Bluebonnets Pt. 2! | Family Portrait Photography

I have had the great pleasure of photographing the members of this family not one, not two, but five times prior to this session.  They have been wonderfully supportive of me as I have grown as a photographer, and I was thrilled to be able to capture a bluebonnet session of all of them together (last year Dad was deployed).  But what made me even more thrilled was being able to take part in helping them make the big announcement that (Drumroll please.....)......






.......They are expecting a baby boy!  I couldn't be more happy for them.  And doesn't she have the most adorable baby bump? 

A Waco Wedding | Wedding & Event Photography

As a photographer, I was in hog heaven with this wedding. It was an outdoor event at the beautiful Hilton hotel in downtown Waco. The ceremony took place in a courtyard with a large pavilion as the altar, and the beautiful yet low-key reception was located in the adjacent garden courtyard. Sure, it has been unseasonably warm, but that did not deter guests from wetting their whistles at the bar, feasting on roast turkey, a magnificent pasta bar and mashed potato station, and dancing to their heart's content. 

You would never know, seeing how happily the bride and groom mingled with their guests, that less than an hour earlier we had been bumping elbows for our formal portrait location. The suspension bridge in Waco is a very popular spot for local photographers, so I expected a bit of traffic, but no one expected a gaggle of high school seniors decked out in prom attire to engulf the entrance of the bridge. Fortunately, the photographer was kind enough to let us squeeze by to get portraits done. After sweltering in the lovely afternoon heat for a while, we retired to the bride's dressing room to get ready for the main event.  From there it was mostly smooth sailing.  There were some hiccups, as there are bound to be with most weddings, but the bride and groom exchanged vows and sealed their promises with a kiss.  And really, after that, nothing else matters much.

The bride's dress was simply breathtaking. Ruched, rosettes, flowing train, diamond white...The kind of dress that I imagine a modern fairy tale princess would wear. The groom was dashing in his dress greens. Together, they were quite a vision. I really could have spent all of my hours there simply photographing them standing together, talking together, laughing together.  The second I got home I started looking through the photographs.  I couldn't help but smile.  The small gestures that I had captured--an adoring look, the gentle placement of a hand on a waist or arm--they are so simple, yet so powerfully telling.

Congratulations, Jen and Nick!  May you have a long, happy and healthy life together.

Boys Will Be Boys | Lifestyle Portrait Photography

Growing up in the military lifestyle, I know how hard it can be on children.  It can be lonely, isolating, and difficult to maintain relationships.  But, for as many negative aspects as there are to the lifestyle, there are also many positives.  You become a more open-minded person, you become adaptable to various situations and environments, and you can forge friendships that overcome all obstacles.  For me, my best friends growing up were my brothers.  We may not have always gotten along (we may have even tried to kill each other a time or two!), but they were the people I knew that I could always turn to to make me laugh, or help me put things into perspective.  They helped me become the person that I am.

From what I could see, between the running and splashing and duck calling, these boys have formed a similar relationship.  They aren't afraid to embrace and smile for the camera.  The younger brothers clearly adore the eldest brother.  It warmed my heart to watch them laugh and play together as though they are the best of friends.  I hope that they are, and that they continue to strengthen that bond as they grow.  I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of a very fun, very energetic bunch!