Chronicling A Love Story | February 2012 ASP Winner

A very rewarding aspect of being a photographer is getting the chance to document a person's individual journey.  From a senior in high school to a college grad, from an engaged couple to a married couple, from a family expecting a child to a family enthralled with their new little blessing, all of these chapters in life are worth celebrating, chronicling, and sharing for years to come.  So I was thrilled for the opportunity to shoot this beautiful couple's "engagement" session before I photograph their wedding ceremony!

My favorite part about this session was the fact that the bride is a photographer herself.  Sometimes I am self-conscious about my techniques for checking lighting (hand turning in the air) and my requests for my clients to stand, crouch or lay just so.  I always feel the need to explain my actions, but with another photographer, they understand.  They smile and nod and explain to their spouse exactly why I do the quirky things I do.

They are also parents, which made my wrecked car strewn with sippy cups, random packages of Nutri-Grain Bars, and somewhat sticky toys much less of an embarrassment.  During a break for outfit changes, we grabbed coffee and the Bodega Bean in downtown Belton and talked about the wedding and military life.  Altogether, it was a relaxing session with an amazing, very laid-back couple, and at the end of it I was more excited than ever to be a part of their big day.  Congratulations, Nick and Jenn, for being the very first ASP winners and for your upcoming wedding!

A Different Kind of Warmth | Couple's Portrait

You wouldn't know, looking at these portraits, that it was a chilly 40-something degrees and windy this bright Texas morning when I met my clients in Salado for an R&R photo session.  I attribute this completely to the oh-so-wonderful can-do attitude of this beautiful couple.  Although, really, it is not difficult to be in good humor when you are spending the morning hanging out with your best friend.  Warmth emanates from each frame as a testament to the security and love so evident in their relationship, even to an onlooker like myself.  There may still be several days of separation ahead, but they are together now, and now is what is most important.  Now is a time to be treasured. 

 

Forever Newlyweds | Couple's Portrait

As a military spouse, I know how hard it can be to see the silver lining in certain situations, notably when going through a separation like a deployment.  This fun, energetic couple reminded me of a very unusual and very pleasant aspect of the military lifestyle: You can feel like you are newlyweds for years after the vows are exchanged.  You grow together, change while apart, and have the chance to learn about each other and fall in love all over again when reunited.  The revelation certainly brought a smile to my face, although it would be hard not to smile when photographing this beautiful, fun-loving couple and their adorable fur babies!

And the February ASP winner is.......

.....Jennifer Wenner!

Congratulations, Jennifer!  I will be getting in contact with you today to set up your session.  Thanks for entering, and I hope everyone has a great weekend!

~Megan

ASP - February Edition.....Go! | Freebies

Today is the beginning of the America's Sweethearts program!  Entries will be accepted today (Feb. 1, 2012) through 11 PM, February 3, 2012.  For those who haven't gone over the rules and regs here, I have supplied them below.  Enter, spread the word, and have fun!

~Megan

The Goods:

Couples selected for ASP will receive over $500 worth of products and services, absolutely free.

This includes:

*Pre-session consultation
*1-1.5 hour on-location session
*Low-res disc of watermarked images
*(2) Mini accordion books
*(1) 11x14 mounted print of the couple's favorite image

How To Enter:

Entering is simple.  At the beginning of every month, I will make a blog post to indicate the opening of the program.  Any and all interested parties will then have 48 hours to comment with their name and e-mail.  Spouses may provide a seperate entry, but there may not be more than two entries per household.

Rules and Regulations:

*All entrants must be 18 or older to participate.

*Entrants must be in the Central Texas area to participate.

*Couples who have participated in a registered OpLove session with MMU Photography or any other photography business within 12 months are not eligible.

*Couples can be selected one time only for the ASP.  MMU Photography reserves the right to remove the entries of and/or refuse to participate in an ASP session with prior winners.  This is to ensure the fairness of the program.  I want to reach as many wonderful couples as possible.

*Winners must be willing and able to provide military identification at the time of their session.

*Military uniform is not required.

*Entries will be processed through Random.org to choose the winner.  The winner will be announced on the blog and will be notified privately.  Once notified, the winner has 72 hours to respond.  In the event that the winner does not respond, another name will be drawn.

Disclaimer:

*ASP is not affiliated with OpLove.org.  Any and all adjustments and enforcements of the ASP rules and regulations are at the sole discretion of MMU Photography.**