Blame it on the Rain

Well, I have to blame my lack of blogging on SOMETHING. I shot a beautiful wedding last weekend and I've been editing the images like crazy all week. I had hoped to be able to post some of them by now, but I think I'll wait until they are all finished.

The detail that really stood out and put goosebumps on my arms was the amazingly beautiful music that Erica and Max had for both the ceremony and the reception. For the ceremony, a flute and harp duet performed, and they literally brought tears to my eyes. It was just indescribably beautiful, not stuffy or too formal. Just perfect. I'll get the contact information from Erika when she returns from her honeymoon.

I did, however, get a business card from the mariachi group that seranaded the couple during the reception. I had never, ever heard an all female mariachi group, and I loved them! I was at the back of the reception hall when they entered, and as soon as I heard the unexpectedly soft and beautiful voices, I ran out to take a look (as well as a few shots!).

The name of the group is Mariachi Las Altenas, and here are a couple of images:

I'll post more images from Max and Erika's wedding soon!

A Ginormous Album

Here is something I find interesting-the word GINORMOUS is now in Webster's Dictionary. I always think that people using that word sound like idiots, but now I'm going to start using it myself.





So AINT aint a word 'cuz its not in the dictionary, but ginormous is. Also, the term "Perfect Storm" is newly listed. OK, I've used that one before in conversation. But do you know what "Crunk" is? Well, then look it up, 'cuz its in there, too. And no, I've never used that word.





I had the pleasure of delivering my first completed wedding album recently, and it was a beauty! Casey and Chris picked out the most gorgeous dark brown leather for the cover. I love how heavy and well-made it was, and I was just so incredibly excited to give it to them!

The inside covers are made of black moire paper.

The gutter is very small, allowing me to design the images over two pages while the book lays open completly flat.

I got a call from Casey a couple of days ago. She said that they just love the album, and have received a ton of compliments on it. Thanks so much, Casey, you're a doll!

I'm delivering another album this week, it is an engagement session sign-in book that I really love. The bride is so sweet and her wedding is next week. As usual, I'm just as pumped up and nervous as she must be. This time I'll have a 2nd photographer shooting with me, so the images should be fantastic.

I'm back from my vacation with the kids! We had a great time, but I don't have a single image to share because I was also on vacation from photography. I didn't even unpack the camera the whole week.

I have a bunch of new photo sessions coming up that I'm really looking forward to shooting (especially a WEDDING on the 20th), and some images to edit and post from a couple of weeks ago, so check back here for updates on those.

Hope everyone's summer is going as groovy as mine is!

Just me and the kids

I will be on vacation next week for the 4th of July. Yippee! So I won't be answering emails, the phone or editing any pictures.

I'll return on Friday, the 6th. See ya!

Happy Birthday, Alexa

I LOVE to do teen sessions! Alexa is turning 15 this month, and she is a gorgeous girl. Just check her out:





Here is a little "behind the scene" info about the shoot. We headed out to one of my all time favorite spots, RockWall Ranch, which is just past Garden Ridge. The best light for outdoor photography occurs during the hour before the sun sets, so we got started at about 7pm. Unfortunately, just after we started shooting the sun went behind a big, dark cloud and pretty much stayed there until dark. So I ended up using my flash quite a bit, bouncing it off of a reflector to soften it up.

Don't forget, it is a good idea to ALWAYS have your flash turned on when shooting outdoors, especially in the bright sun. The reason is because the sun creates very dark shadows under the eyes of the subjects, and makes their eyes look sunken in. The flash fills in those shadows and lights up their eyes perfectly.

Journey to Georgia

I don't know where to begin to describe last weekend. I went to Watkinsville, Georgia to be there when my mom met her father for the very first time.

I said this to our new family; that we expected to have a memorable and emotional time, but none of us, not my mom and dad, or my sister and daughter, thought we would be so welcomed and accepted and loved.

It was beautiful. And I've never seen my mom so happy.

Random Stuff

Looking for a few good recipes? Check here.

How about some new computer games for the kids? This is a good site that I use.

For Crock Pot Beef recipes, I look here.

And if you absolutely have to know how tall your child will be, this site will figure it out.

That's all I've got for today, folks.

Paris Hilton is being sent back to jail.

"Good"

In the words of Forest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that."

Downtown San Antonio

Engagement sessions are so much fun! This is Erika and Max, who are getting married next month.

We had a great time roaming around the River Walk and Travis Park. Here is a little peak at the excursion:







OK, that's all I'm giving away, and these aren't even the best. We are doing something really special with the session images, and I'm super excited about the project. It is pratically desiginig itself in my head as I look at the images.

Stay tuned!

Close to my sister's heart

There is a little baby boy named Ethan Powell that my sister Andie prays for. He has leukemia, and he's just 6 months old. I promised her that I would put the link to his website here on my blog, because he needs every prayer that he can get.

Ethan Powell

He is at St. Jude's hospital, and the next couple of weeks are critical. Here is a quote from his dad,

"Today Ethan will begin chemotherapy that is intended for ages 1-21. It is very intense. THIS IS THE TIME TO RALLY UP PRAYER WARRIORS! I know that most of you are emailing everyone you know, but I guarantee you there is at least one person out there that has the influence of reaching thousands of people quickly. Whoever you are, I am praying for your help! While we wait for June 15th... these will be a very trying, faith testing 12 days. I want to stress this.... I am not even worried 1%, just read any post or ask anyone that has spoken with me. It would be impossible to hide doubt in a situation like this. I am asking you to pray for a miracle and believe with me. God has the power to heal. I am praying that he will display that power in my son's life. PRAYER WORKS!!!"


Now I don't think my sister knows him, but for some reason this particular boy has grabbed her attention, because she has mentioned him to me a few times. Maybe the power of our prayers will the miracle he needs.

I'm praying too.