She's Got Her "G"!!!

She's got her G - she's now a Groschke!!!! A few weeks ago - I had the absolute honor to photograph the wedding of Kim Viguers and John Groschke. They're such a cute cute couple and are so stinking fun to be around. Weddings usually take me every bit of 4 to 6 weeks to do the processing. I created a slide show for them last weekend because they were just so anxious to see some of the images. It was just a quick draft slideshow, but I knew it would make her mother cry buckets! She called and reported to me that indeed - she did!

Anyway - about the couple. They met at Stephen F. Austin and now live in Houston, Texas. Some fun facts about the couple.....

• John tore his ACL over Christmas vacation.....it was touch and go if he'd be able to walk at the wedding!


• Judy, the mom, created & planned Kim's wedding since she was back in Houston taking care of John!
• Mark, on of Kim's dads, had surgery about a month before the wedding, and had more surgery scheduled a week or so later!
• I sprained my ankle the Tuesday before the wedding & didn't tell anyone - I was too afraid to freak out Judy! I had to deliver some adorable 3x3 mini-albums for the guests & walked in pain so she wouldn't notice.
• My 2nd Shooter, Rich, is an amature storm chaser - he had the weather radar on in the back room - if he saw movement - he would have been "otta there"

The weather was fantastic (sorry Richie) - since it was outdoors everyone feared rain - we felt minor sprinkles and then everything just fell into place.

The first 3 pictures you see are so very special - they are actual captures of when John and Kim saw each other for the first time - makes me cry just to see Kim's expression!

Such a BEE-YOU-TEE-FUL Bride!!! I wish I had a camera on Luke (the dad) just so I could see his face in this image - I bet there were tears!

Lovey-Dovey - Kiss Kiss!

Yes, John, I think this was my absolute favorite picture of you of the night! You've married into one spirited - fun-loving family!!! Debbie (the bride's other mom) gave me the heads up this would happen - so I was ready! I can't wait to hear what you do to get them back!

....and they lived happily ever after

Meet Jessica

She looks like a young Jessica Alba to me. A natural beauty - that's for sure. We had a great time at the Dallas Aboretum - as always - so many places to check out. I was a bit worried at first because it was also Dallas Blooms - which is always so busy! However, the weather worked with us. It was overcast and windy - but we worked with it and got some nice imags! Right when we finished - the sun came out and so did the people! Finished in the nick of time!

Congratulations Jessica - one of my 2008 Seniors!

Meet Heather

Meet Heather – a spunky and adorable 2008 Senior! The azaleas were in FULL BLOOM on our visit to Prather Park. Oh my – the colors just POPPED! I think we spent a little over an hour at the park – there were just so many fun places to go. We walked – took some shots – then walked some more – took some shots – etc! There just isn't too many spots at Prather Park that are bad. We ventured over to the other side of the park, and were just awestruck over the azaleas on one of the "fancy" house's gates. So – you know me – we took a few shots and RAN! Ok, we really didn't run – but we did do those shots quickly. Once we got to the other side of the park, I surprised Heather – we took some more shots on one of my favorite ledges. I didn't tell her how high up it was. She was a great sport and we worked with it.

HOOAH

Meet Daniel – he is my handsome 21-yo son (and single) – works full time and also goes to school. This past weekend, I did a mini-shoot for him. He's going to be in a national magazine for Airsoft. What's Airsoft? It's like Paintball – but with soft BBs. Don't let the images fool ya – he's a sweetie. For those of you that do not know, Daniel was born without a tibia in his left leg. We're not too sure what happened, but God blessed us with him. When he was about 1 yo – he had his leg amputated at the knee. He was a patient of Scottish Rite until he turned 18yo. His disability did NOT hold him back. As a child – he played peewee football for the Vikings (his team was City Champs!) and he also played baseball. He swam, road his bicycle, and even had a mini-bike. During high school, Daniel rose in the ranks at the ROTC for Mesquite High School – even became the lead cadet of all MISD. Pretty impressive huh? Anyway, the magazine decided to feature a story about Daniel and we needed some good shots. Can you believe it? I haven't taken any professional pictures of my son in quite a long time!

Here are a few!

(silly dad & son)

Sabbatical is over!

As most of you know - I normally take the winter months off. It's been nice to have the time off, but now I'm ready to get busy!

My family and I had a wonderful Christmas. It was cold - but nice never-the-less.

I had great intentions to send out Christmas cards - but that never happened. Then I had a great idea to send out Happy New Year cards again this year, but never got around to mailing them out. Truth be told - I ordered them and then forgot about them. I put them up in my office and then lost track of them when I reorganized. I found them the other day and thought it was just too late to send out. I ended up throwing them away.

Here's what they looked like -



Just a word of caution - Daniel is helping me again this year. He's officially my intern (aka free labor). He's almost through with this Graphic's Art degree and I can't wait to see what he comes up with this year. He's designing new ANNOUNCEMENTS (GRADS, BABY, WEDDING, ETC) as well as new business cards. I'm in dire need of new cards. I've been using the same design for such a long time and I really need to update.

Daniel will also be updating my blog and myspace pages. We had a great contest last year, and we plan on doing it again. The contest was "Blog for 30 days" - and I'm tasking Daniel with that. Ha - it was hard enough for me to do it - we'll see how he does.

I know I said I was on "sabbatical", but I did manage to do a few sessions. In January, I went to Terrell and photographed about 125 kids in the Upwards Basketball program. I do that every year and it's so much fun. I just love those kids - watching them grow. I also did a few bridal sessions as well as a new baby! You know how I love new babies!!!!



I would share the bridals - but I can't - not until they're married!

This weekend, I'm shooting Daniel. He's going to be in a magazine for Air Soft. I'll let him post the details. I'm also shooting a cute couple - enagement session - oooooh - that one is close to my heart too. It's my little brother!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Oh my oh my - time as flown. What a whirlwind this year has been!!!

I've been pretty busy with my new "day" job, and things have been somewhat quiet in photography land. I'm taking this time to renew and revamp 2008 marketing. I've also decided to explore my homeland - yes, my homeland. For those of you that don't know - I'm a native Texan. I've decided that I'm going to find Texas Culture - THE REAL TEXAS. I've even created a new blog - http://www.realtexas.blogspot.com/ - not much on it yet. I'm mapping out locations and timing this week. I have many fun things planned.

As many of you know - I usually take the winter months off - however, I do have the Terrell, Texas, annual baseketball league shoot coming up. Those kids are just too fun!!! Oh, and of course, I'm always available for new babies!!!

Lighting Workshop

Hi - it's been a bit since I last updated. This month has been CrAzY - it was my 23rd anniversary. I'm still "head over heals" in LOVE with my husband. He's my best friend and makes the BEST cream gravy in the world. My little girl also celebrated her 9th birthday, and of course, there was Thanksgiving. Wow - so much going on. I managed to fit in a workshop on lighting. Let me just say - I am thrilled with all I learned. I cannot wait to apply the new techniques I learned to future brides, seniors, and anyone who'll get in front of my camera!!

Location - The Cotton Mill in McKinney, Texas. I wish it were just a bit closer because I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to do more sessions out there. The place was an old Cotton Mill - renovated of course. I could spend all day there - just shooting the location. It was great. I still have many images to process from the workshop and will post some of the locations.

Happy Veteran's Day

Thank you to all you brave military men and women who serve our country! You are my hero and I salute you.

Please meet Tim Lee - his is one of my favorite clients. He is a very interesting man and has founded his own ministry: http://timlee.org/home.shtml. I adore his family and look forward to seeing them every year.

Side Out!

Ok - let's just put it right out there - GIRLS RULE! I went to Bre's Volleyball game a few weeks ago, and took some pictures for fun. Can you believe this - I forgot all about them! Anyway - over the weekend I played around with the images - took over 150! These girls are awesome. They really know how to work together as a team and my goodness - they sure can hit that ball. Here are just a few fun shots of the game!

Go Skeeters!

Howdy Folks!

Yesterday, my family and I spent the day at the State Fair of Texas. O-M-G - there were so many people there. We got there early in the morning - ok - around noon, and first thing was first - we had to have the famous Corny Dog. YUMMY!!! We sat just outside the Cotton Bowl and enjoyed our manditory treat. Of course, we spent most of the day (and money) on food. Funnel cakes, cotton candy, turkey legs, ice cream, etc. We filled up on junk food.

We didn't ride any rides out there or play any of the games on the Midway - it just isn't out thing. I don't trust the rides OR the carney's out there. I'm sure they're regulated and what not - but it's better to go with your instinct - and our instincts tell us not to throw our money away, Never the less - we do enjoy walking through the Midway. After yesterday, I don't think I want to anymore. O-M-G - there were so many people, strollers, and those carts - they added to the traffic and kept rolling over my feet! Note to self - don't wear cute flip flops to the fair.

I took my little "point and shoot" camera with me so that I could scrap about our day of fun later - and of course - blog for those to see.

I just LOVE Babies!!!

I just love babies - everything about them. I love the way the smell. I love how soft their skin is. I love how peaceful they look when they're sleeping. I even love to hear them cry - they sound like little lambs.

Take a look at this beautiful little girl - isn't she sweet? I could just eat her up - she's so yummy!!!