SERIOUSLY...Where were guys like this when I was in high school?
I certainly have never met a cooler 15 year old guy before. I told him that, and he blushed.
I have known this young man since he was born, and he just gets cooler and cooler as the years go by. This guy is such a gentleman, is well-spoken, funny, smart, and has such a big heart. He loves football, is active in his church (well, his and mine...we can share...go Brenham Presbyterian Church---shout out!) and plays the piano like a pro. I already told his family that he looked like a model in some of the images, and his dad ("Coach") told me to zip it so that the kiddo wouldn't get a big head, but I can't resist. He does!
Long story short...I look for great things to come from him. Future President? Philanthropist? Professional Athlete? The next Chris Martin of Coldplay or Jamie Cullum ? Any way ya cut it, this guy is going places, and I am SO proud to know him and his family and am beyond honored be able to capture them on camera! (If you think he looks vaguely familiar, it is because you've already met his sister.)
The next 2 are of him and his dog, Relay...my personal faves.
...that my 31-year-old husband is helping me figure out the lyrics to a Hannah Montana song that has been stuck in my head all day? Are we THAT FAR GONE? And I'm not even talking about the theme song. I mean the slow one that she sings about Jake...something about being in a movie.
Wow. I never thought I would admit to something like this, but that show is one of my top 5, for sure. I am 30. It is one of Millie's favorite shows, too. She is almost 2. My little family loves to "rock out the show", I guess. We even Tivo it. We think it is genius. (Did you see that one with Dolly Parton?!)
We are almost at peace with our dorkiness. OK...huge photo post tomorrow! Be on the lookout!
Finished up B-Sessions Part 2 over the past weekend...got rained out on Sunday, so lots o' reschedulin' to do, but for now, I will show ya one brave fam! Talk about SINGING IN THE RAIN...these folks were down for whatever the heavens dropped upon us, and I was ready to capture it all!
We began at the historic La Salle Hotel in Downtown Bryan, Texas and the staff was oh so kind to accommodate us. Then, we strolled (when I say stroll, I mean run furiously for cover) from awning to awning and overhang to overhang to play. I LOVE these clients, and can't wait to see them again! Talk about laid-back Jacks, they were just so super-cool. They can stand under my umbrella anytime!
And my personal favorite...I knew it the second I snapped it...and the funny thing is, there is a homeless man sleeping on a bench to the left of that umbrella. THAT is a DEFINITE FIRST in JP history !
Ever listened to a song and realized that it was your CERTIFICATE OF VALIDATION? Did the lyrics and the melody and the bridges and everything pierce your soul and simultaneously open your eyes to what has been there all along and what is to come? That would be your TITLE TRACK to the soundtrack that is your life...at least for that moment.
Well, as I was traveling to Brenham for this weekend's sessions, a pool of emotion was just waiting for the dam to break. Ya see, Brenham is the place I was raised, but I can never call it my hometown with a straight face. I have always felt like I was a circle in a very square town (and even a square family, my mom and brother notwithstanding) and couldn't wait to break out to find out who I really was.
It took me a long, long time...in high school, I would have rather been hangin' out with "nerds" than the "popular" group who I had grown up with and was associated with but really didn't understand, so you can see that I had no niche in which I fit. I went through 4 majors at TCU (premajor, Education, Psychology, & Fashion) and finally after 5 1/2 years, got my degree. Still sooo lost. Tried PR. Hated it. Quarter-life crisis. Got my masters in counseling. Loved it. Then, a little over 2 years ago, Bobby got his dream job in Dallas, when I was already workin' mine in Austin...had to move. Hated Dallas. Missed my friends, missed the weirdos and hippies (my bruthas) and missed my spirit. I had never been more lonely or confused, and then THE BOTTOM DROPPED OUT. Just as I was preparing to get my doctorate in counseling at UNT , there were 2 little pink lines staring up at us...preggers. Wow. Excited, but overwhelmed and completely unplanned.
We made the best of it. Better than the best, since we got to be parents to Millie. She inspires me like nothing else on this planet. My trials in learning how to be a parent pushed me to write (checkout my old Mommy Blog: Little Victories) and all of that stress shoved me into opening my creative doors to pursue photography professionally. Life is good. But it is still work sometimes.
Sometimes I feel a little lost in the world I have created for myself. It is kind of difficult to have your cake and eat it too, ya know?
Being a mother and a wife and giving everyone else the attention they need and deserve plus owning your own business to pursue your
passion and having to deal with family crap (my folks are getting divorced as
some may know)...it all gets a little exhausting. Coming back to a place (Brenham) where I once felt so confused and hurt by family members who didn't get me and didn't understand why I couldn't be more like my cousin who finished college in 3 years and was Homecoming Queen and head cheerleader and all of the things a girl is SUPPOSED to be...well, you can see why I get a small dose of the hives coming back here.
When I heard this song by my fellow Texan gals (on the way to Love Field to fly to Austin so mi madre could pick me up), the Dixie Chicks and REALLY listened to it, I felt like I got a Texas-sized stamp of approval. I will never be the person who goes directly from point A to B and does what they are supposed to do...and I am all of a sudden REALLY proud of that. I have to thank my clients who appreciate the fact that I see the world through different lenses, and know that because of that, I can capture their families in a unique way. I am taking the long way around, and on my bus are Bobby, Mills, my mom, Joe, Sarah, Noopsy (my dog) and all of the other homies that get me and don't try to make me be anything but me...WANNA RIDE?
OK. Your turn...leave me a comment with the title track to your life.
Had a family sesh yesterday morning...we met at their neighborhood park and after a little bit o' quick family posey-kinda-stuff, we decided to let the kid get his play on! He is the same exact age as Millie, so I knew I would have to pull a few tricks out of the bag, but he just flashed his baby blues, and all was right in the world. These were such sweet people! Get your sneak peek here!
We all knew who was boss!
Just a swingin'!
I have B-Sessions Part 2 this weekend...get ready for a bunch of posts next week!
Oooo-wee, T-Shane (only the 5 people who actually watch SNL will get that reference)! I couldn't even pick a top ten, folks...Miss Audie was just too stunning and worked it like Gisele Bundchen in Milan. Paris. LA. NY. Miami. You get the picture...well, now you get 20 pictures. Give or take...JP gives, and you take.
Don't forget to visit her slammin' slideshow right here!
Here's Miss Audie's slideshow...we did her bridal portrait session yesterday, and boy does she have an entourage! Hair, makeup, shower curtain holder, veil handler, and mom all came along to help her primp...all for the girl who described herself to me (in our first meeting) as shy and simple. More like smokin' hot model if ya ask me!
Any way ya cut it, Audie is one cool chick and I can't wait for her wedding to Kevin on September 1st!
To view the slideshow, click on the big white dress, or to view it in it's own page, click here!
Want to take a look at the most beautiful ceremony and reception I have ever been to?
Not only were the surroundings at the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort paradise-like, but Kathleen and Leigh looked stunning. Take a look at their slideshow, and turn up your speakers to get the full effect!
Click the arrow! (If you want to see it on its own page, CLICK HERE.)
Well, not a real human baby, but their dog, Shelby, sure does qualify as their first born. So much, in fact, that this JP Bride, Amy, had to include Miss Shelby in the engagement session. As Noopsy's "mother", I totally get that. We had a blast at their session, and little Shelby just was a doll to work with. Not only does her hair match her mommy's gorgeous mane, but she is so adorable that I could squeal. If there was a doggy prom, Noopsy would surely ask her to go.
I am wondering if she is going to be the ring bearer at their wedding! (???)
Here's a little Friday fun for ya...some images from last Sunday's brunch wedding in Fairview...the bride and groom (April and Kaleb, respectively) are the sweetest people, and their friends know how to party...even in the middle of the day! We thought it was going to be a stormy day, but the Big Kahuna, as I like to call him, pulled through once again for me...thanks, dude!
Also, thanks to my friend, Lindy, who came along to 2nd shoot for me. She is such a rock star and we work together better than peas and carrots. More like peanut butter and jelly, 'cause who really eats their nasty peas and carrots (besides Mills, who had better eat them!)? Lindy & I were asked over and over (especially by Kaleb's guy friends) if we were sisters, so we decided to nickname our adventures "Two Sisters Productions". Too much fun in the sun!
Thanks April and Kaleb for letting us capture your day!
Let the kissing begin!
(April's cute
little guy was given a ring in the ceremony as well, hence the 3 & the top little ring...say it with me, "Awwwwwwww!")
...one chick with which I will NOT become BFFs. She is a bad mammajamma, and she is headed my way!
Oh yeah, friends. I am here in St. Augustine, Florida, gearing up for a portrait session, and trying to not freak about this!
Oh, yeah...and did mention that there are FIRES in CENTRAL FLA! Our plane flew through some smoke yesterday, and we were praying it wasn't from the wings burning...found out last night that, oh, half the state of Florida is on fi-yah. Nice.
Eek. Well, like Bobby always says, I am the Queen of Improvisation, so we shall see what I end up doing in the face of whirlwinds of rain and ash and what not. Stay tuned...and pray. =)
...no, not to put in a light bulb, silly! How many women does it take to bustle a wedding dress? Apparently an entire hot mama militia. Why must designers make it so difficult? The brides just want to get to the reception to get their party on, so let them! =)
This past weekend was soooo fun! I have lots to show ya from April & Kaleb's wedding and from another JP Bride's engagement session...but wait! Before we get into the good stuff, let's take care o' business.
I will be leaving tomorrow for sunny Palm Coast, Florida where I will be second shooting a wedding with my buddy Crystal from Studio Vitae . We will be there starting tomorrow till Sunday night (Mother's Day) photographing our brains out/buns off/whatever phrase you would like to insert.
If you feel like ya might want to call me during this time, please email me ASAP at kate@juxtaposephotography.com so I can give you the phone number of the phone I will be using down there. Also, know that my email access will be limited, but I will do my best to keep up!
Now...be on the lookout tomorrow for wedding sneak peek!
I have been playing around with textures for the past couple of months, really for my own artistic enjoyment. I didn't know how my clients would feel about them, since they probably expect me to do everything with vibrant colors. So...take a look at these, and vote (& please leave a comment as to why you chose the one ya chose) on if you think I should stick with the color extravaganza or if I should go ahead and mix in a little texture here and there...
These were taken at a new development in Stonebridge Ranch in McKinney. It's called Adriatica and it's architectural details are modeled after that of a Croatian village. I thought it would be a neat idea to do part of our shoot at that location since this groom is Mr. Real Estate Extraordinaire, and since Red looks cute anywhere you put her, it worked.
Oh, how I love these images...they were taken at Cafe Malaga in Downtown McKinney where the food is amazing, the sangria might be even better, and the staff will treat you like you are one of their BFFs.
...of putting my facial cream cleanser on my toothbrush (Mmm...not so minty...what the *#$% is this?...oh no. It's Clean and Clear instead of Crest. Arrrrghhhhh!), today is lookin' up.
Why and how, you ask? Look no further than the slideshow below, folks. Meet another JP Bride...let's call her "Red".
I am so inspired by these images of her and her groom that I almost can't believe that this was JUST the engagement session. The colors raise me up Josh Groban style, and you can almost hear this a-stinkin'-dorable Red's laughter. I just can't get enough of these photos! I can only imagine how wonderful their wedding is going to be...stay tuned for that this coming September!
Here is Red and her good sport of a man in phase one of their blog posts (tomorrow I'll do some still images)...CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO GET THE SLIDESHOW!!!
Hope you have Quicktime and a Kleenex, folks. Lots o' love right here...can you handle it?
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