Sibling Portraits Old Hidalgo Pumphouse | Hidalgo, Texas

Marisol Roten February 8, 2014

Two years ago, I had the honor of photographing a sweet brother and sister. Laura, a prospective wedding client, wanted to have photos of her mom and uncle together since it had been a few years since they'd had any formal portraits taken. We met up in December and I met her mother and uncle; they were such a sweet pair of siblings. While timid at first, they were very patient and eager to follow any instructions in posing I provided them with.

This past December, I once again had the pleasure of meeting up with Laura to schedule another session for her mother and brother. Laura's message to inquire upon date availability was very touching. She mentioned it was imperative that her mother and uncle be photographed to celebrate another wonderful year, a year full of life. I was honored and excited to see them once again. This time they were a little more relaxed and we even joked around with each other during their session. I was able to capture much more relaxed portraits of them and really enjoyed their company.

I am the eldest and have three younger brothers. As the only girl, they quickly reminded me that they are here to take care and be protective of me as they began to grow up. It was sweet to see these siblings at later stage in life held together by a family bond. I want to make sure my brothers and I have portraits of ourselves as well. It is important to me. I want us to re-live some of our fondest memories when we are older and still teasing each other. Portraits are important, and this brother and sister reminded me so.

Laura, thank you for allowing me to photograph your lovely mother and sweet uncle. I am delighted to have caught up with them again this past year and I wish them love, health and happiness. Cheers to a new year and hoping to photograph them again in the next.

February Goals.

Marisol Roten February 7, 2014

Ahh! We are well into completing the first week of February and I have yet to sit down, think about, and write out my business goals for 2014. Since the odds of that actually happening now are rather slim, I figured I will just dive right in and set some goals to accomplish in the month of February. I'll focus now on monthly goals and work really hard on trying to achieve them. In this way, I may be more motivated to accomplish things throughout the year rather than procrastinating.

1.) Maintain a clean office space - I place emphasis on the word maintain. I clean my office constantly but I seem to be lacking in the capability of maintaining it that way. If I maintained it clean, I would probably have less stress to clean more often and focus on working. After each thorough cleaning, my office looks pristine and inviting. Then a few days pass by and when I step back in to work on something, big or small project, I end up creating a huge mess. I think the solution to this problem is I need to focus on creating a real "work space or area" where I can really sit down to do the manual labor I often work on for various projects. I am hoping this will keep me from putting things all over the floor, the chairs, my desk and sofa. The closet also needs to be cleaned and organized: this is a must!!

2.) Clean my desk - I suppose this could be included in the aforementioned goal but I chose to write it out separately so that I can really tackle this and accomplish it. I have four empty drawers in my desk that currently house random junk that really should not be readily available to me. I need to organize my flies and have things I need at my desk to be found on my desk.

3.) Pricing Guide - It is imperative that I update my pricing guide and have a handful readily available. I'll need to delete any old and outdated files in my hard drive as well so that I don't have to open a million files before finding the correct one. I am hoping that by having this easily accessible and readily available, I will be more efficient at bookings over the next coming months.

At the beginning of the next month, I'll share some new goals to accomplish and discuss the hopeful success of accomplishing these current goals. I know it's only three small goals, but I figured I should be realistic with myself. Ha! I promise to kick it up a notch next month ;)

Lastly, for a visual effect, here's an oldie but a goodie from a 2011 San Isidro, Texas Engagement session.

Happy Friday Friends!

Krystal's Bridal Session Museum of South Texas History | Edinburg, Texas

Marisol Roten January 23, 2014

I have been wanting to share with you Krystal and Mickey's mid-December wedding with you but I just realized earlier this evening that I had yet to share with you some of my favorites from the bridal session. Krystal hired me at the last minute before her wedding date… fourteen days before to be exact! We spent one weekend before the wedding taking care of her engagement and bridal session.

On a Saturday, a whole week before her big day, Krystal braved the very chilly weather and had her bridal portraits taken. The location we chose provided us with warmth and shelter to photograph indoors to prevent our bride from having to be cold. But like many of the brides I know, Krystal was up for anything - even photographing outdoors in the cold!

It was chilly, very chilly, and Krystal was such a trooper. We began her bridal session indoors throughout the lovely Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, Texas. The staff were very friendly and the museum provided a lovely backdrop for our beautiful bride. Then, just before calling it a day, we explored the outside premises.

You are beautiful Krystal!

Krystal is my sorority sister from back in college and I had not seen her in a few years since I graduated. I am delighted that she and Mickey chose me as her wedding photographer because I got to see her walk down the aisle to the man of her dreams. Krystal you made a beautiful bride, congratulations!

Have a good night my friends.

Availability | Reserve your 2014 Wedding Date

Marisol Roten January 22, 2014

If you are recently engaged and are in the stages of planning your wedding, I hope that you consider me as your wedding photographer. I take on a limited number of weddings per year and the months of July and August are no longer available for booking. If you are ready to discuss your wedding photography needs, I encourage you to give me a call or send me an email so that we can talk about your upcoming date.

Congratulations on your engagement and happy wedding planning!

P.S. Don't forget to take advantage of the $200 off any wedding package special that ends February 14, 2014.

Sibling Portraits Old Hidalgo Pumphouse | Hidalgo, Texas

February Goals.

Krystal's Bridal Session Museum of South Texas History | Edinburg, Texas

Availability | Reserve your 2014 Wedding Date

Serving the Dallas, Forth Worth and East Texas Area

Kilgore, Texas | All Photographs © Marisol Izaguirre