Jessica & Donald… The Engagements

What a grogeous couple! I met Jessica a couple of years ago when she worked with my sister, and Colten and Donald have been friends since high school. So, what an honor for me to be able to shoot their engagement photos! Donald was a good sport while Jessica and I chattered on about wedding planning (our weddings are a month apart!). Here’s the good-looking duo…hope you enjoy!

 

 

I cropped in on this picture so you can see the natural…as in NOT Photoshop!…sunflare off Jessica’s HUGE diamond!

I love to make grainy, vintage postcards from these!

Burkett Family Pics

Yuck! Louisiana weather is SO uncooperative sometimes! This holiday session–shot the first week of December–would not be complete without sweltering heat and humidity after a fickle morning shower. Regardless of the obnoxious weather, we had a great time in and around the capitol area, meandering along as we chose.  Jim, Rona and Justin make up the Burkett trio, and I think we captured a pretty good snippet of each of their personalities. Take a look!

 

Missing Pics

Sooo, there’s kindof a reason why I haven’t posted pics in a while. Depression. Sadly, there are a few sessions that I have not and will not be able to post until further notice due to a damaged hard drive. Long story, but turns out a backup drive sometimes isn’t backup enough. Note to self for future: have backup for backup for backup.  As an optimist though, it is only fitting I find a couple of “at least’s” in the situation: 1) at least no client did not receive their pics…the only session I hadn’t delivered pics for was still on my camera! I did have to completely re-edit, but that was a small price to pay; 2) at least the now-inaccessible 3 years of photographic work is not COMPLETELY lost…for a pretty penny I can have the data retrieved by a very expensive specialist. But pay close attention to the key phrase: “for a pretty penny.” *sigh* I’ll keep you posted… In the meantime, here’s a tribute to my MIA photos:

Emily & Allen Paul Mire’s UnChristmas Pics

DSFPC Youth Christmas Banquet

Goins Family Christmas Pics

Henry Family Christmas Pics

Cotten Boys Christmas Pics

Gonzales Family Christmas Pics

I Am Blessed

I can’t believe I’ve allowed such a huge time gap between blog updates, but I do believe it’s possible. Girls, if you’ve ever had to plan a wedding with your mom 6 hours away, you’ll know where I’m coming from. It’s been a very physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting process, to say the very least. My talented mom does what she can from there, and has been able to break away a few times to come help me with things she can’t do over the phone, but it’s still been tough on both of us. Thanks to all the friends and family who’ve put aside your own schedules to be supportive and helpful in any way possible. I have a hard time doling out tasks to people when I know everyone is just as busy as me, but it means a lot to know that you’re there should I be able to let go of one detail.

On to better things! Okay, I am officially blessed! I have always loved the idea behind the phrase, “Pay It Forward”, and have tried to make that a golden rule in my life. Many times it comes back to you ten fold, and sometimes it comes back in the form of that other phrase: “No good deed goes unpunished.” Ha! Well, in this instance, my years of paying it forward worked out in my favor! While “photographer shopping” for my own upcoming wedding, I found a local photographer (altho she’s in no way limited by the “local” part!) who was offering the chance to win free wedding day photography to the winner of a contest she was running. Simply send in a sweet story about you and your sweetheart, it read. So, on a whim, I did! When I should have been working on photos, I sat and quickly typed up the story of my sweetheart’s very personal and well-planned proposal to me. Two weeks later, I received an email from Robin DePaula congratulating me on being the winner of her contest. I was speechless! Surely…wait…no…not really, huh?? I called my mom squealing with excitement. “Should I accept??” I asked slyly. My dad hates for me to be disappointed, so he tried to keep me calm until I confirmed that it was legitimate. Well, guys…it IS legit! I am the proud winner of wedding day photography by the fabulous Robin Depaula! For a complete writeup about the contest, as well as my submission, check out her blog at Robin Depaula Photography. I hope to one day be able to offer someone the same blessing that I received a few weeks ago…the opportunity to have amazing wedding day photography for free! Pay it forward!

I know it’s not Thanksgiving, but I’m just feeling sappy. So here are a few things that I’m thankful for right now:
- My God…without Whom my life would be empty and meaningless.
- My devoted family who I love more than life itself.
- My amazing husband-to-be who I’m excited about marrying! Only 50 days left!!! Run now or forever be stuck.
- My awesome church family. Thanks for the touching display of love at our bridal shower recently!
- My fabulous friends who are always there for me, no matter what time of day. Thanks for being so dependable that I know whenever I call, you’ll answer!

I’ll be back soon with updates from my last 10 shoots. Yes. I said 10. I’m that far behind.

The Lovely Lauren

You know, I really believe our good Lord to be just and fair. But I for one think it is really unfair of Him to give one person (i.e. Lauren) the gift of such stunning inner AND outer beauty. It doesn’t hurt either that she’s probably one of the sweetest little ladies you’ll ever meet. And Godly. That’s a dynamite combo. In an effort to capture the essence of Lauren, we got some amazing beauty shots as well as some really heart-pricking photos of her studying her Bible quizzing cards. If you don’t know her, just take my word for it. Beauty…inside and out.

^ Lauren was voted Quizzer of The Year at the North American Bible Quiz Tournament!

^ Lauren with her suitcase and trophies. This is pretty much everything she does!

^ This photo gets my heart every time. (I’m playing with some textures here, in case you can’t tell)

Courtney…the New Tyra

But of course, I’m referring to Tyra Banks. Courtney Oubre was such an BLAST! For her ANTM-esque shoot, we drove to Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and had so much fun sneaking into chain link fences, ignoring nosey onlookers, and changing in the car. We got the fun shots as well as the serious senior pics she was looking for. I hope you LOVE them, Courtney! You’re gorgeous!!!

To all my followers <snicker!>: Please forgive the posting delay. I’ve been slammed for the holidays and posting pics has gotten pushed to the back burner. Check back again over the weekend as I’ll be posting pics from the last five shoots (yes, I’m that far behind!).

The Holmes-Ray Wedding

What a beautiful Saturday it was for this lovely ceremony and this super sweet couple. Both Heather and John were so amazingly gracious all day to every guest. I think it’s evident how kind and fun they are by the number of attendants in their wedding… 12 bridesmaids, 12 groomsmen, and 4 ushers!! Wow! That was the only challenge of the day…getting all those people together. But we got it done!

Thanks for the honor of shooting your wedding, guys! Congrats again and I wish you the greatest blessings in life.

Katie & Benjamin…And A Bun In The Oven

Sounds like a nursery rhyme. Ironic seeing how they’re probably going to reciting nursery rhymes in their sleep in the next couple of months! This was my first maternity shoot and I was both nervous and excited, but I think it was a great success, and I’m excited to let you see! Hope you enjoy!

The Hairfords

The Hairford family and I go to church together, and I’ve shot these lovely little ladies before so we’re all comfortable together. It’s interesting what kids remember… Hailey COULD remember me as “the choir director lady” or even the “crazy lady”, but rather she still reminisces over our May photo shoot with me as “the picture lady.” The good thing about this is that we’re now cool with me on one side of the camera and her on the other. She’s a doll and loves to smile and flash those HUGE blue eyes at me. Little Hannah’s got so much personality, and if you look reeeeal close, you might can see it! They’re all a really great team and were lots of fun to shoot. Thanks, Dad, for patiently waiting to get your requested state capital shots at the very end (notice we strategically did that so that you wouldn’t give up until you got your shot! ha!). Thanks guys!

Here’s a few from our shoot back in May, celebrating Hannah turning 1-year-old!

So Far Behind…

It’s crazy how far behind you can get…one minute a time. All you have to do is lose control for a second and…WHAM! You’re done. You get hit with more than you can catch up with. It’s like that slow-motion fall where you can’t get your feet to catch up with your head. Well…that makes sense in Mandy world, at least.

Thanks for your patience with me, all my great friends. I have lots of great excuses…like the full time job, the mom in town with knee surgery, and the like. But the bottom line is, I just got a little overloaded. But finally, there’s light at the end of the tunnel! I’m about to post pics from 3 of my last 7 shoots. (yeah…maybe THAT’s why I’m behind!) Check ‘em out, then check back soon to see more from the rest of the recent shoots!