Trying New Things

The theme these past two weeks has been trying new things. If you're not currently in Texas, you have probably seen in the news that the weather has been a bit chaotic lately, and it's been a bit tough to rely on it for outdoor photo sessions. So, if life gives you lemons...well why not make lemonade by ceasing the opportunity to learn something new! Especially when your given such an adorable model like little Ellie Gardner to make just about anything look good ;). 

I have a set up I usually bring to people's houses for newborn photography, and I usually photograph families and kids outside, and with all of the moving around I have been doing, renting out a studio hasn't really been feasable. However, there is one age that does benefit from an indoor studio, and it's the 3-12 month age range. They're still pretty sensitive to things like temperature, dirt, and grass, not to mention it's a bit harder to plan the sun around their schedules :). So, I've been working on a little mini studio at my place in one of our small spare rooms. It's still in the process, and there are still some things I would change about the set up, but I just had to share these adorable little pictures of Ellie's one year session in my temporary studio, as she is just too cute! We are only here for another two months, but it is nice to start dreaming about what I would love for a home studio to become, and start building up props and backgrounds for the opening of a brand new business with a brand new name, website, and location up in Northern California. I'm excited for the fresh start, but of course will miss the relationships we have built out here during our stay in Del Rio.

Speaking of trying new things, Stephen and I got to enjoy our nice long four day weekend out in Austin the past few days, with the main goal of trying out the world renowned Franklin's BBQ. We saw it on the food channel's Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations a while ago, thought we would try it out on a whim, and then discovered it's about a 6 hour wait to get in, not to mention if you show up past 7 or 8am you aren't even guaranteed food before they run out around 3pm! Yikes! We decided to forgo it during our last trip, but have heard such great things that we thought we would give it a shot this time. We were so glad we did! Franklin is a master at BBQ, especially the brisket. I will never forget that first bite we took. Maybe it was the appetite I had built up, the camaraderie with our new friends we met in line, the beers we had while hanging out in our camping chairs, the flashbacks I was having from past trips to disneyland...but that bite was magical. That first bite of brisket had a crunchy salty crust that just disintegrated in my teeth giving way to a soft almost buttery tender meat that was so smokey and somehow sweet all at once, and he swears he doesn't season it with anything but salt and pepper. I'm telling you, it was like fireworks in my mouth. My husband said all he wanted to do was curl up with it afterward and savor the intimate moment they shared...I almost got jealous...but at the same time I completely understood. To see pictures from our trip to Austin, you can visit my Instagram, but for now, little Ellie gets center stage :).