Speaking of TV, don’t you just hate it when you realize your favorite show isn’t a reality? I remember when I realized Sesame Street wasn’t legit. And that was only a few years ago. ;) The other day, as I drove home from the grocery store, I experienced a great awakening. Friday Night Lights isn’t real. The characters don’t exist. And neither do their myriad of oh-so-entertaining problems, which (I guess) is a good thing. In light of this new insight, I’ve resigned myself to watching regular old football and hoping with all my might that they live out crazy-dramatic lives just as interesting. :)

Are you ever so tired that you find it impossible to fall asleep? That was me last night. The main culprit? My tear ducts. I think they’re overactive. When I yawn, it’s like my puppy died. Ya know, the one I don’t have yet… I’m thinking of inventing some sort of sleeping glasses made out of tissues so I don’t have to rub at my face all hours of the night.

Ever since I chopped all my hair off, I’ve had this crazy complex about its new length. And in addition to the jumble of questions I mentioned above, Dylan oft’ gets the whole “But are you SURE you like my hair?”.. thing. I am constantly re-evaluating how much it may or may not have grown back. I’m just happy hair grows longer instead of shorter. Imagine that..

I finally convinced Dylan to take me to the Downtown Aquarium yesterday. The highlight: They have this small exhibit with two of the most beautiful white tigers you’ve ever seen. (As if I’ve seen hundreds or something..) The kid that I married began rawring in hopes that we might get the cats’ attention. Instead, he got the attention of a four-year-old girl with blonde curly-cues and a sweet little red dress. She was all, “Stop it! STOP! Because if you just stop and be still and wait, he will look you in the eye and be nice to you.” She sure told him!

Song of the week: If You Would Come Back Home by William Fitzsimmons. I was first introduced to this artist when seeing a Brooke Fraser show in Manhattan a couple years ago. There are some shows where the opening act is meant to make the headliner look extra good in comparison. And then there are others where the opener carries his own weight. Fitzsimmons absolutely blew my mind. And I’ve been hooked ever since.

Photographer spotlight: Millie Holloman. I’m sure all you photogs out there are already all about this ridiculously talented woman and her incredible group of associate photographers. But if not, today is your luckiest day! Based out of Wilmington, NC, this girl leaves me jaw-dropped with every wedding or engagement she shoots. Her style is one that leaves you ooh’ing and ahh’ing at all that sweet, buttery light and glowing subjects. And the best part? She’s genuine, kind, and genuinely-kind about helping other photographers Get it Together. For a Tuesday full of inspiration, check out her website and blog!

Just in case you missed it, Sunday kicked off a new monthly giveaway by Alyse French Photography. Check out this 1 For Me // 1 For You post for details. September’s loot is pretty fab if you ask me. Winner will be picked this coming Saturday at midnight CST!

Now I leave you with a question. A haunting question. The Morrissey’s have been grilling up a storm lately. Steaks one night, clams the next. And let me tell you, it is SO much better than the Bertolli I accidentally leave on the burner too long. Which begs the question: What is your favorite thing to grill? And how do you grill it? I’m a hungry girl, so don’t be shy. :)

And THIS is a ‘picture of a picture’ type deal of my beautiful cousin and bride featured in Thursday’s lovely wedding post. Check back then for some goodies!

Happy Tuesday!

My whole life long, I’ve had this peculiar love for gift-giving. Be it Christmas (I start shopping in September), or my best friend’s birthday, there seriously is little else more fun than giving gifts you know the recipient will actually enjoy. (Okay, okay.. Except the year I got my mom an Easy-Bake Oven since she’d always wanted one as a little girl. Not sure she put that one to enjoyable use as a thirty-something mother of three. But hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?) Here’s where YOU come in…

The deets:

• What: Beginning today, we will be running a monthly giveaway called “1 For Me // 1 For You.” Which is, essentially, exactly what the title implies. If I have one of something that I find useful or cool or just plain purty-looking, I get one for you. And by you, I mean, one of you. ;)
• Who: Anyone and everyone. And their mommas. (Minus mine, of course.) Please see the fine print below for full rules and restrictions on who can enter.
• When: Kickoff is the first Sunday of each month. You will have until the following Saturday at midnight CST to enter. The winner will be chosen at random using the random number generator at Random.org and announced the next morning (the second Sunday of the month).
• Where: You must comment (and answer the specific question asked at the end of the post) on the 1 For Me // 1 For You post to enter. Comments left via Facebook, Twitter or elsewhere will not be taken into consideration.
• Why: Because it’s fun and you could win some pretty sweet loot! :)

Without further ado, this month’s 1 For Me // 1 For You is something I’ve gone 22 years without, for some unknown and crazy reason. I give you: One Vintage Trunk Jewelry Box from Pottery Barn. Wood, hand wrapped in beautiful distressed faux leather, with weathered-iron hardware. No more using ice cube trays to separate my earrings from my necklaces, folks. And I mean it. Now imagine me all Vanna White on you, as I present the lovely item. (Fact: When Dylan was 5, he wanted to marry Vanna White. Today is his lucky day.)

A jewelry box? A super fun prop for a photo shoot? You tell me.And just to prove we’re serious, here is 1 For Me and 1 For You. :)

Question to enter: How will YOU use this item? (Easy enough, right?) Now ready, set, GO!!

Not so fine print: Only one entry allowed per person. All contestants must live within the continental United States and must be able to provide a valid mailing address upon winning. I am not responsible for items that are lost, stolen or damaged during shipment. The winner will have 24 hours to contact me and redeem the item or a new winner will be chosen.

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!

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 Dip, Mamba, 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!

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!!

I notice the little things. Things I swear normal people just.. don’t. Like the rims of yogurt containers. What is UP with how small they are? And yet they still manage to hide an entire spoons-worth of yogurty-goodness inside its ridges. The normal person wouldn’t mind. But I? I finish everything on my plate (slash, yogurt container) no matter the obstacles. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been poked fun at by waiters who were all, “Was there EVER food on that plate?” To which I reply, “Um. I just like food?”

As photographers, we find ourselves in an industry where there’s a constant need for inspiration. Inspiration to shoot. To blog. And ultimately, to create. There are days when inspiration is hard to come by. And then, there are days like yesterday. Yesterday was the best kind of day. Because I was able to put all other things aside and finally start making this all-elusive “rebrand” come to life. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m SO happy with how far it’s come in just a day.

And speaking of inspiration and making moves, HUGE things are coming to the blog. Think Oprah’s Favorite Things. Now of course, I’m no Oprah, and I won’t go into it too much right now. But I will say this: On Sunday, September 5th, there’s only one place you’ll want to be. More to come.. :)

Song of the week: I Will Always Love You by Don Hejny. I could listen to this song about 15 times a day. I guess that means I’ve met today’s queue. :) But who would expect anything less than, say.. 30 clicks on the good ol’ replay button when it comes to any new song I fall in love with. (FYI: This is Dylan’s favorite part about the girl he married.) ;)

I had the most legit carrot cake EVER at my cousin’s wedding this past weekend. I’m talking long julienne carrots that boggled my mind. It was vegetable cake, for crying out loud. And it was fabulously delicious.

Once upon a time, Dylan and I decided we needed a show. One we could stream from NetFlix, two one-hour episodes per night, because what’s better than a little prime-time drama and cuddling on a couch much too small for the both of us? Friday Night Lights. Incredible acting. And shot so realistically. No fancy-shmancy set lighting. A ridiculous amount of jump-cuts. And camera angles so shaky you’d swear Professor Bruce Strong must have reemed out the crew for lack of tripod-use. Like I said, incredible. (Excuse me for going all nerd on you. It’s in the blood.)

And because posts without pictures are just silly, here’s a sneak of Lisa and Jonathan’s Richfield Springs, NY wedding. Coming soon to a blog near you. ;)

Happy Tuesday! :)

Pete and Niki’s wedding day was full of these little moments. On more than one occasion, they caused me to step back and reflect on what this day truly meant. “But Alyse, shouldn’t that be obvious to you by now?” Perhaps.. But shooting was different for me this time around. It was different because for the first time, I knew what it felt like. The anticipation. The joy. The “YES! He’s ALL mine!” So consider this a shout out to my husband. For marrying me and thereby making me a better photographer. ;)

As for Pete and Niki – Thank you! I cannot say enough how honored I am to have documented such a sweet and important day in your lives. Thank you for your trust, your fabulous taste in every wedding detail imaginable, and for being so gosh darn beautiful together. XOXO!!

Fun little fact: I almost wore this J.Crew dress for my own wedding. :)

Niki’s aunt totally rocked OUT her hair.
Lipgloss ad, anyone? Meet Brooke Fraser‘s twin sister, Dana. Absolutely beautiful in every way.

And the sweetest flower girl ever, Miss Sadie. Niki, you are exquisite. Love this sequence of the groom and his future brother primping a bit before the ceremony. Every piece of this wedding was J.Crew. Hence, the vest and tie below. Stay classy, Pete. Niki’s bouquet was in-SANE. Special thanks to Rockcastle Florist.
Sweetest moment of the day. I sure remember what this feels like. :) When Niki and Pete stole a glance at each other during the opening prayer, my heart melted. The two also shared communion together. Sweet, sweet, sweet! Pete’s father performed the ceremony. Just look at him. I think he’s happy or something. :)  My favorite kind of exit. :) Details all around make me a happy girl. :)And black diamonds might just be a girl’s best friend. Thank da’ LORD for warm, buttery light in the middle of the forest. I’ve been staring at this picture for about 10 minutes, wracking my brain for synonyms of “beautiful,” “stunning,” “ow owww.” But alas, I cannot think of any. LOVE this diptych. This? Or this? I call it, “Best Friends.” Caught this little one on the porch. Just precious, isn’t she? Pete’s older brother Joe gave one of the BEST best man speeches I’ve ever heard. And believe you me, I’ve been to a wedding or two.  Niki and her dad, groovin’ to it! These moments are what make me love my job most. I can honestly understand the confusion in the picture on the left. Where, oh where are you supposed to cut a cake worth hundreds of dollars?? Conundrum, indeed. I leave you with Niki, tearing it up and looking fabulous. :)

Happy Thursday!

It’s every photog’s guilty pleasure.. Working too much. A lot of people ask me what I do all day that could possibly take a full 10 hours. Truth is, while Fresh Prince and Everybody Loves Raymond and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne play in the background, I am busy editing and blogging and editing and answering inquiries and editing and running off to client meetings and get this, editing. And I LOVE it. Hence, the pleasure part of “guilty pleasure”. The guilty component comes from the fact that Orchid Sally is on her way out due to neglect, my hallway is still 3/75th’s painted, and this shag rug needs an intense comb-through. I’m thinking of taking a couple days off to finally finish up our home so I can at least blog it. Because, really, we all know that’s what’s most important. ;)

So I’ve had this aching question on the brain for a while now. And maybe you can help me! If you fly over a state’s airspace, can you say you’ve been to that state? Or.. If you’ve set foot in Cincinnati’s airport Starbucks, have you been to Cincinnati? Because my repertoire of travels could stand to include the locations of my last 1,375 layovers.

Speaking of.. Does anyone else judge how safe their flight will be based on how debonaire the pilot’s voice is? Because ya’ll know I do! James Bond could captain my flight any day. Urkel? Not so much.

Props to brides and grooms who are so ridiculously chill that they don’t spazz out when the car I’m driving breaks down between the ceremony and reception! Mind you, it was my parents’ car, which was apparently waiting to die until dearest Alyse came home for a little drive. Props ALSO to brides and grooms who leave 2.5 hours between said ceremony and reception in order to capture formals, b&g portraits, AND to allow for their photographer’s car to mysteriously shut off while cruising down Rt. 28. I cannot say enough about how appreciative I am of solidly solid yet forgiving wedding day timelines! :)

Song of the week: Two Hands by Jars of Clay. Heck, how about every song by Jars of Clay. You know that one band that consistently comes out with amazing-ness after awesome-ness after fabulosity? Jars is that band.

Photog of the week: Megan Lange. A sweet friend, former classmate, and visual story-teller extraordinaire, Megan has always been a source of inspiration and encouragement. Most importantly, she knows her craft forward and backward, as both a journalist and an artist. Check her out *HERE* and *HERE*.

I know it’s Tuesday, but the weekend is already calling my name. On Saturday, Dylan and I get to celebrate with my whole extended family as my sweet and beautiful cousin Abbey marries her best friend Curt. I was so honored to photograph the very moment they got engaged, and now I’m beyond thrilled to document their day!

And now, what today is really about.. (Forgive my hands for making me out to be a little prairie schoolgirl and my entire humanity for making me out to be an idiot.)

Happy Tuesday and congratulations to Kris Milo! :)

I’m realizing I like to give death stares. Not because I’m a meanie, but because I like to keep my nostrils in a state of perpetual flare, my lips pursed tight, and my eyebrows furrowed. This is my concentration face. When I’m editing. When I’m reading. When I’m eating ice cream. You know, the serious stuff. Maybe one day I’ll let you see it. :)

On Sunday, I learned what “eggs over easy” means. I also learned that I love them. Smothered in hollandaise, of course.

This week’s disses go to creepy men on planes who are so creepy you have to run to the back of the plane and shut yourself in the hind lavatory with the stewardess so you can inform her of the suspicious creepage while said creep hides in the business class bathroom for much longer than need be. Sure, I jest now. But it was probably the most terrifying experience of my life. So terrifying, I actually sent Dylan a “Please pray – Scared of guy on plane” text at 33,000 feet, which of course, never even sent. It’s another blog post altogether, really. But when has that ever stopped me? :) I’ll suffice it to say, the captain was informed, and my seat was moved up front since “my stomach hurt due to turbulence.” Yeah right, skeeve ball. I just wanted to get away from your creepy sentiments about “cherishing your memories” while you simultaneously hinted at your hate for America. I have never been SO happy to hear that loud thud of wheels hitting the ground. Thank You, Jesus!

This past weekend, I shot a b-e-a-utiful wedding in Rochester, NY (hense, the flying). And yes, I cried. Because I’m a girl and an artist, and I love love. I cried because shooting weddings reminds me of how much I love my husband. And in turn, how much I love my job.

I ALSO love my husband because over the weekend he informed me there was a “surprise” waiting for me back home. Now usually, a “surprise” means a pack of gum, or a paper flower. You think I’m kidding.. But this time, I walked in at 12:40AM and woke Dylan up with an, “Are you KIDDING ME?!”  As I entered the hallway, I noticed a piece of unfamiliar furniture. More precisely, a GORGEOUS wooden and upholstered chair that is so beautifully vintage and wonderful. Pics will follow when I finally get to blogging our new home. :) Be excited!

If you know me personally, you know I’m quite easily fascinated. By the fact that strawberries can taste THAT incredible all by themselves. That lasers can “read” circular plastic disks to make MUSIC?! What the heck is up with that? Well, I’d like to dedicate this next tidbit to Zingiber Officinale, of the family Zingiberaceae. Yes my friends, ginger – My favorite plant and source of YUM. I could eat pickled ginger all day long. And I’ve been guilty of stealing Dylan’s share of it on sushi dates more than once. What amazes me most about ginger though, is its natural healing properties. Don’t mean to go all hippie on ya’ll, but when I suffered the death that was mono my junior year of college, I found ginger to be the ONLY thing that made me feel better. God just plain amazes me. To think He created such a plant with all of this in mind? BAM.

So, the other night, I walked into the wrong hotel room. Not embarrassing at all..

Which brings me to my next tidbit. (Not really, but I do love me a good transitional sentence!) One of the most rewarding parts of my job is learning that more people than just my mom actually read my blog. Every once in a while, readers come out of the woodwork, be they long, lost classmates from Teddy-Bear Time preschool, or complete strangers from Wooloomooloo, Australia. So for the fun of getting to know you all a little better, and with Alyse French Photography experiencing a rebrand in the near future, we are wondering…

Who are you? A bride? A fellow photog? A buddy ol’pal? What first led you to read this blog and what keeps you coming back for more? What would you like to see more/less of? I’m really interested to see who of you will respond! Everyone who responds via the comment section below will be entered into a random drawing for a $25 iTunes gift card (to be announced next Tuesday). And who doesn’t like more music? Hollaaa.

In conclusion, here’s a tiny sneak of Pete and Niki’s wedding. I’m ploughing through these images like never before, and am hoping to have their post up shortly!

Happy Tuesday!

Early last month I was contacted by Patricia, a bride-to-be, one hot momma, and an enthusiast of all things vintage. She met her fiancé Michael through Match.com, and true to their love of literature, the two had their first date at a Barnes and Noble. Clients after mine own heart. :) Although I was already booked for their wedding date, we planned a sweet 1940′s-meets-2010 styled engagement shoot, and Patricia and Michael rocked out the props. And get ready for some serious meltage, because we included Patricia’s five-year-old twins Sophie and Sebastian in some of the shots, and I just might submit them to Cute Overload.

To the future Mr. and Mrs.: I had such a blast with you guys and your sweet family. Thank you for trusting me with your images. Enjoy!! :)

Pssh, just wait until you see them close up!

The twins brought along one of their favorite books, which also happens to be one of mine! Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. My favorite poem? Melinda Mae (who ate a monstrous whale)!

Adorable you two. Fruity and adorable.

I canNOT get over the eyelashes on this woman! I want, I want.

These two were so naturally affectionate with each other. Just imagine me behind the lens yelling, “OMG, hold that. HOLD THAT!!”

It’s pictures like this that make me realize the importance and impact of my job. I, Alyse, get to capture sweet, real moments like this?! I’m so honored. Truly.

Meet Dora the Explorer. I mean, Sophie. The world’s sweetest, most prettiest little girl.

P and M brought along their favorite reads. The Complete Poems of Anne Sexton for Patricia. And a fancy-shmancy, smarty-pantsy psychology book for Michael.

Ya’ll know I love a good picture of you pretending to take a picture of me taking a picture of you, right? Yes, yes I do!!

Patricia, you’re beautiful. That is all.

Clients of the Year award goes to this lovely couple. For wrapping themselves in a quilt in 98 degree weather just for me. :)

Alyse: “Hey Michael, TICKLE HER!” Patricia: “Oh, don’t you DARE!” Ohhh, but he dared alright.

Sweet, sweet love.

And then Michael had to go and act all hunk on us.

Shadows or not, I’m in love with this moment. And therefore, it has been blogged. :)

Happy Thursday!