Alyse French Photography | Houston-Based Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer bio picture
  • Welcome to my blog!

    Hello lovely readers! Chances are that if you've made it here, you've followed me from my old blog. (THANK YOU!!) I've transferred all of my old posts, however, so you can still catch them here!

    I'm just a young and in love wife, sister, daughter, and friend - who happens to be a photographer. My passion hinges on warm, soft light, shallow depth of field, and freezing beautifully fleeting moments in time with my camera. Not to mention, Jesus, being organized, sushi with extra-extra ginger, making music with my guitar, anything and everything vintage, and Dylan-smell.

    So make yourself at home, take a look around, leave a comment or two 'cause comments make me happy, and subscribe via the link above, or via Google Reader to keep up with the latest!

Aunt Martha’s Bed & Breakfast | Richfield Springs, NY: Lisa & Jonathan

There are some brides and grooms who just exude that explosive, fiery, 180 dB sort of love. (That’s the decibel level of a rocket launching for ya’ll who aren’t pro-Googlers like myself.) And then there are others, whose love, albeit more quiet, holds just as much passion. Others, who’ve enjoyed a life-long friendship. And who, amid the chaos of last minute wedding day preparations, can be still and know the day has finally come when their best friend will so soon become so much more. Lisa and Jonathan are that bride and groom.

L & J – It was such a joy capturing your beautiful day. The love you both share for one another is so evident and sweet. Thank you for the honor of documenting that love. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek! :)

You can never go wrong with a beautiful dress in a beautiful tree. Word.

I could have shot in the Andela’s living room my whole life looong! So much character!

Perhaps a new favorite ring shot?
Dear Lisa, even when you’re out of focus, you’re drop dead gorgeous.
Love, love, LOVE this moment between Lisa and her aunt, with mini-Lisa capturing it from a different angle.
Wildflowers = Bomb.
Dear grooms of the future, bow-ties done right are saaa-weet!! Do it up!
Meet Jonathan. His face says it all. “There she is..”
And BAM. Married. :)
Lisa and Jonathan were a dream come true when it came to their wedding day timeline. Not only did the 2.5 hours between the ceremony and reception leave me ample time to complete formals, wedding party, and B&G shots. But it also allowed time for my car to completely shut off while driving. See the backstory here. ;)
The folks at Villa Isidoro were kind enough to let us shoot there for a bit.
FAVORITE from the entire day. Beauty-LICIOUS.
Work it, Jonathan! WORK IT. ;)
Doesn’t this remind you of a cute little gingerbread house?
I always love watching the way a groom holds his new bride on the dance floor. I think he loves her. :)
Happy Thursday!

September 2, 2010 - 12:17 PM

Amy - Dear Alyse, this is entirely beautiful. And the ring shot…BRILLIANT…I am in love with it.

September 2, 2010 - 11:52 AM

Kristen Padula =) - yayy I’ve been waiting all day for this =) beauty. she kinda looks like Jane from the new Pride and Prejudice. and the wildflowers certainly are the bomb. I don’t even know what to say about them. nice work, Alyse love =)

Tidbit Tuesday #38

People think I’m outgoing. And I guess they’re right. If anyone knows that, my clients certainly do. I’ll make a complete fool out of myself to get a genuine laugh out of you. (F’real, I am funny.) But there’s this certain situation that seems to cripple me every time. And it’s when I’m at my weakest. My hungriest. Be it Chipotle, Subway, or Cold Stone, I simply can’t gather up the nerve to place my order. There’s something about saying “barbacoa,” then “pinto beans,” then “that watery salsa in the upper-right corner” that is so daunting. Maybe it’s all the choices that intimidate me. Or maybe its the fact that whatever Dylan orders is ALWAYS better than whatever I order, so I just stand in line behind him and say, “I’ll have whatever he’s having.” I am a walking contradiction.

Every time someone in Houston learns I’m new to the area – let alone, that I’m from blustery upstate New York, they gasp, “Gosh, how are you adjusting to the heat?” To which I reply, “Who knows? I live in the AC.” I remember I live in Texas when I’m getting the mail, but that’s about it on a daily basis. So on the two month anniversary of becoming official Houstonians, Dylan and I finally went in the pool yesterday. Because we live in Texas. Apparently.

Song of the week: In the Shadow of the Glorious Cross by Mars Hill Church in Seattle. I’mma be honest. I love a good hymn every time and again. I was introduced to this winner at church this past Sunday and was floored. And the best news? It’s free on iTunes in Podcast form. DO IT.

Photographer spotlight: Caroline Joy, based out of Abilene, TX. What, oh what to say about a photog with some of the sweetest branding I’ve ever seen? Well for starters, she has some of the sweetest branding I’ve ever seen. :) Caroline‘s style is photojournalistic and inspirationally creative all at once. Her images tell a story in the strictest sense of the phrase. Follow her work, and fall in love.  Her website. Her blog.

I’ve never been much of a movie-watching type girl. My idea of a good time is sitting and – imagine this – TALKING. About everything. Dylan will be the first to tell you I switch topics about once every 30 seconds, so when I say everything, I mean ev-er-y-thaaang. But with that said, I am a sucker for going to the movies. Real movie-watching fun happens where you can people-watch, movie-watch, and candy-eat simultaneously. This past weekend, Dylan and I saw Dinner for Schmucks, and I snuck in some Fun DipMamba, and Airheads. You know how we cool kids from the 90′s do.

I’m looking to pick up a hobby. Isn’t that such a strange phrase? Pick up a hobby. It’s like saying, “Please tell me what I like.” Nonetheless, I’d love to know.. What is YOUR favorite hobby? And can I steal it? I’m looking for something non-photo related. If it involves ice cream, however, count me IN.

I know it seemed I tricked you all into thinking Lisa and Jonathan’s wedding would be up last week. But the plan has always been to post this Thursday. I just wanted to wet your appetite a little early. ;) Perhaps you’d like another taste? Yes? Okay. Enjoy, and come back in a couple days for more of THIS beauty!

Happy Tuesday!

September 1, 2010 - 10:22 AM

André - First, just let me say that you are a great writer Alyse, extraordinarily engaging and illustrative, demonstrated clearly in your blog. Second, I concur with others that suggest something of a vocal nature, having been on the receiving end of your unusual gift. Third, You dabble in the guitar, an instrument that may at this moment be resurrected from its casket if you find the idea appealing. Then too, there is the keyboard, whose multifunctionality is just waiting to surprise and inspire you. Tunes like the Mars Hill offering you mentioned are extremely pick-up-and-playable, and something that would serve to warm your chops and rebuild your callouses. So what do you get when you combine a great writer with a great voice and a hunger to play? You get a songwriter. …just sayin’ :)

September 1, 2010 - 9:20 AM

Diane - omg!!! yes, lorae is right..i don’t know why i didn’t think of it!! there must be open mic opportunities!!!! do it!!! your voice is amazing

September 1, 2010 - 3:57 AM

lorae - anyone on here who’s heard you sing will agree – your new hobby should involve singing – join a musical group of some kind – you have too much of a gift for it to go unused :) there’s probably a good singer/songwriter community in houston…and i bet a lot of people need studio backup singers…and harmonies…hint hint ;) ‘amember how we used to fight over those…

August 31, 2010 - 8:36 PM

pam - some of my favorite hobbies are baking (mmmm and eating all the goodies!), crocheting & needle point. I feel like such an old lady but I’ve loved it all since I was a teen! :D

LOL I know how the whole “i live in A/C” thing goes, one summer I didn’t even realize we were breaking records and it was sweltering outside because i was so piled under work.

August 31, 2010 - 3:43 PM

jessica - hey:) what abour air plant gardens, gardens in a jar, terraniums…i am so into them right now! google it…

August 31, 2010 - 2:04 PM

Kate D - so can I just say that I love that i’m back to my routine of reading your blog with something tasty after school. I hope so because I just did.haha .watercolor painting is one of my hobbies and such a blast. or going to bead shops and picking out pretty things to make into jewelery. or biking. but i suppose that doesn’t quite work in houston. p.s. I think you mentioned baby turbtles a couple posts ago. and I LOVE BABY TURTLES. I want one something fierce.

August 31, 2010 - 10:21 AM

Diane - Just checked out Caroline Joy…wow…great stuff…reminds me of YOUR style

August 31, 2010 - 10:17 AM

Jesslyn Amber - Decoupaging!!! It’s addicting…for me anyway. :)

August 31, 2010 - 10:17 AM

Diane - How about cooking? Pick one thing per wk. that you want to try and make it!

August 31, 2010 - 9:44 AM

Caroline Joy - you’re lovely! this made my day. :)

August 31, 2010 - 9:20 AM

Peter - Alyse, seriously, you can’t go wrong with baseball cards

August 31, 2010 - 8:17 AM

Jeeana - As a fellow transplant from Upstate, I have to chime in and say that you should know you live in the South because your electric bill is ridiculous. Ridiculous.

Also, I love you.

August 31, 2010 - 8:16 AM

Stephanie Pillsbury - I looooooove to crochet afghans for family and friends, alyse. Especially in the winter because the blanket jeeps my legs warm! Ive picked up a new stitch (the granny square!) and it’s so easy and fun to do!

The Greatest Privilege

It’s Friday morning. Bon Iver sings over me sweet melodies, calling me out of my slumber in the worst way. I’m at my desk, and I’ve opened our blinds for the first time in two months. We live directly across from a 24/7 fitness center with glass walls. You might imagine the intimidation that results from open blinds… The sky is beginning its metamorphosis. And it’s beautiful. Sometimes the sky just blows me away. God is a true artist. It’s casual Friday, which means my extra-fine husband is a walking Express ad. (I love Fridays.) And for the first time in quite some time, I have the weekend off. Like every free weekend, I will try to convince Dylan to take me to the aquarium. It probably won’t happen, but just the idea makes me happy. (P.S. I really, really want a baby turtle.)

Which brings me to the point of this haphazard post. Life is good. I’ve been so blessed to enjoy some of the most ordinary, yet beautiful things in life. Bon Iver. Fresh mornings. And one mighty good-looking husband. This week in particular has gotten me all reflective and sappy and, if you can believe it, even more Alyse-like. (Case in point: I cried at an Oreo commercial just the other day. Yeah.. I know.) The icing on the cake was receiving brownies from a client’s mother (an absolute stranger to me) who lives more than a thousand miles away. She thanked me for making her daughter and soon-to-be son so happy with their engagement images. That’s it. Just happy. Oreo cookies, or gourmet fudge brownies, you can only assume my reaction..

I am just so thankful to be doing what I do. Often times I get consumed in the editing, the marketing, the planning. And then clients come along, who validate what I do and why I do it, over and over again. I asked Patricia, daughter of brownie-momma, if I could share this message she sent me a couple weeks ago. Because it rocked my world. And because it made me so ridiculously appreciative of my clients, for trusting me to document their love. It is a privilege beyond my wildest dreams. Truly..

“I just wanted to send you another quick note of thanks. The response to the photographs from family and friends has been otherworldly! I have to say I’ve probably gone back to view the pictures 100+ times (and I wish that was an exaggeration).  You captured us… our family so perfectly.  It’s really the response from everyone that means the most…’You can see the happiness and peace… The pictures are so YOU.’ And for you to see that in us… Well it’s a gift, so thank you.”

“It’s hard to see your relationship from the outside, when you are in it, and I guess this is really the first time I’ve seen Mike and I as parents, and as a couple from everyone elses vantage point. And through your photography, I’ve realized even more how special what we have is… Thank you for that gift.”

To my brides and grooms: Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For including me in your love stories. And for making life so chocolaty-sweet.

I leave you with a few images of the newest sample albums to grace my shelves. If you’ve ever wondered “What, oh what do albums from Alyse French Photography look like?!” look no further than here. And f’real, I’m sure you’ve ALL thought that, right? ;)

And my brownies. :) I assure you, they were gone in no time.

Happy Friday and have a fabulous weekend!!

August 27, 2010 - 5:56 PM

jessica - thank God for His obvious goodness to you and through you!!! I am so thankful for your whole-hearted pursuit in your gifting and call!!! Your gift and His glory being made manifest in these lives and photos! i imagine the hard times and good times in each relationship…and those in the photos…well, them looking at one of your albums and being able to see the power and beauty of the lives/ their lives brought together in and through God’s perfect timing! and He has commissioned you to capture it! With His lense!! AMAZING!!!! i am confident that your gifting submitted to Him is causing a greater pusuit of Him and LOVE!! and even through the decades to come and the memories to be made and the hard/growing times to be had…well, the photos you take…they will remind us all of God’s goodness and LOVE and perfect, amazing ochestration to have brought us to the right one!!! He is good!!! and you’re beautiful pursuit of Him using your gifting is that which even now and in the future is causing and will cause those to pursue righteous living! covenent! LOVE! the deeper things!!! thank you for your example! and making your gift accessible so we can REMEMBER and see Him more!!!!

August 27, 2010 - 3:53 PM

Noël - What’s the E for on your shelf??

August 27, 2010 - 3:14 PM

Diane - You and Pam should go to the aquarium together!!!! hahha

August 27, 2010 - 1:51 PM

pam - you know i’ve never been to the aquarium downtown & am dying to take my son!

i love the books & that card is just a little too awesome. you have the most wonderful clients it seems!

August 27, 2010 - 1:50 PM

pam - you know i’ve never been to the aquarium downtown & am dying to take my son!

i love the books & that card is just a little too awesome. you have the most wonderful clients it seems!

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