If you’ve been reading these pages for a while, you know how much I prefer to photograph couples in their own environment, places that mean something to them as a couple. Getting in line with the hundred other couples in front of the waterfall at the local park just isn’t me – these mean *so* much more when we can take a part of their lives together and entwine them into their photos. So you know I was happy to hear we would be spending most of our time in and around Rachel and Cody’s new home in Nederland! Their first home together as a couple will mean so much to them over the years coming…

The “sign” of a great start!

ahhh… some of my favorite engagement photos, ever Simple, but definitely them and the start of their lives together

We spent time around Nederland itself as well, all within a mile or so of their home:

… before heading back to their home, getting more comfortable, starting a fire and easing into the evening…

The Spring is going to fly by, we’ll be seeing this cute couple again very soon!

And so we kick off our time with BellaFotografica’s wedding couples from 2011 – yes, we’re in the middle of wedding season for 2010 still but most couples book us a year or more in advance and we’re always itching to get started

We began this hot and windy afternoon on Boston Avenue in Nederland – both Trent and Lindsey are from this great town and we felt it important to get some photos in and around their heritage:








Handsome couple! Lindsey is a nursing major at Lamar Port Arthur and Trent is a business major at Lamar Beaumont (careers close to my heart), both with bright futures ahead of them as a family.





Did I mention it was hot?!?

We cooled off a bit by heading over to Never Enough Chocolate (like them on Facebook!) – a chocolate emporium recently opened on Boston Ave. where Trent and Lindsey shared a shake “Lady and the Tramp” style





I had to get one too (did I mention it was hot? – that’s my story and I’m stickin to it). After cooling off a bit, Lindsey and Trent changed clothing and we headed out to where they first met:





They met while working the Pleasure Island Golf Course years ago – it has since suffered the ravages of Hurricane Ike and hasn’t re-opened yet, but we snuck onto the back nine and with the sun setting behind them on the fairway, got some beautiful photos:











They make me look good
From there we headed over by the water and with perfect light from a setting sun and rising moon, we were able to get some of my favorite photos of the day:

Fun evening, I’m looking forward to our time together between now and February

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to put some of that in motion. Celina and Matt went to the Nederland Heritage Festival on their first date. Matt won her various great and grand prizes and introduced Celina to fried Oreo’s – Celina’s current drug of choice. To say she is addicted to them is just a small understatement In discussing today’s trip to the the Heritage Festival, we decided that since we had already photographed her actual engagement session, I could do something a little different and just be a fly on the wall while they re-lived the magic that was Celina and Matt’s first date I tracked them from a distance, walking through the crowds, oblivious to me:








The setting reminded me of an older John Grisham movie where the camera tracked the main characters through the crowds of New Orleans. Here Celina and Matt re-play their water pistol game:





… except this time Matt was gracious enough to let her win





More game time…








Each time, Matt was extra generous, letting Celina win each round. Then it was time, mecca was calling and we had to heed the call. On the way to the fried Oreo stand we passed a behind the scenes look at what really reminded me of the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy in New York City. During the festival you walk down the street sampling from the different vendors many wonderful foods and flavors, from mozzareppa’s to gelatos you’ve never had before. If you get a chance to go to NYC soon, make it during the festival.





And now…

the moment we’ve been waiting for…

Matt is practicing his cake feeding skills:





Celina gives him the thumbs up and the sun sets in the background:





Stay tuned for their upcoming Nederland wedding in June

At 8.5″x11″ (opening to 22″) with a nice photo canvas cover and their images on art paper, it was the perfect way to show off their engagement photos and have a personalized custom guestbook for well-wishes.

“Lucky” by Colbie Caillat
Displayed in the foyer area leading into the Grand Ballroom at the Elegante, it was filled with signatures from loved ones by the end of the evening. Ashley opted for lines for signatures, others choose blank spaces, either works well for these and with care will last you forever.

Here’s a sneak peek, more to come later in the week

I couldn’t find a field of daisies for them to run towards each other, so we did the next best thing at the Botanical Gardens:





In the secret garden:





A quick change of clothes and it was off to Mid-County for some more relaxed portraits:








I love the light in this one:








And one more – I loved this tire swing, just big enough for two





Yay! More are in their gallery… we’ll be photographing Amy’s bridal images when it isn’t *quite* so scorching…

Stay tuned for more of our special feature: Mr. and Mrs. Ellis: The Wedding.

We last saw Jeremy whispering sweet nothings into Stacey’s ear, here’s the rest of the story:

Pulling back from the closeup of Stacey giggling by Sanderson’s wall, I love the lines in this photo:





Jeremy and Stacey work hard together all day, they also play hard together – making up a dynamic duo tearing it up in the bowling leagues in Port Arthur, we felt it appropriate to get in a little lane action as they show me proper form here:





and here:





I believe Jeremy’s mom wanted some bowling photos, I’m not sure if the last one is what she meant Someone once said “weddings are about passion”, Stacey and Jeremy sure have it. The whole engagement session was full of laughter, hugging, giggling (Stacey, not so much Jeremy ), looking deeply into each other’s eyes…





kisses on the forehead…








and hand-holding…





Overall, a great day… as we were leaving, someone signified the moment by releasing balloons:






When we photograph someone’s engagement, wedding, or senior session, our goals include having fun, staying relaxed and getting amazing images, Stacey and Jeremy made that easy here. I’m *really* looking forward to Stacey’s bridal session and the wedding, we’re gonna have fun!