Meet Ryan.
Ryan is my cousin. And, yes. He is wearing a monkey shirt. The monkey shirt has been a staple in his wardrobe since he was eight, so it was only appropriate to start off his senior photo session in it.
Look at those blue eyes and laughing smile! Who couldn’t love this kid?
I guess that’s just the thing, huh? I expected to go take some photos of my little cousin Ryan and ended up taking pictures of this handsome senior guy. I was blown away. WHO IS THIS PERSON IN FRONT OF MY CAMERA?! AND WHERE DID MY LITTLE COUSIN GO?!?
Hello, little camper trailer. I love you.
And old peanut mill? I love you too.
(Proud cousin voice:) Did I mention that Ryan is valedictorian of his graduating class?
AND did I mention that his suuuuuuuuuuuuuuper-beautiful girlfriend is salutatorian? That right there is a couple to watch out for.
This random, empty sign beckoned us. It called, “Ryyyyyan! Ryyyyaaaan! Come take your picture next to meeee!!” So we did.
I ended this session proud. Proud of Ryan growing up. Of how incredibly good-natured he is. Of how his mother can still make him laugh. Of how smart he is. Of who he is.
Go get ’em at A&M, Ryan! You’ve got lots of proud family back home rooting for you.
Introducing Sarah!
The day of Sarah’s senior session started with a bang — well, more of a wail. Tornado sirens were going off in Denton and it was pouring down rain. But, thankfully, it cleared up by the evening, leaving us just enough time to explore downtown Dallas and get some photos with the lovely light reflecting off the wet pavement.
When I walked up to meet who I thought was going to be just Sarah and her mom — I saw Sarah, her mom, her stepdad and, especially unexpected was her boyfriend, who was in my graduating class in high school. Looks like I had chosen the wrong day to whip out one of the shirts I owned in high school. Nice, Jillian. Nice. Reeeeeeeeeeeeeally time to clean out your closet . . .
Sarah had chosen this area in Dallas as our locaton because she loved the funky, urban feel it gave off.
In addition to having legs the length of a runway model and being absolutely gorgeous, Sarah was also completely fearless in front of the camera. She’d laugh, make goofy faces, work the model poses, and just be completely herself. I truly appreciated it.
Speaking of legs-as-long-as-a-runway-model, Sarah will be attending Clarendon college in the fall with a full basketball scholarship. So perhaps I should have said legs-as-long-as-a-basketball-star . . .
I kept laughing from behind my camera. Sarah’s older brother was in my high school class as well and I kept telling her that taking her pictures was like watching a girl-version of Calvin  — too funny.
I lovvvvvvved those suspenders Sarah was sporting that went along great with the funky feel of Dallas.
Gosh, Sarah. You are just stunning.
Soooooo Sarah’s pretty hard core and had a massive bruise on her leg the day of the shoot from a softball (yes, she plays softball too). I took it out in all of the photos except for the two above because you can only see about a quarter of the bruise but I think it pays homage to her athletecism and all-around general hard-core-ness.
Suspenders AND a romper all in the same shoot?! AM I DREAMING?!?! Love your style, Sarah.
Fierce. Fierceness in romper-form.
Sarah, you are absolutely fabulous! Here’s to a wonderful start at Clarendon in the fall! I know you’ll do great.
Ever been paid in ceramic acorns? I have.
I took some photos to document one of my very dear friend, Amanda Ratheal’s senior ceramics show and to thank me she gave me a jar of ceramic acorns she had made for her Intentional Varience show. Her work was focused on seeds, water, trees and (as always) windmills. If you’re interested in seeing any of her work, you can view it at this facebook photo album on the Jillian Zamora Photography like page.
In other news — I finally got business cards!
Annnnnnnnnnnnd I got this cute business card holder from Ellejay’s etsy shop for just TWO DOLLARS. Steal.
Hit me up if you’d like to score some of these cards — I’d love to further disperse them!
 And, because I spent all Mothers’ Day with my momma, here’s a late (photographic) shout-out to my darling mother. I wouldn’t have my quirky quips, grammar intuitiveness, my love of reading, or as much drive for Scripture memory had it not been for this woman right here. Momma, I love you and I thank you.
 
Dear blog readers, meet Laura and Matt.
Laura and I had talked about working a bit of travel flair into their engagement session, as both Laura and Matt had individually served as missionaries overseas before they met AND they are planning to serve overseas as missionaries TOGETHER after their wedding this July.
I love connections. I really just do. Laura is the cousin of the boyfriend of my good friend Ashley. Connection.
So we’re walking along together to the first location and this is when I first find out that Matt had actually served overseas in Nepal specifically. I asked him when he was there and he told me the years and I say, “I think that’s when my cousin was a journeyman in Nepal . . . “
“Who’s your cousin?”
“Josh Daniels.”
“Josh was my missions partner!”
Talk about connections. My instant reaction was to punch Matt in the arm out of sheer excitement, but I can’t be sure what I did. It all happened so fast. So, um, sorry if I punched you, Matt.
Get it, girl.
They’re not quite sure yet where they want to live once they’re married, but they’re considering Madrid, Spain.
This next photo is a depiction of what Matt does when Laura breaks out her sweet dance moves.
BUT if we compare face from the last photo to this next photo, I’d say he’s probably pretty okay with whatever Laura decides to do.
Just look at that smug grin. He knows he’s holding something precious.
Love those lines.
It’s really not my fault that I couldn’t choose between the above photo and this next one . . .
And so what if this spot inspired me to get on a black and white kick? (Fred Armisson:Â “So what. Who cares?” Anyone? Anyone?)
Just beautiful, Laura.
One last outfit change and then it was on to downtown Fort Worth to add a bit more of a city feel into the mix.
I was told that Laura and Matt both have, er, obsessive tendancies with their beverages of choice. For Matt, it’s Coca-Cola. For Laura, Starbucks does the trick.
And we ended it all with a game of speed scrabble — Laura and Matt’s favorite.
I loved this super-personalized session, Laura and Matt. Thank you for bringing it all to the table!
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