Well friends, I can hardly believe
another year has come and gone.
We've created so many incredible memories together,
you and I.
Every year when I reflect on what I get to do for a living
I am once again reminded,
that I could never do this job
without all the wonderfully supportive clients and friends
I have acquired over the years.
You are all special to me in unique ways.

Thank you for believing in me!
For trusting me with all your irreplaceable moments.
Life in this world is fast and fleeting.
I am so honored you have chosen me
to slow it down a bit.

It may seem like I'm only capturing memories for you.
But I remember each and every session,
wedding and life event.
My memories are wrapped up in yours.
We have laughed together,
told each other stories.
I've acted a fool getting your children to smile,
gotten lost on precarious wooded trails
with your high school seniors,
cried during emotional wedding speeches at your receptions.
Holding your babies, after the loss of my own
was cathartic.
And traveling out of state for your
weddings and elopements
fulfilled some wanderlust in this old boring lady.
Your memories are a great part of my memories, too
and I can't say thank you enough!

Farewell 2019,
see you all in the new year!

To book a session or wedding
with me in 2020
contact me HERE

Let's do this thing!

>>>   <<<

Oh, Finny!
My sweet, sweet boy.
Who loves music and cuddles
and rocking in the chair.
You've never met a truck, dinosaur or robot
you didn't like.
You're two now
and climbing on everything
that doesn't move.
And even a few things that do.
(Sorry Early Mae)
You're still a complainer
about so many things in life, lol.
And you're definitely not a fan of napping.
But your giggle steals away my breath.
Your love for your sissy
makes my whole world complete.
And the fact that you'll eat just about anything I serve,
makes Mama do a happy dance!

I hear a lot of parents speak of their kids and say
"I can't imagine life without you."
Well, I can imagine life without you.
In fact, I had to, for a very long time.
And it was like a missing puzzle piece
that ached in my soul.
But you're ours now
and the past two years have made us whole.
You were the piece
that gave me peace.

I love you Baby Mine
So far, so deep and so wide.

​Mama

>>>   <<<

Emily found me on social media.
She contacted me for engagement and wedding photography.
We agreed to meet up in NYC, where she and Connor now live.
We had a blast walking the streets of Brooklyn together.
These two have been with each other for five years,
but still seem so newly in love.
They have the cutest story
and I am so excited I get to have a part in documenting it!

Congratulations on your engagement
Emily & Connor!
​Here is your  sneak peek...

>>>   <<<

Kat and Brandon had such a romantic
engagement session.
We went to all the places that have held 
special meaning to their relationship,
including the spot where Brandon proposed!
It was a beautiful fall day,
a little chilly, but lovely.
These images have me so excited
for their wedding next year!

​Here is their sneak peek...

>>>   <<<

This session went so fast and smooth
because these kids are so fantastic!
The lighting was perfection just as I pulled up
so we quickly hustled them outside to catch that
gorgeous golden hour glow.
They were ON from minute one.
Although I do have to apologize to Mama
for making the kids say poop, butt and boogers, lol.
I play to my audience,
what can I say?
Making it work, haha.

Here is their sneak peek...

Tyler is literally THE smartest,
most talented and respectful kid.
I remember him as a small child.
He has really grown into an incredible person.
Plus, he plays the cello y'all!
How cool is that?!
You know what else is pretty cool?
Golden hour!!

Here is Tyler's sneak peek...

Megan and Dalton found me last minute,
when their original photographer had to move out of state unexpectedly.
I'm so glad they did.
No couple comes any more real or genuine.
They were both so laid back and relaxed
for their wedding day.
The entire atmosphere felt light and happy,
not stressful, as can sometimes happen at a wedding.
And their day had so many things I absolutely adore.
A country setting, hay bale seating, a rustic venue
and a whole lot of love.

From their first look
(which they shared with their two babies!! <3)
To their greenhouse reception.
Everything was just..
​Sweet, simple, beautiful.

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Wenzel!
Here is a sneak peek at your happily ever after...

I don't know how I always seem to find
the most beautiful and gracious couples.
Kristina and Ashish were no exception.
Just good people, raised right.

Their concern was for those around them
even on their most special day.
And those around them,
included the sweetest group of friends and family.

Add to that, we had a stunning location
and the loveliest, end of summer, weather.
It was just perfect all the way around.

Congratulations and best wishes to an incredible couple!!
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your story.

I hope you enjoy your sneak peek...

​Click HERE to see my Wedding and Elopement Pricing.
To book your own fine art wedding, contact me HERE.
​>>>   <<<

Allison & Kurt have such a powerful connection.
I saw tears welling up in both their eyes,
more than once throughout their day.
I also saw just how much
they care about one another's feelings.
And how that consideration extended
to those around them as well.

As you can likely guess,
I see a lot of attractive people in my line of work.
This couple definitely fits that bill.
They are obviously physically beautiful human beings.
But more than that, was their kindness and their humor.
It made them so lovely to work with.
It was an absolute honor to be a part of their memories.

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Neidlinger
I hope your laughter lasts forever!!

​Here's your sneak peek...

Click HERE to see my Wedding and Elopement Pricing.
To book your own fine art wedding, contact me HERE.
​>>>   <<<

Venue :: Tailwater Lodge
Wedding Dress :: David's Bridal  
Hair & Make-Up :: Danielle Gaudette and Theresa DeYulio
Groom's Tux :: Via Roma
Bridal Party Attire :: David's Bridal
Wedding Rings :: Hannoush Jewelers
Cake :: Geddes Bakery
DJ :: John Carucci

Having your photo taken is not natural for anyone.
For a teenage boy, it can be downright torture, lol.
I always try to keep my sessions quick, fun and lighthearted.
Alex was a good sport about it.
We laughed throughout the whole session
​and we finished right on time.

The light at Green Lakes was absolutely perfect
for some incredible sun flares.
We ended with a good mix of traditional portraits and artistic shots.
Here is his senior sneak peek...

Interested in a senior session?
Click HERE to see my senior session pricing guide.
Contact me HERE to book your own session!

>>>   <<<

This is the third baby I have photographed
for this genetically blessed family.
And just like her big brother Milo and big sister Leonie,
baby Elowen was an absolute dream!
(Don't they pick the best names?!!)
She slept so well throughout her entire session
and even posed her own hands for me at the end.

This little one is so loved already,
both her siblings were vying for who got to hold her.
I have a feeling all three of them are going to be
best friends for life.

Welcome to the world baby Elowen!
​Here is your official sneak peek...

​To book your own newborn session, contact me HERE
For maternity/newborn STYLIZED or LIFESTYLE session pricing,
​click HERE.
​
​>>>   <<<

What a joy this sweet family is.
Older sister Maisie was just a doll
with her new little brother.
Touching his face and giving him gentle kisses.
And baby Jack was a dream.
He slept through his entire newborn session.
He was re-swaddled three times and never even made a whimper.

I love newborn lifestyle sessions.
They are always so quick and easy
and this one was no exception.
In one hour, we captured so many beautiful moments.
​Here is just a small sneak peek...

To book your own newborn session, contact me HERE
For maternity/newborn STYLIZED or LIFESTYLE session pricing,
​click HERE.
​
​>>>   <<<

I have loved traveling with Michelle and Seth!
We did their super fun baseball themed
engagement session in Cooperstown, NY.
It was snowing in late April!!

I was so excited when I found out their wedding
was going to be on the beach in New Haven.
It definitely did NOT snow.
In fact, the forecast was predicting
"damaging storms with high winds and hail"
for the entire day.
I am happy to report that we had 92 degrees of pure sun.
We shot the first look, bride and groom portraits,
the bridal party and the ceremony all outside.
We finally went inside to start the reception and BAM!!
The beach was hit with what looked like a legit hurricane.
We couldn't have asked for more perfect timing.

To Michelle and Seth,
your day was as lovely as the two of you are.
It was proof that you can weather any storm.
​Congratulations!!! Here's your sneak peek...

Click HERE to see my Wedding and Elopement pricing.
To book your own fine art wedding, contact me HERE.
​>>>   <<<

​Venue :: Anthony's Ocean View & Lighthouse Point Park
Wedding Dress :: Allure (Aleana's Boutique)
Bride's Shoes :: Betsy Johnson Blue
Hair and Make-Up :: Tammy Taylor & Kiss and Make-Up CT
Groom's Tux :: The Black Tux
Bridal Party Attire :: Christina Wu (Atiana's Boutique)
Wedding Rings :: Zoland Jewelers | NYC
Florals :: Fitzgerald Florist
Cake :: Pastry Fusion
Officiant :: Jim Wolan
DJ :: DJ Lion King
Photo Booth :: Super Partyland
Videographer :: Jimmy Pham 

I tell all my wedding couples that unless I'm dead,
I'll be at your wedding. 
That's not just a platitude.
Trust me when I say,
I truly mean it.
This past Friday I had a medical emergency.
I was scared and sad,
but also so worried about disappointing Stephanie and Jim.
I was scheduled to shoot their wedding reception
the following day (yesterday).

I can't fully express in words just how kind
and beautiful this couple is!
I have no doubt in my mind
that if I had needed emergency surgery,
they would have been gracious
and understanding.

Of course, I had last minute
replacement photographers in place,
but thankfully I was able to push through
and do the job.

Although, they never once made it feel like work.
For 8 hours, I was able to escape
any issues I was dealing with
and smile and laugh with these two incredible humans.
Every single staff member at the venue,
the DJ, the kitchen staff, the wait staff
everyone said the same thing...
"This is our absolute favorite couple EVER!"

Is there an antonym for Bridezilla?
That would be Stephanie.
So laid back, so easy to work with.
She didn't stress about rain
or table settings or if a hair was out of place.
And Jim, well he just wanted to make Stephanie happy.

Over and over again I heard him say
"I can't stop smiling."
Well no need my friend.
Stephanie and Jim
your love is so obvious and so genuine.
I wish you every happiness in this world...forever!
Thank you for sharing a part of yourselves with me.

Thank you to 
Mary Beatty Buttolph
Nicole Hiltbrand
and
Traci McLaughlin
who all so generously offered
to step in for me if I couldn't make it.
You are all so talented and I admire your work so much!

Big thanks to my assistant Jamie
who always comes through,
but who also sat with me for hours
and hours and HOURS in the hospital.

Shout out to DJ Knoway with Black Tie Entertainment.
You rock!! Literally.

Lastly, I want to mention Alicia at Hayloft on the Arch.
This lady has her act together!
She will legit watch the forecast.
At the first sign of rain
she comes to pick up the couple in a golf cart
if they are on the other side of the property.
I've been shooting for nine years
and that was a first.
Props to you and your ridiculously
gorgeous venue!

I know you're excited,
so here's your firs​t look at
​Mr. and Mrs. Fredenburg!!

​Click HERE to see my Wedding and Elopement pricing.
To book your own fine art wedding, contact me HERE.
>>>   <<<

Judy and Gary had a very simple ceremony
surrounded by their children
and a few other loved ones.
It was a cool, but lovely day.
They hired me for one hour.
Enough time to photograph their ceremony,
a few family images
and a sweet couple's session.
I think their gallery is so beautiful!
​Congratulations to this sweet pair!!

Click HERE to see my Wedding & Elopement pricing.
To book your own fine art Wedding/Session, contact me HERE.

>>>   <<<

I'm going to try my best to convey
the beauty and romance of this past weekend
with Hilary and Lee.
There are certain couples you meet
that you can just feel the connection.
These two individuals
share a powerful love.
They've been together over six years.
When they were writing their vows separately,
they wrote about the same, exact memory.
What are the chances
with all they have experienced together,
that they would reminisce about the same day?!
They are so in tune with one another.
They know what the other needs.
They handle tough situations with humor
and kind words.
I believe in their happily ever after.
​And I am so honored
to have been a part of this wonderful new chapter
in their love story.

To the Bride's mother Maria,
thank you for being so sweet and considerate
all weekend.
You are just a high class woman!
You had us laughing so hard.
I know the Bride and Groom
truly appreciated your support and humor!

To the Groom's mother Dawn,
it was due to your generosity that we had
this incredible hotel rooftop as the setting
for the ceremony and dinner.
Your personality had a huge impact
on the day.
​I will never forget all you did.

The hotel was so lovely.
And I can not say enough good things about the staff!
From the valet Luis,
to the server Juan.
​And the event coordinator, Krystal.
You were all very understanding
and such a gracious group.
I wish I had learned more names!
Those in the service industry
work their tails off and
are not always treated the best.
They definitely don't always get
the recognition they deserve.
So I want to make it a point to say
a special thank you.
We all know that without you,
the wheels would come off.

A sincere thank you to our Park Ranger tour guide
at The Missions park, Kate, as well.
She was so accommodating.
Please, be sure to get the proper permits
when using these stunning locations
for special occasions.
Out of respect for the hard work
put into preserving them.

Lastly, I want to give a BIG shout out
to the Bride's sister Brittany.
I have known this gorgeous lady for six years.
She is one of the most supportive and calming forces
anyone could have in their life.
I can't tell you how many fires she put out
to try and selflessly make her sister's
dream come true!
No one can relax Hilary,
like Brittany can.
She added greatly to the couple's 
happiness that day.

By the time we sat down to dinner
on the picturesque rooftop of the Mokara Hotel & Spa
in downtown San Antonio;
I was tired and sore.
I had blisters on the bottoms of my feet,
gravel embedded in my knees
and I realized I hadn't eaten a thing all day
while working in the scorching Texas heat.
And I wasn't mad about any of it.
I worked my booty off for this couple,
because I wanted to!!
Because they treated me like family
and I just adore them!

I hope I did you justice Hilary & Lee!
I'm wishing you a lifetime of laughter
and love (and lightweight chairs, lol. Sorry Lee)

Click HERE to see my Wedding and Elopement pricing.
To book your own fine art wedding, contact me HERE.
>>>   <<<

Venue :: Mokara Hotel & Spa
and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Wedding Dress :: Lulus.com
Bride's Shoes :: Allegra K
Bridal Jewelry :: Cazenovia Jewelry
​Hair & Make-Up :: JAX Studio
Groom's Suit :: Haggar
Wedding Rings :: Nasr Jewelers
Flowers :: Evember Florist
Cake :: Infinity Cakes & More
Calligraphy Vows :: Kelsey with Calligrapeau
Officiant :: Suzanne Benson

Phew, now that I've covered the mandatory snorefest schtuff,
let's dive right in.

"Do your sessions/weddings come with a copyright release?"

I can't tell you how many times I've been asked this question.
The answer is always the same.
"No, they do not."

Yet, as the British would say
"don't get your knickers in a twist, darling."
(You read that with an accent, didn't you?)
That's because you're still getting all the rights
you probably want and need already.
The technical lingo is just a bit different.

When it comes to client galleries and ownership
there can be some common misconceptions.
One of the biggest and most frequent
is the difference between
a copyright release and a print release.

Copyright, Print Release, what's the big deal?
Aren't they basically the same thing?

Negatory!
There is, in fact, a huge difference.

A COPYRIGHT belongs solely to the person who creates the art.
Whether that's photographs, artwork, writing or music.
The moment you create something,
you alone have the right to say
​how that work is used and distributed.
In the case of images,
the photographer is the only one with the right to edit them.
And the only one who can legally sell
​or make a profit from those images.

A PRINT RELEASE is different.
It gives someone, other than the creator,
the right to reproduce the artwork for their own personal use.
​Personal use includes the UNLIMITED printing of images
and sharing with friends and family,
both tangibly and on social media platforms.
That is something most artists actually encourage!
We want you to print your images.
To share your memories!
However, a print release
does NOT allow for the adding of IG filters,
which thereby alters the creator's original work.
It does NOT allow a client to enter images into contests
to win any money or prizes for said images.
It also does NOT allow a client
to offer images for use in a commercial setting.
Such as in a magazine or for use as stock photography.
​The images are not the client's work,
​therefore they have no legal right to sell them. 

The wording may not seem like a huge deal,
but when it comes to protecting the rights of the artist
​it is a priority.

So the next time you have a photography session
be sure to ask for a print release.
And by all means, feel free to plaster the walls
with your bright, beautiful smiling faces!

​>>>   <<<

Check out my post on Aspect Ratio
​for the best ways to print your images yourself!

Emily and I go way back.
​She hired me for the first time ​in 2012.
Since then, we have done multiple sessions together. 
She has been one of my biggest supporters
since, close to the beginning.

On my website's contact form for this session,
under things you want me to know
she put down "you're only my favorite."
And when we got done shooting for the day
she told me how much she loves everything I do.
That she can't even look at any other photographer's work
without comparing it to mine.

I'm going to tell you a secret, so pay attention
(are you ready?)
here it is...
Art, is, subjective.
There it is. Not everyone loves the same things.
Not everyone looks at my work
and thinks it's good.
And that is OKAY!
I believe there is a photographer out there for everyone.
Someone to suit everyone's taste, budget and personality.

But as an artist, when you do find those clients,
the ones who appreciate you.
And I do mean YOU.
I could say "appreciate your work",
but so much of me is tied up with my work.
I give a lot to this job.
Time, energy, creativity, finances.
I love it and it's exhausting.
It fulfills me and it's emptying.
It fuels me and it depletes me.
There are times I can't look at another photographer's work without comparing it to mine either.
Those were her words, but they're my words, too.
There's so much buzzing around us constantly,
it gets easy to not feel good enough.
I get down, on myself and my work, 
In those moments, all I need is just that little nudge
to remind me of the love, the fulfillment.
To refuel.

That's the kind of person Emily is.
She lets you know how much she appreciates what you do.
And she's the kind of person
that you only wish good things for.
I've seen her life change over the years
and I can honestly say
I am absolutely overjoyed to see her happy with Chuck.
He is very kind and considerate.
I hope her future with him
​is as bright and lovely as she is.
Congratulations to this thoughtful pair!
​I am rooting for you and your new life together!!

And thank you for trusting me to document your love story.

To book your own engagement session,
contact me HERE.
To see my engagement gallery and pricing,
click HERE.

>>>   <<<

I have so much to say about this fun maternity session!!

First off, Sydney found me on a local moms FB group.
I can't express enough
just how appreciative I am to all my clients
that have, and continue to, recommend me.
Without your word of mouth and support
I would not be in business, truly.

Secondly, when we were booking this session,
Sydney asked if I would mind driving to
Hamilton to do it.
To the place where she and Justin got married.
I had never heard of it before, but I loved the idea...
and even more so when I got there!

This property is just adorable!!
When you pull in, it feels like a trip back in time.
The town moved all the old historic buildings
onto one property, so it's like walking into an 1800's village.
There's a one room schoolhouse,
a general store, a covered bridge, a gazebo.
Just too many cute things.
Not to mention the goats, a miniature horse and a donkey!

We had such a great time just walking around and chatting.
I love how authentic and real these images turned out.
That's because the moments weren't forced at all.
That laughter isn't posed.
From when little Maisie said she wanted to name
the new baby "toothpaste"
to when she was playfully
wiping off her parents kisses
or started splashing in puddles, we just had fun.
And it definitely shows.

I love working with kids!
I love the way they see the world.
I'm so excited for this family and their new addition.
And I would bet money
that little "toothpaste" will be just as "bright and bubbly"
as big sister. Ahahaha
I had to. <3

To book your own Maternity/Newborn session,
contact me HERE.
For Maternity/Newborn session pricing,
click HERE.

>>>   <<<

A frequent question I get from my clients,
especially right after they receive their prints is,
why is some of the image chopped off?

Well, there's a simple reason
and a few solutions to try and avoid it from happening to you.
It's a common misconception
that you can print any image to any size you want.

The reason this is not always possible
is due to something called
(buckle up - I'm about to sound all smart and technical)
Aspect Ratio.

What is Aspect Ratio?
While it might sound intimidating, it is a pretty easy concept.
So on old 35mm film cameras the aspect ratio was 3:2.
That meant any variable of 3:2 would print without loss.

Ugh, here we go...dreaded math time!
(I promise you, if I can understand this mumbo jumbo,
anyone can.)
So 3:2 is the same aspect ratio as 6:4.
So a 4x6 print, which is a very popular size,
would print without any issues.
As would an 8x12, a 16x24 and a 20x30.

 2 x  3
 4 x  6
  8 x 12
 16 x 24
 20 x 30
Do you see how all the numbers on the left are variables of 2
and all the numbers on the right are variables of 3.
They are all the same aspect ratio.
​
But another popular size in the print world is an 8x10.
However, an 8x10 is a different ratio than 3:2.
So you would need to lose 2" somewhere
in order to fit into the aspect ratio
the image was shot in.
Below is an example of an original image
​and the crop to fit an 8x10 print.

So that your final printed image would look something like this.

The same is true of other popular sizes like 5x7 and 11x14.

"But I don't want to lose any of the image" you say,
​stomping your foot like a frustrated toddler.
Hey, I hear ya!
As an artist I crop things in my viewfinder a specific way,
while I'm shooting.
I want my prints to look the way I shot them for a reason.
So what do I do?
Well, there are a few options.

Either only print in the sizes that coincide
with the Aspect Ratio of your camera.
Most DSLRs are 3:2, the same as 35mm film was.
(Some may be different or may even allow you to choose.)

Or for images like the example pic above,
you could add more black background prior to cropping.
Making the overall image larger,
thus maintaining more when you do crop it.
I have even done this with wedding party images
in the woods by cloning more tree line into the image.
Of course, this is not always possible
depending on the background.
And it really only works on minimal images
with solid backdrops.

Another option if you are the photographer
is to shoot a little wider.
Just take a step back or switch lenses
in order to get more framing around your subject.
Doing this with the expressed purpose
of cropping it out later.

And lastly, you have the option of just accepting the loss.
If you decide to go with this option
I do suggest that you do the cropping yourself
before sending it off to the printer.
A lot of online printers already have an option for this
pop up now during checkout.
If they do not, however, it is a very easy fix in Photoshop,
or even a free online editor like PicMonkey.

I hope you have found this helpful.
Drop me a comment below if you'd like to see
more content like this.
And feel free to share this blog post
​on your social media platforms.

​>>>   <<<