fashion blog, western homestead, if you don't already follow along you better add it to the list of must reads. her ability to pair great patterns and textures is a wonderful gift. i love seeing what she's going to put together, she did not disappoint for family photos. the sequin skirt was so great! and the vest, yes please. 

when jordan ask me to take their family pictures i was overjoyed! and icing on the cake was getting to tell their story on the family land and where they live. the weather was perfect and when we wrapped up the session their horses came out and welcomed us. it was so beautiful to see how comfortable they are with each other. timeless moments for this family. 

enjoy, because i sure did! 

and as a side note, if you don't already follow me on instagram please do! i share my latest updates and news there first! i've got really big news coming so stay tuned and tell your friends!

traditions : oktoberfest

i am of german decent. polka music, sausage, sauerkraut and beer are a part of me. my family started going to Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, Texas about 8 years ago. i've had to miss one or two years but other than that ryan and i have been every year. we know polka better together than we two step. we started going before we were married and before we had kids. now that we have kids the dynamic has changed a bit. we don't stay as long, we don't go to the wineries, and we don't shop the town. we rent a house out of town, wake up to the kids, brew coffee and relax. we try and save all energy for the festivities. 

friday night is a lot less crowded so we try to get our dancing in then. saturday starts with face paintings... this is a big thing for us. this was annie's third year getting her face painted. she patiently waits in line (anywhere from 45min - 1 hr 1/2) it's crazy but for our kids, worth it. it's the first thing we do. once the faces are painted we are off to snag a seat and polka the night away. the girls love to dance, hop around, and do the chicken dance. 

we end the weekend by getting one of every pastry at the old german bakery in town and then attend mass as a family. the pastries go fast so we wake up early to claim our sweets. life is good. this trip is short but l leave so happy and excited for the years to come. 

we stayed at river road ranch, mini's house, this year. it was a first for us and it was great. the pedernales river is really close so we fished and canoed during the day. the kids especially loved this part. 

august moments : celebrating birthdays

we gathered at my parents house this past sunday and it was such a good time. the summer is a crazy time for my parents. with farming in full swing we don't get together as often as we would like. summer is also the time for birthdays. i turned 3 - 0 . wow. i turned 30 on a monday which kind of stunk but soon got over and now i'm excited for this new chapter into older years. hah!

i love everything about being at my parents: all the kids, great food and family. it's all i need. one of the top things the kids want to do when they go to my parents is swing. this tire swing has seen its years. not only on the tractor but also in this tree, swinging - with as many kids will fit.  i have pictures just like this as a child. it makes heart warm watching and being a part of this generations memories.  

family session : taylor + will + littles

at the beginning of march taylor and i attended one of joy's wildflower workshop's in austin. we went with a group of 14 women and it was life changing. i have sense felt more confident in my photography and have made forever friendships. 

taylor and her family are from olney. she's is so beautiful and getting to be around her growing family was such a joy. i am not around little boys all day so it's fun getting to capture those personalities. i am so happy for you and will and wish you the best of luck when the new baby boy makes his debut this summer! 

taking that step

i am leaving my very secure wonderful job to be self employed and spend more time with my kids. it feels like this has been a long time coming - almost like a dream. when i decided to really launch little h creative with a website in january and putting myself out there i wasn't sure what would come of it. i have been so blessed with clients, inspiration, and support. it doesn't take me much to get inspired and have the desire to start creating things.

i had been on the virge, stressing about finances and pondering whether or not it was the right choice for our family. one day last week i went to visit a long time favorite shop (one I've always had a booth at on a very small scale and as little h prints) the alley cat. i was needing to talk to Julie, owner, about moving and enlarging my booth (because 922 indie where i currently had the bulk of my stuff was closing). i was taken to the third floor and i felt like i could almost cry. i saw a huge space with wood floors, tiffany blue walls, and endless possibilities.

right then i knew i had a passion inside me that needed to be used. i had to take the chance. the next day i told my boss and i took the first step of doing something i love.

two of many passions of mine is creating things and old stuff. i love making things with my hands and seeing the results. i easily get frustrated when i can't figure out how to make something. (usually because it requires some power tool i don't know how to use. thank goodness i have a very handy husband) i thrive and get extra excited when i walk into a thrift or "junk" store as some call them. my heart goes out to downtown properties that are not given the chance to grow and be renewed.

the space is to be called the alley cat attic. a space full of handmade and vintage items with a open concept boutique feel. not all the details are worked out yet but i am excited to move towards screen printing textiles; fabric, pillows, tote bags, tea towels, and more.

this will also be a space were i can meet clients for consultations and appointments. having a little space to call mine is so wonderful.  right now the bulk of my time is spent creating and designing items for the store.  a tentative open date is mid to end march.

these pictures really don't have much to do with this post except that all of this change will result in more time with these people who make this passion inside me so great.

so please stayed tuned. i am going to do my best to keep you updated! follow me on instagram (social icon is at the top of the page will take you to my instagram) i post regularly there.

monday moments

our house usually goes from loud to quiet in 2 seconds flat. ryan made me this pallet couch about a year ago. i bought a crib mattress and put some throw pillows on it and it is the girls number one place to hang. jane is able to crawl up and read a book all by herself. annie uses it as a trampoline (which i don't encourage) and i pretty sure jane can't wait until she can do it. (hopefully not sooner than later)

when we bought our house a year and half ago the main thing that drew me in was the natural light. we have two huge windows on both sides of the house. i love how our house lights up during the day. there are days i think we need drapes or curtains but can't bring myself to do it because i'm scared i'll lose some of this beautiful light.

so for now i'll just deal with my bare windows and soak up this light and these two spunky kids.

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 this texas weather can't decide what it wants to do -  yesterday i was out spray painting doilies and today i'm bundled up and freezing. so happy Monday to ya and i hope this post brought a little light to your day.