San Antonio Engagement: Playing in the woods with Sarah + Daniel
Some of the most romantic cinematic moments were filmed with dark and stormy clouds and rainy day scenes. The amazing thing about this dramatic imagery, is it allows the couple in the scene to pull each other close for protection and warmth. Throughout a marriage, there will be bright sunny care-free days, but there will also be cloudy, low lit days, when the light is found in the strength of your love and support of one another.
We photographed Sarah and Daniel for their engagement on a rainy day in November. She did contact me ahead of time with some concern if we would be able to shoot with the forecasted weather. I gave her the option to reschedule, but I suggested it could be an opportunity to get some dramatic images. We are professionals and we are prepared to shoot in the rain if needed, however if you don't want to be photographed in a rainy setting we will not force you to. She liked the idea of a dramatic photo should it start to rain.
Luckily the rain did stay away, but the clouds lingered from earlier showers and helped us to create some gorgeous and unique images of Sarah and Daniel. We also captured some light and airy casual looks during their engagement session at Cibolo Nature Center. This location is ideal for the couple that values spending time in nature and wants to be photographed in a natural Texas landscape setting. The casual looks are optimal for Save The Date cards for their fall 2018 Wedding. The formal portraits are perfect for wall art for their home to remember this special time as they prepare for their wedding.
Fall Engagement at Cibolo Nature CenterA casual fall engagement portrait in the autumn leaves at Cibolo Nature Center. 
Capturing Fall Color at Cibolo Nature CenterCibolo Nature Center is an ideal location for San Antonio fall portraits. Photographed by Aria Productions, November 2017.
I absolutely adore this red gown Sarah chose for her Fairytale Woodland Themed Engagement Portraits, and the flower crown completes the look with dramatic details. The couple belong in this scene.
I love working with couples who are open to creating unique art work for their wedding, engagement and bridal portraits. How do you want to be photographed? See more from their shoot here:
San Antonio Newborn Home Photoshoot
There's nothing more amazing than experiencing the first few weeks of your baby's life at home. You want to remember every moment, record every little sound they make, capture every eyelash. They change so much just in those first few weeks of life, and it's important to not only document that, but print it out and archive those memories to remember for a lifetime. The Mayes family welcomed their first baby girl into their beautiful downtown San Antonio home, and I was invited to take some photos of this magical time. Baby M is so lucky to have a sylish and glamorous mommy to decorate her chic downtown San Antonio nursery with jewels, giraffes and all things french-girl fun! Enjoy!
Autumn Wedding at Mission Espada
It was an intimate wedding at Mission Espada on October 4th for Vanessa and Chris Trundle. This was the perfect spot for this adventurous couple who take interest in traveling historic and natural landmarks such as the San Antonio Missions. Vanessa chose warm fall colors in her floral decor to enhance the small historic chapel for their wedding ceremony. She was walked down the aisle by her sweet grandfather. After the ceremony we captured their favorite people and then made our way around the historic landmark for their wedding day portraits. Enjoy these little gems.
Floral Decor, bouquet and wearables by HEB Blooms.
Bride's hair and makeup by Madame Makeup.
Mission Concepción Bridal Portrait with Courtni
As the wedding date draws near, all the plans have been made, the dress selected, the details arranged, we get to turn our attention to the bride and capturing her with a classic bridal portrait. Many times, the wedding day is filled with events and to-do's that it can be difficult to take the time to conduct a proper portrait session that really captures the essence of who this beautiful woman is in this important time. We shot Courtni's bridal portrait just a few months before her big day in August, and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to photograph her gorgeous wedding day look at Mission Concepción in San Antonio, Texas. Courtni is a beautiful person inside and out, and it was truly captured here in her bridal portraits.
In order to ensure you have enough time to get bridal portraits made, be sure to have your dress ordered and final fittings complete at least two months before the wedding date. We typically shoot the bridal portrait one month prior to the wedding date, giving you enough time to then view your portraits and make selections for prints.
We also encourage you to bring supportive people with you to your bridal portrait session. Courtni brought her amazing mother Cheri, and her attentive cousin to help her as we made our way around the grounds at the missions. Not only were they able to help with keeping her dress clean and attach her two veils, but they also had such great supportive energy during a time that can feel very vulnerable.
Keep in mind that when choosing photo locations, some may require an appointment and a location fee. The missions is a National Historic Park managed by the National Park Service, and there is a permit required for photographing or filming there. Sometimes a little lead time is required to get all the paperwork in place and be allowed to shoot there. If you would like us to arrange a photoshoot for your at the San Antonio Missions, please let us know!
Don't forget to arrange for a bridal bouquet for use during your bridal portrait session! A smaller version of your wedding bouquet will work!
See more bridal portraits here!
Expecting Baby #2 - Mother Daughter Maternity Shoot
Sometimes when I'm shooting, it's like all the stars are aligned, everything comes perfectly together and I know this is what I'm meant to be doing. I've had that feeling very often lately, and I feel so blessed to be capturing some of the most beautiful moments for Texan families. This is the second pregnancy portrait I have had the pleasure to produce for Lisette. I love so much that she brought her baby Liana for some beautiful mother daughter portraits as well. When working with a toddler, it's important to be patient, and have a plan to entertain her while she won't be in every photo. Lisette brought her sister-in-law, and we shot at a local city park that had a playground. We took Liana's photos first, and then let her run loose on the jungle gym while my assistant and I focused on this gorgeous mama. Since it was a scorching summer day in July, we waited until after 7 PM and captured some amazing light glowing over Lisette's growing belly.
Learn more about Aria Bellies and Babies.