JD & Ashley - wedding/engagement

JD & Ashley were married last weekend at the United Methodist Church in The Woodlands and had their reception at The Woodlands Resort Conference Center. Well... this wasn't just an ordinary wedding. Oh no. This was THE BEST wedding we've done. Ashley was such an organized bride (not to mention, fun, cute, and super easy going). She even printed a timeline of the entire night for her guests. What she failed to leave off is the one event that made the night the best wedding: a power failure! It was awesome. Cory with Dynamic DJ Productions led the way with a positive outlook and his result was a dance floor so full of people and smiling faces every where. I personally think it was the darkness that allowed everyone to let their guard down and shake their groove thing without fear. After an hour or so the lights came on and everyone cheered. 15 minutes later the lights went back off and everyone cheered. The night ended with the lights returning on just in time for the last song - the Aggie fight song, of course! Chris and I have been talking nonstop about this wedding. It was such a great night with a couple that adores each other. One last note, I have to mention how respectful each family was to each other. The two fathers gave a speech about the wedding and blessed the food. It isn't very often where thanks is given to the bride's parents from the groom's parents. I'm going to assume that ethics and morals run deep in both families, and with that kind of support I'm confident JD and Ashley will live happily ever after! Thank you for letting us be with you guys the past several months. GOOD LUCK with your relocation and all of life's endeavors!

There are more photos on facebook.

PS - I will add their slideshow. Check back in a week or so.

Mustang Football!

It is that time of year again! School starts next week as does the 2011-2012 football season. BREAKING NEWS: Like last year, we will be following the Magnolia West Mustangs! My son, Cody, and I had so much fun at the games last year. He's going to be SO excited when I tell him! The Mustangs are a strong team with a great coach, and as a whole they have more heart than any single sports team I've ever seen. I am looking forward to this season!

Please follow us on Facebook, become a fan, and comment on football pictures that will be posted every Friday night or Saturday.

GO MUSTANGS!!

Emma Elizabeth

Meet Baby Emma! She arrived on July 29th, 2011 weighing 7lbs 7oz's and was 19.5" long. Knowing of her arrival, I ordered a few props - the biggest one being the baby bed. Of course, the bed was the last item to arrive and it arrived on Saturday. I begged Daniel and Erika to bring Emma over after dinner. After they saw the bed, they were pretty excited at that point and agreed. She was 8 days old in these images. Chris and I transformed the living room into a make-shift studio. We don't do this very often, but on special occasions we will and it's A LOT of fun!

Here is a small education on baby photography: If you want wee baby pictures, it is best to photograph the baby by Day 10. Call and let me know during your last month of pregnancy. It makes a big difference because they still have their baby features and their eating/sleeping pattern hasn't changed. We do run session specials on Facebook. Also, sign up for our newsletter.

Congratulations to Daniel and Erika on their happy, healthy baby!

Teen Night Shoot

Fun portrait sessions are not just for high school seniors, they are for teens too! This is Alyssa; she will be a sophomore this year. She helps us during the summer by watching our two children and becomes temporarily integrated into the family. Naturally, she needs cool pictures too if the other kids have them. Tuesday evening we went to the waterway in The Woodlands for a dusk/night shoot. Chris (hubby) and I had a shoot recently during the same time of day in downtown Conroe, but wanted to improve our off-camera flash techniques. Some shoots are nearly impossible to do without a 2nd person; this being one of them. It's nice to have a light boy helper and he does such a great job! :)

Alyssa was so much fun during the shoot, but she really let loose when we finished and she could just pose and be playful on the water wall. Silly girl! Chris and I are looking forward to her senior session!

~ Dana






















For the full gallery click here.

Love

Yesterday morning Randy and Ann along with Randy's sister & husband (Lee Ann and Bobby) and myself met together for a photo exchange. Lee Ann & Bobby's wedding present to Randy and Ann was a surprise photo (see below). During the exchange, there wasn't a dry eye to be found. I witnessed how Randy and Ann's marriage was a true miracle and has affected loved ones around them in a powerful, special way.

Getting a little personal: On my way home I wondered to myself "What would have happened if these two high school sweethearts married just after high school or even waited until after college?" Would they have divorced as so many couples do, or would they have stuck together through all of the many, many trials that life brings our way every day? The odds of a marriage surviving at such a young age are not good. However... if you have given your heart to someone, no matter what your age, who is to say you can't make it a whole life time if both of your hearts are in the right place? Randy and Ann's love was strong enough from several years ago to allow them to easily fall back in love with each other and be happier than ever. This leads me to believe their marriage would have survived!! How many times do you TRULY, unconditionally give your heart away? Is it just once? If so, maybe it is best to follow your heart when you have the opportunity and make the most of what you have every single day. Not everyone may be given a second change like Randy & Ann.

To all of my brides/grooms out there: STICK WITH IT when times get tough!

Larry & Amanda's Wedding

This summer has been the summer for second chances! Here is another beautiful love story where life has given love a second chance after taking a detour. Larry and Amanda dated in high school and then when their separate ways. Several years later Larry searched for Amanda on Facebook, sent a friend request, and their journey was underway leading them joyously to their wedding day! Laughter filled the room during their ceremony and reception and two families united as one. Larry and Amanda: May your marriage be filled with happiness and laughter every single day!

To view the full gallery click here.

Randy & Ann Wedding

This couple has one VERY special love story. Randy and Ann were high school sweethearts but life took them in different directions. Marriages, kids, and grandkids later... life gave these two a second chance. Randy and Ann understand and appreciate their love for each other. I've never seen a groom so happy to be married; Randy was on pins and needles ready for the ceremony to start. Ann is incredibly sweet and gazes at Randy with nothing but love in her eyes for him. It's amazing, and you can't help but be overjoyed for these two having a second chance at love. Congratulations Randy and Ann!

One last comment. All of the signs, table decorations, etc have been HAND MADE! Randy did most of the work and spent months preparing everything. A tree died at his mom's house and the tree was reused in many of the displays. There was a ton of thought and effort put into this wedding. It's the most beautiful do-it-yourself wedding EVER!