stephen + sarah • wedding • lubbock, tx

I had anticipated this wedding for a long time, since Sarah booked me almost a year in advance. I knew that A) Sarah was quite the organized bride, and B) this would be a fun wedding since she'd already told me about their milk + cookies favors. Yum! I had a great time with these two at their engagement session in the fall and was so blessed by them on their wedding day. I couldn't get over the gorgeous plum color of the bridesmaids' dresses and how everything coordinated so smoothly. The Merket Alumni Center was the perfect venue for their big day.

Wedding Gown: Brides of Amarillo

Tuxedos: Men's Wearhouse

Florist: The Market Plaza Flowers

Cake: Mylinda Wood

Catering: Top Tier Catering

Venue: Merket Alumni Center

DJ: Music to the Maxx

Hair: Angie Lewellyn of The Tobacco Leaf

Photobooth: Four Frames Photobooths

This was a first! The bridesmaid on the far left works for the Ringling Brothers Circus and provided all the ladies with a clown nose. Awesome!

When you get married at the Merket Alumni Center or the Frazier Alumni Pavilion, you get a brick in the courtyard with your names and wedding date on it. Stephen and Sarah came up with this sign that read "Forever Set". 

I asked Sarah what the most memorable moment about her day was and this was her response:

"The entire day was amazing so it's hard to choose just a moment. The ceremony was amazing and nothing beat finally seeing Stephen at the ceremony. We were both so nervous so it was fun when my Pastor lightened things up - after all I think everyone witnessed and remembered Stephen saying 'and I'll do anything she says'."

I hardly ever post family portraits, but this is exactly the type of image that I love to capture for families. Pretty light, outside, everyone is relaxed- not in some dark sanctuary where all you see is carpet. :)

Sarah created these custom made milk cartons, which they stuffed with Oreos. Yum!

Four Frames Photobooths were there and there was a constant buzz around the booth. Everyone loved it!

Stephen surprised Sarah by pulling out a GIANT pair of pink leopard undies instead of a garter. It was hilarious.

I can't remember his first name- maybe Troy? I hadn't worked with him before, but this DJ was super great- kept everyone entertained and the music pumping.

Sarah's advice for future brides:

"Enjoy every moment. We had a long engagment which gave us time to enjoy it and add some fun details. We had so much fun designing our save the dates, invitations and creating all the details. Last advice would be to recruit lots of help for the wedding day. We had so many amazing friends and family members that came to help set up which allowed my bridal party, parents and I to really enjoy the morning and hours leading up to the wedding."

Congrats you guys!

my little man

The other day I was going to get Knox out of his crib since he'd woken up from his nap and I saw this...

It was pretty adorable. So, with the voices of certain friends ringing in my head ("You must make sure you photograph your own family"), we had a little photo session, and I think these may be some of my favorites to date.

These two little chiclets popped out about a month ago.

This smile tells me that he's a good natured boy- melts my heart every time.

He is officially on the crawl! I can hardly keep up with him, haha.

matthew + kaci • maternity • lubbock, tx

Matthew and Kaci are the perfect example of why I love my job- they are super fantastic people that I may have never met were it not to photograph them! I loved getting to talk with them- and we have so many things in common. Seeing their excitement over their coming little one was so much fun- and I can't wait to meet the little guy or girl!

They brought a few adorable things from the nursery to incorporate and of course I was gushing over each piece. I forgot to write down the maker of the quilt they had, but it was adorable!

We decided we'd held Kaci's tummy enough, so...

tyler + marci • wedding • borger, tx

I was so honored and excited when Marci contacted me about shooting her wedding this summer. Marci has always been such a good friend to my little sister, Layne, and I can totally see God in her! She and Tyler had been dating for some time, and after finishing school at Texas A&M, it was time to make some vows. Here are some of my favorites from their wedding day.

Ceremony: First Baptist Church, Borger, TX

Reception: Borger Country Club

Dress: Brides of Amarillo

Suits: Jim's Formal Wear

Bouquets, Corsages, and Boutonnieres: Kristi Gray

Floral and Event Design: Season Celebrations

Cakes: Tina Massengale

Caterer: Borger Country Club

DJ: Jack Light

Hair: Donna Burris

Both Tyler and Marci cited their First Look as their favorite part of the day. Marci had envisioned walking down the stairs to him and it was perfect!

There were so many pretty vintage details! Marci said, "My favorite details were the pieces that I chose to use from my grandmothers. We used artwork, old suitcases, and even furniture. Since both sets of my grandparents have passed, this was very special to me."

Marci's Mom held this sign as they walked down the aisle! Loved it!

Tyler's table was devoted to one thing, and one thing only...see if you can guess what it is. :)

There was some fierce competition for the garter-

"It's close to miiiiiiiidnight, and there's something evil lurkin' in the daaark...."

I am still finding birdseed in places I'd rather not speak of...but I LOVE this effect!

Marci and Tyler's advice for future brides and grooms?

"Be as organized as you can the day of. Give the wedding party a specific job. Have someone be in charge of gathering your belongings and putting them in the car that you are leaving the reception in. Things are crazy at the reception and the last thing you want to be doing is worrying about where your stuff is. Trust us!"

Congrats you guys! Thanks so much!

zach dietz • producer/engineer

I got to shoot a few headshots for my friend Zach the other day for his new website, www.zachdietz.org. He is starting a new adventure- or rather- making his talent as a music producer and engineer "official". He's now working with Digital Base Studios in Lubbock, and is taking on new clients. If you are a band or musician, look him up!

baby berklee • newborn • lubbock, tx

I got to photograph Berklee at 6 days old- and she was such a tiny little treasure! After photographing her big sis, Anslee, when she was brand new, I was super excited to meet the new addition to the family. She is just as sweet! 

We shot a similar image of Anslee- so now here is Berklee's!

Their bathroom had some amazing light- so that is where we ended up. Berklee is actually in the bathtub! Haha!

marci • bridal • amarillo, tx

I'm excited to get to share some of Marci's bridal images with you. We had yet another HOT, super windy day, but Marci was looking beautiful and we had some great assistants (my sister and her sisters). We shot at Moonwater Weddings, a cool new venue in Amarillo. Here are a few of my favorite images from her session. 

Wedding pictures to come soon!

my sister's engaged!

For those of you who weren't notified on Facebook, my sister Lauren is engaged! Haha, it actually happened a couple weeks ago, and I am super late in posting this, but I figured better late than never and you guys might enjoy some photos. :)

We headed to Borger for the Fourth of July holiday/to see family that was in town/to shoot a wedding, and secretly, to be there for Steven's proposal! I had a feeling when we took this family photo in April (and didn't take a non-Steven one), that this would be coming pretty soon. :) 

Steven was über-organized about it and made sure that everyone would be able to make it to Borger for the big date. It was madness the day of. We all tried to maintain a cool composure, but there was a bit of anxiousness in the air. The good kind. I arrived at my parents' house to see Lauren wearing an oversized button up shirt and cutoff jean shorts. Not proposal material. So Layne and I heavily hinted that she should change because we were "going to take pictures" later that day. 

Here we are trying to be casual. Our cousins from California/Colorado/Tennessee were all here and it was fantastic to see them. We have an awesome family.

Then Steven's family started showing up, along with Lauren's friends from Baylor...

A close-up of the custom made ring. It is SO Lauren. Steven used a marquis cut diamond that is over 80 years old. Apparently the diamond came from an heirloom piece that was originally a collection of marquis diamonds- they have been given to women throughout his family and his Mom's engagement ring also has a diamond from the same piece. Pretty cool!

My Dad took Lauren to the grocery store with an extra-long list, and Steven had those who were not supposed to be there in the house, while the rest of us sat around the pool area. Lauren was greeted by Steven's family, who handed her a card.

Shocked face #1:

Then, my Gigi handed her a card...

Enter college friends...who came from far and wide to be there. They are awesome.

Pretty sure she knew what was going on at this point. Shocked face #2:

Enter Steven. I have a feeling she was pretty excited to see him!

Of course the card he gave her was the biggest of them all. 

Shocked face #3:

This is the traveling jest (jean+vest). Apparently it has made its rounds between these three and has been worn post-engagement, through road trips, and other adventures. 

Taking the official "We just got engaged!" photos.

This is my cousin, Amanda, who came to intern with me the week before. She. was. awesome. You'll see more of her as I get caught up.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing, hanging out, and eating some delicious brisket that Steven's Dad made. Man it was good. 

This is baby Rusten. He was born just a few months before Knox, and this was our first time to meet him!

We gave Knox his first taste of peach. He loved it!

The morning of the Fourth, we participated in a little parade that Shawn's parents' neighborhood hosts. Without much preparation, Larry threw together our own little float, and we were off- dogs and all!

This is Shawn's one-too-many-pictures face:

This is Knox's new cousin Sydney. She is so tiny and sweet!

We had a great time. Lots of excitement and time with family. And a new brother-in-law! Congratulations you guys! We love you!

brittany + randy • engagement • lubbock, tx

Randy and Brittany have got to be one of the couples I feel like I've connected the most with. They are both very friendly, inviting people who really have a passion for what they do. These two are both teachers at an at-risk middle school- it's where they met and has become such a huge part of their relationship as they invest in the kids there. We had such a great time at their photoshoot- and where did we start but the place that began it all...the classroom!

We had an all-access pass to the building, so we headed over to the auditorium...and then the gym.

aimee + brien • engagement • lubbock, tx

The day of Aimee + Brien's engagement shoot was super hot, and I had already had quite a busy day taking care of various things- so when I met these two I was so refreshed. I totally enjoyed photographing them and talking about all sorts of things- mostly their adventures! They are both originally from Baton Rouge and have lived in Lubbock while Brien worked at UMC. Soon, though, they'll be relocating to Denver for Brien's residency. (Complete change of scenery!)

I love photographing couples who have known each other for a long time- there is a sense of comfort and belonging there- they're just able to communicate without having to use too many words.

Here are some of my favorites from their session!

Don't you think Aimee looks a bit like Jennifer Aniston?