Whew.  Do I say that a lot?  After a busy spring and early summer, I’m shifting gears and taking some time off to enjoy all that summer has to offer.  This break should help shift the balance, too, and I hope to someday find the magic balance that also allows me to update this blog (not to mention my website) more regularly!

Luz del Alma Photography, in Austin TX, specializes in custom, on-location newborn, baby, child, and family portraits. Photographer Kyla Hobbs-Darilek creates artful yet honest images that capture her subjects as they are at this very moment.

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Posted in: children's photography.

Just a quick announcement that I’m now affiliated with the big-hearted Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep charity and will be donating my time to local families suffering from tragic infant loss.  If you know anyone that might benefit from the organization’s free photography services, please direct them to this website:  NILMDTS.

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Posted in: charity.

Clients often ask for framing resources, so today I’ll focus on some of my favorite sources.  For standard sized prints, a great place to buy quality frames, mats, and albums is Exposures.  With an emphasis on quality and archival preservation, this is the place to check.  They even have wall frame packages with an assortment of frames and suggestions for hanging them to create a great wall display.

For local options, I recommend Aaron Brothers for both off-the-shelf frames in standard sizes and for their custom framing service.  Since I recommend matting all prints sized 8×10 and larger, I’ve found them to be a good resource for mats, as well.  They also carry a nice assortment of Kolo albums, which are of a higher quality that the typical superstore photo albums, yet are still reasonably priced. In addition to the Kolo albums, I also recommend Pulp albums.

Don’t forget that I offer handmade, archival, leather and cloth albums, as well, and these are really great, too!

Luz del Alma Photography, in Austin TX, specializes in custom, on-location newborn, baby, child, and family portraits. Photographer Kyla Hobbs-Darilek creates artful yet honest images that capture her subjects as they are at this very moment.

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Posted in: portrait/photo resources, products.

I have to admit that I get extra excited when I schedule photo sessions for babies between 6-8 months.  Newly upright, and sitting proud and tall, they seem to be so full of expressions and true wonder.  And in all honesty, I’ll admit that it is nice that they usually can’t crawl away just yet.  Now there’s nothing better than crawling babies, but capturing that (moving) milestone is just a little more challenging.

I’ve photographed this baby’s big sister since she was a newborn over four years ago, and it’s very cool to be photographing the newest family member.

This little girl had about one million expressions.  And make sure you scroll down to see the chub, too. This is a healthy and happy little one.

Luz del Alma Photography, in Austin TX, specializes in custom, on-location newborn, baby, child, and family portraits. Photographer Kyla Hobbs-Darilek creates artful yet honest images that capture her subjects as they are at this very moment.

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Posted in: baby photography, studio sessions.

Lots to share here, and I’ll start with this recent session.

So much fun, and so much variety.  I think this little girl might have allowed me to photograph her all day- she was that cooperative.  And even though it was a dreary, dark day, the window lighting at the studio was still nice to work with.

Check back soon for more recent sessions and favorites.  I’ll also be announcing spring mini sessions at a great and very unique indoor/outdoor location with lots of character and many possibilities, perfect for babies, children, and families.  Further details coming soon.  These will book quickly, so be in touch if you know you’d like to schedule one.

Luz del Alma Photography, in Austin TX, specializes in custom, on-location newborn, baby, child, and family portraits. Photographer Kyla Hobbs-Darilek creates artful yet honest images that capture her subjects as they are at this very moment.

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Posted in: baby photography.

Just popping in to mention that I will be doing on-location beach photo sessions over a long weekend in June in the Port Aranasas area.   A long-time client has requested a beach photo session for her family, and since I LOVE beach photos, I’m opening up the offer to other clients.  Plans are still underway, but it will be fun!  Let me know if you’d like additional details.

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Posted in: on-location portrait sessions, planning your session, special offers.

One of the joys of my new studio space is that now I’ll have room to display product samples.  And of every product I offer, I think gallery wrapped canvas prints are the most amazing and tend to make the largest statement.  Wall art.  Meaningful wall art.  Easy wall art.  Dramatic wall art.

gallery wrapped canvas print.

Gallery Wrapped Canvas prints are adhered to art canvas, full of texture, and stretched over custom-made, wooden supports.   The image, your image, is actually wrapped around the edges, so that from any angle you view the canvas, you’ll see your print.  At a depth of 1.5 inches, these appear to “float” on your wall.  No frame needed; ready to hang with hanging hardware.

gallery wrapped edge.

These are modern or very classic, depending on the image and how you create your wall display.  Be sure to ask for for more details if you are interested in a gallery wrapped print.

close-up of texture.

Luz del Alma Photography, in Austin TX, specializes in custom, on-location newborn, baby, child, and family portraits. Photographer Kyla Hobbs-Darilek creates artful yet honest images that capture her subjects as they are at this very moment.

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Posted in: planning your session, products.

Just popping in to share a few favorite images.  You might have guessed, I’m aiming to become a more regular blogger!

Wish me luck; it’s been an unattainable goal so far.

Kyla Hobbs-Darilek is a newborn, baby, child, and pregnancy photographer in Austin, Texas.

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Posted in: baby photography, children's photography, maternity & pregnancy photography.

I’ve moved into a larger and better studio this year.  Hooray!  About half of my sessions are on-location, but for the other half, this new space is just perfect.  Best of all, I’ve just moved a block away from my old spot so finding the new location won’t be difficult.  The new studio has a rock wall with great texture, lots of natural light, and more space… all very essential and welcomed.  In addition, there’s more space to display my work and product samples.

austin, texas photographer

I’m looking forward to the newborn, baby, and family photo sessions I have scheduled there over the next month.  And I’ve got one remaining mini session slot for Tuesday, February 2nd.  Contact me for details.

Kyla Hobbs-Darilek is a newborn, baby, child, and pregnancy photographer in Austin, Texas.

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Posted in: baby photography, newborn photography, special offers.

I just love how hats frame a face.  It works so well for photographs, especially of babies and young children.  Here are some favorite hat sources to consider for winter portraits:

Knitted pilot caps, handmade by a local mama::

Pilot Caps at Hanna Andersson::

Beanie Designs::

Try a search on Etsy::

Luz del Alma Photography specializes in photographing newborns, babies, children, and pregnancy in Austin, Texas.

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Posted in: baby photography, children's photography, newborn photography, planning your session.