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.

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 8am tomorrow and the winners will be announced Monday. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print. Today’s category: Bridal Sessions

Here’s what’s great about bridal sessions, you get to have all kinds of fun in your dress and we get photos that we probably could not get on the wedding day. Take a look at the entries then vote at the bottom of this post.

1. Kalley (Stone Oak Ranch) 2. Exie (Fin & Feather Resort) 3. Catherine (Castle on the Lake) 4. Monica (Dallas Arboretum) 5. Anna Caroline (Lake Tyler Petroleum Club) 6. Kaitlan (Stone Oak Ranch) 7. Rachel (Stone Oak Ranch) 8. Abby (Villa di Felicita) 9. Chloe (Lake Tyler Petroleum Club) 10. Lindsay (Wylde Acres)

True story: Anytime a bride starts her day getting ready at the house she grew up in, it’s always my most favorite thing in the world.

One of the best things about wedding days is you never really know what is going to “hit” you, or when certain emotions will just take over.  Everyone had been laughing and talking as the girls got brunch set up, then Alex’s mom asked everyone to circle up to pray.  The minute they had all joined hands, her mom broke down.

Tears of joy.
Tears of sadness.
Tears that said I’m so excited for this moment.
Tears that said I’m so proud of you in this moment.
Tears that said all the things that words never could say.

I love when those moments happen, and it’s always an honor to be there to help families remember them.

Think of all the times and years that Alex spent in that backyard.  Running with friends, playing with her dog, listening to music. A literal lifetime of memories is held there, and now it’s the backdrop for brunch the morning of her wedding.  (I also totally loved her dad just sitting inside the house alone eating a sandwich.)

Beautiful makeup shots are easy.  Makeup shots where your eyeball is all wonky are so much more fun.

Sandia Presbyterian Church was legit.  I loved it.

Rob’s father had a photo like this with HIS dad helping him get ready.  I dig generational things like this.  So great.

Rob’s father did NOT have a photo of him and his groomsmen playing basketball on his wedding day.

Yeah, yeah. I get that they are for hanging the dress, but they are also great gags for fun photos.

It’s always a plus when your groom can have you go from tears to laughter in the same paragraph.

Of COURSE the grandparents were able to watch via FaceTime.

Of course we got a photo with the FaceTiming Grandparents.

Did I mention there were mountains?

Some people are just good at being photographed.

Also, shout out to Sandia Golf Club, because that place is legit.

Alex grew up looking at these mountains and for sure wanted a photo of her in her dress doing that very thing.

When your favorite people in the world say wonderful things about you, it makes my job so, so easy.

The rest of the night was a non-stop dance party.  But after a few hours I looked around and could not find Alex & Rob.

I managed to find her Dad sitting alone and content. But I still could not track them down.

Eventually I found her.  Alone.  IN a room just vegging.  Dress tossed over a chair.  “Do you guys want to do an exit or anything?,” I asked.  “No,” she said. “We just like to leave when no one is paying attention.  It’s like our move at parties, so we are going to do it tonight as well.”

So I snagged a photo of them chilling in a quiet room and walked out.

And some point later that night, when no one was looking, they left quietly to start their life together.  Because sometimes that’s what being married is all about.

It’s about knowing what you want and just moving forward. Maybe some people will like it, surely some people won’t. But if you know it’s what’s best for the two of you, you do it.  Because at the end of the day, you two are the only ones in the marriage.

Thank you guys for trusting me with your day. It was an honor and a joy.

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 10am and the winners will be announced Monday. The winning entries will each receive a 16×20 print.

Today’s category: Bridal Sessions

Here’s what’s great about bridal sessions, you get to have all kinds of fun in your dress and we get photos that we probably could not get on the wedding day.

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

1. Lacey (The SPRINGS Event Venue)

2. Amanda (Castle on the Lake)

3. Rebekah

4. Cassi (Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens)

5. Alex (Elmwood Gardens)

6. Sarah (Cedar Croft Plantation)

7. Leah (Lake Tyler Petroleum Club)

8. Paige (The Landing at Joshua Farms)

9. Ashley (Goodman Museum)

10. Kathrine (Harmony Chapel)

Erin & Aaron are the most Dallasy couple I’ve had in a while. They are all about the city, the fun, and the Dallasness of Dallas.

Of course Klyde Warren Park is their jam.

The cool thing about photography is that you can make people look good at ping pong… even if they are not.

(Not that I’m saying that about these two.  Not at all.)

These two met while working at the same job. Early on, they noticed each other, but it took Aaron about 3 months to actually call her up because he was nervous about dating someone from work. (Apparently he’s moved on from that fear.)

One of my favorite moments from their dating story was when Aaron moved into an apartment in Erin’s complex.  She helped him move in and while he was returning the truck, she totally set up his place. Furniture, cleaning supplies, organization, etc. He came back to a totally prepped home. (Major girlfriend points scored.)

I TOLD you these people are Dallas. While shooting their session a car starts yelling at Erin. Of course it’s some person they know, randomly driving by. Why wouldn’t it be? There are only 1,281,047 people who live there.

So about a year after she had helped him move into his apartment, Erin had asked him to help her rearrange some furniture, but he told her he could not make it. (Major boyfriend points lost.)

Little did she know he was meeting with her parents to ask for her hand in marriage. (Like you do.) Erin got a bit huffy, but eventually got over not having a moving buddy that day.

The day AFTER he didn’t help her rearrange his apartment, he called Erin and said he needed some help moving stuff at his place. (True story.) When she got there, she found this.

That’s right.  The boy had fired up his old iPhone, printed out all their past text messages, and basically presented her with a novel proclaiming his love. (Major fiancé points scored.)

I had the best time with these two. Not just because of their perfect humor and personalities, but because it’s so evident how they compliment each other. Aaron talked about how much compassion Erin has for others and her willingness to do things for them without being asked. Erin went on and on about how tenderhearted he is and that his servant’s heart is what drew her to him.

I love these two and as excited I am for their July wedding, I’m more excited to see and follow their little love story over the next decade.