Webster, TX Family Session: Garcia Family
Everyone loves a good family session around Christmastime, including us! The Garcia family was gorgeous and so easy to work with- even with 5 kiddos!
Everyone loves a good family session around Christmastime, including us! The Garcia family was gorgeous and so easy to work with- even with 5 kiddos!
Challenger Seven Park, a personal favorite, was a perfect backdrop for their session and never disappoints! The day was perfect, the smiles were golden, and the rest is history. Check out their session!
Urban Downtown Houston Engagements: Kassie + Ryan
Kassie & Ryan were sooo cuteee, y’all!
We chose downtown Houston as the location for their portraits- Kassie wanted something a little city-feeling, and as we explored, we found some great spots along the way! We ended the session on top of a garage rooftop at sunset to put the icing on the cake of their killer urban session. Kassie’s outfit was perfect for upcoming NYE, and we can’t wait to celebrate their wedding at The Springs- Wallisville later this year!
Urban Downtown Houston Engagements: Kassie + Ryan
Kassie & Ryan were sooo cuteee, y’all!
We chose downtown Houston as the location for their portraits- Kassie wanted something a little city-feeling, and as we explored, we found some great spots along the way! We ended the session on top of a garage rooftop at sunset to put the icing on the cake of their killer urban session. Kassie’s outfit was perfect for upcoming NYE, and we can’t wait to celebrate their wedding at The Springs- Wallisville later this year!
Christmas Minis 2019
It’s the most wonderful timeeee of the yearrrr…
Of course, we are referring to CHRISTMAS! Our Christmas mini sessions have come and gone, but we are pumped about how everyone’s sessions went, and the fact that we 100% sold out of our available times! (We may have to add more days next year- don’t tell Josh!)
Minis days are long, but totally rewarding to see so many adorable families, and to think of our families sharing their Christmas cards with loved ones❤️
It’s the most wonderful timeeee of the yearrrr…
Of course, we are referring to CHRISTMAS! Our Christmas mini sessions have come and gone, but we are pumped about how everyone’s sessions went, and the fact that we 100% sold out of our available times! (We may have to add more days next year- don’t tell Josh!)
Minis days are long, but totally rewarding to see so many adorable families, and to think of our families sharing their Christmas cards with loved ones❤️
Anyway, here are some highlights from our two days of minis! Enjoy! (Click the images to see the full size!)
Ashelynn Manor Wedding: Courtney + McCae
Courtney and McCae are a dream couple, you guys! *insert heart eyes here*
Courtney and McCae are a dream couple, you guys! *insert heart eyes here*
Their Ashelynn Manor wedding day was absolutely the sweetest, most joy-filled day, and we were elated to be part of this magical day. Not only were the bride and groom GORGEOUS (as I believe that we have mentioned in one of their previous posts), but Courtney’s girls were the sweetest, McCae’s guys were the most helpful, and everyone was so ready and truly happy for the union of this amazing couple.
Ashelynn Manor was the perfect backdrop for their beautiful October wedding day. The white chapel wedding, the red barn reception- it was all a perfect reflection of the Southern charm and grace that this couple and their family radiated.
To this Aggie couple, we wish you a million years of blessings and happiness, and can’t wait to see your family grow in the coming years! <3
Citadel Houston Wedding: Karla + Jared
The Gartner girls know how to PARTY, Y’ALL!
We had the great pleasure of meeting Karla and Jared last fall at Karla’s sister, Kelley’s, epic wedding, and Karla’s was just as incredible! Karla and Jared are a dynamic duo, and their love for each other and for having a great time is undeniable!
The Gartner girls know how to PARTY, Y’ALL!
We had the great pleasure of meeting Karla and Jared last fall at Karla’s sister, Kelley’s, epic wedding, and Karla’s was just as incredible! Karla and Jared are a dynamic duo, and their love for each other and for having a great time is undeniable!
From the moment we stepped on the scene, everyone was calm, cool, and collected, and giddy for their big day. You could tell that Karla was ready to marry the man of her dreams, and Jared was ready to sweep his princess off her feet and be able to give her his name.
Karla chose St. Christopher’s Catholic Church as their ceremony location, and not only was it colorful and unique, it also has sentimental value to the family. When I asked how the church was chosen, I was told that this was the same church that Karla and Kelley’s parents were married in nearly 30 years before. What a way to start your marriage, and a legacy to step into!
We followed the beautiful ceremony to the dream-like castle, Citadel Houston, where the day continued. And you guys, the place was immaculate. The Perfect Touch did an outstanding job with decor, Cakes by Gina killed it on the 5-tier, white and ornately decorated gold bride’s cake and creative groom’s cake, and everything just came together like it was a fairytale. And like I said, the Gartner girls know how to throw a party! The dance floor was never empty, and you can’t top breakfast tacos as a late night snack. :)
What I said in 2018 about Kelley’s wedding day also applies to Karla’s big day: “Everything was gorgeous, the party never died, and most importantly, the fairytale princess married her Prince Charming in a wedding that only dreams can imagine. <3”
Congratulations to Karla and Jared! May you enjoy decades of a God-blessed marriage ahead of you!
Much love,
Mikala & Josh
Elegant Citadel Houston Bridal Session: Karla
TODAY, Karla is a MARRIED woman, and we can share her BREATHTAKING bridal portraits!
Honestly, Karla looked like an absolute angel/supermodel/celebrity through her entire session.
TODAY, Karla is a MARRIED woman, and we can share her BREATHTAKING bridal portraits!
Honestly, Karla looked like an absolute angel/supermodel/celebrity through her entire session. Josh was just floored by how beautiful the images turned out for DAYS after (and he was the primary photographer! lol). We took her photos at her gorgeous reception venue, The Citadel Houston, and man did it blow us away. Between the marble white floors and the floor to ceiling windows, we truly felt that we were in a castle, and that Karla was the princess!
Karla, we hope that you are fully soaking today in. Enjoy all the love, celebrate with your friends and family, and go home to your HUSBAND!
Urban Downtown Family- Back to School: Trevino Kiddos
It’s back to school time for these kiddos!
It’s always a pleasure to work with Desiree and her family!
It’s back to school time for these kiddos!
It’s always a pleasure to work with Desiree and her family! We met Desiree shooting Kelley & Jorge’s wedding, where she and her colleague were the coordinators. (Shameless plug, if you need a coordinator, contact D&R Event Coordinators!) When Desiree asked to do a session for her 6th and 3rd grader, we were like, uh yeah- sounds great! We chose the Houston Graffiti Park as a fun, colorful location for their photos.
Check out their pics and show them some love! Need pictures for yourself? Let us know & let’s schedule something!
Downtown Houston Engagements: Samantha + Jimbo
Samantha and Jimbo have been together for TEN YEARS! We are so excited for them to be officially tying the knot and living their lives as husband and wife.
Samantha and Jimbo have been together for TEN YEARS! We are so excited for them to be officially tying the knot and living their lives as husband and wife.
When Samantha was trying to plan her session, we wanted to find somewhere that looked a little Houston, but also somewhere that wasn’t just concrete buildings. We settled on Sam Houston Park downtown, and it was so beautiful. This secluded, green, park-paradise is in the middle of downtown, surrounded by the sky scrapers and highways, but you feel as though you aren’t even in the city anymore! We wanted to incorporate the skyline into some of the photos to give a more urban vibe, since Sam said that previously their photos had all been more forest-y. After Sam Houston Park, we made our way to a rooftop, where we were able to get more of the skyline and truly rep Houston in their Astros jerseys.
All-in-all, everyone had a great time, and we were glad that Sam reached out so that we could meet this fun couple!
Houston Mini Session: Vargas Family
We love being able to grow with our JMG families!
This time last year, we were able to do Melitza’s Houston area maternity session (Check it out here!), and a year later, we had the great opportunity to capture their beautiful family of four!
We love being able to grow with our JMG families! This time last year, we were able to do Melitza’s Houston area maternity session (Check it out here!), and a year later, we had the great opportunity to capture their beautiful family of four! We had originally scheduled their session in June, but Houston weather rained us out. If you’re from Houston, you know how it goes. *heavy eyeroll* Thankfully, we had the most perfect weather for their session this past Saturday to get some gorgeous family photos!
Oyster Creek Sugarland Engagement: Ariel + Mat
It was so cool to meet up with Ariel after like, what, 12 years?! Ariel and I (Mikala) went to middle and high school together! After graduation, I moved to Houston, and you know how that goes. BUT, when Ariel reached out to us to do some fun/casual engagements for them, we were thrilled and gave a resounding “Absolutely!”
It was so cool to meet up with Ariel after like, what, 12 years?! Ariel and I (Mikala) went to middle and high school together! After graduation, I moved to Houston, and you know how that goes. BUT, when Ariel reached out to us to do some fun/casual engagements for them, we were thrilled and gave a resounding “Absolutely!” Ariel chose Oyster Creek Park in Sugarland, and we all braved the Texas summer heat like troopers to get these gorgeous photos of them both. :)
We are excited for them and their future together, and can’t wait to see photos from their destination wedding in Mexico this fall! (PS- if the hotel’s photographer somehow goes MIA, call us, we’ll be there on the next flight!)
Enjoy!
Galveston Beachtown Engagements: Allie + Chris
Allie & Chris were SUCH A BLAST!
Josh has known Chris for years, and it was a great time for them to reconnect and have some fun taking engagement portraits for him and his bride-to-be. :)
Allie & Chris were SUCH A BLAST!
Josh has known Chris for years, and it was a great time for them to reconnect and have some fun taking engagement portraits for him and his bride-to-be. :)
As we learned, they had already taken engagement photos late last year, but in the fall. Allie mentioned that since they are having a summer wedding, she really wanted some brighter, more summer-feeling photos of the two of them to match their big day. We agreed on one of our FAVORITE spots, Galveston island!
For all you haters out there, Galveston really does have a lot to offer! Not only did we get the bright, fun photos that Allie was looking for, but the island really is more beautiful than you might think, especially Post Office Street and Beachtown, where we decided to spend our time during their session. Beachtown is (thankfully) not widely known, and is gorgeoussss. Driving up to the multi million dollar beach homes makes you forget that you are 45 minutes from Houston and 10 minutes from Pleasure Pier, and transports you to the east coast with breathtaking white plantation style homes and white picket fences. (Also, if you are ever in Beachtown, you have to try Porch Cafe- it’s one of our favorite date night spots because it’s so darn cute!)
At the end of the day, we had an incredible session with these two lovebirds, and even got some stunning sunset shots and cotton candy skies as the icing on the cake. Allie & Chris, we wish you years of joy and laughter, and after spending a few hours with you guys, I think you won’t have a problem with either! ;)
Check out their session- you won’t be disappointed!
Houston Engagements: Karla + Jared
We are absolutely beyond ecstatic for Karla and Jared, and even more excited to be part of their (I can already guarantee it will be off the charts) wedding!
**Cue the confetti!**
We are absolutely beyond ecstatic for Karla and Jared, and even more excited to be part of their (I can already guarantee it will be off the charts) wedding!
**Cue the confetti!**
We actually met Karla when preparing for her sister, Kelley’s, beautiful wedding as her photographers. These girls have style and class, not to mention that they know how to have fun. ;) To be able to document both of the beautiful Gartner sisters’ weddings is truly an honor!
Karla & Jared have such natural chemistry and we can tell that they love each other deeply, and enjoy each other genuinely. These two were laughing and having fun the entire time, and their comfort with one another shines through their final images.
Karla & Jared, we will take your photos ANYTIME! You are a gorgeous couple and we had a great time!
Can’t wait until October!
Northgate Country Club Houston Winter Wedding: Kathleen + Waylon
I could tell before the wedding day that Kathleen was going to be so much fun when she told me that she had lined up a few surprises for her husband-to-be. Her surprises did not disappoint!
We were so happy to have been able to be part of Kathleen' & Waylon’s wedding day!
I must say, Kathleen’s wedding photographer story started out as a tragic one. She and Waylon had a photographer lined up and paid the deposit, and the month before the wedding, for one reason or another, the photographer backed out. (PS- It wasn’t us!) She reached out asking if we were available for her holiday season wedding, and lo and behold, we were!
I could tell before the wedding day that Kathleen was going to be so much fun when she told me that she had lined up a few surprises for her husband-to-be. Her surprises did not disappoint! First, she planned a “fake first look”. If you haven’t seen one of these before, it’s basically when you trick your fiance into believing that they will do a first look with you, then you dress up their best man in a wedding dress. You’ll have to look at the pictures to really see how ridiculous Waylon’s best friend looked in a wedding dress! Secondly, Waylon is a HUGE LSU fan, so naturally, she had to prank him a little, being an Aggie fan, herself. Though the cake looked unsuspecting at first glance, Waylon was in for a surprise when he cut into his cake. Kudos, Kathleen, for pulling off these little pranks!
All in all, Kathleen & Waylon had a wonderful wedding day, and we wish them many years of happiness ahead!
Union Station Houston Wedding: Kelley + Jorge
Kelley & Jorge’s wedding day was an absolute dream, I tell you.
Everything was gorgeous, the party never died, and most importantly, the fairytale princess married her Prince Charming in a wedding that only dreams can imagine. <3
Josh and I were lucky (blessed) enough to be granted the privilege of helping to document this sweet couple’s love from the proposal to the day that they drove away as man and wife. Wedding days can be stressful, but if they were stressed, we couldn’t tell. Their calm, cool, and collected demeanor helped to make our “job” easy from day one, and that same peace that we felt with them leading up to the day of the wedding only continued throughout their absolutely beautiful wedding day.
Kelley & Jorge’s wedding day was an absolute dream, I tell you.
The ceremony focused on a scripture that Josh and I hold dearly in our own marriage- “What God has joined together, let no man separate.” Every detail was perfectly coordinated, every flower perfectly arranged, and OMG THE RECEPTION Y’ALL. Stepping into the impeccably decorated Union Station was like stepping into a real-life fairytale.
Everything was gorgeous, the party never died, and most importantly, the fairytale princess married her Prince Charming in a wedding that only dreams can imagine. <3
Check out their highlight gallery for proof!
The Preparation
The Ceremony
The Portraits
The Party
To many blessed years for
Mr. & Mrs. Jorge Cortez!
Vendor Love:
MUA: Katie Lynn Beauty
Hair: Above the Waves Hair
Videography: Reverent Wedding Films
Floral: Lexis Florist
Dress: Parvani Vida
Reception Decor: Blink Decor & DJs
DJ: PB&DJ Events
Cake: Cakes by Gina
Venue: Union Station at Minute Maid
Milam Family Thanksgiving
Check out the highlights from our Thanksgiving in San Antonio!
Check out the highlights from our Thanksgiving in San Antonio!
Houston Maternity Session: Laurielle
Check out the highlights from Laurielle’s maternity session in Houston!
Check out the highlights from Laurielle’s maternity session in Houston!
Kelley & Jorge's Engagement
Check out the highlights from Jorge & Kelley’s engagement session in Houston!
Check out the highlights from Jorge & Kelley’s engagement session in Houston!
Welcome Baby Talon!
Baby Talon, welcome to the world! We met you in your momma's tummy a few weeks before you decided to join us, and we were so excited to finally see you!
Baby Talon, welcome to the world! We met you in your momma's tummy a few weeks before you decided to join us, and we were so excited to finally see you!
Talon started off the session a little fussy (turned out he just wanted to eat 4 times as much as he normally does!), but once he settled down, we were really able to get some gems for his mom, Christine! Especially that Easter bunny one.
O. M. G. SO CUTE!
Christine, we're pretty excited about how these turned out, and we can't wait to see him grow!
Mika & James' Wedding
Mika (Meek-a, I've got your back, girl- I understand the struggle lol) and James were just the absolute sweetest couple! They had their very intimate ceremony and reception on December 30, right before the new year, and boy, we couldn't think of a better way to start the new year than married to your best friend! The place was all smiles, and a few tears as sweet Mika and James said their "I do"'s, and tied blue ribbon around each others' fingers to signify their promise to love and cherish each other through the good and the bad, through sickness and in health, which, I am positive meant more to this couple than we realized at the time.
Mika (Meek-a, I've got your back, girl- I understand the struggle lol) and James were just the absolute sweetest couple! They had their very intimate ceremony and reception at an adorable Heights area Airbnb on December 30, right before the new year, and boy, we couldn't think of a better way to start the new year than married to your best friend! The place was all smiles, and a few tears as sweet Mika and James said their "I do"'s, and tied blue ribbon around each others' fingers to signify their promise to love and cherish each other through the good and the bad, through sickness and in health. I am positive this meant more to this couple than we realized at the time. Mika surprised us after the ceremony by taking off her beautiful wig to reveal that she, herself, was going through chemotherapy treatments. And if you spot "Lambie" in the photos instead of a bouquet, just smile for Mika- we learned that he was a gift from James while she was in the hospital, and their "child" had to be part of this incredibly special day for the two of them. :) Based on the joy and peace that radiated from their faces all morning, we never would imagined what this strong couple has already faced together, and pray for a full recovery for beautiful Mika, and an abundantly blessed marriage for her and James. May you both always keep the hope, faith, and joy that we experienced from you on your wedding day, and may you continue to grow together for many years to come!
Much love,
Mikala & Josh
Christmas Mini Sessions!
This was our first year of mini sessions, and it is safe to say, we had a blast! We were able to spend time with so many wonderful families, and had so much fun getting to know our new clients and take more lovely photos of our previous clients. Needless to say, this year's minis were a huge success, and I can't wait to start planning for more minis in the future!
This was our first year of mini sessions, and it is safe to say, we had a blast! We were able to spend time with so many wonderful families, and had so much fun getting to know our new clients and take more lovely photos of our previous clients. Needless to say, this year's minis were a huge success, and I can't wait to start planning for more minis in the future!
We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, and enjoy some highlights from our beautiful families!
Merry Christmas!
Josh & Mikala
