Featured!

On Artist Reenie Rose's blog. Check out this lady's amazing talent! She paints the bouquets from brides' weddings. What an awesome gift idea!

Vicky & Tom Trash the Dress

I was so excited when Vicky & Tom decided to do a trash the dress session- especially when her email read "water, paint, mud is cool with me". My heart be still! She didn't want to ruin her real dress, so she wore it only for the first dry & "nondirty" portion of the session, then quickly changed into a dress she had found at a resale boutique just for the shoot. I had sent them several ideas of how to go about "trashing" the dress, and they loved the idea of water and paint, so off we went!

They started in their wedding dress & suit- so sweet!

 Vicky decided to dip her feet in the water.

 Check out the detail on her dress!

 Changed and headed toward the fountain (in 45 degree weather!)

 Freezing but still working the camera!

 At this point there were people hanging out of their cars taking pictures and cheering. One man even came up to them and insisted on shaking their hands, he was so impressed.

 Into the field, a sweet moment while painting.

 I am pretty sure Tom was counting down until this part...

 Don't you love the colors? She looks radiant, it just makes me smile. :-)

 The artist...

 ...his muse.

 This might be one of my favorites, I love bright color but there is something wistful about the muted browns in this b&w.

 Their final works of art!

Thank you, Vicky & Tom, for being so incredible on and off camera. I love love loved getting to shoot with you!

Big news!

For the last couple of months things have been crazy to say the least- transitioning our business for the coming year and keeping up with all the amazing shoots and incredible clients that I am so blessed to have. I have truly loved getting to shoot with all of you! You are such amazing people and I love hearing all the different stories you have to share- be it how you fell in love, your crazy vacation last summer, or just getting to know you in general.

The changes going on at HAP are mostly in preparation of the arrival of little Wysong in May of this coming year. That's right! We are having a baby and are crazy excited! Sometimes I think Brian is even more excited than me. :-)

That being said, I will not be able to take weddings around that time frame (I know, nice timing baby, right in the middle of wedding season!) :-) We are, however, booking weddings and portraits now through March. If you have any questions about booking a date, please don't hesitate to contact me!

I hope you all have a wonderful, blessed Christmas with family and friends!

Jene & Billy Wedding

What every bride should know to get fabulous wedding photos (part II)

This is a continuation of the other day's post...
 

1. Let your photographer know if you have a vision. Photographers want to make their clients happy, so let them know if you have a picture in your head. More than likely they will work hard to make it come to life.
2. Be spontaneous. This is something that is difficult (near impossible) to art direct. There is something magical about an undirected twirl from a bride or sudden kiss from the groom. Be flirty, be goofy, just have fun! :-)
3. Dance at the reception. It doesn't matter if you think you are good at it or not, I promise if you are laughing and smiling it makes for cute pictures!
4. Meet your photographer in person before the wedding. Even one better, do an engagement or bridal session with them- this allows you to get to know each other and you will be way more comfortable being photographed on the big day.
5. Consider lighting for your reception. Some DJ's provide lighting, and there are some fabulous lighting companies out there. It can bring sophistication and vibrant color to the photos (as well as looking awesome in person!)
6. Do a first look, especially if it will be dark after the ceremony. It is difficult to get great photos with no light. A first look allows all the photos to be done beforehand, so that everyone can go straight to the reception and enjoy the extra time with the bride and groom. It still allows for that special moment, and it makes it a private moment instead of a public one. Plus, the stress level goes waaay down. :-)
7. Incorporate props/personal objects. This personalizes the photos in a special way and ensures that they are all about your personalities! Think parasols or fans for the bridesmaids, funky socks for the guys, a chalkboard to write a special note or saying, a vintage camera, etc.
8. Spend extra time on the bride & groom shots. Several times I have broken this up to be 2 separate times, one before the reception then right after the first dance sneak away to get a few more shots. They are the most important pictures of the day!

If you can think of additional tips, be sure to leave them in a comment! 

What every bride should know to get fabulous wedding photos (part I)

That is one long title! But this is something I feel like I should share. After having photographed a *few* weddings, there are things that I have noticed that help produce great pictures for the bride and groom. Now let me say that I am by no means a wedding and/or photography guru, but this is what I have learned...

1. Have a schedule and make sure the wedding party and family has it too. This ensures that everyone knows when and where they are supposed to be. Organization will be your best friend! If you have people involved in the wedding that have a tendency to be late, tell them to be there 15 minutes before the actual arrival time. This cuts down on stress levels and helps things run smoothly.
2. Use a makeup artist. MUAs are professionals and know how makeup best photographs. I recommend going for a run through before the big day.
3. Wear fake eyelashes. They make eyes pop and look absolutely fantastic!
4. Trust your photographer. I know it sounds weird coming from a photographer that is giving advice, but there is a difference in the photos when there is no second guessing in front of the lens. Photographers have a vision (well, most do!) and want nothing more than a fabulous shot of their clients. So just go for it!
5. Have someone (a family member or the house party) available to help pin the boutineers on all the guys. They generally don't know how, and things go more quickly if they don't have to spend the time figuring it out.
6. Have a bridesmaid or two stick around for the bride and groom pics. She/they can help you with your dress, veil, and bouquet if needed.
7. Attach a safety pin or two to a layer of your petticoat. I have seen many dress and bustle mishaps. Luckily I try to always carry a few in my camera bag for my brides that run into a dress issue, so it is great to have them close at hand. 

Look for more tips on Thursday!

Check us out!

Our photos are all over Denton's Wild Wood Inn blog. The WW is definitely one of our favorite venues to shoot at, each room is filled with charm and detail- a sweet and romantic setting for an intimate wedding. It is a fabulous place for an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception!

In their header is a fav shot from Erin & Ryan's July 4th wedding a few years ago- yay!

Jami & Ryan Wedding - San Angelo, TX

I have been thinking about this post for a while, about what I would say, how to describe to you not only the amazing detail and effort that went into every square inch of the ceremony and reception, but how this sweet couple and their surrounding families effervesced pure joy. It was like a fairy tale - complete with a storybook sized moon! (see the bottom picture)
I was so excited about capturing this wedding not only because Ryan happens to be my cousin, but because I knew that this couple would make it nothing short of fantastic.
I thought about all these things and how I was going to try to help you understand, but my words simply will not begin do it justice, so I will leave it to the photographs to tell their story.

 

The venue was Fort Concho in San Angelo.

 

Jami and Ryan first met in kindergarten....

 Their dog is named Emerson, Emma for short. She made a short appearance right after the ceremony.

 Jami & Ryan are all about being outdoors- hiking, rock climbing, you name it! This rustic location for the wedding was a perfect fit.

 Bridesmaids dresses were from J Crew.

 The ring bearer carried this little nest down the aisle.

 The reception area spilled out of the building into a white tent. The tables were all rough wood that contrasted nicely with the silky fabrics. Center pieces consisted of floral arrangements in metal tins, pillar candles, glass vases, and wood stumps cut to various sizes and lengths. A (very popular!) dessert table filled most of one wall inside - all yummy goodies were homemade by the bride's sweet friends.

 Their first dance was a beautifully choreographed waltz.

 A funny toast by the best man, and a touching speech by the maid of honor.

A super nova sized moon (okay, I know the moon isn't a star, but still!) was the icing on the cake.