4 reasons why I loved being in Goliad, TX . Argyle, TX . Goliad, TX photographer

In celebration... coming soon: Mr. and Mrs. Frels!

I think I've said this a million times. But that's not going to stop me.
I absolutely love that this job allows me to go to unique places and get a glimpse into the lives of great people.

A week ago, I was in south Texas, visiting a Goliad girl and the man who will take her as his bride. 

This was exciting for a lot of reasons. One, {stop me because you've heard this before too}, I love south Texas. Two, A M A Z I N G place for pictures. There is so much texture and so many little pockets everywhere. Three, {nerd alert} history thrills me. Standing in places that were that part of the foundation of this state, where people suffered, fought, and created what would become our Texas, just made our time more significant. Want to read about it here? And four, most importantly, see that sweet couple above?  I've been excited to get to know them a little better as they get a little closer to their wedding!

 To Andy and Dana, may you enjoy your engagement but may you thrive in the marriage that is to come! Thanks for such spending such a great evening with me. Can't wait for more!

Let's do this y'all,

jen

all good things begin with coffee . . . Denton, TX . Cuero, TX . photographer

if I had a picture of coffee, I'd start this blog with that picture--because some of the best relationships happen over a cup of the good stuff. so funny how things work out . . .

my husband and I were driving into Denton (our old stomping grounds) from south Texas (where we had lived for 5 years). we were considering a move back north. about 20 min out of Denton, I received a call from a prospective client . . . a bride from our area in south Texas but currently living in Denton. wild, right?

what was even more wild is that she and her fiance, agreed to meet me and my second shooter (my handsome husband) for coffee, 30 minutes later.

coffee turned into a great afternoon. And several months later, we met back in Ft. Worth for some of this . . .

months after that? we were all back in south Texas celebrating their marriage!

I can't begin to tell you how much I like Sara and Joe and how thankful I am that this was a project {friendship} that involved both me and my husband!

wedding moments are so much sweeter when you know that the couple is extremely hard-working, that they both have HUGE hearts, and that they take care of everyone around them. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nash, we are wishing you the B E S T as you make your new life together. we were honored to be a part of this past year and are celebrating with you as you go! 

we miss you in north Texas--and know that Zera just isn't the same without you. 

let's do this y'all, 

jen

Southern grace

There are a lot of things that I love about sweet Angie...

But mostly I love her grace... an elegant yet simple, thoughtful, old-fashioned  grace that makes her beautiful. The first time we met, she sat in my office and we quickly strayed from wedding talk to really important things like hair-braiding, gardening, and cooking. If it wouldn't have been awkward, I would have made her hang out with me all day and teach me how to crochet right there. But I let her leave, satisfied I would be getting to know her better along the way.

She and Logan's wedding was such a reflection of that same, genuine grace. 

Angie was stunning-

Logan... so handsome-

and together, 

well, it was perfect. 

I'm not sure if I teared up more when her daddy called her, "His best cowgirl," 

Or if it was just watching these two become man and wife. 

The truth is, I was honored to be a part of all of these special moments. Thank you both. Our deepest congratulations, 

Mr. and Mrs. Hollomon

That boy-kind-of-joy... Aubrey, TX Gonzales, TX photographer

Just tonight, with the Texans game on in the background, my boys were playing football. Or, “...practicing tackling so we can get way better. Right West?” Their league rules were something like:

1. Hold the couch pillow “ball” and run as fast as you can into eachother’s stomachs. Grab hold of whatever you can and tackle until both of you are sprawled on the floor and laughing hysterically.
2. Be sure to tackle dramatically. Grunt a little. Enough to make your mother and sister glad they are not boys.
3. Occasionally check the score of the Texans game.
4. Repeat.

Marveling at why this was fun, I was secretly so glad they have eachother. So glad that they’ll grunt, run, and knock into one another with that boy kind of joy in their eyes, Lord willing, for years to come. 

I think Natalie must know exactly what I’m talking about. Maybe even more with three handsome, little men in her midst.

You met this gorgeous lady about seven months ago when I had the privilege of photographing her third baby boy. 

Speaking of, check out this rock star. 

He and I were getting reacquainted...

when his brother showed up. Not even mildly impressed with me {exhibit a}, his brother had him in fits {exhibit b}. 

And again...

Just as it should be. 

Many years from now, even though they’re not all smiling at the camera, I’m guessing mama will love these pictures the most. Her boys. Loving with that boy kind of joy.

Thanks again, Natalie. Can't wait for more later this fall.

P.S. if you need a girl break, just let me and my baby girl know.

Let's do this y'all, 

jen 

Congratulations College and High School Seniors!!!
I am so thankful I got to celebrate with you : )

S H O U T . C L A S S  O F  2 0 1 2

let's do this y'all . . . 

jen

she's golden . Yoakum, TX photographer

I used to teach high school students . . . a mix of reading, English, a lot of cheerleading, and sometimes a little life, thrown in to boot. Don't know how good I was but I sure liked being there. 


Okay, most days I liked being there.


Since I've had my own children and have had the privilege of spending my days with them, I've been asked many times if I planned on going back into a formal classroom.
If ever do, you can believe it's because

students like Kayli are out there. 

This girl is golden. She's fun. And responsible. And when she initially booked our session, 

she called me.

on the phone.

and we had a real, live conversation.

--Disclaiming for 2 seconds--

Texting is not bad. I do it all of the time. It's easy and I like it.

--Thank you. The disclaimer ends here--

I appreciate that in a world where human interaction is mostly keyboard to keyboard, she approached me directly. 

Somehow, I think it might symbolize her approach to life. Even after a recent car accident, this was her status on facebook . . .

"are you having a rough morning?? place your hand over your heart, feel that?? that's called purpose. you're alive for a reason. DON'T GIVE UP!!♥"

See it there in her eyes? her smile . . . Golden.

and . . . just beautiful. {like her mama}

Kayli {and April!}, Thanks for letting me celebrate this milestone with you! I'm praying your "purpose" is clear to you always. : )

let's do this y'all, 

jen

missing this . Gonzales, TX photographer

oh i miss this . . .

i know that in "this," there are sleepless nights enough to cease normal brain function.

days that run together and slip by almost as if they weren't there.

and afternoons that go shower-less, unscrubbed. 

and if there are other children in the mix, they go un-scrubbed, sometimes undisciplined, too.

i know. i remember. 

i think.

but on my side of sleepless and un-groomed, 

those memories get lost in the admiration of 

tiny wrinkles in a wrist. 

great big yawns and sleepy stretches.

naps so sound, the heavy head outweighs the itty bitty body . . . 

the thing is, though, 

natalie is not un-groomed. in fact, she's gorgeous. did i mention this is her third baby? she wears motherhood beautifully 

and she's only encouraging my missing having a little one . . .

just look at him!

what a pleasure it was to meet you handsome, little, drew. your tearless session, your good looks, your sweet mama, and your precious little face are all responsible for my longing for another you.

now what do you have to say about that? 

let's do this y'all, 


jen