Engagement Portraits: Jada & Jon

Jada and Jon were another of my couples to choose to do their engagement session in the fall, the most wonderful season in Texas. I went to high school with both of them, and hung out with Jada a fair bit in middle school. It's exciting seeing all my hometown buddies getting engaged - I was a bit ahead of the curve when I got married in 2009.

We romped around on the train tracks, but Jada and Jon currently hold the title for Most Awesome Clients Ever because they arranged with a local pilot to let us use his cherry red airplane for part of our session. So. Awesome. They didn't even know the guy. They just cold called his house a week or so before the shoot and begged and pleaded. I think there might have been baked goods involved. Did I mention that they're awesome? Because, wow.

They've now outdone themselves in an even bigger and better way in the Awesome category, but more on that in a minute.

Airplane!

I'm in love with Jada's tattoos. Makes me want to expand on my own. Mom and Dad, you never read this. Never happened.

There have been a few changes in plans along the way in their wedding planning process, for which Jada is always adorably apologetic. First 'twas going to be a ginormous wedding this coming Fall, but she decided a big wedding was not what she wanted after all. Next was a plan for a Spring wedding with just their very nearest and dearest at a historic courthouse or somewhere equally interesting locally. And now, a Spring wedding is still in the works, but it has been moved to SCOTLAND and I'm going with.

In case you didn't hear me,

I'm going to Scotland.

I love all my clients but they're winning the Most Awesome Clients Ever award fair and square right now. But if anyone wants to take me along to Ireland...

Allen, TX Engagement Portraits: Aislinn & Sean

Back in November, I met up with Aislinn and Sean on the decommissioned railroad tracks in Allen. This is definitely one of my favorite places in town to shoot, and oh man, the November evening light was so, so gorgeous streaming through the golden Autumn leaves. Fall is hands down my favorite season in North Texas, and Fall photo sessions are a large part of that.

These two are silly and adorable and so obviously in love. It makes my job so easy and fun.

They spontaneously broke out in a stick duel. I'm happy to document it. I would like to see a rematch on the wedding day though.

They're hogging all the gorgeous blue eyes and it isn't fair.

I'm a simple solitaire sort of girl, so naturally I -love- Aislinn's ring. Gorgeous.

Favorite shot of the day, hands down:

Although today was 70+ degrees and beautiful (January, what are you doing?) I still want to bottle this November light up and carry it with me always.

We ended the session over at Allen Heritage Village, another favorite haunt of mine.

I'm so looking forward to shooting their wedding in April. I couldn't ask for more fun, photogenic clients (despite what people may have told you Sean, you're -both- naturals in front of the camera) and I have no doubts that their wedding will be a joy to shoot.

Snow in North Texas

We got a pretty good amount of snowfall on Sunday in the affectionately dubbed Snowpocalypse 2011. There's about 3 inches of snow that's still hanging out in my front yard on Wednesday, which is pretty remarkable for Texas. I'm used to getting a half inch overnight and it being gone by noon the same day!

I had a great time running around in the snow with my great danes, my cousin and his family, and one of my good friends. I still need to go through the rest of my photos but here's one of my favorites with a little animation thrown in for extra fanciness.

2010 Recap: Favorite Wedding Photos

In 2010, I was lucky enough to shoot my first three weddings. It's not exactly an impressive number, but it's a number I'm proud of all the same. I was the second shooter at the first, and the primary photographer at the other two. Each wedding was such a learning and growing experience, and I'm incredibly thankful to the brides, grooms, and their families who welcomed me into their important life events. Part of why I didn't more actively pursue weddings at first was that I wasn't sure if I would enjoy working these sometimes stressful events. I can now confidently say that I love it. I really can't think of anything I'd find more rewarding than documenting these awesome celebrations of love. I thrive on the adrenaline-fueled breakneck pace.

Here's a peek back at my three 2010 weddings.

Raquel Cesar:

Sara & Trenton:

Kate & Greg:

I've already booked four weddings in the first half of 2011, and I'm incredibly excited for each of them. I already knew one or the other member of most of these couples, but I've loved getting to know them and their fiances better at their included engagement sessions. I know the weddings of 2011 are going to rock my face off. Can't wait!

2010 Recap: Favorite Solo Portraits

I shot a variety of solo sessions this last year. Sometimes paid, sometimes for my own enjoyment. Many of these have not yet made it onto my blog, but I'm doing my best to get caught up on blogging. As previously mentioned, I don't really do New Years Resolutions, but my non-resolution is to get back on the blogging wagon.

Here are some of my favorite solo shots from 2010, many of which you'll see more of soon. Some are Senior Portraits, some are Bridals, some have more of a fashion direction, and many were just because I had a hankering to shoot and a friend conveniently at hand. One of my favorite sessions was for my sister's Roller Derby draft application.

Caitlyn:

Kristi:

Trish:

Christina:

Sara:

Casey:

Ryan:

Jessie:

I get to work with such beautiful people. :)

Mary