Sophie + Jason | Bohemian Wedding - Ft Worth Botanical Gardens

July 26, 2017 in Weddings

"It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”
-Vincent Van Gogh

Sophie and I have been friends since we were born, and ever since we were planning our future weddings while watching Star Wars, in between our misadventures where I usually got us both into trouble, I knew that her wedding was going to be something special (Fun fact: Sophie has always threatened to be a bridezilla, but just as I expected, she wasn't deserving of the title in the least). And it certainly was. Sophie and Jason's day was absolutely lovely, complimenting their personalities perfectly. Sophie is a textile artist, and she wove the beautiful backdrop for the ceremony (Follow her on instagram to see more of her beautiful work!), after seeing it in person I decided that I need a piece of art like that in my life. It is absolutely exquisite! And speaking of exquisite, let's just talk about her gown for a moment, shall we? Her custom Game of Thrones inspired gown was probably the most unique wedding gown I have ever photographed. Their day was full of sweet details that were meaningful to their relationship. They both wrote their own vows, and Jason's vows were absolutely tear-jerking. I loved watching Jason interact with Sophie throughout the day. It was evident to everyone just how much he cares for her.
A lot of photographers prefer not to photograph weddings of those closest to them, but I must say that this sort is always my favorite. Every time. Without fail, these weddings are dear to my heart, their images resonating in ways that never fail to catch me off guard. And for that reason, remind me to start packing tissues in my lens bag.
Sophie and Jason, thank you both so much for allowing me to take part in your day, and thank you for being SO patient to finally see these! I hope you love them as much as I do, and I hope that they will be a reminder to you throughout a lifetime of good and not so good days of the sweet beginning you shared. May God bless you both as you begin this next big adventure!

Meggan + Iosif | New Jersey Wedding

July 07, 2017 in Weddings

"As I slipped into my wedding gown and readied myself to walk the aisle, I let my eyes wander out the window of the Victorian sitting room where I'd been getting ready. I'd noticed him then, walking across the street, nervous joy filling his face. He didn't know I saw him, but it was this moment that filled my heart with utmost gratefulness. To be his wife would be my greatest honor and covenanting my life to him before God, our family and friends, both here and abroad, would be my deepest joy. My heart was at peace as I slipped my arm into my father's hold and walked the dew laden grass to meet my groom. To become one with this man, my dear husband, is now my lifelong joy."

The history that precedes Meggan and Iosif's wedding day is not only beautiful, it is dear to my heart, as it rings closely to my own. Meggan and Iosif met in the hills of Northern Romania. She, a missionary caring for orphans and young mothers, and he, a pastoral student at the Romanian Baptist University. All of the right boxes were checked for an obviously perfect love story except one. Iosif didn't speak english. Needless to say, that didn't stop him from being captivated by Meggan's authentic beauty and infectious laughter. And it didn't stop Meggan's heart from skipping a beat when his eyes met hers either. Fast forward a few months, and they were inseperable, communicating better than could be imagined through Iosif's budding english skills and Meg's knowledge of the Romanian language. Although their wedding took place near Meg's home in Bordentown, NJ, their love is ultimately rooted in ministry to the Romanian people. Their day embodied the simple, classic beauty that Meggan exhibits daily. Meggan is an artist, the type of person that sees and grabs hold of beauty around her, simply yet purposefully. Her day was nothing short of this. It was not only a joyful celebration, but a celebration highlighting and cherishing simple joys, found in life, and in the details.

Meg si Iosif, nu am cuvintele suficient pentru iubere tale. Multumesc, a fost onorarea mea sa fii cu voi pe ziua voastri special! Eu, si familia mea vrea tot binecuvatarele pentru familia voastra! Suntem bucurosi ca sunteti prietenii noastri. (Am scris asta fara ajutor de la Elvis, si woooow, tre sa fac mai mult practica! Tre sa venim la Romania, nu?) Va Iubim, si Dumnezeu sa va binecuvinteze casa voastri, si familia noa voastri!

Nikki + Steve | Royce City, Texas Wedding Photographer

May 15, 2017 in Weddings

On April 8, 2017 I had driven to Dallas to photograph a wedding that I knew would be dear to my heart. I have known Nikki probably since I was in 7th or 8th grade. She has always been a joy to call my friend. In fact, it was Nikki who really influenced my love of portrait photography when I grabbed her camera to take a photo of her at a homeschool banquet. (See that photo HERE in my story!) That image I took of her is largely what propelled me into a decade long love of portraiture. For that, I owe her a great many thanks indeed. So, when she contacted me to photograph her wedding, I was absolutely on board. Nikki is a sign language interpreter for Dallas Community Colleges, and just another fun fact, she doesn't care for shoe wearing and lives life practically shoe-less. So when I asked her what kind of shoes she was planning on wearing, she laughed and said, "You know I'm not going to be wearing shoes at my wedding!" And she didn't. Nikki honored her grandmother by wearing her original wedding gown, and it was absolutely stunning! Steve and Nikki also constructed an AMAZING book arch, which I may very well steal from them at some point. Their day was lovely, full of genuine smiles, people, and love. It was a day full of people who cared for them both, the perfect beginning.
Nikki and Steve, it was such a blessing for me to be with you on your happy day. And it was just that, a happy day. I don't know when I have seen such unabashed joy between a bride and groom together. It was positively contagious. God bless you both on your new adventure!

Kristen + Cesar | Caruthersville, MO Wedding Photographer

January 27, 2017 in Weddings

"Nine hundred thirty-nine days since I stumbled upon a friendship
drenched in grace and founded on a heart's safe-keeping.
And I stood before you on this day, all of the memories lodged in my throat
and all of the moments playing before my very eyes and
I called you mine and you called me yours.
And it was all as it should be.
Cesar Isaac Mojica Romero, it's the sweetest and purest honor
to be deemed Mrs. Mojica.
I will love you for the rest of my days."

It's not every day that I get to capture the wedding of a bride whose art form is words, and whose gift is poetry. And it's not every day that she is my best friend, either. Some weddings are difficult for me to capture, being so emotionally tied to those standing up together that my heart finds it hard to balance the demand of a wedding day, and my eyes are misty while focusing and re-focusing on the beautiful moments that play out before me. This wedding was one of those. My best friend found and married the one that her soul loves, and it truly was a thing of beauty to behold.

Kristen and Cesar, I love you both dearly. It was an absolute honor and joy to be the one witnessing and archiving your union. Creating the visual remembrance that will forever remind you of why you began this journey. It is my hope that on the hard days, the impossible days, the heartbroken days, you are able to look back on these images and be filled with His peace and assurance that He truly began a good thing, and He who began such a good thing will continue to carry it through to completion. He truly has both of You in the palm of His hand, and the blessing on you is radiant to those around you. Thank you both for this example, I pray that this light only grows stronger as the years pass.

Rachel + Erik | Arkansas Wedding Photographer

September 29, 2016 in Weddings

"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!