It really was difficult to get them to let go of each other once in a while (which really is perfect for engagement photos ).

The above is one of my favorites from the whole day, from the color and foreground framing to the expression and the semi-hidden clutching going on

We had a lot of fun shooting around Beaumont, from there we headed over to Raos Bakery – a place Meagan and Ryder like to hang out in. I *love* when we get to photograph in places that mean something to them as a couple, it just means *so* much more to them in the future when they look back and ‘remember when’ . We began with hot chocolate, two bar stools and a window:

… then moved to the patio area. This one seemed so New Orlean’s-like, lit by the overhead light and framed by window panes

Awwwww! I’m not sure if we’re allowed back at Rao’s, but that was a lot of fun!

We’ll make some ice cream tomorrow, spend some time with family and watch the fireworks tomorrow night in downtown Beaumont – it should be a great weekend!

Next up is Johnna and Adam’s wedding and Samantha and Blake’s engagement session – both beautiful!

A Class of 2010 Senior at Legacy High School, we photographed her senior session recently on a beautiful afternoon here in Southeast Texas.








She wanted a fun session in a few different locations around Beaumont, and moving quickly with her family and dog in tow, we had a blast








She *does* have beautiful eyes

From there we headed to the West side of Beaumont, to some property they keep their horses on… the sun was getting into the perfect position for skimming light across the tops of these wild flowers:





The horses were nice enough to post expertly for quite a while as we moved around them:





To complete Chelsea’s Texas Senior shoot, she changed (again ) into something a little more cowgirl – the blue against the red really popped:





I promised I wouldn’t show the spittin’ pitcher, but suffice it to say, I don’t think her friends back in Ohio would recognize the Texas beauty queen – all we needed was a field of buttercups to complete the day








Congratulations on your graduation Chelsea and good luck next year at Lamar

(Please read the previous entries below to catch up on all that has gone on today – part one – getting ready , and part two – the first look )





Krystal greets her dad as they prepare to walk down the aisle:














St. Jude’s has a beautiful sanctuary:








Ross and Krystal repeat their vows and exchange rings:





Success!





We did it!

I love the walk of determination Krystal has here:





One of Krystal’s gifts to Ross this day was a nice little Caddy – in which they make their way to the reception at the MCM Elegante Ballroom





Beautiful first dance… that extra practice helped





Part of the bridal party looks on as Krystal dances with her dad:








Cake!





The toasts were heart-felt and funny, including a song by by Co-Maid of Honor Melanie








I went to a wedding reception and a rubgy match broke out!











One of the bridesmaids (*cough*Laura!*cough*) is having what looks like too much fun





Much more dancing and partying later, Krystal and Ross head to their car surrounded by friends and relatives and showered by rose petals:





Beautiful day, thank you for allowing me to enjoy it with you

Venue: St. Jude Catholic Church
Reception: MCM Elegante Grand Ballroom
Second Photographer: Marius Lardizabal

Today’s senior is an aspiring Westbrook graduating senior Aaron. If you recognize Aaron’s eyes, they’re duplicates of his lovely sister Kyra, whose gorgeous wedding we covered back in January

Aaron plays drums in the band, guitar for the ladies and visualizes whirled peas. We began with he and his brothers in the Alex Durley Stadium stands at Westbrook cranking out some taps in the bright sunlight:






The guy is a master with the sticks, he was spinning one at this moment in his left hand and skimming the top of it with the other just tossed with his right:





We moved out of the stands and under the stadium – Aaron brought out his six-string and began playing and singing for the next 30 minutes or so – very talented:








At one point a crowd began to gather while he was performing…





I think he made something like $12 that afternoon, (enough for us to stop at Sonic on the way home, yes!).





Unfortunately ladies, I understand he has a girlfriend.





The sun was beginning to set and shadows stretched across the sidewalk – we photographed a few more pensive moments as the session drew to a close.





A fun one for the end:





Thank you Aaron for being patient with me while I tracked the spinning drum sticks. Good luck in your music career (and something in engineering, right mom?!?)!

We began earlier at the hair salon – Mona is checking out her guest sign-in book while getting prettier for the upcoming festivities:





From there it was on to Brentwood… amazing things happen when she puts on her red high heels.





Standing radiant for a few portraits, Mona is ready





A few moments later, Mona and Michael see each other for the first time that day. Escorted up the stairs by her son, I love the reaction by both Michael and Mona as they see each other. You can’t really tell here, but her steps speed up as she draws closer














Seeing each other before the ceremony (a “first look” or “first glimpse”) allowed them to have some private time together before the blur of the wedding ceremony and reception begin. A lot of the nerves of the day are eased, some great portraits are possible since they’re both fresh and it helps to make the ceremony more memorable as well. It’s pretty popular on both coasts, Canada and Europe, not as much here.

Mona’s beautiful bouquet; she was all about the red, even inviting all ladies attending to wear a red dress





The ceremony has begun! Mona and her brother walking up the aisle, the place was packed – not much room to walk (for any of us ).





Mona looks on as her brother gives her away:





This is the reaction you’ll get when you call the groom “James”, check out Michael’s eyebrow:






Michael places the ring on Mona’s finger:





Annddd… It’s all over but the kissing:





The floor is cleared as Mona and Michael begin their first dance:





A few of the many details planned for the day:





You can’t see them from here, but on the cake tables Mona and Michael have this same portrait from each of their parent’s wedding day:





Hours of dancing at the reception and enjoying everyone’s company later, the red high heels return:





A few more are below, thank you Mona and Michael for allowing me to be a part of your day

Onto the reception! We arrive at the Beaumont Botanical Gardens where Kyra and Ian are announced and glide across the floor.





There wasn’t a dry eye in the house by the end of Kyra’s dance with her dad.

One of the Groomsmen toast the new couple:





The Beaumont Catering Company performed masterfully – from the great food and spirits, to the hot chocolate bar with monogrammed cups at the end, everything was perfect… and very tasty!





mmm… Cake!





There’s a lot of trust built in this moment, I have no idea why





One of my favorite scenes of the night – something about a long-time married couple dancing in each other’s arms at your reception, it kind of puts a nice stamp on the event.





Wow, the entertainment at the reception was outstanding! Jimi Jams always does an excellent job with DJ’ing/Emcee’ing an event, but the band “Stereo”, well-known on the local blues and jazz scene tore it up:





They both had the crowd dancing until their shoes just had to take a break:





After a quick pick-me-up with the hot chocolate bar, it’s time for their great escape – many bird seeds died to make this possible:





Beautiful day

Ceremony Venue: St. Michael’s Orthodox Church
Reception Venue: Beaumont Botanical Gardens
Caterers: Beaumont Catering Company
DJ: Jimi Jams
Band: Stereo
Second Photographer: Marius

I did want to update everyone who may be checking us out for possible wedding dates – we are full through June now and really won’t be able to take anymore until July. Beginning in July we still have a few dates available this year, please contact us the link above soon to find out if we’re open for your date. If you are needing someone between now and then and would like someone who photographs similar to my style, please let me know – there are some excellent photographers I can refer you to.

For those weddings we have coming up this Spring – I can’t wait! It’s been fun photographing your engagement and bridal sessions… we’ll make sure we take care of you on your day.

New year, new products, new state-of-the-art equipment, it’s gonna be a great year! I’ve been busy with bridal images the past few weeks as well, I’ll post some as we pass their wedding dates

Oh, our baby girl will be one year old tomorrow – Happy birthday sweet Elise! We love you! Last week we celebrated both her upcoming and David’s recent birthdays with our great friends Paula and Jeff in Franklin, TN with cupcakes:








Elise liked easing into her day with her dollie and jammies, sitting in the windowsill and looking at the snow:





Oh my goodness it was cold, here more than a few birds who didn’t make it far enough South for the Winter take to walking across their ice-covered pond





A quick family photo moment at the Parthenon:





On the way back, we went through Memphis, peeked at Graceland and just had to get some Memphis BBQ at world-famous Central BBQ. It lived up to the hype





OK! Back to work! I’m looking forward to Ian and Kyra’s wedding this weekend, it’s gonna be beautiful!

David turned 3 a few weeks ago, he’s growing into a fine young man, tho he is sure is 4th birthday is “coming up” soon. He is into “Little Einsteins”, probably too much, maybe only surpassed by his craze for “choo choo trains”. Local bakeries do not make Little Einstein cakes anymore, so we improvised a bit and David had a blast.

While things were being set up, David played a little football with his cousins. He’s got the basic idea down, tho he tends to tackle you even when he has the ball:





Elise enjoys watching anything her brother is doing:





Her eyes are getting bluer each week.

Cake!





One of the characters in Little Einsteins plays the trumpet, among other instruments, and David loved getting his – here his friend Aiden is in the line of fire:





He’s played that trumpet for all it’s worth, until he broke it last week. A replacement is coming for Christmas (shhh! don’t tell).

A few swings on his pinata and his party was over way too soon…





Happy birthday David, we love you!