So excited to announce the winners of the top 10 contests from last week.  We had over 2,500 votes and some really really close categories.  In the end, these were the winners.  Thanks again to all my couples for letting me tell their story.  If you did not win, be sure and tell everyone good game before you walk off the court.  You couples that did win, make sure you celebrate responsibly.  No looting or rioting.

Engagement Session: This is the classroom where Emily & Lucas met.  This is the very place their story began.

Wedding Rings: Blake works in visual effects, I wanted him to be able to drop his rings into any film he made in the future. ;)

Bridal Session: Krystle crushed her bridal shoot at Marvin United Methodist in Tyler.

Mug Machine: Much like their wedding day, Lauren & Alex’s Mug Machine was off the hook.  (Do people still say “off the hook”?)

Random:  Lindsey & Jim’s reception and dance floor was the place to be.

Wedding:  I honestly could not have picked a better photo to win this category.

Jaime had been fighting serious migraines all day, in fact we almost had to put off the wedding till later in the day. After the ceremony they were just sitting in the kitchen resting and someone asked them if they were ready to make their entrance and have their first dance. Jaime said she didn’t think she was up for all that. Nolan said no problem. About five minutes later while holding and comforting her they broke out into a slow dance. All alone, with no fanfare, no one clapping, no one watching. I took 3 photos and walked out. It was a moment that just belonged to them.

Just the two of them on their wedding day.

It was a beautiful picture of marriage. It’s not the big public moments that get us through life. It’s not the things we say when everyone is watching. Marriage is about what we do when we are alone.

Marriage is about changing the toilet paper roll.
Marriage is about making the bed.
Marriage is about impromptu slow dances in the kitchen.

Thanks again to everyone who voted.  And to all my 2014 couples.  Let’s make some images that make these 2013 ones look like poo. :)

Get Excited!  It’s your chance to help someone win a 16×20 print!  Voting is open till midnight.  Tell your friends.

Today’s category: Engagement Sessions

Take a look at the entries then vote at the bottom of this post.

1. Cooking:  I loved watching Amanda & Clayton cook with their little girl.  Such fun memories and tasty cookies were made that day.

2. Checkers: True story. This is the moment in time when Karl taught Justine how to play checkers.

3. Austin: Hayden & Alecia are good at kissing.  They also like Austin.

4. Class: This is the classroom where Emily & Lucas met.  This is the very place their story began.

5. Paint: 1 sure fire way to improve your engagement session.  Paint fight.

6. Paddle Board: Kayla & David like each other & paddle boards.  In that order.

7. Home: This is the foundation to Lindsey & Jonathan’s 1st home together.

8. Hunt: Jessica & Casey like to shoot things.  So I shot them.

9.  Cars: Megan & Stephen met because they both loved their cars.  Now they love each other.

10. Hockey: Katelyn & Chris are both hockey fans.  Blackhawks won that night 6-2

Katelyn is from Chicago, Chris is a Dallas boy.  They love sports and each other.

Where should we go for their engagement session?  Some place fun and romantic?  Maybe a picnic basket and a red & white blanket?  Nope.

How about someplace loud and rowdy where a fight might break out and they can get mad at each other?  Yes! Perfect!  A Stars & Blackhawks game!

My favorite thing about these two is how Chris keeps Katelyn laughing.  It was hard to NOT get a photo of her just cracking up when they were together.

Sometime around the 2nd period the photo session came to an end.  You see, Katelyn’s Blackhawks were beating Chris’ Stars 3-0.  Chris got a little grumpy.

That’s ok though.  (I work for the bride.)

Megan & Stephen’s story began like most great love stories.

Boy meets car.  Girl meets car.  Boy & Girl meet at car meeting.

You see Megan & Stephen first met at a Dallas Camaro car club meeting.  At first they didn’t quite hit it off.  I asked Megan about this and this is what she had to say.

Megan: “He thought I was a heathen and I thought he was stuck up.”
Me: “Who was right?”
Megan: “Both of us.”

Little by little they realized they kinda liked each other.  Then one day the decided they liked each other enough to get married.  Along the way they found other things they like together.

Near the top of the list if video games.  They have 2 giant TVs where they play Xbox together.  And, despite the fact that Meagan is a Marine, Stephen seams to hold his own in the first person shooter games.

After some fun at Dave & Busters we decided we had to include their babies in the session.

Stephen, thank you for letting me place a flash on your car.

Megan, thank you for helping me beat Stephen at Pac-Mac.

You guys were a blast!

Hey look.  It’s beautiful people.  In beautiful light.  Looking beautiful….

I get it.  You are engaged.  You wanna look engaged.  You wanna look like all those beautiful Pinterestable people that smile in the evening light and show off their love and diamond ring in one timeless golden photo.

Here’s the thing though, you are not everybody else.  You are you.

You may not be able to do this pose.

You may be taller than him.

He may be WAY taller than you.

Maybe he likes to wear a hat.

There are thousands of reasons why this may not work for you. You know what…. that’s ok.

Maybe when you look at those beautiful people in the golden light you think…

I hate those people.  I don’t like that photo.  Those people suck.

Here’s the thing.  You don’t have to like those photos.  You don’t have to be everyone.

You can be yourself.

Maybe you hate “fancy” clothes.  Maybe you don’t like to hug.

Maybe you would rather put on camo and go into the woods with 4 rifles, 2 bows, 1 pistol, and a knife.

Cuz you know… that’s who you are.  That’s what you do.

If that’s the case… Do it.

Be yourself.

Why would you want to copy someone else when you two are one of a kind?

I get it.  You want to have a great wedding.  So you look to everyone for ideas, inspiration, and what to do.

But, when you look at everyone else, just remember.

This is the first time you two are getting married in the history of marriages.

Your wedding is an original.

Your story is unique.

Tell it on your terms.