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! :)

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!

I miss Dylan. Is that lame? Oh, but I do. I miss him in advance, really. We’ll spend our first three days apart this weekend. CRAZY. What’s crazier is that we’ve spent the last 51 days together. We still let out the occasional and mind-blowing “We’re MARRIED!!” every once in a while.

One of my favorite parts of living down south? The legit Cajan-style jambalaya baby!! Some other things I’m noticing that aren’t so pleasant? Three-inch-long dragon flies that travel in swarms. Random, I know, but it’s Tidbit Tuesday.

Newhouse taught me to analyze camera angles and lens filters and filming techniques. Running a business taught me, well, business and branding. So when I see a print ad or commercial I like, I get a little overly excited. Who of you have seen the new commercials for the iPhone 4? Absolutely brilliant. Of course, I don’t think I would opt to tell my husband we’re having a baby over video chat, but the whole concept behind the ads is spot on.

Disses to UPS and UPS.com this Tuesday. You’ve been caught red-handed. There is no one by the name of “Toledo” who could have possibly signed for my package. Get with it, UPS, get with it.

Barnes and Noble is my little piece of heaven. Where else can you sip your green tea frap, people watch uninterrupted (yes, it’s my guilty pleasure), and read only the good chapters in thousands of books? Which brings me to my new read, full of good chapters. Stuff Christians Like by Jonathan Acuff. Based on his blog, this book is absolutely hysterical and soberingly convicting all in one. I pleaded with Dylan to buy it for me.. For my half birthday and two days celebration. And he did. And it’s mine. And I love it. :)

I kid you not, I experience hiccups after every meal. And still, I never learn to slow down when I eat.

Photog inspiration of the week: Stephanie Fay based out of Scottsdale, AZ. This girl is genuine, sweet, beautiful, and holds about 1,743 sq. grams of talent in her left elbow. I am continually astounded by her eye for light and color and texture. If you haven’t gotten to know her through her blog or website, consider this my virtual shove.

Apparently, it’s that time again. Because you see, just about once a day, I realize I haven’t thought about writing out wedding thank-you’s since, well, the day before. They’re coming people, they’re coming. Tomorrow.. No, really. In the meantime, know that we are thankful. :)

I leave you with a sneak peek of Thursday. And my new favorite image. I’m thinking canvas gallery wrap for my office wall, no?

Happy Tuesday!!

Dearest Heather Potts: Thank you for living here before we moved in. It means I get to enjoy J.Crew, Pottery Barn, and Nordstrom catelogues on a daily basis. Ya know? I feel like we could have been really good friends. P.S. We have mail waiting for you from Germany. Looks important. Was going to read it, but Dylan said that’s illegal..

Four thumbs up for Despicable Me, people! I swear I’m older than I blog, with Toy Story last week and now this.. ;)

HUGE announcement: Dylan and I are now the proud parents of a Netflix account. What’s your favorite show/movie we’ve just GOTTA see?! I wonder if they have Arthur on Netflix. Ya’ll know I’d be down.

I just can’t get over it. People are SO nice here. You see, I come from NY. Where John the hitch-hiker flips you off if you don’t pick him up. Where the car to your right just won’t let you over and won’t let you over and WON’T let you over. But here? People ask you how you are in the elevator and it’s almost like they really want to know! Oh Texas, you inspire me!

Song of the week: On the Mend by the Foo Fighters. So not their typical sound, but it’s totally my new jam. Check it!

Dylan is amazing and handsome and smart and funny and great. :) That’s all I have to say about that! Well, that and the fact that he would make a superb travel agent. That guy has basically scheduled my whole life out for the next year! Next month holds three destination weddings in store. Three weekends. In. A. Row. Come on old luggage, we can do this!!

Rochester, NY peeps! Alyse is comin’ to town! I have a couple of open shoot slots Sunday, August 8th. If interested, send an email to alyse@alysefrenchphotography.com for details and a little something special!

I AM IN LURVE. I just ordered this gaw-geous rug for my office space from Dash and Albert. But this purchase was no easy task. You see, I debated on about 17 rugs for an entire week. But this one quite obviously stole my heart from the beginning. You like?

I leave you with a really sneaky sneak peek of our home. You know, just to hold you over until I get to painting that wall that’s been half finished for about a month now. :)

Happy Tuesday! Remember to come back on Thursday for sweet Rachel and Travis’s engagement!!

I don’t recall a single morning my family didn’t gather to pray. Sure, as we got older and could check for vestibular oatmeal ourselves, our prayer time was hurried by homework left until the last minute or crazy bus driver Dan arriving at our house five minutes too early. But still, we prayed.

As I find myself in the middle of grownup-ism (I know I could have said adulthood, but that word’s nowhere near as fun), I’ve started thinking about what traditions I want to start. Not just for when Dylan and I have a family, but for the here and now. So while I’m working on convincing Dylan to bring home ice cream every Thursday night, I want to know..

What are some of your favorite family traditions? Silly, serious, ice cream related, or not – I’d love to hear ‘em! And maybe, just maybe steal them. :)

And because blogs without pictures are dumb, here’s one of my new orchid, Sally. Dylan gave her to me for our one month wedding anniversary. Now that seems like a nice tradition. :) But, maybe not the whole naming-my-plants part.. That’s weird, I’m told.

Happy Thursday!!

Disses to Apple. I’m almost positive they manufacture their chargers to die just when their customers need power the most. I purchased two chargers this past week in hopes that they’ll last me twice as long as my previous one, whose lifespan was a mere 8 months. Boo, Apple. Boo!!

Hollaaa! My half-birthday is in TEN days. Just sayin’! :) Maybe Dylan will get me a baby turtle named Atticus to hold me over until Sullivan comes along. (Hint, hint!!)

No. 31 of my 101 in 1001 list reads: “Try a new hairstyle.” And while there are plenty of tasks on that list I’ve still yet to muster the courage to complete (i.e., No. 37: Drink 8 full glasses of water a day), I can now cross off No. 31. Last Tuesday, I chopped off approximately 10 inches of hair. And.. I didn’t tell Dylan beforehand! I thought about canceling my appointment about seven times before that fateful morning, but I did it! And now, I am a bona fide newly married woman, short hair cut and all.

When life slows down, I want to read more. I am the queen of books half-read. And there are still so many books already on my shelves (yes, we have shelves!) that I want to get through. But I’d love some fresh suggestions! Hit up the comment section with your fave reads!!

So, what’s up with our favorite sitcoms switching up actresses who play the same character? Take Vivian on Fresh Prince and Harriet on Family Matters. Excuse me, Hollywood, but I need some stability when it comes to my TBS mother-figures.

Song of the week: World Spins Madly On by The Weepies. It’s the perfect song for pretending you’re the star in a music video. Tell me I’m not the only one. :)

I leave you with a taste of next week. Meet our new clients and friends, Rachel and Travis, who are engaged to be married in April. :)

So the other day Dylan and I were in Starbucks. After we both downed our usual fraps – green tea for me, double chocolate chip for him – Dylan turned the corner to order a regular coffee. As I looked around sheepishly to see if anyone was looking at me, I of course started licking the inside of my cup clean. (Ew, right? So. Worth. It.) Suddenly this insanely handsome guy turns the other corner. He was wearing a black sweater and facial scruff. After .5 seconds, I started feeling badly for noticing him while Dylan was right there. But at the .6 second mark, I noticed it WAS Dylan. :) That’s right! My husband is a hunk of burnin’ looove.

We now have two white sofas AND a white shag rug. I’m hoping to blog our place sometime next month, provided Dylan doesn’t spill pad thai on pretty much any surface in our living room. (FYI, Dylan comes home from work with an average of three food/coffee/dirt stains on his shirt each and every day.) I’m not sure what I was thinking.. Oh right, it’s gonna look HOTT!

Little known fact: July 13th is a national holiday. It is both my momma’s birthday, AND my father-in-law’s birthday! We love you two so much and hope you can somehow find happiness on your days of birth although Dylan and I are gone. The  good news though? Chances are we will never forget about either of your birthdays! :)

Song of the week: World News by the Local Natives. Dylan turned me onto this band and they are just incredible! (Not gonna lie, it’s pretty sweet having a spouse with good taste in music.)

One of my favorite photogs writes regular blog posts on the ridiculous things his wife says in her sleep. I think Dylan should be a guest blogger and do the same thing!! Two nights ago he said I sat up in bed extremely excited about something, grabbed his shoulder, and exclaimed “WEIRD THINGS ARE HAPPENING!!” And that was that. Then last night, I was giggling in my sleep. I can only imagine Dylan trying to coax it out of me, “Ooooh, what’s so funny, huh? What’s so funny?” :)

And these lovely people are dropping on the blog later this week, so stay tuned!

Happy Tuesday, ya’ll!