You may remember these two from a video I posted back in February. I had talked to them before the session about wanting to try something slightly different with them and they had said they were up for anything and for me to do whatever I wanted to. A lot of couples say this to their photographer, but few actually mean it. I knew they did so it was really fun to have complete creative freedom and I’m really excited about how everything wen

Here is a little background before we get to the images.

I absolutely LOVE doing engagement sessions, they are a great way to hang out and get to know each other before the wedding, but sometimes they come with a huge level of awkwardness. For many couples they go like this….

Photographer: “Hi, it’s great to see/meet you guys again.”
Couple: “Hi.” (In a nervous tone that indicates they may have even had a fight about what to wear 30 minutes ago.)
Photographer: “OK, let’s get started. You guys kiss and act in love and I’ll take pictures of you.”

You can see how this is less than ideal. I am constantly looking for ways to make these sessions look and feel more natural and I love it when at the end the guys say, “that was kinda fun”. (I’ve had a few couples say it was their “best date ever”. Which, if you think about it is kinda sad, but anyway… :) ) One of the things I am looking to do more are “Lifestyle Sessions” This is where we document what your real life looks like, rather than me sticking you by a tree or having you walking on a train track and pretend to hang out. It’s a lot more natural for you guys and it’s a true reflection of what you guys are like as a couple. These sessions take a bit longer, but are totally worth it in my opinion. The best part is, they don’t cost any extra, so if you are due for a session and think this is for you, E-mail me and we’ll chat about it. OK, enough about that, on to the images.

As much as they talk about Stanley’s and eat there I knew this would have get included. (This is even where we had our consultation.)



Remember, “natural”, that’s the goal of these sessions. They ALWAYS eat ribs this way. ;)

It’s like a before and after photo.

Lilli has great eyes and perfect little smile and Cameron knows just what to say to make it all happen.

I totally did a double take when Lilli was putting her shoes on. Give it up for the skull socks.

When Lilli was winning after 3 frames I was pretty impressed that Cameron didn’t go into “guy mode” and abandon the photo shoot in order to focus on his game.

Thanks guys for a great morning.

Many of you will recognize Kim and Josh from my little promo video that Vaness McKellar did for me. If you have not seen it before, grab some popcorn and take a minute to watch it. You’ll see just how much fun the two of them are.

(Mini Rant 1: Vanessa was there filming the wedding since her and her husband are so great to work with and I believe EVERY couple should have their wedding filmed we are offering a little deal for future brides. Stay tuned to the blog for details coming soon.)

Anyway, I had such a great time at Kim & Josh’s wedding. I was there for a little over 10 hours and loved being able to capture the day form beginning to end. Rather than me blab on and on, Let’s get to the images.

The Villa was as always… a perfect place to have a wedding.

In true Aggie fashion, they brought this and basically tailgated before the wedding. It was pretty awesome.

Kim was a perfect bride in the sense that she let others help her and pamper her, but still took time to make sure everyone else was having a good day.

So I brought this chair in from outside for the flower girl to sit on and someone shouted “Frog!” We had yet to see Josh, so could this be a Magical Disney Moment?

Those of you who know Josh and his fondness for the color burnt orange will appreciate this photo. ;)

About 2 weeks ago Kim called me and said. “OK, Josh and I have decided to see each other before the ceremony. I thought I’d tell you so you could be excited.” :) I was giddy.

(Mini Rant 2: Unless you go a wedding weekend after weekend there really is no way of describing how hectic and “un-romantic” SOME of them can be. There are literally hundreds of people around, all of them are wanting to talk to both the bride and groom, there is a timeline that we have to stay on or guests start to bolt for the doors, and every now and then people are running late from the get go. Every time couple choose to see each other before hand I love it. Not because it makes my job easier, or because I’m ready to get the pictures over with, but because I know that you will have some time alone. Time to reflect on the day, time to enjoy each other’s company, and time to whisper nice things in each other’s ears. If it really is a day about just the two of you, then having some moments like these guarantees that it turns out that way. Oh by the way, we’ll also get TONS of super great shots of the two of you.)

Kim had been “fine” all day, but the second she stepped into that chapel, she started tearing up.

One of my favorites form the day.

Kim’s family is not normal. Josh is.

Kim not being a big cake fan, decided to have Josh feed her chips and salsa.

Casey Brown, the best DJ in the area, was there making sure everyone had a good time.

The Vendors
DJ: CMB DJs
Flowers: Michele’s Flowers by Ela
Venue: Villa di Felicita
Videography : Vanessa McKellar Productions

Today Jo and I are off to Dallas for me to do a bit of camera shopping and have a Super Man Mission and take in Texas Rangers game. We all went as a family a few weeks ago so I thought I’d share a few images from the trip. Enjoy.

I seriously have no idea how parents traveled with kids before iPods and iPhones.

They have this “kid field” at the stadium and I think Jo liked it more than the game.

If anyone is wondering how much icee does it take to give a 4 year old a head ache, 64oz is about enough.

Sara also played a bit of Plinko and got a “Home Run”, alas Bob was no where to be found.

Luke was all about the cotton candy.

Jo wore a hand-me-down Alex Rodriguez jersey. Thankfully he only had one beer poured on him.

I also got so engaged in taking shots of Jo with the Big League Chew that I didn’t realize he had about half the package in his mouth.

Chelsea & Tyson had a great little wedding out on Lake Tyler. I first met up with the girls at Chelsea’s house and found this note on the door.  

See if you can spot my petite little shoes

Tyson is a smooth guy, but I think Carson, the ring bearer, may have him beat.  

They seriously look like one of those families that you get a picture of when you buy a frame. You know, the pretty people that we all look at and go, “why don’t we look like that?”  

Carson apparently had had his fill of being photographed.  

Ok, so I’ll admit it, while at a wedding I’m always on the look out for engaged or super cool maybe they’ll be engaged soon couples. Later in the evening these two came up to me and said they were close to getting engaged and wanted to chat about me shooting their wedding. I was pretty excited because I had spotted them earlier and was like… “ooh, they would be fun to photograph!” Anyway, I’m blogging a shot of them dancing to be nice to them and increase my odds of booking their wedding. :) (Hey at least I’m honest.)  

Just because you are getting married in “East Texas” does not mean you are limited to 1 of the 4,283 tiny Baptist churches in the area. There are some AMAZING venus around and they offer a lot of advantages when planning your wedding. They have a staff that takes care of little details, they typically have 1-2 sometimes 3 weddings per week so they know the ins and outs of a wedding day, and many of these places provide an on-site coordinator that help your day run smooth and let your mom/aunt/sister just enjoy the day rather than plan and worry up to the last minute. Anyway, here is a little info on one of my favorites, Elmwood Gardens.

This place is out of a fairy tale. Seriously, it’s like an enchanted garden that you could spend a month at and still not explore every place.  

Finally, a little Q & A with the owner Dee Dee Turnage.

How did you guys get started, How long have you been doing this?
My son and his fiancee were the first wedding and gave us the idea. Since 2001. 

What is your favorite part about your job?
Being able to be creative.

What is the craziest thing that has ever happened at your venue? (This of course does not mean that you were responsible for the crazy.)
Groom arrived by helicopter while a gunfight was taking place.  (call for details) 

What are some things brides should look for when looking for a venue?
A manager and staff that are professional, courteous, and put the bride’s needs first. 

What is something unique to your venue that you are extra proud of?
The natural layout of our beautiful gardens and statuary, and the way they blend with the architecture of our buildings.

Website: http://www.elmwoodgardens.com/
Phone: 903.724.5619

Oh, and in case you need any more convincing, take a look at this smoking hot couple who choose to get married there way back in 2002. :)