Charles & Alyssa

There are a few photo shoots from 2009 that I need to properly introduce on my precious new photo blog, but I want to kick off 2010 with one of my favorite shoots to date, and the first I've shot this year.

Charles and I have been friends of the primarily internet persuasion for a long, long time. I think I was about 13 when we first started chatting. I've known him through his high school years, as well as college and now graduate school, so I feel I have the right to say that he's found someone very special in Alyssa. It's official. I approve.

The above came with one of the very first shutter-clicks of the day. It's always a good sign when the magic happens so quickly.

We met up at the (out of service) railroad tracks in Allen. They both brought their fierce posing skills in great supply. I love the American Gothic vibe coming from this photo!

What a handsome couple!

In those first three photos, I had them standing perilously on a railroad bridge about 30 feet up in the air, with certain death (or at least a lot of pain) waiting between each railroad tie. Of course, I was very intelligently maneuvering around on the rails while looking through the lens. I'm amazed we all made it out unscathed. We sought refuge under the bridge for a few shots.

D'awwww. So cute. How could I not approve when they so clearly make each other happy?!

I love catching those moments when they're not really posing. The genuine eskimo kisses are adorable.

Everyone needs a nice solo headshot! Although I didn't prompt them to do so, I actually have a very nice smiling and non-smiling shot of each.

Thus far, I've failed to mention that it was at the highest, about 35°F during the whole photo shoot. They were troopers. We basically shot until my hands were shaking too much to continue.

Here's the aforementioned incredibly unsafe bridge. Apparently traversing it requires intense concentration. Note that Charles is rocking his school colors between photos. That's where they met!

These concrete pillars were just begging for some intentionally cheesy senior portrait-esque poses. I dig it. Do you dig it?

The Charles in his natural environment.

Alyssa, you're so beautiful. And have I mentioned that you're cute? Grade-A ridiculously cute, at that.

We didn't get to explore the area on and around the railroad tracks quite as much as I had planned, because between photos, I looked over and saw a rather haggard looking man walking toward us out of the woods. It was a little disconcerting to say the least. Many of the photos from that area were taken as we "ran" away from him. See, we quickly put a creek and the perilous bridge between him and us, buying us a little time, but he kept on comin' toward us. You can see him sneaking up on them in the background of the above photo. I'm sure he was totally harmless, but I didn't much feel like having my camera stolen that day, so we skedaddled onto a new location. We actually deduced that he was a trucker passing through when we saw an 18-wheeler parked on the other side of the creek. I'm still not sure why he was wandering through the woods in near-freezing weather at 8 am though.

That's alright though. As soon as we pulled into our next location, I spotted this amazing tree all decked out in berries. Don't they complement Alyssa's beautiful jacket so well?

I love all of the photos taken in front of that tree so much. It's nearly impossible to narrow it down to just these two!

Such a tender moment captured here.

And here as well. They have such a natural way about them in front of the camera.

We plucked a dandelion for wishes and good luck and all those fun things. :)

I'm not sure whether Charles is attempting to eat the dandelion, or just expressing surprise at the seed making its way onto his jacket. Either way, it cracks me up!

He can be serious too though, on the cold, cold ground. Thanks for chilling yourselves to the bone for me guys!

I'll leave you with the following triptych. If this series of photos doesn't warm your heart, I'm not sure what will.

Alyssa & Charles, I had a fabulous time and I have no doubt that a number of photos from this shoot will be in my portfolio for years to come. Let's do it again sometime!