Hey hey, the people have spoken and here are the winners for this years contests.
Engagement: Natelee & Josh. There is something super timeless and perfect about a couple hugging while the dude makes his girl giggle.
Rings: Melanie & Aaron used these drinks during their ceremony. I’m glad their ring photo was able to include them as well.
Brides: Liz braved the stupid hot afternoon June heat for her bridal session. It was worth it. (Right Liz?)
Random: I LOVE this shot of the bride’s sisters and mom documenting their day.
Mug Machine: Hair makes the best prop.
Wedding: Breelyn & Tyson had the most perfect outdoor wedding ever. It’s only fair that their perfect outdoor photo win.
Each year it’s so hard for me to narrow down the categories and pick only 10 photos per section. This year I’m giving you a little peek behind the curtain at some of my other favorites that were not able to make the cut in wedding related categories.
Lots and lots of eye candy below. Enjoy.
Thanks to everyone who voted and a HUGE thanks to all my 2015 couples. You guys are super generous to allow me into your lives on these intimate days. You are the best.
It’s that time again. It’s time to look back at some of the best photos from 2015. Everyday we’ll be taking a look at a new category. Voting is open till 8am and the winners will be announced Monday. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print.
Today’s category: Wedding Rings
I love trying to capture what is unique about a couple and work that into a photo of their wedding rings. Here are some of my favorites from this past year.
Take a look at the entries then vote at the bottom of this post.
It’s that time again. It’s time to look back at some of the best photos from 2014. Everyday we’ll be taking a look at a new category. Voting is open till midnight and the winners will be announced Monday. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print.
Today’s category: Weddings
Take a look at the entries then vote at the bottom of this post.
One of my favorite things about my job is how unique each of my couples are, even though I’m basically shooting the same event every weekend. They all vary so much from each other due to the personalities and stories that are unfolding each day. The reasons I love these images are not because they are the most technically “correct” or most beautiful image. It’s because I feel like they nail who each of these couples are in one single image.
1. Prayer: Megan & Stephen’s faith plays a huge role in their life. (They were married at a Biblical Arts Museum for crying out loud.) Anyway, this shot of them praying together right after their First Look, just nailed them and their day.
2. Field: Amanda & Dale were planning on getting married back in 2013. Illness and other issues forced them to have to postpone their day. When April 2014 finally rolled around, you could tell they didn’t care about anything related to fancy wedding, appetizers, or linens.
They didn’t care if there were 500 guests or 5 guests. They just wanted to be married to each other.
3. Horse: Katelyn & Chris know what they want; especially Katelyn. I love brides who know what they want. Katelyn wanted a few shots at the stock yards on her way to the ceremony. We literally stopped traffic to get some shots of her and her wedding party.
4. Century Tree: If you know anything about Aggies you know they love their traditions. (Sometimes a bit too much.) Anyway, Emily & Lucas wanted to get married under the Century Tree. It’s a rare sort of deal and a bit of a guerrilla operation to make it happen. So this little moment where they were able to stand under the tree and look out at all of their friends and family that were their to support them, just made my day.
5. Hug: I’m a sucker for families. I’m a super duper sucker for families coming together. So this shot of Caleb and his daughter hugging their new bride/mom five minutes after the ceremony, melted every part of my heart.
6. Squish: Dani & Joey are super smart. As in doctor smart. As in MIT smart. Yeah. That smart. Their wedding party was full of doctor smart, MIT smart people. Doctor smart, MIT smart people are really good at being funny.
7. Shadow: Beth & Tim may have been the most “present” couple I have ever photographed. They were so aware of their day, the beginning of their marriage, the start of their life together. The reason I love this image is because of how tender it is. It’s exactly the way Tim treated and acted towards Beth all day.
8. Selfie: Shelby & Logan can own any moment they want. She is a lawyer and he is a game warden. That means you can think things are going your way and you are in charge, and suddenly, out of no where, they step in and remind you they were there all along, making sure everything went as they had planned. Right after their ceremony, they were gathered around their family and friends hanging out and talking, and I was just snapping random photos. Logan looked at me and said, “We want to take a selfie.” BOOM. Just like that they owned the moment. Their whole day was full of things like that. I loved them.
9. Shape: Jennifer loves her some architecture. Went to school for it. Knows it. Lives it. Could not stop blabbing about the Parador and how amazing it was. I know she got married because she loves Ryan. But, sometimes, I think she got married because she wanted an excuse to rent the building. ;)
10. Swag: Hilary & Kirk. Few couples intimidate me. Hilary & Kirk were one of those couples. Man, these two are full of such swag, it’s ridiculous. They are so kind and a joy to be around, but at the same time, it’s like they are on a whole other level. 99% of the time when a couple walks over to their cake to be photographed with it, they look right at me and say “What do we do?” Hilary and Kirk walked over to it and did that. Swag.
Such a perfect day. I love when I leave a wedding and feel, “it would be impossible for them to have had a better day.” That’s exactly the feeling I had at the end of Hilary and Kirk’s wedding.
This is Hilary and her sweet mother. Everything I have ever achieved or will achieve is due to the connections and opportunities this lady has given me. Thank you. ;)
Last year, I photographed Hilary’s brother’s wedding and took the image on the left. Fast forward to this wedding… As a bridesmaid was handing Hilary a bite of food, it’s like I was suddenly in the Matrix. I could not believe it was happening again and that I was given the perfect photographic bookend.
Kirk was on the phone, when someone came in to pin on his boutonniere. He asked me if he needed to put his phone down. I said no, then he proceeded to big shot all of us and started yelling “BUY BUY BUY! SELL SELL SELL!”
It’s always great when a bride chooses me to document their day. It’s even greater when families have me back for another wedding. Thank you so much Loyd’s for having two awesome kids, and letting me take photos of you and them, the day you handed them over to another. That is an honor and a privilege. Your kids ROCK and that means that you guys are pretty swell parents. ;)
Here comes the bride.
Hilary and her father took dance lessons and came up with a choreographed father daughter dance. I know I was supposed to be watching and shooting them, but I kept being drawn to her grandparents who just kept cheering and clapping during the whole dance. :)
I don’t even know why Bridesmaid # 1 is poking Bridesmaid # 2 in the mouth while #2 spills her drink as Groomsman #1 creeps in the background but I felt it was worth documenting.
Couples take note. THIS is how you stand next to your wedding cakes.
Rings are fun. Mother’s dancing is more fun. Pouty flower girls are fun to make fun of. Half eaten wedding cake is the most fun.
To Hilary & Kirk: Thanks for rocking my socks off. You guys were amazing.
Amanda and Steve may be my most favorite couple ever. In the history of couples. Ever. Because I love them so much. With my heart. Seriously. My favorite part of their wedding was seeing just how deep and rich so many of their friendships are. So, so many people came to support them and it really was a full day. OK, enough of that… on to the images.
Let’s kick off the day by getting ready at the Hyatt Regency next to Reunion Tower. Yes, please.
Early on I realized socks would play a key role in this day.
Spoiler Alert: Steve is not an American.
These little peppers are a family tradition on Steve’s side. His mother and sister spent part of the morning getting them ready for the big day.
On to the Old Red Museum located right in the heart of downtown Dallas.
HUGE shout out to Lottie and her team at Grit + Gold who made the whole day look AMAZING. (You should book them.)
Very, very “formal” photos of the guys.
Sometimes my brides are excited to get married.
USA! USA! USA!
These two had such a perfect First Look. They spent about 15 minutes talking/laughing/tearing up and exchanging gifts.
Steve gave Amanda a cool framed photo of Texas. Amanda was happy, but curious about the gift…
Then he busted out a little card that contained ANOTHER gift!!!!
It’s a painting that she saw once and loved. So he purchased it for their home and had the artist sign it. (Major bonus points.)
More “formal” photos.
Socks!
How great are these two?
Their ceremony was performed by a friend of Steve’s who had this perfect British accent. It made the whole thing feel like a Jane Austen novel. He also did a killer job on their vows. He referenced Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy, Lady & the Tramp, and Marge & Homer Simpson.
As I was shooting the image on the left, I realized that if I moved a bit to the right, I could turn Steve into a Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia Pet. Mission Accomplished!
Ceremony done. More picture goodness!
Before the reception Amanda surprised Steve with a video of recorded messages from friends and family “back home” that could not make it across the pond for the ceremony. (Major bonus points.)
What happened next may be the greatest speech I have ever experienced at a wedding. It’s impossible for me to describe, but I’ll see what I can do.
You remember that guy form A Knight’s Tale, who would go around introducing Heath Ledger before each joust? Yelling and screaming and holding the crowd in the palm of his hand?
Well, Steve’s best man did that for TEN SOLID MINUTES! Telling tale after tale of the myth and legend that is Steve Harrison. It was a riot and something I’ll never forget.
Much dancing and merriment was had.
Right before their exit Amanda & Steve did one of my favorite wedding things. They cleared the room and had a last dance all alone. Those ALWAYS work. (You should try it.)
The Mug Machine was also there. (In full force.) I’ll be posting some of those in a few days.
