Wedding, Family, & Engagement Photography Blog

Allie’s Senior Photos in Downtown Austin

08.23.22

These senior photos in Downtown Austin are worthy of obsession! We may have had to get up at the butt crack of dawn to escape the crowds and endless flow of cars, but it.was.worth.it!

Senior Portraits

Growing up is a big deal. Change is scary. Especially when you love high school and kind of never want to leave. Such is the case with Allie. However, despite not quite feeling ready for this change, she has big plans: she’s going to school to be a cosmetologist. If you can’t tell, she has a passion for hair. Her dream is to become the best hair colorist/expert in Austin, Texas! And so in the fall, she’ll start school to do just that!

But before she takes that giant leap to jumpstart her future, she wanted senior photos taken to document this time in her life. So we woke up before the sunrise to start at the Butterfly Bridge in downtown Austin. If you’ve ever been to this part of the city, you know it’s a road well-traveled. It’s always bustling with cars and people … even in the early hours. However, it’s much more manageable when most people are still asleep.

We started shooting in between cars passing by, with Allie’s mom and dad always on the lookout for traffic. I really wish we had some behind the scenes footage of this 😂

Senior photos in Downtown Austin | ATX Photographer

Then we headed off to the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge for more photos (and to watch the sun finally rise between the clouds)!

Congratulations to Allie on taking this big step towards her future and thank you for choosing me to photograph your senior photos in Downtown Austin!

Jon and Laurie’s Austin TX Wedding

08.16.22

This couple’s Austin TX wedding was low-key and everything that Jon and Laurie dreamt of and wanted.

Love at First Meet Up …

The very first time these two met, they were paired up as partners while playing cards at a meet-up. It was fated that they were to be together.

Since then, they have enjoyed traveling together, playing games, watching movies, enjoying brunch, and cooking as a couple. Trust, love, and communication has shaped their relationship into a strong one. It was only a matter of time before Jon popped the question …

And so the time came. After Jon proposed in the car, they started planning their Austin TX wedding …

Zilker Park Engagement Session

Jon had seen photos of a previous Zilker Park engagement session on my website and they knew it was the perfect place for their session. Not only did they love being outdoors, but they enjoyed visiting this specific park.

It was such a fun session, despite the heat (thank goodness for cloud coverage!). I love engagement sessions since it’s an amazing opportunity to get to know my couples. And I got to do just that. Not only is this couple absolutely adorable, but they are such beautiful souls.

Jon and Laurie’s Austin TX Wedding Day

About two weeks after their engagement session, Jon and Laurie are ready to tie the knot at Laurie’s church!

Although their wedding ceremony was a traditional one, these two are not so much into the traditions. They didn’t want to make a big deal out of seeing each other for the first time. After getting ready together, we were able to take some photos of the two of them prior to the ceremony:

Then they got the chance to greet their family and friends as they arrived to the church.

Jon and Laurie’s Wedding Ceremony

Laurie’s son walked her down the aisle:

They are finally married!!! And partners in crime (and cards) forever!

Formal Portraits

Wedding Reception at Chez Zee

As casual and low-key as their wedding reception was, they wanted to include one tradition: cake-cutting (I mean, who could blame them? Everyone should have cake or some kind of sweets table at their wedding!!)!

Wedding Vendors

Wedding Ceremony: Redeemer Lutheran Church ♥ Wedding Reception: Chez Zee ♥ Wedding Dress Designer: Mac Duggal ♥ Hair and Makeup Artist: Flaunted Curves Salon ♥ Photographer: Sweet Memories Photography ♥ Catering: Chez Zee ♥ Floral Company: Central Market North Lamar

Bluebonnet Family Portraits

08.09.22

Getting perfect Bluebonnet family portraits is tricky. Because these beautiful flowers are so temperamental, easily affected by weather, temperature, climate, and pretty much everything, it makes it difficult to predict exactly when they’ll bloom. This, in turn, makes it difficult to schedule the perfect bluebonnet session.

The Sabolciks

It was in February when the Sabolcik family first reached out. They had attempted to schedule their bluebonnet family portraits for the past two years since moving to Texas but had little success. Those darn temperamental bluebonnets! But this family was determined to make it during peak season.

We scheduled their session for mid-April and kept our fingers crossed.

As our date got closer, it seemed we hit the jackpot. The bluebonnets were in full bloom!

However, as I drove to the park, I noticed ominous, dark clouds …

Luckily, I arrive to all of my sessions early so by the time we started shooting, the clouds had parted and the sun was shining!

Bluebonnet Family Portraits

The Sabolcik family were so excited! Not only did we have a field of bluebonnets to photograph in, but we nearly had the park to ourselves. Thrilled, the kids immediately started playing and running through the fields:

And so my session began with this beautiful and photogenic family!

The thing that got surprised me the most was how well these siblings got along. It’s not every day that children play nice together, let alone brothers and sisters! But these two were the best of friends. Even when Sydney had fire ants on her shoe, Parker came to her rescue!

I mean, seriously, could these two be any cuter?!

16 years together and this gorgeous couple is more in love than ever …

When the kids want to frolic through the bluebonnets during their parents’ session … 🤣🤣🤣

I had such an amazing time with this family! And, even more importantly, I am so glad I got to document their first successful Bluebonnet family portraits session!

Gruene Estate Wedding: Kelli and James

08.01.22

You know those weddings where everything is absolutely perfect and goes according to plan? Yeah, me neither. Well, until now. Kelli and James’ Gruene Estate wedding was exactly that! But before we get to that…

The Proposal

“James planned a weekend staycation at the Commodore Perry Estate. We had been talking about going there for months so I didn’t think anything of it. He made plans to check in at noon and head to the garden for a lunch picnic. I, being oblivious, decided to go for a run before heading to our weekend getaway. While out, I checked the mail, tried out a new face mask, and took a relaxing shower before packing my bags. Because of this, we arrived an hour late.

Since it was raining out, they moved our picnic into the library. As we were enjoying our lunch, James began talking about our relationship and how much we’ve grown. He then stood up and got down to one knee. It took me by surprise, but it was still the easiest question I have ever had to answer. We enjoyed the rest of the weekend, celebrating together, before slowly reaching out to our family and friends to share the good news!”

Gruene Estate Wedding

It’s been about one year since Kelli and James’ engagement session. And now they’re ready to tie the knot at their Gruene Estate wedding.

Little bridal details, including a piece of Kelli’s mom’s wedding dress sewn into hers using ‘something blue.’

Gruene Estate Wedding | New Braunfels Photographer

Kelli’s first look with dad:

Because Kelli didn’t do a bridal portrait session prior to her wedding day, she built in extra time so we could do so prior to the ceremony:

All of the ladies looking gorgeous in their shades of dusty blue dresses of different styles:

Meanwhile, in the groom’s cottage:

A sweet moment between James and his mother:

James looking quite handsome in his League of Rebels suit:

In which he had their wedding date embroidered on the inside …

Boys will be boys 🤣 And it is always a good time!

Wedding ceremony at the Gruene Estate‘s original open-air chapel:

It’s about that time, so the gentlemen and ladies all head down to the chapel.

The bride showed up in style, arriving in this beautiful red 1963 Oldsmobile F-85 Cutlass convertible.

And with that grand entrance and her stunning cape, she’s ready to walk down the aisle …

A first kiss as husband and wife, the ringing of the bell, and they’re officially married!!!

While we were taking photos behind the chapel, the guests were enjoying cocktail hour, which included cornhole (with cute ‘Mr and Mrs’ bean bags) and yummy drinks!

Reception Time

How pretty is the Gruene Estate’s open-air pavilion? With accents of dusty blue and greenery, the space came alive and was an absolute vision.

The couple make their way in to join their guests:

A little pre-dinner prayer:

And then some post-dinner photos, after a quick bustle and a change of shoes!

Toasts:

First dance as husband and wife:

Mother-son dance:

The bride and her father started off their dance together in a traditional manner. Then, as a little surprise treat for their guests, they put on a show, dancing a series of choreographed dances to some of the most epic songs (including “Grease Lighting” from Grease)!

This cake set-up is absolutely breathtaking! I remember doing the Gruene Estate wedding walk-through with Kelli and Amy and them discussing the installation. And it turned out magical!!

It’s not a wedding without a funny cut-out of the couple that people can dance and take photos with, some good music, and epic dancing!

Last dance request by the groom to surprise his bride with … the perfect ending to their night.

And their send-off:

Congratulations to these beautiful souls. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your amazing wedding and special love!!! Cheers to many more perfect days and years to come!

Wedding Vendors:

Wedding Venue: Gruene Estate ♥ Wedding Planner: Eclipse Event Co. ♥ Wedding Gown: Morilee ♥ Wedding Dress Boutique: Bridal Connection ♥ Hair and Makeup Artist: The Foundry Salon ♥ Photographer: Sweet Memories Photography ♥ Groom’s Grooming: The Refinery ♥ Groom’s Suit: League of Rebels ♥ Catering: Heavenly Gourmet ♥ Bartending: RiverCity Bartending ♥ Ceremony Musicians: Live Oak Trio ♥ Officiant: Family Friend ♥ DJ: DJ the Mood ♥ Floral Company: Rosehip Flora ♥ Cake: Michelle’s Patisserie ♥ Linen Rentals: Premiere Events ♥ Send-Off Car: Comal Classics

Long Center Engagement Session: Payge and Pablo

07.26.22

I had such a great time with Payge and Pablo at their Long Center engagement session!

We started our time together with their furbabies, Tucker and Loki, to get some family moments:

Long Center Engagement Session | Austin Texas

Loki and Tucker had their moment to shine and they shined ever so well! However, because they are so energetic and playful, we only let them tag along for the first half of our session. Then they were sent home with some friends to allow mom and dad to focus on each other and their Long Center engagement session.

Side Note: Engagement Sessions with Furbabies

Bringing furbabies to your engagement session is always a good idea. However, some extra planning is involved. If you’re bringing your furbabies, please remember to bring:

Leash(es), collars, and/or harnesses (the cuter, the better). They’re often seen in the photos so I recommend bringing either plain black or white ones, or incorporating your wedding colors.
Treats! Bribes are always welcome! Plus we want to reward their good behavior and thank them for tolerating us humans!
Their favorite squeaky toy(s). This is for your photographer – it helps get them to look at the camera!
A friend (or family member), to hold onto their leashes. We’ll get plenty of photos of them, but we won’t need them for every shot!
Water … we want our furry friends to be safe and hydrated.
Lastly, any props. This is optional. But for those who want to incorporate some, there are so many cute ones out there. For example, dog bandanas that say, “my humans are getting married,” or “I loved her first.”

Payge and Pablo

This pair both transferred to UT at the same time. There was a huge UT transfer group chat, which is where Pablo “slid into” Payge’s DMs. He asked if she was related to a famous person since her “last name is Nail.”

She responded with, “ummmmm what?”

And he sent her a picture of a hammer.🔨

Albeit cheesy, it worked! Because now they are getting married in December!!

Within walking distance to the Long Center is the Auditorium Shores park. Here is where we found beautiful areas with some of the most romantic lighting! If you’re doing a Long Center engagement session, I recommend walking down the hill to visit this park, as well!

Payge and Pablo are the absolute cutest. This outdoorsy, loving, and happy couple thrive on traveling and hiking together. So it was important to them to incorporate some of that into their engagement photos.