Emily {sr. portraits}

Emily and her family are dear friends of mine, we only met when the whole CA to TX move happened a few years ago, but it seems like its been years already.  They made the move from Colorado, co-workers of mine are great friends them and decided to make the move as well.  You might have seen Emily's face on my site before, she is apart of the Georgetown High School Georgettes that I had the privilege to photograph this last football season.

Sr. Portraits are some of my favorite sessions.  Is it just me or does no one else feel like they looked like girls these days when they were Seniors lol.  Emily was not one to disappoint either, it really just makes my job so easy!  We were lucky enough to even get some Texas Bluebonnets shots, last year they were far and few between.  Since they are wild flowers its hard to find one of a kind spots and take pictures being that most of the full, gorgeous hills are off Hwy 35.  Not the most convenient, but that also doesn't limit me!  Thankfully we were able to find a beautiful patch in a safe location.  Emily is a beautiful dancer, so of course we had to capture her in her element, but man did it make me feel like I need to get back in the gym... I miss my flexibility.  Once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader! {lol} All in all.. Texas is a forever backdrop, but man does my subject captivate you. 

Congratulations on your upcoming Graduation Emily and thank you for letting me capture you in your true form!! 

Castillo {family portraits}

Jennifer contacted a few months back wanting to do a mother son session.  When we booked the date, just before Christmas, her, her husband and her son all showed up.  It was awesome because we were able to sneak a couple of family pictures in with their mother/son shoot.  

As big as this world is, I love when it brings us back to reality and reminds us just how small it can feel sometime.  Jennifer and her husband both service in the Military, though we have never met, she found me through a "Next Door" website, when we got to talking she lived within a few blocks of some of my closest friends and found out shes from close to the small town my cousins now live in.  On top of that, we were going to be there the same time over New Years.  I love when little stories like this get to cross our paths and then develop into fun relationships and being able to document their family as they grow up.  

Their son was the sweetest, and I have to say, one of the best kids to actually photograph.  He even let me hold his airplane willingly so I could get the shot.  It was so cute, towards the end of the session, his mom had promised once we were done we would get his balloon.  He was so excited, so of course we had to take a few candid's of him with his balloon.  

Castillo family, first and foremost, thank you for your service to our country and for letting me get to see a little into your lives together, and to capture the sweetness of you and your son. 

Brett & Samantha {wedding}

This time 2 years ago I was prepping for my very first Bridal Show.  While prepping myself mentally I told myself, just be you, your work will speak for itself.  I love meeting new people, but its intimidating, especially when competition is literally looking you in the eye from across the aisle.  I met many new Brides at this event, but when I met Samantha and her mom, I was hoping for a callback, straight up high school giddy status! We just hit it off, talked for a good while and felt so natural.  Well.. I got that email and I was [not so secretly] so excited!! So the follow up happened, I met the groom, and we started the countdown.  

Months went by then summer 2016 came, and what seemed like the hottest day of the year, was their wedding day! But like their Engagement pictures, they were troopers and stuck with me through the heat to get those oh so beautiful outdoor barn shots.  I used to be a traditional person who was all for the not seeing the groom before the ceremony, then I got into photography and learned the pros about actually seeing each other before in regards to time, lighting and nerves for both bride and groom.  Over the years I have come to an even playing field of which I prefer.  Brett & Sami chose not to see each other, but that didn't stop us from getting some fun "before the ceremony" shots.  When the heat started to wear off and the dance floor got busy, the night neared the end and we sent off the newlyweds with glow sticks.  

We just recently closed the loop of all things wedding, their albums were delivered and that chapter ended but, I have gained some dear friends so there will be many more chapters to write.  And I will never be able to sing Iggy's "I-G-G-Y" song without signing the letters ever again.  The bride and I shared some life's bookmarks together.. for one, we both became Aunties, just days apart.  We are now waiting to plan some auntie and me dates!  Brett understands my love for organization, you should have seen the excel spreadsheet I got with their album choices.  It should really win some kind of award!  I love my "job" if you want to call it that, where strangers connect at one coincidental event and it just snowballs into many others.  I am so looking forward to the many other life events we will soon share together... photographing babies maybe next?!

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Caswell!

Happy Fall Y'all {tribute to the georgettes}

As you might know Im a born and raised California girl who couldn't get to Texas fast enough.  We have obviously learned different traditions and different lingo's since we have been here but there is one thing about Texas that can't compare to anyone else.. FOOTBALL!! Football in Texas is huge.  In high school I was a cheerleader, so I know the saying "Friday Night Lights", but out here its different.  Its not just those involved that attend, its the whole town.  You see elementary kids walking around in their Georgetown Eagles attire on game days, probably dreaming of the day they get to also be on the field.  You see senior citizens who have attended the games for years just because its "what you do on Friday nights".  We didn't have a problem getting into this tradition, as we attended many football games in California, even after my high school years. 

We have been faithfully attending the Georgetown Eagles since we moved here in 2014 and its where we discovered their dance team, the Georgettes.  Its interesting, you never see their cheerleaders unless you are in or near the student section, which is a whole other level of crazy coolness!!  The Georgettes sit up with the band and preform half time, so they kinda of replace what Cheerleaders are doing in CA, they are the school's elite dance team.  The first time I saw them perform it was their "Kick Routine", basically like mini Rockettes, and they were amazing.  I was able to swoon over them a little closer since a friend of ours daughter was on the team.  

Coming full circle, this season I was asked to be their photographer (AHHH!).  From the beginning I had been begging our friends to get me involved somehow, Id even be their water girl if needed, but this is obviously much more fun!! It is completely voluntary and I travel with them to local away and all home games, along with attending other events.  I'm basically their paparazzi, and I absolutely love it.  The girls are so sweet and so much fun, it brings back so many memories of my team from high school and the bond we will forever share.  

Here are a few shots from this season...

These are some shots from Summer Practice.  These girls work harder than anyone I know!

Eagles first game this season was at Baylor University, what an experience!!

Officers wear white uniforms and Captain wears a Silver hat. 

The girls huddle before each half time performance, say a prayer and announce their Social Butterfly, Officer's Choice and Georgette of the Week.  This is how they unite together.  

This is probably one of my favorite pictures, I believe it truly captures "Friday Night Lights".

Ladies, thank you for an amazing season!! I hope to spend more time with y'all for playoffs and for many years to come! Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Cant Lose...Texas Forever!

WYATT JAMES SMITH {newborn}

I am the single friend of my group, the "Auntie" to many, the spoiler of ALL.  I have been told my whole life, wait till you are an Auntie for REALS!! I thought okay.. we will see, Im pretty sure I have this thing down though. Then Christmas 2015 came and I found out I WAS GOING TO BE AN AUNTIE!!! My brother and Sister in law were having a BOY and we would meet him sometime summer 2016.  

June 28, 2016 changed my life forever.  Wyatt James Smith entered the world at 9:04am, making me an official Auntie.  Going back to what people always told me.. they said, you cant even begin to express how you feel, well they hit the head of the nail on that one!  My love for this little boy is so unconditional, its scary! I can't wait for muddy boots, nerf wars, frog chasing, fish guttin and just plain old laughing and creating lasting memories with this kid.  

Well... about a week after he was born we did a little newborn session.  I don't do many because if you have ever done one.. well its a lot of work! lol.  Hands down one of the hardest photoshoots to master.  I commend and respect all newborn photographers!! But I can squeeze by and get some fun shots, it doesn't hurt that the subject did pretty much all the work for me :) Today he is 2 months.. Where has time gone? In this short time he has changed so much.  He wants to stand up all the time, he is cooing, smiling and in the beginning stages of laughing.. my favorite!! 

Here are just a few of my favorites from this little session! Don't worry, if you follow along, you will be able to watch this little boy grow, as I feel a special privilege to photograph him over the years!! 

Wyatt James, Auntie loves you more than you will ever understand, thank you for coming into our lives and making me an Auntie!! 

The hat on the left was my first cowboy hat from about 15 years ago.

Snapped a few pictures of his adorable nursery before "real life" began.  The two images on the right: Gun rack was from my dad's bedroom growing up and the little suit my dad wore around 1yrs old along with my brother.  Wyatt will follow and so on.