Callie & PJ are the chill, laid-back type of couple that I adore hanging out with.  They are such honest souls and getting to tell part of their story is the best job ever. #truth

These two met their final years at SFA. They were both in the band program and knew of each other, but had never dated.  Callie had previously been engaged and it ended in a break up. PJ mentioned that after he saw Callie go through that break up, he made sure that they started to cross paths more and more. ;)  They spent the next few years dating and are now about to get married; all while being band directors at different schools. (How impressive are these two?)

I casually asked PJ what he played and he said….

“Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, baratone, trombone, tuba & percussion.”

Then Callie added… “And piano.”

You know.. like you do.

I hate people who play instruments.

And by “hate” I mean “I am jealous of them and wish I was them so that I could look down on people like myself who do not play instruments”.

I asked Callie what first attracted her to PJ, and she talked about how funny he was, and how he was the president of his fraternity.

I took this to mean Callie is a Gold Digger and is only attracted to his status.  (Little known fact: high school band directors make BANK.)

She then went on to talk about how he “made me feel worthy of having my own opinion. He supported me and let me be my own person”.

Which makes it seem like a much healthier relationship and makes me love them even more.

I think it’s obvious which one they will choose for their Save the Date mail out.

PJ said his favorite thing about her is that “there is just not a lot of guessing with her.  She tells you what she is feeling or thinking.  There is no hidden agenda or manipulation”.  Anytime I hear couples talk about how their partner’s honesty and support is what draws them towards each other, I know that they are on the right track.  Thank you guys for a swell afternoon and I still hate you for all the instruments you play.

My 10 favorite moments from Adam & Mallory’s chill El Cerrito Lodge wedding day.

1. Breast. Makeup Artist. Ever.

When your sister-in-law can nurse and do your makeup all at once you know you are marrying into a good family.

2. The cakes.

What could I possibly say about these that you don’t’ already know.  My email signature is “High Five” and yeah… an Nintendo Entertainment System.

3. Wait

I love catching these moments every week.  We father’s spend a lifetime waiting on our daughter’s to be ready.  A wedding day is the pinnacle of years of training.

4. Mallory’s Expressions.

She spent the whole day making silly faces.  I knew her walk down the aisle would not disappoint.

5. Finally

They joy that I see from couples after the ceremony ends is always so great.

6. Secure

My favorite thing about these two is how secure they are with each other and comfortable they were just hanging out on their wedding day.

7. Mullet

Shut it down.

8. 442

They see me rollin’.

9. Beard

Anytime you and your daughter have matching facial hair, you’re doing it right.

10. Last Dance

There are only two appropriate ways to end a wedding.  Either with EVERYONE on the dance floor or with NO ONE on the dance floor.

Thank you guys for trusting me with your day.  You are the best.

Snake Attack Day is upon us once more. It’s the time of year when we pull our loved ones in and hug them even tighter and remember just how precious life is. How danger lurks round every corner.

12 years ago while sitting at my desk working I heard Danielle let out a blood curdling scream.  Being someone who likes to document events I grabbed my camera and headed her way.  The following video is the result.

So now each year we celebrate our victory over the slithery beast.  We partake in gummy worms and crushed oreos to remind us of how close we came to defeat.  We tell tells of battles won against the serpents of yesteryear.  We share theses stories to remind the young that one day their time will come.  They will have a family and house of their own to defend.  And just when all hope seams lost they will think back on April 5,  2006 and remember how their father conquered the carnivorous reptile and protected his legacy and linage.

Happy Snake Attack Day everyone.

So if you have spent anytime on my blog you kinda know the formula…

Talk about how much I love the wedding location. (The Hilton Rockwall Lakefront was perfect.)

Maybe mention how smooth the guys were.

Perhaps a nod to how much I love tiny humans. (Especially if the flower girl is the groom’s daughter.)

And humor.  Jokes are always great, as in… True story, Linda anchored herself by holding on to her two pregnant bridesmaids… because you know… nothing says immovable object like two women great with child.

Yeah… that formula does not work here.  Because Linda & Joseph have a story that breaks the formula.

This is their second time getting married to each other.

Here they are back in the day when they were married for the first time.

BOOM!  I just broke your brain right?!

These two met as teenagers and were married a few years later.  He had enrolled in the Marines, and they started their life together on the base.  Soon after September 11th, he was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and more countries than most of us can name. When he returned, Joseph said he came back “a different person”. And rather than confiding in her, he felt like he couldn’t talk to her about any of it.

A short while later, they decided to get a divorce due to infidelity on his part.

Engaged at 18, married at 20, divorced at 25.

Now right then and there, these two have lived through enough heartache and struggles that would break most of us. But this is not where their story ends.

After the divorce, they went their separate ways and started dating other people.
Joseph met someone and they soon became pregnant with that adorable flower girl you saw earlier.

When Joseph talks about this time in his life, he is crystal clear on what the problem was–Him.
“I was not looking at relationships in a biblical sense. I was not saved, and I was just looking out for myself.”

Linda and Joseph had stayed in touch, and a mutual friend mentioned to him that maybe God was bringing them back together.  As improbable as this seemed, this is actually what started to happen.  Little by little, with a lot of work and intentionality on both their parts, “and through God’s grace,” Joseph added, they had restored their relationship and made the commitment to circle back around to marriage.  This time with God being at the center of it.

Back to 2018…

When you are in a room full of men praying for a marriage that is happening again despite war, isolation, adultery, and divorce…

You pause.
You breathe deeply.
You thank God for his grace.

When they went to take communion, they realized someone did not fill the cup. (I gave Joseph a hard time about this later.)
“Jesus knows we took communion in our heart,” he said. (Fair point.)

Of course they took time out to wash each other’s feet.  This is something I’ve had many couples do throughout the years.  The beautiful thing about these two doing this, is they KNOW how hard marriage can be.  They have seen the toll it can take.  They have experienced first hand the destruction selfishness can cause.  So for them, this was not an act of symbolism, but a tangible commitment to serve one another.

We had a little downtime before we headed to the reception, which always leads to great candids: chill bridesmaids, pack-mule groomsmen, Joseph offering another foot washing, and selfie fun.

“Having her through all the struggles and trials, it led me to know that’s God’s grace is perfect. Regardless of whatever sins you have in your life, God’s grace is sufficient.”

“We’ve come so far, and transformed into something so much better, because of Him.”

They hit the reception and were ready to go for the rest of the night.

My favorite part was when Linda’s father sang to his family, and then busted out an entire song to his own bride. #winning

I’m going to leave you with what is my favorite moment from their day.  The clearest picture of marriage I can give you. Service.

Lindsay & Chris crushed their wedding day.  Not because everything was perfect, but because they never let the little bumps mess with their mojo.

These two were married at Wylde Acres.  A “new-ish” venue in the Longview area.  There are 2 reasons’s I can’t say enough great things about this place.
1. I genuianly LOVE it.
2. Lindsay’s parents own the joint so I’m pretty sure they will be reading this post.
(Side note to other photographers out there: I’ve had the privilege of shooting a few venue owners daughter’s weddings over the years.  It’s always an extra special honor because I know they see so many great photographers and that they would trust me with “their day” is a huge vote of confidence.  If you get asked to do one of these weddings, don’t sweat it.  Do you thing. That’s why they are asking you to take the photos.  It’ll be fine.  These brides are no more special than normal brides.  OK, that’s a lie, they are more special.  They are magical.  The normal brides are just regular every day brides.

Calavera Cakery.  Boom.  Yummy and Pretty.

Ampersand Family was there filming and I loved creeping in on this moment where Lindsay was reading her vows.

Say hello to Cruz.  He was there to watch his parents get married.  (He’s the best.)

Lindsay went back and forth on doing a First Look.  About 4 days before the wedding her and Chris decided to do one and I’m so thrilled they did.  These moments are always some of my favorites from the day.

Hello beautiful people.

True story.  I took the following photos in 43 seconds.  Kids ain’t got time for slow photographers.

Speaking of kid’s ain’t got time…. Cruz was ready for his nap.

Chris is like a professional expression maker.  I loved all the random faces I caught him making on their day.

There were a few members of the wedding party who were… what’s the word…. oh yeah…complaining that we went all they way out to the wood pile for these shots.  I’m so so sorry I asked that of you.  If you want I can delete these photos and we can pretend this moment never happened.

Fantasy and Fairytale Floral Designs did an amazing job.

Just as we were finishing photos it started to drizzle.  Chris was super prepared and was ready with the umbrella.

Turns out Linday’s nephew was more prepared and loaded her up onto the Kubota and drove her to safety.

Cruz. Happy again.

I kept waiting for a kid to in for a Caparisun and come out with a Keystone.

I noticed something on Robin’s dress earlier and sure enough, it’s just what I thought it was. #cruz #grandmother

Cruz was more interested in his shoe than his parents joining together in holy matrimony.

Lindsay’s late brother Maverick bought and drove this van to Alaska a few years ago.  It’s super special to their family so of course we worked it into the day.

(Faithful readers will also recognize it from Britany & Aaron’s wedding.  Aaron went on that cross country trip as well.)

Things that guests sign that you display are my favorite thing to make guests sign.

I dig it when the couple’s grandparents win the anniversary dance.

I’ve seen a lot of guys go in for the garter.  I’ve never had one come out with this look on his face.

The only thing these two do better than dance is karaoke.

Why yes, that is a cup of alchohol flying through the air.

Lindsay was the best bride.  #1.

You two were a joy.  Thank you for trusting me with your special day. (Not that your day was any more special than a normal bride’s day.)

(j/k it totally was more special.)