While weddings may have been paused this season, I have had the pleasure of working with SO many amazing families. COVID has certainly changed lives, but there’s no better time to spend all that extra time with family. And while I was visiting mine in Houston, I was able to fit in a quick sunrise session with the Lee family. To be honest, it’s been a long while since I’ve woken up for that morning glow, but it was worth every bit photographing these frames for them. I’ve been so excited to blog this set so I hope you all enjoy them too!

I was ecstatic to work with the Yen family again this year! Jeanie and her family were blessed with another little girl so they wanted to capture some maternity photos before she entered the world! It was the perfect fall afternoon to capture some portraits as the sun was setting so beautifully. Jeanie GLOWED in the light. Fun fact, this session was captured two days before Jeanie gave birth. I was able to visit them two weeks afterwards to photograph some newborn photos so stay tuned for part two of their family session!

Congratulations to this little family of three.

I can't emphasize enough how special this session was to me because it celebrated both marriage and the joy that comes with a growing family. I made it my goal to capture Dennis & Sally's story and how much it meant for them to become parents. Plus, it was such a fun way to combine their Christmas card and pregnancy announcement for their friends and family!

At our session, we caught the sun right as it was setting in a gorgeous ranch, and it was so fun frolicking with the horses there. They were so gentle and curious and such a great addition to the pictures! Congrats, Dennis & Sally. I can't wait to meet baby Yang in May :)

Jessica, Kevin, and their little puppy, Milo...

Is this even real life? 2016 flew by way too quickly, and I'm sad that it's ended. As we prepare for our next season and transition into 2017, I'd like to recap with you my journey and celebrate the love that you all have extended towards me. 

2016 has truly been a year of celebration. As I've shared before, I want this blog to be a place where my readers can truly know me and my growth as a photographer and in my personal life. So if you've been following me for a while, I'd love to extend a word of thanks for your love and support. I seriously can't wait for all that awaits me in 2017, but in the meantime, let's take a walk down memory lane. 
 

a season of proposals
 

As you can recall from the summer, I photographed quite a few proposals within 3 months. It was an incredible feeling to receive inquiry after inquiry to capture these joyful occasions, and I even got the chance to travel a bit throughout Texas for these moments. 

First one up, Sean & Joseph. And man, what a start! If you haven't read their story yet, you are missing out. Who knew you could still propose to the love of your life after a crazy monster downpour?!  (Click here to read more)

Next, we have Tian & Joseph at the McGovern Centennial Gardens in Houston, TX. Joseph used a fun way with geocaching to ask his bride-to-be for her hand. (Click here to read more)

Then, we had Ashley & Joon, who also got engaged at the Centennial Gardens. Joon knew exactly how to woo his lovely lady so you'll definitely want to read their story. (Click here to read more)

Fourth, back in Austin, we had Emily & Nathan, who shared a simple, yet intimate engagement that could tug anyone's heart. (Click here to read more)

And finishing up my summer season, Kayla & Leo. Theirs felt so romantic and dreamy, with Leo dancing away with Kayla and proposing to her under a vintage gazebo. Need I say anymore? (Click here to read more)

travels
 

J and I took some time off in the summer as well to do some traveling for our friends and family. We took our first road-trip to West Texas for a wedding that I got to attend as a guest! I always say I prefer being on the shooting end more, but it's nice to take a break once in a while. (Click here to read more.)

Then in late August, J and I flew up to Toronto for his cousin's wedding so we had quite a week exploring and befriending those who were a part of the occasion. (Click here to read more.) 

favorites

And to wrap up this post, here are my favorite frames. 

Where do I even begin to describe Linda and Jonathan? To start off, these two are some of my favorite people in the world. With Jonathan's humor and Linda's sweetness, our session couldn't have been more enjoyable. They brought such a bright energy to their session and had me laughing from start to finish. The cherry-on-top for this session was that I got to work with their tuxedo pup, Shadow, who's just hands down the sweetest dog in the world. In addition to that, the sun was finally out. It had been raining in Austin for two weeks straight, and while I personally enjoy the rain, I was looking forward to the post-rain sun light. You know what I mean? That beautiful, soft and ethereal glow. After chasing the last 30 minutes of that glorious sunset, we ended at the dock where the the air grew crisp and the water reflected a breath-taking palette. 

It's been incredibly fun getting to know Linda and Jonathan. Their relationship epitomizes the joy and beauty that marriage provides, and I'm so glad I got to capture that in these photos. I still can't stop obsessing how pretty these images turned out!