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All the photos on this post were taken the first full day in Mexico, when we had free time to explore Carmen and Teochteilan.

We have an air date now for the Rachael Ray wedding episode! It will air on Friday, November 21, 2008 on your local NBC station. You may have seen my previous post about how she came to Houston and put together a fabulous wedding for 40 couples that were victims of the Bella Terrazza and Tuscany of Garden Oaks closing. I took photographs of three fabulous couples after the ceremony, and I’ll post photos of them after the show airs!

My DVR is all set to record the show! We had to sign releases for them to air footage of us shooting, but I’m not sure if they will actually show me or not. Lets hope that if they do, it is something flattering, and not me in one of those crazy photographer positions that we get into to get the best light and angles!

Left: My friend who made me lunch and laughed with me at my poor Spanish.
Right: Ruben wanted him to name the bunny Nikon, but I think Canon sounds much better!

Speaking of the Bella Terrazza and Tuscany of Garden Oaks situation, I’ve selected a couple to receive free wedding day photography coverage! (The first couple whose name I drew had already been picked by another photographer too!) I’ll post more about that as soon as we have all the details ready and I have photos!

Now for the other big news! I’ve been a huge fan of Anne Ruthmann’s photography work ever since I first discovered her online. If I remember right, it was one of her informative photographer forum posts that first caught my eye. I found myself nodding my head in agreement with every word. Over the past year, I’ve been lucky enough to meet her and get to know her even better – she is an awesome woman, and so inspiring! So it was such a thrill to get an email from her last week while I was in Mexico asking me if I would be interested in being an editor for her PhotoLoveCat site. I’m all about sharing knowledge, so I was so giddy about the opportunity! I’m in good company with Anne and the amazing Jillian Kay – check it out!

Top Row: The arts – photography and fiber arts (crochet) – my favorites!
Bottom Row: From the Hip shots around town.

– Wedding Makeup Tips – great makeup helps us take great photos! Wearing makeup doesn’t mean you have to look like someone you’re not — they can do very natural makeup that will look wonderful in photos.

– Bring Hangers for Your Photos – we all LOVE a good dress shot, but do you really want your dress shot to be of your dress on a wire hanger? No more wire hangers! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) Put your dress on a pretty hanger, and it will look even more beautiful when you look back at your photographs.

– Know Your Rights – I offer a DVD of wedding photographs to clients, which includes a print release (or a reproduction release). I try to emphasize what that means, but this post goes through it in even better detail. I’ll be writing something similar myself soon. The post also talks about the perks of seeing one another before the wedding day.

I love reading the different wedding blogs out there, and I’m always looking for new ones! What are some of your favorites? All of my favorites can be found over at Weddings.Alltop.com!

I am happy to do in home sessions, but I’ve heard that it is even MORE fun to get 2-3 of your girlfriends together, rent a hotel room, and spend an afternoon in a session with some drinks, maybe a bit of chocolate, and lots of laughter!

I’m looking for 2-3 people who would be interested in being “models” for portfolio building for me. In exchange, your session fee will be free! Only non-revealing photos will be posted online, and only with your approval. Interested? Let me know. Sessions must be on a weekday, and I will request a current photo of you to review as I’m looking for a very specific fit for the portfolio.

I’m also looking into a session this summer at a local SWANKY hotel here in Houston too, where you can sign up for a 1-2 hour block of time for your shoot. I’ll be sure to post details as I know more! I can’t WAIT!

*** Update on 8/12/08 — I have the models needed, however I am currently booking sessions and have a variety of times available. If you would like to book one, you can contact me through the Contact link on every page of this site. If you want to see samples from other sessions, head on over to Boudoir Mon Cheri and check them out! ***

CALL ME to place an order for a canvas print by 5pm on Friday, 2/29/08, and get it for 25% off! Hurry before it is too late!