I'm getting an intern

Louis, November 2007


I'm getting ready to leave for my wedding today. It will be a LONG day and my family will be in Plainview playing Basketball without me. No worries, I'm used to that. But today, I work with my first intern. Yep. An photo communications major intern. I've been asked many times before if I would take one on and the answer is always no. I barely have enough time to take care of my family let alone train someone in the business. Which is what I'm supposed to do. Train them for the life I lead. But for some reason, this time, I said "yes". I have my theory why, because I know myself very well. And a big part of it is I don't feel the schools are doing the complete job in teaching someone about photography. I really don't.

There I said it.

The secret is out.

And the pressure is on.

Can I do this?

I know if you feel passionate about something enough you can do anything.

So bring it on.

And if she can hang all day long at THIS wedding, then there's a possibility of some passion in her spirit, too, for this BEAST I love.

But another question veering under my surface this morning is, should she want to do this? I mean, I miss out on so much my family does on the weekends. Sure! I get them during the week and we go swimming, get pedicures, go to the mall shopping, lay around all day and read, cook together and all kinds of other things, but Saturday's are work for me and play for them. And I miss being a part of them. I'm missing Summer playing basketball today.

And no, this intern does not have kids, nor can she understand the sacrifices she will have to make to work the wedding beat and somehow I have to walk the fine line of showing the realities of our job against the realities of this life.

Wish me luck.

my BIG FAT CA wedding

Shannon and Chris were married at the exact same church Shannon's parents were married at. I LIVE for stuff like this. It gives me chill bumps and makes me shoot better. LOVE the traditions that come in families and the ties that bind. The church has changed quite a bit since they were married. They've moved the altar and done some duct work to add air conditioning, thank the Lord.

They are one of my favorite couples. There I said it. I know that is so not fair to all the other couples I've photographed and spent precious time with, but they are! And I think I've figured it out finally why. Shannon feels everything at top speed and then proceeds to drag you into her vortex of happiness and wonderfulness. I LOVE that! And I love even more the fact that she so spastic and contagious that I feed off that and just want to do the best possible job I can for her, for them, for their families.

I had the best time.

Thanks you two and even though you are in Wyoming and Odessa, apart for a bit. It won't be long before the Shannon magnet pulls you two back together again.

Enjoy the sneak peek. :)

MORE HERE.

before I left Texas

I photographed Lexi. She belongs to Stephanie, who is getting married to Jason this September. Jason spits gum long distance. (scroll down and find the shot. LOL) We stomped around East Lubbock and then headed to South Lubbock to photograph a wicked cool car. I thought I would post these before I "sneak peeked" this weekend's wedding. :) I'm still choosing my favs, so hang tight and enjoy this engagement session sneak peek.

Thanks!

madison

I'm sitting in the Pheonix airport waiting for a flight. I'm photographing Shannon and Chris's wedding this weekend. My Granny lives close by so I'm going early to see her. :) I can't wait! In the meantime, with a hour lay over, it was time to share some sweet images of a recent Graduate Session.

Meet Madison.

Oh, and I'll be back on Tuesday unless SW finds me seat for sooner.

Enjoy!

for alyson

I'm so tired right now I can't keep my eyes open. sigh But I know I'm drying Alyson crazy with the wait. I'll try and keep it brief, but it's so hard! Enjoy! And I'll write more later, when I can hold my lids open.








........................................

BACK in glory! Coffee in hand, ready to discuss, talk, share and link, Alyson and Matt's wedding.

This was a great day, folks. From the sun coming out just for the wedding to the calm attitude of the bride. Seriously laid back bride who didn't even freak out when the veil was ripped off the comb and redone by the hairstylist and her mom! LOL

ceremony: Hyatt Hill Country Resort at the Luckenbach Pavillion
flowers: Garden Abloom
music: Monte Vista Strings

I would highly recommend this resort as a place to unwind relax and get fat because of the amazing food. YUM! I had a great time, Alyson and Matt and thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of your day. It was sweet and relaxing and I'm so happy you two are together. Now go and tag yourselves on face book, although I bet you already did!

As usual, more on their online gallery.

CLICK HERE.

for lauren (her engagement)

I know everyone is waiting for the "wedding sneak peek", and it's coming! FER SURE! But I'm backing up all the many, many images, and in the mean time, as the DVD's burn, thought I would share a few from my engagement session I took before I hopped the plane back home yesterday.

Can you say HOT? Cuz it was! Both in the lens and in the thermometer . 98 degrees! YOW! Slaton readers? You will recognize Miss Lauren! I've known her family as long as I've been a Texan which is almost 20 years. Her and Jack are planning an October wedding and I'm so excited to be a part of it.

Enjoy the sneak peek! And stay tuned for Alyson and Matt's wedding sneak peek. It's coming next!

alyson + matt (the rehearsal)

I'm in San Antonio photographing Matt and Alyson's amazing wedding! I didn't get the chance to pull many files, but I'm having a great time getting to know their families. This place in Hill Country is where Alyson vacationed with her family as a child, so it was the perfect place to
"come home" to and have a wedding.

I'll try and post a few more later, but the day is full! I'm due as I type this at the salon. Enjoy!

wicked cool

CLICK HERE

I read a TON of blogs. And a photographer friend, Evrim brought this to my attention today. Be sure and click the link below and scroll down for a wicked cool look at these artists.

On a side note, I have a wedding this weekend! Couldn't be happier! So, stay tuned for amazing pictures from San Antonio!

missing these two?

For Amy and Pam. I know you miss them. I feel I don't see them enough, so I think I know how you must feel. But they are wonderful. They are happy, for the most part, and so much fun to be around. I tell them all the time about "when they were little" which is so funny, because they are so little to me.

I saw them Mother's Day, too, when the family went and ate with IdaLee. They were going to buy balloons so they could visit their Mom. :)

Enjoy!

family

My youngest niece was baptized a few weeks ago, which means I got a quick trip to see my family. On the plane ride out, I ran into Mrs. and Mrs. Beale. How cool is that? I photographed their daughter's wedding in 2004, but they are so much more than that! Ultra cool "P's" is how we refer to them. LOL

To see more of my sunny CA vacation, CLICK HERE.




Hope Cheryl Lovold is 2 1/2 and just the greatest joy to be around. There is so much going on behind those eyes of hers. I LOVE that! She doesn't fall for the normal "nanny nanny boo boo" stuff. I mean with older siblings, it takes more then just the norm. Now a Popsicles helps. :)


This is my other niece, Abigail. Total CA girl!


And this is my nephew Noah.

Of course I broke out the Photo Booth and had to take a few of those. :)


This is Hope in her baptism dress. She has an ancient Family dress, that has been used to baptize TONS of kids on her dad's side of the family, but she couldn't fit into at her age. Takes a while to become CAtholic. So, we used it during the ceremony, but she wore this one instead. Wouldn't want to ruin the gown!

Me and Abby before the ceremony. She watched me put on my makeup.

The family.



Some friends made Hope her own cake for the day. She quite enjoyed it. :)



This is my BIL's parents, Tina and Dean.


Me and my sister. Do we look anything alike? We were heading out to the beach to take a few family snaps.







I LOVE these of Kim and Craig. :)











What a cutie!




and last but not least, before I head home, the family dog, Pugsy.

megan's bridal session

I always forget to do this and since I needed to blog something, how about Megan? She in a word, was STUNNING!

Enjoy!

zac and megan (the wedding)

I had the best time yesterday! For one, it's a wedding. Hello! No brainer for mushy photographer girl. LOVE weddings! For two, Megan, the bride was an absolute blast to be around. Her energy was so infectious I could just hang all day and never get tired. Which was good, because they partied late into the evening. Easy to do when you have friends and fun around.

Enjoy the sneak peek! There's more on their website.

CLICK HERE


Megan had a great morning. (after a really late night) and she was like this all day. Happy and excited all rolled into one. Well, at least until about 30 minutes before, and then she got a bit tense.


The guys are always easy to photograph when you want relaxed, fun portraits.


Okay, the eyebrow thing. I have this theory that only guys can do this. I have found one girl so far, a graduate I photographed this spring, but for the most part? Guys have more muscles than girls in the eyebrow region. Here's Zac working his muscular region.




LOVE this little girl. Too cute!


A bit shy.








Totally Megan!


She really enjoyed the cake cutting.




I asked Megan's sister before the toasts if she was prepared, and she poked her heart and said, yep. It was definitely from the heart and a perfect toast. Tears, laughter, just right. :)


a dance with Dad.




a dance with each other.

a very tired guest.


Thanks.

zac and megan (the rehearsal)

I have a wedding tomorrow! I have so many images to blog from my CA trip. I went out to sunny CA to attend the baptism of my youngest neice. So much fun! We even managed to squeeze in the beach, which was awesome. ONLY reason to live out there. Wait. There's a few others, Noah, Abigail and Hope. :)

But it's back to my regular job, WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY! And this weekend, Zac and Megan are getting married! I went to the rehearsal tonight.

READ ON.


I got to the church and found these two discussing last minute details before the rehearsal started. I love how he is caressing her back. :)

The church has some beautiful stained glass. I'll have to be sure and utilize that tomorrow!



This is too cute! Megan was burning the CD music for her ceremony and Hayden is checking her out nearby. LOL


So many details, so much to think about!


A few goofy groomsmen help to break the ice, that's for sure!



Below is Megan's dad. I think they look so much alike. :)


Zac and Stephanie are related so I've got my favorite FLASH GIRL on the job with me tomorrow. Thought this was cute. :)





I LOVE this image of Zac and it already got me thinking and inspired for couple shot tomorrow. Can't wait!










You two get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow! Congratulations!!!!