Welcome!
I'm so very ecstatic that you decided to join the party.  It is my life's passion to keep you entertained through my photographs of babies, my family, and pretty much anything that moves me, as well as my work as a branding expert. 

Stick around and become part of the family. 
Come early, come often, leave comments.

The Helmut Walker Girls

One of the things I love best about my job is helping other professional photographers find themselves.  Over the past few years, as I have molded my brand and my web presence, I have been approached by friends and friends of friends to show them what I know.  Rather than charge for a workshop like so many in this industry do, I have chosen to be an open book and just help out where I can.  It's more consistent with my brand.  ;-)

In November, I will be speaking at the Foundation Conference in New Orleans.  I've decided to speak about authenticity in branding and how it can make your life more efficient and enjoyable and also can bring you clients that you'd want to go have a margarita with.  As I've been sculpting exactly what I'm going to say (while dozens of eyes are staring at me...yikes!) at the conference, I've come up with several ideas.  Instead of talking AT the audience, I'm thinking that more of an experiential (gosh, Jesh really ruined that word, didn't he?) plan is in order.  I'll be bringing some guinea pigs to demonstrate how to walk through the "finding yourself" part of establishing your brand.  Who are these guinea pigs?  Well, they are not furry or caged, and they certainly don't sleep on wood shavings. 

Meet Helmut Walker.  Or rather, Laura Evans and Raelyn Newton.  These sweet ladies are professional photographers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and I'm helping them fine tune how they want to present themselves to the world.  One of their assignments?  Get photographed in a way that shows your soul.  Guess who volunteered.  You got it.  Stay tuned for more on their evolution!

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Laura Evans says:

We love love love the photos you took of us Kate. Thanks so much for all of your help and we couldn't be happier being your guinea pigs :)

(08.05.11 @ 04:53 PM)
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Alessandra is a Newborn!

Because I know they are {thisclose} to leaving Texas (and me) for good to start anew in the Boston area, I had to post these images.  Blanca + Brian have been amongst my most loyal and most favorite clients (yes, I like all of my clients, but I am only human and do have a few faves).  Not only did I photograph their engagement session, bridal session, and wedding, but I also photographed the milestones during the first year of their daughter Amelia (who also goes by "Millie"!!!). 

The previous post and this post are bittersweet, because while I am so honored to not only meet Blanca + Brian's new baby but also honored to photograph her, I am really super sad that they are moving so far away.  I am hoping that my little family will get to make it up to Boston sometime in the near future and that we can check in with them, 'cause we are friends for life, yo!

So, here is a schmorgasboard of images featuring Alessandra's newborn life and Millie's life as a 2 year old.  Guest starring?  Older sister Clarissa, mom Blanca, and dad Brian!  Please please please leave them lots of hugs and kisses in the comment box below the post!

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Michelle Khanin says:

Beautiful pics! I really like the one where Alessandra is laying on the grass. What a perfect little angel! I also love the one where Millie is lounging around her chalk artwork. Please keep us updated with future pics of the family!

 (08.02.11 @ 01:45 PM)
Melissa says:

B and Bri, what a beautiful family! I love all the pics! Kate, your photos are beautiful!

 (07.29.11 @ 02:22 PM)
Ann says:

Love em! They turned out great!

 (07.29.11 @ 10:16 AM)
Susie M says:

Blanca and Brian...your little family is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations!!!
And Kate, you captured all the emotion and beauty in both posts....you're just the BEST!!!

 (07.28.11 @ 07:06 PM)
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Alessandra is Here!

It is so hard to believe that this little munchkin (Amelia) is not only 2 years old, but also A BIG SISTER!  Blanca + Brian had sweet baby Alessandra last month, and I'm thrilled I was able to pop into the hospital to grab some shots of her first few moments.  Stay tuned for her newborn session!

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Don't forget to leave Blanca + Brian, Amelia, Clarissa, and Baby Alessandra some love below!

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Jenny DeMarco says:

Gosh...this makes me so jealous that you aren't closer to Austin and could be there for when Chris and I start a family. Maybe I will just have to helicopter you in when the big day comes (some day way down the line!). Beautiful job Kate as always. And love the newborn post as well.

(08.09.11 @ 09:56 AM)
Alicia says:

So precious! Blanca, you are truly blessed. You have a wonderful family and friends who love you very much! I'm excited to see the next round of pics!

 (07.27.11 @ 02:09 PM)
B says:

Wow! Thank you, Kate!!! I love, love, love them all! My favorite is of course of Millie's silly eating face and Alessandra's dangling little feet! Remarkable how much newborns change in a month. Can't wait to see the newborn session!

 (07.27.11 @ 09:33 AM)
Michelle Khanin says:

Love the pic of her feet hanging out. So precious! Amelia is a doll too! Great pics of a momentous occassion in your lives!

 (07.26.11 @ 11:32 PM)
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Millie's Spring Ballet Recital 2011

After several years at Taylor Dance Center in McKinney, we decided to switch dance studios.  Millie had proven that she was in this for the long haul (even if that just means dancing till she's 7) and was quite passionate about dance, and I wanted to find a studio that was filled with warm and positive energy, great leadership, age appropriate dances and costumes, an outstanding track record, exemplary teachers and instruction methods, and the apple of a young dancer's eye---a professional production of The Nutcracker.  After months of research, I found the best studio north of Dallas, and quite possibly the best one in the Dallas area---Academy of Dance Arts.

Many of the studio's dancers go on to perform in professional ballet companies, on Broadway, and some have even made it to Hollywood.  Don't get me wrong.  While I'm impressed by this, I am in NO WAY a stage mom.  Not even CLOSE.  I honestly don't care if Millie dances at all when she is older, but as long as she is passionate about it, I want her to learn from the best.  And learn, she has!  She learned more in 3 months at ADA than she had in 3 years at her old studio.  Not only that, she has made two amazing friends (Alex and Camryn) whose moms (Andrea and Amy) I just happen to adore as well.  It's like a win-win-win-win situation.  Next stop?  The Nutcracker in December!

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Pa and GranLyn says:

Mills you have always been amaaaazing but this tops it. You are fabuloso!
We love you more than life.
Love,
Pa and GranLyn

 (08.04.11 @ 07:10 PM)
Kelly says:

Gorgeous pictures of such a beautiful little lady! They almost make me want to have another baby in hopes that I have a girl, just so she can dress up and dance like Miz Millie!

 (07.27.11 @ 04:29 PM)
Alyssa says:

Hats off to you for finding such an awesome place for Millie to learn ballet! She's a true beauty, and I can't wait to see how she shines in The Nutcracker!

 (07.27.11 @ 09:19 AM)
Ryan says:

That second to last shot is ridiculous[ly awesome].

(07.26.11 @ 11:49 PM)
Bobby says:

She just takes my breath away
So proud of my girls

 (07.26.11 @ 11:35 PM)
aga says:

very very sweet post and what a beautiful soul that Millie is!

(07.26.11 @ 03:52 PM)
Meggan S says:

She is just adorable! And your notes to her are too sweet! She will cherish them when she gets older. And the photos are outstanding as usual!

 (07.26.11 @ 01:36 PM)
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Meggan + Jess :: Engaged!


Just like their fabulous friends who recommended me to them (Leah + Corey and Casey + Billy), Meggan + Jess had me rolling from the second we started this shoot.  They drove in from Austin to Burnet, as I was in town visiting my in-laws for Memorial Day weekend, and we had a blast hanging out for the evening.  Their love for each other is evident in every move they make, and it is easy to see that they are meant for one another.  The couple that laughs together stays together, and that is definitely Meggan + Jess!

Can't wait for these two lookers to get hitched in September at The Plantation House!

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Don't forget to give them a shout in the comment box to tell them how foxy they are!

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Lilly says:

The smile on this happy girl is catching! Love these.

 (07.18.11 @ 11:42 AM)
Bobby says:

These are great! Fun to see parents' architecture cameo in your work

 (07.13.11 @ 04:55 PM)
Susie M says:

Congrats, Meggan and Jess! Love these images....pure joy and happiness!!!

 (07.12.11 @ 09:18 PM)
SandyB says:

Love love love!

(07.11.11 @ 09:45 PM)
Jenny McMurdo says:

Love them! So cute.

 (07.11.11 @ 09:30 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Meggan + Jess :: Engaged! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://katemeffordblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/248