Hats Off to Baby Catalina

Bundling sessions into a package is a great way to document an on-going family story. From bump to baby, including an epic shower in the middle, I was blessed to be along for the ride as we awaited the joyful introduction of Catalina Cay into the world! Those who follow me on social media may recall Coronado’s fine-art maternity session and how much love they received. Well, I was happy to see some of those prints included as decor.

This Kentucky Derby-inspired tea party overflowed with layers of soft ruffles, decadent foods, and elegant ladies (who know how throw a fun party!). Fancy hats topped off the heads of smiling guests, adding an extra point of interest in the wider angle shots of the room as well as casual small groupings.

Now who doesn’t melt at the sight of perfect little feet? I’d say the baker got them just right… but before the scrumptious little Catalina arrived, guests were having a delicious time at the buffet, which featured more sweet AND savory offerings than we could show here. Of course, for some guests it was merely a feast for the eyes, as they joined the fun remotely through a laptop.

Another aspect to the shower theme was the mother-daughter bond. Pictures of the two of them throughout Coronado’s childhood graced the wall next to the gift table. Grandma Sherri (affectionately known as She-She) came along to the newborn session to lend a hand, and we got a great portrait of her with her favorite little mermaid. I can’t wait to see this baby grow and what kind of cake she’ll smash in about a year!

Country Chill: Spotlight on Kathleen

Meet Kathleen, my Senior Rep for Clear Springs High School.

Senior year is all about the future — and that means setting goals and making plans to achieve them, step by step (which actually really suits Kathleen’s personality, since her planner is one of her favorite accessories!). Being that she is Clear Spring High School’s FFA Vice President, Kathleen knew her Senior Portraits wouldn’t feel complete without her show goat, Roux, so she scheduled her photo shoot to happen early in the year. Roux recently took First-in-Class and Reserve Grand Champion at the local livestock show, earned every petal of that gorgeous flower garland!

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With the help of her parents, Kathleen put together a super-fun and super-coordinated wardrobe for herself, too. She shines in all the primary colors and is equally at ease rocking an elegant jumpsuit or ripped-up jeans. Whether the style is “fab and dressy” or “fun and messy,” a rural country setting is a charming backdrop for any Texas senior.

Kathleen will be spending the rest of the semester reppin’ me at her school. The more referrals she brings in, the greater her rewards and credits will be toward prints and canvases of these and other great images.

2021 seniors who are interested in my Rep Program should email me via the contact form.

Sun, Sand, and Saying "I Do."

Ooooweee! Love like Louisiana hot sauce!

Micah and Michael, as their first initials suggest, go together like M&Ms. And, they’re as sweet as candy, too… well, and maybe a little spicy, being from Louisiana and all.

I got to meet them when a bridesmaid from a May 2019 wedding I shot referred them to me. A quick phone call later, and I joined them in December on the beach!

Saying “I do” under skies of blue

The day of the wedding, God graced us with sun, warmth, and a completely cloudless sky. It gave me a fun lighting challenge that resulted in gorgeous sun-drenched photos. And, pretty weather for an outdoor wedding is always a good sign. Like Willie Nelson famously crooned, “Nothin’ but blue skies from now on.”

Sandy location, sophisticated look

Although this was an intimate affair, there was no lack of traditional elements. Micah planned carefully and looked beautiful in her elegant gown, sweeping up-do, perfectly-arranged flowers, and most importantly (if you ask me, lol) a professional photographer to nail down those memories!

They tied the knot (literally), surrounded by their nearest and dearest friends (two-legged and four!). In fact, in one of the pics, I directed the groom, “Now, tilt your head that way and look at her.” When he misunderstood and gazed lovingly at the puppy, everyone laughed. That kind of “happy accident” is just amazing for the genuine smiles you get in the pictures that follow.

Cheaper by the dozen (11 human guests and one pup)

Three’s company, too

I really enjoyed the small, laid-back vibe of this wedding. Scaling down really helped focus attention on what was most-important: connection between the couple. I was honored to be a part of it and capture a large variety of wedding portraits that they can hang as a constant reminder of the 100% happy day.

It was hard even to pick which ones to exclude from the blog, so I threw in a bunch, even some black-and-whites. Enjoy below!

Travel as a Pack

I get it: it’s hard to get family together for photos. And, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. My clever client, Sarah, found a solution: gather them for an island get-away and bring in a photographer — me! Y’all know how passionate I am about the importance of regular, posed, and printed family photos. Therefore, I offer some special accommodations for travelers. For example, while my usual pre-shoot consultation happens in person in my studio, for Sarah, I was happy to do it over the phone. We had a lovely chat and clarified all the details to help the shoot go as scheduled.

The family shots were multi-generational. There were lots of ways to group all the parents, kids, cousins, and cuddle-buddies (notice the furry friends — pups love the beach!) Even the venerable family dog, aged 17, is in the group pics. Everyone did great!

Our breezy day turned even more beautiful at sunset. Although it peaked after the session, I pulled over to capture that painted sky and made sure to incorporate it into their image set. As the sky grew dark, I had no time for star-gazing, though: I had digital photo homework to do because I offer expedited editing for travelers. The very next morning, I returned to their condo with perfected photos to reveal. Everyone circled around and must have watched the full slideshow at least three times! That gave me a chance to capture THE BEST moment — that priceless look on Grandma’s face as she admired the gathered family. To see a happy matriarch reminds me of all the reasons I love and keep doing what I do.

Everything’s bigger (and more colorful?) in Texas

Nomad? No problem — I can ship it.

The family ordered several large canvas groupings and prints, and why not? Just looking at them is instant R&R, a full-color reminder of the cozy warmth of family and the cool sea breeze. How fun it must have been to relive the vacation memories when canvases arrived to family out-of-state! (Drop-shipping is yet another way I work to make the whole process a pure joy for folks on the road.)

All in all, I had a great time meeting and serving this lovely family on their Galveston Beach vacation. Hopefully we’ll meet again sometime in the future!