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i hope everyone has a happy, happy fourth of july!

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It was a privilege to capture these bridal portraits of Stephanie a couple of months before her wedding.  She looked absolutely beautiful.  We shot these at the Aldredge House in Dallas…. a perfect backdrop for her.

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can you tell just by looking at these images how sweet this girl is?  her heart is just precious.  and she sure does love this boy who God has blessed her with.  i can already tell that their love is a precious, deep thing.  i am excited to see how their roots will grow and deepen even more during their many, many years of marriage.  i am super excited for their june wedding… Gaillardia will be the amazing venue of choice.  it doesn’t get any prettier than that!

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Happy Friday!  If you haven’t kissed your husband or wife today, make that a priority the very next time you see them.  Let them know you cherish them…

“Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it…”  Song of Solomon 8:7

“Sparkle” is an amazing company created by the oh-so-sweet Libba. Find these 36 inch sparklers at her online store: SparklersOnline

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Kinsey and Jared’s wedding was so elegant.  She looked absolutely breathtaking in her Monique Lhuillier dress.  So simple, timeless, and elegant.  I loved how the satin ribbon on her gown echoed the color of the bridesmaids dresses.

After the ceremony, we took some time to stroll through the park in Nichols Hills.  I always encourage my couples to allow us some undisturbed time, in a beautiful location, while it’s still light outside for photos of them together.  I tell my couples that these are the images that will be hanging on their wall 50 years from now.  These are the photos that they are hiring me to create.  These are the ones they will remember.  In my artistic (and romantic) opinion, nothing should come in the way of carving out some time to craft these memories of them together… they will be thankful… as will their children and grandchildren.  I still have photographs of my Nana & Papa from 1940 framed and hung in my hallway.  Imagine your photos hung on your granddaughter’s wall 70 years from now….

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Thanks for entering to win a copy of the new book, “Wedding Photography Unveiled” by Jacqueline Tobin.  And the winners are….

1) Stephanie Richardson: “One of the most memorable pictures for me is at Shawna’s wedding you captured my sweet sister and I holding hands just before she walked the aisle to become one with her husband. I love it not only because it is such a meaningful day in both our lives, but because it captures our relationship so beautifully. I will always treasure that moment…and thanks to you I have an image to remind me.”

2)  Leigh from Reload Photographics:  ” My photo that conveys the most emotion to the most people is one without faces. Just 3 hands. Father, mother and baby’s held together.”

Congrats!  Please email me your address so that I can put the books in the mail!

Here are two of most meaningful images that I’ve photographed over the last 12 years.  They may not be technically perfect, but it’s the emotion and meaning behind them that keeps drawing me back to them.  Both of these images are of people who are no longer with us… the mothers of two of my dear friends.

* The first image is of Mary Catherine’s mother and completely encompasses the life she lived–at home at the lake, at ease in her pajamas with Safari (the dog) content at her feet, and at home in the Word of God.

* It was truly a gift from the Lord that Jen’s mother lived to be at her daughter’s wedding. The second image captures the significance of that blessing.  As guests gathered outside to say farewell, her mother and step-father join in one final dance with the bride and groom.

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Wedding Photography Unveiled

All I can say is, “wow”! We are humbled to be chosen as one of twenty photographers from across the nation to be included in Jacqueline Tobin’s new book, “Wedding Photography Unveiled: Inspiration and Insight from 20 Top Photographers.” Jacqueline has been the Deputy Editor of PDN Magazine for over 20 years, and truly understands the art and beauty of wedding photography. She reveals techniques, strategies and philosophies from the nation’s best for visually capturing the wedding day.

The publication includes a stunning collection of work from such well-known photographers as Mike Colon, Parker J. Pfister, Charles Maring, Jose Villa, Meg Smith, Elizabeth Messina, Christian Oth, Liz Banfield and many more. The book merges artistry with the practical tools necessary to equip budding photographers for the wedding industry as well as inspire seasoned ones. This PDN Pro Series book is in stores now and can be ordered at www.amazon.com and Barnes & Noble bookstores.

A big “thank you” to Jacqueline for the time and dedication she put in to making this book! It is amazing! Thank you for choosing us to be a part of it!

CONTEST: We are giving away 2 books! One to someone who hopes to be married some day, is married, or has been married. The other will go to a photographer. How to enter:

1) Leave a short comment describing the most meaningful photograph that has ever been taken of you (can be you alone or you with a loved one).
2) Photographers: Leave a short comment describing the most meaningful photograph that you have ever taken.

The winners will be announced on our blog this Friday (March 27th). Check back then…

img_27252Cover photo: Jose Villa

These two are so “at home” with each other…. so content and happy just being in each other’s presence. Their intimate wedding ceremony took place at Norman’s Train Depot. But they chose to see each other before the ceremony, so we hopped over to the University of Oklahoma’s beautiful campus for photos. I think we could’ve walked around and taken photos for hours. The whole day was so lovely.

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I just love this girl!  Not only is Kelli absolutely stunning, she will also keep you laughing.  Here are a couple of my favorite shots…ridbride-1646ridbride-1688vintage

Whitney was a wonderful bride… beautiful, brilliant, stylish, and definitely head over heels for this sweet man, David, that takes care of her in the gentlest sort of way. I wasn’t surprised by the amazing coordination of the color palette and design throughout the whole wedding. After all, she does own the amazing stationery company appropriately named, Whitney English (for all you brides out there, this is a great place to get shower invites, rehearsal dinner, thank you cards, etc…). It’s wonderful when a bride thinks about showing off her color palette in even the tiniest of details. Then, when you see the collection of images all together (like the inspiration board below), you have a good summary of your day.

Oh, and did I mention that she had all breakfast foods at the reception….mmm… omelet bar, pancakes, etc… I think it may have put a smile on the face of everyone there.  I mean, who doesn’t love breakfast?

Brides Dress: Amsale from Stanley Korshak

Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade

Fur Stole: vintage

Invitations/Stationery: Whitney English

Wedding Consultant: Judy Lehmbeck (405) 751-3780

Flowers: Hydrangea Floral Design Studio (405) 463-5522

Cake: Joan Jones (405) 682-0309

Venue: Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club

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