Laurel Highlands Portrait Session |Norah Lucia |

Hands down, one of my favorite sessions, to date! Jaime of Lonigro Photography and her sweet husband, Tony, welcomed a baby girl this spring and because Jaime has been one of my biggest cheerleaders, constantly encouraging and influencing me to chase my dreams, I just knew that I had to gift this sweet couple their first family portrait session. In years past, Jaime has collaborated with me on a few shoots and I couldn’t think of a proper way to thank her so pictures with their new little love seemed like a good way to show my appreciation for all her hard work.

Ya’ll Meet Norah Lucia Lonigro! This gorgeous little babe made her way into the world 2 weeks early with a full head of hair and the prettiest blue eyes you ever did see.  Weighing in at 7 lbs 7 oz, this little angel made her way earthside on April 27th and changed the Lonigros’ hearts forever.

Just shy of her 1 month, Tony, Jaime and little Nori met me at Keystone State Park for a quick photo shoot near the beach area. Unlike our fall minis where everything was vibrant with oranges and reds, the spring in southwestern PA had to offer bright greens and pretty posies as a backdrop for this family session. Though it was midday and the humidity was about to spike, this crew made the most of our short time together.

Because Jaime is in the portrait photography business, she knows how to get the most from a session and trusted me when I directed them to a plethora of locations around the property. These guys are outdoorsy to say the least. In fact, I am kind of hoping we all get to vacation sometime together because we dream alike and love the wild outdoors! Plus, I have a feeling that Lucy and Norah would have a blast together!

Norah slept the entire shoot. Not even once did she give me a glimpse of her baby blues but she peacefully dreamt in the warm weather and both new Mom and Dad were thankful for a little quiet time! That newborn life can be rough but these guys seem to have such a graceful grasp on the hustle that comes with having a third wheel! Jaime looked stunning, rocking that new Mama glow, the most perfect color red dress and her hair was beyond on point. In fact, I had a hard time believing that she hadn’t been to a salon that morning because let me tell you, I did not look that good when Lucy was 4 weeks old. Tony is one lucky guy!

We ended the shoot by letting little miss Nori don an adorable gray turban bow and it was insanely cute. I am just so proud and so happy for this little family. I’ve known Tony since he was a kid playing midget football for my dad. He even brought photo evidence along. Seeing these two become parents and following their journey to parenthood has been nothing short of beautiful. I am so happy for the these guys and I wish you all the most congratulations. Soak it all in because it flys by fast! Kiss Norah for me and let her know that I am already dreaming up play dates!

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DFW Newborn Session: Meet Bridger Easton

Get ready to meet the most handsome baby boy! At just 30 days young, this tiny but mighty brute of a baby showed up with his Mama and Grandma for his Newborn Session and I can honestly say that I have never seen a one month old who was so active for his session. Ya’ll meet Mr. Personality, Bridger Easton!

You all might remember having seen his Mama’s Maternity Session at Grapevine Lake here on the blog. She was the goddess rocking the flower crown of delphiniums and flaunting her budding bump. If you missed it, check it out here. Seriously, one of my all time favorite Maternity Sessions. Amanda was poised and ready to meet her little man. Little did she know though, her baby boy would want to cook for a few more weeks!

Weighing in 7 pounds, 7 ounces, Bridger Easton made his way into the world during the wee hours of April 4th, 2019. He was born with a big and bold love for his Mama, the most handsome pout and a light dusting of brown hair.

Grandma, Mom and Bridger arrived for little man’s Newborn Session on Day 30 and I can happily say, he rocked it. Donning a few simple outfits, we posed this little guy in a garden and in doors with a casual background. This session was all about focusing on Bridger’s perfect little details. I made sure to document everything from his toes to his nose and all the smirks in between.

As usual, these guys were a dream to work with. Mama made sure to come prepared and we had no hiccups with his session. Seeing that I love to capture the lifestyle inspired shots, or candid moments, I made sure to have Amanda jump in for a few photos with her little man. Thanks again to this sweet family. I look forward to seeing your little guy grow!

“Above all, love each other deeply.” Peter 4:8

If you would like to book your unique Newborn Portrait Session, inquire with Angelina at therustienailhead@gmail.com. I would love to chat about your bundle of joy and help capture those raw and reflective first moments as a family! Don’t forget that we also offer Fresh 48 Sessions here in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex!

Laurel Highlands Mommy + Me Session |Tiffany + Isaac|

Gosh, it has been a whirlwind couple of weeks at the Norris household. We just got back from our annual Memorial Day trip to Pennsylvania to visit with our northern family and friends and to say that our trip was a rollercoaster of events and emotion is an understatement! My shoot calendar was full of Spring Mini Sessions and I have been working hard to make sure you get a glimpse at them all! First up, the most adorable Mommy + Me Session! Meet Tiffany and her baby boy, Isaac!

Tiffany’s Mama, Anne, reached out to me a few weeks before Mother’s Day in hopes of gifting a Mommy and Me Session to her sweet daughter and I was happy to oblige. We got the details worked out just in time for my arrival in the Laurel Highlands. Anne had informed me that Tiffany and her husband had spent a long time praying for their sweet boy and had continued to pray over him after his arrival. Baby Isaac arrived nearly 8 weeks before his due date. Weighing in at just a little over 3 pounds, Isaac would spend his first few weeks of life in the NICU.

As you can see, Tiffany was blessed with a blue eyed, spirited baby boy and though he was officially a premie, this little man has really made up for that in the past year! He is a little chunker with an adorable personality to match. After seeing him interact with his Mama, I can adequately guess that he is, in fact, a Mama’s Boy.  He was constantly loving on her throughout the shoot.

We had a few hiccups with timing because of the impending thunderstorms that plague this particular part of the country. In fact, when they showed up, it was pouring down rain so I told them to jump in their car and wait it out. Luckily for us, the storm only lasted 5 minutes and we began shooting right after. I crossed my fingers for a rainbow but alas, we would just have to shoot in the most perfect light instead. I promised Tiffany that the overcast skies would be beautiful and the captured moments reflect that delivery!

I had so much fun meeting this couple and their sweet boy and I hope to see them again soon. It is these families and their blessings that create the joy in what I do as a photographer and I am so happy that they thought of me to capture such a beautiful milestone! Oh and last, but certainly not least, If you see Isaac this weekend, make sure to wish him a Happy 1st Birthday! Maybe give him a hug from me too!

 

To book your unique Mommy + Me Session, email therustienailhead@gmail.com! I would love to help document your miracles and the revolution of Mamas out there living that candid motherhood rising life!

DFW Family Portrait Session: The Eidson Boys and their Mama

With Mother’s Day coming up in just a few short days, I knew that this session would be the perfect one to share in celebration. Kristi and her sweet boys, Jack and Miles, have been coming back every April for photos with The Rustie Nail and this year was no exception. Just in time to celebrate Mother’s Day, these guys put on their best shirts and biggest smiles so their Mama could document a memory of just how little or big they are!

 

Each year, Kristi and I discuss a different vision and try to bring that to life. One year, we took the boys to play in the mud with their Tonka trucks by the Trinity River and last year, we waded in the shores of Grapevine Lake. This year, we would tackle the Fort Worth Stockyards and then a more laidback shoot at Doc’s Record Store in Fort Worth.

 

We met early in the morning on Good Friday. Lucky for us, we beat the Easter crowd and had a good portion of the Stockyards to ourselves! Kristi and the boys danced their way down the cobblestone paved corridors and boys took turns riding mechanical bulls, gazing through store windows at the barrels full of candy and hugging on their sweet Mama.

 

We made our way around the old cow pens and took some time to just let the kids run amuck. Thankfully, Kristi is a boy mom and by that I mean, she doesn’t sweat the small stuff. She let them run and play, not worrying about if they would wrinkle their shirts or fall and skin their knees. She could have cared less so long as they were both smiling and happy. She seriously is the coolest Mom y’all. When faced with a scheduling conflict because of my daughter, Kristi suggested I bring her along and her family loved on sweet Lucy throughout the entire shoot.

 

Towards the end of our shoot at the Stockyards, I made sure to snap a few pictures of both the boys with their mom individually. Jack is her big boy. Strong and tall, he made sure to wrap her up in a big hug and spin her around the room. I am still in awe of how grown up Jack is. Miles, on the other hand, is all too happy to play the part of Mama’s baby. He was so content in his mother’s arms and it was the sweetest moment. Case in point, I watch her Snapchats sometimes and Miles can be seen serenading his Mama with the cutest little songs.

 

We moved onto our second location, Doc’s Record Store in Fort Worth, Texas and Kristi’s sweet sister, Claire, made an appearance in this set! The sisters tried on fur coats and danced around in the vintage backdrop. I was in love with that pink wall and the records hanging up behind them. The Sade and Killers shirts were an all too cool look as well. The boys even jumped in on the fun. Jack was rocking a Bowie shirt and Miles his Rolling Stone tee. Paired with their vans, these guys looked every bit the part of Funkytown locals.

 

One of my favorite parts about this hidden gem near Montgomery Plaza is that Doc’s has an amazing back alley full of graffitied artwork. I had mentioned this to Kristi during the planning stage and with that, she was sold. We headed back there and the boys were in awe of the local talent.

 

Both Jack and Miles killed their individual shoot times. They were perfect gentleman, even offering to push Lucy around in her stroller since she made an appearance for this shoot, and made sure to bring their A -game when it came time to pose for images. I mean, how cool are they rocking those shades and the rock n roll tee shirts? As usual, I had a blast with this gang and I look forward to seeing them again!

 

Laurel Highlands Portrait Session: Abrey + Anthony

It’s past time I introduce you to Abrey and her little guy, Anthony! I got connected with these two through a mutual friend back in Pennsylvania and after a few chats, Abrey set up a session!

We met at Twin Lakes Park in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on a particularly hot and humid day. Luckily for me, these guys were my last session for the day so we had plenty of time to let Mr. Anthony run around!

Mom, Abrey, was so good about dressing her little man. I love a timeless, classic outfit and this Mama hit the nail on the head. I even fell in love with their accessories. That red, white and blue ball cap was just too cute! And, Mom’s chambray dress was perfect for the occasion.

After running around in the woods for a bit, we made our way to the rhododendron bushes near the front of the park. These guys were in full bloom and I knew they would be the perfect backdrop for a few Mommy and Me photos!

As little boys tend to do, Anthony began to wander around a bit. Mom informed me that he was very much on the move these days! He was climbing stumps and picking up just about every stick he could find.

As the sun began to set, I made sure that we got this little guy wound down. Mom hd brought along a light blue and white striped blanket that coordinated ever so perfectly with their outfits and I directed this girl to just love on her little guy. Abrey snuggled Anthony and he snuggled his teddy bear!

Having just began to walk, I wanted to make sure that we captured a few of this little man while he was on the move. Under normal circumstances, the babes run/slowly/drunkenly walk to me but not this little guy, he has mastered putting one foot in front of the other and honestly, I cannot wait to see where he goes next!

Huge thanks to Abrey and Anthony for a wonderful afternoon of exploring the park. I look forward to seeing you both again!!

To book your unique Portrait Session, email therustienailhead@gmail.com for packages and pricing details! I cannot wait to see what you have in mind!

Laurel Highlands Portrait Session: Brit + Izzy

I have been waiting quite a long time to get this little peanut in front of my camera and I am so glad that I finally had the opportunity over Memorial Day Weekend! Ya’ll, Meet Izzy and her Mama, Brit!

You would never know it by looking at her now, but this little pumpkin came into the world when her Mama was only 32 weeks along. After spending close to 50 days in the NICU, Isabella Nicole came home and has been thriving ever since! She just turned 1 back in January and has been walking and running ever since!

Brit reached out when she heard about our Memorial Day Weekend Minis and booked a Mommy + Me session with her sweet little lady! She had the cutest vision in mind too! She wanted to dress Izzy in a tulle maxi skirt and flower crown. Talk about a dream come true session!

We met at Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania shortly after a storm hit the area and the lighting was just perfect! Izzy’s curls wrapped ever so tenderly around her sweetheart rose crown and Mama’s lavender and pink dress was the perfect compliment to her baby girl’s mauve colored lace top!

Did I mention that Isabella brought her A-game?! Seriously, she is the happiest baby ever and had so many perfect smiles for our session! It was hard to choose which ones to put in their gallery!

Once the humidity kicked into high gear, I suggested we all take a short break in the air conditioned cars.  I am a big believer in not pushing the little ones and I was so glad that Brit followed my lead on this. Once they start to show signs of being “done”, I listen and usually, the little ones calm down, Mom can check her make-up and hair and then we’re back at it like we never even took the break. Once we got a little water and some cool air, Mama, Baby + the super preggo photographer were all smiles!

I had so much fun at this session and I am so thankful that Brit trusted me to photograph this sweet memory for her family! This was just Part One though! Stay tuned for a behind the scenes look at Part Two, when my bestie, Emily, and her newborn babe, Liam, joined these lovely gals for a few family photos!

If you would like to book your unique Portrait Session with me, email therustienailhead@gmail.com to discuss pricing, packaging and to book! I cannot wait to see what you have in mind!

 

Colleyville, Texas Portrait Session: Mommy + Me

I am so excited to share this sweet Mother-Daughter Portrait Session with you guys! My sweet friend, Cassie, graciously agreed to a photo shoot with her adorable daughter, Finley, for my Mother’s Day promos and I could not be more in love with the results!

For awhile now, I have wanted to do a Portrait Session at this one particular spot in Colleyville, Texas. There is an old farm house and a bright red BNFS train that sits stationary in the yard nearby. To boot, the field surrounding the train, the tracks and the house is filled with Texas wildflowers so I knew this would be the perfect spot to set up shop.

The bluebonnets, sweet pea and Indian paintbrush were in full bloom at the end of April and I wanted to capture this duo having a little fun flower-picking. We started out in front of the train for a few quick shots and made our way to the nearby farmhouse. It was super bright at 6:30 so I was on a hunt to find some shade until the sun began to set a bit.

As that Golden Hour set in, little Miss Finley’s personality began to shine. She had brought two dresses, one with pink lace and the other, a white chiffon with pink and black anemones adorning the pleats. Both coordinated so well with her Mama’s bohemian chic maxi dress. I just loved the embroidering on her top and the way both dresses complimented the wild grown sweet peas.

Fin managed to find a few daisies to pick and both Mama and daughter posed with the delicate bouquet among the wildflowers. They manged to not only create a path that wouldn’t destroy any of the natural surroundings but to avoid the path of the bees humming around as well.  I think it’s fair to say that both these two have little hippie hearts.

We left the flowers just as the sun began to hide behind the treeline and as the last few rays passed over the leaves, these girls braved the tracks. Fin was her adorable, ham of a self. She was using the tracks as a balance beam and Cassie lovingly helped her daughter regain her balance.

As usual, these girls knocked it out of the park. Just check out their first family session here. I love that I get to photograph my sweet friends with their little ones and I cannot wait for the chance to get them in front of my lens again. There’s no greater joy in the creative world than watching the people you love become comfortable with your craft and that is definitely the case with this gang! Thanks for another beautiful session girls!

Family Portrait Session in Keller, Texas: The Smith Family

Meet the Smith Family! These guys are no strangers to the blog, though it has been awhile since I have had them in front of the lens. They have been featured before during our Christmas season Mini Sessions with a few other cousins! This go-around would be a little different, just the immediate family for a stroll in the park.

 

We met at Bear Creek Park in Keller, Texas for a few family portraits close to sunset. Thank goodness for daylight savings because we we’re able to have a late (7:15) start time for shooting. I knew we would be cutting it close with the kids getting off school and getting everyone ready but this way we all had a little leeway for that golden hour!

 

As usual, this tight nit group wasted no time filling me in on what they’ve been up to this last year. Between vacations, birthday parties and band concerts, these guys have been busy! 13 years of marriage, 3 kids and a bunch of after school activities will do that to ya!

 

We hung by the water for a few fun shots of the whole family first. I like to get these photos done first because 1-everyone looks there best in the beginning and 2-we always get the best smiles when everyone is comfortable and relaxed. I was glad to get the big shots out of the way first.

 

Ian was his usual self. Like any typical boy, he brought a ball along to play with and even tried to jump in the pond after he almost lost it. Dad helped him out and we managed to keep all the kids dry.  Though quiet and reserved, this kid is always keeping this crew on their toes. Whether he’s throwing the baseball around or climbing to the highest branch on a tree, there is no stopping him once his mind is set on something.

 

Then there’s Kylie! She is so much more grown-up than the last time I saw her. She showed up in this adorable blue and white striped off the shoulder top and a red rose floral headband. I was so impressed by her. She is involved in her school’s band and has a bunch of good girlfriends she loves hanging with. I found myself being envious of my preteen days, when it was all sleepovers and late night calls with your besties. Those were the days!

 

The last one for close-ups was Avery! This little girl is just the sweetest. She arrived in style, wearing a blue and white striped dress, jean jacket and some seriously killer red heels. What a babydoll. She is most definitely the ham in her family. She was doing cartwheels and running around in the flowers. She is always a joy to be around and I was glad to have some one on one time with her.

 

Our last stop was this massive tree near the pond. I joked that I had been saving this tree just for them and in a way, I had. They all just lined up by it and these shots were the result! The kids loved jumping on it and I just love the way the light reflects off the water onto this bunch. I always enjoy hanging out with Crystal, her husband and kids and I hope we have the chance to do it again!

Grapevine, TX Family Portrait Session: Jack, Miles & Mommy

 I have been dying to share this session with you guys. I just loved hanging with these guys so much. I met Kristi and her boys through a mutual friend a few years back only to find out that we grew up a few miles away from each other in Pennsylvania. In fact, during our first photo shoot, Kristi’s little guys brought along their terrible towels!! 

We hit it off fast the first time around and have stayed in touch since then. I was so thankful when Kristi reached out in hopes of booking a Spring Mini Session with her little fellas. I couldn’t wait to hear what she had in mind.

I was so pleased to hear that Kristi was thinking of having their shoot in Grapevine. She couldn’t have known but this is one of my favorite backdrops of all time. I love the historic charm of the buildings and the abundance of flora lining the promenade of Main St. To boot, Kristi wanted to use the last half of her session to explore the shores of Grapevine Lake. I couldn’t wait to see the excitement on the boys faces when we let them run free.

Our session began on an early April morning. We quickly found a blooming rose bush and began our adventure. Shortly after, we worked our way to the Farmer’s Market for a few quick shots of the kids on a bright yellow Adirondack chair. Did I mention that the boys were angels throughout the shoot?!? Both boys were following Mommy’s directions so well and kept finding ways to surprise us with their manners.

We headed to the old train station next and the boys really started to ham it up. They were making funny faces and pretending to be pirates! It was seriously adorable.

We made our way to the Courtyard across from the Palace Theatre for a few individual shots of Mommy with Miles and Mommy with Jack. I love Mommy and Me Sessions so much, especially with little dudes because they seriously love to love on their Mamas.

Jack investigated the historical cabin while Mommy and Miles took some time to snuggle by the fountain. Though Miles was dangerously close to jumping in, we managed to hold him off. Their personalities were in full force. Jack was curious and wandering around wanting to touch every button he could find and Miles was happy to hang by the water and occasionally try to dip his fingers in the fountain.

We finished up downtown and jumped in the cars. We headed to the lake to let the boys run wild! I know a secret little spot on the shore with lots of shade and plenty of green willowy trees. This spot would be the perfect backdrop for Jack and Miles to play and just be kids.

After the boys had rolled up the pant legs and splashed around for awhile, Mama, Kristi, jumped in on the fun. I didn’t pose them. I didn’t give any direction. I just let them be a family and it was a joy to see. Mama Kristi twirled Miles around while Jack did his best to get me a little wet. I left this session feeling so grateful for clients who exude such joy. The boys made sure to give me hugs before they left and I felt thankful for the opportunity to connect with these little guys and their sweet Mama. I can’t wait to do it again!

 

Newborn Session: Baby Levi

Hey guys! Time for ya’ll to officially meet Levi Wooten. My good friends, Josh and Taylor, welcomed their first child on March 1st and I had the amazing opportunity to photograph Levi’s first portraits.  At just three weeks old, on his actual due date, we met for the first time. Dare I say it was love at first sight!?

Mama, Taylor, brought her little man over to the studio bright and early one Spring morning. We had chatted before about what she had in mind but I could not have imagined how handsome this little fella would be. Levi’s Mama brought a ton of fun props and outfits to play with so I knew then that we had a full day of shooting ahead of us.

We started off in a room full of natural light. Levi’s first outfit was a blue kitted one piece with a stocking hat. This outfit choice was simple yet masculine and I just loved it. When we attempted to change into the next outfit, Levi let us know that he needed a break. It was then that we busted out the pacifier. After that, this little guy was happy to let us put him in a fisherman knitted outfit and then a penguin suit. He just dozed off while we played dress up for awhile.

Though I love the playful outfits, I am a sucker for the timeless swaddles and clean backgrounds. To make sure that we captured a few classic photos for Mom and Dad, Mommy fed my new little friend and then we swaddled him in a classic blue blanket and moved to a different room for a little moodier lighting. With his little stuffed animal horse in tow, Levi slept peacefully through the next 1/2 hour of our shoot. These were my favorite images because the black and whites were just as captivating as the color edits and for real, look at his toes?!?

After a little nap for Levi and a few snacks for the pregnant photographer and new Mama Bear, we buckled this little guy up for a road trip to a park nearby. Though it was a bright and sunny day, we managed to find some shade for a few Mommy & Me photos at Bear Creek Park. Spring had really just begun here in North Texas and I wanted to capture this first time Mom with her bundle of joy.

Levi was a perfect angel. He slept and cooed in Mama’s arms while we strolled around the park. I think he was dreaming about Mommy and Daddy’s upcoming Wedding. Yep, you heard it right. Taylor and Josh got engaged last year, began planning their big day and then Levi decided to make his surprise appearance so this sweet Mama will officially become Mrs. Josh Wooten in a little over a month! Needless to say,  Levi and I are over the moon about their impending nuptials.

Since this little guy managed to make his appearance a few weeks early, Mommy and I thought that we would absolutely need to capture a few Easter photos. We brought this little guy’s favorite comfy blanket along and while he napped in a big wicker basket, we threw Easter eggs all around him.

Our last few shots took place at the Keller Sports Complex. We had every intention of taking a few photos on home plate but since the parks we’re locked, we settled for a few in Daddy’s baseball glove. I had an absolute blast getting to spend some time with my sweet friend Taylor and her new little love. I can’t wait to get this little guy in front of the camera again! Congratulations my friends!!

Reminder for all of our Dallas-Fort Worth Friends! Throughout the month of April, The Rustie Nail Creative Studio is offering $100 Spring Minis! All sessions are 30 minutes long and include the edited images in a downloadable gallery and a blog spotlight! These are great for family photos, upcoming Birthday pictures, exciting announcements and updating headshots. Email therustienailhead@gmail.com to book your unique portrait session.