Friday

Our Christmas Photo Shoot {Giveaway}

Okay. I've always wanted to use the phrase photo shoot.

My life is complete.

The other day after school, I hung around and chatted with one of the other mom's while my kids played on the school playground. I smiled as my toddler hung on to her big sister's shirt and tagged along. 

My friend looked at me and said, "One of the things I love most about your kids is that they look after each other. They really love one another."

It was just about the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.

And then I got home and this picture was in my inbox from some pictures taken earlier in the week:


And y'all, I cried.

The ugly cry. Because my kiddos may argue and drive each other crazy, but they know they are family. And they stick together.

Then there was this one:


In which I was regretting that vasectomy. 


My awesome next door neighbor, Bridget at Bake at 350 (don't go there now or you'll never come back. The cookies will wait) has a sister, Molly. And she's just as talented, only she's a photographer, Lucky HorseShoe Photography.

She asked if she could take Christmas pictures of my kids. I remembered the three matching outfits hanging in the back of the closet that I bought at the OshKosh Outlet last January and I said yes (only I'm sure it sounded like YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING!!)

I am so glad I did. It was simply the easiest thing ever. I just turned my kids loose at the park and Molly who is darling and very laid back, did her thing. I love the way she captured my kids. There was hardly any posing, she just talked to them and snapped away. She has a gift for angles. There are dozens of pictures (you can watch the slideshow on her site if you want to see more) and I love the way she took an unexpected approach.


I love this shot. LOVE IT.


Thank you, Molly. You've given me a gift.

And now, she'd like to give you one too! If you live in the Houston, Texas area, please let me know in the comments and you'll be entered to win your very own photo shoot.

Value: for me priceless and also ($150)

Go check her site out. If you aren't the lucky winner, you can tell her We are THAT family sent you and get 15% off!

54 comments:

Unknown said...

Such a cute and happy family. Kudos to you! Love the plaid shorts too.

Larissa said...

wish she'd hop onto 290 and come do a shoot over here in Austin! I love how she caught your kiddos... I could have written that whole thing myself: my 3 argue and fight all the time, but they love and protect each other like fierce momma bears! :)

Heather said...

very cute photos!

Callieflower said...

I'm in Katy-down the street from Houston and would love a shoot!

Deann said...

I'm in Sugar Land!!! Will drive to that park you guys were at in a heartbeat!!!

Anonymous said...

I would LOVE to do a photo shoot with my kids. The last time our family had a professional photo shoot was 6 years ago - and we only had one kid.

If she could make my guys look like they like each other, that would be even better!! :)

Kristin said...

Oh, oh, oh...I'd love a photo shoot! We're in Pearland. She did a great job, by the way!

Stacey said...

What a great Christmas present!

--Amie-- said...

WAHOO!!!! I live in Brenham, and would GLADLY drive to Houston to have some photos like yours of my daughter!!!! :) The pictures are great, and really capture your kids personality!!!! :)

Unknown said...

I was just thinking how nice it would be to have professional photos of my girls for our Christmas card. I live in Cypress.
Thanks for the chance to win!

Henley on the Horn said...

PRECIOUS pics! A professional photog can capture the best pics! Love it. Wish I lived in TX@

Monica said...

Wonderful pictures! I live in Houston and would love to win!

bridget {bake at 350} said...

{Don't include me in the giveaway b/c I have an "in" the the photographer!:)}

Kristen...I just LOVED all of these when I saw them in the slideshow. I love the one of the 2 oldest kind of looking off in the same direction. Your kids are very photogenic!

So cute!

Robin said...

Love the photos! I feel the same way about my boys. They have their moments, but I know they love each other.

I don't live in Houston, but I know someone who does. Can I be entered to win and give it to my sister?

TidyMom said...

Oh I just watched the slide show!! just BEAUTIFUL!!!......just one more reason I need to come to Texas! LOL

~TidyMom

PS- you kids are just as cute as can be Kristen! ♥♥♥

Lyndsi said...

My family is from Pasadena, just outside Houston, and it would be such a great Christmas gift to have a family photo shoot!!

ExtraordinaryMommy said...

Simply gorgeous!! You are clearly raising amazing children who love each other and understand family!

Mommy Mo said...

I live in Austin BUT my entire family is in Houston and so is my husband (long story). We are in the process of moving us there as well. I would gladly come to H-town for a photo shoot!

Carla said...

We would love to have a family photo...since we have a few new ones in the family! Happy to drive to Houston.....

Thanks!
Carla

MJ @ 517 Creations said...

We're in Austin...does that count as the Houston area? :) We'd gladly drive down to Houston for the shoot - and to visit the zoo - LOVE the Houston zoo!!!

Beverly said...

I *need* this photo shoot :) ...and with 5 kids you know I'd have to buy a lot of extras!!! :)

Please enter me!

Beverly said...

I *need* this photo shoot! :) ...and with 5 kids, you know I would have to buy lots of extras!!! :)

Please enter me.

Anonymous said...

The pix are beautiful Kristen! They really are so natural and the kids look like they are enjoying it and that they aren't wishing it was over already!
If only I lived in Texas - oh well. But you have inspired me to maybe do this up here.

Anonymous said...

The photos are adorable (as are the kids!). Unfortunately I don't live in the Houston area. :-( Have a good weekend...

pk @ ROOM REMIX

Renee Holley said...

What great pictures! We could really use some good family pictures. Glad I live in Houston. Or maybe my sister will win. Thanks Robin.

William's Favorite said...

Beautiful family!

In Spring, Texas and would love to capture the memories too!

midwestmom3 said...

My brother, sil and nephew live in Houston. I would love for them to win the photo shoot so I can get some great pics of my adorable nephew. Thank you so much!

Kara said...

I so want to win!!! I live in the Houston area and would love some new photos of my children! Thanks for the offering!

Melissa said...

Beautiful!! Those pictures of the kids holding hands had ME in tears!!

By the way, I love how your oldest looks just like you, your son looks just like your husband, and your youngest looks like a big ol' hot mess!! What an awesome group.

Rachel said...

I would love to win this for my brother and his family who live in Magnolia! He and his wife have the cutest little boy and girl (and I am not just saying that because I am their aunt).

Anonymous said...

Oh, I would love this, we live in the Houston area. jfolzman@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

wow, this would be like a dream come true for us to win this!!
Keep my fingers crossed:)

cynthia said...

your family is so full of life!! :) it would be a wonderful blessing to have a session done with my extended family - mine, my brothers and theirs, and my parents... Thanks for sharing your pictures!

cynthia said...

your family is so full of life!! :) it would be a wonderful blessing to have a session done with my extended family - mine, my brothers and theirs, and my parents... Thanks for sharing your pictures!

Tanya said...

Thanks for the giveaway...we'd love a photo shoot!

Erica said...

Love the holding hands photo! I love Molly's pictures! We'd love a chance to win a photo shoot!

Jessica said...

Would love to have a photo shot like this with my son. Hubby is deployed for holidays, this would be great to send to him. I live in Beaumont and would gladly drive to Houston for the shot. Thanks for the chance.

Sam said...

Can I enter for my brother and his family? They live in the Houston area. I however do not. But I'd love to be able to give this as a gift to them(and get some pictures of my sweet nephew too:). Thanks!

Your kids are just gorgeous!

Laura said...

I'm entering for my sister--I'm in the Panhandle, she's in Magnolia. What a great "you just finished your masters" gift this would be for her.

Sandra said...

Would love to win this for my family in Pearland! Beautiful pics of your kids!

Carolyn said...

I live in north houston and would love a photo shoot for my family.

Sharon said...

Please pick me!!!!! I'm in the Spring/Champions/1960 area. I NEED good pictures of the family. Really, I NEED it!

cmeandthree said...

Pick me! Me! Me! Me! I'm in the Spring area of N Houston!

Sharon said...

I live in Houston and would love to win! Thanks!

sehudson2006@yahoo.com

Connie said...

Priceless pictures!! Wish I lived in Texas! Molly did a beautiful job...they look so natural and fun.

Grimmy said...

I live just outside the Houston area and would love a chance to win!!

Unknown said...

Wow!! Our family would LOVE a photo shoot!!! Everyday is a precious gift and it would be so nice to capture this season of our lives in print. Love the pics!!!

mookie said...

The pictures are indeed priceless, enchanting, and beautiful gifts that capture a fleeting moment in time and the emotion of that time forever :o)

Jen said...

I live in Richmond but, I will drive into Houston for this! I have 2 boys and we have never had a "professional" shoot done. I always just used pictures I had taken but, a few weeks ago my external hard drive crashed and I lost all 7 years of my families photos. I thought my external hard drive WAS my backup so I never did another one. I could really use a photo shoot now to get some great shots of my kiddos.

Unknown said...

Me me me... I live in The Woodlands. I LOVE your pictures, Kristen, and would ADORE having her do my kiddos. :)

Anonymous said...

I'd love to have a photo shoot! We just moved back to Texas and I have been looking for a new photographer! Thanks for the website.
-Marissa

Anonymous said...

Great pictures..Would love a photo shoot at the park..

~Amy

Sarah said...

Would love a professional photo shoot!! We just did pics at a portrait place and I don't like them AT ALL!!!!

Your kiddos are precious!

Carrie said...

I just stumbled on your blog tonight ... Love it!! I live near Houston and would love to win a photoshoot at the park!!