For the past few months I've been busy almost every weekend photographing weddings and quinceaneras, and I've been incredibly lucky to work with some fantastic vendors that I want to recommend. So, in no particular order, here are a few of those that I think you should check out:

Wedding & Event Planning-
Patricia Ramirez of Bella Noche. Patricia was awesome from the moment I met her. She poured her heart into the wedding and it showed in every detail. She was warm and caring, and still professional. I'm hoping to work with her again!

Videography-
Ronald Dubuque of 3-D Videography. I haven't seen a finished video from Ron, but I was very impressed with his professionalism and personality. We worked together to try to stay out of each others shots, and I think this will go a long way toward getting the bride and groom the photography and video footage that they want. You can email Ron at wellamina_30@yahoo.com.

Venues-
The Wurzbach Estate. The thing I loved about this location is that the patio is in complete shade in the evening, making it so easy to get great pictures of the first dance in great light. Also a big plus-it is elegant but not stuffy, with georgous art hanging on the walls and bright colors used throughout the property. Lovely and convenient since it is located on Wurzbach Rd near Fredericksburg. For more information, email Gina@WurzbachEstate.com

The Marquardt Ranch. This is the perfect location for a Texas Hill Country wedding. Rustic and refined at the same time, it is one of the places that I'd chose if it were my wedding. I especially enjoyed getting to know the coordinator for the venue, Amanda Blissit. I know that she would love to hear from you, so contact her at info@MarquardtRanch.com

For a romantic dinner-
The Creek Restaurant. I thought this was a great little spot in Boerne-wonderful food and even better ambiance. I'd love to go back!

I have several more weddings to shoot in the weeks ahead, so check back for some more recommendations. And in case you're wondering, I don't recommend just anyone-only those that I'd like to work with again. Call me selfish!

Krug: Baby Session

I can't get over how many baby sessions I've had lately. My latest was for a happy little girl who is just about to be 9 months old. I think she'll be walking soon, she certainly has great balance for being so small.


I hope you enjoy the show!

Doyle: Baby Session

I've said before that one of the things I love about photographing weddings is that I get to be in the front row for everything. Well, that applies to baby sessions as well. It's just the best feeling to spend time at the home of a new baby, capturing some of the first bonding moments and preserving it forever for the family. Much more entertaining to me than watching TV!

I did a family session for my good friend Riann last weekend. The birth of baby A makes her the only female in a family of five, and her three sons are soooo cute!

It cracks me up when kids want to show me their room and toys, because that is exactly what I used to do when people came over:


I love this one:




Riann, here is your show. I hope you like it!

Cantu: Baby Session

I had an awesome baby session a couple of days ago for my good friend Christina, who's baby girl was born just seven days ago.

Actually, the very first session I ever photographed was three years ago, when I took the newborn images of their first daughter. At that time, I used a black backdrop and we pretty much stayed in one spot.

My style has evolved quite a bit since then, so this time around we pretty much used the whole house, capturing images of them in different areas. I think this worked out great, because I'm not so sure the three year old would have been as content to stay in one place for long!

This one is a required shot: Love those baby toes!

Christina is a teacher, and reading to her daughter is one of their favorite activities. I think she read at least 4 books during the course of our session.

A quiet moment with dad:

Christina has the most amazing eyelashes, that her daughters have inherited:

You can't help but fall in love with a sleeping baby:
There are more images here on the slideshow:

Thanks so much for letting me capture these images for you. I hope you enjoy them!

Alyana: Quinceanera

I've been waiting for what seems like forever to post the following images. I photographed a Quinceanera last weekend for the sweetest girl ever, and we did a portrait shoot months ago downtown. I couldn't post the images sooner because she didn't want anyone to see her dress before the big party, but finally I can show them off!

The location for the session was a gorgeous Bed & Breakfast in the King William area near downtown called Oge House. I think it was just perfect:

We roamed around the grounds and stopped where ever we found a pretty spot:

The back of the dress is a showstopper! This image was enlarged and beautifully framed, and placed at the sign-in table at the party:

Her hair was so pretty, I had to feature it in a shot:

Here's a slightly more dramatic look:


Alyana and her mom have been working on the details for the quinceanera for over a year, and it all looked fabulous. I don't think there was a detail that was overlooked. They even provided flip-flops for the guests to wear while dancing, and of course they cordinated with the theme of the evening-black and white polkadots with fun splashes of lime green.

I could describe it all night, but it would be best if you just saw the show:

Joseph and Grace, you truly have an amazing daughter. I loved her to death. And Alyana, your party was smashin'!

Swing Shots

My daughter M has a hobby-she's a swinger! She is perfectly content to sit there gliding through the air for hours. And hours. And that means that I'm standing out there with her, because even though she has mastered the leg pumping thing and can keep herself swinging, she wants company. Someone to talk to, and to push her higher. "Higher, mommy, push me HIGHER!"

Even though I love pushing her, it can be a little...um, boring. So naturally I sometimes take something for me to do-sometimes its the phone so I can talk to my mom or sis, occasionally I read a book or magazine. But most of the time, it's my camera (imagine that!).

Over the last three years, I've collected a BUNCH of "swing shots." Here is a very small peak at the collection:

This is where it all started. M slept in her swing ten times more often than in her crib:


She graduated to a big girl swing before she was one year old:


There are lots of different ways to swing:


Sometimes she swings at the park:



Sometimes she swings in the dark:



I love this action shot. Pure joy.


This one is from last night:


She is getting so big, and I know there will come a day that she is no longer interested in swinging. But that day isn't here yet, and I am thankful for that with every push.

Mandy and BJ: Fun at Hemisphere Plaza

I had an awesome engagement session with Mandy and BJ last week. I was so taken with this couple because they are just perfect together-sweet, fun and so in love.

We had a few drinks at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse before the shoot, and that put everyone in a great state of mind. I totally recommend the Mojitos. Yum.

Check out the slideshow, which features one of my favorites songs:


Thanks for a great evening downtown, guys. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Wendy and Johnpaul: Down at The Creek

Early last week, I headed up to Boerne to shoot an engagement session for Wendy and Johnpaul, whose wedding I'll be shooting in June. It was a fun and relaxing session, especially since we ended up having a wonderful meal and wine half-way through the shoot!

I love couples who are up for anything, it makes it so easy to get great images!

So sweet and romantic:
Check out the gorgeous light:
I love bare feet:


The wedding next month will take place in Boerne at the beautiful St. Peter's Catholic Church, which has been Wendy's church since she was a little girl. I will have my second-shooter, Marie, along with me for this one. I really can't wait!

Cinderella

Steven Curtis Chapman is the singer of a song called Cinderella, which is one of the most perfect father/daughter wedding songs ever. He is the father of six, three of them are adopted girls.

Sadly, his youngest daughter, Maria, died on Wednesday in an accident at their home. My heart is just breaking for this family.



To read more about this amazing family, go to stevencurtischapman.com

I should be getting a package from UPS today!

I can't wait, I can't wait!!!! It's my new lens, and I wasn't expecting it until Wednesday, which was going to be a huge drag because I have an engagement session on Tuesday and I really wanted to use it. Now it looks like I'll have it. Yippee!

May 19, 2008 05:16:00 AM SAN ANTONIO TX US Out for delivery
May 19, 2008 01:36:00 AM SAN ANTONIO TX US Arrival Scan
May 18, 2008 10:00:00 PM HOUSTON TX US Departure Scan
May 16, 2008 11:39:00 AM HOUSTON TX US Arrival Scan
May 14, 2008 12:24:00 PM HODGKINS IL US Departure Scan
May 14, 2008 06:07:00 AM HODGKINS IL US Arrival Scan
May 14, 2008 02:57:00 AM INDIANAPOLIS IN US Departure Scan
May 14, 2008 01:44:00 AM INDIANAPOLIS IN US Arrival Scan
May 13, 2008 09:41:00 PM COLUMBUS OH US Departure Scan
May 13, 2008 07:38:00 PM COLUMBUS OH US Shipment received by carrier
May 13, 2008 05:08:36 PM US Shipment has left seller facility and is in transit

I was planning to do a little shopping, but now I'm going to stay home and wait for the big brown truck. Then I can do my "gotta package from UPS" dance in the drive way. Maybe I'll even take a picture of my UPS guy, if he'll let me. It's a wonderful day!!!!!