ALEXANDRA + MARCUS rustic couple's session | mission, texas

I believe I mentioned in earlier posts that I photographed a couple for marketing material to be used with La Munequita Ranch in Mission, Texas a few weeks ago. Today I want to share another session that took place at the lovely ranch with a beautiful couple who have been together for a few years. Alexandra and Marcus have been together for a while and together they enjoy traveling through the state of Texas having fun and serving events with their photo booth rental business. I originally met Alexandra through Facebook and at a wedding fair a few years ago, although I don't remember which came first, and we have kept in touch via social network and just recently when I photographed her and her cowboy :) 

Their session was a breeze and Marcus mentioned Alexandra liked having their portrait taken together quite often so it they were naturals in front of the camera. La Munequita Ranch played a perfect background to their rustic couple's session and made Marcus' cowboy hat and Alexandra's awesome boots really shine. 

Alexandra and Marcus, thank you for coming out and smiling for my camera. It was a pleasure to see you again Alex and great to meet you Marcus. I wish you both much success and love in your relationship. 

You can find more information about La Munequita ranch by emailing lamunequitaranch@gmail.com and for more information on Alexandra's Photobooth Service, you can reach here here: This is the 1! Photo Booth Rental.

Happy Monday friends!

JENNIFER a rustic bridal session | mission, texas

Earlier this summer I met Jennifer who contacted me for a bridal session after hearing about a casting call I made via the Facebook business page. I needed a bridal model for marketing purposes for La Munequita Ranch in Mission, Texas. If I have to photograph a bride, and portray bridal scene, I always prefer to use real brides. Real people, in real situations, show real emotion and to me that's extremely important. So because La Munequita Ranch needed to show a rustic bride, who better than Jennifer - a true Texas gal planning her fall wedding - to have her bridal portraits done. 

Jennifer was easy to photograph and while a little nervous the first few frames, she quickly came into her own and made the session a breeze. Her beautiful red bouquet, provided by HEB Blooms in Mission, Texas, added a perfect pop of color to her cowgirl boots and beautiful wedding gown. 

You are beautiful Jennifer!

If you are looking for an awesome venue to host your next wedding or event in South Texas, La Munequita Ranch is the place for you!

Have a fantastic Wednesday friends!

ERIKA + VICTOR gladys porter zoo wedding | brownsville, texas

Erika and Victor's wedding joined my summer schedule almost at the very last minute. Two weeks prior to the wedding date, I met Erika to discuss wedding photography. While we met in June and I was aware that her wedding was in July, it did not dawn on me until we were planning her engagement session that the wedding day was quickly approaching. For some reason, my sense of time during the summer is not as sharp as I thought. The days of summer, while long, seem to pass quicker than I thought. 

Guests at a wedding I photographed early in June, Victor and Erika were meant to be one of my wedding couples. After meeting with both of them, I honestly felt like I had known them a lot longer than a mere two weeks! Every time I spoke with Erika I kept feeling like I knew her from somewhere before. Careful thought and consideration led me to realize that she reminded me so much of one of my favorite co-workers from the law firm. 

Victor and Erika have dated for over ten years! These newlyweds were finally ready to tie the knot and celebrate with a proper wedding. As the only daughter in her family, Erika planned a beautiful wedding that her parents could be proud of. Victor is caring, charismatic, and completely in love with Erika. While both of their personal vows during the ceremony were heartfelt, Victor's were written with a little bit of comic book humor. 

It was very special to witness these two get married as it was evident all of their guests had long awaited this moment. Congratulations Erika and Victor!!!

I had an amazing time at their wedding and loved the fact that we were treated very special at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas for their wedding portraits. Thank you to the Gladys Porter Zoo and to the Bride and Groom along with the bridal party for their cooperation. Erika and Victor, thank you for allowing me to photograph your wedding. Congratulations again, be blessed!

Special thank you to Joe Rokxs Entertainment, the DJ services, for sharing the timeline with me at the last moment! And to my friend Monica, of M. Perdomo Photography, for lending me her wide angle lens at the very last minute. Thank you!!!

ROSA + CALIXTO villa de cortez wedding | weslaco, texas

I panicked immediately following the Boston marathon incident and emailed Rosa and Calixto to make sure they were out of harm's way. Currently from Boston, Calixto is a South Texas native who fell in love with his Peruvian princess, Rosa. They agreed to marry in Calixto's home town and decided on the lovely Villa de Cortez in Weslaco, Texas as the location of their reception.

I met Rosa and Calixto about two months prior to their wedding date. They were in South Texas planning their summer wedding and I could not have been happier to meet them. After our initial consultation they hired me and I added them to my summer schedule. A very special thank you to Karen and Leo from Palacios Photography for the referral! 

Rosa is soft spoken, intelligent, and a classy woman in its true essence of the word. She likes organization and was on top of her wedding planning. Calixto provides a perfect balance to her demeanor, acting as a comic to make Rosa smile. The two of them together make a great pair and it was evident that their love for one another is based on a deep and intimate level. 

These two were a pleasure to work with and I am glad that I was able to photograph such a special day for them. Rosa and Calixto, congratulations on your marriage!

Being from Boston, Rosa picked an absolutely beautiful vintage Priscilla of Boston wedding gown and adorned it with a brand new, rhinestone encrusted waist sash. Her bridal attire was impeccable. Lest not forget the groom, he cleaned up really well. Together, they look very much the fairy tale part. 

It should be noted that this ceremony was a slightly different from all of the other wedding ceremonies I have photographed. Being from originally from Peru, Rosa's heritage was definitely included in this South Texas Catholic ceremony. It was a beautiful new experience for me as an individual and as a wedding photographer. Thank Rosa and Calixto! 

Special thank you to Joshua, my husband and business partner, who was my second shooter for the day. He did amazing and also fed me lunch ;) Thank you dear!!!

Happy Friday friends!

LESLIE + AARON a romantic brunch wedding | olmito, texas

Many of my brides befriend me on Facebook via both the Business Page and my personal page so I often get to read up on what many of the wedding plans are as they are happening. Since Leslie booked me, I have been anxiously awaited her brunch wedding because I often read up on some of the ideas she had and details she wanted for her wedding.

A romantic, high tea brunch is what she first originally described to me during our initial consultations. While I often meet many of my brides on more more than one occasion, Leslie is one of the few that I did not meet until the wedding day. We did, however, know each other by then - all thanks to social media! 

Just as I learned about her and her fiance, she learned a little about me as well. So on her wedding day, I knew what was important to her and how much she loved many of the details that made up her wedding day. And her cake, her wedding cake was so beautiful!!!! Honestly, I think I may have spent a good solid ten minutes standing around it smiling. If I was my five year old self, I may have poked it and tried it. It was just way to pretty to not want to look at and touch it!

Alas, I didn't and constrained myself to merely photographing it. Promise!

Leslie and Aaron, congratulations on your marriage! I wish you both love, health, and happiness in the new journey you have embarked on as husband and wife. Be blessed dearly! Thank you for allowing me into your lives and letting me photograph such a momentous day. 

Happy Sunday!

CATHERINE + JP styled wedding portraits | mission, texas

Y desde entonces soy porque tu eres,
y desde entonces eres, soy, somos,
y por amor sere, seras, seremos.

Since then I am because you are,
since then you are, I am, we are,,
and through love I will be, you will be, we'll be.

- Pablo Neruda (English Translation by Stephen Tapscott)

I photographed JP and Catherine last month at La Munequita Ranch in Mission, Texas for some promotional ads the event venue is working on. In gearing up for a complete overhaul of the event venue, including remodeling existing areas and new additions, J and C were kind and willing to devote a little of their time to have their portraits taken. We wandered through the ranch and had a great time simply having fun amidst conversations and snapshots. 

Catherine and JP, thank you! You were troopers on a lovely day. May your love continue to be blessed.

A very special thank you to Brenda with Special Flowers (http://www.specialflowers4u.com/) in McAllen, Texas for the bridal bouquet and head piece. They were absolutely beautiful and held up for over a week! Laura, from La Munequita, Thank you for trusting me with the best job ever. And thank you to both Laura and my husband who took turns entertaining my sweet baby girl while her mommy worked. Lastly, thank you to my assistant Yva who always shows up ready to work. Hugs for you all!

More to come on La Munequita Ranch soon...

Happy Thursday!