Giving is Awesome!

December 7, 2008 | Filed Under Fun Stuff! | 7 Comments 

Eve is one of the owners of my favorite local yarn store, Twisted Yarns, and after I photographed Amy & Jerry’s wedding in November,
she asked me about doing a family portrait session. This is one of my favorites from the day!

It has been a hard year for a lot of people in Houston. Hurricane Ike. People lost their homes. The financial crisis. Job layoffs. The list is sadly long.

You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography — $1400 worth, to be exact. A portrait session, a DVD of the high-resolution image files, and $500 worth of product credit. Whether it’s canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a portrait session too, along with $200 worth of product credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:
* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in the greater Houston area. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story - my email address is christine@ the website address. (Sorry - trying to avoid spammers.)

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve — get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

I’m not the only one doing this right now — Giving is Awesome is coordinating a lot of us. Maybe someone in your area if you’re not in Houston? Or maybe you’re a photographer and you want to participate too?

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love -
Christine

Congratulations, Kelly & Ian! Wedding - Majestic Metro, Downtown Houston, Texas

August 1, 2008 | Filed Under Wedding Photography, Weddings | 4 Comments 

A huge, huge congratulations to Kelly & Ian! Last week when I was in California, I had spotty internet access at best, and this week I’ve been catching up with everything from last week — all while knowing that Kelly & Ian were patiently waiting to see a sneak peek of some of their photos from their fabulous, fabulous wedding!

The Majestic Metro is a really cool place because of it’s historical significance. From Cinema Houston, “Of all of Houston’s theatres built before 1930, only one has remained standing to see new life and restoration: the 1926 Ritz.” It closed its doors as a movie theater in 1984, but in 1990 it was opened again as a fantastic venue for all sorts of events, restored to be full of all sorts of wonderful architectural details.

This wedding had a little bit of a nostalgic touch for Elaine — it is where she had her wedding back in the 90s! It was also one of the top choices on my own list of venues when I got married in 2004, but we decided to get married in Galveston instead. I absolutely loved this venue, and it really was a perfect fit for Kelly & Ian and their guests!

We truly had such a great time at this wedding - it really was a night full of laughter and joy! Thank you so much, Kelly & Ian, for allowing us to be a part of it!

Dresses need to come with instructions!

Before the ceremony, I took the guys out to Main Street in downtown Houston for some fun shots.

After the ceremony, I went outside with the women to Main Street, and took advantage of one of my favorite parking lots.

I love these shots that Kelly Niemann got of the ring exchange during the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Elaine got this fantastic shot of all the guests! Whoo hoo!

How gorgeous are they?!?

This shot that Elaine got of the toast by the best man just cracks me up! The whole night was such a wonderful celebration of Kelly & Ian!

Getting Ready Hotel - The Magnolia, downtown Houston, Texas
Venue (Wedding Ceremony & Reception) - The Majestic Metro, downtown Houston, Texas