Portraits... Kyle - McAllen, Texas

Yva, my office manager slash assistant, is engaged to her prince charming Kyle. Kyle recently graduated with a Bachelor of Rehabilitative Services earlier this year and a few weeks ago we finally had a chance to squeeze in a portrait session in his graduation gear. 

Kyle is funny, like really funny. He's a great match for Yva and when I spend time with the two of them together I am unable to control my laughter. Kyle is a big kid at heart. I have heard Yva talk about this on many occasions but I could not agree more with her after getting to know him over the past few months. Like Yva, Kyle appreciates a good laugh... he is funny so effortlessly. 

This is Kyle.

Congratulations on graduation! Welcome to the real world Kyle!!!

Lovely Sunday friends!

Christina's Bridal Session - Los Fresnos, Texas

Blonde. Icy blue eyes. Height for miles. Photographing Christina is like photographing my very own Barbie doll... she is absolutely gorgeous!!! Christina and Marco's November wedding finally took me to the beautiful and much talked about Inn at Chachalaca Bend in Los Fresnos, Texas. Much to my little heart's content, I had the opportunity to visit the location with Christina and her wedding planner prior to the wedding date and for Christina's bridal session. Yay!

Christina is quiet, subdued and kind. She is also absolutely beautiful. When I say photographing her was like photographing a Barbie doll I mean it. She was up for anything and such a trooper. I think I may have at some point jokingly ask her to jump into the lake for some photos and she actually contemplated it... ha! Okay, so I would never do that to my brides but you get the point.

She made my job so effortlessly easy. 

I, on the other hand, made Yva's job quite hefty... Christina is tall. And, granted most people are taller than me, I needed my little ladder for many of the looks I wanted to achieve. This is where Yva's skills came in hand... she was an amazing assistant throughout the session carrying not only the gear but the ladder as well. {Thanks Yva!}

Christina, as I have previously mentioned, I am delighted that you chose me as your wedding photographer! I can't wait to share your wedding pictures with the world... but for now how about her bridal beauty.

Christina you are beautiful! 

Have a great weekend friends :).

Cinthya + Orlando... Married! Harlingen, Texas

Let's time travel a little bit... It feels like forever ago but when I was hired for my very first wedding in February of 2010 for later that summer, I did not quite imagine the amazing people I would meet. The first couple who hired me, David and Vanessa, had already met me. They knew me and were my friends. Cinthya and Orlando, the second couple to hire me when I began this photography business were complete strangers. A brief reminder, I'm really shy sometimes so I knew I had David and Vanessa's wedding to get my feet wet before I met more clients. But fate has other plans for you, always.

I received a call the first week of June and on the other line was a sweet voice. Cinthya had seen my work and was interested in hiring me. Cinthya, a young woman I had never met before, wanted to hire me. I jumped up for joy. I could not believe it... I booked my first wedding for complete strangers. Little did I know, Cinthya and Orlando would become so much more than that.

Cinthya hired me seven, yes seven, days before her wedding. Whoah. Talk about a brief time to get to know your client. But right away during their engagement session, and especially during their wedding, I felt at ease around their presence. They are so in love with one another that it's difficult to not feel comfortable around them. 

Orlando and Cinthya's wedding had so many firsts for me... feel free to read back at their 2010 wedding blog post {http://www.marisolizaguirreblog.com/2010/06/weddingcinthya-and-orlando.html}. After their utterly romantic and intimate wedding (one of my faves!) when I turned in their photos to them, Cinthya mentioned perhaps she'd hire me again someday for her bigger church wedding... I remember leaving the Starbucks parking lot and hoping she would.

And guess what, she did! 

Cinthya and Orlando planned a traditional wedding for their family and friends for the Fall and I am honored to have been invited back as their photographer. Very much like the first time, this wedding was full of beauty, love and romanticism. I had such a great time!

Cinthya and Orlando, thank you! Thank you for believing in me from the very first day a long time ago. I am delighted to have met you both and to continue to see your love grow into a strong marriage. I wish you both many, many years of love, health and happiness!

And oldie, but a goodie...

{Cinthya + Orlando... June 13, 2010 South Padre Island, Texas}

Now their BIG wedding... Love :)

I am biased, I admit it... Cinthya and Orlando hold a very special place in my heart.

Be blessed and stay warm friends :)

Family. {It's Love.}

After this weekend's wedding and Sunday's double-whammy of full day editing whilst attempting to regain the feeling in my feet, I was almost certain someone would have to drag me out of bed this morning. 

But they didn't. Amazingly, I didn't drag much - other than my legs - the entire day. I had a great day. Let me reiterate, great. For the first time in a very long time I felt like my old self. Somehow, there was a permanent smile on my face. It wasn't a feeling of giddiness or a funny joke that made me smile. Rather, it came from within.

When I made it home, me, the boys and my mom went out for dinner. On a random Monday. My brothers picked on my the entire car ride over and my mom just giggled. She even joined on a joke or two. And me, I smiled. I smiled the entire way over. The giggles in the car just reminded me how blessed I am. I must have woken up remembering that feeling this morning. I am so glad it came back...

Whether it's because I can finally rest for the whole month of December or because my family is so silly, I had such a good day. Sore feet and all :)

After dinner... Mom, me and the boys. {Love}

Good night!

Give Thanks Portraits. {2011}

It's Friday night and I am sitting on the couch, cozy, watching How to Marry a Millionaire. I absolutely love this movie... it's cute, funny and makes me giggle so much. Have you seen it? 

Anyway, as I sit here and keep warm on a chilly night I am reflecting on a few conversations I have had in the past year. I had a few people over the past few months who were highly interested in having a Portrait Collection but were unable to move forward with a session because it is merely a luxury want, not a need. I don't ever want to think someone should be denied photography, much less a single family portrait, on the mere basis that they cannot afford it. For obvious reasons, photographs are very important to me. The reality they capture, the moments and feelings we experience, they become instant family heirlooms. 

As November nears its end and Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner, I can't help but feel extremely thankful for all the blessings in my life. Thank you God, for everything. It is because of every blessing I have received that I have decided to give back, to you. 

I love the act of photography. Photographing people makes me smile. I love the interaction between human activity and seeing the candid moments almost frozen in time, frozen to forever remember. It is because I love being behind my camera so much that I have decided to spend an afternoon shooting... you. For Free. 

You read correctly. I will be hanging out at a nice park on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, photographing anyone who wants to have their portrait taken. Here's what I can offer you... Everyone who shows up will get a few pictures taken; it will be quick 5 to 7 minutes. I'll take down your contact information and a few days later you will be able to choose your free 5x7 desk print. You'll need to contact me to officially reserve your spot so that I can share with you the location. You can reach me at (956) 569-2257. If I do not answer, please leave a voicemail with your name and contact info. You can also send me a text message. So what's the catch? None. There is no catch, other than you must show up with a big, bright smile :) This will be a one-time-deal only... spread the word!

Amidst all of your Black Friday shopping, I hope to see many of you!

Be blessed my friends. 

Cinthya's Bridals. Weslaco, Texas

Cinthya and Orlando were married last month and before I share with you my favorite images from their fabulous wedding day I think it's finally time I get to share with you Cinthya's bridal session. We definitely ran against the clock for Cinthya's session on so many levels. For one, we photographed her the Sunday before her wedding weekend, yikes!!! Poor UPS delivery man... I'm sure I hounded him like crazy for that week :) Second, I photographed Cinthya in about 35 to 40 minutes. Literally. And we went to two locations, granted they were nearby but we were so pressed for time and needed to finish before it became dark. 

Cinthya's session was absolutely lovely. She truly makes a beautiful bride and it always makes me so giddy to see all of my brides in their full wedding day attire. And when they put the veil on, oh-em-gee! It's like hearing the wedding march... it truly makes a bride a bride. 

Cinthya is no exception. She exuded femininity and beauty throughout her bridal session.

Cinthya, you are beautiful!!!!!

Good night my friends.