Her Side Project

Round Here

watchthebirdie — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:34:56 +0000

Amazing Valentine’s Day dessert
All dressed up with places to go
New Glasses!
Parking lot palm tree at sunset
Afternoon wine flyte {I love Saturdays}

Hope your weekend is the definition of perfection, lovelies. Happy Friday.

Bridal Suite Scenery

watchthebirdie — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:01:03 +0000

On the eve of New Years Eve, my best friend Christine married the love of her life, Ryan. The glorious day began at 9am sharp, as all the bridesmaids gathered together at the Driskill hotel in downtown Austin for hair, makeup, mimosas and relaxation. Before Jeff Loftin Photography and his team showed up to document the day, I snapped a few photos while we lived the life of leisure in the bridal suite.

This hotel was the perfect. The beautiful room was full of natural light and exquisite touches. French doors swung open to greet the beautiful morning, overlooking popular 6th street. Sunny and in the low 70s, you couldn’t ask for better weather for a wedding — right in the middle of winter, too! The bed’s headboard had an elaborate design, providing a beautiful backdrop for many of the photos.

Reghan, Christine’s flower girl, hung out with the “big girls,” and even got her hair and makeup done. She’s such a doll.

Christine, you were a beautiful bride. Thank you so much for asking me to be your Maid of Honor and for your stellar friendship since 6th grade! Can’t wait to see what the future holds for more milestones and fun. I know you’ll be by my side (or at the very least, on the phone!) Love you!

Try To Have Fun In The Meantime {Editing Soundtrack}

watchthebirdie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:37:53 +0000

While there may be a lot of controversy surrounding Lana Del Ray and her “true identity/manufactured persona,” I can’t help but love her and her music.

While very dark and pretty depressing, I also can’t get enough of this music video. Haunting, intriguing and well-done.

If in fact she is a product of marketing, her people certainly know what they’re doing. It’s working.

P.S. – love her makeup. Flawless, so beautiful.

Mist Can’t Hold Us Down

watchthebirdie — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:02:11 +0000

I don’t know about you, but the first month of 2012 was SO BUSY. Between getting back in the swing of things at the office, having a full agenda almost every weekend, and somehow acquiring strep throat (yuck), I haven’t had a moment to take a deep breath, much less write a decent blog entry.

All excuses aside, I’m finally sharing the results of a sweet family photo shoot I captured in December. Melody, one of my colleagues, asked me to photograph her, her husband, and their brand new baby boy for Christmas cards. From the moment I found out Melody was pregnant (through Facebook of course), I could not WAIT for her to have the baby. Melody is incredibly smart, beautiful, funny, successful and nice — and I just knew any child of hers would share the same qualities. Needless to say I was thrilled to document their first holiday season as a family of three.

Guys, I knew he’d be cute, but I didn’t expect the chubby cheeks, dark, inquisitive eyes, and keen observation skills as he carefully takes in the big world before him. I am just in awe of this little guy!

The day of our photo shoot had less-than-ideal conditions, but we made it work. It was a stormy weekend, with overcast grey skies and off and on showers. We noted the forecast and bravely stepped outside in the mist anyway. After strolling through their neighborhood, taking in the holiday decorations, passing families out and about enjoying their Saturday morning, and enjoying the quiet, sleepy streets (the best kind of qualities a street can have on a Saturday morning), we wrapped the shoot with lots of great images, and memories for a lifetime.

Melody, thank you again for the privilege of documenting your family’s first holiday season. Maybe next time, we’ll get a few more smiles out of him!

New Glasses

watchthebirdie — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:26:10 +0000

New glasses annnddddd… a sandwich! This is real life, folks (real life lunch break anyway).

Photo shoot posts coming soon. Promise. Until then, if you’re interested in specs for yourself, check out Stars In Your Eyes on Congress. Tell ‘em Her Side Project sent ya.

Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

watchthebirdie — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:22:53 +0000

Strolling down the Drag one day, minding my own business after a photo shoot, I heard a tap on a nearby windowpane.

Right before my very eyes, the most adorable gaggle of college freshman boys grinned back at me, hands held high in the shape of a heart.

Want to know something? It really doesn’t take much to make a photographer girl’s day.

Hello 2012

watchthebirdie — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:13:47 +0000

Oh 2011, what a whirlwind. Life is good, I couldn’t be happier.

This year I made new friendships and strengthened old, traveled extensively for work, stood by my best friend as she got married, moved out of the Treehouse and into the new condo (name TBD), helped a friend propose to his now-fiancée (who just so happens to be one of my very favorite people in the world!), felt overwhelmed with gratitude that a very special person came into my life and… last but definitely not least, photographed some of my most amazing clients to date. As always, a million times thank you from Her Side Project.

Here are the highlights:

1940s inspired photo shoot.

Snowy day in our beloved Treehouse.

My best friend got engaged!

Fun trip with friends & family to NOLA.

Break from the city with a trip to the Hill Country.

Befriended the neighborhood goat, Nik.

Photographed Slave to Fashion’s lovely family!

Miss Kayla basks in the sunlight.

Co-hosted a bridal shower for my sweet Christine.

Met a real-life Gerber Baby.

Couture & Country engagement photo shoot with one of the best couples I know, Ashley & Jack.

P made ordinary days, fun.

Chris & Amanda got engaged! I helped execute Chris’ mission: surprise proposal.

ACL 2011.

Adventures in the kitchen: Brinner.

Something new. Very new.

Childhood friend, Sam, got engaged!

Halloween-inspired child photo shoot.

The Domestic Darlin’, y’all.

Incredible getaway trip to The Broadmoor in Colorado with friends and family.

Iconic Pennybacker Bridge photo shoot.

My lovely little cousin, Madison, senior portraits after graduating from high school.

Hello 2012. Here’s to the beautiful New Year.

Love,
Katie

All Grown Up

watchthebirdie — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:58:01 +0000

Meet my gorgeous cousin, Madison.

Just last week, Mad turned 18 years old. Wait, what? 18? As in — an adult? I can’t believe how fast time has flown.

We spent an evening in downtown Austin, TX, finding interesting backgrounds, scoping out alleyways and avoiding some of the interesting characters we met along the way. Side note: when I’m in the middle of a photo shoot, it’s fairly common to have people drive by and honk or approach us to ask a few questions. Two things happened during Madison’s session that have NEVER happened to me before.

A group of men (and women!) on a nearby restaurant patio started snapping her picture with their camera phones (we quickly changed locations).
Near some active tracks, a TRAIN blared its horn as it passed us by. Say what?

Wow, Mad. Clearly you make quite the impression on our fair city!

How fabulous is this sign for a girls senior shoot? Thanks, East Austin.

Madison’s boyfriend, Mitchell, joined her for a few frames.

I’ve had the privilege of watching this beautiful girl develop into an intelligent, level-headed, mature individual. Great things are ahead for you, Madison. Never forget to believe in yourself, trust your instincts and keep positive people in your life. Do these things and I have no doubt you will continue to succeed and have a fun, HAPPY life!

I love you!

xoxo,
Katie

Pennybacker Bridge

watchthebirdie — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:30:24 +0000

Liam, you’re breakin’ my heart kid.

Will you just look at those baby blues? Just before Thanksgiving, I met up with Liam and his ever-cool parents, Jennifer & Rand, at the base of the Pennybacker Bridge off 360 for our second annual family photo shoot. I had a great time hanging out with these sweet folks near one of Austin’s most iconic landmarks. Just like last year, Jennifer impressed me with her ability to coordinate her family’s outfits, without being too matchy-matchy. We’re talking serious talent here!

It’s fun to look back on last year’s photos and see how much Liam has grown, though J&R haven’t changed a bit!

Jennifer, thanks again for the memories. Looking forward to continuing our tradition!

Marketing Ploy or Bizarre Cinderella Story?

watchthebirdie — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:29:30 +0000

You decide.

“To the angel who rocked my world last night.
While in heaven, I forgot your number and name.
I don’t have any pictures but here’s my drawing of her.
I want to see you again.
Meet me at BookHolders (which is in Dobie Mall) at 6:30pm.
I will be the hunk with a fresh wad of cash.
(Sell your books there too so you have cash for drinks).”

As seen on the Drag. Austin, TX. 12.10.11