I posted about a month ago about the family photo session I did with my parent’s and brother with A. Bryan Photo. Well, the photos are finally done and they are wonderful! Bryan is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Birmingham, Alabama. Here are a few selects from the shoot!

I received a note in the mail this week that almost brought tears to my eyes. Whenever I am trying to convey the importance of wedding videography to people, I tell them that re-watching their wedding day on video is going bring them back to the exact moment and make them feel a part of it all over again. Photography and videography can often convey such different emotions. Doran and Collin were married in February at the Terrace Club in Dripping Springs. Here is what their note said:

“Words can not express how happy we are with the wedding video. Collin’s grandfather was sick and unable to attend the wedding. Your video brought him to tears as he felt he was really there. We will cherish this forever. Your professionalism and creativity was recognized by all.”

I can’t tell you how happy that makes me! Whitney Lee took the photographs below. You can see the rest on her blog.

I’m headed out of town again for the weekend. Unfortunately this weekend its not for a wedding! I’m gearing up for a super busy spring and summer so I am heading back home for the week to hang out with family. I have one brother who is two years older than I am and our family hasn’t had any portraits taken together since back in the mid 90s when Olan Mills was the place to go. So for Christmas this year, my brother Colten and I got my parents a family photo session with A Bryan Photo based out of Birmingham. We are having our pictures taken on Tuesday and I can’t wait!  As soon as we get them back, I’ll be sure to post some here. In the mean time, check out his website and these images below. You can also see a feature on the team at A Bryan Photo in the latest issue of Southern Weddings Magazine.

I just got back into Austin from a great weekend in Orlando celebrating with Amanda and Justin and lots of old friends. Amanda incorporated so many beautiful and charming ideas into her wedding. There was even a s’more bar at the reception where the marshmallows were toasted with a blow torch! Rifle Designs in Winter Park, Florida did all of her stationary design. As I mentioned in the last post, Liga Photography took the photos, you can see a small preview here. Amanda and Justin are big animal lovers and each table at dinner was named after one of their animals, complete with a hand drawn illustration of each (Precious was the cat’s name on ours, so cute!). I didn’t shoot much video but I did at least catch their first kiss and a few photos.

Its a rare occasion that I actually get to go to a wedding as a guest so I’m extra excited about this weekend! One of my dear friends Amanda is getting married in Orlando on Saturday. We have been friends since we were freshmen in high school and lived together our first year of college. Although I told myself I wasn’t going to bring a camera at all, I don’t think I can resist so make sure to check back for at least a little snippet from this weekend. Abby from Liga Photography in Orlando did their engagement photos. They are beautiful! Here is a small feature, check Liga Photography Blog for the rest if you are interested.

Videography is often not something at the very top of the priority list for brides and grooms. Of course I am biased because it is my profession, but even if it wasn’t I can’t stress enough how important I think it is! I love to look at the photographs from weddings I have filmed because it is interesting to see what the wedding looked and felt like through the lens of the photographers camera. Many times, it seems as though their photos and my videos have conveyed very different emotions. Plus, how fun will it be to look back on your wedding video with your children and grandchildren! Below is a video featuring a couple talking about why they wish they hired a videographer for their wedding. I thought they had some really good things to say – please take a look!

In[Focus] was awesome! My brain already felt like it was going to explode close to the end of day one. So much information was given. It was such a great opportunity to be able to hear the best in the wedding industry talk about wedding filmmaking and learn from their years of experience. And best of all, the conference was held right here in Austin! I am excited to put the things I learned into use for all we have planned in 2010. The crew from In[Focus] have posted some videos on their blog, I am going to include one here.

IN[FOCUS] Testimonials from IN[FOCUS] on Vimeo.

So, I am a few days late. But I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season and a great start to 2010! I took a much needed trip back home to Alabama and I was finally able to get my hands on a real life copy of Southern Weddings Magazine. There are some fabulous weddings and ideas in there. One in particular was by one of my favorite Austin photographers Whitney Lee. Just look at the grooms cake by Sweet Tempered Bakery! I’ve never seen something so unique. I love it. I know I promised pictures from Big Sur way back in November and I finally have them to post. Stay tuned for a few video previews this week and much more to come as we get ready for a busy 2010!

If you haven’t already, go out today and buy the newest issue of Southern Weddings. As a southern girl (Alabama to be exact), I loooove looking at the SW blog and checking out all of the wonderful weddings they feature. There is just something about the classic beauty of a southern wedding that is like nothing else. Among all of the amazing weddings they feature, the magazine also has planning tips, ideas and inspiration for brides-to-be.

Here is the newest issue as well as a few of their recently featured weddings.

1. Southern Weddings Magazine

2. Cameron Ingalls

3. Kate Benson Photography

4. Phose Photography

My friend Amanda is getting married in Orlando next year and Anna from Rifle Designs is doing her invitations. They specialize in custom, hand drawn stationary and Anna can design whatever you desire! Amanda and Justin’s design will include an illustration of their new home and the dog they have together. I can’t wait to see them! Anna is also preparing to open a retail store that I’m looking forward to visiting when I’m in Orlando for the wedding. Make sure to check out Rifle Designs website and blog.