When I saw *this* outdoor space at the gorgeous, Iron Manor, this past Spring….Wow, I was in awe!  What a fun, beautiful, unique, and open space this is!  The colorful pinks, blues, and yellows popped even more on this slightly overcast morning, and you can’t even tell it was a little misty too!  The wrought iron details in the windows, the light fixtures, and the vertical beams brought the perfect industrial chic elements to this architectural style.  And I am absolutely head over heels for it all!  I’m going to let these next few images do all of the talking!  What do you think?  Do you love this space as much as I do?

Host: @styledshootsacrossamerica

Concept & Planning: @heatherbengeofficial

Photography: @stewartimagery

Venue: @ironmanortx

Florist: @blushedfloralco_

Hair & Makeup: @sunkissedandmadeup

Stationery: @rsvp_love

Cake: @cakesbyginahou

Linens & Rentals: @decorbydulce

Vintage Rentals: @lovebirdsvintage

Gowns: @weddingsbydebbie

Suits: @themoderngroom_

Rollerball Favors: @silverorangeboutique

Shoes: @sheischeval

Models: @zoriabreaux   & Jeremiah Padilla

#styledshootsacrossamerica #ssaashootcrawl

I don’t know if I will ever be able to get over the amazing trip I recently took to Houston, Texas!  There is so much to share from my less-than-48-hours time there!  For now, here’s the tiniest sneak peek at some of the over the top, jaw-dropping beauty that myself and several other fellow wedding photographers from across the country had the opportunity to capture!  Was it a whirlwind of a trip? Yes!  Was it worth it?  Absolutely! I met and made new friends who share a love and passion for what we do, and I am so ready for all that’s in store for 2023!  Without further adieu, here is a glimpse of Spring in hues of yellow and blue!

Host: @styledshootsacrossamerica

Concept & Planning: @heatherbengeofficial

Photography: @stewartimagery

Venue: @ironmanortx

Florist: @justinesflowers

Hair & Makeup: @sunkissedandmadeup

Stationery: @rsvp_love

Cake: @whomadethecakehouston

Linens & Rentals: @decorbydulce

Vintage Rentals: @lovebirdsvintage

Gowns: @weddingsbydebbie

Suits: @themoderngroom_

Shoes: @sheischeval

Specialty Cocktails: @barchefshouston

Models: @itsnotclairef @josbertjss

#styledshootsacrossamerica #ssaashootcrawl

Happy Spring, friends! Can you believe that it is already March, almost April!?  I’ll have to do a separate post soon to catch up on life and personal stuff!  However, this post is a special one, one that deserves its own space and time!  If you’ve been following the blog for awhile, you may recall portraits of beautiful Sylvia and her lovely products!  If not, please allow me to introduce you to sweet Sylvia, her Mom, and her sister, Melissa.  Sylvia created Beautifek, her own line of natural, organic lipsticks for all skin tones, and over the years, she has updated the packaging and added to her list of offerings with new colors and ways to combine the vibrant colors for even more variety!  She is one of the most humble, kind, down-to-earth people, and as I worked with them in late December, it was such a delight to watch their joy and their bond as mother/daughters/sisters, while their natural beauty shined through in gorgeous smiles and laughter, as well as in quiet moments.  It was a dream! I have so many favorites!!! I asked them what they were celebrating for this particular portrait session, and they told me that they have written a book together, which will be published soon, so they needed options for the inside and outside covers!  Amazing, right?!  I have already requested an autographed copy!  Sidenote: I don’t think that I blogged our time in a studio with two gorgeous models or the previous product session I did for Beautifek! Be sure to click the link above for our first portrait session!  If you follow along on Instagram, I’m sure you’ve seen images from those times, because they are still some of my favorites!  

I can’t think of a better way to end my 2022 client sessions and then to ring in 2023 with a fun, creative commercial session featuring a new product line and pretty new packaging!  It was the perfect winter project! And Sylvia allowed me full creative freedom with styling and composition, infusing color and texture, which is always a treat!

To Sylvia, Melissa, and Mrs. B, thank you so much for welcoming me into your lovely home, for bringing so much joy and fun to the session, and for sharing your celebration and success with me!  I’m so excited for all that the future holds for you!  Hugs!!!

Beauty by the talented Aubree Bolding, featuring Beautifek products!

Over the Winter, I dreamt of Spring.  Not because I was wishing it away…ok, so maybe there were times when I was totally ready for the snow and ice to just go away, but I digress.  I had visions of flowers blooming and a gorgeous bride in a dreamy dress, with lots of texture and romance…so I scoured Pinterest for things that matched what I envisioned.  Once my dream venue, Iron & Ember Events, was on board, I assembled the rest of the creative Dream Team to bring every lovely detail to life! And I’m proud to say that our day of play – I mean work, it was all totally work! – came together even better than I could have imagined!  Every detail, every element was sheer perfection!  And can we please talk about the florals?  Most of these beauties can only be had in March, so our timing was absolutely essential!  The dress!  From the beginning, I knew the dress should have sleeves!  And this amazing gown from Blue House Bridal was The One!  (Spoiler alert, we also had a second dress…!  Stay tuned!)  Our time flew by and before I knew it, I was heading home with dead batteries, full memory cards, and pinch me moments.  It has been a while since my last styled shoot, November 2019, to be exact.  Before the world knew what was unfolding.  It felt sooo darn good to be back planning, dreaming, collaborating, and working toward a common goal with some of the industry’s very best !  I can say whole-heartedly that this team – who happen to be all women! – are exactly who you want on your side when planning your wedding day!  Their talent and expertise, their attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond, their sweet personalities and bright smiles…they’re simply THE BEST!  So let’s get to the good part, shall we?

Mille Grazie ✨to the amazing, talented, ohhhh so wonderful team that brought my dream of Spring in Italy to life! I will never ever get over this beautiful day! 💗💗💗
Venue // Iron & Ember Events

Florals & Candlesticks //  Satin & Stems

Bridal Attire // Blue House Bridal

Diamond Jewelry // Reis-Nichols Jewelers

Hairstylist // A Do For I Do, Laura Snyder Hair

Makeup // Julia Wadsworth Makeup Artistry

Model // Naomi

Cake // Classic Cakes

Smoke Belize & Oyster Marble Linens, Blush Satin Napkins, Pink Carousel Goblet, Silver Apollo Charger, City Coupe Glass, Elexa Flatware, Crossback Chairs // A Classic Party Rental

Calligraphy, Signage, Stir Sticks // Painted Letter Co

Invitation Suite // Brown Fox Creative

Vintage Stamps // The Postmistress

A few years ago, I met sweet Sylvia through an externship, and we’ve remained in contact ever since.  And I was thrilled when she asked me to photograph her and her newest passion!  We met up a few weeks ago to capture this exciting venture she’s been dreaming of for some time!  Sylvia is one of those people that you instantly adore, and her warmth, happiness, and genuine heart radiates brightly from the inside out.  And she is just as beautiful on the outside!  No doubt Sylvia has been celebrating all week, as her online store, Hello Beautiful!, just launched this past weekend!  Keep reading to learn all about what inspires her and her oh so gorgeous products!  Sylvia, congratulations on pursuing your dreams!!!