Dimitri- Senior Portrait Session: Conroe High School

Working with High School Seniors is always a fun experience and working with Dimitri fit the bill.   He is an amazing young man.  Soft spoken and kind, wise beyond his years and easy to be around.  Dimitri met me at the high school football stadium on a beautiful afternoon in Texas.  The sun was shining, but Dimitri's presence could outshine any sun!

We started his pictures on the football field.  A place in which he is very comfortable.  I think I enjoyed it just as much as he did... let's face it, it has been a long time since my feet stepped onto a high school football field!  He is also academically gifted and takes his studies seriously as one day he wants to study law.

After spending some time at the school, Dimitri followed me to downtown Conroe.  As we worked, people kept calling his name and saying hello.  It is obvious that he is a well known and very liked young man.  We discussed the places that he has lived, his plans for his senior year and plans for his future as a college man.  He spoke with hope an anticipation for his future.

After shooting his pictures I found out something absolutely wonderful about Dimitri.  He was officially adopted this past Thursday and now has a wonderful family to call his very own.  In the words of his new Mom, Sandra... "Dimitri is an excellent young man and an important member of our large family.  We are so proud to call him son."

Thank you Dimitri for sharing your afternoon with me!  It was truly wonderful to meet you!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our time together...

i heart faces - Photo Challenge- Let Them Be Little

Let Them Be Little is the theme of the weekly photo challenge at i heart faces.  As soon as I read the theme I knew exactly which photo I would post.

To me this photo embodies the idea.  These four brothers have very distinct and unique personalities and it was evident to me when working with them.  You can see those personalities come to life in this shot.  Each boy is doing his own thing.  Rather than trying to pose them and get each to look at the camera, perfectly smiling at the same time, I simply... Let Them Be Little.

Thanks for stopping by.

Kelly

THE WOODLANDS HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR: TJ

It is that time of year, the kids are back in school and high school seniors everywhere are looking forward to the year ahead and all of the wonderful things about that defining last year of school.  The senior experience is not complete without a senior portrait session.

The first senior I had the pleasure of working with this year was TJ.  He attends The Woodlands High School and will be a 2012 graduate.  TJ's presence struck a chord with me instantly.  He has a quiet gentle spirit and was a joy to be around.  His mother, Grace, joined us while we strolled the streets of Old Town Spring on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.

I enjoyed working with TJ and can't wait for his 2nd session in the spring.  What can make a portrait session even better than usual?  TJ is a very talented musician!!  I got to do what I love to the sound of music!  He brought along his guitar and played throughout the session.

Thank you TJ and Grace for giving me the pleasure of working with you!

Here are a few of my favorite photos...

THE WARREN FAMILY: Dunn, NC

I had the wonderful opportunity to head back to my home state of NC a couple of weeks ago.  While I'm home, not only do I have the pleasure of spending time with my family, but also time with my friends.  To make it even better, sometimes I get to photograph my friends and their loved ones.  This trip was no exception.

A very dear friend, and wonderful photographer in her own right, asked if I would take her family portraits.  You see, we tried this earlier in the summer at the beach.  Much to our dismay Mother Nature did not exactly cooperate.  So it was time for a do over.  In the country.  And wouldn't you know it, Mother Nature  decided to tease us once again.  All day long the looming clouds and rain showers kept both of us on edge. However, we are determined professionals and as rain drops fell from the sky I headed over to Gina's house.  And then it happened.... it was one of those Ahhhhhhhh moments.  The rain drops stopped falling and the gorgeous cloud cover gave us the most beautiful softly diffused light.

So, we headed down the road to a cotton field, then to an old house and ended the session by an old barn just behind their house.  Just a few miles from home Gina found these amazing backdrops.

I would also like to say a huge Thank You to Gina for 2nd shooting with me at a beach wedding just a few days later.  Gina, you and your family warm my heart!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our afternoon in the country...

TABATHA AND JAKE: COUNTRY GIRL + COUNTRY BOY: LA TRANQUILA RANCH WEDDING IN TOMBALL, TX

The bridal party danced down the aisle to one of country musics hottest songs right now, "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)."  I had to stop myself from dancing!!  It was without a doubt the perfect song selection for this couple.  F. U. N.!  When the music stopped all eyes were on one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen.  Tabatha was stunning walking down the aisle arm in arm with her Father.  Jake could not have looked happier as he waited to take her hand.

From the first moment I met Tabatha and Jake I knew that they were fun.  They love one another, they love life and they love to have fun.  Tabatha can rock platform heels (while navigating the railroad tracks) or cowboy boots effortlessly.  When I worked with them in February during their engagement session I knew immediately that their wedding would be nothing short of fantastic.  Both were easy going, up for anything and down to earth.  They are one of those couples that people are drawn to.  The kind of people you want to be around.

On September 4th they united themselves as husband and wife.  The wedding was nothing short of spectacular.  Carefully planned details, fun little touches that represent their personalities and love of the outdoors and a venue that fit it all perfectly.  Surrounded by their family and friends they exchanged vows then danced the night away.

Thank you for allowing me to be a party of your wedding day!

Here are some of my favorite photos...

These boots are fabulous.

Just before the First Look

I love when a couple decides to do a First Look before the ceremony.  It is such an intimate moment and allows for more time for formal portraits.

Dancing down the aisle.  

Love the flowers by L Z Floral in Spring, TX

SCOTTISH TRADITIONS WEDDING: Willow Fork Country Club, Katy, TX

Intimate.  Romantic.  Simply Sweet.  These are a just a few words that would describe the wedding of Autumn and Chris.  On a hot and humid day in Texas they exchanged vows overlooking the beautiful Willow Fork Country Club in Katy.  It was picture perfect.

Chris kept with the traditions of his native Scotland and donned his kilt.  Autumn was stunning in a gorgeous knee length dressed highlighted with some of the most fantastic wedding shoes I've ever seen!  The ceremony was filled with words of love and wisdom from Rev. Rebecca Wilson.  Traditions from Scotland that were also present during the ceremony were the Oathing Stone and Pinning of the Tartan.

Surrounded by their dearest loved ones and friends they celebrated their union as husband and wife.  It was such a wonderful day and as the sun set over Texas.  Just before sunset we slipped away from the reception and headed down to the golf course to take a few more photos on the newly married couple.

Here are a few of my favorites from this lovely wedding.  Thank you Autumn, Chris and family for allowing me to be there to capture your day.  It was an honor!

L.O.V.E.... wedding cupcakes!

One of my favorite pictures from their Galveston engagement session was on display by the guest book.

I think is was perfect that Autumn selected a short dress.    It was ideal for the weather.