I told her to smile at me with those gorgeous eyes of hers, laugh from her belly, and rock it like it was nobody’s business.  Lauren stole the show that day.  Every passerby, even other brides who were getting their portraits at the same location, could not take their eyes off of her.   The beautiful white gown, the super fabulous hair, and the hint of red lipstick … she carried herself with glam, style, and grace.  Lauren is stunning.

I absolutely love everything about Lauren, inside and out (I tell her that all of the time).

I am thinking about using one of her images in my marketing campaign this coming year, what do you think?  Which one is a fav?

I am back and have a new fold in my brain (if possible cause I might be to old to be gettin’ some new folds).  Scientists say that the number of folds you have in your brain determines your level of intelligence.  Well, I got some intelligence this weekend  Some photography light intelligence.

I am back from a phenomenal workshop that included me, my camera, a single light, and the super fab Zack Arias of the One Light Workshop.  I have been following Zack’s work for over a year and loved the mood he creates in his images.  I want to give my clients those same moody images that a simple pop of light can give.  All of Zack’s workshops are filled up within a day or two and lucky me I was able to be on the list when he strutted his strobe into Austin, Texas.  He is clever, fun, down to earth, and OMG such a great teacher.  He had so much patience with all of my kazillion questions.  I am, and have always been, a note-taking fool…the girl who should wear a pocket protector and carry around every type of post it note created.  Yep, I am one of those….the girl who sits in the front row and wants clarity to everything.   I won’t even tell you what time we started or what time we wrapped up, because well, you might think, “How in the world could anyone take pictures for that long”.   Believe me, with Zack’s knowledge it did not seem like enough time and each click of the shutter, I learned or practiced something new.  And to my fellow blog readers, I have to be honest, I am sooooo not a “flash” type of girl.  I love natural light (and still do), but realize the importance and necessity of sometimes having to use flash because that beautiful buttery light is not always available.

Here are a few from my shutter clicking journey….

For some reason it seems I often come across individuals in the wedding industry whom I seem to take a liking to mighty quick.  Barry of Heavenly Caterers in San Antonio, is no exception.  I call him chef Barry and he is my friend, and not because he is one of the best chef’s that walked the earth, but just because he is himself,  a genuine man of great talent and awesome spirit.    I love it when I am at the same venue as Barry because he always manages to greet me with a hello and often makes me feel like I am the best picture taker ever.  Warms my soul.  Barry always saves me a plate of my favorite fixin’s and fills my belly with some tasty hors d’oeuvres , savory main course dishes, and sweet desserts.  Makes me feel like Pavlov’s doggie right now, just thinking about that fresh grilled steak and shrimp.

This past month I was the humbled and lucky girl who was the  featured photographer at La Fontana Event Center’s Open House and Barry was the featured chef.  I just had to take a few clicks of my shutter for others to see how wonderful his dishes looked.  The dishes on display were so beautiful, I thought they were fake.  To my surprise every morsel was real and tasted just as good as it looked.  So… I’ll give you some inside scoop, if you are looking for some great food for your special event, give him a call (210.385.3085).  He can give you and your guests a belly full of love.

Today I was eating a ham and cheese sandwich, wanted to blog stalk a little, and came across a posting that asked how confident are you as a photographer.  Hummm…. I don’t think I have ever thought about that.  I think that right before I go to a photoshoot I have a few butterflies dancing around in my belly, but I think they are doing the happy dance.  I hope the day never comes that I am not giddy with excitement about capturing people’s stories.     I love and admire so many other photographers work and hope to one day produce such brilliant images as them (so in no way do I think I am even close to being the overall expert at shutter clicking).  But what I do know what brings me some confidence, it is I knowing my clients aka…my soon to be friends…aka…my supporters.

I always make efforts to have a conversation with those wonderful people I put in front of my lens.  Yes, I like to talk a lot, but I also like to get to know people a lot.   I want to hear their story.  Not long after I get to talking/emailing/texting with someone, I begin to visualize their idea of the perfect picture for them (mind you each couple, each bride, each mommy’s perfect idea is so very different).  But, because I take the time to know my clients, I know that when the day comes, I will have the confidence to make them a beautiful time keeper we call a photograph.

Here are some of my new found hippy-chick  friends.  Their mommy was a model and I think in this case, the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Saturday is my work day/fun day/creative day.  When you are a wedding photographer, especially in the month of August, a Saturday is a busy day on your calendar.  Usually I am giddy with excitement on a Friday date night with my hubby.   Without fail I tell him for the zillionth time that I wish I could marry him again, he grins and tells me, “me too, honey”.  He knows the deal, he knows the game, and he loves to play.  But really…I really do want to marry him again, but I know at that moment, on a Friday night, I am saying that because I am already thinking about the happenings of tomorrow, a Saturday.  A Saturday of  (in no particular order) wedding vows, ring exchanges, high heels, lipstick, and kisses.   I love brides, I loved being a bride.  There is just somethng about that feeling of getting all fancied up, a little lip gloss, a few curlers, some painted toes, a splash of perfume, and a dash of camera….ummmm the making of a mighty fine recipe for beauty and fun.  

Today is Saturday and I am off to do a super fab photoshoot with a good ole Texas Country Girl.  I can call her this because she will be the first to admit that she loves cowboy boots, hats, old barns, dirt,  and of course her cowboy whom she will marry in a few short weeks.  Laurie is stepping out of her comfort zone of rustic scenery and going for the elegant and posh “Sonterra Country Club“.  We will truck  our way through their grand hallways, lush gardens, and glistening windows as we capture some images of her sweet bridal self.  I’ve been talking with Laurie every single day for the last few days as we share our ideas and I can’t really decide who is more excited, she or I.  The twilight hour of beautiful Texas sunlight is upon us and I am gonna go capture me some fun with sweet Laurie, south Texas sun, and my Nikon.  

And because no post is fab without a picture…here is a wedding I am working on.  Happy Saturday!

It was the party of all part-ays!   The event was on Thursday night.  I am talking everyone in the San Antonio Wedding Industry was at this annual event that was hosted at the beautiful La Fontana Event Center.  The editor of San Antonio Weddings, Todd Kabes, was right on target when he chose this beautiful wedding venue to host the annual event that celebrates those individuals who cherish opportunities to work with wedding clients.   A few of the vendors I met that left a stamp on my soul and were Breanna from Powerhouse Studios, Carol from Cakes by Carol, Mike from VHT, Elaine from Elaine’s Custom Cakes & cookies, Peggy from the Candy Lounge, and all the awesome people at An Event to Remember who provided a scrumptious dinner, decor, and table linens (all of which were accompanied by a genuine smile).  It was a party for all of us vendors who frequently are in attendance at super fab parties, every weekend, events that we document (in my case with photographic memories),  or construct, or host, or decorate, or cater, etc….  we call these super fab parties… San Antonio Weddings.  La Fontana Event Center, owned and operated by my cheerleaders, Cesar and Nancy Trivino, left no detail unturned, nothing but perfection from the floor to the ceilings, to the gazebo, to the bar.  Beautiful silk fabric draping adorned the eating areas, the chairs, and matching table linen, bouquets, and place settings accented the tables. 

Each table was filled with passionate people talking with giddy excitement of their business and love they have for brides and the grooms to be.  The energy was contagious and warmed my soul.  If you ever want to have a fabulous wedding, I’m telling you, get married in this South Texas sweet city of culture, perfection, and detail.  We call this home, or San Antonio. 

I met so many fabulous people that evening whose energy was palpable and truly extraordinary craftsmen (and craftswomen…if that is a word) in their field.  I just know  with my new found relationships, I am going to get lots of BFF’s.  I am a lucky girl, in a fabulous wedding industry. 

Cheers to brides and grooms, you are in good hands, when you have your nuptials in San Antonio!  

Beautiful Magazines added to the decor of the evening

Laughing, networking, dancing, and talking shop

Awesome flower arrangements by Events to Remember

San Antonio Weddings Magazine- Premiere Reading and so much more for all Brides!

I absolutely love high school senior photoshoots.  i don’t get the opportunity to do them often because wedding season in San Antonio tends to be year round.  But this love is perhaps fostered because one of my favorite loves was being a high school science teacher for so many years.

High school seniors are so fun, funky, fresh, and full of life, I swear when I am around them I feel 20 years younger, hip, funny, and have more skip in my step.  This is Miss R and she is fun and all of those things previously mentioned.  I met Miss R while doing a photoshoot and she loved the click-click-click of my shutter.  On this day she asked if I would be willing to take her senior pictures for her. This event was nearly a year and a half ago.  She knew she wanted me to capture some images for her, she just simply waited for the time to pass when she could officially call herself a “senior”.  Miss R showed up to the photoshoot and her hair was beautiful and her make-up was just right.  She was ready to rock the camera.  Mom and dad were not so pleased that she did not straighten her hair to perfection, perhaps in rememberance of the little girl pony tails (it was always so hard to let go).  However, after the prints came, they (along with the perfectness that Miss R and myself new they would be) realized, “Yes, it was perfect…perfect for us”.

This helps me to think about the fact that sometimes we continue to wait to take a photo because we need to cut/color our hair, loose weight, buy a new outfit, wait for the perfect light, wait for a pimple to go away, etc.  Instead we need to just capture the moment for what it is and who we are.

Congratulations Miss R and lots of fun as the adventure begins!

Okay, last night I got this email from Kim at Kimtown and she said my blog proof was ready to look at.   She was my Santa no…better…she was my  Santa Claus and all of his reindeer.  When I first talked to Kim I had a vision of what I wanted, told her my favorite store was White House/Black Market, and told her that I am starting my branding campaign of providing fun photography for REAL PEOPLE.  REAL MOMENTS. REAL LIFE.  She took off with the idea and ran.  This morning when I “opened” my blog for the first time, it was better than the Christmas when I was 5 that I got my Easy Bake Oven….yes…that good!  I am so excited!  I know it is not the fanciest blog and I know there are photographers out there that have much better pictures that I do, but it is mine and MY opportunity to connect to my peeps.

I have been thinking about getting a new blog for some time now, but I have to tell you that when you first start a business each decision is quite thought provoking.  Should I do this…should I do that….is it worth this amount or that amount…. the questions never end and often times keep me up at night….contemplating rather than dreaming of sweet nothings.

So where do I find myself today….. well…..I swear, if I had it my way I would walk around with a camera in my hand 24/7.  Even though I launched my business over a year ago, I still am in love with the idea of capturing some images of strangers who later become friends.  One of my girlfriends once said to me, “Wow, do you realize that those portraits are going to hang on the wall of someone’s home and be in their family, possibly forever?”  The thought of my simple click of a button becoming a family treasure melts me.  I am humbled.

So I owe it to my family, my friends, my clients, and even the many unknown internet friends to share my journey of owning a photography business, sharing the message I learn from each photoshoot, and living life in a world that moves way to fast and makes me realize that life is not long enough to do everything I want to do.  I am a hard worker who loves to learn, reflect, and laugh.   This blog has given me the freedom to release my inner thoughts.  I won’t feel ashamed of my mistakes, but rather learn from them, and I will cherish the opportunity to share my life.

Thank you for riding with me on this journey and a special thanks to the many clients I had this past year who have been my cheerleaders and have taken my business to a whole new level that I never knew existed.  These special people trusted me with their precious memories and sometimes had a level of confidence for me that I was sometimes lacking.

And because every post is better with a picture, here is a beautiful bride whose wedding I photographed last night.  Sheri…. one word…. “Beautiful”.  I will be posting more fantastic memories of both George and Sheri this week!