We've had a fantastic summer break filled with road trips, pool time, all the ice cream flavors, and visits to the neighborhood splash pad. As we start to get back to our regular routine, I find myself with more time to sit at the computer and finally blog all the lovely sessions I photographed this summer. Most of the shoots I did were mini sessions, photographed at this very location. We kept things short and sweet because this Texas heat is too brutal (often in the low 100's) to allow for a full session outdoors.

Sadly, this beautiful spot in Cypress will no longer be available as an option for portrait sessions, unless you are a resident of Towne Lake. I am totally bummed out by that, but I did find a new location - also in Cypress - to replace this one that I am hoping to test out very soon. In the meantime,  take a look at this motherhood mini session I photographed of Lindsey and her sweet babies. I've known Lindsey for quite sometime. We go to church together, have attended each other's baby showers, and I even photographed her little girl's newborn session. I just love when friends allow me the opportunity to capture moments like these for them. Also, can we all take a moment to appreciate the beautifully coordinated outfits that Lindsey chose for herself and her little ones? She totally nailed it! I literally squealed with delight when I saw them step out of their car for their shoot. Talk about picture perfect!

Did you know it doesn't have to be Mother's Day for you to book a motherhood mini session with me? Shortened sessions, called 'pop-up sessions' are now offered on select dates throughout the year, at my favorite Houston locations. See the investment page for pricing details or contact me to ask about availability. You may also reach out directly at tendernestco@gmail.com

Q: When you aren't working, you can often be found...
A: Spending time with my family, blogging, and staying active! I am not a homebody and never have been. So you will always find me doing something fun and spontaneous!

Q: Tell me about yourself...
A: I am a big kid at heart that loves to laugh, have a good time, spend time with my family. If you grow up hispanic, you learn merengue and salsa before you can walk! I have always loved to dance, from family parties to my drill team team days in high school. Staying in shape amongst this season of life we call motherhood, can be a challenge. But I have learned that balance is KEY! Just because you're a mother, it doesn't mean, you need to stop being human! I usually take Zumba, You-Jam Fitness, Yoga, and HITT classes at the gym. When I can not squeeze those in, I like to take my kids to the park and chase my toddler around. That counts as a work out right?

Q: Tell me about your family...
A: You will hear me refer to my family as my B's: Bryce, Brynn, and Babe! My sister and mom are my triplets! We all look alike, and share just about everything with each other, from secrets to our closet! So spending time with each other is something we have always done and loved!

Q: Let's talk about your blogging gig...
​A: I've always had a love for writing, sharing, and connecting with others. I'm a social butterfly by nature, so sharing my passion of motherhood through social media is something I have fallen in love with doing! I can't wait to see where this leads me!

Q: What story do you hope to tell the world?
A: I hope to tell a story of young moms like myself, that are juggling relationships, careers, child rearing, all while reaching for their goals and overcoming all odds. I became a mom at the age of 21. Drew and I had mutually talked about starting a family and decided it was a good idea to do it in a couple of years. Little did we know Bryce was already in my belly at the time. I had just graduated from college and had no job lined up. I was in despair and at the time, I felt I had all odds against me. I was not married, had to tell my Hispanic parents the news, and certainly not prepared to be a mom. But I will never forget the moment we knew that sweet baby boy was going to make us a complete family, and that this was as REAL as it GETS! I was about to be a mom, something I had always dreamed about! I soon learned that there is no perfect timing to be a mother. You learn as they go, and they teach you a thing or two along the way! I was soon able to start my teaching career and buy our first home at the age of 24! Hard work and persistence is key. Through my blog, I aim to erase the negative stigma that young moms tend to have. 

Carlota of Criando Ando is an amazing mommy blogger who I first met in 2016. She blogs (en español) about her adventures in motherhood as a Venezolana raising her kids in Houston. This is our third shoot together. And every time, I feel like I am meeting up with a life long friend. We talk about the joys and struggles of motherhood, marriage, and being work from home mamas; but the best part is that we can do it en español! This time around, when Carlota reached out to me to book another session, I knew it was going to be so special. You see, she told me how she was getting ready to wean her now toddler - who I've been photographing since he was just a crawler. She wanted a photoshoot to remember this stage of motherhood and milestone with her last baby. As we discussed locations, Carlota had the genius idea to have her session in the Texas bluebonnets, which happened to still be in bloom in Houston at that time. For Carlota, as for many other families, visiting the fields of bluebonnets for a photo-op has become an annual tradition. But bringing a professional photographer along to capture it, is something that every Texas family should do at least once. Neither one of us is a native Texan, but we both agree that the photos from this session are postcard worthy in every way.