I love these photos.

Jenny insists she has no experience as a model.

yeah, I don’t believe her either.

She looked just as beautiful on her wedding day.  Those images are coming soon.

Big thanks to the Lustre Pearl and Zilker Botanical Gardens.

Two Words.  Audrey Hepburn.

Just a few of our favorite images from Margie’s gorgeous bridal.

We did Haley’s bridals at the same bed and breakfast where she had her wedding. A storm rolled in that day, and the sky was clearly threatening to wash us out. We waffled on what to do, but decided to meet anyway. About five minutes before we were set to start, we got hit with a huge downpour. There we were, Haley in her dress, me and Amy with a ton of equipment and umbrellas, in the lobby of the B&B trying to figure out what to do. We thought about shooting just inside. It’s a gorgeous house, and there were lots of cool things we could have done. But Haley had her heart set on the garden outside, and brides shouldn’t have to make compromises. We decided to just reschedule to do a morning shoot a couple of days later.

The morning came around, and it was bright, and sunny, and dry. And 39 degrees. I was afraid the garden was going to be a bust again. But Haley wasn’t going to let freezing temperatures stop her. We set out for the garden, and man, am I glad we didn’t settle for just the inside photos.

You guys, it was 39 degrees outside, and the air was wet. It Was cold. I was bundled up in a long sleeved shirt and a hoodie and my fingers were getting so cold it was hard to press the shutter button. But Haley was out there in a wedding dress. I love these two photos. This is how Haley kept warm. We’d stop every five minutes or so, and her mom would bundle her up in this blanket and gloves. So cute.

After we were sufficiently frozen, Haley wanted to take some photos in this gorgeous claw-foot bathtub in one of the B&B rooms. Haley is brilliant.

Have I mentioned yet how perfect this weekend was? Kathryn and Rami’s wedding took place on Kathryn’s family farm in Iowa, surrounded by mostly family and a few very close friends. It was a really special, intimate affair, and the farm is secluded enough that it was a little like a retreat to go out there. Many of us stayed right on the farm for several days of festivities.

Kathryn and Rami did not scurry off to the airport right after their wedding, and Kathryn wanted to get out onto the gorgeous property to get some spectacular photos. So the day after the wedding Kathryn and Rami got all dressed up again, and Kathryn’s dad Larry was gracious enough to drive us out all over the farm to find these spectacular views. Larry was not only an excellent guide, but also quite the photographer’s assitant. We had him holding reflectors, and sun blockers the whole time. Total pro. It was the perfect end to a perfect wedding.

Did I say perfect? Oh wait, have I mentioned what the name of the farm is?

And it’s not just a name. When we arrived at the farm, our welcome packet contained a page of instructions on how to properly remove a tick, and a spray bottle of what was basically 100% deet. I might like to think of myself as somewhat adventerous, but the truth is somewhat different, and I’m terrified of small things that can cause me physical harm before I even know they’re there. Spiders, scorpians, ticks. These things are my mortal enemies. So when we got ready to go out for this shoot, I lathered up with plenty of the deet around my shoes. But I didn’t know I was going to be standing in grass up to my waist.

I did my best to play the pro and not let on that inside I was freaking out about ticks, and by the time we wrapped I was about 100% sure I had lyme disease. Yes, I’m that guy. Fortunately we all made it back to the farm house tick-free and unharmed. Well, except for Kathryn who came back with hives and a sinus infection. Have I mentioned Kathryn is extremely allergic to grass?

Kendi and Bryan got married about 18 months ago. I was supposed to play piano at their wedding, but then they changed the date and forgot to tell me until it was too late and I could not make the new date. Someday I’ll forgive them.

Bryan has been sort of like my little brother for close to 10 years when He was still in High School and I had a couple of years of college left. His parents were really good to me and Amy when we first got married, and Bryan’s just cool beyond his years. He’s like my family and I guess I’ve gotten a little protective of him, because when he announced to me a couple of years ago that he was getting married, I was secretly a little suspicious, because, this girl seemed great and all, but no one’s good enough for Bryan. You probably know how that goes.

Well I’ve really gotten to know Kendi since then, and all I can say is man, did Bryan marry above himself. I mean he seriously lucked out. I’m not sure I’ve met anyone ever that makes me laugh as much as Kendi. She’s simply wonderful, and Bryan is lucky to have her, and I hope he realizes it and doesn’t screw it up. (Hear that B?)

They were in town a few months ago and we were chatting over Pizza and Kendi mentioned to me that she had never gotten any bridals done, and wondered if I might be willing to shoot some for her. Of course I jumped all over it, especially when she said “I mean I’m not going to wear it again, so we can do whatever, as long as you don’t set it on fire.”

So we spent our 4th of July morning doing a marathon bridal shoot across Austin. Literally. All across it. In case any of you don’t know, Austin is in the midst of a major heat wave. We started our shoot at 8 in the morning, and it was already above 90 degrees. By the time we finished at 11, it was over 100. So, these guys are not only beautiful, but tough as hell. I know harp all the time about self-editing, but I’ve never had such a hard time narrowing down a group of shots. These are simply some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken. I’m just going to post a whole bunch of stuff here, and believe me, this is the short list. So I give you, Kendi’s Bridals, in three parts. It’s way too long, and I’m sorry about that. I’m warning you now. Get yourself a snack, stay hydrated and take frequent breaks to rest if you need to. If you can persevere to the end, I think you’ll be glad you did.

Part 1. there’s a great new rail station not too far from where I live, and it seemed like a great place to start. Because, really, what’s more romantic than a girl in a wedding dress at a train station?

See that sky? I swear, I did not enhance it. And I’d tell you if I did. Sometimes you just don’t have a choice, but the sky was gorgeous that day. I just underexposed a little to get the vibrance, and then recovered the rest of the photo in post with a little levels adjustment. If I could have one super power, it might be the ability to form cumulus clouds whenever I want. Because they are so beautiful in photographs.

Part 2. We headed out to my new favorite spot. I know I was just complaining about not getting to use my off-camera lights much in real situations, but I’m using them here, exactly like I did in the shoot with Amy a couple of weeks ago. I love the haunting feel of those photos, and I thought a bride in the middle of the forrest at night could make for some interesting stuff. I am absolutely not above re-using a good idea.

Part 3 I’m not going to say much about part 3. It speaks for itself really, but let’s just say it involved a trampoline, my good friend’s front yard, and some curious neighbors.