Rosie Juarez-Quinceanera

Recently I was asked to photograph a friend's niece for her Quinceanera portraits. I met Rosie and her family at Research Park and we traveled around the park looking for just the right spot to take her portraits.  I wasn't aware of everything that went into a Quinceanera but here are some highlights. The custom is a celebration of the young girl and a recognition of her journey from childhood to maturity. It is a religious ceremony that highlights her relationship with God, family, and friends. The festivities include food and music, and in most, a choreographed waltz or dance performed by the Quinceanera and her court. The court can be made up of young girls called a Dama, young men called Escorte or Galan or a combination of both-traditionally up to 14 persons in the court, which with the young girl, would total 15 young people.

There are many traditions throughout the celebration but the one I found most interesting was the Changing of the Shoes. The father ceremoniously changes the young girl's flat shoes to high heels. This is a symbol of the Quinceanera's transformation from a little girl to a young lady.

Congratulations, Rosie on turning 15.

Bridal Portraits

Getting the Look Down

So, I am in the process of changing the look of my blog to more represent my business cards and logo so please excuse the multitude of changes that have been going on lately.  I finally found a template that I really like and has a warm feel to it and I need to have some template modifications done and then-voila! it will be perfect or at least until I change my mind again.  You know that is my prerogative to change my mind, I'm a woman!

Melchor Wedding-October 18, 2008

After two days of non-stop editing, I finished up the last few images from Carly and Austin's wedding. After the luncheon, we packed up our cameras and headed to downtown Amarillo to get some pictures of just Carly and Austin. She had mentioned something about a house that had some pretty steps and columns.  She didn't tell me how beautiful the home was. After doing some internet research, I discovered it was on the National Register of Historic Places and if I'm not mistaken it's the Lee and Mary Bivins House.  It was a beautiful backdrop for some very cool shots of the two of them. We also traveled to some gorgeous homes on the outskirts of Amarillo and took some shots of Carly and Austin in front of a house there.  We want to thank Stacia for letting us use her yard and her beautiful home as a backdrop.

Then it was off to Canyon, TX for the reception.  Here are just a few images from that night.  Enjoy and congratulations to Carly and Austin Melchor!

Busy Bridal Weekend (cont)

As I mentioned before, we started at the Astin Mansion in Bryan and we ended our weekend on Sunday at the Antique Rose Emporium in Independence, Tx. The Antique Rose Emporium is owned by G. Michel Schoup and is a wonderful backdrop for weddings and bridals. It's the home to roses like the "Old Gay Hill China" and the "Highway 290 Pink Buttons". The Emporium has expanded over the past few years and is a photographer's dream when it comes to finding just the right spot for a beautiful bride. Here is where we met up with our newest bride, Kimberly and her mother, Susanne. Kimberly and Donald "Bubba" will be married February 28th, 2009 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bryan and will have their reception at Briarcrest Country Club.

When we discussed bridals, I felt like Kimberly wanted a location that would show some romance but also a feel of the countryside and nature. We couldn't have asked for better weather-the sky was a beautiful blue and when we finished up the day the sun was setting and a gold tone lit the sky.  

Enjoy the images.

Kathy

Busy Bridal Weekend

The weekend started out with a trip to the Astin Mansion located here in Bryan, Texas to meet with one of our brides, Kimbra Lindsey. She and Luke will be married in January with their reception following at the Mansion. The Astin Mansion was built in 1924 by Roger Q. and Nina Heard Astin. A perfect example of the grand 1920's style architecture, this gem has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of the beautiful architecture and scenery, it seemed like just the right place to shoot her bridal portraits.  Kimbra is in pharmacy school in Austin and Luke is working in Fort Worth but both attended Texas A&M University.

After driving through the hectic traffic of both San Antonio and Austin, she arrived with her mother and father. Dad was sent off so he wouldn't see her in her dress and mom and friends and roomie stayed around to help out.

Her are just a few shots from her session. I love her dress!

Melchor Wedding Activities

Well, it seems like I can't sleep so I thought I would work on a couple of images from the pre-ceremony of Austin and Carly Melchor. I had never met Carly before but I've known Austin for the last nine years and when he told us he was moving to Amarillo so he could be closer to Carly during their engagement I knew he had met the right girl. We met Carly on Friday before the wedding and fell in love with her also. She is so bubbly that her enthusiasm for life is contagious. It was like we had known each other forever. We visited at the rehearsal dinner and then checked out the Kingdom Hall where they would get married. The bridal party was made up of close friends and family and some whom shall not be mentioned (you know who you are) were loving the camera.

Saturday started out early with driving to the airport to pick up our 2nd photographer (my husband Robert). He had lost his car keys on his trip to Hawaii so he needed to run to the mall for extra clothes. BTW, he NEVER goes to the mall so this was a real chore. After getting him squared away, I drove him back to the hotel and then it was back to the mall for some getting ready shots at the local Dillard's. The staff was very nice and I traveled back and forth between the Chanel counter and the Dior counter-getting shots of Carly and Lenea getting their makeup done. Man, next time I'm getting my makeup done before a wedding. It looks like fun!

Here are a few images from the morning's activities. Will post more later!

Kathy

One Cute Couple

Just wanted to post another portrait of a really cute couple that attending the Fall Bridal Fair at the Hilton in September. This is our third session and the couples just get cuter and cuter. Sallie and Joey are from the College Station area and graduated from College Station ISD several years ago.  Joey is a big hunter and the first time we set up our session he forgot and was out hunting.  Ooops! But no matter, they came in last week and we had a great session.  Enjoy!

More beach portraits!

Who Left the Baby On the Beach?!?

Just wanted to share some portraits that my very talented sister took while vacationing with us in Hilton Head. Mary is a portrait photographer in Collierville, TN and photographs the cutest babies and families.  She outdid herself by offering to take family portraits of us on the beach one night.  We had so much fun and I wanted to show off her work.  Thanks Mary.  BTW, we didn't really leave the baby on the beach...or did we?