A Big Announcement

This post is going to be a personal, and definitely a bitter-sweet one.

I know I don't talk about my family much here but we do have young children at home, and like many working parents, I have found myself struggling more and more with finding a good work/life balance.  Especially in the past couple of years I have felt that my working has become something that has made it harder for me to be the best parent I can be - and so, I have decided to take an extended and indefinitely leave of absence from photography.  I honestly don't know how long it will be - at least a couple of years I would imagine - but I do know that this is something that needs to be done.  In 20 years when I look back on this time in our lives, I'm not going to wish I had worked more.  I'm going to either wish I had spent more time with our kids and our family or I'm going to be glad I made the choices I could to be there as much as possible.  (And I'm so lucky to have an amazing husband who didn't even hesitate in voicing his support when I brought this up to him - even though he will now be the sole bread winner in our family)  And so, this will be my last blog post, at least for awhile....a long while I would imagine.

I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to work as a photographer and to run my own business over the past 10 years.  I have had so much fun and have been able to meet so many wonderful people.  From being a part of a Mardi Gras parade in a small Texas border town to leaving a wedding reception in a helicopter, I have had so many incredible experiences I wouldn't have had otherwise.  So many of the families and couples who have come to me as strangers I now consider to be not just clients but also friends.  Thank you to all of you for your support and for allowing me to be a part of some of the most important events in your lives.

Jeff and Stephanie - The Wedding

The first day of spring arrived here in Texas with plummeting temperatures, blowing winds....and Jeff and Stephanie's wedding. Even though the air was a lot colder than I think anyone was expecting, it was still a beautiful clear day to celebrate the joining of two beautiful people and I was so glad to be a part of it!

Stephanie's dress and veil were magnificent.  We had originally planned on taking pictures on the front steps of St Patrick's, but that plan was scrapped quickly as the wind kept (almost) blowing Stephanie off the stairs.  Here's one we managed to get between gusts.

 We found a nice, sunny, wind-free location just around the corner to continue...

 Jeff and Stephanie had a first look before the ceremony...

 And on to the ceremony...

 Jeff's dad passed away several years ago.  Jeff and Stephanie held a crucifix that belonged to him in their hands as they said their vows.

 What Fort Worth wedding would be complete without the couple changing into boots for the party?!?