PORTRAIT: CHRISTMAS PHOTOS

Since I didn't shoot anyone's Christmas photos this year, I decided to post the ones I did for me and my fiancé, Sarah. Because these are my own pics, I'd like to share how these shots were achieved using complex lighting and a little forethought.

First, let me show you the pictures...

PORTRAIT: THE RIVERS

Last Saturday was such a beautiful day. The sky was clear and it was cool with a mild breeze. There couldn't be a more perfect day for the Rivers family to come out and take pictures just in time for Christmas. With seasonal ties for the boys and yuletide colors to match, these guys were full of the holiday spirit!

The two boys were especially fun - and funny. See, I grew up with four brothers and no sisters. I couldn't stop but laugh with all the "love" the two kids were showing each other. That included a swift swing of makeshift cardboard bats in the impromptu sword fight that ensued later in the session. It reminded me of my own fun, carefree childhood.

So, we spent a good hour and a half taking some excellent portraits and called it a day. Jennifer, thank you for letting me photograph your beautiful family. I wish you all a blessed and very Merry Christmas!

PORTRAIT: JACKI'S FAMILY

Jacki is an old friend of mine from way back. She wanted to update pics of her children who are growing fast, especially the little one! We chose the Rob Fleming Park in The Woodlands area. Those of you who have seen my bluebonnet session would know that it's the same place. Very nice park indeed.

ENGAGED: PEDRO + MIRIAM

Last week, I had the pleasure to go out and take engagement photos for such a wonderful couple. They're from The Woodlands, like me. We actually live pretty close to each other. When we discussed where to go for the e-session, it almost came as a "non-surprise" that The Waterway would be a perfect location. They love this place. The atmosphere, the food, the entertainment. And so do I! It's great to work with a couple who frequent the same place as you whenever you want to relax. It made the whole session that much more enjoyable! Miriam and Pedro are getting married at The Waterway Marriott Hotel and I am honored to be their chosen photographer.

Congratulations on your engagement guys! See you soon!

MARRIED: JATTAN + ROBERT

Only close family and friends were around in the quaint wedding in the Richmond area, but the celebration was big! I especially loved the part when everyone started dancing and everybody knew how to dance it! I had so much fun photographing Robert and Jattan's wedding!

MARRIED: DANIEL + KATIE

One of the greatest rewards of shooting weddings is the cascade of human emotion I get to see through my camera's viewfinder. I know it's rather cheesy, but it's true. It's quite a challenge to focus on your task as both a journalist and an artist when all you see are glossy eyes and tightened lips. Clearly, someone is about to cry. The next thing I know, I feel a lump in my throat.

Daniel and Katie's wedding was one such event. It was full of raw emotion. No one held back. It was a genuine "happiest moment of my life" moment for the bride. I could not be more pleased with the photos I came up with, as they truly tell a story. This is why I photograph weddings.

MARRIED: KATIE + JOHN

As a continuation of shooting with Sam from StudioZaza, I joined him as the lovely couple John and Katie celebrated their big day. A vietnamese wedding is full of energy. Family from all over show up to support the bride and groom as they wish them good fortune and bless them with a lifetime of love and joy.

The celebration starts early in the bride's home as the groom arrives to join a tea ceremony with their parents and the rest of the family. They also present themselves and pray to their ancestral altar. After this, they proceed to the groom's house and carry out a similar tea ceremony. At this time, lunch is served and everybody gets excited as the church ceremony follows soon after. It was good to eat a little food, as I realized that a long but very exciting day was ahead of me.

ENGAGED: KATIE + JOHN

Yet another exciting couple getting ready to tie the knot! Boy was it HOT that day but this pair didn't let the Texas heat melt down such an exciting time of their lives. We hit a few spots and actually did some bride and groom shots as well! However, I can't post those pictures until after their wedding which is in two weeks. I can't wait!

MARRIED: NESTOR + PRESHIA

It was of great pleasure to work with Sam from StudioZaza. The couple had requested some last minute additions which needed some extra hands, so Sam called me up. When I arrived at Chateau Crystale for the wedding and reception, I knew that it was gonna be a beautiful wedding. The atmosphere was festive and the people were very lively. So much love and joy could be felt from everybody in the room. What a great night!

ENGAGED: STEPHANIE + JARRETT

I got the opportunity to do an e-session of this lovely couple from Chicago. It is such a beautiful city and we had a lot of fun working on some unusual locations that are very characteristic of a city which boomed during the industrial revolution.

We started on one of Chicago's beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan which is the first shot here. There were sand dunes right by this huge surf shack type restaurant that was shaped like a boat. Amidst the hundreds of bikers, beach volleyball players, sunbathers, frisbees and some fitness buffs jogging down Lake Shore Drive, we snapped a few shots and quickly realized how hot the sand was! We were out of there in 5 minutes ,but not without getting awesome shots!

I also told Jarrett and Stephanie how I loved the old industrial feel in certain areas of the city - and they're not hard to find. Within minutes of driving around I spotted a lot under the L Train. It was just asking for a photo shoot! It was nice and under the shade so we got a good amount of shots there.

Our last location was a storage facility out of a very old building. I was there just a day ago with my brother, who also lives in this city, as he dropped off some stuff from his apartment. Anticipating the engagement shoot the next day, I immediately decided it was a location we had to do. The old iron cage elevator was perfect.

Jarrett and Stephanie, thank you for such a wonderful time in the windy city!

EDITORIAL: SCHOOL GRIND

I actually just finished two years of studying to be a registered nurse and through the last stretch I started taking photos of my classmates. I always employ a journalistic style. I only use a camera mounted flash, much like what the environment would be in a wedding, to achieve the studio-like lighting in some of the shots. Here are some of them.

EDITORIAL: THE MAYOR

Today the mayor of the City of Tomball, Gretchen Fagan, presented a check raised from a fund raiser held about a month ago to Tomagwa Clinic. A community clinic that benefits many residents of Tomball and it's surrounding areas. This picture will be published in several newspapers in the coming days. I'm excited!

PORTRAIT: MARY & KARA

The Texas Bluebonnet is probably the most recognizable flower in the entire state of Texas. Come spring of each year these pretty flora pop up everywhere. Sometimes, in the most dangerous places - along Texas highways. But Mary knew better and picked a safe place to take pictures with her daughter Kara. I had so much fun watching mother and daughter goof around in what has become a modern Texas tradition.

PORTRAIT: GRACE

Today was an exciting day! I got to take pictures of a very cute baby named Grace. We set out to Candy Cane park which had a lot of colorful playground sets. Grace was very patient with me and did a great job posing for the camera. She even tried to grab it! Here's a sneak peek. More pictures at the Client Gallery.

VIDEO: GO RED

I did a video interview today. It looked like one of those network interviews because I used 3-point lighting, which is the foundation of any complex video lighting. You'll have the main "key light" on the subject's face and opposite and high above behind the subject is the "back light" to add the rim or "hair light" on the subject. Then you have the "fill light" to the side to light up the shadows caused by the "key" light.

ENGAGED: MJ + MANISH

MJ and Manish are actually already married. They have been happily married a year ago. This session was quite unique because in her culture, MJ has to wear bracelets that she keeps on her arms up to a year after their wedding. The Saturday after this session is the day the bracelets come off, so she wanted to make sure we take pictures of them on as they will never get to wear them again. It was quite fascinating, and because it meant a lot to her, I enjoyed the session even more!

MARRIED: JAN + DAVID

Here's a small intimate wedding I photographed for my good friend, David. The whole thing was small, and short, and attended by only the closest friends and family. It was a lot of fun and most of all, it was genuine.