When I asked Jamie and Chase where they wanted to do their engagement session, their only request was that we include some railroad tracks. Considering that I live in one of the biggest train towns in the DFW area, that should have been an easy find, but surprisingly enough it’s not quite so easy to find the perfect tracks. We ended up wandering all around town, stopping at a great park and discovering the perfect train track spot in the middle of nowhere. The light was about as perfect as perfect gets, and these two are naturals in front of the camera. Here are some of my faves from their session:
Jamie and Chase’s Frisco engagement session
Jamie & Garrett’s Discovery Green Engagement Photos
Jamie and Garrett are now officially engaged, so I guess that means it’s about time to show off their engagement photo session! I’d never shot Discovery Green in downtown Houston before, but now I see why everyone raves about it – it’s absolutely gorgeous, and a great place to spend a warm, sunny day. Here are a few of my favorites:
Aggie Muster Day
It’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything personal on this blog, but today I have a good excuse. Today is April 21st, which is significant for two reasons. First of all, it’s the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, which effectively ended the Texas revolution as General Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna and the Mexican army amid shouts of “Remember the Alamo!” As a tried and true Texan, this alone is reason for me to celebrate the day, but it also happens to be Aggie Muster. Muster is a tradition celebrated by all those connected with Texas A&M University where Aggies across the world are supposed to gather together, share fun stories of their time at A&M, and remember the Aggies who have passed away since the previous Muster. The highlight of Aggie Muster is the Roll Call for the Absent, during which the names of those fallen Aggies are called, and we answer “Here” to signify that they are with us in spirit, if not in body. After the Roll Call, a 21 gun salute is fired, and then there’s another Aggie tradition – Taps is played three times – once to the north, to the south, and to the west, but not to the east, because the sun will never rise on that Aggie again. *Every* fallen Aggie is celebrated at Muster, so someday when I die, Aggies will call out my name and answer “Here” for me, too.
One of the defining moments of my life was when I served as a Muster Host when I was a freshman at A&M. As a host, I was assigned one of the families of a fallen Aggie, and my duty was to show them where to go, what to do, and to tend to whatever they needed to make the experience as positive as possible for them. The family I was assigned was the family of Brandon Davis ’06, a fellow freshman who had died only a month beforehand. I was expecting them to be distraught, emotional, upset, and a host of other understandable emotions, but to my surprise they were happy, positive, and excited. They talked about how much Brandon had loved A&M, how Muster had been his favorite tradition, and how honored he would have been to have his name called out at the campus Muster. It was so inspiring and so life-changing to see this family, who had lost their son and brother far too early, celebrating his life rather than mourning it. I have been extremely lucky to never lose a loved one, but I hope that whenever that awful day comes, I can be as strong and brave and positive as the amazing Davis Family.
Today, even if you’re not an Aggie, take some time to remember the people in your life who have passed away. Call up someone who knew them and swap stories about the times you laughed together, your favorite memories of them, what you loved most about them, and the impact they had on your life. Light a candle for them, call out their name, and answer “Here.”
So, Happy Muster to all my fellow Ags, Happy Birthday to the Republic of Texas for all my fellow Texans, and Happy April 21st to everyone else. :) If you’d like to learn more about Muster, check out Wikipedia or the official Muster website.
In many lands and climes this April day, proud sons of Texas A&M unite.
Our loyalty to country, school, we pray, and seal our pact with bond of common might.
We live again those happy days of yore on campus, field, in classroom, dorm, at drill
Fond memory brings a sigh — but nothing more; now we are men and life’s a greater thrill,
Before we part and go upon our way, we pause to honor those we knew so well;
The old familiar faces we miss so much today left cherished recollections that time cannot dispel.
Softly call the Muster,
Let comrade answer, “Here!”
Their spirits hover ‘round us
As if to bring us cheer!
Mark them ‘present’ in our hearts,
We’ll meet some other day.
There is no death, but life eterne
For our old friends such as they.
Allison’s Arboretum Bridal Photos
Allison’s wedding was hands down one of the the most beautiful affairs I’ve ever seen.. The first time I met Allison I knew our design styles were a perfect match (she, her bridesmaid, and I all showed up to the consultation in matching ivory and khaki dresses), and she had an amazing team working on her wedding decor, so I was anxiously awaiting her wedding and it definitely did not disappoint! I’m still working on the wedding photos, but in the meantime, here are some of my favorites from her session at the Dallas Arboretum!
Courtney’s Fort Worth Bridals
Courtney Paul just became Courtney Cleveland, so I’m pumped to show off these beautiful bridals of hers!!
Rebecca and Victor’s Courthouse Wedding
Every photographer relishes a chance to shoot something different, so when Rebecca’s mom Lisa asked me if I would be interested in photographing Rebecca and Victor’s very unique wedding, I absolutely jumped at the opportunity. Rebecca and Victor live in Chile, where they both work as architects and live with their son, Sam. They decided to get hitched during a trip back to the States to visit Rebecca’s family, but they did it in an intimate, special way. So special that the wedding was just featured on Style Me Pretty!
First up on the docket was a trip to the Justice of the Peace to make things official..
Next we headed to a Fort Worth landmark, the famous Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant, which has quite possibly the most beautiful grounds I’ve ever seen at a restaurant (perfect for a rehearsal dinner or a small reception!). Luckily we managed to squeeze in a short Day After-style session before the guests arrived.
I love that Rebecca chose a fun sundress instead of a traditional white dress.. I think it really fits the couple as well as their wedding, and who doesn’t love a splash of color?
Their son, Sam, was celebrating his birthday that week as well, so they had both wedding cake and birthday cake!
This was a really cool moment.. Rebecca and Victor read special messages to each other written in the other’s native language. Even though I couldn’t understand a word Rebecca said, I still teared up a little.. I’m a sucker for toasts!!
Rebecca, Victor, and Sam – thanks for allowing me to experience your fabulous wedding, and I hope the three of you are safe and sound in Chile right now!
Abby & Zach’s European Day After Sessions
I try really hard not to play favorites with my clients… I’m extremely, EXTREMELY lucky to have some amazing clients that are kind, friendly, understanding, appreciative, and generally awesome in every way. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve never yet had a bridezilla – knock on wood – and I’m blessed to really enjoy every wedding I shoot. That said… When a couple tells you they want to fly you out to Paris and Venice to do some portrait sessions, and they happen to talk your boyfriend into coming along and proposing while he’s there.. Well, that’s a pretty tough act to beat. Abby and Zach will always have a special place in my heart, and I truly loved getting to know them more during our travels throughout Europe. You can’t ask for two better friends than these guys, something I’m sure their bridesmaids and groomsmen would echo in a heartbeat! I’m also very thankful that they’re both completely gorgeous and photograph so well! Here are some highlights from their Paris and Venice Day After sessions.
We got started at the Tuileries, a garden near the Louvre, and eventually made our way through the Louve courtyard and to the Arc de Triomphe du Carroussel. It was absolutely freezing but Abby was a total trooper in her little strapless dress and high heels!
As the sun set and the temperatures plummeted we hopped on the Metro (followed by more than a few strange looks) and managed to snag a few quick shots at the Eiffel Tower before the snow and wind got the better of us.
We finished the session on a high note and headed back into the warmth of our hotel. After a few days of sightseeing and a very interesting overnight train ride, we rose at the break of dawn to get things started in St. Mark’s Square in Venice.
I love Abby’s accessories in these shots. She had actually picked them up the previous day at Murano, a tiny island off the coast of Venice famous for its glass (which they use to make incredible and very pricey stemware, jewelry, chandeliers, and statues).
We finished the photos off with a really neat tradition. If you ever travel to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, you’ll see hundreds of padlocks along the river, with initials scribbled onto the sides. As legend goes, if you write your initials and your beloved’s initials onto a lock, attach the lock to a city fixture, then toss the key into the river, you’re destined to be together forever. Abby and Zach loved this romantic idea, so they incorporated it into their wedding by handing out locks to their guests as favors. They also brought along padlocks for every city they were going to visit. As we stopped by a bridge on the Grand Canal, they decided to attach their lock there and toss the key into the famous waterway!
A & Z, Jason and I will always love you guys for giving us such a great opportunity to be your honeymoon paparazzi and for being part of such a special event in our lives. I’m so happy to have you as clients, and we’re both thrilled to call you both friends! Congratulations on your fabulous wedding, we know you guys are a perfect pair!