Rachel + Erik | Arkansas Wedding Photographer

   "Home is behind, the world ahead."

I first heard about Rachel and Erik's story from my brother-in-law, who had told them about my work. He lives in the same region that they do which happens to be completely across the world from me. And it also just happened that Rachel and Erik were planning their wedding merely three hours from my home. Truly it IS a small world after all, providentially so in this case. I was so honored to be asked to capture their wedding which was full of elements from their home in the Middle East, and still full of Southern comfort and charm. Rachel and Erik's wedding day was full of the best sort of feelings, and those were all anchored in their love for each other and their love for Christ.

One of the sweetest moments of the day was during the group photos. It was absolutely sweltering and we didn't have any water with us. There was a point when Rachel was feeling lightheaded and needed to sit down. Her groom assessed this, called off any further picture taking and carried her away to a bench where he stayed by her side as she rested and was brought some water. This tiny moment is just a glimpse of the care that I see Erik has for Rachel, and it was evident that this moment was just the beginning of him caring for her for the rest of their lives together.

Rachel and Erik, it was such a joy to be with you and your families on the day that you joined together as man and wife, I pray that all the days ahead are like the first one that you shared. Joy-filled, and full of adventure. Gandolf was right, it truly is a dangerous thing to walk out your door, but I am pretty sure you are glad you did. God bless you both! 

Ashlyn | Conway, Arkansas Portrait Photographer

When Ashlyn called me a few months ago and explained that her family had a tradition for their daughters to have a portrait session for their 13th birthday (HOW PRECIOUS IS THAT—can I just steal that idea please?) and that she wanted to do her photos in her neighborhood, I knew this was the start of a perfect session. And to top it off I got to her home and she had books she wanted to include—not books that are simply pretty and cute, but books she actually loves.

Ashlyn is genuinely kind, beautiful, loves new places, has a love of classic literature, and spends as much time in treetops as possible. Pretty much, if I had known her when I was 13 we would have been best friends just over the tree climbing factor. I absolutely love meeting strong young women like Ashlyn, and I love even more the opportunities I have to capture their personality, grace, and beauty.  

Meeting Ashlyn and her family was more than just another photo session. I left their home encouraged that kindred spirits truly are all around—and quite possibly perched in your neighborhood’s Magnolia tree.   

Ashlyn, I hope you enjoy these photos for many years to come. It was an absolute joy for me to serve you and your family!  <3

4 Reasons Why You Should Take Photos of Your Kids in Your Messy House

So many things changed after becoming a mom. Interests, clothing, hair (just thankful to have it these days), car (I am completely loving the minivan life), and my love of roller coasters (vanished. completely.) I kind of expected a lot of those things, but there were some unexpected changes too. As a photographer I have always had definite opinions on the worth of certain photos over others. I wanted perfect images, magazine quality shots. But then I became a mother. And I watched my daughter grow, passing through seasons and phases, and I realized that the images I wanted to save and print weren't those which I struggled through tears to achieve. They weren't the ones of her wearing the perfect little outfit that was itchy and she hated. They weren't the ones that came at the cost of family arguments and strife over getting "one more shot" in attempt for what I envisioned. Those memories make me cringe now. No, they are the ones with her wearing her tutu and her owl snow cap in the dead of summer. The ones of her twirling her umbrella in the rain wearing the loud striped leggings she insisted on wearing every day for 2 months. The the ones with her grubby little hands clutching watermelon sitting next to her sweet Papa.  

These images, representing her in different seasons, interacting and growing with those around her--were the ones that tugged at my heartstrings. And somewhere along the past five years I've largely given up on taking family portraits like I wanted in the beginning. And because me holding my heavy Canon camera made me feel like I need a certain result, I gave up using it and have almost entirely used my iPhone lately. Until today. I've come to the point where I want to capture my chickadees as they are, and today I picked up my "real" camera and began a new journey. 

So why should you begin photographing your kids in your messy house?  

1. It's the home you live in today. What better place to document your current season of life.

2. Its convenient because it already houses the bunk bed that serves as fort and trampoline, the books with taped pages, and the blocks that are both building toys and missiles.

3. It's the true backdrop for learning and developing the little persons that it shelters, and watching them become best friends with others. 

4. The worn-with-love baby doll and the mismatched clothing is what you want to remember, because it is what will not stay. They have the rest of their lives to try and look perfectly--let them be little and cherish it now.

If you are interested in a life inspired session with your family, contact me and I would be so honored to begin a conversation with you about making that possible. <3 Please feel free to follow our daily journey on instagram @katieopris

Meagan | Maternity Session

I absolutely love repeat clients, and repeat clients who are beginning families of their own are in their own category of dear to my heart! I shot Meagan and Zak's wedding several years ago and got to capture this maternity session recently, and then,  SURPRISE -- sweet baby Lennox arrived a few weeks early yesterday! Cannot wait until her newborn session this next week! Until then enjoy some of my favorites from the maternity session! 

Angela + Kevin | Vintage, Woods Inspired, Southern Wedding

With them,
home had a face
or rather two.
Wherever they wandered
together was home.
 

March 20th couldn't have been a lovelier sunny afternoon to get married--typical of Texas spring weather it was bright and breezy. A particularly perfect day for a particularly perfect couple. 

Angela and Kevin were complete strangers to me when I met them for Kevin's proposal in Hot Springs-- read that story here, but there couldn't have been a more ideal couple for me and by the time March arrived I attended their day feeling more like family than anything else. Guys, I attend a lot of weddings, and each one always stands out in a different way. Angela and Kevin's day was hallmarked by not only their sincere love for each other but sincere love for them displayed by everyone around them. I have never seen more delighted faces during each moment of the day. Everyone around them was beaming to witness their joining together. It was something special. Something I rarely see, and something to be cherished. 

Angela wore her mother's wedding dress, almost 30 years after her parents wedding. (See Angela's bridal session here!) And as I was capturing Kevin and Angela's portraits together, they seemed so perfectly at ease that it was easy to imagine them 30 years from now--being together is just so right for them. 

Ang and Kevin, thank you so very much for allowing me the honor of capturing your entire journey. It has been one of blessings and love. True love is hard to find these days, but it radiates from you both in how you care for each other. It is my prayer that through life's inevitable ups and downs you will be able to look back over these images and remember that day--one of many to come in your married life--where joy is available for the taking. Love you both! -Katie

Venue: The Orchard - Azle, Texas
Videography: Whit's End Films 
Dress Restoration: Pinstripes Bridal 
Florals: Kimberly Cantrell
Cake: Kimberly Cantrell
Catering: Red Hot & Blue BBQ