Top 5 Reasons to Have an Engagement Session: Harlie and McKenzie's Engagement

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Harlie and Mckenzie during their engagement session, which was included in their wedding package.  We had an absolute blast during the session, which was FULL of laughs!  

Harlie and Mckenzie have known each other a long time because her mom and his dad used to high school rodeo together.  Due to this, their families have pretty much always known each other.  During Harlie's freshman year, which was Mckenzie's sophomore year, they were in Spanish class together.  On May 29th, right after school released for summer break, they began dating.  Their first date was to the local Chinese restaurant in Mexia...more than likely :)  Harlie said that was almost six years ago so she could be wrong :)  

Harlie and Mckenzie's wedding will take place in Thornton.  The chose that location because it's really relaxed and close to family.  As far as a honeymoon goes, they're still planning that!  But one thing's for sure, they WILL stay in a bungalow on top of the water somewhere!

I love shooting engagement sessions before the wedding for several reasons, but I managed to narrow it down to five reasons.

1.  The couple has nice photographs before they start getting busy with all the wedding planning...and life in general.

2.  The couple has a chance to take creative photographs and just let loose...enjoying this time making memories.

3.  You can also use the photographs for your actual wedding.  Think Save the Date cards, wedding invitations, thank you cards, reception decorations, etc.  

4.  Practice!  The big day is quickly approaching and an engagement session gives you practice being in front of the camera.

5.  Meeting the photographer...and the photographer meeting you!  Both parties get to know each other and begin to feel comfortable with one another BEFORE the wedding.

DIY Wall Gallery: Part Two

In case you missed last week's blog post about my own diy wall gallery, you can read that here.

In this week's blog post, I am going to walk you through the process of making your own wall gallery of your family - step by step.

Step One.  So, you have a wall in your home that is the perfect space for showcasing your family's portraits.  It's a wall that is a focal point in your home.  It's a wall which friends and family love to look at when they visit.  Some people like their photographs to be very organized, while others just like to throw them on the wall.  Whichever your style is, there is a wall gallery design for you.  The great thing about wall galleries is that there is no wrong way to put one together.  It is YOUR wall gallery - your vision.  Where is your wall?  What colors surround this area?  

Step Two.  Now that you have the wall picked out, what type of layout do you want?  What layout appeals to you and showcases your portraits in a way that pleases you?  There are many ideas online that you can use to find ideas or you can come up with your own.  Consider the size of the wall.  Does it have more of a horizontal or vertical layout?  

Step Three.  You're making good process with your wall gallery by now and you have a pretty good idea as to what it will look like when it's all said and done.  But there's one more thing to consider with regards to the layout.  Do you want this space to include other pieces of artwork, such as metal art, other framed art, mirrors, quotes, etc?  If so, how do you want to incorporate those into your gallery?

Step Four.  Now it's time to decide which portraits you'd like to include in your wall gallery and are there any that you want to be the main focal point of the wall, such as a family portrait.  This main portrait should be larger than the others so that it is the main focus.  Consider a piece that is at least 16x20 in size.  Anything smaller, such as an 8x10, means that your other supporting portraits will more than likely be smaller and they will be too small on the wall. You want visitors to be able to SEE your family without having to pull out a magnifying glass or getting right up to the wall.  They should be able to see the portraits from a distance.

Step Five.  You have the layout, design, and portraits chosen.  Now to consider the frames you'd like to use.  Don't be afraid to think out of the box with this step!  There are so many unique ideas for frames.  You can use old wooden windows, make your own with barn wood, embellish the frame with various items, custom paint a frame, etc.  The sky is seriously the limit!

Step Six.  It's time to hang your portraits on the wall!  Many store bought frames use sawtooth hangers.  If you make your own frame(s), I suggest using a wire hanger.  It is much easier to hang and straighten on the wall.  

Step Seven.  Stand back and admire your beautiful family!

For more reading about diy wall galleries, check out this board on Pinterest.

If you make your own wall gallery, I'd LOVE to see a photo of it!

DIY Wall Gallery: Part One

We had our family portraits taken in September.  I had them printed with the idea of creating a beautiful wall gallery to show off my family.  I looked and looked at TONS of wall gallery ideas and just when I would choose one, I'd second guess myself.  I just couldn't find something that I absolutely loved, that is until I went to the Jewett Flea Market.  

As my husband and I were walking through the flea market, we stumbled upon a vendor that had a large assortment of old windows.  I immediately had an idea!  An old window would make a beautiful and unique frame for our large family portrait that I had printed.  I looked at every window there and found one that I loved and my husband had to make sure it was the right size - since he's the one that's good at math!  

I began thinking of how this wall gallery would look.  I knew I wanted the large family portrait as the focal point of the wall, but we also have 9 kiddos between us.  I knew I wanted each child to have their individual portrait framed surrounding the large family portrait.  

 I now had a rough idea as to what I wanted the wall gallery to look like, but what color would I want this gallery to be?  After all, the wooden window frame had to be sanded and painted.  I considered the decor and colors of our living room and furniture.  I needed the gallery to coordinate with those colors.  I decided on a dark gray color.  I found gray barn wood frames at Michael's craft store on sale.  

Now that I had the individual 8x10 frames for the kids' portraits, I had to get the wooden window prepped and painted for the family portrait.  I began by sanding the wooden window to remove the flaking white paint.  After the window was sanded, I taped off the glass to keep most of the spray paint from getting on the it.  I had to paint the window with three coats for even coverage.  After the paint was dry, I removed the tape and had to scrape the glass with a razor blade to remove the over-spray from the spray paint, as well as the old white paint that was splattered on the glass originally.

I had the window, I had the 16x20 print, but I still needed a mat for this frame.  I know I did not want a plain white mat for this frame.  A white mat just seemed so "right" and I wanted something unique.  I decided to use fabric for the mat.  I bought one yard of fabric that was gray with a slight texture, nothing that would be too busy and take away from the portrait.  I used posterboard for the backing and wrapped the fabric around that so I could place the portrait in the window.  

The last step in putting the wall gallery together was to find a sign of some sort that would pull it all together.  I looked at three stores, but found what I was looking for at Hobby Lobby.  I am so in love with this wall gallery!  

Check back next week for the second part to this blog post, a step by step guide to making your own wall gallery on a budget.

My Latest Personal Project

I consider myself to be a creative person.  My mind is always racing and I'm constantly asking myself, "What if..."  I find the world fascinating in all aspects - it's beauty, how we think, why we do what we do, and what can I do to make the world a better, nicer, place.  I have never been able to work at a repetitive job...EVER!  Some people love those types of jobs, however I need each and every day of my life to be completely unpredictable to a certain degree.  I enjoy problem solving and being flexible.  THAT is why I ALWAYS wanted to work in education!  Whenever people would ask me why I wanted to become a teacher, my response was always, "No two days are ever the same."  Obviously there are many other reasons as to why one wants to become a teacher, but to me that was one of the perks.  I loved walking into the classroom and having to be on my toes all day long ready to help my students conquer whatever obstacle they were facing that day.  

I worked in a very demanding school district in Texas and it seemed the administration cared less and less, each and every school year.  Eventually this affected me in a negative way.  I began to count the hours of the day and countdown the days until summer break.  There was an enormous weight on my shoulders and I did not feel appreciated or valued as a human being.  The administration always wanted more out of my bucket, but they weren't adding anything into my bucket.  Eventually, my bucket ran dry and I resigned after five years of teaching.  You can read more about my struggle here.  

As a creative individual, it didn't take me long to realize that staying at home with my newborn was going to be an adjustment.  I went from twenty five-year-olds needing my attention throughout the day to having one newborn that demanded my attention during the day.  I soon realized that I needed to find something to do just "for me."  I told my husband that I wanted to buy a camera and practice photography.  At the time I wasn't thinking of starting my own business, but I certainly did want a hobby.  I soon realized that I could make people happy by providing them with a fun, comfortable experience while having their photographs taken.  

The first year I opened my business, things were slow...until the fall season hit.  I was suddenly swamped with requests and I didn't want to turn anyone away so I just made it work.  After surviving the fall season I knew I had to do something different if I was going to continue this business venture.  I would need to find something I was passionate about and vow to do a personal project each year to keep reminding myself that I originally began practicing photography as a hobby - something that brought me peace and made me feel alive.  So each year I try to work on a personal project.  I'll be honest, it almost always revolves around breastfeeding.  

There is so much stigma in our society with regards to breastfeeding.  Some people think it's just plain disgusting.  Others think it's a beautiful, natural way to feed a baby, but it should be done in a private location - or at the very least with a blanket covering the feeding baby.  And there are others that have no issue with it at all.  Obviously, I fall into the latter category and will work my tail off to help normalize breastfeeding so that it is not an issue at all - it is just viewed as a mother feeding her baby.  The more breastfeeding is seen in public, the more normalized it will become.  THAT is the goal of my latest personal project.

I'd like to give a special THANK YOU to the lovely breastfeeding mama (and model), Amber Brown and her son!  So stunning!

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Jackson!

Meet Spencer and Cheyenne Jackson.  They tied the knot on January 7th, 2017 at the historic Allen House in Marlin, Texas.  The Allen House was built in 1911 by Dr. Walter Hanz Allen and his wife Nettle Falconer Allen.  Today the house operates as a civic center and provides a unique atmosphere for weddings, receptions, retreats, and many other functions. If you'd like to learn more about the Allen House, you can read more here.    

The historic Allen House in Marlin, Texas.

Spencer and Cheyenne met at his brother’s wedding in 2015. A little over a year later, Spencer popped the question on a cliff at Circle Point in Cameron Park in Waco, Texas.  Cheyenne excitedly said, “YES!”

They had an eventful first date in Waco as they began to get to know one another over dinner, followed by a movie.  They ended their night with a little game that’s native to Wacoans – tortilla tossing off the suspension bridge at Indian Springs Park. 

Spencer and Cheyenne decided to have a small, intimate wedding on the front porch of the historic mansion lit by candles.  The wedding was at 6:00 pm so it was very dark outside, but the lights from the candles and porch lights cast a very romantic, candlelight for the ceremony.  Did I mention it was FREEZING?  It was seriously like 25 degrees outside!  The fact that it was so cold seemed irrelevant because the ceremony was so beautiful…a true love story.

Spencer and Cheyenne's wedding on the front porch of the Allen House.

“A happy marriage is about three things: memories of togetherness, forgiveness of mistakes and a promise to never give up on each other.”

— Sarabhi Surendra

I wish you both the very best!

Lifestyle Newborn Photography

As 2017 begins, a few changes have been implemented.  One of which is the type of newborn photography that we will now offer.  Rather than posed newborn photography sessions, we will instead do lifestyle newborn photography sessions.  What does this mean?  Well, the sessions typically take place at the home of the client and the images are simply images of one's real life.

“Lifestyle photography is a kind of photography which mainly aims to capture portrait/people in situations, real-life events or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday. The primary goal is to tell stories about people’s life or to inspire people in different times.”

— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifestyle_photography

I love capturing the love a family has for one another!  My number one goal is to provide families with a portrait that shows everyone that views that portrait the love that family has for one another.  If I don't provide this for my clients, I don't feel that I've done my job very well.  I find it extremely rewarding when clients specifically tell me that I captured the personalities of their family perfectly.  THAT is why I do what I do!  

Watch Me Grow!

There are many things I absolutely LOVE about being a photographer!  I LOVE meeting new friends!  There are so many of my clients that I consider to be my friends.  It's kind of strange how you can get to know someone and connect with them in one short session, but it definitely happens.  I am witnessing a family truly interact with one another in a genuine fashion.  

I also LOVE watching these friends' little ones grow up through the lens on my camera!  There are several clients that I photographed when I was just beginning two and a half years ago that continue to book sessions with me.  It's so amazing to see them grow and develop their personalities!  

As the year comes to a close, I'd like to take a moment and reflect on the families and little ones that have grown up in front of my camera over the past two and a half years :)
 

Saira 2016

Saira 2015

Sinclair Family 2016

Sinclair Family 2015

Draper Family 2016

Draper Family early 2016

Toner Family 2016

Toner Family 2015

Smith Family 2016

Smith Family 2015

Layla 2016

Layla 2015

Caseton 2016

Caseton and Brother 2015

Oliver Family 2016

Oliver Family 2015

Hayden 2016

Hayden 2015

McIntosh Family 2016

McIntosh Family 2015

Avrey 2016

Avrey and Sister Zoey 2015

Craven Family 2016

Craven Family 2015

Aliyah 2016

Wier Family 2015

I've had the pleasure of photographing several families in multiple sessions, however I chose to only include those that had a session in 2016.

Winter Wonderland in Texas!

Baby it's cold outside!  

In Central Texas, we don't receive much precipitation in the form of snow - IF we receive any snow at all!  But each and every winter (even though I have a strong dislike for the cold), I am a little sad when I see my Facebook news feed and all my Idaho friends and family are outside playing in the snow and enjoying snow days.  I hope one day that my two little girls will get the chance to experience a snow day, snowball fights, building a snowman, or just running through the snow as it's falling.  This is the very reason that I decided to introduce Winter Wonderland Imagination Sessions!

Winter Wonderland Sessions are extremely limited due to the amount of time that goes into planning and editing each image.  Only four sessions are available during the months of December and January.

Families that took advantage of these sessions enjoyed spending time with their family in a fun, imaginative session.  It is amazing to watch every member of the family get so into the session!  We've created snowball fights, campfires in the snow, dancing in the snow, snuggling loved ones under a blanket, saw reindeer and polar bears!  The sky is the limit with these sessions!  

If you're interested in booking one of these sessions in the future, mark your calendars for next Black Friday, as that is when they will once again be available.  

Party With Us At My Little Play Place!

For over a year now Smith Family Photography has been invited to photograph little party-goers at My Little Play Place in Waco throughout the year...and it's time for the My Little Play Place Christmas Party!  Party-goers decorate cookies, visit the photo booth for a photograph, and PLAY!  

Where:  My Little Play Place

When:  Tuesday, December 13th, 2016

Cost:  $4.00 per child in addition to regular admission

The photography background for this party will be holiday themed and Santa hats will be available to wear during your little one's photo.

At the last party we had a great turnout and we saw several smiling ghouls and goblins!  We hope to see all those friends plus more at the Christmas Party!

If you have an idea for a party theme, please let us know and we will see if we can make it happen!  Hope to see you on December 13th!

Just A Few of My Favorite Locations

I think every photographer has their favorite locations - where they know the lighting, know the location, and secret nooks.  I know I certainly do!  

I get asked quite often where my favorite locations are, which prompted me to put together an Exclusive Client Access Area on my website.  This area has all of my favorite locations, as well as a style guide, wall art inspiration, product care, and frequently asked questions.  You might be asking yourself how you can take a look at that page on my website...and the answer is...after securing your session by paying the required 50% deposit, you will be given a password which will grant you access to this exclusive area.  

I primarily work in two counties in Texas - Limestone and McLennan.  I have several favorite locations in both of these counties, but I am going to share my absolute most favorite location in each of these counties with you now.  

Hands down, my favorite location in Limestone County is a piece of property my husband's family owns near Personville and Donie.  There is a covered bridge, a tin barn, a tire swing, and a cabin.  In the spring, the bluebonnets grow so beautifully and are basically undisturbed.  The covered bridge is perfect for both family and individual photographs.  The tire swing is a "must-do" at this location!  It is perfect for getting people of all ages to smile with a genuine smile.  The porch of the cabin is a favorite among clients because it gives the photographs a feeling of "home."  Since this is private family property, I am the only photographer that has access to this location.

My second favorite location is in McLennan County and is located just outside of Crawford, Texas.  This location is called Tonkawa Falls.  Just as the name implies, there is a waterfall which makes a beautiful backdrop for photographs!  There are plenty of other scenic backdrops as well, such as cliffs, a stone stairwell, a dock type structure, a grove of trees, and a stone wall with a building.  

I am always on the lookout for other locations.  Do you know of some that you'd like to share?  

My Gratitude List

“Take time to be thankful for everything that you have. You can always have more, but you could also have less.”

— unknown

November is a month of reflection.  The year is coming to a close and I find myself looking back on the past year.  There's always good times as well as bad times, but one thing is always the same...year after year.  Life always goes on.  Each day is a blessing, not a promise.  We each have the free choice to make each day our own.  It's all about perspective.  

I challenge you today to compile your own gratitude list.  What are a few of the things you are thankful for?  Sometimes it's difficult to find things to be thankful for, but after all these years I have come to the realization that things can ALWAYS get worse.  

Here's my gratitude list:

1.  I'm thankful for my health.  So many people that surround me have health issues ranging from mild to severe.  I've always been a healthy person and the most I've had to worry about is aches from time to time.  Even when my body is feeling achy, I am reminded that I am healthy and still have a lot of life ahead of me.

2.  I'm thankful for my family.  I have an amazing husband that has supported me and our children.  When I decided to quit teaching and become a photographer, he stood behind my decision and has always believed in me.  My children are all healthy and are growing up to be adults that I am proud of.  My family is my world!

3.  I'm thankful for the gift of reading.  I LOVE learning!  I am always reading material that helps me grow - professionally and personally.  There are several blogs that I follow and in one of these blogs I recently read something that hit me like a ton of bricks.  

“Maybe you’re not an entrepreneur. Maybe you’re a mom. The CEO of your household. One of the hardest jobs in the world. And maybe you’re watching Dora the Explorer for the hundredth time and reading Curious George for the fiftieth, and those bottles that need to be rinsed and poise of laundry staring you in the face make you feel like you’re failing today.

You’re not. You’re doing the most important job in the entire world. Because you’re making investments in the dirt that will allow your child to soar to the clouds.”

— Amy & Jordan

4.  I'm thankful for my friends.  I am beyond blessed with the greatest friends I could have every asked for!  Some friends I don't talk to everyday, or even once a month, but these friends are ALWAYS there when I need them.  I have a handful of friends that are my best friends.  They are supportive, encouraging. loyal, and a lot of fun to be around!  

5.  I'm thankful for all my amazing clients.  Being a photographer is a TON of work!  There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes and that work can be exhausting!  But my clients keep me going.  I love spending time with them.  I love capturing them interact with one another.  I love taking beautiful photographs of them and giving them a piece of art that makes them feel beautiful.  I have become friends with many of my clients.  And that makes me happy.

6.  I'm thankful for the gift of hearing.  I love music!  I love noise!  I am so thankful that I am able to listen to Red Dirt Music.  THAT makes me happy!

7.  I'm thankful that I have been put in a place where I can advocate for breastfeeding mothers.  I help give mothers a voice to stand up for their right and for their family's.  This would not be possible without all the strong females in my life and surround me.  Even though I miss teaching in Marlin, I know I am doing important work.

8.  I'm thankful for the Internet.  I have met so many wonderful friends from all over the world!  I have also met many teachers that continue to inspire me each and every day.  

9.  I'm thankful for living in a small town that is a true community.  I know others are watching out for my children and will inform me if they see something troubling.  A small town definitely feels like a family.

10.  I'm thankful I have a warm, dry place to call home.  

11.  I'm thankful for GRACE.  It is a love that can't be explained.  My Heavenly Father inspires me with creativity and pushes me to see the bigger picture - to see a different perspective.  

5 Ways to Blend Families With Children at Weddings

“Blended Families. Woven together by choice, strengthened together by love, tested by everything, and each uniquely ours.”

— unknown

On November 5, 2016 I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding ceremony between Robert Hickman and Brandy Vincent.  This was much more than a wedding ceremony between a man and a woman that completely and utterly adore each other - this was also a union of a blended family.  

You see, Robert has one son from a previous relationship and Brandy has two children, a daughter and a son, from a previous relationship.  I have known Robert for several years.  We first met when his son and my son played little league baseball together in Mart, Texas.  I later met Brandy through Robert at...you guessed it...through little league baseball!  From the very minute I saw Brandy, Robert, and the three children interacting, I knew they had something very special.  Something that not every blended family has - unconditional love for one another.  

At the wedding rehearsal I wasn't shocked that their children were involved in the wedding ceremony.  Their two sons were groomsmen and their daughter was a bridesmaid.  But something else that happened made this a very emotional event for all of them!  During the rehearsal Brandy told her two children that THEY would be walking down the aisle to give her away during the ceremony!  I can't even begin to explain the emotions!  There were plenty of happy tears and even more hugs.  This very moment was the highlight of the entire wedding rehearsal.  

Throughout the entire wedding ceremony the children were included and I personally feel that including the children in the process helps them feel like they're part of the new family that is being created through the marriage.  Brandy and Robert did an excellent job at planning their wedding.  Everything was absolutely beautiful!  But the one thing that stood out to me was the way they used this ceremony to create a new family by including them in the blending process.  I came up with 5 ways to blend families with children at weddings.    

1.  If they are old enough to do so, let them help with the planning.  One way you can let your children help with planning the wedding is by letting them help pick some of the music for the reception.  Kids LOVE music!  Many girls also LOVE crafting!  If they do, let them help assemble decorations.  There are a gazillion ways your kiddos can help when it comes to planning the wedding.  You know your kids better than anyone else so give them a "job" and let them run with it.

2.  Let your children invite some of their friends to the wedding.  Being a part of a wedding as an adult can be stressful.  Being a part of a wedding as a child can be stressful as well.  If you let them invite their best friend, they will have their support system right there.  Obviously this is also dependent upon the age(s) of your children.  Having a friend there gives them someone to feel comfortable with...someone to talk to...dance with...and laugh with.

3.  Include the children in the actual wedding ceremony.  As I already mentioned, Brandy and Robert included all three of their children in the wedding ceremony.  It made them feel as if it was a family event rather than an event between the adults.  

4.  Create an event during the ceremony that includes the children.  A popular event during the ceremony that includes the children is a sand ceremony.  Robert and Brandy chose to do a candle lighting ceremony which involved the children.  Creating an event during the ceremony that includes the children is in essence sharing the vows with the children.

5.  Give the children a REAL role in the wedding ceremony if they would like one.  I touched on this point earlier when I discussed how Brandy asked her children to walk her down the aisle and give her away during the ceremony.  Depending on the maturity level of the children, allow them to have a REAL role if they'd like one.

“Celebrate the presence of children at a wedding where families are being joined and blended. Remember, you’re not just getting married and perhaps gaining some new children in the process or bringing a new spouse into your life — your children are gaining a whole new family through your marriage.”

— S Malone

Season's Greetings!

It's time to start thinking of your family's holiday cards!  I know what you're thinking...Christmas is still over one month away, but that is not a lot of time if you need to have family portraits taken, cards designed, and then addressed and mailed.  

We offer four types of cards: Slim Line Cards, Foil Pressed Cards, Flat Cards, and Folded Cards.  Each type of card will be customized for your family and presented to you for approval before ordering.

Slim Line Cards

Slim Line cards are single sided 4x8 cards that are printed either vertically or horizontally on photo paper.  They typically contain 1-3 photos with a simple holiday message.  Slim Line Cards are sold in sets of 25 and envelopes are included. 

Slim Line Card

Foil Pressed Cards

Foil Pressed Cards are 5x7 cards that are printed on photographic card paper.  The front side has foil lettering available in gold, opal, red, silver, and black.  The back side is blank for you to customize with a holiday message from your family.  They are sold in sets of 25 and include envelopes. 

Foil Pressed Card

Flat Cards

Flat cards are similar to Foil Pressed Cards with the exception of no foil lettering.  They are two sided and typically include a photo on the front with the family holiday message on the back. They are sold in sets of 25 and include envelopes. 

Flat Card

Folded Cards

Folded Cards are the "normal" card with a front cover, back cover, and inside panels.  All four panels (front cover, inside panels, and back cover) can be customized or left blank for you to write your own personal message. 

Folded Cards

If you are interested in ordering holiday cards, give us a call or send us a message and we'll love to help you out!

Andrew & Brittany

Each and every wedding inquiry I receive makes me feel very blessed that a special couple has considered me for their wedding photography needs.  My pricing structure is different from other many other photographers and I realize that it does not fit every couples needs.  Wedding photography is something to be valued.  After all, you only get one shot at capturing THAT day.  It is important that you choose a photographer that you "click" (haha) with.  Some couples just hire me for their wedding.  Others hire me for their engagement session and/or bridal session, as well as their wedding.  Neither way is right or wrong.  As I said, each couple has different needs.  

With that being said, there are definitely HUGE perks to hiring one photographer for all of your wedding portrait needs.  One such perk is that the photographer and couple get to know each other pretty well.  That makes the portraits feel much more comfortable and genuine.  The photographer gets to know the couple and often times, their families.  This bond that is created also provides the couple with consistent portraits from engagement, to bridals, and finally the wedding.  The style is the same since they decided to use one photographer for the entire wedding.  The photographer can design their Save the Date cards and wedding invitations as well, which saves the couple time and allows them to spend time with one another and their families and friends rather than designing invitations.  

Andrew and Brittany are one such couple that decided to hire one photographer.  We met for the first time on October 14th in Hillsboro for their engagement/family session.  Brittany has two beautiful daughters that they wanted to include in the session.  We all had so much fun!  As the session progressed, everyone became more comfortable with one another and the session became so much more relaxed and the laughs came pouring out!

At the beginning of the session we were able to get some very posed shots and I REALLY had to work at getting some smiles from the girls.  (In case you're wondering, I won!).  

After several posed shots, the girls were super excited for portraits with just them...and even came up with their own poses!  I love it when kids get so involved with the session that they ask to do certain poses.  That is a sure sign that they are enjoying themselves!

From there we moved on to the couples portion of the session.  Andrew and Brittany brought some wedding decorations that they are going to use at their upcoming wedding.  During one of these poses, a Hillsboro Fire Department truck drove by with the sirens going.  At the moment the truck was passing, I randomly had a joke that entered my mind...which I blurted out...because that's what I do :)  I said something like, "Hold that pose right there.  With the fire truck in the background it will be like they are coming for you two because your love is on fire!"  Laughter!  Genuine laughter, which created genuine smiles!  

Andrew and Brittany soon joined in on the jokes when they began laughing hysterically during the next pose because Andrew made a comment about their bellies touching!  Again, genuine laughter!  LOVE IT!!  

From this 45-minute session we all learned about each other.  When I arrive at their wedding, I have already met the bride and groom.  I know what type of personality they have and what makes them smile.  And their beautiful girls will already know me and will most likely not take long to warm up to the camera.  The portraits that I will capture on their wedding day will be genuine and full of emotion.  

Needless to say, I am super excited for next October!!

The First Look

“Love is when you look into someone’s eyes and see everything you need.”

— unknown

A wedding day can be described as beautiful, timeless, romantic, fun, exciting, precious, emotional, traditional, and memorable.  Some might add that a wedding day can be chaotic, stressed, busy, frantic, and nerve-wracking.  And for that very reason, some couples choose to partake in a First Look Photograph Session either before their wedding day or on the day of their wedding.  

On October 1, 2016 I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Kenley Crowe and Joanna Richardson at Common Grounds in Waco, Texas.  They opted for the First Look Session before their wedding...and it was an amazing experience!  Seeing the look on both of their faces as the anticipation built as Joanna slowly walked to meet Kenley was priceless - almost as priceless as seeing the look on his face when he saw Joanna in her beautiful wedding dress for the very first time.  So much emotion.  It was just those two...at that moment...on a day when so many others would be around them on their special day.  

Some might say that a First Look Session ruins the anticipation of the groom seeing the bride for the first time as she's walking down the aisle.  However, I can attest that this is not the case.  Even if the groom sees the bride at a First Look Session, he is still overcome with emotions as he watches his bride walk down the aisle on her father's arm.

I decided to compile a list of the five reasons couples would choose a First Look Session.  Keep in mind, these are just a few of the reasons why some choose this type of session.  Ultimately, each couple knows what they want on their wedding day.

1.  Convenience and Time.  Traditional weddings usually do the bridal party photos, as well as bride and groom photos, right after the ceremony.  They are often rushed as they don't want to keep their guests waiting too long to begin the reception.  The First Look Session allows the bridal photos to be taken before the ceremony so guests do not have to wait for the bridal party to arrive at the reception.

2.  Alone Time.  Wedding days are filled with friends and family members surrounding the bride and groom.  The First Look Session gives the bride and groom a small amount of time to just be with each other before the ceremony begins. 

3.  Reception.  First Look Sessions allow the wedding to run smoothly from the ceremony to the reception.  There is not any downtime due to bridal photos.  This is more pleasant for guests.  Traditional weddings typically have guests waiting an hour or so while the bride and groom are having bridal portraits taken.  

4.  Better Photos.  As a photographer, I feel that First Look Sessions allow me to spend more time with the bridal party.  Therefore, the photos are not as rushed which in turn makes for better portraits.  

5.  Family and Friends.  The First Look Session allows the bridal party to spend more time with family and friends during the reception since they aren't missing out on this precious time after the ceremony taking bridal photos.  

I'd love to hear from you!  What are some other pros of having a First Look Session?

- Special thanks to Kaitlynn Phillips with Kaitlynn Phillips Photography for assisting with the Crowe-Richardson Wedding -

The Friendship Tree

“As we grow up, we realize it is less important to have lots of friends and more important to have real ones.”

— unknown

My oldest son is a senior this year and he has an awesome best friend!  They are each accepted for who they are and have no problem speaking their minds to one another.  Watching their friendship develop over the past couple of years has been a great experience.  It reminds me of my best friend growing up.  We were inseparable and yet we hardly see each other now, however when we do talk on the phone or see each other it is like we never missed a beat.  We have a gazillion things to talk and laugh about!  It's strange how we develop from an early age with a sense of we must have a LOT of friends (like that somehow defines a person socially) to a realization that there are just a few people that you can really count on and connect with - your BEST friend.

When I take my son's senior photographs, I always invite his best friend.  It just seems strange without her there experiencing senior photographs with him.  The mood is completely different.  It's definitely much more fun and playful with both of them together, which creates amazing memories that are able to be captured on camera.  They even found a tree and designated it as their "Friendship Tree."  Her mother gave them the idea with the premise that they will come back to that true throughout their lives to remind them of their friendship.

My best friend and I had our photographs taken together one time and neither of us know where those portraits are.  That makes me sad.  I hope that one day they will show up.  As a mother, I now realize the importance of keeping photographs so my son (and his friend) will not have missing photographs from their senior sessions.  

I have had several clients last year that booked a senior session and then asked if they could bring their friend or boy/girlfriend.  Of course I said yes!  But it really had me feeling like I was not meeting the needs of my clients by not offering a special package for the seniors that wanted to share a session with a friend.  Over the summer I changed that and created a "Share With A Friend" Session.  Each senior is posed for individual shots, as well as posing them together.  

If you are interested in a "Share With A Friend" Senior Session, drop us a line via message, email, or call.  

Big Families Are My THANG!

My family can be described in many ways, but the adjective that is most often used when describing my family is...BIG!  As I've mentioned before, my husband and I have a "his, hers, and mine" blended family that is sprinkled with a couple additional kids.  The grand total for kids that we have in our family is NINE!  Yes, you read that right....we have NINE kids between us.  

People ask me all the time if we are going to have any more children.  The answer is not as simple as a yes or no.  I can tell you that I will personally not give birth to any more children :)  But there is always the possibility of fostering children with the hopes of adopting them one day.  

Our family minus one :) 

While I love my big family, one thing about big families is a huge pet peeve of mine and that is that everywhere you go, people have their hand out for additional "fees."  After my husband and I married in June of 2011, we wanted to have family portraits taken.  We checked with a few photographers and they had very reasonable prices - until I mentioned the number of children we had.  At that time we only had six children and they were wanting to charge us for every child beyond two.  So...that meant we were going to pay FOUR additional "people fees!"  Suddenly their prices no longer seemed to be reasonable.  Luckily we have had some great friends that dabbled in photography and they were more than willing to take our family portraits without charging us extra for being a large family.

This is the very reason that our pricing structure is the way it is.  It allows for a family, large or small, to pay one set session fee.  This even applies to extended family.  I have several sessions each year which consist of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, etc. and they just pay one session fee.  Each family can then order the portraits they want directly from the gallery.  It is very affordable for all families and we have a great time making memories in front of the camera.  

If you are interested in a large family portrait session, give us a call or drop us a line and we would love to talk to you!

Songs That REALLY Click: Top 5 Songs About Photography

I listen to a lot of music!  I take a lot of photographs!  I have heard a lot of songs about photographs!  I have decided to share my "Photograph Playlist," which includes my favorite FIVE songs about photographs.  These songs vary by genres so you're sure to find one that you love.  

Without further ado, here are the top five songs that REALLY click: 

1.  Photograph by Charlie Robinson.  

2.  Picture by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow.  

3.  Photograph by Nickelback.

4.  Photograph by Ed Sheeran.

5.  Bookends by Simon and Garfunkel.

There are a lot of songs about photographs!  You can find several more here.  I'd love to hear from you...what is your favorite song about photographs?

Unicorns!

"Unicorns aren't real, but we wish they were."  

Everyone knows that a unicorn is a mythical horse that's white with a fancy horn, but to some adorable girls a unicorn is so much more!  To them a unicorn is an enchanted, beautiful, peaceful creature that brings out the imagination within them.  This was evident by the smiles on their faces and the sparkle in their eyes.  The Unicorn Limited Edition Sessions were a huge hit with all five girls!

I have to admit, the idea of unicorns is fascinating for many with vivid imaginations.  This prompted me to do a little research about these mythical creatures were refer to as "unicorns" and I was came up with five facts about them.

1.  The legend of the unicorn is REALLY old!  

2.  Unicorn horns were believed to have medicinal properties that were VERY potent!

3.  The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland!

4.  Unicorn horns were actually narwhal teeth!

5.  Some claim unicorns are REAL!  A deer with one horn was spotted in a wildlife park in Tuscany.

I've had many people ask me if the horse we used was real.  YES!  We used a real horse!  His name is Moonshine and he resides in Limestone County.  During the entire session with the girls, there were three adult handlers nearby to assist as needed.  The girls were never left unattended on or near the horse for safety concerns.  The horse was haltered and held onto, as well as someone with their hand on the girl.  

Growing up my stepdad introduced me to a song about unicorns that I fell in love with!  It's called "The Unicorn Song" by the Irish Rovers.  It is a song about how unicorns were real, but were left off Noah's Ark because they ran out of time.

If you are interested in a Unicorn Limited Edition Session in the future, let us know and we will gladly put you on the list to notify when we begin booking for next year's session in August.  

Contest Winner

The end of August is one of my favorite times of year!  It is time to go BACK TO SCHOOL!!!  As a former teacher, I love the excitement of getting ready for a new school year.  As a photographer, I LOVE seeing all the photographs of kids on their first day of school!  It never gets old!  

This year I decided to have a contest which featured some kids on their first day of school.  Parents just had to submit a photograph to me and at the end of the submission window, I uploaded the photographs into an album where family and friends could vote on their favorite by "liking" the photograph.  This year the winner of the FREE Limited Edition Session was the Watkins Family from Hallsburg, Texas!

Meet Chris and Hunter Watkins - the WINNERS!

Meet Chris and Hunter Watkins!  Photo credit:  Jennifer Watkins (mom)

We will begin with Chris, the oldest of the two brothers.  Chris Watkins Jr. is currently an 8th grader at Riesel Jr High.  He was recently inducted into the NJHS (National Junior High Honor Society).  He plays football for the 8th Grade Riesel Indians and sports #77 as a Right Tackle for the team.  Some of his hobbies include fishing, hunting, two-stepping to country classics and spending time with family.  Chris wants to be a Texas Game Warden.  

Next, let's meet Hunter, the youngest of the two brothers.  Hunter Watkins is currently a 5th grader at Hallsburg Elementary.  He recently won a 3rd place medal for UIL Spelling!  His favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys.  Hunter's hobbies include fishing, karaoke, watching YouTube, playing Xbox and spending time with family.  Hunter wants to be a police officer.

When I asked mom what they were planning on doing with the gift certificate they won, she told me that they "would love to use our gift certificate to have a photo of the boys together. Although they are 3 years apart, they are the best of friends and we would like to capture that bond in a photo to treasure. We are excited to have this opportunity. Thank you so much!!"

Thank you Jennifer for sharing your handsome boys with us!  I can't wait to photograph them and provide you with that very special photograph that you are looking forward to!