the youngs • lubbock, tx

It was so good to catch up with Tommy and Teresa- Shawn and I met these two while at Wayland. Teresa actually taught the class where I first learned Photoshop (thank you!), and became my boss a little bit after that when I worked for the yearbook. Tommy has officiated weddings I've shot, and announced WBU basketball games all the years we were there as cheerleaders. It's been good to get to see them- and I found out that they'll be taking on a new adventure soon- working for Athletes in Action. I know they'll both shine in the roles they are taking on for this ministry, and I can't wait to see God's movement in their lives through this new journey. 

We had a gorgeous day to shoot- and they brought along their four dogs. I'm not going to say I wasn't nervous about having that many canines running around- but these were the most well-behaved bunch! I had a great time with them. Thanks for an awesome shoot, guys!

rachel • frenship high school senior • lubbock, tx

The second I met Rachel I knew we would get along. She has such an infectious personality- super easy to talk to and we have a lot of interests in common. I had a great time shooting with her, as she is so expressive and outgoing. I even got a mini-concert- and let me tell you, this girl can SING! She's thinking she'd like to be a vocal coach- which I could see her being very successful at. Thanks so much for a great shoot, Rachel!

our easter 2011

Life has been going at a fast and furious rate around here since I went "back" to work. And of course, we like it that way, but it was so nice to actually relax this weekend. We made it to Borger where both our famillies are, ate a lot, and talked a lot. It was good. 

But before that, Knox and I had an unscheduled appointment with a flowery background and some confetti eggs. I just happened to have my camera around, and it isn't too often that so many elements convene and demand to be photographed together. :) I'm pretty sure Knox will hate me for these later, like he hated me for it then (note his overly excited expression..not). The "I'm with the band" onesie was a gift from our friends Richard and Claire.

Knox also took his first dip in the pool...and LOVED it! I kind of couldn't believe how long he stayed there. 

the popchoke family • lubbock, tx

The Popchoke family are no strangers to this blog- I got to photograph both Lauren and Emily's senior sessions and a family session for them a couple of years ago. Terri, a.k.a. Super-Mom, emailed me a few weeks ago to let me know they'd like some photos that include Marcus, a foreign exchange student from Denmark who has become part of their family in the past year.

She also let me know that her husband, Roy, had suddenly and recently passed away just before Christmas. As I read her message, I was totally caught off guard. I had no idea that Roy was gone- and I was quickly reminded of the brevity of this short life. The first thing I did was go back to the pictures I shot for them last. I had no idea of the future at that time- no one did. And then I realized just how blessed I am to get to have captured some small part of Roy's life. I mean, that's my job- and my calling- I'm here to tell people's stories. And in moments like that one I realize just what an honor it is to photograph someone. When I asked Terri how she was doing, her response blew me away-

"So, its been 5 months....and I've been blessed beyond measure. God puts the right person in my path at the right time, I have an angel of a friend who gets my kids to and fro while I'm at work....
Anyway, am I okay? Yes...I'm as okay as I can be. I miss him every single day....
The kids are AMAZING. I really do not know what I'd do without them....and they are so strong. 
This is a time when I'm so glad to have such a good family and a good church home, they've been wonderful :)
So, we're making it....things have changed for sure, but God has something in mind with all of this, I just can't see it yet....but I trust Him, completely."

(Shared with her permission.)

Reading this, I was reminded of the enormity God's grace for us- how He comforts us and makes us strong. Terri and her family are such a beautiful picture of what it means to live by faith and hope for Heaven. They blessed me so much in the time I got to spend with them. 

They chose to wear Life is Good shirts in honor of Roy, who I'm sure enjoyed seeing them all together.

Thank you, Popchoke family, for teaching me, trusting God, and letting your light shine. :)

mackenzie • coronado high school senior • lubbock, tx

I have known Mackenzie since we started going to The Heights Fellowship almost 6 years ago. Her Dad is our pastor and her family is just another reason we love our church! I can't believe this girl is graduating, and I'm super excited to see where God takes her in the next few years. I was so excited when she said she wanted me to shoot her senior pictures- and I told her I wanted to start in a laundromat- and she was cool with it! We had a great time- here are some of my favorites:

bobby + ashley • wedding • lubbock, tx

Bobby and Ashley are the kind of people who make me feel so privileged to get to document their wedding day. I knew they were high quality people after their Engagement Shoot, but it was reaffirmed time after time on their wedding day. Bobby stopped to check in on all who were "working" that day (including myself), just to make sure we had everything we needed- and to see the way he treasured and took care of Ashley, well...it was exactly why I am a wedding photographer. Ashley was excited, relaxed, organized, and fully in the moment the whole day- not to mention looking absolutely gorgeous! It was so awesome to get to see them enjoy each other and the company of their friends and family. I'm so thankful for couples like this one!

Some of their vendors:

Ceremony Venue: St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, Lubbock

Reception Venue: Merket Alumni Center, Lubbock

Wedding Gown: Mori Lee

Bridesmaids' Dresses: B2 by Jasmine

Florist: DeVault Floral

Cake: Sweet Temptations

Catering: Top Tier Catering (Texas Tech)

Bands: Hogg Maulies & William Clark Green Band

Hair: Casey at Davidson Taylor

Makeup: Tiffany at The Radiant Lily

Chair Linens: Puttin' on the Ritz

Bobby bought Ashley some beautiful diamond earrings for Christmas to wear on their wedding day. She plans to pass them on to their children one day.

Bobby and Ashley chose to have a First Look before the ceremony. Here's what she had to say about it:

"Before our wedding day, I had some serious doubt about the first look but wanted so badly to be able to take the pictures before hand! Even on that day, part of me still thought we should wait till the wedding. But I am SO GLAD we did it! We were able to get all our crying out and tell each other all the things we were feeling and pray together about our day without hundreds of people watching! It felt so personal and amazing and took so many of my jitters away! Bobby was soooo happy we did it because he said it was still so emotional seeing me walk down with my dad that if he hadn't seen me before, he would have had a hard time keeping it together! One other thing that made it special is he didn't see me with the veil on till the wedding which made it different. My advice about the first look is DO IT! We were at the reception having fun almost immediately after the wedding!"

Seeing that little robin egg blue box is always a good indication you will soon have a very happy bride. :)

Seeing the reflections of the stained glass in the window, Ashley asked if we could get some shots with them in the aisle. I love my brides. :)

The Merket looked amazing. Ashley said her splurge on the chair covers from Puttin on the Ritz were totally worth it- and I agree!

There was quite a battle for the bouquet!

I asked Ashley what advice she'd give to future brides, and here's what she said:

"The planning processs gets so intense and stressful toward the end...just keep reminding yourself that this is the only time in your life you will do this and pray for peace and enjoyment of the whole process. Looking back, I think of times when I let myself get so worked up about minor details, and now I think "Man, I should have just enjoyed that moment of making that decision! It's the only time I'll be able to do that!"

mark • texas tech graduate • lubbock, tx

Mark is Rachel's twin brother (and NO, they are not identical, haha). He set out with me on what has to be the windiest day in history. We literally had to find shelter at one point from the blowing 40 mph dirt. It was disgusting, and a nightmare for anybody with allergies- so I have much respect for this guy, because you'd never know by the images! Mark is a very cool and laid-back guy. I so appreciated that while I was doing my best to find locations where we wouldn't get blown away! All in all, I loved many images from his session- here are a few:

kyle + ashley• lubbock, tx

These two are from small town West Texas just like I am- they've been dating since high school and both ended up at Texas Tech! We had a great time shooting and wandering about- I must have been in a yellow + blue mood...here are my favorites from their session!

Hellllloooo, gorgeous!

whitley • floydada high school senior

Lubbock had hosted some beautiful, sunny weather the weeks prior to Whitley's senior session- and low and behold- the day of her shoot, the wind blew in! (Floydada's mascot is the Winds- ironic coincidence, I guess!) But Whitley handled it like a champ and we were able to get some beautiful photos. She'll be headed to Texas Tech next year to study early childhood education. This girl is counting down the days till graduation! 

kynlie • 2 years • lubbock, tx

Precious. That's the only word I have for this little girl. She was just so precious! The whole time I photographed her, she listened to me and kept the sweetest attitude. Kynlie just turned 2 years old and had a polka dot party, per her request. These are some of my favorite images of her-

I had just been given some pretty vintage hats and gloves to use for my Fancy Booth- and realized how perfect they would be for this session! What little girl doesn't like to play dress up?