Welcome to the blog. This is the best place to come and see my recent sessions as well as keep up to date on what is new and happening here at Stephanie Shirley Photography. I also use the blog as a place to post special promotions and contests, so check back often. You can follow me on Twitter and Facebook by clicking the buttons to the right.
Stephanie Shirley Photography specializes in maternity, newborn, child, family, and birth (labor and delivery) photography in the Greater Houston and surrounding areas. My goal is to capture the true being in everyone, young and old, using natural light. I look forward to capturing you!
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I am so excited for this couple as they near the end of their pregnancy. They are expecting their first baby and a little girl at that. Mom is glowing in these last couple of months and you can tell how nurturing dad is following her every move. So cute to watch!
We headed out to a nearby park to enjoy the beautiful Spring weather. It was a tad windy, but we made it work. 
I am so excited to get the call that Baby Girl is here! See you soon!
Have you spotted any yet? How many of you have pictures done of your kids in the Bluebonnets every year? It probably makes us Texans look like a bunch of nuts, hopping fences, randomly stopping off on the shoulder of the freeway. All for some pictures in the Bluebonnets. Lol!
I don’t see a lot of profile pictures changed, yet, so they must not be in full force yet. Two of the things I look forward to the most during Bluebonnet season is 1.) Spring clothes and 2.) the Bluebonnet Festival in Chappell Hill. Love it!!!
As we are getting further and further into Spring and rounding our way into summer, I thought I would take the time to talk wardrobe. When preparing for a great photography session, whether it be a child session, family session, or engagement session, one of the most important things to get into place is your wardrobe. Sure, the location is a nice one, too, but honestly, a really good photographer can make even the craziest of locations work.
Let’s start with a Bluebonnet session. What comes to your mind right away when you think of your kids sitting in the sea of blue flowers? Let me guess, white dresses for the girls and something white coordinating for the boys. No. Yes, I said it, no. When wearing white, the eye will naturally be drawn to the bright white instead of the faces. Let me challenge you to get a little more creative with your wardrobe this spring.
Think coordinating, not matching. It doesn’t all have to be the same colors/shades, as long as the colors blend and flow. The purpose of having your portrait session is to focus on the subjects, not the clothes. Make sure at the very least that the children are comfortable in what they wear. For Mom and Dad (especially Mom) wear something a little more dressy than you normally wear. A dress or skirt paired with sandals/heels. How often does Mom get to be in the picture when doing family candid shots at home. Mostly never. Take advantage of the session and take time to pamper yourself. Paint your toenails, wear jewelry. Spend time on yourself.
I have put together a few outfit choices. This is a small example of how you can coordinate the family. You can search for more ideas on Google, there are plenty of resources out there.
We’ll start with the Fab 5.
Then, with Mother’s Day coming up, here’s a sweet Mother/Daughter example.
Here’s another with, yes, you guessed it, 3 boy outfits. How could I refuse?!
Also, with summer around the corner and beach sessions among us… here is a shot of my boys last summer. Rolled jeans, barefoot and neutral coordinating polos. Ace’s shirt is an off-white. Had it been any whiter, it would have been too bright. This is a good example where I feel the eye is naturally drawn to the white. Shame on me.
So get shopping!!! A few stores that I absolutely love if you are willing to splurge a little is J.Crew, Anthropologie, Boden and Vineyard Vines.
Want to book a session? Weekend sessions through April are getting scarce. Go to my Calendar to select a date and email me at info@stephanieshirley.com so we can get you on the schedule.
This post is very bittersweet for me. 
I have been photographing {T}Man since he was still in his mom’s belly. How quickly they grow! It is so neat to get together with a client every few months and see each of the babe’s milestones.
From being so young, snuggly, sleepy and vulnerable:
To being aware of their surroundings, recognizing faces, and really speaking to you with their eyes:
To sitting up and understanding they are able to do things on their own:
To, crawling, standing and being way more mobile than sometimes their parents can handle:
Then out of nowhere, in one short year, you have a baby near toddler-hood who is walking/running, climbing, feeding themselves, and so on.
I am so blessed to have witnessed you grow this past year. You are full of energy and so much fun to be around.
Happy Birthday {T} Man! Hope you enjoyed your cake!
Take a peek at him now, the cake smasher that he is!
I can go on for hours about the mom you are about to meet. I will refrain, though. This baby boy was welcomed into the world with a lot of love. Mom, Dad, Big Sister, Big Brother, two grandmothers and a grandfather were all there anxiously awaiting his arrival. It is so neat to see what reactions you get out of the family members. Personally, I tear up every time (no joke, every time) I hear the baby cry for the first time. For others, the tears come when they get their first up close and personal moment with the newbie. For this mom, the tears began to come when her other two children got to meet their new brother for the first time.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your day! You are truly blessed!
Before I share the slideshow, I wanted to share my favorite picture from the day. I love capturing moms (whether during birth sessions or regular sessions) showing true contentment with their life. This picture bursts with it.
One last note before sharing this video… As a surprise to Mom and Dad, their doctor asked at the start of the laboring process if Dad was going to suit up and help deliver the baby. Had he been the only one in charge of photographing this birth, he would have had to make a tough decision… Take advantage of helping to deliver the baby OR photograph it. Which would you choose?
Okay, without any further ado. Welcome Kyle Joseph!
Date: March 3, 2011
Time: 12:35 pm
Hospital: Memorial City Memorial Hermann Hospital
OB: Dr. Fogiel
Weight: 8 lbs 12 oz
Length: 20.5 inches
What does birth photography do for you? Why would anyone let a perfect stranger into one of the most personal and messiest moments of you life? Please email me at info@stephanieshirley.com to get answers as well as find out what specials I am offering for women with due dates no later than August 2011.
Hear what other moms have to say about their birth sessions:
“Stephanie,
This is too long in coming, but I wanted to thank you so very much for taking time out of your schedule to participate in one of the most special events our family has shared together, the birth of our second son Luke Garrett Schubring. To have a record of events and photographs recording the progress of that day is truly a gift! Your sincerity, support, professionalism, and attention to detail is unmatched and I couldn’t have chosen a better person to share and capture that amazing day with (except my husband of course – who was too busy holding my hand to focus on anything else J). Thank you again, and we look forward to having you photograph our family again as we grow.
With Love,
The Schubring Family (Scott, Lynda, Jake, and Luke)”
“I can’t tell you enough how wonderful it was to have someone there in the delivery room to capture all the special moments you are not able to concentrate on. It was so nice not to have to tell my husband over and over to grab the camera and take a pic as I am stuck in bed. He was able to just relax and enjoy the process along with getting to hold our precious little girl and enjoy her without having to take pictures. I know some people are a little apprehensive about labor and delivery photos, but Stephanie is a very tasteful and talented photographer. She definitely knows what she is doing. Thank-you so much, we will treasure these forever!”
The day is slowly coming to an end. I got very little sleep last night for fear that I wouldn’t wake up to hear my alarm. Finally I gave up and got out of bed 20 minutes before it finally went off. You would think I was going in to deliver my own child. I am always very anxious. 
I will save a lot of the details until I finish up the slideshow, but wanted to give out a quick peek and welcome Baby {K} to the world. He is very loved already and an absolute doll.
Here is a peek of this creamy babe I witnessed come into the world. Life is so amazing!
