When we received an email from Peter on a Wednesday describing how he was going to propose to his girlfriend Carmella, he asked us if we could cover the big surprise. From email to proposal it was only 4 days however the makings of the story were much longer.

At the time we got Peter’s initial email, he was in Dublin, Ireland. Carmella was here in Dallas of course, and had no idea he would be here at all. He arranged an elaborate scheme to get her to the Dallas Arboretum on a Sunday morning, where she would find a sunrise overlooking WhiteRock lake, a table for two, and a note from Peter. She would be convinced that he was still in Ireland and that this elaborate plan was just something special he wanted to do for her since he couldn’t be with her.

Soon after she would read his letter, he would sneak up behind her, surprise her, and propose, all the while Tem and I waited in the bushes photographing the whole thing.

Here’s some of our favorites from how it played out:

Peter took his place hiding while Carmella walked out to the table.

Carmella got Peter’s letter.

Time for the big surprise!

“OMG!” I think was her exclaimation. ^_^

She thought he was still overseas.

A couple of weeks ago we got quite a surprise of an email from Anna and Peter, whose wedding we shot back at the beginning of 2008, letting us know that they were recently blessed with a little baby boy and wondered if we were available for a session. ^_^ Naturally we jumped at the chance and were happy to meet baby Jackson for the first time!

It’s so cool to be there after a bride and groom of ours has their first child. We were there with Anna and Peter for their engagement session, Anna’s bridal session, the wedding, and now their son’s first portrait session! How cool is that!?

Thanks guys! We’re so happy for you three!

Here are some of our favorites from our little session when he was only a couple of weeks old:

The drawing on the wall is actually Peter when he was a kid… very cool!

Jackson was certainly alert.

These kids! They grow up soooo fast! Annaly is already 1, and we can’t believe it got here so quickly. Lyly and Julian had annaly’s 1st brithday at the same place as her Soukhouane/Day Thang ceremony in Castle Hills and there were plenty of familiar faces… and some new. ^_^

Here are some of our favorites from the fun:

Lyly putting the final touches on Annaly’s huge cupcake cake.

Annaly liked her custom shades. ^_^

She always has a smile for daddy.

Of course the final game of the world cup was going on…and there were eyes glued to the action.

Time for cake!

Now time for some musical chairs.

Annaly won fo course. Were the results rigged? ^_^

Gift opening time!

Apparently they’re pretty awesome.

I want to sing “Lucy in the sky with Diamonds” every time I see Lucy’s photographs. She is so bright, so much fun and we just love her and Matt. And Matt, he is just so kind and super nice and always in a great mood. It was raining on the wedding day but it didn’t dampen anybody’s spirits. Actually, they said it is good luck to get married on the rainy day because it’s harder to break a wet knot. There you go!

The wedding and reception was held at the awesome Hickory Street Annex. Let’s get right to see a few of our favs from the day.

Lucy getting a little emotional with her girls. ^_^

Lucy’s sister hiding the iphone, so Lucy has easy access for her vows during the ceremony.

Getting the dress on…

Matt waiting in the bathroom stall so he can stay hidden when Lucy comes in the pray with him.

A quick little prayer before the big moment.

Lucy and her mother also have a silent moment of prayer just before the ceremony.

She just lights up when she sees him waiting for her to come down the aisle.

iPhone vows. ^_^

Just a couple quick portraits before their first dance

Matt and his mom meet his dad and sister on the dance floor.

Matt looking for trouble.

Time to serve the cupcake cake.

nom nom nom

Let the dancing begin.

Still going…

…and going…

Matt showing off his man of steel underoos!

A surprise for Lucy… a Mariachi band came in a the end of the night and played.

Too much fun and excitement?

Congratulations guys!!!

Ok, here is the link to view more of our favorites from their big day. There was bunches of fun, heartfelt moments and had lots of dancing… check it out!

We got together with Tiffany and Davis a few years ago to do some fun portraits with them after their wedding. When Tiffany got back in touch with us a few weeks ago to do some family portraits with the two of them and her brother Zack and his wife Ashley (they were married earlier this year), we knew we were in for some fun.

We ended up heading to downtown Grapevine at the train station for some shots before the Texas summer heat took us out of commission.

Check out some of our favorites from the session:

Calvin has been a regular friendly fixture for us and our relationship with our Subarus. He’s been our mechanic for a number of years and always has been more than willing to answer my many, many questions regarding our cars, and cars in general. When he said he was getting married, we were super excited to get together with him and Suzanne for their engagement portrait session.

We can’t wait for the wedding day as well!

Check out some of our favorites from the engagement session:

We had to do a play on the classic Farmer and Wife painting… although since Calvin is a mechanic at Cobb Tuning…. a wrench and impact instead of pitch forks. ^_^

We recently headed out to Graham, TX to Wildcatter Ranch for Carrie and Sammy’s wedding. Their outdoor ceremony was held on the bluff overlooking a beautiful Texas valley, and the reception was held in the ballroom at the Wilcatter Ranch hotel. With so many of their friends and family coming from Switzerland, and this being their first trip to Texas, Wildcatter ranch gave everyone a pretty good dose of Texas in the way of decor, heat, and big fun. ^_^

We had a blast capturing the day, so check out some of our favorites:

Sammy getting ready for the ceremony while his mom photographing him.

Carrie was cold in the room, so she decided to head outside to get her makeup on… it was 100 degrees out!

Sammy and the guys waiting for the time to head to the ceremony.

Champagne toast!

Carrie’s dad’s face lit up when he saw her.

Sammy get a pat on the back before the big moment.

Carrie was coming down the road on a horse drawn carriage with her dad… Sammy couldn’t wait to get a glimpse of her.

First dance.

Father and daughter dance.

Last dance before exiting.

Click here to view more of our favorites from their big day.

Hard to believe that Ryan’s first birthday is already here. Time really does fly when you’re having fun!

Ryan had a super fun Hawaiian Hula themed first birthday party. Complete with Luau pig, volcano, grass skirts, friends, and all the trimmings. Check out some of our favorites!

Hard to believe, but the wall behind Ryan says it all. From engagement session, to wedding, to maternity, and Ryan’s first and second shoot with us… we’ve been privileged to have been there for each step of the journey. Thanks Nikki and Kevin!

He was crawling through his little tunnel.

Nikki preparing some pina coladas.

The playroom was popular.

This one was funny… he soooo wanted to be in the playroom with the other kids.

Araceli had some serious speed going.

Volcano cake time! (Made with love by mommy)

time for a hose-down…

Nikki had some hula hoops ready for a hulu-hoop-off contest.

Ryan got lots of fun gifts.

About time to wind down and leave the party? Her reaction tells how this was not a desired course of action.

It’s that time of the year again and we were very much looking forward to see Alissa, Jen, their mom and Gage again. We were amazed when we walked into their house and Gage said “photo gage!”. How did he know? He turns 3 years old this year and he remembered us?! Too cool!!!

Alissa told us how Gage wanted to have that tire when they went to the store… hence why there is a tire in the living room. Good prop ;p

We proceeded to the backyard… yay! playtime for us all!

While feeding the squirrels he took a birdseed shower.

What a vibrant little boy!

He is very engaging and curious about the whole process and that makes it even more fun.

So Gage has been taking lessons and apparently is really good at swimming. So, we got a few shots of him having a good time with mommy.

Fearless twosome.

Back at home with Aunt Boo (Jen) and grandma.

Gage still had some energy left so we went back out… but it was cutting close to the nap time….

Winding down with a little story before some well earned rest. ^_^

Recently we had the pleasure of shooting Becky and Nick’s engagement session in Deep Ellum in Dallas. What a fun couple?!

Let’s get right to a few of our favs:

Since they both are working at the same school, we figured we should go visit and see what we can get Enjoy!