Celebrate Fall with Cozy Mini Sessions at The Oak Atelier

As the leaves start to turn and the air gets crisp, there’s no better time to capture the enchanting beauty of Fall. This October, I’m thrilled to offer an exclusive opportunity -- Fall Florals Mini Sessions at The Oak Atelier. These sessions are perfect for creating warm, cozy memories with your loved ones in a beautifully decorated autumn wonderland.

Why Fall is the Perfect Season for Photography

There’s something genuinely magical about the Fall season. The vibrant colors of the changing leaves. The soft, golden light. The crisp autumn air. It all comes together to create the perfect backdrop for your family photos.  

Imagine coordinating your outfits with rich earth tones, cozy sweaters, and plaid scarves. Everything looks better against the beautiful fall foliage! 

What to Expect from a Fall Florals Mini Session

Our Fall Florals Mini Sessions are designed to be fun and stress-free. Here’s what you can expect:

• Each session includes 15 minutes of shooting time with a 5-minute buffer. Sessions start at 5:00 PM, and you’ll receive 10 professionally edited images.

• The Willow at The Oak Atelier will be transformed into a cozy autumn wonderland filled with vibrant fall-toned leaves for kids to throw around, beautiful autumnal floral arrangements, and a variety of pumpkins.

• To make the most of your session, consider coordinating your outfits with the fall theme. Think cozy and comfortable—earth tones, plaids, and layered looks work wonderfully.

Why Choose a Mini Session?

Mini sessions are a fantastic way to get high-quality photos without committing to an entire session. They’re designed to be stress-free, affordable, and perfect for busy families. You get all the benefits of a professional photo shoot in a fraction of the time. Plus, the cozy, vibrant setting of The Oak Atelier will make your photos stand out with seasonal charm and playful elegance. 

Ready to Capture Your Fall Memories?

Spots for these exclusive sessions are limited and tend to fill up quickly. Don’t wait—book your Fall Florals Mini Session today and ensure your place in this beautiful autumn setting.

Fall is a season of change, beauty, and warmth. The Willow at The Oak Atelier is the perfect backdrop for embracing the spirit of the season. I can’t wait to help you create cozy and happy memories with our Fall Florals Mini Sessions. These are photos you'll cherish forever.

Book now before time runs out!

Why Every Expectant Mother Deserves to Capture the Beauty of Their Pregnancy

I am constantly in awe of the strength, beauty, and resilience of expectant mothers. Pregnancy is a miraculous journey, filled with wonder, anticipation, and love. And I believe that every mother-to-be deserves to have this incredible time in her life captured through beautiful and empowering maternity photos.

I understand that some expectant mothers may feel hesitant or self-conscious about being in front of the camera during this time. But let me assure you, I am here to support and guide you every step of the way. You’re a goddess, honey!

Through my lens, I see the radiance and beauty of pregnancy. I see the strength and determination of mothers who are growing a new life within them. And I am committed to capturing these incredible moments in a way that honors and celebrates the unique beauty of every gorgeous mama.

Maternity photos are more than just pretty pictures. They are a celebration of life, a tribute to the bond between mother and child, and a way to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. They are a way to honor the incredible journey that you are on and embrace the changes and challenges that come with it. Creating a person is no small feat.

When you choose me as your photographer, I will work with you to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere that allows you to feel confident and empowered in front of the camera. We'll discuss your vision and preferences, and I'll guide you through poses and techniques that showcase your queenly beauty and highlight the bond between you and your growing baby.

Whether you're looking for classic, timeless images or something more creative and unique, I am here to create a maternity photography experience that is tailored to your individual style and preferences.

If you're expecting and considering maternity photos, know that you are deserving of this empowering and transformative experience. Let me help you capture the wonder and beauty of this incredible journey through stunning, meaningful maternity photos that you'll treasure for a lifetime.

Motherhood is Beautiful: Why Every Mom Needs Photos With Their Little Ones

As a photographer, I’ve had the privilege of capturing the beautiful bond between moms and their kiddos. It’s hard to put into words just how special that connection is, but let me tell you, it’s a love like no other.

That’s why I think it’s so important to capture these moments through photography. It’s a way to freeze time and have a tangible reminder of that bond. And trust me, these are memories that you and your family will treasure for years to come.

So, if you’re a Mama thinking of scheduling a photography session with your little ones or a partner purchasing a Mother’s Day gift (*hint hint*), here are some tips to make it a fun and stress-free experience:

Dress like yourself.  Wear something you feel awesome and beautiful in. Ensure it’s an outfit you’ve worn before and you know it’s comfortable. Avoid big patterns, logos, or bright colors. Aim for earthy tones, natural fabrics, and clothing with lots of movement.

Have zero expectations.  Embrace what comes, the wind, the rain, the laughter, the chaos — whatever unfolds. Every shoot is unique, and we have no set pattern. It’s all about YOU and capturing your life exactly how it is on the day of your shoot. I can’t give you any guarantees of what we will snap; let’s see what magic happens on the day.

Be patient. Kids can be unpredictable, so try to be flexible and don’t worry too much if they’re not cooperating or smiling for the camera. The best moments are often captured when they’re simply being themselves. The objective isn’t just to take pretty pictures but to capture this exciting stage in your life, exactly as it is now.

Come prepared. Make sure that your little one(s) have rested and have adequate snacks and water. It’s okay to take breaks if they need to.

Connect on the day.  Relax, unwind, and choose to do what you love on the day of your shoot. There’s nothing worse than arriving at a session frazzled, rushed, and disconnected. If you’re able to take the morning off, do it. Give yourself lots of time to get to the location so you don’t feel stressed on arrival.

Get involved! You’re an important part of the session as a mom, and I bet you are often behind the camera, rather than in front of it. So don’t be afraid to interact with your kids and have some fun! Those moments of love and connection are what we’re aiming to capture, after all.

Taking creative portraits of moms and their children is such a special way to celebrate that unbreakable bond. With a positive attitude and a bit of planning, it can be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. And those photographs? They’ll be a cherished reminder of your family’s love for generations to come.

This Mother’s Day, capture the pure joy and love between mother and child. Join me at the Oak Atelier’s Hanging Garden for a beautiful Mommy & Me photo session. This set features high-end faux florals suspended from the ceiling and will make for gorgeous, interactive photos. Reserve your session today.

Golden Lass at Golden Hour

When Kerianne inquired about a Creative Portrait session, I was joyfully surprised! And I didn’t hesitate to respond, “YES, let’s do it!!”

I then asked her a question that I ask all of my clients, “What are you hoping to gain out of this session? How do you want to feel when looking back at these photos 20 years from now?”

She said, “I want to feel beautiful as I am right now, at this moment. I want to capture myself today in the midst of a pandemic school year, juggling my career and raising my children, getting back to my post-baby lifestyle, and managing my health… This is me — the good and the not-so-great. And I want to remember that despite the obstacles and wavering self-esteem, I am beautiful, I am strong, I am blessed.”

Despite knowing this beautiful woman for almost 15 years, the entire session I was in awe of this empowered goddess.

We went to a lovely park in Katy during golden hour - the time and light befitting this Queen. And believe we achieved the results she was looking for.

I mean just look at her!

You don't need a holiday or a special occasion to have your picture taken. If you are looking to feel empowered and beautiful, let’s plan a Creative Portrait session.

Robyn and Ryan at Home

I’ve known Robyn and Ryan for years. This is was such a sweet session to be a part of. This was my first in-home session.

Robyn wanted to do a photoshoot to celebrate her and Ryan’s 5th year anniversary. We threw around a few location ideas, but we came to the conclusion: What better way to capture the essence of their relationship, than to capture the two of them at home, truly being themselves?

They cooked a homemade pizza, danced to the music playing in the background, spoiled their precious pups, and cozied together to play video games. Oh and let’s not forget the gratuitous boy-band poses in the backyard! What a perfect encapsulation of their happy life together. Happy Anniversary, Robyn & Ryan!

If you are looking for photos to look back on in 20 years and say “Oh that is SO us!”, then reach out today to book your Couples Session.

Kwinton on the Town

This might be my favorite shoot so far! I was super excited for 2 reasons:

1. I rented a lens to test out for this session - the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G Lens.

2. My friend Kwinton brought 👏 it👏!

First off, I really enjoyed this lens. It was my first time using a 50mm prime lens and my first time renting. It was sharp, let in beautiful light on a gloomy day, and paired with my crop-framed camera, it provided portraits with a creamy, out-of-focus background and plenty of bokeh. I may do a proper review of it on another post.

Back to my awesome model: Kwinton kept his wardrobe a secret, so I was pleasantly surprised when he arrived in this killer blue suit with a pop of red. I was worried about the dreary weather we were facing, but this suit was a beautiful contrast to the dull, gloomy day.

We hit several locations this afternoon, starting at Jones Hall, then walking around the downtown, stopping wherever we felt inspired. It was a fun, easy-going session and I am thrilled with the results!

Whether you want photos for graduation, maternity, model portfolio or “just because”, treat yourself to a creative portrait session with me.

Dear 2020, thank you and so long!

Dear 2020,

Ok, so I think it’s no surprise when I say that you are globally THE WORST. You have to admit this year officially sucked for a lot of people.

However, it is important for my sanity to find light in the darkness. While the challenges were nonstop, I have to acknowledge that we were luckier than most and for that, I am eternally grateful.

So, thank you…

Thank you for allowing us time at home with our son. Though it was a challenge to work from home with an infant, I really enjoyed being about to watch him go from rolling over, to sitting up to crawling to walking. We didn’t miss a single thing, and that’s not always the case when both parents work full-time.

Thank you for allowing me to keep my job. So many people (including my husband) lost their jobs this year, and I was thankfully spared. In fact, we are one of the few businesses that are completely swamped right now.

Thank you for the technology and the adaptability that allowed us to stay in contact with our loved ones when we could not be with them.

Thank you for my husband finding a new (and better) job so quickly after being laid off. We were so worried, and it was an emotional time but I am grateful for the end result.

Thank you for keeping us in good health. That is a blessing in and of itself in a year that was cursed with a horrible pandemic.

While you presented some completely ridiculous hurdles for us this year, I am grateful for the silver linings, however small they may be.

So, thanks… I guess, 2020. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Or do. 😘👋

- Kiersten

P.S. I am aware there are still 2 days left. Don’t be a dick, 2020.

The Ramsey Family at Holiday Acres

I cannot handle the cuteness from this session. The Ramsey family certainly brought the Christmas spirit to the Holiday Acres Christmas Tree Farm.

Despite the summer-like weather in October (welcome to Texas), this family came decked out in their jolliest attire ready for St. Nick to drop by.

We started off with a precious family storytime, then let the girls let loose in the trees. Oh, you better believe we sang “Into The Unknown” and “Show Yourself.”

From Mom and Dad to their beautiful children, my favorite thing about family sessions is allowing everyone to be their authentic self, especially the kids. It makes for a relaxing fun time, much less stress, and great moments captured on film.

If you’re looking for a fun and laid back family session, contact me today!

The Mitchell Family at Holiday Acres

The Mitchells were my last session this day, and they came at the perfect time. The wind picked up, the temperature cooled down (ish), and my favorite time of day was starting: Golden Hour.

Lyndsay did such a great job coordinating their outfits. The burgundy, gold, and black colors popped amongst the see of evergreen trees and complemented the golden highlights of the sun.

And just look at that glow on their beautiful blonde hair! 😍

I absolutely adored working with the Mitchell family. It was an easy, laidback session and the girls had a blast playing in the trees. It was certainly a perfect end to a long day of photo shoots.

If you are wanting a golden hour family session, let’s make it happen! Contact me today.

The Lynch Family at Holiday Acres

Photographing the Lynch family was such a joy! Their gorgeous daughter practically ran the session. She had a vision, and I was 👏🏻here 👏🏻for 👏🏻it!

She wanted them to swing her, she played with the Christmas trees, directed them where to stand, and the most precious part of the whole shoot was when she made up her own Christmas songs for our listening pleasure.

I am close friends with the Lynch family, and so happy for the opportunity to have a session with them before they move next year. What a treat!

My goal with my sessions is to be authentic, so stiff, posed images are not my style. If you are looking to capture real moments with your family and ready to let loose in your session, contact me today.

The Salazars in the Maples

This gorgeous trio requested a Fall-themed photoshoot. During the month of November in Houston, that can be hard to come by. However, these Maple trees set the perfect scene.

This was another session with a child that had a vision. There were many times when their charming little boy had an idea and we rolled with it! There were many comical moments, and some great photos came from it.

Scroll down to see their kiddo photo-bomb Mom and Dad’s photo. 😂 You can’t pose or plan that!

As with all my families, I so enjoyed this session. We had a fabulous time embracing fall-vibes and letting the moments naturally unfold.

If you’re looking for an easy-going family session, let’s talk about your vision! Click the button below to reach out!

The Wright Family at Holiday Acres

I was super excited to have the opportunity to photograph my wonderful friends before the holidays. This was my first time shooting at Holiday Acres and I absolutely LOVED it!

I actually held 4 sessions this day, the Wright family was first. The most valuable lesson from this shoot was it pays to prepare!

As you know, in Houston, Autumn doesn’t really start until December most years. So this October shoot was quite warm. Thankfully, my mother came to assist me. We brought bottles of water and portable fans and did our best to keep everyone in the shade.

The families were so patient and flexible, and as you can see, the girls really enjoyed themselves. Looking forward to shooting there again next year!

As a mom, I cherish lifestyle images of precious family moments like these. If you want to capture some memories of you and your loved ones, I’m here to help! Contact me today.

Leah Arceneaux | LA Spiritual

I recently had the opportunity to style and shoot a Branding session for my dear friend’s business. We returned to Brazos Bend State Park and spent afternoon getting in touch with our inner goddess. As you can see from our session, Leah is quite the goddess!

Leah Arceneaux is a Psychic, Spiritual Guide, and Transformational Coach, here to mentor anyone who has had a spark of spiritual interest and wants to deepen their spiritual practice and create an unbreakable connection to source and self. She helps you reconnect with your intuition and gifts while also giving you the tangible steps to create a practice of spiritual wellness.

Her company, LA Spiritual, is about creating an intuitive foundation for you to get back into your own energy so that you can have self-trust, connection to YOUR truth, and to finally hear your inner voice loud and clear.  

Whether it be in a group program or working with Leah 1:1, LA Spiritual is for the person who has a willingness to be expansive, and to be open shifting and changing their perspective based on what they discover internally. This is for the person who is devoted to showing up for themselves, and ready to change the narrative when it comes to being psychic and intuitive.

By guiding her clients to become an embodied version of their highest self, they are reconnecting to the version of themselves they always dreamed was possible. They are loving deeply and receiving that love abundantly from partners and clients; they are aligning with the purpose in career and business, crafting the professional life that lifts up their soul; and most of all they are opening up the gifts that have laid dormant their whole life!

Finding the joy, finding yourself, and using your intuition as a jumping-off point is what LA Spiritual is all about.

You can check out her website www.laspiritual.com for more information about her signature course, Clair Camp: An 8 week course to reconnect with your intuition.

If you are interested in a portrait session or you need photos for your business, contact me today.

All photos were taken on Nikon D3500 camera body with the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8g lens.

Ashley in the Forest

Just in time for Halloween, Ashley is delivering major witchy vibes. This was shoot was intense because there was rain quickly approaching. I was hoping the sun would break through beneath the clouds during golden hour, but no luck. We lost the light very quickly.

Also, as a new photographer, I learned an important lesson about watching where you step while looking through the lens. Thankfully, I think all the ant bites have finally healed.

Enjoy this witchy photoshoot and Happy Halloween!

All photos were taken on the Nikon D3500 with the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G.

Cowboy Baby • At home with Kiersten

My current camera was a Christmas gift from my family last year. I was pregnant with my little boy and had been wanting a new camera for some time.

With out little man on the way, I figured I was would be take tons of pictures of all the cuteness. And I was correct.

They say when you’re a photographer, there’s always an opportunity to practice taking pictures. Lucky for me, I have the cutest in-house model!

He’s a little distracted, sometimes whiny and sleepy. He eats, farts and poops on the job. And he often tries to take my own camera away from me! Honestly, if he wasn’t so dang cute, I’d probably fire him.

But he’s my son and I absolutely adore him. Enjoy our latest photos from his 9 month photo shoot.

All photos were taken on the Nikon D3500 with the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G.

Hannah in The Woodlands | Headshots + Portrait Photoshoot

Hannah and I have been best friends for almost 15 years. So you can imagine this session was a ton of fun. My goal was to make her feel beautiful and confident, teaching her some poses that would be flattering but also just fun to try!

Hannah and I decided to use this session as an opportunity to accomplish 2 tasks: headshots for her LinkedIn profile and a fun, dreamy portrait session. Turns out the Woodlands Waterway was perfect for both!

The headshots were taken just down the ramp of an office building off of Waterway Avenue. Then we ventured to the Waterway and The Koi Garden for the rest and finally finished at the gorgeous Waterway Court Town Center.

Headshots

Portraits

If you enjoyed these photos, please feel free to like and comment below. If you are interested in more information about working with me, please email hello@kierstenortiz.com or complete the Contact Form. Thank you so much!

All photos were taken on the Nikon D3500 with the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G.

Date Day at the Museum • At home with Kiersten

As new parents, we quickly learned the importance of taking opportunities to spend quality time together, sans baby. In the time of COVID-19, that has been quite the challenge.

Luckily, we found a moment. We recently took a vacation day to go on a day date to the Houston Museum of Natural Science (that’s right - we actually had to take PTO just to go on a date). Since we’re members of the museum, we try to make it there at least a couple of times a year. (And we cannot wait until we can take Liam to the Butterfly Exhibit!)

This day, we explored Death by Natural Causes which was equally terrifying and fascinating. Additionally, we took a trip to Mars, visited the vast array of Texas Wildlife, and admired the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 55 exhibition.

We ended our date with a fun photography session. Exploring Herman Park and HMNS’s architecture, I gave my husband a brief tutorial about lighting, composition, and how to use my camera. The photos you see of me here and on my About Me page, were taken by my wonderful husband. Not too shabby!

If you enjoyed this blog post, share it with a friend! Looking for a photographer? View my investment guide and let’s chat!

Location Scouting | Brazos Bend State Park

My friend Leah is in need of some branding images for her business. In preparation for her future shoot, and in dire need of a little bestie time, we decided to head to Brazos Bend State Park to find the perfect backdrops for her session. Of course, I brought along the camera to take a stab at some Landscape photography while we were there.

This would have been such a perfect day to bring my zoom lens, but I decided to pack light.

Brazos Bend State Park makes it quite clear there are alligators in the lakes and to take precautions, or as they put it “be smarter than an alligator.” The above photo was taken at Hale Lake just after an 8 ft gator leapt vertically out of the water to catch a crane. The above white crane came flying to the rescue.

Sadly, I was not able to capture the action shot, but luckily both birds escaped unarmed (at least while we were there). We decided it best not to stick around for more “When Animals Attack”.

The trees are fabulously strange and breathtaking here. I couldn’t get over it. Twists, bends, contortions, and Spanish moss galore!

Elm Lake was like a time portal to a prehistoric area. I felt like I could easily picture a dinosaur trudging through through these waters. Perhaps I should have Photoshopped one in?

Watching these cute little birds tip-toe atop the lily pads of 40-acre Lake was the perfect end to our little location scouting adventure. It’s such a shame I didn’t have my zoom lens, but I enjoy these photos nonetheless. I’m really looking forward to heading back to this park with Leah to make our vision come to life!

All photos were taken on Nikon D3500 camera body with the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8g lens.

Robyn in Spring | Portrait Session

Robyn and I work up early on a Sunday morning to meet in Spring, TX. While these photos were captured in the heat of Texas summer, the end results feel a lot more like a songbird in Spring.

Robyn was a such a joy to shoot. She kindly volunteered to assist me in building my portfolio. Little did I know her poses were fire! Pulling knowledge from her model brother’s experience, Robyn needed very little direction.

We were like kids in a candy store at Mercer Botanic Gardens. Everywhere we turned this Sunday morning, was another beautiful photo opportunity with gorgeous lighting.

These were random pencils sticking up from the ground in a children’s garden area. Look at that bokeh with light coming through the trees. I was in heaven!

When we entered this fern garden, I swear it was major Jurassic Park vibes. The theme song was definitely playing in my head the entire time.

If you enjoyed these photos, please feel free to like and comment below. If you are interested in more information about working with me, please email hello@kierstenortiz.com or complete the Contact Form. Thank you so much!

All photos were taken on the Nikon D3500 with the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G.

Kwinton on the Roof | Portrait Photoshoot

I don’t what compelled us to take photos on the rooftop of a parking garage during a heat advisory in Houston. Regardless, Kwinton and I had so much fun with this urban vibes, tackling harsh lighting and intense heat. The orange attire coupled with the brilliant blue backdrop gave us major college flashbacks. Go Bearkats!

If you enjoyed these photos, please feel free to like and comment below. If you are interested in more information about working with me, please email hello@kierstenortiz.com or complete the Contact Form. Thank you so much!