Sandra & Andrew

In late September, I had the pleasure and the honor to second shoot with my own wedding photographer, Jenna Cole. I tagged along on quite possibly one of the coolest engagement sessions I've seen. It was a fun challenge bouncing around trying to stay out of Jenna's shots and also trying to catch those brief moments when Sandra & Andrew looked my way - or when they didn't, but it made a great shot anyway.

We met up initially at the Shops at Legacy in Plano. Andrew wasn't too keen on this whole photo shoot idea at first, but he quickly warmed up to the camera. Sandra's incredibly natural in her poses, so I think it'd be hard not to follow her lead.

Naturally, Jenna was directing the shoot. She's a big fan of shots of her subjects walking toward her and having seen the results from my own wedding day and on this shoot, it's a tactic I'm going to have to steal. The capture of movement is beautiful, as is the lack of carefully thought out posing. I like photographing people as they are.

I'm so jealous of Sandra's natural smile for the camera. I can't smile on command to save my soul.

Here's Jenna in action, directing them to do something that was apparently rather funny.

I could just eat up that beautiful green bokeh back there. The light that day was nothing short of magical. Also, Sandra & Andrew, you're so cute together that it hurts.

Awwwww!

This shot is just the culmination of everything great about this shoot. A beautiful couple, amazing light, natural posing. I love it.

Looking at these photos just makes me giddy. I hope it has the same effect for the happy couple. :)

Gotta love Andrew's fancy kicks.

After we finished up at the Shops at Legacy, we carpooled over to the State Fair of Texas. Yes! It's a photographic opportunity that comes but once a year and I'm so glad I got to take advantage of that in '09. Who wants to make it happen in 2010? The colorful lights and displays of the fair make aaaawesome backdrops.

As the good little Texas girl I am, there's just something so right about photos from the fair. I don't even like cotton candy, but seeing it hanging there in State Fair bags makes me so happy. The sugary sweetness of that kiss seems to match. ;)

Big Tex is no misnomer for the mascot of the fair. He's so big I couldn't get all of him in the frame!

There are a number of pretty little garden areas sprinkled about the fair grounds. A copse of bamboo made a great background for some solo portraits. Sandra, you are absolutely gorgeous. I still can't get over that smile.

I wanted to use the nearby mammoth statue as a backdrop (you'd better believe my nerdy husband and I would be all over that - oh wait, we were on our first dating anniversary trip to the Science Place) but the more romantic swan shaped paddleboats worked nicely too. I love their glowing backlit halos!

An Autumn session just isn't complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch!

And a trip to the fair definitely isn't complete without playing some games statistically stacked against you, purchased from angry-looking carnies.

That being said, there is the odd happy carnie here or there, like the one that let us pretend to use this game for the sake of some photos. I like how intense Andrew was about the game (check out that tongue!) even though it wasn't turned on.

And then. And then! My very favorite. The carousel.

I must have shot at least 70 photos of them flying by on the carousel. With the fleeting light and the zooming ride, I was hard-pressed to get that perfect shot. And then I caught them mid-kiss as they came around the bend. Ah, I love it!

As twilight quickly descended, we sought out the spotlights of the midway. The cotton candy booth was revisited for the sake of more photos.

Without the proper lighting equipment, it's difficult to get good photos after sunset, but the fair provided light a-plenty. The glow of the rides is beautiful both in the background and on the couple. I dig that flare on the right!

There's a good Texan gentleman if ever I've seen one. I think they've practiced that dip. I vote for a repeat at the altar in April!

Thanks are in order to Sandra and Andrew, and most certainly also Jenna for all allowing me to tag along on this shoot. It was an incredible experience and I had an absolute blast. Gracias to all.

-Mary

Kristi & Jared

I went to high school with Kristi & Jared. I sat next to Kristi in our graphic design class and was also involved in an art organization with her. She's a very talented artist, so I was honored when she inquired as to whether I'd be interested in shooting their engagement portraits. Unequivocally, absolutely, yes! I shot these last June (good grief, time flies!). These were my very first engagement portraits, as well as my very first couples shoot. It was here that I determined that I really love having two people in front of my lens.

We started our shoot at Chestnut Square in McKinney; their wedding venue. I'd say we met "bright and early", but while it was decidedly early, the sun was hiding behind thick threatening rain clouds that day. It made for some very nice diffused light until the rain eventually cut our shoot short.

Here they are on the patio of the cute little chapel where they'll wed. In the middle of our current January cold snap, I'm yearning for that lush vegetation behind them.

These two crack me up. They were very excited about the Taylor House, as that's their surname, and surname-to-be.

There are period reenactors and the like at Chestnut Square. I believe this stump is maybe used for story telling. If it's not, it should be! It appears to be a comfy seat at the very least.

Also unlike my more recent shoots, Kristi & Jared didn't need to bundle up in many layers and boots. It was, after all, early summer in Texas, so Kristi could properly show off her sweet little rose tattoo.

This double-sided bench swing was serious fun, as Jared demonstrates. Sadly, I didn't get a turn.

Just begging for some "Chapel of Love" lyrics right here. Bells will ring, the sun will shine (whoa-whoa-whoa). Er, nevermind that it's a school bell and not a church bell.

I love Kristi's sweet and simple solitaire. It's very similar to mine with its kite setting.

We found an exposed light bulb on one patio which, lo and behold, turned on with a simple pull of a chain. I'm completely enamored with the glow it cast on them and their surroundings.

See? Cloudy skies are a-ok. The diffused light is beautiful. As are these two lovebirds.

Aww, pretty sure that's what we call love.

The infamous "they" say never to center your subject, but I can't resist a little intentional architectural symmetry. I like to think that light bulb is representing the good idea they had to get married, cartoon style.

The above is probably my favorite shot of that day. It gives me chills!

The reception house at Chestnut Square has a neat Texas-y door that I wanted to incorporate, but Jared was just too darn tall, so I made him squat down to Kristi's eye level. I think she liked the change in scenery.

I love that we decided to use their wedding venue for their engagement portraits. I can't wait to see photos of them in fancier attire with the same backdrops.

Racing the rain, we made our way a few blocks over to old downtown McKinney. It's a fun few blocks of antique shops, restaurants, boutiques, and quirky little alleys.

Here they are on the stoop of someone's shopfront. It was still very early and most of the shops don't open until the shopkeeper feels like making it into work, so there was no one around to chase us off.

We ducked down an alley and found this fun sign. In my head I read it as, "Kristi & Jared & other classy stuff." These two are definitely classy stuff.

Usually the guy just doesn't get his time in the limelight when it comes to photo shoots. There you go, Jared.

Aaand now you're free to go hide behind Kristi again.

As we were walking down an alley, we happened across an entrance into this bizarre courtyard absolutely covered in ivy (and trash and AC units and other exciting things).

I love the contrast of the natural and industrial backdrop.

Shooting through the ivy cast an interesting green tint here.

They seem happy to finally be released from the jungle of ivy and mud. I love the sense of movement as I caught them unawares here.

I can guarantee that I'll be using this alleyway door again. I love the colors, the texture, and truly everything about it.

Now if only I can remember which of the many alleys it lives in...

I think this is a very nice "mom" shot. Well, to be fair, the other versions I have where they're smiling bigger might make mom happier, but I'm not their mom and this is my blog. So there.

I think Kristi was pretty stoked about being taller than Jared. It's a rare and exciting occasion!

I want that clock back there in my own home. Actually, there are a lot of quirky things in downtown McKinney that I'd love to call my own. Like a giant statue of a chicken. And the staircase in this next photo.

Jared & Kristi, thanks for giving a newbie photographer a chance last summer. You helped me create some beautiful images at the very start of my dive into this crazy business, and I can't thank you enough for the boost to my portfolio, and for the boost to my confidence as well.

Your wedding is now fast approaching, and I wish you both all the best on your wedding day, and even more importantly, in your life beyond the vows.

-Mary