Helene's 75th Sneak Peek

Healing with Horses Camp 2015 - Day 1

Once again, I'm thrilled by the crossover of passions in my life.  This week by volunteering at Healing with Horses Ranch summer camp, I get E.B. (my son) + horses + photography + helping individuals with special needs.  I'm definitely a happy camper!  Here's a peek...

E.B.'s first mount on a full-sized horse.
I chose horse camp for him to increase his confidence...I'd say it's working already.

Golden Stirrup Horse Show

It's Rodeo time in Austin, and that means time for the Golden Stirrup Horse Show!  This is an exciting event for riders with special needs, and includes opportunities in Showmanship, Trail, English and Western Pleasure, and Barrels.  My friends at Healing with Horses Ranch competed this morning.  

Dude says, "check out the action..."

Healing With Horses Ranch

One thing I love about being a photographer is the convergence of my other passions with the art of photography.  Recently I started volunteering at Healing with Horses Ranch, a therapeutic riding facility.  Not only have I fallen in love with the horses, but also with the amazing individuals that come to Healing with Horses to seek inner peace through equine therapy, and with the staff and amazing volunteers.  

Healing with Horses currently has 14 horses... a lot of personalities to get to know!  In order to help the other volunteers (and myself) get to know everyone, I've started a photo project of capturing the individual physical features and personalities of each horse.  Below are a few images from the first photo shoot...

Cool Man

Friday Senior Sneak Peek

I recently had the joy of photographing high school senior, Friday.

Friday's Mona Lisa smile beautifully captures her calm demeanor and striking intelligence. 

We had a blast at the Austin Botanical Garden and in her yard with her cello.

She was a real pleasure to work with, and I wish her the best in college next year!

Jensen Family Sneak Peek

Play for All Abilities Park: An Expansive Enclosed Park in Round Rock

Welcome to my second installment of posts highlighting awesome ENCLOSED play places in the Austin area.

As a mother of twins, and photographer of children with autism and other special needs, I know that a fenced in playground can sometimes be the only way to safely get the kids outside for play or for a photo session.  In light of this, my camera, family, and I are scouting the Austin area for fun and safe enclosed playgrounds. 

This post features Play for All Abilities Park at 151 North A.W. Grimes Blvd. in Round Rock, TX.

This is a newer park, which opened in 2011 to serve children of all abilities.  And, wow...it has some incredible features!  

The park boasts several areas (which they call pods) including: