Monthly Archives: January 2012

The first weekend of the year in Fayetteville, Arkansas shooting alongside Erika Dotson for Chelsey and Caleb!

Their wedding ceremony and reception were in the stables of Pratt Place which were converted by symmetrical lighting and celebration. 

It is hard enough to wait for an event to happen to be able to share photos. Spending a majority of yesterday with Amy knowing that Philip was proposing last night made not ruining the surprise an incredible challenge. I had to bite my tongue several times when she shared her excitement to go two-steppnig with a large group of friends and disappointment that Philip couldn’t make it. He even had pictures to send her to add credibility to his alibi of having a “tournament” in Starkville, Mississippi yesterday. I was amused when Amy sent out this text over our group-app. About 70 of us knew what was going to happen and she had no idea that we all knew she was about to be engaged!
Alecia and Jaimie were the Missouri liaisons to Philip’s proposal resembling Amy’s and his first date. Shown below, Alecia and Philip figure out last minute logistics in the back room of Midnight Rodeo.

Amy (in white) had no clue that Philip was waiting to propose while watching the group on the dance hall’s security cameras. Between the clock above the television screen, his watch and the microphone in his hand, Philip waited in angst to surprise Amy with his voice singing over the song “You” by Chris Young.

The song came over the dance floor and Amy sentimentally recognized it, then… complete shock! I’ve found that while pictures capture expressions and moments perfectly, what you miss in the set above is hearing a shaky voice over the loud speaker singing:

“The bluest skies don’t seem so blue
And the stars seem to be a little dimmer too
Now that you’re around you put them all to shame
Let me break it down cause what I’m trying to say is …”

“I thought I knew what love was but I didn’t have a clue
I’ve never found anything that makes me feel like I do about you.”

 Excitement. 

Amy + Philip. Engaged 01.14.2012
A lot comes full circle for a couple when a proposal recreates a first date. Two-stepping brought a little of Texas to Missouri and past to present. The night and their future were consecrated by the likes of Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, Reba Mcentire and a mechanical bull. Surrounded by good friends, the only thing that we lacked in celebrating were spurs for our boots, but those would have scratched the dance floor. Congratulations y’all!

2012 not only brought a new year, but with it came Meredith and Clay being newly engaged! These first portraits of January were touched by the perfect 68 degree winter weather of Dallas, TX. The texture and personality of the West End made a fitting background for these two… They were pros (pro’s?) at using the surroundings as a natural frame for their excitement for each other!

When picking them up from Meredith’s house, Meredith was putting on nail polish and Clay was playing the guitar. Clay had a few shirts and Meredith asked my opinion on her shoes, and they expressed slight apprehension for being in front of the camera. I love having a vision for portraits beforehand, and with that confidence and the ability to empathize, I just smiled and told them how attractive they are simply because they’re in love. Aside from that fact, both of them are good very good looking! A big part of my job is reassuring how awesome the portraits will surely turn out to be. … Where my words fall short, the photo below speaks for itself:
That one is definitely my favorite! A little about Meredith and Clay… they are proud members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 2012! Moreover, they have dedicated a large part of their time at A&M making a better experience for those that are younger than them in their various involvements. Both lead well and are genuinely passionate. That and they have the coolest friends, not defined by the company they keep, but they keep cool company. Meredith’s house in College Station is a pin-board of creativity.
Sitting in windowsills reminded me of the windows in front of Meredith’s house. Although those are whitewashed and not very sitting-friendly with flower troughs in front of them, they are some of my favorite windows in the historic district. As we explored different levels, Clay was always chivalrous helping Meredith down from the ledges and over the fences (atta-boy). Although it’s in the picture-set above these that you’ll see Meredith in a photo being literally swept off her feet, the three on the bottom of this set show interaction where you can see just how enamored these two are!
We waited for the lighting on this deck for the sun to set perfectly over the building behind me holding the camera. Light dictated the end of our time together, but I could have spent a few more hours with them. I was grateful for the bit of traffic over the tollroad leaving downtown after the lens cap was put back on. Their excitement and anticipation for their wedding, and more importantly their marriage and an adventure that awaits them in moving to Washington DC was contagious. I dropped them off feeling like I could plan my own adventure for this year. Thank y’all again!