Pamela & Eli are Married!

They say when you are in the presence of greatness, you know it. Well, I believe also that if you are in the presence of genuineness, you know it too.

Meet my bride and groom Pamela and Eli Martinez. Another internet success story, and one awesome couple! Like all my clients, they come to know me as more than just their photographer... I know this to be true because my calendar is full with bridal showers, engagement parties, bachelorette parties and more.

Pamela and I have spent some time together, breakfasts, lunches, and vendor visits are just a few of the things we have shared over these last few months. Today, under crystal clear skies, Pamela and Eli exchanged their vows on the rooftop of the St. Anthonys Hotel in downtown San Antonio. And I felt more like family than her photographers.

From her green and pink florals, to the pin tucked linens. The literal trees that were growing in the center of the tables, dripping with candles, flowers and crystals. From her designer gown to her designer cake... it all was so "Platinum"! Some people just have the best taste! What a party it was, and I was honored to be a part of it! Thank you Pamela and Eli for making me feel like family. Its clients like you that make this job so beautiful!

And I can't thank you enough for taking a moment of your special day to remember that is was my birthday! Yes folks... today I turned 35... again!!! I couldn't spend it with my hubby, but I was surrounded by some great friends! The Anne Klein diamond watch is amazing you two... what an incredible gift. I am so very touched I could cry. Thank you for thinking of me on what should be your day.

See folks, Ive always said that my clients are amazing people!

My friend with benefits...

Get your mind out of that gutter, I know what you were thinking!
My friend with benefits would be my partner in crime Mrs. Shelia Stone of Shelia Stone Photography... and can I just tell you that she kicks some serious butt!
Two weeks ago we shot together again at Priscella and Jose's beautiful wedding ceremony. She has replaced my hubby as my second shooter since his departure to Germany. And once again, as I am going through her images from the event I am simply blown away. Her angles, her composition, her feelings from behind those images. Truly beautiful!

I can never thank the good Lord above enough for bringing you into my life Shelia. You are my blessing. I have learned so much from you in such a short period, from a stronger business plan, to how to deal with a client when nothing seems to make her happy. Your words of wisdom, kind heart, willingness to always help, and your fantastic work every time I find you behind that lens... I am going to hate to leave come December.

So, here's to great friendships, unselfish people, great listeners, fantastic photographs, years of fun... well, here's to YOU!!!

Just wanted to give you your own special post. You deserve so much more! Get ready again for this Saturdays wedding, 4 down, 18 more to go!

Here are some of what I love about this woman... check out these shots from the wedding.

Meet the Dixons!!!

From our engagement portraits to Lauras stunning bridals... I knew from the moment I met this couple that their wedding was going to be amazing. So much in love, I don't think I have ever had a bride smile so much as Mrs. Dixon on her wedding day. Even when the skies were darkened and the rain continued to fall well after the noon hour, I never once saw Laura have any reservations that her day was going to be spectacular!

A lace dress, a simple strand of pearls, her gorgeous diamond ring, her mothers veil.
Navy blue dresses, champagne and blue linens, peacock feathered accents.
An astounding view of the San Antonio skyline, parting grey clouds that opened to a clear blue sky and calm winds from the east.
A rooftop ceremony and reception that gave new meaning to "shouting your love from the rooftops!"
Everything was just how she imagined it would be... simply perfect!
Thank you Laura and Alex for a wonderful day! It was a pleasure...

My Second Shooter: Shelia Stone Photography
Salon: Madame Bridal Hair and Make up
Planner: Trinity Wedding Solutions
Venue: The Bushnell
Cake: Sugar Hill Bakery
Music: Your Next Mobile D.J.
Florist: San Antonio Floral Designs
Catering: Infinity Catering
Dress: Maggie Sottero/ Bridal Connection
Tuxedos: The Mens Warehouse
Videographer: Advantage Video
Linens: Affordable Elegance Linen Co.
Rolls Royce: Tom Daniels-SALIMO

THE DETAILS...

MADAME HAIR & MAKE-UP...

GETTING READY TO TAKE THAT WALK...

THE HISTORIC BUSHNELL...

AND THE TWO BECOME ONE...

FIRST KISS AS HUSBAND AND WIFE...

PEACOCK CLAD RECEPTION HALL...

THE BOUQUET TOSS...

EVERYONE DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY...

OUR SAN ANTONIO SKYLINE...

CONFETTI FILLS THE AIR AS THE DIXONS DEPART...

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BRIDE AND GROOM...

CNN Live Interview Today!!!

I'm awake, guess I should be getting some beauty sleep, but I am so darn excited I could bust!!!

This is it folks... our live CNN Interview this morning at 9:50am. Eric in Germany, me here in San Antonio. What am I going to say? I am so nervous, major belly ache, hair a mess, thank goodness for make up! Heading to the studio soon. This is going to be wild!


(Here is the video, already out on Youtube! The internet is fabulous!!!) Please be sure to turn off my playlist music prior to viewing the video or you will not be able to hear the feed...

Our love makes National News!!!

My husband and I have an incredible relationship... he is my rock, my best friend, my protector, my sounding board, my everything. Many of my clients know about the story of how we met on Match.com while he was serving our country in Iraq. And many of you know that Match uses our story as one of their "success stories" on their website. That alone is a pretty cool thing!

A few weeks back I received a phone call from Mr. Gregg Zoroya, a reporter for USA TODAY Newspaper. He was given our information from Match to gain a story about finding love during war time.... I was flattered to say the least. "Us, you want to do a story that includes us?" How exciting!

Well, today I awoke to an email from Gregg letting us know that the story is out in today's paper!!! Front page no less!!! It's no big story, and two other couples are featured as well. But, the fact that they even chose Eric and I makes me so excited!!!

To top it off... Diane Durham from CNN calls and set up an on-air interview with Eric (Via Skype) and myself for Wednesday morning! Now this is too crazy folks!
Our love... powerful, infectious, and now National News.

I love you baby... are we not fierce!

Priscella & Jose are Married~

They say that rain on your wedding day is good luck? Well, if that is the case... then Priscella and Jose are surely the luckiest people in the world! With 25mph winds, dark skies, and rain that was almost scary. But my bride, the trouper that she is, took it all in stride. I have to say... I don't know if I could have been as calm as she?

It was good luck for the bride and groom... for the photographers? The jury is still out on that one. But the saying goes, never let them see you sweat!!! Behind the scenes we had Shelia's $2500 lens literally fall right off her camera (thank god for quick hands!), Clayton's batteries giving him issues all night, and my D200 locking up on me to the point that is was useless (that's why we carry back up folks!). Oh yes, and my beautiful black eye that I awoke to after smashing my camera into my face when it slipped out of my hands while taking pictures in the humidity. Whew! What a day it was for all of us!!!

A ceremony at the amazing Immaculate Church of Mary downtown, and a reception that followed with a guest list easily topping 250, the party lasted until the wee hours of the morning. Everyone had a great time!

It was my first wedding without my hubby, and it was hard for me... but I have amazing people that work with me now, Ms. Shelia Stone of Shelia Stone Photography, and our newest addition Mr. Clayton Austin of Clayton Austin Photography. I have to tell you, these two have amazing talent, each with their own beautiful styles! Between the three of us, our client will receive such variety in their imagery. Shelia, I can't tell you how incredible you are... I am humbeld in your presence. And Clayton, this is just the beginning for you. Keep pushing for greater things and watch what happens!
I am so blessed that they found me... wanted to work with me... and boy do they work! I can't thank the two of you enough for the amazing job you did tonight. Everyone just clicked, and it showed! Be on the look out for some amazing images from this event! But, for now here are two as a little tease.

Thank you Priscella, Jose, Shelia, Clayton and all the amazing guests who made us feel right at home. It was a pleasure indeed!!!

Shannon & Brant are Engaged!!!

A warm spring evening... winds blowing from the west, and two beautiful people in front of my lens. Now that's the way to spend a Friday night!
The weather played with me all day long, will we be able to shoot or won't we? And just as the clocks struck 6pm the skies cleared and the sun popped through the clouds just long enough for me and my new friends to capture so really fun shots!
Dressed to kill in a gorgeous Anne Klein dress, Shannon was all laughs as she played with her hair and smiled the most infectious smile... Brant is one lucky man indeed!
So, as requested, we met out at my favorite warehouse for some picture taking... here is a sneak peek at what we captured...
Thanks for the great time you two... can't wait for the wedding!

A new beginning~

Spring... when everything is fresh and new. New beginnings, new loves, new wonders of the world, this is what I love about the season.

Since Eric and I moved into our home here in Texas, we have encountered many-many creatures of the wild. I have seen deer feeding on the grapes I leave by the back fence in the morning, an armadillo who likes to make tracks in my flower bed with his nose during the wee hours of the night. We had, past tense, a 4 foot rattlesnake who lived in our woodpile until I played Annie Oakley and shot him smack in the center of his head one day, sorry PETA! Tarantulas, scorpions, and of course our family of birds who have come back to visit us every year for the past 3 years. They build their nest in the backyard tree... It is a beautiful thing to watch!

Ive been on the look-out for the family to return this year, and today I witnessed the most amazing thing... new eggs! I have never seen the eggs before, only the babies as they pop their little heads up from out of the twigs and leaves. This years nest is huge! Built strong and sturdy right there in our tree once again.

I am by no means a wildlife photographer, but I grabbed the camera, threw on the macro lens and tried not to disturb anything while trying to capture some images of the little green speckled eggs. It was amazing to see! This season it looks like there are 4 eggs in that nest, and in a few weeks there will be 4 beautiful baby birds. I can't wait!

And, although they are a little blurred... here are some shots of Gods little miracles!!!