Alyse French Photography | Houston-Based Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer

So, I’ve had about ten people personally mention “Tidbit Tuesdays” to me in the last week alone. And for some reason I’m still shocked whenever I find out that anyone reads my blog! Well, I guess the pressure’s on.. Here we go for round four!!

Well! For starters, I’d like to bring to your attention something I think is pretty darn sweet. If you remember this post, then you know Karly and Kyle are movin’ on up! They’ve just launched their new website, and it’s seeping with photos taken by yours truly. I feel so honored to play a part in presenting this duet’s talent to the universe. To visit the website, go to KarlyJurgenson.com, and click on “Karly & Kyle” in the upper-right corner. Also, if you’re interested, Karly and Kyle have their new Christmas album up for grabs right here! If any of ya’ll are as obsessed as I am with “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” by Frank Loesser, you don’t want to miss out on this album!

Woah, I just had a minor panic attack when I looked down and thought one of the diamonds had fallen out of my engagement ring. Turns out I just have bad eyes. Thank God!

Today marks the first day of the last week of my last fall semester ever! Did you follow that? It’s funny though.. Graduation grows ever nearer, but I sorta, kinda, keep forgetting? Because…

I’m getting married!! And my project list continues to grow larger and larger and larger. Who wants to help me cut 50 yards of burlap, wash 200+ antique plates and 160 old bottles and vases, assemble 230 programs, and make 200+ favors?? No seriously.. Anyone want to have a project party!! :)

Oh! Speaking of antiques and things! One of the perks of planning our wedding is getting to go to all sorts of antique shops and thrift stores. I’m so fascinated by old things, I’m pretty sure I was born in the wrong century. The other day we were shopping around and Dylan sweetly said, “If you find a purse you like, I want to get it for you.” But, I talked him into buying two vintage suitcases instead. (And before you think I’m greedy, they amounted to $5! Talk about a steal!) I’m sure we’ll find some purpose for them! :) For every one thing I find for the wedding, there are about five more things I want for our house someday! So Anthropologie. (Inside joke, ha!)

So I have an idea. And I don’t want to do it unless readers are interested.. Here’s the thing: I want to increase my blogging per week. I’m thinking perhaps a weekly before/after tutorial explaining my work flow. Or how about some sort of FAQ-type post? Anybody wanna vote? Or suggest something different? Comment NOW!! :)

I just bit my tongue ridiculously hard. And nearly cried. Or maybe I did cry…

Okay, so those of you who really know me, will know that the name Jasmine Star is pretty much a household term for me. Well, today my Google Reader told me to read Jazzy’s newest blog post and I thought I’d share – The First Look: Groom’s Perspective. For those of you who don’t know what a “first look” is, it’s simply a time before the wedding ceremony when the bride and groom can see each other for the first time. It not only allows your photographer to be less rushed in trying to get great images, but it is often one of the only times a couple can truly be alone during their entire day. A lot of couples tend to think that seeing each other before the wedding will somehow ruin or lessen the emotion of that long-awaited walk down the aisle. But the grooms in this post will tell you otherwise. And that it was the best choice they could have ever made for their wedding day. Needless to say, Dylan and I will be having our own “first look.” So excited!

New favorite website alert! Visit ModCloth.com. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Unless you’re a boy. ;)

I will end this post with a few pics from this past weekend spent in the big NYC with Dylan, Cal and Naomi. I will start with this: I am so thankful for GPS’s. (Pssst.. YAY depth of field!)

Quick little story about this next pic.. When we stopped in Pennsylvania to get gas, I was standing outside with Dylan. I don’t remember what provoked it exactly, but Dylan did something silly and I went to jokingly hit him. Mind you, Dylan constantly laughs at what a weakling I am, and that no matter how hard I try I can never hurt him. So this time, I really, really tried. But I swung and hit the gas pump instead. It doesn’t look that painful, but trust me, it was!! Stupid, stupid girl!!

My boy waiting for the train. :) HOTTT.

The pigeon on the far left made me so happy. What an adorable little fatty!!

How about this angle? Told you so!!

Speaking of birds.. Pretty sure this poor, unfortunate soul got pooped on..

A true friend is one that will wipe the bird crap off of your head while boarding gate 10 in Newark Penn Station. (Sorry for the out-of-focus-ness.)

My future brother-in-law, Calvin, and his girlfriend, Naomi. :) Love you guys to pieces!!

And I’ll leave you with this yummy plate of Turkish food! So many bright, beautiful colors, and AMAZING flavors!!

Happy Tuesday! Oh, and another portrait shoot should be up on the blog this week, so stay tuned! :)

I know, I know, I know. This should be Tidbit Tuesday #5, but life’s been a bit crazy as of late! Maybe I’ll make this a long one, to make up for lost time. :)

Well people, there are two weeks of classes left this semester. Yeah.. TWO. My brain pretty much resembles the mashed potatoes I had for Thanksgiving. These next two weeks have to be the most productive weeks of my life to date, and I don’t think I’m prepared for that. Can I get a shout-out of encouragement, readers??

OH! How have I left this tidbit until the second tidbit?! There is a beautiful and quite literally captivating NEW CAMERA sitting on my desk. :) And a new, equally as lovely, lens on its way to steal my heart. As my business has grown more and more, I’ve been able to reap the benefits of all my hard work! It’s funny though, because it’s not the equipment that excites me most. What does is the ability to use new equipment and a new blog to become a better photographer. So flipping excited to grow! More, more, more!!

Okay, I have decided that ruby red grapefruit juice is pretty much the best way to start my day. Except when I have a sore throat. :/

Ever watched the shows Ace of Cakes or Cake Boss? Well, I am add.ic.ted. If I didn’t already love what I do, I would do cakes, or at least think about being able to do cakes! Hmm..

I NEED to start Christmas shopping, but I have no idea where to start. Dylan is SO difficult to shop for. He’s like my mom in that way. He asks for business shirts – the wrinkle-free kind. And mom asks for towels. Okay, seriously, what fun are business shirts or towels?? I need some better ideas! Amazon.com, here I come!

This weekend, I’m escaping to NYC with Dylan, my future brother-in-law, and his girlfriend. We’re not sure what’s on the agenda yet, but it will involve visiting Dylan’s older brother, and his girlfriend as well. It will be so nice to get away from the stress of school and wedding planning, and just enjoy one long triple date! :) Ahh, not to mention that fact that I will have my new 50mm 1.4 with me! Expect some pretty sweet images on the bloggity after this trip!

So my wedding is now 194 only days away! Seriously?! There’s not even a 3 in the hundreds place, or a 2! But a ONE?! Props to TheKnot for reminding me how little time we have to get SO much done! 195 days figures out to about 6 and a half months. I’ve thus decided that I will enjoy food and laziness until the exact 6-month point, December 13, and THEN make friends with the bulky elliptical sitting all lonely-like in my living room, along with all of my long lost pilates equipment. Gotta look fab in my amazing dress. :)

Reason #98273409 why I love my new blog: It’s distracting me from reading “The Case for the Personhood of Gorillas” by Francine Patterson and Wendy Gordon. Remind me why I’m in this class again?

Hey readers, where do you think Dylan and I should live after we get married? Anybody got some favorite must-live place you wanna share?? I dream and dream of Cali, but my man says no. Someday I will convince him! (I hope!) Comment now!

Oh man! I just have to share this crazy dream I had the other night! Mind you, I am infamous for my radically bizarre dreams. One time, I watched my cat turn into an onion before my very eyes – just to give you some perspective. Hah! Well, last Thursday night, I dreamt that it was our wedding day, and that I missed the entire ceremony! Well, not missed-missed. I was there, alright. But I sleepwalked down the aisle in an unconscious stupor, and only woke up during the kiss because everyone was shouting. All I kept thinking in my dream was, “I missed my own wedding! I didn’t get to see the look on Dylan’s face. I didn’t get to hear him say his vows. Who even knows how I said mine?!” When I woke up the next morning, I made Dylan promise to make sure I’m fully awake on that special Sunday afternoon. He said he’s gonna snap in my face once my dad gives me away.

Okay people, it is time I immerse myself in “The Case for the Personhood of Gorillas.” Sorry, just had to say that again! Stay tuned for a family shoot on Thursday!! :)