A Day at the Beach

I first met mom Sarah when she called me a few years back to shoot Lindsay's portraits, as they had recently moved to Houston and needed a local photographer. It's been a while, and I've been privileged to shoot their family portraits, Baby Lauren's portraits, and most recently this beach session.

It's a treat to see these guys each and every time I'm invited! I can't believe what a beautiful girl Lindsay has become (I remember when she met me for the first time-- super-shy, we watched Clifford and had some goldfish crackers to break the ice). Lauren is growing like a weed, looking more like a little girl and less like a baby.

It wasn't the most fabulous weather at the beach (cloudy, sticky, and of course windy) but we definitely made the best of it and came away with some great family shots. One of my favorites is Lindsay walking into the surf with her dad, you can see their reflection on the wet shore. It reminds me of a picture of my father with my niece and daughter walking along the beach... one of those images she will treasure as she gets older.

Does it get much cuter than this? Lindsay in her dance outfits...

Lindsay is a free-spirited and sassy little tap-and-ballet diva who recently had a recital... her Mommy wanted some beautiful pics of "Lulu" in her costumes. I met them at Granny's house, and the backyard was perfect for our shoot.

This little sweetie is my niece, and we were laughing ourselves silly during this session. After the backyard, we went inside and I shot some of her in the windowsill in my old bedroom (a place I used to sit frequently)... I am absolutely thrilled with the way those shots came out.

Without further ado, here she is... if you can make it through these pics without smiling even a little bit... well, you're much stronger than me!

Lindsay + Kenny

Lindsay and Kenny were married at Ashton Gardens in Spring, TX on a bright and beautiful early summer day. The Christian ceremony was held in the light, airy chapel and the reception followed in Ashton's cheery window-lined ballroom.

Both bride and groom were absolutely beaming with happiness all day long! It was totally sweet to watch them in anticipation of seeing one another. Kenny had the bridesmaids present Lindsay with an incredible surprise-- he'd taken some family heirloom diamonds and had a pendant designed for her. She opted, of course, to wear it down the aisle.

I think it's also worth mentioning that the kids in this family are stinkin' adorable. The flowergirls were full of dancy-prancy personality but the ringbearers were certainly giving them a run for their money where "cute" is concerned-- they were SO darling in their tuxes, hamming it up for me and the camera. There were a couple of younger toddling boys as well, and they really were the beaus of the ball at the reception. They found a piece of furniture in the reception area near the dance floor and turned it into their own private playground for the rest of the party--- in one door, out the other, laughing and entertaining themselves. Everyone got a kick out of them!

You'll see Grandma Betty's beautiful patient hands, folded over her little pearl purse as she watched her Lindsay become a wife.

One more point worth mentioning...

Lindsay and Kenny were leaving for a honeymoon to the Riviera Maya right at the height of the Swine Flu hype. Kenny's stepmom, Sue, presented the bride and groom with a little surprise gift after dinner-- if you scroll down to the bottom of their images on this post, you'll see Sue's expertly crafted custom bride and groom breathing masks. Something blue!

Many thanks to Kelly Balfour of Eventology Weddings, not only for the referral of this fabulous couple, but for being such a wonderful person to have around on the day of the wedding. Kelly truly makes it so much easier to do my job on the wedding day (and so much easier for the bride to keep her mind off details and on the sheer joy of the day)!

The stunning florals were designed by Fresh Blooms of Houston.