It’s that time again. It’s time to look back at some of the best photos from 2017. Everyday we’ll be taking a look at a new category. Voting is open till 10:00am the next day and the winners will be announced Monday 22, 2018. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print. Today’s category: Engagement Sessions Take a look at the entries then vote at the bottom of this post.

1. Stairs:

2. Movie:

3. Car:

4. Books:

5. Weights:

6. Gaze:

7. Roar:

8. Wood:

9. Secret:

10. 3rd Wheel:

It’s that time again. It’s time to look back at some of the best photos from 2016. Everyday we’ll be taking a look at a new category. Voting is open till 10:00am the next day and the winners will be announced Monday 23, 2017. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print. Today’s category: Engagement Sessions Take a look at the entries then vote at the bottom of this post.

1. Jump 2. Beer 3. Coffee 4. Books 5. Art 6. Steps 7. 12th Man 7. Hammock 9. CrossFit 10. Bokeh

Hannah & Rob are the very reason I think I have one of the best jobs in the world. They were such a joy to get to know and I left their session with a full full heart.

(We also took photographs.)

Hannah is a residential and commercial architect so naturally we started at the Cullen Sculpture Garden in Houston.

I asked Hannah what first attracted her to Rob and she instantly started gushing about his sense of humor.  She loves how random and quirky he is.

About 30 minutes into their first date they were crossing the street and he turns to her and asks:
Do you like chicken?
She said yes, to which he stuck out his arm and said,
“Grab a wing”.

Game. Set. Match.
That’s how it’s done folks.

Another thing I love about their story is that they met the old fashion way. Online dating.
And, AND, 6 months into it Hannah knew this was legit and began the process of growing her hair out for her wedding.  That is some legit planning on her part. #rapunzel

Rob told me that during their first date he was training for a triathlon and he had already had a big lunch and was not eating much at dinner.

That did not however deter Hannah, she went on to order a full plate of Bar-B-Q.

He talked about how much he LOVED that she was willing to be herself regardless of how that might “appear” or look.  Spoiler Alert: Hannah is a human.  She eats food.

A word to all you other ladies out there looking for love:
Real men are attracted to women who are not afraid to be themselves.
Real men are not “put off” by a confident woman.
Real men are attracted to a woman who is secure in her self and opinions.

Especially when those options are “I think I’ll have some more brisket.”

111 year old architecture for the win! Thanks St. Paul United Methodist Church.

One last note, all throughout our session we kept seeing these little caterpillars.
We loved them, I hope you do too.

Garden

If you have ever bought property, you know the most important rule.

Location. Location. Location.

Rebecca & Tony work in the medical & finance field. But if they ever decide to switch careers, I think real estate is their true calling.

Let’s start with our getting ready location.  Hotel Zaza. (yes, please.)

I still don’t understand why people pay me to do this job.  It’s the best.

I would like to take this moment to publicly shame Tony for telling his sister that she had to have her kids ready for photos a full FIVE hours before the actual time.  What kind of brother does that?  Boo, Tony.  Boo.

(Also, props to his sister for actually pulling it off and KEEPING her kids happy and dressed until photo time eventually rolled around.)

First Look magic at Hotel Zaza

Bridal party photos location.  (not bad)

Not bad at all.

Rebecca loves to kiss Tony.  Tony loves to shy away from her kisses.  I see this trend continuing well into their 70’s when she eventually breaks him.

Wait… what’s that on the wall?  Could it be?

DINOSAURS!!!!!!

Of course they are getting married at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.  Why wouldn’t they?

Typically I walk around getting photos of the decorations a couple has selected for their wedding.

This was what I got to take pictures of instead.

Of course this guy was part of their wedding day.

I LOVE when couples share a private meal together.

I think it’s like 1 out of every 5 weddings where the ring has trouble going on the guy.

Tony said some of the sweetest vows to his bride.

That moment just after you are married.  (With dinosaur.)

Couples are always asking me how the family formals can look better.  Easy.  Add dinosaurs.

I tried so hard to think of a funny joke about rings and teeth but could not come up with one.

You know what makes feeding each other cake better?

Feeding each other cake in front of a triceratops butt.

Thank you guys for a great day.  As AMAZING as your locations were, I know your story will be better.

Tony’s opening questions on OKCupid was “Did you go to Hopkins?” (As in Johns) Rebecca said it was the least creepiest, most interesting opening line she had ever heard and was curious about this guy. Turns out she has pretty good instincts.

Their story started while she was finishing up medical school. Their work schedules were off, and, like most people starting their residency, Rebecca did not have much free time. But she did have to eat. Tony seized the opportunity and brought her pizza. He basically became her private delivery boy; any excuse to see her.

Apparently, Rebecca and my wife Danielle have the same Love Language-Fun Food.

About half way through our session, Rebecca noticed this sign in the gardens and demanded a photo with it.
“Even tiny balls and little feet can crush our babies.” Uh… yes please.

Rebecca said that her favorite thing about Tony is how when they fight, it feels like they figure something out on the other side of it.  I think that may be my favorite answer ever.  Seriously, if you hang out with ANYONE long enough, you are going to disagree.  The couples that can work through those and learn from them are the couples that stay together.  I LOVE that they are already starting to click in that area.  684 Relationship Points go to Rebecca & Tony!

I always love when one person is ready to kiss the other and the other person is like… not quite right now.

So even though Rebecca is the bubbly outgoing one in the relationship, it was super obvious how much Tony values and respects her.  He was so tender and kind to her the whole session.  I loved how he listened to her and how his steady personality is the perfect balance to her go-go fun-fun one.

Reason 892 why Rebecca and Tony are great together.  He puts up with her hip checks when they are just walking through Herman park.

Tony’s willingness to go with the flow and Rebecca’s fun quirky spirit is what’s going to keep these two together.

That and Tony buying her pizza throughout the years.