Baby Santiago. McAllen, Texas

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind for my personal and professional life and this week is panning out to be just the same. I'm attempting to complete all my work and meet my deadlines before December 1st and rushing to beat the calendar days passing us by. I have been planning to take all of December free to await for our baby's impending arrival. 

I can do it! I can do it!

As typical of any photographer, when we plan to not be working, the good Lord blesses you with more work. Thank you Jesus! I have been out of town all last week for Thanksgiving and that has definitely set me back not one but two weeks worth of work. I am desperately playing catch up. Right before we left Texas, I got the call to squeeze in one more session for a brand new baby boy.

I couldn't say no... he is adorable!

Happily, I obliged and delayed packing on Sunday to spend the afternoon photographing one of the world's newest newborns... Baby Santiago. At just two days old, Santiago was an absolute joy to photograph. He was fed when I arrived and his mommy handed him over and we spent two hours photographing his sweet expressions. 

He didn't cry much and I was very proud of myself for being able to comfort him quickly and easily the one moment he did show us the power of his lungs. 

Maribel, congratulations to you and your husband on the newest addition to your family! Santiago is absolutely precious and such a sweet baby boy. Thank you for honoring me with the pleasure to photograph him so early in his debut. I wish you and your little family an abundance of love, health and happiness! 

Take a look at this cutie...

Babies are adorable... and while I have photographed quite a few adorable newborns this year, I think it  time to say that I will not be photographing any newborns for the next few months. I am hoping to concentrate solely on big humans and leave the little humans for other talented photographers to tackle. I think the idea of having my own newborn to care for will suffice the need to photograph a tiny human for a while.

Again, congratulations Maribel! And welcome to the world Santiago :)

Hugs!

Crystal + Mike... Married! Los Fresnos, Texas

I am officially done with this year's short wedding season on my books, wohoo!!! I am ready to go on holiday for the next few weeks until the end of the year and very much looking forward to next year's wedding season. As I have previously mentioned before, I did a lot of second shooting throughout the state this year and have, as a result, met many new photographer friends who are amazing at wedding photography. I am delighted to have met and worked with them and so honored to have added them in my group of friends. 

A couple of weeks ago, I joined a new friend, Roland from Vida Dulce Studio, to photograph a lovely wedding at the Inn at Chachalaca Bend in Los Fresnos, Texas. The inn is one of my favorite places to photograph at, especially weddings, because it is so beautiful, calm and peaceful. Mike and Crystal chose a great location for their wedding and the day itself was perfect. 

While I had not previously met the bride and groom until I arrived that day, they were easy to get along with and I quickly got to know a little about them. The best part, photographing alongside Roland made the day go by quickly and very much enjoyable. It was nice to photograph with a specific purpose of capturing certain shots while he focused on being the primary shooter. 

A highlight of the day, for me, was definitely the food! Ha.... The grilled chicken was really good and I almost wish I could have had seconds... yumm!!!

Congratulations to the the happy couple.. Crystal and Mike!!!

Roland, thank you for having me join you at their wedding. The day was absolutely gorgeous and I truly enjoyed getting to know you over the course of the wedding. Most importantly, thank you for trusting in me as your second shooter.  I had a great time!!

Have a lovely Sunday Friends!

Juan + Lucy.... Married! Hidalgo, Texas

The summer after I graduated college I went on my very first real job interview. Aside from one year of work-study under my belt, I had no real prior work experience. I had a degree, was smart and motivated but aside from that, my resume had more volunteer history than any pertinent job skills. Regardless, I was determined to get a job. 

It was around the time I decided to embark on creating this photography business. The summer of 2009 was a summer of setting goals and achieving them. This, the photography, was one of them. Another goal was getting a job... I wanted to make sure I could afford my brand new car! 

I went in for an interview with a local city government in my area. The position was in finance and, although I was a college graduate, I had NO idea what finance really meant. I applied because my motto has always been, "What's the worst that can happen, they'll say no... Okay. Move forward." I talk a mighty game, huh? 

I get a call back and go in for my interview. I am dressed in my sharpest pencil skirt and make sure I comb my hair. I walk through the long hallway feeling both nervous and excited. As a former pageant contestant, I think to myself, "I got this." Never did I stop to realize that my interviewers may possibly ask me a question or two related to this finance position. Goodness, I didn't even know the difference between an asset and a liability. 

Eventually, I did learn. Obviously because I was hired for the job. I have to attribute it to my confidence, my communication skills, a little bit of luck and of course destiny. I was destined to meet my former employer and boss because I would, four years later, photograph him and his beautiful bride! 

Moral of the story, I am very honored and thankful that Juan placed his trust in me as a new college graduate and gave me job to work for. Years later, I have the opportunity to thank him by photographing both he and his beautiful wife Lucy during one of the most important times in their lives. 

Juan and Lucy, you are beautiful and your love shines through...

Juan and Lucy, congratulations on your marriage!!! I wish you both a lifetime of health, love and happiness. Congratulations to you both!!!

Have a great Sunday friends!

Dayna + Bryan... Married! Austin, Texas

Late this summer I had the pleasure of working with my newest friend Amanda from AJ Photography as we both traveled to Austin for a beautiful wedding. I had the great joy of serving as Amanda's second shooter for the wedding day and I am so glad she asked me to join her... the wedding was absolutely beautiful!

This is the second time I had the opportunity to second shoot alongside Amanda and I am very thankful I was able to. The bride and groom, Brian and Dayna, were hip and cool... their wedding was so much fun to be at! There were tons of amazing details and as the second shooter, I had a lot of fun getting there early to capture them. 

Dayna and Bryan were married at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas. The hotel is very Texas and very elegant. The ballrooms are amazing and the outdoor location for the ceremony was very serene. 

The lovely Miss Amanda, from AJ Photography, doing what she does best...

While Amanda is hard at work photographing formals, I am able to look around and capture this... love it!

Amanda, thank you for inviting me to second shoot with you. I had a great time and as always, love shooting alongside you. Austin is amazing... I love photographing weddings there! Congratulations to Dayna and Bryan! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

Have a fun weekend friends!

David + Debra.. Married! Pharr, Texas

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of photographing another beautiful wedding. October sure did seem to get here quickly and when we first saved their date back in early 2012, I never imagined Debra and David's wedding day would get here in the blink of an eye. I can only imagine what the bride, Debra, herself felt! 

I never doubted Debra would make a beautiful bride. During her bridal session a while back she radiated. On her wedding day, she was stunning. 

All of my brides are absolutely beautiful... I truly love my job. Photographing brides and grooms on one of their most cherished, stressful and beloved days is very rewarding. I enjoy going above and beyond both theirs and my expectation on how to tell the story of their wedding day with photographs. 

Perhaps it was the fact that I have known Debra for a while now, the crazy hormones in my body, or simply the fact that every wedding starts with love but their ceremony was absolutely beautiful. So very romantic.

Debra's wedding was also the first wedding I had since earlier this summer so it was my first time photographing with a real pregnant belly, a belly that truly protrudes. Ha! Nonetheless, Debra and David, thank you for trusting me, for the great time and for my special plates of chicken nuggets :)

Now for a snippet of their wedding day...

Debra and David, you're married - wahooo!!! Congratulations to the both of you. I am delighted to have seen you grow into a loving couple and wish you both every happiness available to you. I am honored and very thankful to have shared in your wedding day as your photographer. David you are one lucky man... Debra, you found your prince charming!

I hope you had a great week my friends!!! Hugs ;)

Back at it... Behind the Scenes.

I don't know why but the month of October always gets me... 

I noticed a trend over the past three years, I blog way less during the months of October, yikes! I am always excited, in both my personal life and business life, for the month of October to arrive because it means that fall is here. The holidays are around the corner and the weather just seems a little bit nicer in my part of the state. Furthermore, weddings are in full season as well as family portrait sessions this is why I always have so much to look forward to. Interestingly enough, the month always seems to sweep me by and goes by rather quickly! 

Wowsers! I am always baffled at the end of October when I realize that there are only two months left in the year. I am getting there already, ha!

Anyway, while I have neglected this blog I have kept busy and have tons of things to share with you my dear friends. So while I take the time to tell you that I am back at it, I figured it would be nice to share with you some more recent behind the scenes images from Marisol Izaguirre Photography. 

Yesterday we were at the the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse in Hidalgo, Texas and my beloved assistant Yva was there to help me carry the load... I mean camera bags ;)

 Yup, she wore five inch heels... some things never change ;) Ha!

I can always count on Yva to capture me doing what I do best... making my brides and grooms feel and look their best ;)

It's felt great photographing brides and grooms again lately. I'm glad to be back ;) 

Make it a great week friends!!! Hugs ;)