It was the way she could share anything - even the deepest, darkest, and yes, most embarrassing things - with him without fear that he would get scared and run away. It was the way she made him feel completely comfortable to let his guard down and finally, truly be himself. When I asked Matt and Joanna what made them come to the realization that their “to-be” was THE one, the answers they gave spoke of a solid, healthy foundation for a happy and life-long marriage. I love it when I meet one of my couples for the first time and get to experience a small little piece of what their relationship looks like. And it is always so wonderful to see two people matched as perfectly as Matt and Joanna. We had so much fun on what was one of the most beautiful days in recent history as we ran around Southwestern University’s campus - where the magic began - for their engagement session. Thanks for such a fun day, guys!
They brought their sweet dog Reilly along for a few family portraits at the beginning of their session! Special shout-out to Uncle Max for babysitting - thanks, Max!
This one on the left is my favorite!
Their relationship began at a Southwestern basketball game where Matt finally got the courage to talk to Joanna!
I asked them if their school had any special hand signal (like the longhorns or the aggies, etc) and they said no. But then, in unison, as though completely planned, the threw their pirate hooks in the air! Go Pirates!
I’m not sure if any of you remember this from when we (those of us in our late 20s and early 30s) were kids, but I was ALL over it. I was an extremely active child with multiple team sports played and lots of running around all day with the neighborhood kids, but somehow, when I saw this commercial on TV, I felt like I just had to start working out too! It’s not that I thought that I was fat or that I needed to burn some calories . . . it’s just that these girls looked SO cool and I wanted to look just like them! I had the workout tape (yes, as in cassette tape that you put in one of those old-timey tape players), the sweat band, the ribbon baton, and yes, even the weighted bangles! I was one cute little workout queen!
Looking back, I feel like somebody tricked me into thinking working out was fun. It’s like how my friend bought her son a toy vacuum cleaner and for a week solid, all he wanted to do was “vacuum” the house. Once he figured out that vacuuming actually isn’t fun, his sweet little toy stayed in the corner of his room collecting dust.
In recent years, I experienced this same thing with working out. I had been very athletic all of my life and so, the thought of running “just because” made no sense to me. Why would you run unless you had just hit a line drive straight past shortstop or were about to score the winning goal in a soccer game? I came up with a mile-long list of excuses for why I “just can’t work out today” and I would rotate through them week by week.
My biggest excuse, by far, always stemmed back to how recently I had taken a shower. I didn’t want to waste a “perfectly good shower” by getting all dirty and smelly again. I could not even begin to tell you how many times I used that one!
Well, folks - I think I have officially turned over a new leaf! I’ve been working out with a buddy EVERY day for several weeks now and it’s been wonderful! Sometimes we just walk and sometimes we do a weights class, and sometimes we do both. I have re-discovered that fabulous girl with the weighted bangles and two-toned leg-warmers and I am pleased to say that I really love her! She’s motivated, energetic, and fun and she’s a much more positive person than that couch potato I knew once upon a time.
Yesterday morning my workout buddy called to let me know that she would not be able to work out. YES, I thought, a day off! I was already in my workout clothes and decided to keep them on because maybe I would work out later in the day. Well, as often happens, the day got extremely busy very quickly and I found myself in my office at 5pm thinking of what a shame it was that I hadn’t found the time to work out. I decided to give up and go take a shower. I went into my bathroom and turned the water on when a thought suddenly occured to me.
Why waste a perfectly good dirty body on a shower? I might as well fit a workout in if I’m already dirty!
With that, I was out the door and hitting the pavement for a thirty minute run around the hood. I laughed to myself as I ran (probably looking a little crazy) at how my mindset about exercise has changed over the years. I am so happy to be where I am - loving life and enjoying taking care of myself! I love it when I can see the little places in life that are getting easier and more fun and I was just so happy to discover that, even as an adult, the way I think about things can change if I’m determined to change it! Yay!
Tom and Ashley were brave enough to meet me in a questionable part of town to allow my to work out the vision I had for their engagement session based on their request for “urban funk”. Thanks, Tom and Ash! They even brought their fabulously energetic baby dog Turner, who is currently obsessed with both birds and shadows . . . imagine a sunny day in Austin and how over-the-top blissfully exciting it must have been for him!
I’m pretty sure Tom is my long lost big brother because he pretty much busted my chops the whole way though the session! I would say “give her a kiss on her forehead” or “look into her eyes” and he would go “Seriously? Um . . . okay ” in a very skeptical tone of voice. I don’t think he believed the pictures wouldn’t be totally cheesy, but I promised him they would be awesome. It was hilarious! Tom - I’m sure you will agree that these pictures are more than worth the geekiness that I rubbed off on you guys for the afternoon!
I love this moment. Ashley is all “don’t you even think of it, mister!!”
Favorite!
Oh Turner, you’re such a lil love bug!
What? You need to see their stunning good-looks again? Well, okay.
I so very much loved my time with Greg and Dalia. What a wonderful couple! I was trying to think of what it is that makes the two of them so magnetic and I finally figured it out . . . they are incredibly kind. Kindness is something that I aspire to - something that doesn’t always naturally come out. For these two, it is absolutely natural. They are a joy to know and I can hardly wait for their wedding next September! I love my job so much!
There was lots of laughter at our session, which you know I love!
These days it is rare for me to feel genuinely embarrassed in front of Stan. After 5+ years of marriage, it seems as though I’ve had as many falls, bad hair days, foot-in-mouth moments, nasty stomach bugs, and wardrobe malfunctions as humanly possible. So, after all we’ve been through together, it’s very hard to embarass me. Oh, but it happened - hard core - last week.
I decided to give Stan a call at work one afternoon just to check and see how his day was going. When I dialed the phone, I waited for a moment to hear it ring, before determining that, for whatever reason, the call could not connect and I would have to try again. But then, as does often happen, I became distracted by something else and placed my phone to the side, deciding that I would try him again later. Well, I guess I was just going about my business when about 5 minutes later, I received a call from Stan.
“Oh, hi! I just tried to call you a few minutes ago!”
“Yeah, I know. That’s actually why I’m calling you back. You should have heard yourself!!!!” (incessant laughter)
” . . . whaaaaaaaat??”
Then Stan proceeded to describe to me how the entire incident actually went down behind the scenes. He said that he picked up the phone when I called earlier and that he could hear me on the other end. Except I wasn’t speaking to him . . . but I was speaking . . . to myself. He said that I just went on and on to myself, and sometimes to Buddy, about whatever it was that I was doing.
Oh, great. Now my husband probably thinks I’m crazy. Not to mention I had NO idea that I talked to myself! I couldn’t even recall doing it as he recounted it to me. I was totally embarrassed. But thankfully, we had a good laugh about it and Stan didn’t send a big padded truck to my house to pick me up. So, what lessons am I taking from this experience? Glad you asked. A) Stacy needs to get out more. B) I am a blabbermouth and there’s no stopping me. and C) Don’t assume a proper hang up until you press “END CALL”.
It is such a huge joy to see these two getting ready to tie the knot! Just like Stan and I, these guys met in the college group at our church when they came to Austin as UT students. I’ve known Allison since she was a baby (not really, but practically ) so it’s such an honor to also get to see Aaron come into her life and sweep her off her feet. These guys are perfect for one another and I cannot wait to see what the future holds! We will have the honor of shooting their wedding in Houston next July and while now it seems like a million years away, I know the time will fly by and their big day will be here before we know it! Thanks for such a fun day, guys! Love, Stacebo
Favorites!!
It seems like you can feel the warmth between them in this picture!
These guys are so funny! We found this horse (??) painted on the side of the wall and the two of them decided that he would be a great part of their engagement session!
Awwww! I want a huuuuuug! Stanbo - come hoooooome!
Love this one, too! (I have waaay too many favorites from their session!)
“Just sit on those chairs and gimme whatcha got!” I love it!
Miss Alison is one gorgeous, smiley, fabulous lady! After seeing her beautiful friends grace the face of my blog for their senior portraits, Alison gave me a call to do some head shots/relaxed portraits for her and I am so glad she did! We started in the capitol and captured some dance moves (she is an amazing dancer!) and then moved to the streets for some more casual fun!
Not only are they married, but they’ve been married for over 6 months now and they are loving the newlywed life!
Kevin and Crystal are two of our very favorite clients ever! Stan and I still talk about their wedding on a regular basis because it was just that rad. We love, love, love these guys!
Back when Crystal was just a couple of months from walking down the isle, she told me that she really wanted bridal portraits, but that things were getting really crazy and she wasn’t sure if she would have the time. She wanted to know what I really thought of bridal portraits and if I thought she should do them. That’s when I suggested a post-wedding portrait session.
Post-wedding sessions (aka “Day-After” or “Trash the Dress” sessions) are so nice because they take place after all the craziness of preparing for your wedding is over and when you are returning to your pre-engagement, in-your-right-mind state of peace. Don’t get me wrong: I still LOVE shooting bridal portraits! But it’s so much more fun (for you) when you can be more relaxed and not worry about getting your dress dirty days, months, or even years after your wedding has passed. I like my brides to bring their husbands along, but it’s totally up to you how you do it. Either way, it’s always a blast and you will walk away with many more beautiful pictures of just yourself/ves than we would ordinarily have time to take on your wedding day.
So, enough chit chat! If you’re interested in possibly doing a post-wedding session, send me an email!
Here are just a few of my ridiculously many favorites from Crystal and Kevin’s session . . .
Favorite!!
This little series is soooooooo Crystal and Kevin . . . .I love it!!
Over the many years that Andrea had known Daniel, it had never occurred to her to see him in that way. After all, he was her little brother’s best friend and nothing more. They would occasionally cross paths and, while their friendship grew, they never became anything more than just that - friends.
As these teenagers blossomed into college students and then quickly into adults, they found themselves noticing one another. As all of the “we’re just friends”s melted away and gave way to more and more “what if”s, Daniel and Andrea cultivated a deeper friendship that soon turned into a beautiful romance.
On their wedding day, surrounded by hundreds of family and friends, Daniel and Andrea chose each other once and for all. It was a beautiful end to the first chapter of their unique story and a perfect beginning to the next chapter of their incredible life together. Dan and Andrea - we are so deeply happy for you! Thank you for sharing this very special time with us. We are so honored to now call you friends!
Frank is one of the sweetest daddies ever.
The ceremony and reception were held in Richmond, TX at the gorgeous Briscoe Manor. We loved shooting there for the first time!
These two are friends of ours from college (yes, we have a bunch of those!) and we are so honored that they’ve chosen us to photograph their wedding day coming up! I loved spending time with them at their engagement session and we got lots and lots of great pictures because these guys were wonderful in front of my camera. They have such an adorable, cuddly love for one another. It made me want to rush home and hug my Stan! Here are just a few favorites!
