Back from the US Virgin Islands!

Everyone has been asking me about my recent trip to St. John to photograph Simon and Laura's wedding. So, I figure this is one blog entry I had to make. I am the first to admit that I don't blog as much as I should. I have had weddings every single weekend since September 22, and I will definitely try and post some of my highlights soon!

Chris and Elliot came along (we decided to make a family trip of it). I didn't get to spend a lot of time with the boys, but I know they had a blast on the beach and kayaking to the surrounding islands. The travel time was very long (3 flights, 2 long car rides and a ferry). It really seemed like we would never get there. But, once we arrived it was well worth the trek. The wedding was one of the best I've had the honor of photographing. It was an absolutely beautiful wedding ceremony on Francis Beach (this was where Simon proposed to Laura) and the reception was at Caneel Bay. What made this wedding so great was not only the great surroundings, but the people that came to the wedding to show their love and support for Simon and Laura. It was so evident how everyone there cared so much for them.

We stayed at Moho Bay Eco-Resort, which was on national park land. Accommodations were more like glamorous camping. We were just a minute stroll from the most pristine and clear beach we had ever seen. If your ever headed to St. John's, I would highly recommend this place to stay. It was so much better than just another big hotel chain resort.

Since we arrived on Halloween night, we had to figure out where Elliot could trick or treat. Well, let's just say we packed a big bag of candy dad got some neighboring hotel guests involved. There's just no way a 4 1/2 year old can miss Halloween. I definitely spent more time traveling than on the beach. I did manage to squeeze in some snorkeling which was lots of fun. The water was perfectly clear.

Many thanks to my awesome assistant Caroline. As usual, she went far and beyond.









A little inspiration for Laura's hair...






Loved the detail on Simon's shirt.


Check out this view from Simon's parent's house.






























The cocktail hour was held inside these incredible old Sugar cane factory ruins.












Laura's dad made such a meaningful speech. You know it's going to be a tear jerker when it starts out with, "How many of you here have daughters."

Queensberry and Zookbinders albums

I work with a lot of out of town/destination brides and it's always a little bit of a challenge to explain different albums over the phone or with e-mail. So, I thought I would post some details of albums we have made with them. Queensberry and Zookbinders are two album companies we carry.

This is a Queensberry pagemount album with an Ivory and chocolate brown double mat with a sage bengaline cover. Names were blind embossed on the cover.




Double mats have a wonderful framing effect to each page.



Cover vellum page with names and wedding date.

Proper spacers in between pages are very important to the longevity of your album. These ensure that your prints will not rub against each other too much.


Zookbinders flush album with digitally designed pages.
Maroon leather cover. We added "AT" to this cover since, but typically couple's names are engraved.



Zookbinders has one of the smallest gutters (space in between pages). This means your album can lay perfectly flat on your coffee table.


Something different....
I love this cover. It's a matted album. The cover is a combination of linen and velvet.

Here is a recent slide show from Jaclyn and Alan's wedding. They had a spectacular ceremony at St. Mary's cathedral and reception at Barr Mansion.
Jaclyn and Alan

My new place on 22nd street.




It's official...I'm a landlord! I am so excited about this new part in my life. I've been wanting to invest (purchase) property in Austin (besides owning our home) for quite some time. I've always loved the idea of flipping (yes, I watch the shows on HGTV), but I simply don't have the time to stop my photography to do such a project. This August, when the wedding world had quieted down a little, I began my extensive search for my first investment property. There are two types of property investors, those who are most concerned about cash flow and don't really care too much about their properties and those who love their property and are more in a buy and hold situation. I am definitely the latter. I absolutely loooove this place I bought. It's on 22nd street (at the corner of Pearl). It has an old Austin look, but the inside has been completely gutted (down to the studs) and remodeled. It's 2 bedrooms, has a new kitchen, new bathroom (with great subway tile), new hardwoods, granite counter tops, vaulted ceilings. If I were single or if I did not have a little one, I would totally move into this place.

What an awesome road trip.

We are back from such an amazing time driving to New Mexico. This trip was full of firsts in the family, including that it was the fist time we have taken a big camping trip with Elliot. He is now old enough (4 years) that we can spend long days driving and he can handle it, which is so liberating for Chris and I. Road trips are something we love to do so much and really have not been able to do since having Elliot.

We spent the first night at some cute rustic cabins in Balmorhea State park, which has a huge natural spring. It was Elliot's first time off a diving board or as he referred to it as the "the big jumping thing". It was hard to believe that Texas could have such clear and blue water (see below). The second night we camped at Guadalupe National Park, which was incredible. The landscape was so unique (there were maple trees in the middle of the desert) and breathtaking. I definitely felt all of my thirty-something years sleeping on the hard ground, but it was worth it. Then we drove up to Ruidoso. We rented a tiny wood cabin. We did the whole tourist thing and visited some museums, Funtrackers and enjoyed great local cuisuine. And of course, we did some nice hiking in the mountains.

I have all the credit to my incredible (really) husband for planning everything, which took a couple days alone. I also want to say to all of you out there who love road trips and do not have a GPS system yet, go get one! Chris gave me one for my birthday and I don't know how I ever survived before without it.




The cabins at Balmorhea State Park.



Do you think Elliot likes to play it up for the camera? Don't mind the campers hair.

Camping in Gaudalupe National Park.

Town of Lincoln.



Advice to parents taking their first really long road trip with little ones...take plenty of chocolate milk and cookie breaks.



My amazing little hiker, prepared with pole and bear whistle.