Leslie & Maya | Engagement Party!

Leslie & Maya hired me to photograph their Christian engagement ceremony and reception, which had the same expected guest count as my own wedding! When I first arrived at the Safari Texas Ranch, I was pleasantly surprised to see peacocks walking around the venue. Since I arrived early, I was able to follow them around for a few minutes and take a few pictures!

After chasing peacocks, I finally went inside to start shooting the engagement party. The venue itself was really beautiful and I was impressed to find out that Leslie actually made the centerpieces himself! Another notable detail was their DJ: Dj Jag Entertainment. I was literally dancing behind my camera the whole time! 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

Leslie & Maya | Engagement Portraits

I always encourage couples to pick their own location for engagement portraits to make them as personal as possible. While most couples usually just let me pick, Leslie actually did his research and decided that they wanted to do their engagement photos at the Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. I have to admit that I wasn't too crazy about driving 45 minutes for an 8am shoot, but I'm so glad that I did because it was a really beautiful location and the Houston sun wasn't beating down full-force that early in the morning. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our shoot!

 

 I'm looking forward to shooting their engagement party in a few weeks!

Aiden's 1st birthday

Once again, I had the pleasure of photographing my friend's baby, Aiden. He is the first baby that I have watched grow since his birth, so his first birthday was really special for me. He reminds me of all the older people that would occasionally find me at weddings and conferences and would smile and tell me that they knew me when I was a baby. I never really understood what they were smiling about until I spent a year with Aiden. Aiden, I will be that creepy person finding you at weddings! Be warned now, and Happy Birthday :)

 

Kossy & Chibuikem | Engaged!

Kossy & Chibuikem are one of the cutest couples I have met so far and the way they communicate with each other is completely adorable. Kossy showed up with six outfit changes for them, and they matched perfectly. Normally I'd say this is excessive, but I love how all of their photos came out. Kossy picked really bright colors and one traditional Nigerian outfit, which was so beautiful. Unfortunately, they are not taking me to Nigeria with them for their wedding, but I wish them both a lifetime of happiness and matching outfits :)

 

 

 

 This engagement shoot was featured on the African American Brides blog! Check it out here.

Shanteal & Jermaine | Engaged!

I was really excited when Shanteal told me that they wanted to do their engagement portraits at Dave & Busters. I had so many ideas for fun things we could do while we were there. I didn't take into consideration that Jermaine is actually a pool addict though. He actually started playing a game of pool in the middle of our engagement shoot, so we had to work that into the poses :) 

 

(3/10/ 2 is their wedding date!)

 Looking forward to shooting their wedding in a few weeks!