Christine Tremoulet - Houston Texas Wedding Photographer - Boudoir Photography » Engagement Sessions

Houston Heights Engagement Photography – Catherine & Rich

Christine — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:33:57 +0000

A few weeks ago, I headed out in the Houston Heights for an engagement photography session with Catherine & Rich. The folks at Down House were so gracious and even let us take a few images indoors there, which was great because Houston has been simply sweltering all summer long! I love visiting there now that we live so close since our move to the Heights! Check it out if you’re in my neighborhood!

Heading to Down House was also the perfect choice for their engagement photography because wine has played such a role in their relationship, from meeting through friends at wine dinners, to their favorite date night ending with wine at Cavo, to traveling to Sonoma & the Russian River Valley. Wine is among one of their favorite things – so wine at Down House fit right in!

We started outside on the front steps, and then went down the block for a bit. I’m still totally smitten with the blue knit dress Catherine was wearing – it was so beautiful!

This photo above? That is one of those “you want us to stand … where?” sort of moments. But I knew it was just going to be amazing, and I’m so happy Catherine & Rich trusted me! What you can’t see is the dead grass and the chain link fence hidden by the bushes there. I know, I shouldn’t give away my secrets. But we didn’t want to walk too far and get too hot & sweaty – and I’ve learned over the years that that results in pushing for even more creative options! Love!

That is also one of the best things about engagement photography – building that trust! That way, on the wedding day when I ask people to stand in a certain position, they trust me. They know it may not look great to them, but from where I’m standing – and with them in the photograph – it will be fabulous!

We quickly retreated into Down House so we could cool off and get a glass of wine!

As the sun was starting to set, we headed back outside for another round of photos there. I just love this wall of trees that we found!

When we decided to call it a wrap, we headed back into Down House for a wonderful dinner. Catherine said the chicken & waffles were especially tasty!

Thank you again Catherine & Rich for such a fun evening! I can not WAIT to photograph your wedding in just over a week!

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Alexis & Christian’s Wish Upon a Wedding Engagement Session

Christine — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:34:32 +0000

Sometime last year, while attending a luncheon for wedding vendors, I first discovered the Wish Upon a Wedding organization. You can read more about them here, but the premise is that as a Wish Granter, members of the wedding industry will come together and provide a wedding or vow renewal, free of cost, to couples facing terminal illness or life-altering circumstances. At that time, the Houston chapter didn’t even exist, but I still signed up right then through my iPhone. I’m a big believer in giving of your talents whenever you can, as I think that is just so important to the greater good.

Earlier this year, I was asked if I would step up and photography Alexis & Christian’s wedding, and I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to do that for them 45 days from now. (Eeeee!!!) I honestly could not ask for a better couple to be working with, and while it was the charity that brought us all together, I am giddy beyond words to now be able to call them friends as well.

Just to get the hard part out of the way, because as I told Alexis last week when we had dinner — this shouldn’t be the focus of their love story, but it is essential to our story here — Alexis has cancer. She has mesothelioma, which was discovered somewhat randomly by an observant doctor while she was having gallbladder surgery. Due to the fact that it presented on her diaphragm, she has been set at being a Stage 4 cancer patient. Her case is extremely unusual, as the mesothelioma isn’t present in some of the “usual” starting spots. Normally by the time it is seen on the diaphragm, it is so far advanced that survival past two years is rare. Alexis just celebrated that two year anniversary this summer. And while she lights up the room like no one else when she walks in, it hasn’t all been easy obviously between surgery, chemo, and all the things that come with cancer. Her hope is that the discoveries that they are making with her treatment will help other cancer patients in the future because she is in unchartered waters. In her case, there is no cure.

Cancer sucks.

You would never guess it by the way she smiles. I suspect that having a man as wonderful as Christian by your side helps, because I can tell while visiting with them over dinner that he does everything he possibly can to lighten the burden for her and help her carry the weight of it all.

Speaking of Christian, he is a Houston icon in his own right. He leads The Hates which he formed over 30 years ago, and has been called “Houston’s first and last punk band”. He is a true Punk — with a heart of gold. He is so well known around this city, I’ve never been anywhere with him that someone hasn’t stopped him to tell him how they love his music or that they have seen him around town on his scooter with his mohawk. Matter of fact, I did the same thing – I used to see him all the time when I worked in downtown at Fulbright & Jaworski, and I couldn’t help but tell him that right after meeting him! Ahh… he draws people in. He & Alexis are such an amazing match.

Sometimes things happen during a session that I would never expect, and I just watch them unfold. Like thumb wrestling. I couldn’t help but laugh that they were thumb wrestling! She won! She won!

We started off our by meeting up at my studio, but when I learned through their session planning information the role that the Continental Club played on their relationship I suggested we go there for our session. It was perfect! We also stopped into their friend’s shop, My Flaming Heart. (That would be where the boots & the cool dresses are at. If you’re in the neighborhood, definitely check it out!)

Alexis & Christian met in 2005 at an art show opening at Poison Girl. Alexis has a tattoo artist friend who was showing some of his paintings, & Christian had an acquaintance who was showing some of her work as well. One of Alexis’s girlfriends knew Christian & had actually tried to get him to come to their weekly dinners/get-togethers for a long while, but to no avail. She basically shoved Alexis in his direction & told her to talk about her new scooter. They talked a bit, but it was getting too crowded & too hot in there, so the girls took off for Catbird’s. Alexis invited him, but the friend he was with that night did not want to go. About two weeks later, the girls were at a show at the Continental Club… and there he was. Alexis & Christian ended up talking in the back bar through the entire show. That night she gave him her number with the understanding they would get together to have Indian food… the irony is that their first date was at a Chinese restaurant.

They like Scooter riding all over town. Alexis said, “Part of it is the wind in our faces, smelling cut grass & feeling the sun on our skin. Part of it is him telling me all kinds of things about the places we pass by -(he used to work for the City, so he knows quite a bit)-. Part of it is stopping at stoplights & stealing smooches.”

I wasn’t quite sure what she meant about that last part, but then I witnessed it while driving behind them. Every time we were stuck at a red light, they would steal kisses! This is why we need more people in Houston riding Scooters & Bicycles. If seeing that doesn’t make your day better, I don’t know what will. Seriously, sweetest thing ever!

We wrapped up the night with Christian playing his guitar. Alexis helped … well, sort of. My favorite moment though was spotting how their fingers were intertwined at the end. So gentle, yet always touching. I can see how much of a touchstone Christian is for Alexis – and vice versa. That sums it all up right there. Love is an amazing thing.

Thank you to all of the Wish Upon a Wedding wish granters that helped make this session so special! You can read more about Alexis & Christian on the Wish Upon a Wedding Blog.

If you know someone who deserves to be helped by this fabulous organization, please tell them about Wish Upon a Wedding! If you are a wedding vendor and would like to help out, you can complete the Wish Granter application. If you aren’t already a Wish Granter, please consider becoming one today!

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Houston Engagement Photography – Melinda & Kyle at the Rodeo

Christine — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:58:33 +0000

When planning engagement sessions, I like to come up with places that are the perfect fit for the couple – and Melinda & Kyle knew right away that they wanted to incorporate the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Carnival into their photo shoot! They love to go to the Rodeo every year, and I met up with them there so we could get some fun shots for their engagement photography around the carnival grounds before the show!

Of course, we had to play some games and get some cotton candy while we were there too!

We went inside the exhibit hall for awhile, and made a stop to see Elsie the Borden Milk cow while we were there too!

Thank you again to Melinda & Kyle for such a fun time at the HLSR Carnival! I had a great time exploring the carnival with you, and it was such a gorgeous day!

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Hailey & Tyson’s Texas A&M Engagement Session

Christine — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 19:08:35 +0000

Hailey & Tyson are Aggies, and Elaine & I are too, so it was only natural that we would all get together at Texas A&M for their engagement session! We had to include all of our favorite things too – Kyle Field, the 12th Man Statue, the Century Tree, and the Academic Building, plus other spots along the way! Hailey & Tyson were such troopers too – it was cold & breezy, but they snuggled and kept warm!

Hailey & Tyson met at an Aggie football game. Hailey ended up going with his group of friends at the last minute and they ended up standing next to each other. Of course, going to games is a big tradition for them now! We started off the day outside of Kyle Field because it was so important to include it in our session!

Of course, their dog Brody is a big part of their lives, so they brought him along to join in some of the photos as well! Such a gorgeous, sweet dog!

The statue Sul Ross, “Sully” as he is affectionately called, overlooks the Academic Plaza just beside the Century Tree and in front of the Academic Building. Aggies leave pennies at the base for good luck when taking exams. Of course, we didn’t leave their Aggie Rings or Hailey’s engagement ring there!

Brody decided when they snuggled in together for the photo that Hailey needed a great big dog kiss on the cheek! It was hysterical!

Engagement sessions are always such a fun way for all of us to get to know each other. I had met with Hailey & her mother originally, but Tyson wasn’t able to be there so this was the first chance we had to meet him. What a fantastic couple! Thank you again to them both for such a fantastic day together!

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Megan & Cruz’s Engagement Session – Austin, Texas

Christine — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:35:10 +0000

It is always so much fun to get to finally meet our destination wedding clients in person – even when their destination for their wedding is in our own backyard practically! Ok, ok, in Texas terms that is! Megan & Cruz were living in Boston when we first started to email and talk about their wedding plans. Megan is originally from California, and Cruz is originally from Texas and attended the University of Texas, and Austin is near & dear to his heart so they decided to have their engagement session at the Texas State Capital and on the UT campus.

I headed over from Houston on a lovely January day to meet up with them at the Capital Building. I always love how blue the sky is in the winter! We met up on the lawn and did some shoots with the big huge Live Oak Trees before heading into the building itself. There was a bridal session taking place in the rotunda, so we decided to wander off down the halls instead to look for our own spots!

I have to confess that I’ve lived in Texas for 25 years, but this was my first time in the capital. It was awesome! I love great, grand buildings. I’ll have to go back sometime to do the full tour now!

From there, we headed over to the University of Texas campus. The sprawling lawns, open plazas & rows of trees are just so stunning! It was fun walking around and finding new spots here and there for our photo backdrops – and of course, we had to head over to the main plaza and to take photographs with the Belltower in the background!

We found this alcove as we were walking around, and it was the perfect shelter for Megan who was getting quite cold. The light in there was amazing, but what I was most fascinated by was all the seashell fossils in the limestone walls! I’m a total geology geek, I can’t deny it. I love rocks! They might just be laughing at me in the shot below because I was so giddy over the fossils in the walls!

This is yet another one of my flashback posts – there is so much good stuff from last year that I didn’t ever blog about! We did their engagement session a year ago today, so it seemed fitting to share it now! If you would like to check out their Destination Wedding at the Woodlands Resort (well, destination for them and most of their guests – I live 45 minutes away, but they were in California by then), just follow the links here for part 1 and here for part 2!

Thank you again Megan & Cruz for allowing us to be such a special part of your lives last year! I had so much fun spending time with you, getting to know you, and working with you!

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Sarom & Minh – Hermann Park Engagement Session, Houston Texas

Christine — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:31:35 +0000

When I realized I had so many posts I still wanted to share from last year, I decided I would do “flashback” posts. Today when I went to start working on the first ones, I discovered that this session with Sarom & Minh is exactly a year old! I can’t believe I haven’t shared more of these photos before other than posting just two of my favorites!

Sarom & Minh met up with me at Hermann Park, along with their friend who videotaped the session to share at the wedding reception. Talk about pressure! I’ve never had someone watching me shoot other than the client that I’m working with, and especially not one capturing it on film! But I quickly got over it, and the four of us had such a fun time even though it was a blistering cold day!

They had decided to start the session off with fancy dress clothes, a cocktail dress for Sarom and a new suit for Minh. See that short dress? Did I mention already that the temps were in the 40s?!? You would have never guessed though – Sarom smiled through the whole session, and Minh helped keep her warm! We started out by the reflecting pond and the rows of trees alongside it in Hermann Park.

After awhile, Sarom & Minh changed into more casual clothes for the rest of our shoot. I’m sure Sarom was happy to be warm again! (Well, warmer at least!) I love how they make each other laugh. You can just feel the love when you’re around the two of them.

We decided to include the (then new) sculpture pieces in Hermann Park near Miller Outdoor Theater into our shoot. I could not have asked for a more perfect sky or a more amazing sunset for the rest of these photos – and the flare! Oh goodness. The flare. It just makes me swoon!

We discovered this cool, weed-filled area right off the main path in Hermann Park. That rim of sunlight around them in the last two photos? Oh goodness. My heart stops every time I look at that photos. LOVE it!!!

It was getting late. We were all cold & tired. I had asked Sarom & Minh to go out into the field we found in Hermann Park. Them: “Is this far enough?” Me: “No, further out. Further.” They agreed (thankfully!) for the sake of beautiful photos. But by this point in time, Minh was getting hungry. Really hungry. So what do I do? I start talking with him about the yummy food he is going to go eat when the shoot was over. Then I start to get silly and talk about the biscuits. (I don’t remember why I was talking about biscuits, I’m just pretty sure there were biscuits involved.) These two shots are just a few frames apart, but … well, you can see why I keep threatening to put “Professional Dork” on my business card. At least it made them laugh!

Then we decided to call it a night and go our separate ways, but not before one last shot at the duck pond in Hermann Park. Sarom posted to Twitter the other day that she was using this photo as her screen saver on her computer, which is one of the biggest compliments to me. Knowing that I get to create beautiful work with amazing people that they treasure? Blows me away every time I stop and think about it.

Thanks again to Sarom & Minh for an amazing day. Looking through your photographs again made me smile thinking of the two of you!

HEY YOU! Ready to book your engagement session or wedding photography? Contact me right away and we’ll talk! Just click here! Considering a boudoir session? Don’t miss out on the Valentine’s Day Specials! Secure your date now!

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Andrea & Lee’s Engagement Session – Downtown Houston

Christine — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:18:25 +0000

Andrea & Lee met up with me in downtown Houston a few weeks ago for their engagement session, and we had such gorgeous weather and so much fun!

When Andrea & I talked about where to go for their engagement session, she mentioned the beautiful azaleas in full bloom behind City Hall. Oh my goodness! She was so right – they were in full bloom and absolutely gorgeous! Thanks to her, I also learned that the park had a name. I had no idea that it is actually Hermann Square, I’ve always just known it as the reflection pool at City Hall.

Their wedding reception in May will be upstairs at the top of One Shell at the Plaza Club – one of my favorite venues in Houston for its stunning views out onto the city! So of course we had to be sure to include One Shell Plaza as well in the background!

Afterwards, we headed over to Discovery Green on the other side of downtown for a change of pace.

I love how Lee makes Andrea laugh. The two of them are just so much fun together, and I can’t wait for their wedding day in a few weeks! Thank you again, Andrea & Lee, for the great time together!

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Tiffany & Dionicio’s Engagement Session – The Woodlands, Texas

Christine — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:51:21 +0000

I first met Tiffany at Kelly & Ted’s wedding in October – Kelly is her cousin, so Tiffany & her mom Julie were at the house as Kelly was getting ready, and just so much fun throughout the wedding day. I was just *thrilled* when Julie contacted me in November after seeing Kelly’s photos and asked if I could photograph Tiffany & Dionicio’s wedding on New Year’s Eve at the Woodlands Resort & Conference Center in the The Glass and I can’t wait! It is going to be so much fun!

It will be a small, intimate family wedding, which are always so wonderful. We planned an engagement session at the resort for last Saturday. Then when we saw that it was supposed to be sunny on Sunday, we moved it. Clearly, the weatherman & I have different definitions of sunny. At least it wasn’t raining though!

I can’t wait for New Year’s Eve – their wedding is going to be the perfect way to kick off 2010!

I turned to take the above photo of the main building and The Glass, and when I turned back, the two of them were all snuggly there on the docks. It was such a sweet moment – they are so in love!

Contact me here to book your 2010 Engagement session and Wedding Photography – in Houston, or anywhere!

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Lindsay & Nathan’s Engagement Session

Christine — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:12:18 +0000

Sometimes when we set up a session, things don’t go as planned, but in the end they are so much better! Lindsay, Nathan & I had originally planned their engagement session for a Saturday afternoon in November. Then, at the last minute, the forecast changed. It was misty, gray, and just generally miserable. So we moved our shoot to Sunday morning – and in the end we had the best weather and such a wonderful time!

Lindsay & Nathan met through a mutual friend who was visiting Houston from out of town. The three of them ended up going to the Ginger Man in the Rice Village that night, and they ended up closing the place down. They got together a few times after that with groups of friends, but it took a few months before they started dating.

Lindsay said that she loves that no matter how she is feeling – upset, sad, mopey – Nathan can always make me smile and laugh with his silliness. Nathan said that he loves that Linsday always laughs at his jokes, even when they aren’t funny.

I loved how when I spent time with the two of them, I found that I just could not stop smiling.

Nathan and Lindsay were carving a jack-o-lantern a few days before Halloween and he sent her off to find a candle and lighter and when she came back and opened the pumpkin, her ring was sitting in it! She turned around and he was down on one knee. The proposal was very “Lindsay & Nathan”… at home, sweet, simple.

So when Lindsay shared this story for me, I went on a quest to find a pumpkin for our session. Maybe one of those mini-gourds that looks like a pumpkin. I would be happy with almost anything. Of course, the stores had nothing. Mike even stopped at 2-3 stores on the way home from work one night, but no luck! Then, right before I left for the session, I remembered these mini pumpkin decorations that I had. Not what I originally had in mind, but still a fun addition!

Nathan is originally from Australia, and I learned something new during our session. I always knew that it was summer in Australia when it is winter here. Somehow, I never realized that they actually call it summer. December is summer. What is our fall is their spring — as in the months of September, October & November are what they call Spring. I don’t know why I never really clued in to that before, but it kind of blew me away when I did! Ok, silly – I know – but I couldn’t stop thinking about it the rest of the day!

Lindsay said it is actually confusing because when she tells people that they are planning the wedding for next fall – as in fall in the Northern Hemisphere – they think she means March or April. Not November!

Lindsay & Nathan will be getting married next Fall (that would be November for us, if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere), and I just know it is going to be a gorgeous wedding and that they will have a fun, laughter-filled life together! Thank you to both of you for letting me be a part of it by spending a special Sunday morning with you!

Interested in booking me for an engagement session or your wedding? Contact me and let me know!

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Brooke & Nathan’s Engagement Session – Hill Country, Texas

Christine — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:49:57 +0000

I still remember my first meeting with Brooke & Nathan at the studio. You know how you meet some people and you just feel like you hit it off right away? It was one of those moments. The best way for me to describe Brooke is light and fun. She is just adorable. And Nathan has that dry wit that I just adore — and we discovered that we had a connection through Kankakee, Illinois where I lived for years when I was younger, and where he was born. That doesn’t happen very often! Nathan & I also bonded over our disdain for the Texas summer heat – so we decided to wait until September to do their engagement session. The three of us made plans to meet up at their friend’s house out in the Hill Country of Texas for the shoot, and it was fabulous!

I think the one on the left just might be my favorite image from the shoot – I just loved those big trees and the sunset. So fabulous!

This whole series cracks me up!

What a fabulous day! I can’t WAIT for their wedding today in downtown Houston, Texas at the Christ Church Cathedral and their reception at The Downtown Club at the Plaza! I know it is going to be so much fun! Brooke is going to be such a beautiful bride, and their wedding day is going to be full of so many wonderful details! I can’t wait to share it with you all! And as an added bonus, we’ve finally had a cold front come through Houston, so Nathan & I will be blissfully cool!

So many blog updates coming up with lots of weddings and engagement sessions to post about – I can’t WAIT to share all the goodness!

Planning your wedding for 2010? Contact me right away to set up an appointment – our calendar is filling up! All of my contact details can be found here!

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