Baldwin Photography: Houston Area

Schedule Update! | Houston Photographer

2012-01-26T09:23:00.000-06:00

Now booking through May!!

February - 2 sessions left
March - 1 session left
April - 4 sessions
May - 4 sessions

Grab your spot before we're all booked up!

Share! | Houston Senior Photographer

2012-01-24T16:39:00.000-06:00

It's here!! Our 2012 Senior Special!!

How it works: Book a session with you and a friend - and split the cost!! What could be more fun than a senior shoot with your best friend?!? She'll make you laugh - and together you'll have tons of fun. At the session, we'll take turns. We'll shoot one of you and then while you're changing, or just taking a break, we'll shoot the other one. And, we just go back and forth until we get what we're looking for. We can even do a few shots with the two of you. In the end, you'll both end up with your own personal gallery of 15-20 images. Each of you will get those on CD and can print till your heart's content. Print as big as you want and as many as you want. Grandma, mom, aunts and uncles - prints make great gifts!! You'll also each get a set of 50 custom designed graduation announcements. They fit perfectly into the school graduation cards and can include information about your grad party or just a few of your favorite pictures from our shoot. FINALLY - if you book your session for February, you'll both get a custom spiral bound memory book featuring all your images. It is a great keepsake for your senior year.

Book today! Contact me at baldwinphotography@gmail.com!

Class of 2012 | Houston Seniors

2012-01-19T21:48:00.000-06:00

I love shooting seniors. Such a monumental time - saying goodbye to childhood and hello to the world! My senior sessions are designed to be fun, stress-free and even a bit glamorous. All sessions include a pre-session consultation where we get to know each other, talk about clothes/what to wear, make-up/hair, locations and the overall style that you're looking to achieve. At the session, we allow enough time for outfit and location changes. Every shot is designed to capture your personality and reflect who you are right now. And, we have fun doing it!

Congrats to all those graduating this year!! I'll be announcing my Winter Senior Special this weekend - so be sure to check back. And, in the meantime, I'll leave you with this GORGEOUS senior girl!!

Beach Holiday | Houston Family Photographer

2012-01-04T21:14:00.000-06:00

About a month or so before Christmas, I had a client contact me begging for a beach session for her family. They were flying down from New York and Kansas - and she wanted to surprise them with custom photography while they vacationed on the island. How could I say no to that?!? What a wonderful gift! And, I just LOOOVE the beach. And this family was so laid back and fun. I hope y'all enjoyed the great weather and love the sneak peek! It was great meeting y'all!

Bombshell | Houston Boudoir Photographer

2012-01-03T09:17:00.000-06:00

Looking for something special to give your husband or boyfriend for Valentine's Day? We're at it again with our third annual Valentine's Boudoir Marathon! Celebrate yourself and give the ultimate gift. Plus, refer a friend and you'll both get $100 off your favorite package! Contact me for more information.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T08:53:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas! It is so much more magical seeing things through my two goofy little girls' eyes. I hope you have a very magical and memorable weekend!!

GIRL | Clear Lake Newborn Photographer

2011-12-22T22:42:00.000-06:00

We were all anxiously awaiting this beauty's arrival. You see, her mommy and daddy waited to find out whether she was a girl or a boy. I love hearing those stories because we also waited for both our girls. It is just so special to hear "It's a girl!" called out by your husband after all those hours of labor :) Anyway, back to Little Miss M. Graciously, she made her presence a week early so we wouldn't have to wait any longer - plus, I'm sure she wanted to make sure she was here in time for Christmas. What a gorgeous little girl!!

blast off | League City Family Photographer

2011-12-20T13:01:00.000-06:00

This cutie has grown so much since I've seen him, only 6 months ago. At that time he was barely walking - and now, well, he was on the go!! I brought along my favorite 'prop' - a bright red rocket ship. My girls loved it at this age and it usually is a big hit for kiddos. This time I made the mistake of having it out right when he got there. He loved that thing and really didn't want to do anything else. He would ride on it for a bit and then get off and push it. So cute - until the end, when he cried because I had to take it away. So sad! (hint to mom & dad: click here to make his Christmas morning extra special!! lol).

day 12 | League City Newborn Photographer

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

Oh, she just melts my heart. Just a darling new girl - so sweet the entire shoot. She only fussed when it was time to eat. What a dream.

Warm & Cozy | Deer Park Family Photographer

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

Anyone notice how cold and dreary its been around here lately? So much so - that we had to reschedule a session due to "rain" which, in turn, brought in even MORE cold weather. Turns out it did not rain - but the cold was here, just the same.

Thankfully, these guys (and gals) were troopers - and happily moved their session to the early morning, despite the forecast calling for 40 degree weather. Brrrr...!! If you've grown up in Houston - that is WAY too cold to be outside for longer than 15 minutes. So, I had an idea... and decided to add a few blankets, warm cocoa, marshmallows and candy canes to our shoot. We turned a normal family shoot into something 'warm & cozy' - which turned out to be just what we needed!

Ella | Houston Newborn Photographer

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-06:00

I was so excited to photograph this beauty. I was hot of the awesome newborn workshop I attended in early November and couldn't wait to try out my new skills on my very own newborn. And, I lucked out that this girl is just gorgeous. She made my job so easy! What a doll!

Crazy Love | Houston Wedding Photographer

2011-12-09T07:00:00.001-06:00

Can I just say how much FUN I had shooting this wedding? It was actually just the party - the couple eloped on some romantic island and then came back to Houston to throw one fabulous party. The bride is originally from New Orleans, so you know it was a crazy reception. It started off with an awesome New Orleans jazz band - and then quickly turned into a huge dance party. Everyone had such a great time, me included! Mr. and Mrs. Toy - thanks for having me photograph the big day!!

Joyful | Houston Family Photographer

2011-12-07T07:00:00.002-06:00

I just love photographing this family. Not only is the daughter too.die.for cute (!!) - but the entire family is gorgeous! And, the love that they share is overwhelming and contagious. I always walk away from our sessions re-energized and excited to go home to my own family. Thank you guys for making my weekend!

cookies | Houston Holiday Photographer

2011-12-05T09:00:00.000-06:00

Little Ava's mom contacted me about a family session shortly after seeing my booth at the Shopping on the Plaza event. She said that all she really wanted was some great family portraits - with a smiling Ava, who is usually quite reserved around strangers. I immediately thought - we should bake cookies! Smiles are hard to hide when there are cookies involved. And, boy, was I right. After a few minutes of mixing and cracking eggs, Ava let out a huge grin. She was having fun!! Maybe Ava and her parents have started a new holiday tradition?

festive | Houston Family Photographer

2011-12-01T21:04:00.000-06:00

These two girls came ready to party! I loved their bright holiday outfits and their spunky attitudes. We sang Christmas songs and danced around. I think it is safe to say that we all had fun!

Holiday Special | Houston Custom Photographer

2011-11-24T15:00:00.000-06:00

Looking for that extra special gift? Look no further... I'm excited to announce our Great Holiday Canvas Extravaganza!!

This really is the perfect gift - a great custom photography experience plus a beautiful gallery wrap of their favorite image. The wraps are ready to hang and look perfect in any room!! And, if you're overdue for portraits of your own family - now's the time to act.

Because it is such a sweet deal, I do have to limit the number of sessions. I expect to sell out very quickly. So don't hesitate! Contact me today!

oh, baby | Houston Newborn Photographer

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited to share my latest set with y'all! As part of my business plan for 2010 - I built in a budget for "continued education". As a business owner and an artist, I want to continue to push myself to grow - reach new heights and just keep getting better.

And, this past weekend, I dove in with the most fabulous workshop, hosted by Amber Scruggs of Little Moon Photography. The workshop was AMAZING - and I had so many "ah, ha" or "light-bulb" moments. I just learned so much - and got newborn portraits like these....

So, you can see why I'm so excited, right? I'm so excited that I'm offering a SUPER AWESOME newborn special.

Call me, email me, facebook me - whatever. Just book your newborn session ASAP - and send all your expecting friends my way as well (remember, you rack up $40 print credits for every referral you send my way!) And, with that, here is some more newborn cuteness. Seriously, I just can't stand it!

Cheers | Houston Family Photographer

2011-11-07T08:00:00.004-06:00

This beautiful family is spreading the holiday cheer - with a holiday tea-party!! When the mom called me with the idea, I loved it!! So fun - and I think they pictures turned out so cute!! Don't you just LOVE the chandelier? We ended the tea-party with a mini-shoot of baby brother. He's six months - and has grown soo much since the last time I saw him as a newborn. I think he's getting more and more adorable as the months go by.

Go! | Houston Photographer

2011-11-03T20:24:00.000-05:00

This little cutie just turned one - and, boy, is he moving!! He was so interested in just running around and playing. I don't blame him - once you can run, there is just sooo much to explore! I did get him to slow down just enough to check out my new wagon and other toys. Love his little grin!

Style | Houston Family Photographer

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

I just love shooting this family. Just look at their style. They always look so pulled together - like they've walked right out of a magazine! And their two boys - oh, so cute! And polite. After our little session, the oldest came right over to me and said, "Thank you for taking our pictures." Love it!!

Halloween | Houston Family Photographer

2011-10-31T08:00:00.004-05:00

Dressing up is a daily event at our house. On any given day, I'm assigned the role of either Pocahontas or Mulan - and the girls are either Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella - or some made-up princess. OR - we're all roaming around on all fours as dinosaurs. And, even on rare occasions, we're flying through the air as super-heroes with amazing super-powers such as the ability to "feed puppies" or "dance like a princess" or (my new favorite) "read" (!!)

So, Halloween is a big deal around here. Not only are we all dressing up - but the whole world is too!! AND - we all get candy to celebrate. The girls spend weeks and weeks dreaming up new ideas for what they're going to be...they already have a list a mile long for next year. But, this year, they both settled on cowgirl Jessie from Toy Story. We have the original (Sara) and the pink version (Georgia). And, we're wishing you all a very Happy Halloween! Enjoy it!

New Products | Houston Family Photographer

2011-10-27T14:19:00.000-05:00

It feels like Christmas here at Baldwin Photography - now that our new products have arrived!! And, just in time for, well, Christmas!

I'm so excited to be offering custom framing, including the stunning and beautiful Organic Bloom hand-painted frames. I love these babies so much because with over 15 styles and like a million colors, the possibilities are endless. Together, we can design a one-of-a-kind wall display to perfectly match the nursery, game-room or living-room!

Here is what is going over Sara's bed. She just adores it - and so do I!! The double-stacked style is perfect for showcasing your favorite image from a session. For her room, we picked a 11x14 image and it works great right over a twin-sized bed.

I love the "ready-to-hang" backing as well! And, that the frames are re-useable when you're ready to update your pictures!

The frames also come in 8x10 and 5x7 frames - which are great for gifts for the grandparents. Hint, hint ;)

We're also offering the frames with storyboards - which I love. This 10x20 storyboard makes a huge statement when set in one of the Organic Bloom frames painted silver. I think this would look awesome in the newlywed's entry way.

Our brand-spankin' new albums also arrived - and they are gorgeous. We're offering these frames in three different sizes.

Below is our 10x10 Premium album, which includes 20 pages and every.single.image from your session. The cover is customizable with a variety of colors or your favorite image wrapped all the way around.

I think what I love most about all three albums are the nice THICK pages - and that each page is a true photographic print, meaning the images are not press-printed or pixelated. They truly are stunning.

Next up is the 8x8 Keepsake Album. This album is 20 pages and includes 20 of your favorite images from the session. The cover is customizable with a variety of colors. We went with a classic Burnt Orange suede here. I love it!

Finally, here is a peek at our 5x5 Brag Book. With 10 pages and 10 images, these are great for carrying around in your purse to show off the kiddos.

Contact me for more information!

8 days | Houston Newborn Photographer

2011-10-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

When this sweetheart's mama contacted me about her newborn session, she said "the baby could come any day now" - and she wasn't kidding! Despite being a week and a half early, he was born just two days later! Luckily I was able to squeeze him before going out of town - and I'm so thankful I did. Isn't he just wonderful? The little smile just melts my heart.

Family Ties | Houston Family Photographer

2011-10-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

This family shows that you're never too old for an updated family portrait. I love that, despite growing up and moving away, the daughter called me up to request a portrait session with her parents. What a wonderful gift - something that I know they all will cherish for years to come.

Happy Family | Clear Lake Photographer

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Mini-sessions are one of my favorite times of the year. I usually sell out to past clients and it gives me a chance to catch up with them again. I love watching their little ones grown. I met this mom and her newborn boy for the first time this summer. And, now, six months later, here is the entire family. Don't they look great?!? In under twenty minutes, we got a great selection of holiday photos + a quick glance at Baby G's 6 month milestones. I can't wait to share the full gallery with the family!!

All of Clear Lake families were so much fun. I do have one spot left for the Houston Mini's on Saturday, October 29th. It's the perfect excuse to get those oh, so, overdue family portraits. Hit me up if you want the spot. baldwinphotography@gmail.com

Vrooom! | Houston Family Photographer

2011-10-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

This little kiddie was sooo interested in my speed-racer. He wouldn't put it down - until I brought out the red rocket and then he gladly traded up. Slow down, little boy. You're just racing through those baby years - and we don't want you to grow up too fast.

Joy | League City Photographer

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

The busy season is upon us - which means I get to see lots of you again! I love this time of year - and usually, everyone is in such a good mood. And, this little girl is no exception! She is so much fun and just a big bundle of cheerful energy. She had a great time telling me all about her gymnastics class and then showing me how fast she can run. Perfect way to start a Saturday morning, if you as me! Little Miss M is such a joy to photograph!

sweet 15 | Houston Photographer

2011-10-04T21:33:00.000-05:00

Meet Miss Victoria - she's celebrating her Quinceanera this winter and this past Saturday afternoon, we got a sneak peek of the dress. It's so pretty and fun, just like Victoria! Doesn't she look like a princess? Gorgeous! Can't wait for the big party!!

Holiday Mini's | Houston Family Photographer

2011-09-19T18:22:00.000-05:00

It's that time! Holiday Mini's are here!! Sessions include 20 minutes of shooting time at a pre-designated location, 10-12 images to view in your online gallery and the products listed in the package that you choose. What's great is that you can always upgrade your package later, as well! These sessions are perfect for an updated family shoot for those holiday cards, gifts, or whatever suits your fancy.

Sessions were pre-released on facebook and now we only have 3 spots remaining - so make sure to book one soon to reserve a spot for you!

my heart | Houston Family Photographer

2011-09-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

F-O-U-R! She is so excited to be turning four. And, we are too, I think. It means that she can now dress herself, write her name, carry on "adult"-like conversations, ask questions that make us run off to google to find the answer, and so much more.... But, it also means that she's growing up. She barely stops at the door to wave good-bye when we drop her off at daycare. She'll still give us a hug when we beg - but I know our days are numbered. Where did my little tiny baby girl go? I'm so proud of who she is becoming - a confident, highly motivated, outgoing, caring young lady, but, at the same time, I do mourn the loss of my baby girl. I know we have so much to look forward to as she grows up and gets bigger: learning to ride a bike sans training wheels, first day of "real" school, slumber-parties, first broken heart, prom and so much more - though, I just hope it doesn't happen too fast....

K + J, revisited | Houston Wedding Photographer

2011-09-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

I can't even begin to describe just how wonderful this wedding was. First, the bride and groom picked the beautiful Haak Vineyards to tie the knot. It is just gorgeous out there -- and still so green! And, they were surrounded by a family full of love and laughter. Despite the threat of rain all night and the loss of electricity right before the ceremony was to start, the bride was so peaceful and at ease. I think she knew that with the support of her family and her groom on her arm, every thing would just work out. And it did. The night was full of stories from their childhood, dancing and of course love. It was just perfect. Congrats again K and J!

bigger | League City Baby Photographer

2011-09-08T08:00:00.004-05:00

I just love watching my newborn clients grow bigger. This kid is no exception. He may be getting bigger - but he is just as cute and cuddley as the first time I met him. Baby J - it was good to see you again. You'll be running around in no time :)

ONE | Clear Lake Area Baby Photographer

2011-09-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Luckily for me, I got to cap off the holiday weekend by hanging out with this adorable doll! Little Miss A just celebrated her first birthday and was in SUCH a good mood - despite the numerous times she dove head first off the bench. She's quite the fearless toddler!

K + J 9.3.11 | Houston Wedding Photographer

2011-09-05T07:33:00.000-05:00

Don't they make a GORGEOUS couple?! More to come later this week....

Texas Weekend Getaway

2011-08-24T21:15:00.000-05:00

My apologies for a quiet blog this August. Things have been very busy around here. We'll be launching our new site soon, debuting new products and announcing our Holiday Mini's - so stay tuned. But, in the meantime, I wanted to share just a few pictures of the last Texas Weekend Getaway for the summer.

Anyone that knows me will tell you that I love the sun - so it is only fitting that the last Texas Getaway would be in the direction of more sun and heat. We drove 12 hours out West to embrace the beautiful mountain deserts of Big Bend.

It was a VERY long drive. The perfect drive to clear your head, reconnect and just take it the beauty of the Texas highway.

Somewhere between here and there.

We finally arrive at our destination. Just in time for a hike or two.

We decided to do two of my favorite hikes. The first one was down towards the Rio Grande River, through an old abandoned River Resort.

It was HOT - but the views were breathtaking.

We then drove up to the Chisos Mountain Basin for our second hike. Check out that sun.

This hike is called "The Window" hike and it is 2.5 miles into the mountains. See that "V"? That's where we hiked!

And, here it is - the "V" - otherwise known as "the window". I was too afraid to get any closer than this. The view was just stunning.

Finally, it was time to check-in at our hotel, the Lajitas Resort. It's the perfect place to relax after a day of hiking in the Texas heat.

Check out the view from the hotel bar, the Thirsty Goat Saloon.

I think we deserve one of these! :)

Hope you all are having a fantastic summer! I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner....

milestones | Clear Lake Area Baby Photographer

2011-07-25T09:28:00.000-05:00

Reason #432 of why I LOVE my job: getting to see my clients grow! This beautiful baby is already 8 months old - and wow! look how much she's changed! She's sitting (a BIG milestone for that first year) and just full of personality. And, even at our session, she broke through another milestone - holding her bottle for the first time. She practically grabbed it away from Mama. So cute! Baby T - I can't wait to see you again!

awake & alert | League City Newborn Photographer

2011-07-22T19:00:00.000-05:00

Boy, oh boy - a girl at last! For me that is. First newborn girl of the year! And, she is a doll!! The sweetie was the most alert and awake newborn I've photographed. At only fourteen-days old, she just watched me practically the entire shoot, following me with her eyes where-ever I would go. I'm not sure if was because I was a stranger or because she is a shutterbug, in the making. I didn't mind, as she was so calm and happy - and because, at last, we tired her out and got some very nice sleepy shots. So sweet :)

Beach Babes | Galveston Family Photographer

2011-07-01T12:40:00.000-05:00

Just a few of the girls + granny, having fun on the beach. Hope you all have a great holiday weekend! Soak up those rays :)

40th | Houston Family Photographer

2011-06-28T13:40:00.000-05:00

Melisa contacted me last month about a special surprise for her parents' 40th wedding anniversary. She wanted to gift them family portraits of their beautiful family. I couldn't say no - such a sweet and thoughtful gift. And, lucky for me, the family is gorgeous! Every last one of them. Don't you agree? Melisa - I hope your parents love these and that they have a wonderful anniversary!!

true love | Houston Engagement Photography

2011-06-23T22:45:00.001-05:00

Despite the threat of rain this week (and the one teeny-tiny thunderstorm we actually got!), both my sessions were nice and dry - and hot and humid, lol. Tuesday night's session I was really looking forward to. I met Glenda a few years ago and was thrilled when she picked me to shoot her wedding this next March. And, Tuesday was the first time I got to meet her handsome fiance. Good work Glenda! You picked a nice one :) These two were so in love and it just made for a great time for us all. Not only did each of them keep the other one laughing throughout the shoot, but when Ryan would talk about Glenda, his eyes would light up - and vice versa. I know they have a very strong and happy future ahead of them. Can't wait to see you two walk down the aisle!! :)

Texas Vacations, part II | Houston Family Photographer

2011-06-22T22:30:00.000-05:00

Well - the weekend got away from me. Somewhere between the long road-trip home with two very tired little girls, tackling the mounds of laundry that seem to appear after a week-long vacation, and just getting back into the swing of things, it was back to the "real world" in a blink of an eye. So, my apologies for making you wait an extra day or so for TOP TEN FAMILY VACATION SPOTS in TEXAS. And, onto number 6...

6. New Braunfels

Granny & the girls, Landa Park

This German town is the perfect get-away when you just want to escape with the family over a holiday weekend. We go up there at least once every summer, if not more. And, I have memories of camping on the river with my Dad growing up - so it's a tradition I love passing along to my two little girls. New Braunfels is surrounded by two cold-spring fed rivers: the Guadalupe and the Comal rivers - and many of it's great attractions feature at least one of the rivers. Many families float the Comal which is a short float on mild rapids punctuated by a few water "shoots". It's a very nice, relaxing time, but probably more appropriate for families with kids 9 years old or older.
The most well-known attraction is Schlitterbahn - and while, we have a version here in Galveston, it is nothing compared to the original in New Braunfels. And, it's a great place to have fun, no matter what your age! Half the rides in the park (called Schlitterbahn West) are actually fed by water taken directly from the Guadalupe. It is one of the biggest water parks in the US and is consistently ranked the Best Water-Park in America.
Another great county park (one of my girls' favorites) is Landa Park. They have boat rides, train rides, Frisbee golf - and a river-fed splash area + wadding pool for the kiddos to play around in. It's also a perfect location to view fireworks from on the 4th of July (a new family tradition - now going on three years). If you're looking to stay dry for a day, two excellent places to visit are the Natural Bridge Caverns and the New Braunfels Children's Museum. The caverns offer two tours - the original, which is suitable for walking toddlers and pre-schoolers, and the new illuminations tour - more suitable to older children who can climb steep stairs and are not affraid of the dark. After seeing the cool stalagmites and stalactites, the kids can then "pan" for gems, fossils and arrowheads outside. We just did this with the girls over Memorial Day Weekend - and they just loved it. They are still talking about it! Finally, the New Braunsfels Children's Museum is a quaint play-based museum very similar to the Houston Children's Museum. Its a great place to let the little ones burn some energy while you enjoy the cold A/C.

7. Corpus Christi - the Sparkling City by the Sea

Corpus Christi is a nicer alternative to Galveston for a seaside family vacation. The city itself is actually on the bay, as opposed to the barrier island, Mustang Island. Thus, the gulf-side beaches are undeveloped and more pristine than those in Galveston. When down there, we like to stop by the Mustang Island State Park to stroll the beaches looking for shells and play in amongst the gorgeous sand dunes. Other nice attractions within the Corpus Christi city-limits, include the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium. The USS Lexington is a air-craft carrier that saw extensive service in the Pacific during WWII. You can tour almost the entire ship, including the flight deck which holds several various planes for the kids to be inspired by. Texas State Aquarium is located within walking distance from the USS Lexington. Inside you'll find dolphins, sea otters and various other sea-animals that are fun to see and experience. For a fun afternoon or evening outing, take in a Hook's baseball game at Whataburger field (Corpus Christi is home to the original Whataburger!). They are a minor-league team - and the field is located right on the channel next to the bridge which provides for some very scenic views. Finally, when we're visiting, we always make a point to splurge on one fancy dinner at the Water Street Oyster Bar, home of the best seafood around.

8. Wimberly

Wimberly is quaint little tourist town between Austin and San Antonio that sits along the crystal-clear Blanco River. To kick-off the summer, we rent a house right on the river and hang out with Granny, Auntie and all her crazy friends (think ya-ya sisters). The girls love the attention they are smothered in while Chad and I enjoy the relaxing on the river (you can just sit your lawn chair right in the river!) and maybe even sneaking away for a date-night. There is also a swimming hole nearby called "the Blue Hole", and I think there might even be fishing. Our two favorite spots to visit while in town are the Salt-Lick and Driftwood Vineyards. The Salt-Lick is my absolute favorite BBQ restaurant to visit. It is a family-style restaurant that serves all you can eat brisket, ribs, sausage and smoked turkey - and a big side of fresh homemade bread with the MOST delicious BBQ sauce I've ever had. It is BYOB and a long wait is guaranteed on the weekends. Though, the atmosphere is gorgeous and there is usually a small band playing live music so between the music and our cooler of beer and wine, the wait is just fine. The winery is a nice little place we discovered three years ago and sits atop a hill overlooking vineyards in the valley below. They have wine tastings and you can also purchase bottles with cheese and crackers to enjoy while you soak in the scenery. It is really a piece of heaven right there in the Hill Country.

9. Inks Lake State Park
I remember visiting this beauty during my summer geology field class in college. We got to see some many cool things while learning about the geological history of Texas. It was such a wonderful class that, if it wasn't my last semester of college, I may have actually switched majors to Geology based strictly on that class! And, during that class, I distinctly remember being so impressed with the beauty that Inks Lake had to offer. It is located in Burnett County - right on the Colorado River and next to Inks Lake. You can canoe (yourself or guided) and paddle through gorgeous granite gneiss exposed from the Llano Uplift. There is also fishing, swimming and camping. But, be sure to make your reservations early as this park is almost always near capacity.
Another great thing about Inks Lake State Park is that it is very near my favorite cavern in Texas, Longhorn Caverns. While it is certainly not the prettiest cavern in Texas (that belongs to the Caverns of Sonora), I think I love Longhorn Caverns because of its history. Before it became a State Park it was used by Indians, Confederate Soldiers and outlaws. And, during the prohibition, it was a speak-easy! Now you can tour the grand caverns, enjoy the lovely grounds, or even rent out one of the caves for weddings and birthday parties. On some nights they also offer concerts right inside the cave!

10. Davis Mountain State Park
We first visited this park on a leisurely road-trip out west - and used it as a spring-board to explore the surrounding area. The park, itself, is nestled amongst the scenic Davis Mountains. The park is a good place for hiking and also features a historic Indian Lodge, constructed in the 1930s and still has the original furnishings! A short drive from the park will take you to McDonald Observatory, operated by the University of Texas. Here you can see really BIG telescopes, including the 5th largest in the world, and even take a peak at the sun! They also have tours during the day and star parties at night. Really lots of fun if you are a nerd like me :) If you travel a short way out of the mountains to the flatland below, you'll come upon Balmorhea State Park - home to one of the largest spring fed pools in the country. The pool is fed by the San Solomon Springs which gush out up to 28 million gallons of water a day. It's beautiful, crystal clear water that is the perfect temperature to refresh yourself on a hot Texas day.

And, there you go! My top ten favorite places for family vacations in Texas. It was really really hard for me to narrow it down to ten - which is part of the reason it took me so long to put this together. There are many honorable mentions and maybe some day I can do another post on more great Texas getaways. But for now, I'll leave you with a few links so you can persue potential places yourself:

Texas State Parks Directory - full listing and description of each State Park within Texas - and there are many!

Texas State Travel Guide - a city by city, divided by region (Texas has seven, you know), guide of things to see and do in the great state of Texas.

Finally, if you have any questions or would like some personal recommendations, just shoot me an email. Or, let me know and I can bring you a personal copy of the Texas State Travel Guide at our next session! We always grab plenty of copies to share when we visit the Texas Visitor's Center down in the Valley :)

Texas Vacations, part I | Houston Family Photography

2011-06-17T14:10:00.001-05:00

Summer is here! It's my favorite season - despite the Houston heat, mosquitoes and all the other things that people hate about those dog days. I love the long days, the muggy nights, popsicles, swimming pools and playing in the sprinklers with my girls. Most of all - I love all the mini-summer-vacations we take as a family. For example, right this second, I'm sitting on the balcony of a cabin we rent every year - over looking the beautiful Frio River. It really can't get any better than this :)

Through my business, I've been blessed with meeting several new Houston families - many of whom are not originally from Texas. And, while my heart will always belong to Houston, it really isn't a great representation of the many great things this beautiful state has to offer....which brings me to reason for this post. I've decided to share with you my personal TOP TEN FAMILY VACATION SPOTS in TEXAS. So, onto the list...

1. San Antonio - home of the Alamo.

Sara, taken on the grounds of Mission San Jose, 2009.

I have to be completely honest. San Antonio holds a special place in my heart, as this is where my husband and I were married most than six years ago. But, it really is a great place to visit. Not only is it a mere 3-4 hour drive from Houston, it offers so much for a family to do. San Antonio is the most visited city in Texas and is really geared for the vacationing family. From the Alamo and lesser known missions (we were married at San Jose), to dining and shopping on the Riverwalk, getting up close and personal with the dolphins at Sea World or enjoying the rides at Fiesta Texas - there really is something for everyone. One of our favorite things to do during the summer is to check out the free music series offered at the County Line. Not only is it great food - but the girls love dancing to the country music under the big trees. Lots of fun.

2. South Padre and the Valley

Isla Blanca Park in South Padre, 2010 - with little Georgia Ann.

My husband's family have a winter home in the Valley. We take a few trips down there over the course of the year - and summer is my favorite time. The beach is just gorgeous, one of the best in Texas. And the folks are so friendly. The girls love the long drive down Hwy-100 going through Los Fresnos. There is a crazy tourist trap, called BobzWorld. You just have to stop to see all the crazy things, including a life-sized dinosaur made of plaster! Right before you cross over to the actual island, make sure to also stop at Port Isabel. Tours take you to the top and she is a pretty lighthouse. On the island, there is a turtle nesting area, normal beach activities and also chartered fishing, which is always fun. Isla Blanca Park is our favorite beach location. It's very pretty and perfect for families.
Oh - and I almost forgot about Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville. Its just a short drive from the island and is one of the nicest zoos in Texas. If you travel here in the summer, just try to hit up the zoo in the morning because that's when the animals are awake and out. It's just too hot for them in the afternoons.

3. Big Bend National Park

taken by my husband when I was pregnant with Sara :)

While it is quite the drive to get out there (~ 10 hours), it is most definitely worth it. Big Bend is the nation's best kept secret - as it is the least visited national park. But, in my opinion, all of those people are missing out. The place is huge and there is so much to see and do. The national park sits on an unique spot where three ecosystems come together - desert, mountain and river. Wildlife include bobcats, javalinas (a weird west-texas version of a pig), black bears, road-runners, and lots and lots of deer. There is also a wide variety of guided backpacking or river trips you can take. I've never tried one but I have my heart set on the wine-tasting river trip that takes you through two canyons and several other beautiful areas.
We've been out to Big Bend National Park twice and have yet to see everything. When you go, I suggest you start looking at postcard images, picking up a trail guide or two, and then asking the rangers where to find the specific locations you are looking for. Many of them include a long drive on a dirt road, followed by a mile or so hike to see what you want - but it is well worth it. To see some of the gorgeous views, go here.
The best time to visit, in my opinion is late Spring (April) or early Fall (late Sept/early Oct) and you'll get to see the desert flowers in bloom. Just gorgeous.
If you're not into camping, the best place to stay during your visit is Lajitas. It is a private first class resort - and they treat you like celebrities. You're greeted with cold beer, nice rooms - and after a long day of hiking, you can schedule a massage at their on-site spa. Golfers also love the place, as this is the one and only international golf course in the U.S. It really is a nice get-away.
Other places to visit while you're out there are the Big Bend State Park - rumored to be even more spectacular than the national park and River Road, known as the most scenic drive in Texas. It parallels the Rio Grande as takes a winding path through the desert mountains of West Texas and Northern Mexico.

view from River Road.

4. Garner State Park

Sara's first fish, June 2009.

Georgia Ann catches her first fish! just three days ago :)

We've been visiting this little gem since I was in high school. And, that's where we are today! Every year, in the middle of June, my entire family (grandparents on both sides included!) pack up for a week on the river. Our days go a bit like this. We sleep in, then enjoy a tasty breakfast on the porch of our cabin overlooking the scenic Frio River. There is always a breeze and zero mosquitoes (which is a nice break from Houston). Chad usually takes the girls fishing on the banks and then we might play a hand or two of cards, or a round of dominoes- my families' favorite game is 42, if you've heard of it. And, after lunch, we all head down to the river where we sit in floats, drink beer and watch the children splash around on the rocks or dive into the deeper areas. The constant cool flow of the Frio keeps you comfortable as you soak up those Texas rays. After we've had enough of that, we'll load up and head into the State Park for their nightly dance. It really is the best way to spend the summer with family. If you can't get a reservation for the State Park (they usually book up to a year in advanced), there are lots and lots of nice cabins right outside the park and sitting on the river. We prefer to stay at Happy Hollow - as it is the perfect spot on the river with big boulders to perch atop of when the water is too cold or deep swimming holes when you just need to dive completely in. Even this year, despite the drought, there is still is plenty of water to keep you cool.

5. Fredericksburg Wine Country

OK. So, I had to sneak one place in that isn't so much "family" friendly -but still a great little get-away for parents. When we've just had enough and need to escape "city" life and screaming kids, we set the girls up for a "granny weekend" (thankfully we are blessed to have family in town!) and head out to the Fredericksburg Wine Country. We usually rent a little B&B - but these aren't your traditional B&Bs. We try to pick on that is more of a bungalow style where we don't have to share the house with others. Instead, we have a nice little cottage to ourselves that overlooks the beautiful hill country and then they supply vouchers for breakfast or lunch in town. Fredericksburg is the heart of the the Texas Wine Country and there are maybe 9-10 wineries in the area. It's always a great time take the drive down 290 and stopping at each winery to do some wine tasting and relaxing. My favorite winery is Fredericksburg Winery (I LOVE their Christmas Spiced Wine) and Chad's favorite is Becker Vineyareds. Fredericksburg is also a shopper's haven, if you're into that. And, after a few glasses of wine, who isn't? :) Usually, we also try to reserve some time to take the short drive to the famous little town of Luckenbach, Texas. Its really nothing more than a ice-house, a dance hall and a few chickens. They usually have someone strumming the guitar out under the shade tree so its always a nice time.
For dinner, we hit up the Cabernet Grill for some scrumptious hill country cuisine. Finally, if we're not too hung over the next day, we'll stop by Enchanted Rock and try to hike our way to the top. It is the largest
pink granite pluton rock formation in the United States.

...well, the river is calling my name so that's the end of part I. Look for Part II to be posted sometime this week! Take care!

On the move | Clear Lake Area Baby Photographer

2011-06-09T08:24:00.006-05:00

This cutie wanted to crawl and climb all over the place at the park. He enjoyed checking out the sticks, leaves and wanted to taste everything in sight - probably because he is teething. Poor guy! I was able to keep him in one spot for a few seconds with my red chair that doubles as a drum and my rocking horse (which he loved). But, nothing brought out his infectious smile and laugh like his mommy and daddy loving on him!! H family - it was fun seeing you guys again. Your little dude is just adorable!

TWO | Houston Family Photographer

2011-06-08T10:13:00.000-05:00

I just love this family! Not only are they the most beautiful family, but I've also been lucky enough to be their photographer since this little girl was only 6 months old - and now, she's growing into an adorable toddler!! She and Georgia Ann share the same birthday - and same temperament: determined, spirited, and oh, so sweet and full of personality. At this session, she was so curious about the park setting, checking out the birds, flowers and mother nature. But, man, it got HOT fast. So, we decided to cool off at CRAVE Cupcake - yum!

4 weeks | Clear Lake Area Newborn Photographer

2011-06-06T08:32:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure last week meeting this little dude. He is older than my typical newborn - but, other than wanting to eat a few snacks, he was a terrific newborn model. So sweet and laid back. Isn't he just adorable? :)

take two | Clear Lake Area Senior Photographer

2011-06-04T08:00:00.002-05:00

As promised, we were finally able to finish up Caleb's senior pics - now that he gave in and chopped off his hair! See part one, here. And, just in time too - he graduated last night. Congrats Caleb!! I know you have big things in your future.

Chubs | Houston Newborn Photographer

2011-06-02T09:30:00.002-05:00

This little dude was born the very same day I turned the big 3-0! And, I can't think of a better day...it has served me well :) He was about a week late and was born at a healthy 9 lbs 3 oz, but just look at those cheeks. He is so adorable and I just wanted to cuddle with him through the entire session. He fought sleep at first but finally conked out after another round of feeding (he's a growing boy, you know!). L family, congrats of your precious baby boy! He is just adorable!

sisters | Houston Family Photographer

2011-05-31T14:47:00.000-05:00

Well, we survived our camping trip and now I'm back at home editing the tons of sessions I shot right before leaving - which means more sneak peeks for you! Woo-hoo!

Let's start with these two beautiful sisters, who were celebrating their 4th and 2nd birthdays. We had fun playing "picnic" in their aunt's backyard. So cute!!

Mine | Houston Family Photographer

2011-05-27T22:50:00.000-05:00

May is a very busy month in the Baldwin-Hanak household. One that is filled with birthdays (Georgia Ann and mine!), Mother's Day, and our wedding anniversary. And, while it makes for a very hectic and crazy month, I love that almost every weekend in May gives us an excuse to celebrate family. This year, the girls made each celebration so special. They're really getting into traditions and the whole-sche-bang (however you spell that!). They are just growing up so fast. Here are few recent pictures of the two of them. Sara is debuting in her very first dance recital, and of course, we had to mark the occasion with a quick photo-shoot. And, Georgia Ann wanted to play along as well.

Tomorrow we're off for another adventure. Chad and I are taking the two of them camping, for the first time ever, per Sara's request. I'm really excited about it and can't think of a better way to celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary than over s'mores and wine with my family (well, the girls will have milk). I hope y'all enjoy the holiday weekend and get in some wonderful family time. Happy May!

number three | Houston Newborn Photographer

2011-05-03T22:58:00.001-05:00

About a month ago, Melisa called to schedule a session for her "soon-to-arrive" bundle of joy. In our consultation, I learned that she already had two little girls (who are beautiful, by the way) - just around the ages of my two daughters. When I told her this, she replied, "well, now its time for you to have your boy," to which I just laughed. But, truthfully, I thought she was CRAZY (and I might've even said that over the phone). I couldn't even imagine throwing in a newborn to the mix of my two wild, yet darling, girls. And, when I showed up on Monday, to take pictures of the new addition to Melisa's life, I mostly expected a disaster of house, screaming children, and a wild-haired mama. To my great surprise, things were quite calm. The new big sisters were playing nicely together while a gorgeous and pulled-together mama was feeding a sleepy baby boy. Furthermore, the house was cleaner than mine! From the looks of things, three is just the perfect number for Melisa. And, could her final addition be any sweeter? Congrats again on your new baby boy!

Maegan + Jonathan | Houston Engagement Photographer

2011-05-02T20:18:00.000-05:00

I was so excited when Maegan called to ask if I would photograph her and Jonathan's engagement session. And, I was even more excited when she said that they wanted to included their puppy, Joanie. I suggested the Houston Arboretum, near Memorial Park, because it is dog friendly and just beautiful this time of year - and then she said, "That's perfect! That's where we had our very first date!" Even better :) Maegan and Jonathan - congrats on the engagement, and I hope you two (plus Joanie) enjoy the sneak peek!

Transitions | Houston Area Senior Photographer

2011-04-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

I just adore senior portraits. I love being able to capture this time - when they are saying goodbye to childhood and embracing the world as a new adult. And, this girl - wow! Just wow. She's grown into a beautiful young woman - both inside and out. Erin, good luck with what lies ahead of you. I know you'll succeed at whatever you put your mind to.

Squirrel | League City Pet Photographer

2011-04-26T16:58:00.000-05:00

I love photographing dogs. I love their personalities and the challenge of getting them to hold still and look at ME for just one second. And, many times, it is very similar to photographing a toddler - chasing after them, making funny sounds to capture their attention, and just acting goofy. This pup was no exception. She would look at me for a second and then lose focus....kinda like that little dog on UP!, "squirrel!". We had fun though - and I think I got that one shot her owners were looking for :)

Moving On | Santa Fe Senior Photographer

2011-04-18T21:55:00.000-05:00

In just one short month, this boy will be saving good-bye to high school and hello college. He'll be moving on from curfews, cafeteria lunches, and laundry done by mom. Trading all that for new roommates, cold pizza for breakfast, and 10 AM classes - ah the joys of college :)

D, hope you had a good time hanging out with me for your senior shoot. Enjoy those last few days of high school. I know you'll love college, even if its all the way in Nebraska. Texas will miss you!

Home | Houston Family Photographer

2011-04-13T22:56:00.001-05:00

Well, I guess you were right.

The bluebonnets were worth the drive...

...Springtime is beautiful,

And I'm proud to call this country home.

Those are some of my favorite lyrics, sung by one of my favorite Texas Country singers, Roger Creager. Perfect theme song for our annual family trip up TX-290, in search for the best picture-perfect patch of bluebonnets we can find. And, while this year's crop suffered from the same drought we're experiencing here in Houston, we still found a great spot for the girls to play and for Mama to take pictures. I love looking through my old photos and seeing how much they've grown in a year.

Sara has lost all signs of baby/toddler-hood. She's now a little lady - and such a loving, caring and nurturing big sister (well, most of the time!).

And, Georgia Ann...watch out world - she's our little firecracker. So full of energy, personality and spunk.

Here is to celebrating our Texas spring-time ritual for many more years to come!!

Hope y'all are enjoying this beautiful weather - and soaking up some springtime goodness! :) What's your "let's celebrate spring" ritual? And, if you don't have one - I challenge you to find one. And let me know what you decide :)

Eighteen | Houston Area Senior Photographer

2011-03-29T21:41:00.000-05:00

Wow. I can't believe my baby brother is now EIGHTEEN. I still remember when he couldn't go to bed without his stuffed "Charmander"...Caleb, you did give that up, right? And, now he's busy finishing up high school and will soon be moving across the state to start college. I have to say that I'm somewhat sad to see him growing up so quickly, but I'm really devastated that I'm losing my reliable babysitter in just a few months. The girls will really miss you :) Anyway, here is peak at Caleb's senior pics, take one. Take two will wait until he decides to cut his hair, per Mom's request...

Just Because | Houston Custom Photographer

2011-03-16T23:48:00.000-05:00

I love it when clients contact me for a "me" session. What I mean is - when they do something just for themselves, like this beautiful client. She wanted to splurge a bit and get nice pictures of herself, because, well, because she deserves it. It's always nice to do something for yourself and I was thrilled to be able to do this for her. Hope you love them, Ms A.

Little Miss Goldilocks | Houston Custom Photographer

2011-03-12T10:00:00.001-06:00

O.M.Geee - have you seen a cuter little girl?!? She was such fun and oh-so sweet. We gossiped about princesses and donuts and puppy dogs. Love my job!!

getting bigger | Houston Child Photographer

2011-03-10T09:00:00.002-06:00

It's been such fun watching this little one grow and change his first year. I met him when he was brand new and we hung out again around 6 months -- and look at him now, 10 months old. With hair! And green eyes! But, still as cute as ever!! Don't you agree? :)

Bedtime Stories | Houston Area Family Photographer

2011-03-08T16:31:00.000-06:00

I love this family! They are always up for fun! Our session was originally planned as a early-morning, outdoor spring session. Mother-nature had other plans and instead of giving us the beautiful spring weather we've been having, she turned on the thunderstorms....boo! The B family didn't skip a beat. Instead of our plans, they were up for a shoot in bed, just chillin' with their kids - all in PJs. What fun!!Hope you guys love your sneak peek!!

5 days new | League City Newborn Photographer

2011-03-02T10:00:00.000-06:00

As promised... a sneak peek of this beautiful baby boy! Sessions like this make me LOVE my job. He was such a dream and I got to spend the morning snuggling and breathing in fresh newborn. Awww...so perfect and sweet :)

Just in time | Houston Maternity Photographer

2011-03-01T09:00:00.000-06:00

I've been visiting this couple every month for the past 4 or 5 months. We're working on a progressive storyboard showing Mama growing belly and eventually baby. I hope to have the final project completed to show you very soon. Anyway, at our last shoot, we threw in a few more pictures for a more "complete" maternity session. And, I'm glad we did it then because not two weeks later, baby was ready to meet the world!! His sneak peek is up tomorrow -- so stay tuned!

ONE | Houston Family Photographer

2011-02-28T10:00:00.001-06:00

To celebrate his first birthday, this little cutie wanted a mini-session with his grandparents. How sweet is that

Lift-Off | Houston Photographer

2011-02-27T13:54:00.000-06:00

As many of you might already know, I'm not just a custom photographer. I also moonlight as a Technical Instructor at NASA. While I've been with NASA for more than ten years, surprisingly, I have never seen a real-live shuttle launch. Can you believe it? My husband and I took a week in November to see the last launch of Discovery - only to have it end up being scrubbed. Thankfully, we were able to get-away again for its rescheduled launch last week. The crowds were unbelievable! It was actually pretty inspirational to see how many people, and from all over the USA, who made the treck to see this pretty awesome event. And, most of the viewers weren't related to NASA at all. They just wanted to be part of it all. I don't blame them. It was pretty cool to be there. My pictures don't do it justice. To see the replay of the launch, go here.

We arrived at the viewing area 3 hours before take-off - and the place was already crawling with people. It was a gorgeous day. Just perfect.

3-2-1 :)

Because the shuttle launches faster than sound, we didn't hear the rumble until she was already high into the air. But, once we did, boy did it rumble. You could feel it.

One final thing - not NASA related. I'm waaayy behind on my blogging. So, you'll get to see many new blogs this week of gorgeous clients. Enjoy :)

Winner!! | Houston Family Photography

2011-02-14T13:00:00.001-06:00

Thanks again to everyone who participated!! We had such a great turn-out! Anyway, let's get down to business. Our top three "like"d pictures were of Baby L, Baby S, and Miss Ivette. I put their names into www.random.org to draw our winner.

You can check out the "official" results here. Or, just keep reading :)

#1 - winner of the 16x20 Gallery Canvas ($350 value) is.... Baby S. Such a cutie, don't you think?

#2 - The gorgeous Miss Ivette - She wins a free session + a $50 print credit ($200 value)

#3 - The oh, so sweet and oh, so beautiful Baby L. She wins a free session - ($150 value).

Congrats again, everyone!! And, don't forget about the "Share the Love" special below. I hope you all have a beautiful and sweet Valentine's Day!!

Share the Love | Houston Area Photography

2011-02-13T19:29:00.001-06:00

A little valentine's gift to you :) Good through March. Go ahead, and share the love :)

Canvas Give-Away | Houston Family Photographer

2011-02-09T12:00:00.001-06:00

First - I have to say that I have the absolute BEST clients. Each family that I've had the pleasure of meeting year have been so wonderful and SOOO beautiful! Thank you for giving me such an amazing first year in business.

And, onto the contest....one lucky client from 2010 will win a 16x20 Canvas - that's a $350 value!! Here is how it works:

Tomorrow, head on over to my facebook fan page. There, I will post an album of my favorite images of 2010 - there will be one image from each client. The goal is to then score the most "likes" on your image. Easy, right? The top three images that have the most likes will then be entered into a drawing. Top winner will receive a FREE 16x20 Canvas of your personal favorite image. Woohoo!! 2nd and 3rd place will also win something special.

So - what do you need to do?

1. First, make sure you "like" me. If you aren't already a fan - go ahead and "like" Baldwin Photography on facebook. You can do so here.
2. On Thursday, once the album is up, make sure to "like" your picture.
3. Encourage friends and family to do the same. Email them like crazy. Post on your blog. Tag yourself on facebook (I will be tagging some of you as well). Do whatever it takes to score the most likes.
4. Remember, to "like" your picture, you must first "like" Baldwin Photography - make sure to pass that along to all your friends and family. Likes on my page are the only ones that count.

Contest will end at 6 PM on Sunday - and winners will be announced on Valentine's Day. Yay!! Happy voting!

Tiffany + John | Houston Wedding Photographer

2011-01-20T19:26:00.000-06:00

What an amazing wedding! Great family, fun friends and one beautiful couple. I had such a wonderful time photographing it all. The ceremony was perfect and the party rocked. I love weddings were the entire party is on the dance floor - and it was like that all night long. Everyone had such a fun time. Congrats to Tiffany and John! I hope you two have many many wonderful years ahead!!

25 Days | Houston Newborn Photographer

2011-01-18T18:26:00.000-06:00

I have to be honest. When I got the call that this little dude was already 3 weeks old, I was a little nervous. You see, most of my newborns are under 10 days old. This is when they tend to sleep through anything and love to curl up. At almost 4 weeks old, I wasn't sure what we would get. But, he was just perfect. He slept like a pro - and would even smile on cue :) He is just precious. And, I loved that Big Brother was so sweet to him - and so very proud. Congrats to the S family!

Blushing | Houston Area Wedding Photographer

2011-01-08T16:00:00.011-06:00

I've been dying to share these with you!! Back in November I had the privileged of shooting this gorgeous bride for her bridal portraits and today I'm out shooting their lovely wedding! I can't wait to share more - but until then, her she is...

Make Him Melt | Houston Area Boudoir Photographer

2011-01-08T10:47:00.002-06:00

Now that Christmas is officially over, it's time to move onto the next holiday - Valentine's Day!! And, if you want to give your husband or boyfriend a gift that he'll LOVE - I have a special for you...

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T08:33:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all are spending the holidays with family and get to enjoy this lovely time. We surely are!! See you all next year!

Day 12 Winner | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-18T07:45:00.000-06:00

Congrats to our last winner, Sarah!! Contact me to find out how to claim your prize.

Winners and entrants can be seen here.

Thanks everyone for your participation! See you all again soon!

Day 12 | Houston Family and Baby Photographer

2010-12-17T06:25:00.000-06:00

Yay for Fridays! And, yay for giveaways!! Today is our last day of the 12 days of Christmas giveaway contest. I hope you all enjoyed it and congrats to all of our winners so far!! I'm glad I was able to introduce y'all to some really great shops - and, maybe even help you check one or two things off your Christmas list. I know I picked up a couple of really cute items along the way!! OK - onto our last sponsor, Alicia with

She makes the cutest paper decorations and vinyl wall clings. I've used her stuff for my girls parties and get the best compliments! Perfect for any holiday parties or every-day decorations. I have the vinyl wall cling up in Georgia Ann's room right now - and it says "Cowgirl Georgia Ann", love it! So, go check her stuff out here.

Today's winner will receive a custom vinyl wall decor phrase or monogram. Very nice!!

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out Paper Saavy. Really cute stuff!!
3. Come back here and let me know your favorite product.

To can score extra entries simply share our give-away with all your friends! One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me that you shared - and how. Get creative today! You get an extra entry for each way you share.

And, score two extra entries by becoming her fan!! Just let me know that you did.

Thanks! and, good luck!

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Day 11 Winner | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-17T06:14:00.000-06:00

Congrats to our Day 11 Winner, Marissa! Please contact me so I can share how to get your winnings!!

Winner and entrants can be verified here.

Good luck with today's contest, everyone!

Day 11 | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-16T06:50:00.000-06:00

Welcome back everyone, it is almost Friday! Today's sponsor for the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway is

She makes adorable hand-made clothing for your little ones. And, for today, she's giving one lucky person a

size 5 ribbon flower tee + a small lined clippie set.

To enter, all you need to do is:
1. Go fan her on facebook.
2. Come back here to let me know you did!

Contest ends at 10 PM. Make sure to check back for the winner!! Good luck!

Day 10 Winner | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-16T06:29:00.000-06:00

Congrats to our Day 10 winner - Jes!! You've won some yummy cookies! Contact me to find out how to win your prize!

Winners and entrants can be viewed here.

...and, onto Day 11!

Day 10 | Houston Family and Baby Photographer

2010-12-15T05:43:00.000-06:00

We have some yummy goodness up on the blog today for our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway!! Woohoo! Today's sponsor is

Yummy! Go check out her delicious cookies, brownies and more! These make the perfect thing to bring to your next holiday party or cute little gifts for your neighbor, mailman, pet sitter, etc. Today's lucky winner will receive a $15 gift card to her shop!

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out Mel Mellis Sweet Treats. Yummy, yummy!!
3. Come back here and let me know your favorite product.

To can score extra entries simply share our give-away with all your friends! One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me that you shared - and how. Get creative today! You get an extra entry for each way you share.

Thanks! and, good luck!

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Day 9 Winner | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-15T05:32:00.000-06:00

Congrats to our Day 9 Winner, Michelle Alvarez!! You win your choice of a free, personalized stamp from MyRubberStamp. Just contact me for the information.

Winner and entrants can be verified here.

And, onto Day 10! :)

Day 9 | Houston Family and Baby Photographer

2010-12-14T06:31:00.000-06:00

Happy Tuesday, everyone!! And, welcome back to our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway! Today's sponsor is the very creative Eunice from:

My RubberStamp

She sells the prettiest rubber stamps that can be used for pretty much anything, ranging from return addresses, sweet notes, "made by" stamps and more. They are all so beautiful AND can be personalize. I know I'm picking up a few for friends and family. Go check out her stuff here. Today is the last day to order to get your stuff in for Christmas - so go take a peak now!!

And, one lucky winner for today will get a CUSTOM CLEAR STAMP Design (WHITE Listing). Woohoo!!

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out MyRubberStamp. Everything is so beautiful!
3. Come back here and let me know your favorite product.

To can score extra entries simply share our give-away with all your friends! One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me that you shared - and how. Get creative today! You get an extra entry for each way you share.

Also, score two extra entries for each of the following:
1. Go "like" My RubberStamp on Facebook - and then come back here and tell me you did.
2. Leave Eunice some love on her blog here, and of course, come back here to tell me you did that too.

Thanks! and, good luck!

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Day 8 Winner | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-14T06:17:00.000-06:00

Big Congrats to Jes! You are the lucky winner of a pair of personalized bloomers from Pineapple Hill Designs! Contact me for more details!!

To view the winner and entrants, go here.

Day 8 | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-13T06:12:00.000-06:00

Welcome back everyone to Day 8 of our 12 days of Christmas give-away! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend - we celebrated by putting up our Christmas tree and finishing off the decorations for our house!!

Anyway, today's fabulous sponsor is Kelley from:

Her store is full of cute little items ranging from beautiful picture frames, embroidered dresses and bloomers, cute Christmas cards and so much more!! You could finish off your Christmas list in her store. Everything is so precious!! Go check her out here or here.

And, one lucky winner for today will take home a FREE PAIR of PERSONALIZED BLOOMERS!! They are soooo cute!!

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out Pineapple Hill Designs. or here. Looove her stuff!!
3. Come back here and let me know your favorite product.

To can score extra entries simply share our give-away with all your friends! One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me that you shared - and how. Get creative today! You get an extra entry for each way you share.

Thanks! and, good luck!

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Day 7 Winner | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-10T07:19:00.000-06:00

We have a winner! Congrats to Jennie for winning the super cute headband from Presents from Alex. Please contact me to claim your prize!

Winner and entrants can be verified here.

The 12 Days of Christmas contest will be taking a break for today but we will resume with Day 8 on Monday - so be sure to check back then.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Day 7 | Houston Baby and Family Photographer

2010-12-09T07:46:00.000-06:00

...and onto Day 7 of our 12 Days of Christmas give-away!! Today's sponsor is the extremely creative and talented Danielle, with

She makes the cutest accessories from candy wrappers!! She has headbands, purses and more. And, everything is just adorable!! Go check her out here

And today's lucky winner will win a one-of-a-kind headband show here:

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out Presents From Alex. I promise that you'll be impressed!
3. Come back here and let me know your favorite product.

To can score extra entries simply share our give-away with all your friends! One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me that you shared - and how. Get creative today! You get an extra entry for each way you share.

And, go check out her blog. Leave a comment (and then come back and tell me you did) score two extra entries!!

Thanks! and, good luck!

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Day 6 Winner | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-09T07:32:00.002-06:00

Congrats to Michele D - you are the lucky winner of your choice of a dozen marshmallows. Very nice.

To verify the winner and entrants, just click here.

Day 7 is up next!!

Day 6 | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-08T05:45:00.002-06:00

Yum! Today's 12 days of Christmas give-away sponsor is:

Her marshmallow treats are to die for! Yum. Go check it out and once you wipe the drool from your computer screen come back and tell me what your favorite flavor is. You can check her out here. These make the perfect gift for your neighbors, teachers, co-workers, favorite photographer (hint, hint....j/k of course), or just send some to yourself. You can't go wrong with all her unique flavors. I'm getting hungry just writing about it.

One winner today will get their choice of a dozen of their favorite flavor. So, go check her out now!

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out Softly Sweetly. Try not to drool too much!
3. Come back here and let me know your favorite product.

To can score extra entries simply share our give-away with all your friends! One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me that you shared - and how. Get creative today! You get an extra entry for each way you share.

And, go check out her facebook page. Become a fan and score two extra entries!!

Thanks! and, good luck!

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Day Five Winner | Houston Family Photographer

2010-12-08T05:37:00.000-06:00

Big Congrats to Michelle Alvarez!! You are the winner for day five. Please contact me so I can send you all the details.

Winner and entrants can be verified here.

And onto day 6... Merry Christmas!

Day Five | Houston Area Photographer

2010-12-07T07:17:00.000-06:00

Good morning everyone - and welcome to another day of our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway! Today's giveaway is from the fabulous Marlene at:

Her store is chalked full of one-of-a-kind adorable creations. Lots and lots of beautiful hair clips, bookmarks, lanyard holders, and so much more. Go check her out here. Seriously, I'm so impressed by all the different products she's come up with using buttons - and every.single.thing is so incredibly precious. Lots of great stocking stuffing ideas in her shop.

And, one lucky winner will score a $20 gift card to her store. Yay!!

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out Button Bloom.I really love her shop!
3. Come back here and let me know your favorite produc - and it will be hard to pick, everything is sooo cute (just like her name!)

To can score extra entries simply share our give-away with all your friends! One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me that you shared - and how. Get creative today! You get an extra entry for each way you share.

Thanks! and, good luck!

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Day Four Winner | Houston Family & Baby Photographer

2010-12-06T22:52:00.000-06:00

Congrats to our winner MHarris6!! Hope you enjoy your new baby gift set from Cutie Patootie!

And, for everyone - make sure to check back here again tomorrow for yet another neat give-away!

Winner and entrants can be verified here: http://www.random.org/draws/details/?draw=4246

Day 4 | Houston Baby & Family Photographer

2010-12-06T08:35:00.001-06:00

Happy Monday everyone!! And, boy, do I have a great way to kick off your week. Today's sponsor for our 12 days of Christmas give-away is, Sara with:

If you have a baby or have anyone on your list that either has a baby or is expecting a baby, well, this is the perfect place to shop. Check her out here. The ribbon blankets are to die for!! So cute, comes in many many colors and I babies LOVE them (Seriously, Georgia could play with her's for hours).

Our give-away today is HUGE - Sara, with Cutie Patootie, is giving away a matching set. You'll get a ribbon blanket, a matching burp cloth and a pacifier clip. Woo hoo!!

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out Cutiepatootie.I really love her shop!
3. Come back here and let me know your favorite produc - and it will be hard to pick, everything is sooo cute (just like her name!)

To can score extra entries simply share our give-away with all your friends! One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me that you shared - and how. Get creative today! You get an extra entry for each way you share.

Oh - and score two extra entries by heading over to Cutie Patootie's facebook page and "like" her. Just make sure to let me know you did.

Thanks! and, good luck!

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Cuteness Overload | Houston Family Photographer

2010-12-05T20:32:00.001-06:00

Eeeeeekkk!! This family was just way too cute! I love how they perfectly coordinated their outfits - and how the colors worked so well with our woodland-ish shoot. And, check out the kiddos. So cute!! Big sis doted on her little brother the entire time, while you could just see how much he already looked up to her. Seriously, this was a such a fun shoot and I am just loving these shots. Hope you do too!

Little Princess | Pearland Newborn Photographer

2010-12-04T13:20:00.001-06:00

It's a girl!! I was so excited to meet this little one. It has been way too long since I got to shoot a newborn girl. And, this girl - well, she is just beautiful. Mama, daddy and big sister are all head over heels for her, and, honestly wouldn't you be too? Gorgeous girl.

Day Three Winner | Houston Family Photographer

2010-12-04T06:53:00.000-06:00

Congrats to Michele! You are the winner for Day 3 of our 12 Days of Christmas give-away. Shoot me an email for all the details.

To verify entries and the winner, go here.

See you all back on Monday for Day 4 and an introduction to another really awesome store!

Day Three | Houston Family Photographer

2010-12-03T06:12:00.001-06:00

Yay! It's Friday!! And, what's better is that we have another truely awesome give-away from a local Houston business.

Today's shop is:

Kayley has some really cute items in her shop - and specialized in personalized cards, stickers and more! Perfect gifts for your fun, trendy sister, your preschooler's teacher, the newly-weds on your list or anyone really. You might even want to pick up a few things, just for yourself :) Really really cute! Go check her shop out here or here. Oh - and check out her Holiday cards!!

And, for today, the winner will receive 8 personalized note cards OR 3 sheets of personalized 2" circle stickers. And, who couldn't use that!?!

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out Pink Coconut Designs. Love it all!
3. Come back here and let me know your favorite product.

To can score extra entries simply share our give-away with all your friends! One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link on facebook. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me you did just that!
2. Tweet about our give-away today, and of course, leave me a comment letting me know all about it!
3. Share this link on your favorite online forum - and, you've guessed it, leave me a comment letting me you know you did - and where.

Thanks! and, good luck!

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Day Two Winner | Houston Family Photographer

2010-12-03T06:11:00.000-06:00

Big Congrats to Trina Gueck!! You are the give-away winner for Day Two!! Contact me and I'll send you all the details.

Winners and entries can be verified here.

and...onto - day 3!

Day Two | Houston Family Photographer

2010-12-02T06:40:00.000-06:00

Welcome back to our 12 Days of Christmas give-away - day two!! I know you're going to love today's sponsor:

This is the perfect place to go when you're looking for adorable, fun items for your toddler or preschooler on the go! She has the cutest activity mats, car rolls, crayola aprons and so much more. You must go check it out!! Everything is so cute!

And, if you're local, she'll be at the League City's Holiday in the Park this weekend - so make sure to stop by and say hi!
OK. Here are the details for today....First, one very lucky winner today will receive a $20 credit to her shop. Yay!

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out Childish Thoughts. Really cute stuff!!
3. Come back here and let me know your favorite product (mine is the car rolls - so original and perfect for traveling + throwing in your purse for those boring trips to the doctor, etc.)

To can score extra entries simply share our give-away with all your friends! One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link on facebook. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me you did just that!
2. Tweet about our give-away today, and of course, leave me a comment letting me know all about it!
3. Share this link on your favorite online forum - and, you've guessed it, leave me a comment letting me you know you did - and where.

Oh - and score two extra entries by heading over to Childish Thought's facebook page and "like" her. Just make sure to let me know you did.

Thanks! and, good luck!

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Day One Winner! | Houston Family Photography

2010-12-01T22:20:00.000-06:00

Congratulations MHarris6! You are the lucky winner for Day 1. Shoot me an email and I'll send you your prize!!

Winner was generated by www.random.org - and can be verified here. Thanks - and I hope to see you all back tomorrow for another awesome give-away!!

Day One | Houston Family Photographer

2010-12-01T06:38:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited to be kicking off our 12 Days of Christmas with introducing this amazing shop to all of you...

Clara, with Sweet Treats, makes the most unique and ADORABLE hand-made gifts. Her store has such a variety of cute little, useful gifts for anyone on your shopping list, ranging from personalized iPad/Nook/Kindle covers, camera cases, dolls, earrings and more. Check out a few of her items here.

See, I told you she had some seriously cute stuff!! And, to top it all off, for today's give-away, one lucky winner will receive a $20 Gift Card to her shop. How cool is that!?!

To Enter, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure you are a fan of Baldwin Photography. If you aren't already, just click here and "like" us :)
2. Go check out Sweet Treats. Take a look around, you'll love her stuff. Promise!
3. Come back here and leave a comment telling me your favorite thing (or things - it might be hard to narrow it down to one!) she offers.

Oh, and get this....You can score extra entries into the give-away by sharing (see, it always pays off to share - at least that's what I'm currently trying to teach my girls, lol). One extra entry for each thing you check off.
1. Share this link on facebook. Go ahead, spread the cheer to all your closets friends :) Leave me a comment telling me you did just that!
2. Tweet about our give-away today, and of course, leave me a comment letting me know all about it!
3. Share this link on your favorite online forum - and, you've guessed it, leave me a comment letting me you know you did - and where.

Entries will close at 10 PM Houston time (CST). And, we'll be announcing the winner sometime tonight, so please check back!!

Thanks everyone - and happy shopping!

Christmas Cheer | Houston Family Photographer

2010-11-30T07:32:00.000-06:00

I'm super excited to announce our special surprise...

See?!? I told you it was cool!! Everyday, for the next 12 days (weekends excluded), I'll be spot-lighting a local Houston business. Check back daily for great Christmas gift ideas AND awesome give-aways!! Most prizes can be claimed globally - so share the news with all your friends and family (even if they aren't local to the Houston area). The more you share, the greater your chances are to win the awesome prizes!! Let's spread the Christmas Cheer!!

See you back here tomorrow for Day One!!

half's | Houston Children's Photographer

2010-11-21T13:34:00.000-06:00

Guess who just celebrated her half birthday?!? That's right - my very own Georgia Ann turned 18 months a few days ago. I can't believe how big she is getting!! I love watching her grow into such a bright, fun-loving little toddler.