Houston Wedding Photography - Macy + Ryan - NOAH'S Weddings - Katy, TX -

I have lucked out, or better stated, been extremely blessed with the absolute best clients a photographer could ever ask for. Macy & Ryan are two people that are definitely included in that mix. Extremely in love and amazingly happy are the only ways I can describe the couple. They have been a great pleasure to work with over the time we have known each other.

The wedding was on a Thursday night at NOAH's Wedding Venue in Katy, Tx. This was my first time shooting at this particular venue and, I must say, it is very nice. While there are not a plethora of options outdoors for photos without the nearby urban sprawl in the pictures, NOAH's spared no expense on ensuring the interior is simply beautiful. Good photography on a wedding day depends on a number of factors beyond who is shooting the day and one of those factors is always the venue. NOAH's is a winner in this category and is beautiful inside!

Macy & Ryan - Thank you for trusting me to capture the memories of your day and for making us feel more like guests than vendors on your wedding day. You have my prayers and warmest wishes for your future together but I have no doubt that the two of you will make it forever! The below photos are, literally, a quick random selection of the many taken during the day and very quick edits but I had to share a few with you, your friends and family. Those many friends and family members are all AWESOME people as well!

I have to give a shout out to my associate and second photographer, Joel Gutowsky. You sir...Rock! Thank YOU as well for all of your hard work and for treating my clients like family.

Here's to many more!

We hope you all enjoy these few moments from Macy & Ryan's day and if you haven't done so already; hop over to our Facebook Page and give us a like and follow along!

Super Hero Heart Run 2015 - Houston, TX

A little under eight years ago a miracle happened in the life of our family. My niece, Hannah, was born missing some very important portions of her heart.  None of us knew much about congenital heart defects in children but an enormity was learned over the years to come. One of those things learned is that congenital heart defects are the most common of all possible issues in children across the world today. Think about that for a moment and then imagine what these children go through from young children, sometimes, into adulthood. 

My niece, for instance, has had 3 heart surgeries and she is only close to turning 8. She is a wonderfully healthy young lady now but those close to her vividly remember how tiny she was when her first open heart surgery took place, at one day old. Thousands of Children in our nation alone go through this every single year.

I was proud to be a part of the Super hero Heart Run here in Houston, TX. It was a chance for everyone who attended to adorn themselves with their best super hero costumes and clothing and get out and support the children and families affected by CHD. 

The children and adults who have grown up through this are called Heart Heroes, and they truly are heroes for all they they have gone through in their young lives, yet still carry the biggest smiles you’ve ver seen.

In addition to the children however; I must say that the families, the doctors, the caregivers, the organizers of events such as these and every single person who supports them….They are ALL heroes in my book and in the books of all of the families that are connected through CHD.

If you did not make this run, you can still do your part in helping to see that events such as this can happen in many other cities across our nation. All you have to do is go HERE and donate what you can to the cause. I am sure they will be back and next year I hope you all might join us for a morning of fun in support of all people and children affected by CHD.

Over 1,000 people showed up bright and early to Sugarland Memorial park this morning, many dressed as their favorite super hero and almost every one of them wearing a huge smile. It was a wonderful time for a wonderful cause and I couldn’t be more proud to have played a role in this event.

About The Super Hero Heart Run: The Superhero Heart Run is the nation’s first superhero-themed family-friendly fun run specifically committed to raising awareness, support, and funding for kids with congenital heart defects (CHD).   Heart Heroes, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated providing superhero capes to kids born with congenital heart defects, is continuing their nationwide 5K and 2K walk/run to raise widespread awareness and support for Heart Heroes across the country.

Launching in Omaha, Nebraska in 2013, the Heart Run brings people adorning superhero capes, running and walking next to Heart Heroes in the community.  And now, people are suiting up in their superhero gear all across the country (and world!) to create the most highly-visible event that has ever existed for CHD awareness. Heart Heroes is actively partnering with national and local CHD organizations to act in a collaborative effort to bring about participation in this event.

Your participation will help raise awareness for CHD. Funds raised will be used to not only provide superhero capes to CHD kids throughout the country through Heart Heroes, but provides family support events and activities as well as funding for research and education.

Heart Heroes is working collaboratively with other CHD-focused organizations to jointly offer the Superhero Heart Run on a broader scale. These  partnerships include Mended Little Hearts and Children’s Heart Foundation.

Houston Wedding Photography - Kayla & Cameron

Everyone deserves the best on their wedding day.

This is why, when I saw a post in a local forum about this couple, I had to step forward for them. Kayla and Cameron are an awesome couple with circumstances different form many on their wedding days. Today was their day, and it was beautiful. 

One week from now, Cameron ships out in service of our country in the U.S. Navy.

When I heard this and and a bit of a back story of theirs, and also their having a minimal budget; I knew they had much more important things to worry about than all of the costs of a wedding day. So I donated my services for their day. Hopefully, this may have freed up a bit of money for them to use in enjoyment in their week together before Cameron leaves town.

 I know it happens all of the time but I could not imagine marrying the love of my life and being required to leave her just one week later for months at a time. It takes a strong couple and I know that these two are just that.

Congratulations Kayla & Cameron. You both have all of my warmest wishes for your future and prayers for your safety….for Cameron’s safe return home to his wonderful wife!

It was an honor to spend the day with you today and I hope you enjoy these few samples below while I work on the remainder of the day!

Thank you both for having me and best wishes to you and your family!
 

Houston Engagement Photography - Hermann Park - Layking & Paul

Engagement sessions tend to be one of my favorite parts of the wedding package. 

Couples like these two make the job even more enjoyable than it tends to usually be. I met Layking & Paul, for the first time, at a coffee shop in town. This is pretty much the norm for those in our business. I sat waiting when laying walked in and said Paul had been there all along, sitting across the shop from me. Good ice breaker, a little laugh and great conversation followed. 

Layking on meeting Paul: We met in an organic chemistry class at the University of North Texas. We were lab partners at first, then we became friends and started rock climbing together. Soon after we started dating, I transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. We took a leap of faith and decided to try out “long" distance.  Luckily Austin and Dallas are close enough for weekend trips. During this time Paul had the opportunity to visit Ecuador multiple times and meet my family. The first time, he spoke very very little spanish so naturally, he could not keep up with our five-thousand-words-per-second conversations, the second time his Spanish was much better and he knew all his favorite ecuadorian foods, fruits and places to visit. To me, he was just like another Ecuadorian :) He blended in so well (except for his blond hair, fair skin, green eyes and lack of dance moves). The third time he visited, he secretly asked my parents for my hand and patiently waited for the perfect moment to propose. One year after, he asked me to marry him during a hike in the Redwood National Forest. We have been dating now for 6 years and could not be happier. 

And when Paul met Layking: the thing I liked the most about her was her curiosity and her sense for adventure. We love to rock climb, hike, and play soccer together. In our relationship we have been lucky enough to visit some amazing places, like Big Bend, Crater Lake, and even Ecuador. My favorite trip so far was to the Redwoods National Forest, where I asked her to marry me! We love to travel and discover new places, our next adventure we have planned is for Costa Rica for our honeymoon.

They are one of those couples that are naturally comfortable together. As with most sessions, it took some time for that to show in front of the camera but not very long at all. After a walk around the park and taking some time for some photos they even decided to let loose a bit. They dressed down a bit and grabbed a soccer ball, which is one of their favorite hobbies, and we finished the day off with them enjoying the evening together as they would have if I had not been there.

It was a pleasure to spend the evening with both of you and it is an honor to know that I will be capturing the moments of your wedding day....under one month away!

Below is a sample of our evening together. I hope you enjoy them and can't wait for the wedding day!

Houston Wedding Photography - Choosing a Photographer

I could not imagine being in a bride’s shoes when first beginning to plan for a wedding day. I have tried to place myself there throughout my time as a photographer on numerous occasions.

Venues. Hair. Make-up. Florists. Decorations. Dress. Bridal party. How many guests? Food. Dates. DJs. Cake. Photographer….and on and on and on and Oh Goodness the cost of it all! This doesn’t even begin to include the bringing of two lives together as one and all that entails with that alone!

I can only imagine how sheer excitement comes with an engagement ring and how quickly that excitement turns daunting when the planning phase begins. How in the world does one choose the right vendor when there are so many to choose from? When I search the one advertising medium that I am a member of, TheKnot.com, I find over 1000 photographers advertising in Houston! The scary part is this is only a small percentage of the true number in our city alone. There are so many more outlets for brides to search and a huge number of vendors to search through before you find, what you hope is, the right one for you.

So how do you choose the right photographer? Just because one advertises well and might be in every outlet available to them means very little these days. If you one has the funds to do so, they can be on the front page of any advertising medium they wish. That, in some cases, has nothing to do with their true skill or value as a vendor. 

There are many of us out there and many are exceptional photographers. There are a few that are not as well and, sometimes, it is hard to navigate the flood to determine the good from the bad.

Though you may have to meet with a few people in order to really decide who is best for you, it is rather easy to determine if one’s work fits the style that you dream of for your wedding. Once you get past the advertised photos and see more of one’s work, their photos will, hopefully, touch you in some way. There is no greater story, up until this point in your life, than the story of your wedding day. The photos you see should readily tell that story of the day you are viewing. That really is the job of those of us that call ourselves wedding photographers; to tell your story in photos in a way that can be relived for generations come.

One of the most common complaints I hear from brides past and present, and friends and family of them as well, is this; while our photographer took great photos, he was just a pain to work with. he was so hard to get in touch with. He was too pushy. He or she was not personable.

The one recommendation I often make to potential clients is to pick someone that you want to spend your entire day with. There is really no other person that will be closer to you for the duration of your wedding day than your photographer. We are there during the intimate moments of preparation. We are there during the hectic moments. We are there for your entire day. We are surrounded by your closest friends and family and an impression will be left, whether good or bad. 

I have this discussion with almost every potential client that I am blessed to speak with; even if you decide against me as your chosen photographer, pick someone who you want to spend your day with. Pick someone who is calm under pressure and most of all, pick someone that you know will be a calming presence on a day that should be everything but stressful for you.

I wouldn’t be doing myself justice if I didn’t say something about me here as well…I consider it a blessing to be at every wedding day that i am chosen to be a part of. It is difficult to see much love in the world we navigate every day and it is a complete honor for me to be chosen as the one to capture the many loving moments between two people, their family and their friends on a wedding day. I am a story teller by trade. That is my job and who doesn’t enjoy a great love story? Every single wedding that I am honored to attend gives me hope that the love shown on your day will carry on for many to see and I always do my best to give you the story of your day in way that you will want to share for years to come.

If your are a bride or groom to be and reading this, and even if we never meet; I wish you the absolute best on your day and every day thereafter. To those of you who have chosen me to capture your memories I offer my sincere gratitude…It is an honor and I am humbled to be your photographer.