Downtown Austin Texas The Mansion Wedding
The Mansion is a wedding venue nestled just a minute away from University of Texas in Downtown Austin. This beautiful wedding between Ashley and Cody was beautiful in all the ways every couple wants. Both are so sweet and kind, vibrating high and attracting the best kind of people. The energy was so light and full of love, being present was truly an honor for everyone there.
Venue: The Mansion
Wedding Coordinator: Better Than Perfect Planning
Florist: Flor Amor
Catering: Pascal Catering
Bridal Gown: Brickhouse Bridal Houston
HMUA: Lavish Beauty ATX
Videographer: Sarah Andry
A Grooms Story:
What did you first think when you met your now wife Ashley?
'“Ok so there was a good while where I knew of Ashley but hadn’t yet really gotten to know her, and in that time I mainly thought of her as the highly attractive woman I would see on occasion. Eventually though, I ended up having a few conversations with her during the spring semester of our junior year at UT and really found myself feeling a connection between us. In fact, that semester I would take a certain route to the bus after one of my Tuesday/Thursday classes, because I knew I’d run into her eating lunch with a mutual friend of ours at a certain spot. That summer I found ways to hang out with her or be in a group where she was, and as I did, my interest in her continued to rise until eventually in early August I asked her out!
"Right away, I noticed that I felt very at ease with her, like I could tell her anything (which I did) and that she would listen and engage with me thoughtfully (and she did). Further, I got to know her on a whole new level, not only her thoughtfulness but her ambition and sense of humor and the fact that she loves to snuggle and all the rest of it. In the end, we fell in love and eventually decided we wanted to get married. The rest is (quite recent) history!”
Ashley wanted to do a ‘First Look’ and texted me that he agreed to it! But Cody had not idea it would be a fake one!
Meanwhile, Ashely’s getting ready photos were so precious. She was BEAMING!
The Canopy With Vanessa
I like to share experiences and meet new people often so I decided, spontaneously of course, to gather models and do some photoshoots in ordinary places. First stop, a blank canvas at The Canopy, where Sa-ten resides in the East side of Austin.
I met Vanessa there on a weekday afternoon to avoid some big crowds, sun was out, the vibe high! I had never met Vanessa in person before and had only exchanged messages for a short time before meeting this day. I had a good feeling it was going to be great as long as I was honest about my expectations. I have found being honest about my abilities, goals and expectations sets a great foundation to something like this. The expectations to be perfect is off, the vibe becomes very positive and down to earth, everyone has more of a looser feeling when performing.
When she arrived she came with a mini wardrobe, her turquoise pants the highlight of the options, so I obviously wanted to start there! My only goals going into this project were simple, make the most out of a very plain space, utilizing poses and compositions. While also maintaining communication with Vanessa and connection with my own goals in mind, not get lost in my head and become mute during the shoot.
Vanessa has experience modeling for several years, and she was so kind, fun loving and just overall sensational in her abilities. It really made the whole experience very easy and fun!
Here is the finished product! I am overall very satisfied with the results, accomplishing my goals while also meeting a very talented, not to mention, sweet individual! We had fun playing with angles, poses and movement to capture different moods and a different looking shot than the last. I was very happy using this space, it has always attracted and intimidated me for a photoshoot location, so I obviously needed to conquer it!
We even stumbled upon a super cute trailer, turned retail shop in the back which perfectly tied into her retro style look! It really couldn’t have unfolded more perfectly than that!
Things I learned
Be honest and straightforward from the beginning as to what goals you are trying to reach. Vanessas was so accommodating and understand in helping me accomplish that goal.
Don’t stay in once place for too long. Move move move! It has become second nature now, and I noticed during this shoot, I didn’t want to take more than a couple photos from the same place as I wanted to have a variety of compositions to go through in post editing.
It’s ok to compliment them anytime I wanted. I word vomit complaints, that’s me, and I learned to stop being so apologetic about it. I know this doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it really made me feel more relaxed to be myself and not apologize all the time for complimenting them too much. I’m pretty sure there are no limits on how many complaints to give and people love it!
Expose in a variety of ways. I had so much creative freedom having numerous options of images to edit. Creative freedom in post is a dream, why not take advantage of that under of overexposed picture and make that into art as well!
These of course are my own personal goals, experiences and findings. It is different for every artist and there is no right or wrong way to make art y’all!
Model : https://www.instagram.com/givemecashmere/
French Quarter Adventures
Before my trip to New Orleans recently I put out the vibes into the universe (and instagram) for some more amazing people to photograph. And the universe delivered! I was contacted by a beautiful being, inside and out, for a solo lifestyle shoot just because. HELL YEAH, THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! Empowerment photoshoots yessssss!
The weekend of the shoot, we met next door to the Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, one of the oldest bars in New Orleans not to mention the French Quarter. The weather was being exceptionally clear and gorgeous, and was just the perfect temperature. When she showed up I took her all around the residential side of the French Quarter where there wasn't really any tourist. I use to live in New Orleans a few years ago and would wonder the same area taking street photography images, it was what really fired up my passion for photography. So this photoshoot was like a dream come true basically.
We got to know each other more as we wondered around and taking photos, then there was a moment just 15 mins in when my heart was feeling so full. You know that feeling, when all the feelings and vibes are so high and positive and just over powered with love? Yea, that's what was happening.
I have seriously been putting out good vibes because every single one of my clients are always so amazing and go with the flow like me. As awkward as it can be at first being photographed, it becomes a lot easier, much sooner into the shoot than you think. That's because working with me, we interact, we are playful and always, ALWAYS having fun.
I plan on making more trips to New Orleans this year and looking forward to the future photoshoots in the city. It is an amazing place to be, so beautiful and so vibrant, there should always be reason to be photographed in New Orleans, even if there is no reason at all.
In Home 'Sunday Lazy Sunday' Sesh
I can't begin to explain how much fun I had getting to know Alyssa and Justin! A lot think that getting a photojournalist is only for big events like weddings or engagements. But I can't stress enough the beauty in the everyday. All the little moments that builds and grows the love between two people in day to day life. The touches, the looks, the playing with each other. I was fortunate enough to find these two love birds just before their 1 year wedding anniversary. I got to know both of them deeply, their story, before and after they met each other. Their individual passions, their interests and professional work life. I absolutely loved how they found their own love in what they do for a living. The tiresome journey and devotion to pursuing their dreams. It fills my heart up to know that someone enjoys and loves what they do for a living after working so hard to get there.
Now these two have each other, the love when they speak about their professions is almost as much as when they speak of one another. From when they first met in college to their trip to Italy together where Justin snapped his all time favorite picture of Alyssa. These two have that solid foundation and I just pray I am around to see it longer!
Thank you Alyssa and Justin for being so sweet and inviting me into your lives and home! I truly loved the time together and documenting y'alls beautiful love life!
