Texas weather is so unpredictable. These kids engagement session was set for last weekend but we rescheduled it to yesterday because of the weather. So I wake up in the morning and it’s a beautiful blue sky without a trace of a cloud! Then all of a sudden that Texas winter starts to creep in, and before we know it it’s completely overcast.   Normally this makes me sad; but Nicola and Jason literally turned on the heat last night so we didn’t need the sun! OK so that was a bit cheesy, but I needed something to go along with the whole “sun” thing. Anyhow, so yesterday I finally got a chance to meet up with these kids for their pre-wedding shoot. Their wedding is being held next year at the Majestic Metro and we wanted to hang out before it started getting cold. In fact I think this will be the last warm weekend here in Houston until after the new year. Yay cold!  Anyhow, here are a few of my favorites.

Graffiti wall off of Montrose some where (can’t remember).

The gardens by Hermann Park we’re in FULL bloom!

I love these “fleeting” moments. Other than the VERY last picture on this post, all of this is completely unscripted. No posing. Non-traditional. Completely unobtrusive…

…it’s the moments within the moments that I live for, and love to capture.

This is part of the Japanese Gardens at Hermann Park in Houston, TX.

I am on the ground like 1 ft way. In fact I think Nicola almost stepped on me. Just kidding.

At the very end we’re walking out and I glance over at this spot and this picture flashes in my head. I kept walking, but the picture kept talking and telling me to stop. Normally I do not do these types of “camera aware” shots. I think it makes folks uncomfortable and forcing them to put on a fake smile subdues their true personalities. However, sometimes I like to change things up, and this was one of those times. I…love…this…picture. Completely relaxed and at ease! Nicola and Jason you guys rocked it!

Don’t forget to stop by Nicola and Jason’s Client Site that launches later this week! If your a family or friend of these kids ALL the links to ALL the photos will be on their wedding website so if you want to know where the photos will be then stop on by their website next week! Follow me on Twitter to find out the minute it’s launched!!

I am SO incredibly grateful for SO many things this year! My wife for being so patient, my son for teaching me lessons, my parents for raising me to believe I could do anything, all my couples who have trusted me to document their weddings, DJ for showing me where the door to opportunity was, all of my clients from SMD who trust me with their web presence, and way way more than I could ever possibly put into one blog post.

THANK YOU, and happy Turkey Day!

We outsource our album designs now to folks who have a stronger passion for it than I do.  I mean I love taking pictures, but putting together an album….eh….I’ll leave it to the professionals. I started using Moka Album Design for our albums and they ROCK it! Totally recommended if you are looking to outsource your wedding album designs (which I totally think all photographers should do).  If it costs more (in time) for you to design the album yourself, then it needs to be outsourced to someone who can do it for less. To figure this out you’ll need to know your base hourly rate TO THE DOLLAR; NOT just a guess-tamation of what you think or what you WANT it to be. For me it’s more cost effective to outsource our album designs. This gives me more time, gives business to other business’, and gives the client an AWESOME wedding album! It’s a win-win-win all the way around.

Before flying back to TX on Tuesday, I met up with Jennifer and her family for their 4th Life session! Along with the Volkers, I’ve been photographing these guys for years! Julia is getting SO big! She still has a mind of her own and will having nothing to do with the camera. Ryan is of course as cute as always! Here are a few of my favs from Monday evenings session. Lots more on my Facebook page!

While in FL, I met up with Ashley and her family for their 3rd Lifestyle session! I’ve been photographing these guys for years now! It’s so cool to be able to watch these kids grow up! Here are a few of my favs. Lot’s more on my Facebook page.