On Monday morning at 5:51 a.m. I woke up to the eighth phone call (a combined effort between my sister and my mother) with the most wonderful news — my sister had gone into labor and she and her husband, Sam, were en route to the hospital. I was one of the first to be notified because I had volunteered to document this blessed occasion! Fifteen minutes after getting off the phone with my mother (and after contemplating what one wears to photograph their first labor and delivery) I was in my car headed to Fort Worth, camera in hand, nervous-excited jitters in full swing. On the way there, I came to the conclusion that the next time someone was tailgating me that I would just give them the benefit of the doubt that their sister was probably in labor.
By the time I had arrived at the hospital I thought I was the one in labor because it felt like my tear ducts were having contractions — I kept getting hit with waves of emotion at what was about to take place.
And so it began . . .
(The Full House PREGNANCY EPISODE was on in the waiting room!! “HOW TOPICAL,” my brother shouted!)
The second I saw Jasper I just LOST it. I didn’t know I would, but I did. Tears. (quietly). Everywhere. Obviously I kept taking photos through the waterworks but I cried to such a ridiculous extent that the nurses and doctors made fun of me.
The only way I can describe it is that it was such an overwhelming sense of joy, newness, and excitement in thinking about the journey my sister had just been though in the past nine months and the journey that had just begun for her and Sam for the rest of their lives. And then praise to my Creator for bringing all of this together.
I think it was at about this point that the tears slowed to a normal level. This was also the moment I deemed him my “little potato nephew” because I thought he looked like a potato all wrapped up like that. It was the first thing that came to my mind.
Favorite moment — the new family gathered closely together just quietly soaking it all in before heading out to tell the rest of the family in the waiting room.
To clarify the above photo, the second baby is Colby. Jalesa’s best friend starting from childhood was pregnant with a baby girl at the same time as Jalesa and she gave birth to Colby just a few weeks before Jalesa. This is their first photo together and we plan on setting them up in the future.
My second favorite moment of the day was when my dad got to see Jasper for the first time after he closed down his store. He took him in his arms and couldn’t look away from the babe for a solid half hour.
Precious.
 Welcome to the world, Jasper Dean. You are loved more than you more than you could possibly know.
Everything about this day was just wonderful.
The sun was shining, the weather was crisp, I was getting to photograph friends of mine, and those friends were beaming from the get-go.
Lauren and I became friends in college at UNT where we served in the Baptist Student Ministry together. Lauren is driven, quick to help the people around her, and really such a sweetheart to the core — even though she probably wouldn’t admit it. Never in my three years at college did I see Lauren swoon over a guy — even if she did, she was much too calculated for obvious displays of affection like many college girls seemed inclined to.
But then there was Brad.
It didn’t appear to be an instant attraction. It wasn’t an immediate whirlwind romance.
But it was steady and sure.
I graduated before I got to see much of the two of them as a couple. Seeing them together during the shoot was just such a sweet time for me to see how incredibly happy Lauren is with Brad at her side and the tender admiration in which Brad so obviously holds Lauren.
They both appear to be thoroughly, utterly and exceptionally smitten.
Lauren’s only request for the session was that there be a dock worked in at some point because she had bought Brad the (calculated) Christmas gift of a pair of Sperrys . . . to later be used in an engagement session . . .
I’m excited because I can see that y’all are so, so happy together. I simply cannot wait for your September wedding!
Oh me, oh my, where has the day gone? I have been wanting to blog this engagement session ALL DAY LONG.
Why?
1. Paige and Justin are photographers. And they chose me to shoot their engagements. HIGHEST COMPLIMENT a photographer can pay another photographer is to ask them to shoot them. Sure, it’s a bit nerve-wracking and you’re all “0hmygoodnessI’mphotographinganotherphotographerohwaitTWOphotographerswhatif(insert photography mistake here)happensandtheypointandLAUGHatme????” but the majority of the time (insert photography mistake) doesn’t happen and most of the time my clients are too sweet to point and laugh even if it did.
2. Paige is wearing lots of sparkles. Sparkles are my favorite.
3. These two are just gorgeous, wonderful, big-hearted people. And when I say big-hearted I mean during the course of  the session Justin not only stopped to get a bottle of water, a snack and some cash out of his car to give to a homeless man we passed but also prayed with him before parting ways. Yah. Big, sincere, Jesus-loving hearts these two have. Also, they love each other a lot, a lot. And I very much enjoyed taking photos for them.
Also, did I mention that their super-secret location choice was killer? Killer.
Paige and Justin, it was a pleasure and an honor working with you both.
x’s and o’s!
Blog readers, don’t forget to enter/share the JZP wedding photography giveaway! For details, read this blogpost.
It rained on the December Saturday that Jessi and Bobby got married.
It rained when James and I were loading camera equipment into the car. (Alright, alright, it was mostly James.)
It rained the whole drive to the wedding venue — TPC Craig Ranch.
It kept on raining while we photographed Jessi and Bobby getting ready for the big day.
But right as it came time to take portraits before the ceremony — the rain stopped. It was as if this whole Jessi-Bobby-getting-married thing was meant to be or something.
Before Jessi and Bobby’s first look, Jessi wanted a moment alone with her dad to see her for the first time in her wedding dress.
Shortly thereafter we got Bobby all set up to see his bride.
After the big reveal we spent some time meandering around the country club, soaking up the excitement of what was to come shortly, and watching Jessi and Bobby being just giddy-happy together.
And right as we finished up bride-groom portraits the clouds returned and the rain started again. Like I said, I think Jessi and Bobby were just meant to have pretty, outdoor portraits because it was the only dry time of the entire day.
The rain was not a problem for us as we finished up with wedding party portraits because the inside of TPC Craig Ranch was beautiful as well!
Bobby and Jessi’s dog was the ring-bearer — complete with bow tie.
The toasts from the maid of honor, best men and fathers of the bride and groom were so heartfelt, often funny and also insightful. I was definitely left wanting to know more about the story from Bobby’s dad’s toast about the first time he had the pleasure of meeting Jessi!
 Jessi and Bobby, James and I are so happy for you two and feel truly blessed to have been able to document y’all’s day. Thank you, thank you for choosing us to do so!
Y’all are beautiful people with beautiful hearts and it was such a pleasure to work with you.
Also blog readers, don’t forget to enter/share the JZP wedding photography giveaway going on until February 22nd! For full details, click here.
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