One thing that a lot of “cool” wedding photographers do is post stuff on their blog that other wedding photographers are interested in. I really like to keep my site “bride-centric” but I do have a post that might benefit both bride and fellow photographers.

A question that I get asked form time to time is “Do you back up your images?” Of course the answer is yes, but I thought it would be nice to share with you you just how obsessive I am about keeping your images safe and backed up.

Before we get rolling though, let me offer this quick disclaimer: No photographer can guarantee that nothing will happen to your images, memory cards go bad, camera’s break, things get stolen. What we can do is take as many steps as possible to protect and safeguard your images to give you the best shot at never losing them. OK, on to the steps…

Step 1: Take and amazing image. Sometimes this step takes me a few tries. ;)

Step 2A: Put memory card in super secure waterproof, crush proof case in my pocket. This thing is crazy tough. It’s the best protection you can get in a memory card holder. (Amazon Link)

Step 2B: Copy cards to notebook computer at wedding. My couples that do a First Look at their wedding also get a slideshow of their wedding images set up during the reception so I already have them backed up to my notebook at this point! Here is a great shot of Kim at the Villa di Felicita in Tyler ignoring her 200 plus guests while she looks at some of her wedding photos. (WHOOP!)

Step 3: Copy images to my computer in my office.

Step 4: Copy images to multiple DVD.  I take these to my safety deposit box at the bank. I’ll be honest, I totally felt like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible while I snuck this photo inside the vault.

Step 5: Copy images to back up hard drive in my house.

Step 6: Sleep. I don’t sleep until I have backed up your images and they are in 3 places.
(A photo of me with my eyes closed and drool coming out the side of my mouth seemed inappropriate to blog)

Step 7: Edit images

Step 8: Copy edited images to DVD & take them to the bank. (I was too scared to try and take more photos inside the bank vault.)

Step 9: Upload final wedding images to a computer in California.
(That’s right, way far away from here, that way if Palestine gets nuked, you’ll feel safe knowing I have backed up your images in another state.)

Step 10: Delete original images from memory card.
I don’t delete the images form the card until I am completely finished editing your wedding. That way I am as “safe” as possible when it comes to backing up.

I’m sure this may seem like overkill to some, but if you are a bride then I hope this gives you some peace of mind and if you are a photographer I can’t encourage you enough to make multiple copies and back up your images.

I had a great time shooting Laura’s Bridal photography at The Legacy Venue in Jacksonville, TX. It was my first time there and it’s always fun to go to a new place and find little places to shoot. Here are a few of my favorites form the session.

This couch is the the bridal room! It’s soft and comfy and if you are stressed the day of your wedding you could easily take a little nap before the ceremony. :)

Had to give her shoes some blog love.

This tractor was parked off to the side and Laura was super eager to hop on it and get some shots.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this sassy look she gave. I’m pretty sure Neil sees it quite a bit.

I met Norma and Jesus in downtown Henderson, TX for a little engagement session. It was quick, it was fun, and we finished before it got too hot!

When doing an Engagement session in East Texas, you never know when a John Deer race will breaking out.

Thanks guys for a great session.

I am really pumped about Chad & Laura’s wedding next month. I fell in love with them after about 30 seconds and am really looking forward to capturing their day and taking lots and lots of pictures of them. We did their engagement session in Longview, TX and even though it was a bit warm, no one complained and we got some amazing stuff.

These two have known each other since high school and I loved their chemistry, it’s like they are in sync. They know when to smile, when to be serious, and when to snuggle up a bit and just laugh.

We started the session in Longview, but actually made a stop in Cairo.

Chad is such a gentleman, it was too bright on the roof, so he was constantly jumping off the ledge just so Laura would not be squinting in the photos.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that a few nights ago my wife and her three sisters all got together for a little girls night out. I was a kind and loving husband and stayed home and watched our 4 children, but rather than repay me by bringing me back a desert or late night snack they decided it would be fun to act like they were in middle school again and wrap my car.

I’ll go on record and say that I have the best wife and 3 sister-in-laws a man could ask for, but why they would want to mess with someone who has thousands of photos of them and hundreds of hours of home movies is beyond me. So, as a way of saying thank you I thought I’d do a small photo tribute to the Chadwell sisters.

I can’t tell if it’s Easter or Halloween.


I guess this is Halloween.

Here they are pretending to be Point of Grace.



A special thank you to Colettte. You may recall that I was kind enough to do a family session for her that very morning. :)

And finally, here is my car. 3 days later it’s still like that. I keep waiting form them to come by and clean it up, but I’m starting to loose hope.

Oh I mentioned home movies right? Here is one of their many “performances”. I trimmed it down because the whole movie was 15 minutes long and trust me, it gets painful.

Thanks again ladies.