Engagement Photography Tyler, TX | Heather & Blake
Engagement Photography Tyler, TX | Heather & Blake

When I was talking with Heather & Blake about what they love to do together as a couple, the things that kept popping up were video games and wrestling. :) At first, this threw me off.  But, once they explained that their family already included 10 & 8 year old boys, it all made perfect sense.  Heather really impressed me with her ability to be “giddy engaged girl”, but still hold her own among all the testosterone in the room. Here are a few of my favorites.

100% natural lens flare. Yummy!

Everyone loves Mario Kart.

Check out the rock!  I can’t wait to get some ring shots of this thing on the wedding day!


The boys are at the age where wedgies are “fun”  Blake is happy to oblige.


Yep, that’s an official regulation size wrestling mat in the living room.


How about those eyes?


Keep an eye out for the wedding at Castle on the Lake in about a month!

read more
Interview: Lauren & Brent
Interview: Lauren & Brent

Typically what you get from this site are photos of weddings that just happened, or my opinion on wedding related topics. But, as important as my opinions are, maybe you should hear from real couples who have been married a little while. So I thought it would be fun to start interviewing past brides and grooms. To actually meet up and sit down with these couples to see if they have any advice for you brides who are still in the thick of this wedding planning process.

What better way to start this series than with one of my all-time favorite couples: Lauren & Brent.

These two had an incredible wedding at the Villa di Felicita in Tyler about a year ago. I visited their place in College Station to chat about the wedding process, photography, and even asked them if they still like their wedding photos. (You’ll have to watch the video to get the answer.) 

 

Also, many of you may not have seen their wedding images so here are just a few of my favorites.

wedding photography tyler tx

read more
Less Bars in More Places
Less Bars in More Places

Today’s topic is a dangerous one and I mention it with much hesitancy. It’s a new tradition that is rising among brides and one that I think the quicker we get rid of it, the smoother wedding days will be. The tradition I’m talking about is… (Drumroll)

Brides on cellphones.

That’s right. That little device that we all own and love called our phone. First off. It takes an addict to spot one, and I can assure you Danielle and I BOTH feel lost without our phones. When the iPhone first came out a few years ago, I got one right away.  Danielle’s plan was to “wait” and see if she liked mine. 1 week later, she had one too. :) Phones today are great. We can get txt messages, photos, update our twitter/facebook status, and I think some even make phone calls. I however, would make the argument that every single person you would want or need to communicate with on your wedding day should be within 10 feet of you. I mean really, think about it. It’s one of those rare moments when all of the most important and closest people in your lives are in one building. Your college roommate, your sister, your friend that you have been close with since the 3rd grade; they are all right there.

But wait, you say, how will my cousin get directions to the venue?

Who will remind my brother to grab the rings from the hotel?

What if my mother needs to ask me a last minute question about where to put the programs?

The great thing about ALL of these questions is that YOU don’t have to answer them.
This is where a planner, bridesmaid, or Secretary of Communications can step in.
(I just invented a new title you can give a friend. If I see that in your wedding program, I’ll give you $100 cash on your wedding day.)

Really though, get a phone screener. I have no problem with you sending a sweet txt messages to your groom or talking to your grandmother who could not make it to the wedding. Those are ways your phone can enhance your wedding day. Too many times though I’ve seen a bride get frustrated with the person on the other end of the line. They are asking questions they should already know that answer to, or talking to the bride when there are 15 other people who would know the answer to the question. (directions, times, locations)

Technology is supposed to make our life easier, less stressful. So, on your wedding day, get a call screener. Pick someone you trust and give them your phone. They can field all incoming calls and only pass them on to you if you WANT to take it.

It’s YOUR day. Not theirs.

And finally, just to show I’m not all mean and grouchy, here are some photos of brides having enjoyable conversations on their phone.
wedding photography tyler tx
wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx
wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

AlexM

 

Contact | Follow | Fan

903.729.4884

 

read more
Wedding Photography Tyler, TX | Erin & Chris (The Album Design)
Wedding Photography Tyler, TX | Erin & Chris (The Album Design)

It’s been awhile since I wrote about albums, so what better time than the present. :) Erin & Chris’ wedding was off the chi-zane, so I figured it would be a great one to share. (I’ll also post some images once the physical album comes in.)

Here is how the album process typically works. 2-3 weeks after your wedding, I’ll e-mail you a mock up of your album. (Like what you see below.) You’ll then go over it, and approve it, or swap a few images out. Then, once we have a final version, I send it to my album company and they start building your album. 4-6 weeks later you have your album in hand. :) That’s right… 2 months after your wedding, you’ll have an album. :) I’m sure you have talked to or heard from brides who close to a year from their wedding are still in the “album process.” My goal is to get you your album as quickly as possible. Anyway, here is Erin & Chris’ album pre-design. Enjoy.

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

wedding photography tyler tx

AlexM

Contact | Follow | Fan

903.729.4884

read more
Wedding Photography | A look back at 2009
Wedding Photography | A look back at 2009

wedding photography tyler tx
OK, so even though we are halfway done with January, is it still ok for me to do a quick look back on 2009?

Great. Here we go.

Last year I shot 162,668 images. That’s insane. That’s 445 photos per day.
Now granted, some of those were of my family, but seriously, I don’t have THAT many kids. :)

A big shout out to all my 2009 brides.

You were amazing.

Thank you for trusting me with your day.

Thank you for giving me the freedom to document and capture your day through my lens.

Thank you for helping me feed those kids I mentioned. :)

Thank you for helping me push my work to where it is today.

In case you missed any of them, here they are:
Ruth & Daniel | Emily & Heath | Britni & Chance | Josey & Sam | Polly & Nelson | J’Vonne & Lee | Linsey & Cade | Sara & Yan | Amanda & Royce | Jayme & Jake | Stefanie & Jeremy | Stephanie & Michael | Mandy & Derek | Chelsea & Tyson | Kim & Josh | Megan & Jacob | Neili & Steven | Rachel & Andrew | Lindsey & Justin | Mindy & Dustin | Davi & Jonathan | Erika & Phil | Kaylie & Matt | Mollie & Cliff | Laura & Chad | Jade & Justin | Salem & Chris | Sandra & Robert | Kourtney & Travis | Randall & Danny | Laura & Neil | Lilli & Cameron | Kristina & Nick | Jessica & Charlie | Norma & Jesus | Ellen & Jeromy | Melissa & Alex

Now…. as far are you 2010 brides go…. Erin, Jamie, Monica, Heather, Angela, Miranda, Christina (Come on… you know you wanna book. ;) Jean, Kristen, Brynne, Ashley, Brandy, Amanda, Adrienne, Megan, Heather, Jennifer, Julia, Jamie, & Kiffany, I can’t wait to work with you more and know that once you’ve been married for 40 something years and have grandkids running all around you, you’ll have some super fun photos to show them of back when “grandma” was young and cool. :)

Happy New Year! AlexM

P.S. Don’t worry, Britni, I still have you booked for 2011. :)

 

read more