A bridal portrait at Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas

August 06, 2018 • 3 Comments

The Granary RoomMission San Jose Bridal Portrait in The Granary Room. Beautiful bride Angelica Ochoa in the summer of 2018, photographed by Sonia Freeman, Aria Productions

I am so thankful to be doing this work, because it has brought such amazing people into my life. I first met Angelica after I shot her college friend, Courtni's wedding last year during the weekend Hurricane Harvey dumped a ton of rain on our long hot summer. I remember she was one of the first people out on the dance floor and kept that dance floor moving! The best compliment a photographer can get is a referral to a friend, so I was overjoyed to learn she was also referred by another good friend, Analiza, who you'll see down below! When I first met with Angelica and Jacob, I invited them into my home office, offered them snacks and drinks and we talked about what they envisioned for their wedding day. The sacrament was the most important thing, but also they wanted their wedding to be fun, vibrant and with a Spanish Fiesta flair.

Photographing Angelica at Mission San Jose was sooo much fun. Not only is she gorgeous, but she has a heart of gold. Here's some of my favorites from her bridal portrait. Her bouquet was designed by FromHisGarden, the amazing Lizette Suarez. She found her gorgeous wedding gown at IDoTheDressIDo. Hair and Makeup by Madame Make-up & Hair.

Classic Bridal MakeupPerfect makeup by Madame Makeup and Hair.

Spanish BrideAngelica found these bright serapes that inspired her wedding colors and decor. They were the perfect touch for her bridal style.

You all know I love a dramatic bridal portrait, but I also love to capture the personality of my client. I feel we captured Angelica's joy and her beauty.

Joyful BrideWhen there is a veil, I will play! Mission San Jose BridePortrait of a bride with rosary.

I love it when a bride brings her people along for the shoot. In this case it was a great surprise, because I had shot her friend Analiza just two years ago at this same spot on her wedding day! Analiza is such a great friend and ran all the way back to the car to find a missing rosary for the portrait above. What are friends for?

Two of my favorite bridesIt helps to have a friend come along for support on a photoshoot. Spanish BrideSpanish bridal portrait at Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas. Photographed by Sonia Freeman, Aria Productions.

Mission San Jose BrideI definitely try to keep my brides comfortable during a shoot, which means an early shoot in the summer when it's not too hot.

Spanish FlairA second style for the reception, Angelica planned to remove her cathedral lace veil and replace it with a perfect red rose. Mission San JoseOne of the most beautiful features of Angelica's dress was the beaded low back and lace train.

It's important to me to fulfill the vision of my client for their portraits and wedding day. How do you want to be photographed? Leave a comment below!

St. Rose of Lima Wedding with Javier and Veronica

July 09, 2018 • 4 Comments

I was so excited to capture the wedding of Javier and Veronica this year. The anticipation of this wedding has been building over several years, but all good things happen at the right time. This couple first met in high school, and their love has endured as they made their way through college and have begun their careers. I first met Veronica when I shot her sister's engagement session back in 2014. I got to meet Javier at the wedding of Melissa and Zeke, and I was so honored the family was willing to have me back to capture Veronica's engagement and wedding as well!

On this perfect summer day of June 23, 2018 Javier and Veronica celebrated the sacrament of marriage with their family and friends by their side. Here are some of my favorite images from the day.

Church: St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church

Portraits: Confluence Park

Reception: St. Lawrence Hall

DJ & Photobooth: JAB Productions

Cake: Meemo's Bakery

Catering: Bill Miller Bar-B-Q

San Antonio Wedding at The Dominion Country Club

June 27, 2018 • 10 Comments

What I loved most about Matthew and Raven's Dominion Country Club Wedding was how involved and helpful their house party was. The couple met in high school orchestra class, and over the years, they have collected so many friends who have shared experiences with them and supported them in their relationship. Friends from Reagan High School, dance friends, football friends, firefighter friends, college friends and roommates from both UT and A&M. They found a way to include them all in their ceremony, and in turn, their friends spoke lovingly about how inevitable it was that this day would come when Raven and Matt would become husband and wife. They were patient, working toward their separate dreams, always supportive of one another so that on this perfect day all the pieces would be in place.

Top 5 Father Moments captured by Aria Productions

June 14, 2018 • 5 Comments

With Father's Day weekend around the corner, I'm reflecting back on some of my favorite Father moments captured in the past year. I am lucky to have a close relationship with my own father, and when I see a precious moment unfolding on a wedding day or a portrait shoot, it really tugs at my own heartstrings and makes me grateful for what I have. There is nothing like the look on your Dad's face when he sees you as a bride, or those early moments in life when a father holds his tiny newborn. Here are some of my favorite moments captured just over the past year. If you were one of my clients, what was your favorite moment captured by us of your dad?

5.) Hay's Hollow Father Daughter Dance - Helena's dad had several tough moments on this beautiful wedding day at Hay's Hollow. The first look brought tears and beautiful heartfelt prayers. When he walked her down the aisle he held onto her so tight, (see that moment here), but this father daughter dance was especially heartfelt, not a dry eye at the reception. Don't let goHelena's dad had several tough moments on this beautiful wedding day at Hay's Hollow.

4.) He loved her first. I have followed this beautiful family since they were to kids getting married. It's been so awesome to see Zeke evolve from a young man about to marry his beautiful Melissa, to a loving protective father of his gorgeous baby girl! This was just a candid moment caught during our spring mini sessions at Roszell Gardens this year!

Daddy Daughter WalkHe loved her first.

3.) Waiting for baby. Matthew will be a new dad any day now, but you can see that his fatherly instincts were already kicking in as he loved on his beautiful wife Samantha and helped her along during their maternity portrait shoot. His world is about to change, and he will be amazing!

Waiting for BabySoon to be Dad, a world of wonder awaits.

2.) Father daughter first look. There were several emotions captured here between Kerriann and her dad as he saw her for the first time as a bride. They cried and shared a laugh just moments before he walked her down the aisle. She wrote him a beautiful letter and had a handkerchief waiting, as he sure did need it.

Father Daughter First Look Father Daughter First Look

1.) Father of the Bride Toast - Sometimes my favorite moments to shoot of the wedding day are the toasts. The people who love you the most will get up and say the most beautiful things about you. It''s the time of the wedding day when I learn so much about how special this bride and groom are. Listen to this glowing dad talk about his daughter and her new husband married at The Oaks at Heavenly.

Four Seasons Austin Wedding with Myrla & Jeremy

June 04, 2018 • 8 Comments

I think it's safe to say that Myrla and Jeremy had an absolute blast at their Austin, Texas Wedding at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin. They celebrated the sacrament of marriage at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church and then made their way to the hotel overlooking the Colorado River. Their wedding film and a few beautiful pictures from the day below. Awesomely pulled together by Rachel Rucker at R&R Events, Floral by Mount Laurel Florist Transportation by Aria Limousine Photobooth by Old Fashioned Photobooth DJ - Ali Santiano.