After the ceremony, we headed over to the Zilker Botanical Gardens to take some family portraits and some portraits of the lovely couple amid the lush foliage.

Venue: Haven on the Lake in Lago Vista, TX.

Post-ceremony portraits: Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin, TX.

This year, I actually managed to escape the house long enough to experience some of the fest. I had to be a little picky with my choice of concert since this was my only chance to get out. Let me tell you, I was glad with my decision! I was even more glad that I had the foresight to bring along my camera. 

Like most music venues, the lighting at Radio was tricky. I ended up shooting at an insanely high ISO (see 6400+), which in turn gave me quite a bit of noise. After a few frustrating minutes of trying to figure out what to do that, I decided to embrace the noise and go for a faux film effect. 

Dana Louise (w/ guest, Grace Park) - 

The Migrant -

The Deer - 

In keeping with my "tradition" of not updating my blog, I have apparently decided to wait until Christmas to post some shots that were done in August. 

These shots were from a Digital Divas workshop, a Precision Camera class offered solely to women photographers. This particular workshop focused on posing and lighting the (yummy) male models seen below and took place at the Departure Lounge in downtown Austin. 

Enjoy! 

Model: Justin Michael Parra

Model: Justin Michael Parra

Model: Carter Wray

Model: Prince-Devshon Day

Model: Todd Wallace

This month's portraits seem to capture three opposing sides of my personality:

Side #1: Whimsical Adrienne

The most common form of Adrienne. This is the Adrienne that daydreams, analyzes her dreams, creates entire worlds inside her head in the hopes that she, one day, can find a way to physically manifest them. This Adrienne believes in true love and soulmates and unicorns and leprechauns. Deep down, she knows they probably aren't real, but she believes anyway, dammit. 

Side #2: Sultry Adrienne

This is an Adrienne that only a select number of people get to see in real life. Mostly, I reserve this side of myself for photo shoots, the stage, and my husband. 

Side #3: Nefarious Adrienne

Can I let you in on a little secret? This is my favorite Adrienne. She is the embodiment of "I don't give a f---". In D&D terms, she would be the quintessential Chaotic character; she embodies madness and mayhem. I love her so much because I don't ever get to be her in real life. Real life Adrienne has morals, compassion, and empathy. She could never live up to Nefarious Adrienne's insane standards. 

When I was setting up these portraits, I wasn't considering blogging on this topic at all. In fact, I wasn't even planning on blogging the photos at all. It only occurred to me after I was in post-processing and choosing my favorites that the facial expressions were all so incredibly different from one another. I felt it was an interesting, if unexpected, character study of myself. 

**Before I go any further, I have had someone in the past ask me if I didn't think that self-portraits were a sign of vanity. If you think I am vain for doing this, you need to get off my blog now! You are completely missing the entire point.**

I am a mother of two. I am tired all the time, physically and mentally. By the time I get my kids into bed in the evening, all I want to do is just veg on the couch, surf the net on my phone, and pretend to watch movies that have been sitting in my Netflix queue for months. Not only do I spend my days catering to them, I also have find time to have quality time with my husband and attempt to keep myself in shape. It doesn't seem like a lot when you put it in words, but I am always EXHAUSTED. Because of this, I find it really easy to get down on myself: why can't you be more tone? Why can't you have perfect skin? Why can't you look like a supermodel, dammit?!

It has taken a while, but I have slowly come to realize that the things I thought were bringing me down were really the things that were empowering me. Yes, I have two kids, but they are beautiful, happy, healthy kids! Looking at them each day reminds me of how precious they are. They also remind me that this body carried both of them and that, to look at me, you would never know it. The only "tiger stripe" I came away with was my C-Section scar from my first birth, which is a trophy I proudly bear. I have a husband who supports my dreams, inspires me to be a better mother, and constantly reminds me that I am a desirable woman. A husband who also, for my birthday, hired me a personal trainer, which took care of problem #3: keeping myself in shape.

I have had many things in life take me down into some pretty abysmal places and it is easy to lose yourself once you are down there. Sometimes, it is really just comes down to allowing yourself to be the person that pulls you up out of that dark place and reminds you of the things you do have. Whether it is taking portraits of yourself, treating yourself to a massage, or taking yourself out on a date, you have to learn how to start celebrating who you are. Lift up your virtues and, yes, even your flaws (because they are what makes us uniquely, tragically beautiful, after all).

- "La Vie Boheme" - Rent

It has come to my attention lately that I have been severely neglecting this blog. Between kids and constantly being ill (see kids), I just haven't had the energy or drive to update anything. Well, that ends now! I have a list of projects to complete by the end of this year and, by Jove, they will get done! 

So, without further ado, here is a shoot I did right around this time last year (if that is any indication as to how behind I am). This was a "for funsies" Bohemian-themed shoot with my sister in our hometown of Lockhart. We utilized both the State and City parks.

Model/Hair/Makeup/Wardrobe: Courtney Annas

Location: Lockhart State Park and Lockhart City Park, Lockhart, TX

This session also marked the first time these two deigned to pose for their first professional portrait together. Only took 14 months to make that happen...

I took these Valentine portraits about a week ago and was planning to sit on them until next month, but I find that I am just too eager to share! 

Enjoy!

Mini Session includes:

• A 30 minute session with A. Annas Photography on-location (locations outside of Austin city limits will be subject to travel fees).
• 10 downloadable digital high resolution images with printing rights.
• A private online gallery to view images, share, and make prints.
• A 20% discount on products and prints ordered from the website.

Investment: $85

*This special will expire September 30th, 2014.  

Happy birthday, Lyra Skye! You are my sunny, funny Noodle Bean!

Introducing Flynn Sparrowhawk Sparks, born February 18th. These photos are from his 1 week session. 

As I said above, my son will be born any day now and, as such, I will be taking a short leave from photography. I am hoping to only be out of commission for a few months and back to work in time for summer portraits and weddings. In the meantime, I will be answering inquiries and updating the blog. So stay tuned!

Sessions include:

Just recently she has developed the need to be mobile. Don't get me wrong, she's been crawling, scooting, transferring, and cruising for a while now. But recently she has discovered that she can move without other human assistance and now every waking moment is filled with the need to be on the go. 

Yesterday I attempted a quick photo session. Below are some of the photos. 

Models: Shayan Majd, Todd Wallace, and Glen Rodgers

This is not the photo that will appear in the series but I thought it would be fun to post an outtake.

Model: Sherry Zeng (http://www.modelmayhem.com/2911939)

I became a serious mythology nerd in the 5th grade, when mythology was first introduced into my curriculum. We really only touched on Grecian mythology and, even then, only the Olympians. Over the years, I spent many hours scouring the internet and reading books (fiction and nonfiction) on mythological subjects. I literally can (and have) spent hours on Wikipedia reading page after page on different deities.

This past weekend, I went out to Red Bud Isle to experiment the technique I had decided to use for this series. I shot a few self portraits, thinking that at some point in the series I would like to insert myself as a primordial deity.  Below is a photo that I had, at first, considered a failed (yet, somewhat interesting) result. 

After receiving a lot of positive feedback, I decided to put the photo into the series. Normally, I wouldn't reveal a photo until the series is finished. However, since I already posted it on Facebook, I decided that it would make a fitting sneak peak. I have decided to title this photo something like "Orpheus's Last Glimpse".

Here is a little backstory (for those who are not myth-aficionados):

Orpheus and Eurydice (whom the subject represents) are in love. Eurydice dies and Orpheus is so distraught, he travels into the Underworld to find her and bring her back into the land of the living. He eventually makes his way to Hades, lord of the Underworld, and convinces him to let him take Eurydice. Hades agrees under the proviso that Orpheus may not look upon her until they have crossed back through completely, lest she be returned to the Underworld for all time. The entire journey Orpheus refrains from looking at his love. So eager is he to see her finally upon reaching the land of the living, that once out of the Underworld, he turns to see Eurydice. However, his impatience costs him his love, as she still had a foot in the Underworld when he laid eyes on her and she is forced to descend into death once again.

Models: Maggie Thrasher and Cold War

Assistant: Courtney Annas

Locations: Broken Spoke and the roof of the AMLI building

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of shooting two of the newest members of TXRD's Rhinestone Cowgirls, Cold Warr and Maggie Thrasher!

Here is a sneak peak! More photos to follow soon!

The investment is $100. The package includes:

• 1 hr of shooting on location. Locations outside of Austin will be subject to travel fees. 
• 5 fully edited images, chosen by the couple
• DVD of edited images with print release. 
• Private, password-protected proofing gallery for the couple to choose which images they would like edited. 
• 1 8x10 and 2 5x7 prints, chosen by the couple.
• 40% coupon with personal code to order more prints. Code can be shared with friends and family.

This package is great for engagements and families. Not valid for weddings. Offer ends Feb 10th, 2013. 

To schedule you shoot, please contact me via email ([email protected]) or phone (512-820-9339).

I began my photography career thinking that I would not undertake child photography. I was awkward with kids; I didn't know what to do around them. I was told multiple times that once I had children that is all I would want to photograph. I will admit that I scoffed at every person who told me that...

Now, I am a (fairly) new mom. My daughter, Lyra (the gorgeous model in these photos), just turned 5 months old. In those 5 months, my attitude has 180-ed. Being around her and hanging out with other moms who have young children, I am beginning to see the quirks, the personalities, the tiny "adults"...

As much as I love playing in the studio, children shine more in their own surroundings. Photographing them at home, in their own rooms with their own toys, you get more of a sense of their unique personality. The interactions with their parents, going about their daily routines, speak more to me.

I've included a few of the photos I have taken recently of Lyra. Stay tuned for more cutie pies!