Jenna’s Amazing Bridal Portraits- What this Dallas Wedding Photographer LOVES to do!

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Texas Tradition Photography

I’m so excited for Jenna, she got to marry Mr. Right! I loved getting to photograph her senior portraits, and I’ve been lucky to have also done her bridals!

Here are a few of our absolute favorites!

We were so lucky that Bella Donna Chapel allowed us to take Jenna’s bridal portraits there, plus it’s BEAUTIFUL!

This Chapel was made to be photographed! There isn’t a single area that doesn’t look fantastic, we had so many great images it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few.

It also didn’t hurt that we had such a beautiful bride! Jenna’s dress and make-up were perfect!

The gates at Bella Donna were the perfect way to end our shoot with Jenna. They look wonderful and the wind was on our side! Jenna’s veil was blowing perfectly for us, there couldn’t have been a better shot!

Attention 2014 High School seniors – Carrollton Senior Photography

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Senior Models Round 2- Adventures of a Carrollton Senior Portrait Photographer

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Texas Tradition Photography

We’ve already introduced you to half of our stylish models, now we’re ready to introduce the rest of the trendy group!

Drum roll please!

Brynn is a senior at Hebron, and we LOVE her! This outfit is perfect because it has a nice punch of color. Plus, Brynn accesorized with a matching cuff and boots to make the look complete. Simple style is the most impressive! As Coco Chanel said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”

We love Taylor’s dress. It has a simple silhouette but the geometric pattern is what makes it special. This dress didn’t need any accesories, the pattern was bold enough to stand alone.

Patrick went with something casual that really brought out his eyes, and he definitely knows how to smile. Though that might just be because he’s the only guy, lucky him!

Kelsey went really bold with the color of her dress and finished the look off with nuetrals. Her bone colored espadrilles look great and are super versatile, add in some beautiful natural make-up and you have a fantastic look!

I am head over heels in LOVE with Katie’s chevron shirt. Plus Katie didn’t just stop there. Instead of going the super easy route and choosing an inexpensive looking pair of flip flops, she chose an adorable sandal with bronze colored beading. The simplest way to make an outfit a success is adding the right pair of shoes!

Picking just one image of Caitie was really hard, she photographs so well! I ended up choosing this one because it shows off her amazing eyes. Caitie’s make-up is simple, but highlights her features perfectly. A lot of people go over the top on make-up for pictures, if you choose just one feature to accentuate you’ll get pictures as beautiful as Caitie’s!

If you’re a 2014 Senior and know any of these amazing models, keep an eye out! Pretty soon they’ll have something to give you for your Senior Portraits at Texas Tradition Photography!

My Trip to Louisville, Kentucky – Carrollton Photographer

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Texas Tradition Photography

If you know me well, then you know that I don’t travel much. I prefer to spend my weekends photographing families and weddings. So, this “trip” all started when my husband was scheduled for an overnight business trip to Louisville. Just as we have always done in the past, I planned to stay home with our daughter and dog. Besides, it was right after my first dance school.

To my surprise, my mom called and suggested I tag along this time. I thought she was crazy, but she offered to stay with Linzy and Maggy at the house. So, what the heck, it’s only for one night.

Mike booked me a ticket and we were off to the airport. It was just like we were young again. We raced down the elevators, fought over the tempature of the air conditioner and talked non stop on the plane. Once we got to Louisville, we got a rental car and headed to the hotel. We had a few detours in between like the chocolate store and stopping to chat with some young military men. But, overall it was smooth sailing.

Once we hit our room, Mike started preparing for his presentation and I started researching Louisville, Kentucky. I was expecting a small country town, but actually, Louisville is a beautiful town with rich history. After all it is the home to the Kentucky Derby! You know… horses! Now that I’m here, I would love to stay a few extra days and explore some of the restored Victorian homes and Museums. I bet locals have beautiful weddings here.

Sometimes it takes getting away from something to be able to see the big picture. When you own a small business like I do, you own everything from marketing and taxes to taking out the trash. Even though my business is photography, photography is actually the thing I do the least of.

If I were to research Texas Tradition Photography like I just did Louisville Kentucky, I might be less impressed. But, keep in mind that I am the photographer, the Facebooker, the blogger, the web master, the business owner, the janitor (not a good one) the everything. I AM Texas Tradition Photography and I’m trying everyday to get better at everything. And today, sitting in my hotel room in Louisville, Kentucky, I realize that I need to work more on my web appearance. I need to share more with the world. I do some amazing photography for some amazing people, but get so wrapped up in the day to day business that I fail to share it with you. So, when I get back home, In between my next dance schools, weddings and senior portraits, I will take it up a notch with my web presence. But for now… I’m sitting here relaxing while Mike is giving his presentation. From my window, I see the Louisville Harley Davidson store and Hobby Lobby. Both are within walking distance… good thing since Mike took the car. I have $40 and 4 hours to spare. Which should I choose?…

Rockin the Senior Roadtrip- Adventures of a Carrollton Senior Portrait Photographer

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Texas Tradition Photography

Our first 2014 Senior road trip was amazing! We rode the dart train through Downtown Dallas and were able to get a ton of different looks! AND these girls knew how to dress for portraits! Karli, Gabriella, and Jordan were accessorized and dressed to the nines!

Karli’s outfit works so well because she wasn’t afraid to wear color. Her shorts and shoes are neutral, so the big pop of hot pink looked great add on some silver jewelry and she was 100% camera ready. Plus hot pink makes Karli’s eyes really pop!

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Gabriella has a really unique style, so finding something that showed that off was really fun. The metal wave played off her nautical stripe top well, accented by her red nails and lipstick it looked superb. Once Gabby added the cocktail ring it became a fully realized outfit!

I can’t even tell you how much I LOVE Jordan’s dress! It’s a beautiful shade of mint which is in style this Spring, the lace detail of the sleeve is beautiful, and it fits her like a glove! The coral necklace and earrings played really well with the mint, making a fantastic outfit. Jordan looked great everywhere we had her pose, but this image really shows off how photogenic she is!

We got to meet Elvis! Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the real Elvis, but it was still pretty cool!

Keep an eye out for more of our road trip images on facebook!

Dallas Wedding Photographer attends The bridal show in Garland, Texas

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Texas Tradition Photography

We had an amazing time at the Bridal show this weekend. It was at The Atrium in Garland. The windows are beautiful; it would be a great place for a wedding reception! Alyssa and I have the system down! We had our booth set up in about 30 minutes and then had time to visit with vendors.

The brides were all super excited to be there (as were we). This is such an exciting time of the year for all of the newly engaged couples. I get excited for them. Here’s to a great wedding season!!

She Said Yes!!! – Dallas Wedding Photographer

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Texas Tradition Photography

Right around Thanksgiving time, I got a call from a long time client with some great news. She was super excited to tell me that her daughter was getting engaged. If you know this mom, you know she struggled to tell me this without crying!! Everything she does is BIG and PASSIONATE! After all, why do something if it isn’t going to be the best it can be? Besides, this is her only daughter. And this guy… well he is definitely “the one”.

So, with his permission, she scheduled me to be hiding out at the location where he was going to propose to her. We had everything orchestrated so I knew exactly when they would arrive and where they would be when he dropped down on his knee.

When I arrived, I saw the mom, Debra and the groom’s mom in the Gazebo decorating with some beautiful rose petals and roses. The Gazebo was already decorated for Christmas, so it was absolutely breath taking. As they arrived and were walking toward the gazebo, I was hiding behind a big white Van in the parking lot. (along with the rest of the family)Alyssa and Joseph are high school sweet hearts. He absolutely adores her! She was completely caught off guard. She had no idea that tonight was “the night”.And SHE absolutely adores him! The ring was beautiful!They make each other laugh. (especially when the whole family is watching you get engaged to the love of your life)This is the start of an amazing love story!What a lucky girl! And now… all I have to say… is look out Carrollton!!! Debra is planning a wedding!Alyssa and Joseph, thank you for inviting me to your proposal! I can’t wait for the wedding!!!!

If it’s worth having, it’s worth working for…

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Texas Tradition Photography

Have you ever heard the saying “if it’s worth having, it’s worth working for.” Well that’s what comes to mind this time of year as I photograph so many families.

When a mom calls me to schedule her family portrait session, we have to compare and cross reference work, sports, dance and social calendars of all the family members. By the time we have chosen a date and time that works for everyone, something comes up like a playoff game or a sick kid. Then we are scrambling to reschedule. Once that perfect date is established, it’s shopping time. Everyone in the portrait must look their best from head to toe. Often times this means going to several stores on several different days to secure the perfect attire.

This has already added up to be a timely investment. Now, let’s talk about getting the entire family clean, dressed and to the portrait location on time AND in a good mood. By this time, a lot of families just want to get it over with… this is where I take over. I bring my years of experience dealing with all ages, personalities and family dynamices to come together and create an amazing family experience. It’s not just a portrait session, although that is the ultimage goal.

By the end of our session, everyone is laughing and playing and having fun. The session planner (usually the mom) hugs me and says she is glad it’s over.

…pause for effect… hopefully, you have chosen a great photographer because after all of this time, the portraits need to be BREATH-TAKING!!

Fast forward a week… we meet, usually with the whole family, to view and order the portraits and it hits mom hard… tears start to flow… and she thinks “if it’s worth having, it’s worth working for!”

The Adventures of a Carrollton Senior Photographer, a Beautiful Carrollton High School Senior and a Snake

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Texas Tradition Photography

As a professional photographer, I get to experience some amazing… and some NOT so amazing things. An ordinary day for me is not always ordinary. Photography seems glamorous, but it is actually hard work. I do a lot of physical climbing, bending, squatting, laying down and heavy lifting. But, what some people might not realize is that every day is an adventure.

I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful 2013 Carrollton High School Senior a couple of weeks ago. McKenzie is a very graceful, confident girl with some AMAZING clothes. Our session started out perfectly. She was on time and her hair and make up were done professionally.

After about an hour of photographing in our Texas Tradition Photography studio, we headed outside for some more creative images. Now keep in mind that McKenzie has been dancing her entire life and is extremely graceful and poised.

We headed out to the rocks and climbed (her in Pointe shoes and tutu) to some rocks blocking the water way. It was beautiful. I helped her get situated and gave her some guidance and then stepped back to begin our photography.

She was simply amazing. Her feet, arms, body position… everything was elegant. Until…..

McKenzie Screamed. (still acting like a girl). The snake must have washed up very soon after she got on the rocks because it was in ALL the portraits.

Thank goodness this was a mild mannered snake! I guess even the snakes want to be close to McKenzie. Thank you Mckenzie for such a fun senior portrait session!

Super busy wedding week – North Dallas Wedding Photographer

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Texas Tradition Photography

Just like any other business, Photography has “seasons”. The year is half over and we have already gone through dance season, and the first half of children, sports, school and senior season. But there are two seasons that are year round; Newborn babies and weddings. This week has definitely been a week of “working” the wedding season. Also, just like in every other business, the best clients come from referrals. And one of the perks of being in the wedding business is getting to go to some fabulous parties while meeting people that you can refer and can refer you.

And I’m the girl who doesn’t EVER get out of the house (unless I’m working). So when my florist friend Kevin May, of May Flowers and gifts, (shameless plug) asked me to go with her to the AWP and ISES Happy Hour on Monday, I was excited! It was a date. We really had a blast! I saw some old friends like photographer Allen Fagan and Mary Beth from Bride and Groom magazine. And I had the pleasure of meeting some new friends like Gail Rocquemore from A.D Parties & Events, Colin Alphonso from the new Windsor at Hebron Park, Jeff Christenson from Jay Fox Productions and Krystal Powell from Weddings by The Kreative Consultant. There were SO many more. I even had a glass of wine. (Kevin was driving).

And then… Kevin invited me to Culinary Art Catering’s grand opening of their Nuvo Room last night. The place was amazing. It is a very unique, modern, contemporary room in North Dallas. It was very different from any place I have seen before. And the food was SO beautiful. YES… it was BEAUTIFUL! The chef is an artist. And again, I met some wonderful people. And I also saw some of the same people that I met on Monday. What a fun week! Now, I’m back at the studio trying to get caught up on some actual work for a few short minutes. It’s time for “meet the teacher” at Homestead Elementary and my daughter is ready to go. But, my wedding “perks” aren’t over. Wait until you hear what I have planned for next week.

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