Amy's Portraits... Weslaco, Texas

It has been two years since I last saw these kids... I photographed them back in 2010 for their holiday Christmas cards and had the pleasure of doing so again this year. It is amazing how much children grow! They have both grown substantially but still remembered who I was. Alyssa and Clay are an absolute joy to photograph and now that they are a little bit older much more talkative and interactive with me during their session. 

We took a quick stroll through Llano Estero Grande in Weslaco for their session. Over the past three years this place has become one of my favorite places to photograph at. The park can yield a multitude of location and backdrop opportunities, all you need to be is imaginative. 









Amy, thank you for allowing me to photograph your beautiful children once again. They have grown so much and are absolutely well mannered and polite. Enjoy your photos!

Have a great weekend friends!

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!

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 ;)