For the most part, I think it is safe to say that everyone loves to get mail. What’s even better than mail, the delivery of a package. I have to admit that some of the excitement wears off when you own a business becuase the regularity of boring old package delivery increases. Fear not my friends; there are still those boxes that arrive that immediately put a smile on your face ’cause you know it is something really good.
I recently received one such box from one of my very favorite album companies, Leathercraftsmen. A bridal album should be an elegant story teller that recounts a couple’s wedding day from start to finish. Every detail from image selection, page design and cover material to the inscription are meticulously selected. Accordingly, nothing but the very best hand crafted book binders can be entrusted to assemble this life long treasure! I could hardly wait to get a look and was so pleased to find that the team at Leathercraftsmen did not disappoint. It was an honor to deliver it to the bride and groom and watch as they relived their very special day with each turn of the pages.
Congratulations again Rose & Chris! Enjoy your hand crafted bridal album!
Natalie & April selected Toronto for their destination wedding. Although spring had not quite sprung the cold winter weather was a distant memory. Their ceremony & reception were intimate affairs with only family and the closest of friends in attendance. I was so honored to spend the day capturing this expression of their love.
Here are a few of my favorite images.
You can also click on the window below to view the wedding slide show:
I met Wendy Kidd, one of the most pleasant & personable wedding planners I have ever had the pleasure of working with, at a bridal fair in North Dallas. We chatted briefly as we set up our respective booths, shared stories from weddings past and I even had the opportunity to hear and see how she interacted with her prospective couples. It was immediately clear that she is a true professional and that customer service is of the utmost importance to her. The name of her firm says it all; she will be there from start to finish to ensure that Each & Every Detail of your special day makes for the wedding of your dreams.
Wendy will be hosting a complimentary information session on April 15th for couples interested in learning all about what a professional wedding planner can do for them. I will be attending the event and I am very excited to extend a complimentary engagement or bridal session to those couples that confirm a custom wedding photography package in conjunction with this event. Click here for all the juicy details and I hope to see you all there!
Like so many others, I look very forward to March 17th each and every year. I wake knowing that St. Patrick’s Day has come yet again; bringing with it an opportunity to celebrate with close friends. I mean, how can you possibly go wrong with an extra cold Guinness and hearty meal consisting of corned beef, cabbage & boiled potatoes? Oh and let’s not forget the St. Patty’s Day traditions that we have come to love as well. We all see folks out there sporting a “Kiss me, I’m Irish” button or shirt! Some are really Irish countrymen and women while others are no doubt just looking for a free smooch! How many of you are willing admit that you carefully selected your outfit this morning to include some semblance of green for fear of “The Pinch”.
These tried & true reasons behind my love of St. Patrick’s Day continue to this very day however, it was not until I recently traveled to the Emerald Isle to work with such notable photographers as Joyce Wilson & Keith Carter (along with many other exceptionally talented individuals) that I was really able to understand and appreciate all the Irish Culture had to offer. Unparalleled scenic beauty, kindness and generosity was plentiful everyplace we traveled. In the spirit of the holiday and in honor of an exceptional culture, here are a few of my favorite photos from the trip.
It was a brisk winter afternoon in the little town of Allen, TX. Although I was prompt in arriving for our scheduled engagement session, Morgan and Ryan had already arrived and were chatting casually on a park bench. I watched them as I approached and must say that the way they interacted was exceptionally endearing! After I had been photographing them for some time, I came to realize why their interactions were just so adorable. The way their eyes met and their tender embrace showed that amidst all the hustle and bustle around them and with a camera (often times with a very imposing lens attached) pointed at them they were able to block out all the distractions and just focus on one another.
For as long as I can remember, each and every Labor Day, my family always donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Admittedly, we never had an abundance of money and our donations were never monetarily considerable but we believed, as I still do today, that every little bit can make a difference. So, one year I asked my Mom why we singled out the MDA for what little charity dollars we had and she replied, “Because I have always loved Jerry Lewis and I was so fortunate to have two healthy children”.
We continued this tradition happily for many years and even increased our family contribution as life permitted. Although any reason is certainly a sufficient reason to donate funds to such an amazing organization, it was not until my last year of college that I would fully appreciate just how amazing the MDA really is! In 1998 my Grandfather, one of the most important people in my life and my life long father figure, was diagnosed with ALS. It was in the twilight of his life that he had to be the strongest and fight the hardest. Throughout that fight he had his family, his closest of friends and the MDA! As an organization, they provided Pappy with access to superior medical care and consultations, durable medical equipment and patient care services. Moreover as individuals they provided him with compassion, warmth and love.
It was just over two years since I left Los Angeles to forge a new path in Dallas as a portrait and wedding photographer so I jumped at the opportunity to change things up a bit and work on the set of a movie. “Us Minus” is a clever and entertaining short movie recently filmed in and around Dallas by a very talented cast & crew. I found it rather refreshing & enjoyable to have an opportunity to capture these production stills on the set of this project for the London Film School.
Last night’s episode of the immensely popular television show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was filmed a few short months ago in the small town of Keller, TX; nestled between Dallas & Fort Worth. I was approached by Wall Homes, the builder that was graciously donating their time and resources to complete the construction of the Augustin Family’s new home, and asked to document the week for them. Of course, I happily and humbly accepted. Over the course of 7 days, I watched in awe, as a community came together to provide a very deserving family with a new home to call their own. Below are a few of my favorite images from that week. You can also learn more about the family & the project at www.extreme.wall.com.
Like any good photographer, I spent much of the time around the holidays and the new year organizing and backing up images. As I perused past images it occurred to me that I really like the idea of selecting and posting a series of my personal favorites from time to time. This image of Dominick Concannon was captured on a crisp summer day in Wisconsin. The cabbage leaves used for the image were growing in a garden that Dominick’s parents share with their neighbors in a town with a population of no more than 500. It was as if I stepped into a Norman Rockwell painting; what a great memory!
It did not matter that November 15th was a cold fall day in Dallas;
Daffne & Jason had their love to keep them warm!
I was honored to be there to capture these images for them.
