I’ve been itching to post these bridals for a while now. Hillary is just such a stunner, and we had a grand time at our session in October. Since her wedding photos will be going up very soon, I’ve just got enough time to post some faves of this session.
We shot these on Halloween morning in Downtown Houston amidst a menagerie of on-lookers who probably thought we were in costume for the day. Nay, Hillary looked so fabulous, there’s no way this could have passed as Halloween getup!
We are all just a sea of people. Each a particle of a very vast ocean. None too different from the rest. So why do we sometimes feel so disconnected? We all need, want, fear, love, cry, feel just the same. At any given moment, we are but a speck in a universe of echos, reaching to connect. Today, I can see this clearly. Tomorrow, I may need to recollect.
I’m so excited to post this sneak preview for Natasha & Jason’s wedding. They tied the knot on 10/1 at Agave Road. What a way to kick off October! Many more photos will soon follow, but for now, enjoy!!
Fun, Love, Tears, Laughter…so much going on in this wedding. It was soooo amazing…
Pigs flew. Nuff said. For now. ;)
Photo shoots are fun. Shooting in a nineteenth century, haunted, old pub with the band Kennedy Bakery – MUCH more fun. That’s them above, having a good ol’ time as they pretend to be bartenders at what used to be the actual Kennedy Bakery in Downtown Houston. The place is rich in history, creaky floorboards and that creepy feeling that sneaks upon the back of your neck. Alas, there were no ghosts there on this particular evening. But it didn’t stop us from having fun.
Kennedy Bakery is composed of Erin, James, Jenny, Justine, and Rachelle. They’ll be playing next at Walter’s on Washington on October 24th. You can also catch them on their site: www.kennedybakery.com
Many, many times I’ve been caught gushing about my Plum Tree Families. From weddings to little ones and some other, major life events, these are the folks that have come along with me on the Plum Tree ride. Truth be told, I gush about all my clients – no joke, I’m incredibly fortunate to have the best ones in the world. Nonetheless, I’m also soooo thankful to feel a part of the magic that are family moments and bonds.
The Ayalas are definitely one such bunch – if not THE Plum Tree Family. Since 2006 (the year I also founded my business) I’ve been privileged with documenting their lives. Each time it’s something so awe-inspiring. This month, I’ve been commissioned to photograph Carolina and the gang for the coming of their second baby (name pending).
By now, they could probably list “professional model” on their resumes and, given their ability to charm the camera, make a pretty good living at it. How fortunate am I that they hire me to take their pictures instead! ;)
I just love working with these guys.
While I edited this shoot I caught myself sneaking peeks and reminiscing on the newborn shoot for Valentina – who’s now, incredibly, two years old! Princess Valentina is such a fun, sweet, and loving girl…that has us all completely ga-ga over her. Baby number two is going to have a wonderful big-sis.
So here are the Ayalas, celebrating the coming of their newest addition. Thank you guys for letting me be a part of it! I can’t wait to see her when she’s here!
“I’m not very photogenic.”
That’s the single most common thing people say to me. Ninety-nine point 99999999999999999% of the time (and I could keep going on the nines), this could not be further from the truth. In fact, I’ve yet to meet someone that is truly, one hundred percent non-photogenic. I actually think we humans must have made this up somewhere along the line – no other explanation makes sense.
But like an urban legend…the myth of the non-photogenic person persists.
It tickles me pink to hear someone say this. And it never, ever gets old. Because when I come back with photographic proof to the contrary, I can’t even begin to hide my Cheshire cat grin.
April, you are one of the most beautiful women I’ve had the pleasure to photograph. I’m incredibly happy to revoke your self-given title of Miss. Non Photogenic! Furthermore, your new title needs to be Miss. Natural Super Model. ;)
Thank you for giving me this very happy opportunity to show you just how beautiful you are!
I’m lucky enough (or unlucky, depending on your viewpoint) to only get really sick about twice per year. Usually, I’m fairly good at telling the bad ones, from the just annoying ones. Illnesses, that is. This time? I was not so good at it. In fact, I got a big, fat F for FAILURE.
It all started about ten days ago. The allergies were a-flaring. Something was just…well, off. A day or two into this, weird and not-quite-right feeling, I noticed something else. But, I dismissed it. Must be the allergies, I said to myself. After all, just about every morning, my normally champagne colored car greets me dressed in a bright, fluorescent-green velour outfit suitable for a flamboyant pimp. And I’ve even washed my car more than usual.
Last Friday was D-day. Short for Detonation. Because, without exaggeration, I’m pretty certain that’s when the Bug from Hell started to wreak sly havoc in my system. This thing is no joke. It just snuck up on me like a stealthy cat on the prowl for its tasty morsel of prey. It’s like a biological-warfare-grade bug! Apparently, it has an incubation period of about a week, in which you feel like it’s just allergies. You dismiss it as a mere annoyance. Nothing really worth the time or effort for significant attention or an extra pill of vitamin C. Except. You’re so very, sadly wrong.
Then…the pink eye popped up. Ah ha hah! Or so I THOUGHT it was pink eye! Maybe it’s just that my eyes are sore and itchy from that little bit of extra rubbing?! But just in case, what the heck. I went ahead and bought the over-the-counter drops for Conjunctivitis. About another day went by. And, dang it! Those drops aren’t helping my eye get back to its normal, pearly-white color. Man! I can’t remember the last time my allergies were this bad! That’s me still so sadly in denial.
A little more time went by. A slight tickle in my throat and a little extra moisture in my lungs tried uselessly to warn me. Suddenly….KAPOW!#*@! That’s when the can of whoop-ass a la chills hit me like a ton of bricks. I couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that I’d taken a major beat-down from the neighborhood gang – initiation-style. My joints were incredibly achy, like I wanted to rip my wrists and ankles off. Because only doing my fingers and toes just wouldn’t be enough! To top that off with a nice little bow, my head felt like the equivalent of a cantaloupe going through a funnel. A small funnel.
The following day (after many-a-prayer and several delusional negotiations with God about what I would and wouldn’t ever do again) I was thoroughly sore around my shoulders, neck, lats, and just about every muscle I never knew I had. Kinda like I over-trained on the bench press for the heavy-weight category, only I had about as much muscle strength as Sponge Bob. When that was over (and it took some of the longest 48 hours of my life) I was left with a nice, deep, gurgling cough and a sinus section full of bogies good enough to make glue. The all-purpose -strength kind.
Were I a more evil person, I may have tried to qualify for a government contract of the biological persuasion. Or in the very least patent this stuff and design catchy labels, geared towards a revenge-seeking demographic. Alas, I am not very evil at all and thus, write this as fair warning: Protect yourself. Dastardly, Evil Bug is out there!
Ok, I’m definitely biased. But few people have enriched my life lately in the way some of these folks have. If you don’t know him already, Chris Gillebeau is the guy that keeps the blogosphere buzzing with thoughts and projects for the “nonconformist.” Sounds scary? Dreaming big often is. But Chris has this particularly special way of bringing out the courage in me – and many other people. My personal Wizard of Oz? Maybe. You should check him out here.
Last Saturday I was privy to a special Meetup (hosted by Chris) where I embarrassed the heck outta myself! It was one of those moments when you’re standing next to someone so awesome…and then…you stick your foot in your mouth in a colossal manner. Yah, I did that. Adam Baker ever-so-graciously let me off the hook when I said…”hmm, I think I’ve heard of your blog.” Then I got his card and, Whoa Nelly! The light bulb clicked on. This is the guy that keeps the blogosphere buzzing about how to (À la Mahatma Ghandi) completely free oneself from the self-inflicted prison called Debt, and then go trotting around the globe…with a newborn baby. Well, ok. There’s more to it than that. But talk about courage. This guy’s face should be in dictionary under that same word. You should definitely check him out here.
There were such lovely people at this Meetup. Kendra, Jay, Nathalie and Ray. The other Natalie, Vic…just a bunch of great, great folks. My first ever SXSW is one I won’t soon forget. A great BIG thanks to my good friend for letting me stay at Chez Lela and making this trip even more funtastic. Good luck to everyone on chasing and catching those dreams!
Devon and Brian had an awesome wedding at Ashelynn Manor this past fall. I’ve been back logged and got reminded of their amazing reception when their albums arrived a couple of days ago. A gorgeous calla lily accented bouquet, a dreamy sunset ceremony and, of course, a very fun and all-smiles Devon & Brian made for an incredible day. I am completely kicking myself for not shooting a couple of pix of these books. They turned out fabulous. The ever-so-stylish Devon picked a very cool metal cover for her finish that I really loved. Kick, kick, kick. (that’s me kicking myself).
You may remember Devon and Brian from a very fun session we had for their engagement photos. They were so much fun to work with…and the wedding was an even greater blast! But don’t take my word for it…check out a few of my favorite shots or peruse a little longer with the slide show that follows.
Guys, I hope you keep in touch. I loved working with you!
I’d never shot a Vietnamese wedding before…and boy! It was such an amazing event! Traci & Denton said their vows in front of friends and family at Christ Incarnate Word Catholic Church and followed that with a master blow-out reception held by Kim Son at the Fountains.
So…what sets apart a Vietnamese wedding, you ask? Well, for starters everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, gets a chance to christen the couples brand-spankin’ new union with some sort of special ritual that in all likelihood involves a) an alcoholic beverage, and b) a special trick. This “induction” into marriage, if you will, had Traci and Denton doing everything from cherry kiss acrobatics, to having the bride juggle a raw egg from one pant leg to the other while the groom was still wearing said pants.
One of my favorite shots shown below, pictures Traci handing the egg back to its owner just after completing the amazing feat. Her expression makes me giggle in earnest. Incredibly, this little number brings new meaning to the phrase “egg on your face”, though miraculously there was no such spillage at this wedding. Kudos to Traci for “not cracking under pressure.” ;o)
But enough of my silly egg jokes! Aside from being a gorgeous event, I loved this wedding for its wonderful sense of family. It is so heartwarming and uplifting to see families come together so seamlessly in a celebration such as this. A great time was had by all and it was most definitely a beautiful and festive occasion to remember. I felt honored to help capture it.
I had a blast working with you guys!
Kudos to the following vendors who shared their talets for this event:
