Professional Wedding Photographer Seeks Client Soulmate

How do you know when you have met your soul mate?... your photographer soul mate that is!

Dear Bride-to-be

We are looking for someone who has dreamed of her wedding day since she was a little girl. Someone who loves wine and flowers and romance. We want the bride who imagines her wedding album being their first family heirloom and who feels that beautiful, timeless photographs are a treasure and an investment.

Picture your wedding day... do you want to worry about a photographer who isn’t confident or competent or do you want to relax knowing that you are working with a photographer one who has years of experience? Would you like a photographer who appreciates all the little details that make you and your wedding unique? How about a photographer who is a hopeless romantic and adores all things about love and weddings? Are you a free-spirited bride who wants a photographer who is excited about your vision for your wedding?

Dear Groom-to-be

So, you’re the Groom-To-Be now. It’s your turn to take this next big step in to becoming an adult. Maybe you’re the first of your friends to get married, or maybe you are the last. Either way, this time it is about you and your girl.

You get to have your best boys around you, supporting you and possibly making some affectionate jokes at your expense. It will be the last time you get to hang out with them before you become half of a partnership. It’s bittersweet in a way, but you are ready. You are ready for what is next. It is your turn to stand at the top of the aisle and watch your best friend make her way to you in a white dress. It is your turn to stand in front of the woman you love and tell her that you intend to spend the rest of your life loving her and only her. It’s your turn to seal the new union with a joyful kiss! And after that kiss, you get to lead your new wife into a reception where you will be announced as Husband and Wife for the first time. The new Mr. and Mrs. Your heart will swell with pride as you look at this woman, your new wife. She will look back at you and you will know. This is it. This is us. Forever.

If you think this sounds like you, then we just might be your photographer soul mate! We at ARA Photography want to be a small part of that Forever. Trust us to capture the most important moments of your most special day. Contact us and let us help your wedding dreams come true!

We can’t wait to meet you.

ps. Take a long at this >> super cute wedding photos << from the Bridal Guide Magazine

Texas Hill Country Wedding

I find that one of the best things about small weddings is that they lend themselves to especially tender moments. They also somehow feel a little more at ease, and that’s exactly what the vibe was on this beautiful cloudy day in October. I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite moments from the day, and with a big congrats to Tauna and Alex on their Texas Hill Country wedding.

Personal wedding detail:

Tauna and Alex’s wedding favors on each place setting were little jars of honey…. They harvested the honey and jarred it themselves for their guest!!

How to prepare for your bridal session

Hello Bride-To-Bee’s Since this is most likely the first time you’ve had bridal portraits taken, you may be looking for a few tips on how to prepare for your session. Having shot many, many bridal portraits, I am happy to share some insight and bridal session tips!

1. Plan your hair and makeup trial for the day of your session! Make this a full on day of pampering ladies! You will feel so much more confident leaving the details to the professionals.

2. Bring your veil with you but put it in halfway through the session. It’s so much easier to mess up perfectly done locks when taking the veil OUT. Let’s get a few shots of you without your veil and then we can add it in later!

3. Bring your MOH or Mom with you to help carry the train or hold your veil or feed you a few sips of champagne :-) You and I can definitely make it work alone but I’ve found that having a bestie or your mom along really enhances your experience.

4. **Getting real here** Don’t wear your bra for a few hours beforehand if you have a backless dress! On your wedding day this isn’t a problem but a bridal session typically happens around sunset so you’ve had all day for those lovely bra lines to sink into your back! Eeek!

5. Since you’re having your hair and makeup trial, why not do a trial run of your bouquet as well?! It’s just an extra prop that can be really handy to have! If your exact flowers aren’t in season just grab a few like-colors or ask your florist if there’s a fake bouquet that you could rent.

6. Make sure you clean your diamond!! I’ll be doing a few close-up ring shots so you want to make sure it sparkles like the day you first received it!

7. Bring some water bottles!! Posing is actually kind of hard work and with your heavy dress you could work up a little bit of a sweat. It’s important to have some water on hand in case you need it.

8. Feel free to bring a few props along! If you’re not sure of something, ask me and we’ll figure out what could work!

9. Accept that your dress will get a little bit dirty. To get the most beautiful shots we’ll need to risk it a little and your hemline might have a few smudges on it by the time we’re finished. Of course, I’m not going to make you roll in the mud or anything drastic but just know and be prepared for the fact that walking around outside in your dress may make the undersides a little dirty. Schedule your last cleaning for AFTER our session.

10. Location! Both outdoor and indoor locations can be stunning for bridal portraits.  It is important to remember that many places require permits or rental fees to take photos on their property. Your wedding venue is always a great option. Many venues will allow you to take your bridal photos there at no extra cost

Lastly, Relax and HAVE FUN!!! This time is all about you and how BEAUTIFUL you look! Enjoy it!

La Orilla Del Rio Wedding

It was such a pleasure to photograph this in love and seriously photogenic couple, Rich and Felise!  They are the sweetest couple and clearly in love. Here are our favorite captures from their Summer wedding at La Orilla Del Rio Ballroom.