Tuesday is my last day in office before Christmas, so if you are a past client thinking about ordering prints, those orders will need to be placed no later than Tuesday, December 15, 12:00 pm if you would like to receive them before the new year.
Merry Christmas to all, I hope you get some time to rest and relax and enjoy your time with family and friends. (I’m not taking my work with me, so I know I certainly will! 
)
You’ve seen Mary before, as she was one of my free sessions when I was still freakishly new to the photography scene earlier this year. I think all photographers look back on their work as their career progresses and wish they had time to go back and re-edit some of their stuff, and I admit to feeling that way with some of Mary’s portraits. However, her session was so awesomely unique that even as a newbie I was able to capture some shots I’ll be using in my portfolio for years to come. Like this one. She brought killer style to her bridal session (seriously, cigar, gun AND aviators?) and so I knew her wedding would be no exception.
On her big day Mary not only rocked finger waves, a consignment shop wedding dress, a DIY wheat bouquet and red heels, but she and her beloved, Opie, had a wedding pie instead of wedding cake, saw each other before the ceremony (yay!), gave homemade truffles to their guests (and their photographer as well, which doubles their coolness factor in my book), and served hamburgers as their wedding dinner. A great wedding to be involved with, whether you were a guest or a vendor. A big thank you to Lynn of lynn in love photo for keeping me company and acting as second shooter throughout the day. You can see her take on the wedding day here!
Mary getting bridal.
Love love love this dress for it’s non-traditional style, the folds in the back, and the fact that it was such a steal price-wise.
Every single item in this collage is DIY. Oh wait, except the shoes. Mary is good but she isn’t that good.
The dress is on, which means she’s officially a bride! A naturally lovely one, I might add.
Just before we headed out to take photos Mary learned the spot she had specifically chosen for this part of the day wasn’t going to work out. Probably a good thing in hindsight because we had just enough time to get the few shots you see here!
We did the quickest round of group photos I’ve ever done, and then I shooed everyone away before Mary and Opie rushed off to get hitched. I think we did all of their photos in 5, maybe 10 minutes? I was racking my brain, yelling out pose cues as fast as I could. “Stand apart, hold hands. Turn toward him. Turn away from him. Now just Opie. Now just Mary.” Whew boy!
THAT SHOT!
If there is motion in a portrait, it almost always wins for me.
DIY bouts of course.
The fiery red facial hair and the chocolate brown suit go so well together I think.
Okay, there is a 4th reason I love this dress. It’s the way it frames her tattoo on her back. Perfection, don’t you think?
This little one was such a scene stealer (proof of that below). Apparently she let her family know that when the wedding day finally arrived she was going to “dance like she had never danced before”. She took her flower girl job very seriously and did a great job throwing down the red and yellow leaves.
Isn’t this a beautiful setting for an outdoor ceremony? It was pretty dark by this time so I spent most of my time holding my breath and trying to stay as still as possible in hopes that I’d get some clear shots.
I adore these next two.
It’s pretty tough to get a first kiss shot that doesn’t start the bride, groom, AND the officiant. Their officiant not only had a killer beard, but did a great job of staying perfectly centered behind them for their first kiss as husband and wife.
A sweet husband that they shared together right after the ceremony. And with me, but only for a few seconds, I promised I dashed in just to get the shot and then slipped back out to give them some privacy.
There she is, as promised, stealing the show. Look at that pointed toe!
While we were waiting for everyone to gather in between group shots I quickly pulled the new spouses off to the side for a few more of just the two of them.
Second favorite. Their love is as epic as this photo is.
First dance time!
Sometimes blurry photos can be keepers. But just sometimes.
The aforementioned hamburger dinner. I devoured mine in the corner so guests wouldn’t judge me for wolfing down something so delicious in such a short amount of time.
A few of my favorite details, the wedding pie, the favors (in the brown bag where truffles made with love by Mary herself), and strips of ribbon that added the perfect touch to a very simple and sweet ceremony.
This is the pie the couple ate.
And this is the pie I ate. Also the other guests, I stepped away from the table long enough for them to get some as well.
Lucky Mary and Opie, a surprise guest showed up to party with them!
And one more famous face got down that night. (And yes, she did dance as she had never danced before if you are wondering.)
Lynn, Mary, Opie, and myself. Love every single person present in this photo.
Mary and Opie,
I’m so glad we were able to make something work, as I really enjoyed being a part of your uniquely personal day. I like to think that I do things in life because I want to do them, not because I think other people should, but you two take that to the next level (in such a good way). This wedding was all you, 100%, and you threw your guests a party that I’m sure they are still talking excitedly about today. Thanks for the pie, the truffle (if there are any extras feel free to send them my way ), and most of all your trust. I considered it an honor to be there with you, playing such an important role. I’d wish you luck, but you two don’t need it. You’re so good together.
Best,
Jenna
Sandra and Andrew made my day (week even!) when they contacted me about the possibility of a double engagement session, which meant twice the amount of time spent with an awesome couple, and to make it even more exciting, they wanted to end their session at the Texas State Fair, a venue I was really hoping to shoot at this year. Thanks to Sandra and Andrew I got my wish!
We started out at The Shops at Legacy in Plano and I think Andrew was feeling a bit camera shy.
After a little bit of encouragement from me (and a new angle so I could see his face better) we were on our way to getting beautiful portraits of not just lovely Sandra, but Andrew as well!
There was some kind of festival happening just behind them in this shot, which helped keep the mood light and fun.
THAT SHOT!
This was the kind of spot where I just couldn’t stop taking the photos. The light was wonderful and these two really settled into some great poses. The best interaction between subjects is always client led.
We were worried about spending too much time at the Shops and missing all of the light at the Fair so we hopped in the car and drove down to downtown Dallas. We were all pretty hungry by the time we got there so we indulged in a “Corny Dog”. I haven’t indulged in a corn dog in a very long time and so I was practically drooling in between takes. Sandra and Andrew were nice enough to give me a break and let me munch on one of own for a few minutes as well.
The swan, the swan! I love that swan behind them almost as much as I love the look on Sandra’s face and that pretty backlight.
Super cheesy but I couldn’t resist.
These two have known of each other since elementary school, but they didn’t spend much time together until they both worked on the high school newspaper together. She was the editor in chief and he was the slacker who only signed up for the class to spend more time with this then-girlfriend. Last Halloween they ran into each other at a party and the connection was made. When I asked them what really describes them as a couple one of the phrases they used was “friends-till-the-end”. These two know they can count on each other for anything.
I saw these pumpkins and just couldn’t resist. What is it with photographers and directing clients to hold items up in front of their faces?
I tried to use a few different processing techniques with the next three photos to try to give the shots a different “look” for the location. Sometimes I do processing that’s a little bit different than my usual style but clients always get the Basic Edit as well, just in case they don’t prefer what I came up with!
Although this isn’t my favorite from the entire session, it is my favorite from the time spent at the Fair. By the way, shooting people on a moving carousel when you are out on the pavement is really hard! Those rides move so fast, I haven’t had that much fun trying to get a shot in a long time.
As the light flitted away the rides lit up. I didn’t have a flash with me so I placed these two in the most well-lit spot I could find, held my breath, and hoped I could hold my camera steady enough for some clear shots. I think the resulting colors and lights in the background are beautiful!
I’m so sad to say I won’t be shooting their wedding, occurring in Piedras Negras, Coahuila Mexico, Sandra’s birthplace. Why not? Because they are getting married on my baby’s due date! We’re both going to have more than enough to celebrate that week and I wish them the best in the rest of their planning and married life.
Sandra and Andrew,
I LOVED brainstorming this shoot with you, and watching everything come to life the day of. Many thanks for your creativity and especially your willingness to spend a little money to get some fun shots at the Fair (I still can’t believe how much everything costs at that thing!). I was so sad to see the sun go down that evening. I had a great time with you and I wish you all the love and happiness you deserve together.
Best,
Jenna
I first came into contact with Priscilla and Jay sometime this summer when Priscilla emailed me about a unique work request she had in mind. Their story regarding their wedding photos is a painful and complicated one, involving legal action and many tears, and Priscilla reached out to me wondering if I wouldn’t mind helping her add a little bit of pizazz to the few photos they did receive from their special day. Knowing the background of their previous professional photography experiences I felt even more pressure than usual to deliver beautiful images (and lots of them!) to a couple who could really use a problem-free experience when it came to their total experience with a photographer.
If you or someone you know has also had a negative experience regarding their wedding photos, might I suggest setting up a post-wedding couple photography session to provide something beautiful to hang at home or show to friends and family. The current cultural mindset seems to be that photos are for special occasions, like weddings and graduations, or children and families, but I hope that changes because there are few things I love more than taking pictures of couples in love, married or not.
These two have been married about a year, but they’re still absolutely adorable together. I love the way they interact so naturally in front of the camera.
Jay and Priscilla met through mutual friends, at a George Strait concert. She admits that he was a bit intimidated by her strong personality at first (I think this may have been the reason I didn’t date a whole lot in college either ), but conversing through email eventually turned into friendship, and later a relationship.
This is a newly discovered spot in Deep Ellum, and it instantly became one of my favorites. I love the way this old area of town is constantly revitalized through bright color and unique artwork. That’s why it’s one of my favorite places to shoot in Dallas!
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It’s not just the colorful walls, but the quirky treasures found in the nooks and crannies as well.
The murals are gorgeous, but this light blue wall is my favorite. Wouldn’t you love to paint one of the walls in your house this color?
A quick outfit change and these two were starting to get comfortable. I love this pose they settled into and I’ll be encouraging future couples to give it a try as well.
THAT SHOT!
I think this is my fav shot in front of the American flag wall so far. I always love to use classic poses like dips in this spot, but this is a different angle than I’ve used before. I think the cowboy boots help a bit as well.
Another mom shot to end the post. I’ve been doing that a lot lately, haven’t I?
Priscilla and Jay,
I hope that this experience helped restore some of your faith in my profession. I’m so happy with what we came up with and I hope you are as well. If we both stay in the same state long enough I hope we’re able to work together yet again!
Best,
Jenna
Janie and Ryan were my last session in New York City, a session that almost didn’t happen due to icky weather and busy schedules. After a rainy Friday (the session I posted right before this one with Josie and Florian was done that night) we decided to move things from Saturday morning to Tuesday, the day I was leaving town. They agreed to wake up extra early to squeeze the shoot in before work, and my frist-trimester-pregnant-self secretly celebrated the extra sleep I was going to get on Saturday after a long day of flying!
By the time their session arrived I was an old pro at navigating the subway/bus system in NYC and had some time to sit at the central park entrance and watch the joggers go by while I ate my breakfast. What dedication those New Yorkers have! Do you think I would be better at exercising each day if I lived next to Central Park? Probably not, but it’s fun to pretend that would be the case. While all of those dedicated runners were working hard and sweating like mad, Janie and Ryan and myself were having an easy, playful time making our way through Central Park, laughing and smooching all the while (they were laughing and smooching, I was just smooching).
We started out trying to catch the attention of some ducks swimming nearby. Morsels from my half-eaten granola bar wasn’t enough to tempt them so we gave up and focused all of our attention on taking pretty pictures instead.
Like this one!
Janie and Ryan are a match.com success story, and Janie has titled her bride blog “Matched Love”. Cute!
They’re getting married on April 17, 2010 in Brooklyn, New York. The only thing missing from the photo below is their fur babies, Barley and Zoey. I love shooting with peoples pets, but it’s also nice when they are left at home because it gives the couple a chance to focus only on each other.
This shot is a bit busy for my tastes, but I like the way it gives some insight into their relationship. I haven’t pulled this move on someone since high school, but I think I’m going to have to pull one on my husband soon!
THAT SHOT!
Which one? I don’t care, you choose.
This is my husband’s favorite. I’m always a suck for the sun flares as well.
Those three birds at the top of the frame crack me up.
My favorite part of any session is when we’re almost through (not because my time with the couple is up, of course!) because everyones feeling much more relaxed and the couple really let their personalities shine.
Today we’ll end with a “mom shot”. Straight on, smiling faces, both looking right at the camera. I try to get a few of these at every session because “if momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy”. Same thing goes for Grandmas as well.
Janie and Ryan, I’m glad we could make this session work, with all of the dreary wet weather New York City was having that weekend. Good luck with the rest of your planning, I know from experience that the big day will come faster than you could have imagined. You two are wonderful, thanks for working with me.
