Cynthia + Juan Carlos... Engaged! Edinburg, Texas

The first wedding on the 2014 books for me so far is Cynthia and Juan Carlos. I met these two just a mere three weeks after my little baby girl was born. I was excited and while I considered myself on maternity leave from photography, I was still anxious and excited to meet newly engaged couples. Juan Carlos and Cynthia, along with Cynthia's sister, came along one Sunday afternoon to chat about wedding photography. 

Cynthia is a sweet, bubbly, and slightly timid young woman who is definitely head over heels in love with her fiance. Juan Carlos is quiet, subtle and very much in love as well with Cynthia. The two of them together smile often, speak softly and exude sheer romance. It was lovely getting to meet them and learn a little about their upcoming path to marriage back in January and this month presented perfect weather for their romantic engagement session. 

 

Photographing them both was so naturally easy that after the first few frames, I hardly had to give them any direction. I truly enjoyed the afternoon I spent with them. Cynthia and Juan Carlos, thank you for choosing me as your wedding photographer. I am so excited for your wedding! I look forward to learning more about you as the months progress and the big day arrives.

Happy Tuesday friends!

Ryan + Shenah... Engaged! Hidalgo, Texas

As 2012 draws near to its conclusion, I am delighted to share one final engagement session with you! I met Ryan back earlier this year when my husband and I got married. He is one of Joshua's closest friends and I had the pleasure of meeting him on our wedding day. Fast forward a few months later and he proposes to his beautiful girlfriend, Shenah!

Yay for proposals!

I didn't get to meet Shenah until some double dates later on in the months but as soon as we met I knew she was fun, spunky and the type of person who is genuine. Seeing them together immediately tells you how much they are in love with one another. Now, it's not in a lovey-dovey public-affection-kinda' way but rather in the way they speak to and of each other. It's encouraging and definitely made photographing them together so easy. 

Shenah and Ryan are both really cool people. They are down to earth, enjoy being outdoors, and absolutely value family and friends. Most importantly, they value one another and are excitedly planning not only one but two wedding celebrations to share with family and friends for the upcoming year!!! 

Shenah and Ryan, congratulations again on your engagement and upcoming wedding! I am delighted to have been able to photograph you both to document such a special and momentous time in your lives. I wish you both much love, health and happiness as you embark on the journey to becoming husband and wife. Happy Wedding Planning!

P.S. Thank you for dinner... yummy!!!

Good Sunday friends!

Jimena...Portraits. Edinburg, Texas

Jimena is graduating with her nursing degree tomorrow morning, wahooo!!!! I am delighted that I had the honor and the opportunity of being capable (literally) of photographing Jimena as she closes her undergraduate career at university. I can't believe just four years ago she was a freshman... now she's on her way to being a grown up!

Jimena and I met up at UTPA to capture some portraits of her to celebrate her upcoming graduation. She has worked very hard, especially the last few semesters maintaining an above average curriculum in the nursing program. She is so, so bright. 

Along with great intelligence, Jimena possesses a wonderful quality... a great sense of humor! She can be so witty and funny without even trying. It is always fun spending time with her because she always makes me laugh, in a good way!

For months, I have called her "Nurse Jimena" in a loving matter... when she came with me to Austin during the summer as my travel buddy for a wedding I felt safe with her in the car. C'mon, I was traveling with "Nurse Jimena!" Ha! Well, now, she will officially be a nurse and will make a great one. 

Jimena, congratulations on your graduation! Your hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication have paid off. 

Congratulations Jimena!!! I know your family is extremely proud of you and guess what, so am I!!!! Delta Zeta made us sisters, your big sister made us family and I am very honored to be your friend. The nursing world is ready for a caring nurse as yourself! Welcome to the real world... kick butt!!!

Happy Friday friends!

Siblings... Portraits! McAllen, Texas

As the eldest in my family, I feel like my three little brothers are somewhat still my responsibility. I love them, care for them and want to be heavily involved in their lives as they mature into young adults. While they are certainly not little anymore, as all three of them tower over me, I am still their big sister. Together, we are siblings who fight, laugh, and love each other.

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting a pair of siblings who feel the same way about their family. While they were once a group of brothers and sisters consisting of five, these two are the last ones standing from their parent's children. Still very much brother and sister, still very much caring for one another. 

I had such a fun time photographing them both. They were troopers and looked absolutely dapper in their Sunday best. As I saw them interact with one another, I became excited as I thought about my brothers and I growing older together and still very much keeping the relationships we have with each other today. 

There's nothing like the love of a sibling, take a look for yourself...

Laura, thank you for allowing me to photograph your mother and uncle. They were adorable to work with and so easy to photograph. I wish them and yourself a very joyous holiday season and hope they get to enjoy many more family time with each other!

Happy Thursday my friends :)

The Enriquez Family. McAllen, Texas

I truly do have the best clients for my business. I absolutely enjoy keeping in touch with everyone I photograph and watching them grow as individuals and families. The Enriquez Family have been clients of mine for over two years now and I have seen their family grow beautifully over the past few years. Leiah and L.T. have come to me to photograph some of the most important times in their lives and I am very thankful that I have seen them grow together as a couple and as a family. 

This year was no different, Leiah called me up and scheduled a portrait session just in time to remember the holidays for her little family. This year, I got to photograph the Enriquez and the Garcia's to capture the larger and extended part of L.T. and Leaih's family. 

It is always fun to photograph them and while carrying a large belly made chasing after little Ryan and Matt was a little more difficult this time around, I still very much enjoyed it. 

We start with the Garcia's... grandparents of these adorable little boys!

L.T. and Leiah, your boys are growing so handsome!

Leiah and L.T., thank you for allowing me to photograph your lovely family. The boys have grown up so much since the last time they were in front of my camera but it is a joy to see them so happy and blessed. You two have a beautiful family and I wish you every happiness in the world as you continue to grow in your marriage, family and life. 

May I get to photograph y'all for many, many more years!

Happy Wednesday friends :)

Kyle + Yva... Engaged! Mission, Texas

Next years' wedding season commences in March. As of right now, the first wedding I have on the books is Yva and Kyle's upcoming nuptials in the month of March. Their wedding date seems to be very popular among many 2013 weddings and while it has been sad to turn down other happy couples, I couldn't be happier to be Yva and Kyle's wedding photographer. 

I have been officially hired for this 2013 wedding since two, yup TWO, years ago!!!

Two years ago we thought the day would never get here... now as fall is in full swing and the month of December is proudly upon us, I can't believe how close the wedding is! Yva has since carved a very special place in my heart. She has become my best friend, an amazing sorority sister, and above all, a big help during weddings and sessions. 

As my assistant and office manager, Yva kept me on top of my game last year. Everything I could possibly think I needed during office hours, weddings or sessions, she was one step ahead of the game. Amazing! This year, she really pushed through especially in the recent weeks where I have really needed assistance with equipment, reminders, and just some friendly company as I continue to work in the last stages of my pregnancy. 

And how about Kyle... Kyle is Yva's prince charming. 

Yup, he is everything she needs in life and together they balance each other out. Kyle is fun, funny, and very much a loving man. He cares deeply for Yva and it is completely evident by how nurturing he is with her. Yva, Yva giggles when she talks about Kyle. You'd think she just met him and is crushing on him but these two have many years of dating under their belt. 

Their next step, marriage, is more than appropriate. I am certain that they will make an amazing husband and wife for one another. It is inevitable. 

Every time I am around them, be it five minutes or for an entire day, our time is spent laughing indefinitely. They are just so much fun to be around! So it was no surprise that photographing their engagement session would turn into a lovely day of photographing, giggles and birthday cake. 

We began their session in the town they call home, a place where they first met many years ago...

Yva is an avid Coca-Cola drinker!!! Emphasis on the word avid... This ring shot, which has since become an ultimate favorite of mine was conceptually put together by my husband Joshua! I am so proud of him!!! Since Yva was the subject of my camera today, I needed some muscle to help me during the day... Thank you Joshua!!!

These next sets of images are some Yva and I have been anxiously waiting to photograph for two years now!!! I am so glad we were able to capture these in the last 10 minutes before the sun completely set!!!

Yva, you make one beautiful bride! I cannot wait to see you in your full bridal attire as you walk towards your new life on your wedding day. Kyle, thank you for making my friend oh-so-happy! You are such a kind, caring and gentle soul... You too belong with each other. Most importantly, I thank you for allowing me to be your wedding photographer. I am so excited for you both!!! 

Congrats on the engagement and can't wait for the wedding!!!

Hugs :)