A few of my favorite shots from June 2009.  Come on past brides, you know you wanna leave some comment love!!!

Wedding photography is kinda a funny thing.  When brides book me, they are not really quite sure what they are paying for.  If you book a great florist like La Tee Da Flowers, they can point to a photo or show you a real bouquet that will look exactly like your wedding flowers.  You can go to Edible Art to taste and see the actual cake you will eat on your wedding day.  But, photography is different.  I can’t show you your wedding photos.  I can show you other photos I have shot, but the actual photos from your wedding have never been created before.  You are booking the PROMISE of beautiful photography.

You are booking me based on trust that I will deliver something unique.

When Lauren booked me, this shot of Drew was on the front of my site.

When Lilli booked me, this shot of Lauren was on the front of my site.

When Angela booked me, this shot of Lilli was on the front of my site.

When Nakitha booked me, this shot of Angela was on the front of my site.

(Nakitha’s getting married in October 2010 so you’ll have to wait to see her photo.)

Each of these shots is different.  These brides didn’t book because they wanted the exact photo they saw on my website.
They booked because they trusted me to capture a shot that had never happened at their wedding.

Booking a wedding photographer is more about trust than a package price or actual photography.

You are booking me believing that I will show up 1 year from our meeting date and capture something never captured before.

You are booking me because you believe I understand what your day means to you.

You are booking me knowing that I’ll see something on your day that no one else can see or document.

You are booking me because I promise to give the memories you have yet to make a photo that matches.

It’s a trust and promise that I am honored to have.

To all my past and future brides, thanks for trusting me.

Maybe it’s because Sara is starting to grow up.

Maybe it’s because I’ve seen too many weddings where brides rush through the day.

I’m not sure what it is, but lately brides and fathers have been on my mind at weddings.

I have a fantastic tip for you brides on your wedding day: Spend time with your dad.

This is the thing with most dads, they are kinda numb to the whole wedding thing.  You and your mom or friends have planned the day.  As guys, we clearly have little or no opinion on the colors you choose or the type of flowers you use in your bouquet.  The whole process is by women and for women.  There is one part of the day however that Dads are very, very clued into.  The part where they “give you away”.

Some dads joke about it, others cry through it, but all of them have a feeling about it.  Here is my tip to you: find a way to honor and thank your dad sometime the week you get married.  Maybe it’s by having that super traditional Father-Daughter dance.  But guess what, some dad’s don’t like to dance.  Especially with 283 people watching them.  Some dads like iHop.  How about taking him to breakfast the day of your wedding.  That’s right.  The morning you get married you CAN spend 30 minutes with your dad.  Trust me when I say that nothing will make him feel more honored and loved than you spending a few moments alone with him.

Here are a few things I’ve seen brides do.

It’s amazing how a simple 3 minute chat at the candy table before the day gets going can mean so much.

Lauren’s dad kicked everyone out of the bride’s room to spend a few moments alone with her and give her a gift.

I loved this moment between Amy and her dad.

Erika actually called her dad and talked to him for about 5 minutes before he came to walk her down the aisle.

And, if the only thing you can do with your dad is the Father/Daughter dance, dancing to “Thriller” is the way to go.  (Happy Anniversary Kim & Josh)

Here’s the deal, I WANT Sara to get married.  I’m sure that I’ll love the guy she is choosing and be thrilled to see her find happiness in him.  My “fear” is that I’ll be forgotten.  I see this in dads in many of the weddings I shoot.  They don’t want to take over the day.  They just want 10 minutes with their daughter to hug them and tell them how proud they are.  Give your dad time on your wedding day.  Even though he’s not your number 1 man anymore, he desperately needs to be reminded that he’s number 2.

A few of my favorites from Brynne & Caleb’s Mug Machine.

Brynne’s sister.  Due in August.

Pregnant women LOVE to be shot from below. :)

If you live in Palestine, stop by 2005 Crockett Rd.  Paul will hook you up with some tasty watermelon.

I don’t think the guests at Jessica & Arcenio’s wedding needed any props.  They were crazy and fun all by themselves.

Jessica & Arcenio set the tone.  They just kept coming back into the Mug machine throughout the night.

Father of the Bride.

I got the vibe that these girls are going to be trouble when they get a bit older. :)