Happy Monday!!

So you would NEVER believe this, but I have showered, gotten dressed in clothes other than pajamas, done my hair and makeup, AND eaten breakfast this morning. Basically, I’ve adhered to a normal working person’s routine for the first time since well, I’m not sure. I’m really trying to hold myself to a different standard with this coming new year. Something about clean hair just makes you feel like you can take on the WORLD, yaknowhaimean?

Later today, Sully’s going to the groomer’s for a nail trim. It’s not that I haven’t tried a million times to do it myself, but Sully has seriously outgrown us. Even teaming up with Dylan proves futile. All my weight isn’t enough to hold down 68 pounds of flailing muscle and, yes, fat. The vet told us Sully needs to go on a diet.. But ohhh will PetSmart be in for a rude awakening. I fear it’ll take a team of six to cut just one nail. I just pray I don’t break down like a big fool…

Have you looked into December’s 1 For Me // 1 For You yet? It is running a week later than usual, but it’s still loads of prettiness and fun!! Entering is SUPER easy and if you win, you can consider it a Christmas stocking gift from us to you! :) Check out the post HERE. And remember, there’s a giveaway every month!

Some quirky quirks I’ve noticed about myself these past few weeks: I spend the first 10 minutes of each day with only my right eye open. I guess it just takes longer for the left one to wake up. I also have a fascination with making sure my saran-wrapped bowls are perfectly taut. And I mean perfectly. Like a drum. Lastly, I’ve found I’m more productive during my work day when wearing uncomfortable shoes. Maybe this means I could expense these lovely pumps. Right?!

Song of the Week: We Are Young by Fun feat. Janelle Monáe. It’s my new anthem! Okay, it’s a toss up between this version and the one I heard for the first time on Glee last week. But either version makes every day better. Really. You should try it! Listen to Fun’s version HERE and Glee’s version HERE.

I shot the most beeeautiful wedding day last Saturday at Giddings Stone Mansion in Brenham, and I am SO excited to share it with you all! Until then, here is a little sneak of the stylish bride and groom. MELT. ME. And stay tuned!!

Happy Tuesday!!

Happy Wednesday!

Photo Sherlocks: Sarah Petty

Discounts: Should We Offer Them?

What’s Worked For Us: Setting Expectations

How We Buy (Part I): Considering Investment Before Purchase

How We Buy (Part II): Exposure vs. Product

How We Buy (Part III) : Our Best Investments

Behind the Scenes: Google Analytics

Our Website Strategy

Happy recapping!! :)

If this weren’t legacy enough, Blaine had also served in the Army Air Force for three years in the European Theatre during World War II. He was later named president of the Base Air Depot II Wharton England Division of the WWII Association during the 50th anniversary reunion in England. It was at this meeting, that both he and President George H.W. Bush were scheduled to speak. But at the last minute, Bush Sr. couldn’t make it. He sent Blaine a letter instead…

A little over a week ago, I read the most random email I’d ever received – one that I’m still thanking God for not sending to the spam folder immediately. It was an email about a Mr. Blaine Logan, whose one bucket list wish was to meet the man who’d sent him that letter so many years ago.. Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime was working alongside Brookdale Senior Living to make this wish come true, and they were scrambling to find someone to photograph it. You know, it’s funny… Seconds before reading the message, I had no idea I’d soon wish myself.. To photograph something as beautiful as this.

On Monday, I dressed as corporate as I could (turns out you can’t wear PJ’s to meet a past president) and made my way to George Bush Sr.’s Houston office. It was after checking in with the Secret Service that who should walk in but the last man on the moon, Mr. Gene Cernan. We made small talk about the extreme cell phone dependency of my generation, and of course, photography, as I basically carried every piece of equipment I owned with me. And then, after being ushered into the lobby, I had an honor equally as amazing.. Meeting Blaine. His handshake was firm, and was the kind that doesn’t let you go for a solid minute.

Things were running a bit behind schedule, so as we waited, Blaine’s son adjusted his father’s tie and suit jacket. Blaine looked sharp. And though tired from travel, Blaine looked happy. Which made my heart so full.. Minutes later, we were given the go-ahead to step inside the office. Blaine was wheeled in. And George’s face lit up. He extended his hand, and Blaine held it… Shorter introductions were made between the president and Blaine’s three traveling companions, and then myself. I believe my exact words were, “Alyse French. It’s very, VERY nice to meet you.” LAME, I know. ;)

Yes, the meeting was short. The conversation turned quickly from which division both Blaine and George fought in during the war, to the verbal admiration of George’s rainbow-striped socks. But in those 10 minutes, I became more fully aware than I’ve ever been about what a gift we have to offer as photographers. How I, of all people, was privy to such an incredible introduction of such incredible people is beyond me. But I am beyond blessed to have been given the honor of documenting it. And the honor of being able to gift that back to Blaine and his family…

I spent a long and incredible few days in Galloway, NJ this past weekend, capturing the nearly-impossible-to-explain-in-less-than-1000-words/BEAUTIFUL wedding of my sweet new friends, Lindsay and Jared! It’s a whole other post altogether, and one that’ll be dropping on the blog later this week.. But let’s suffice it to say for now that I have never felt so overwhelmed and BLESSED to call this my job. And I have never broken down in tears along with a bride in the middle of the dance floor just before heading home due to the bitter-sweetness of capturing something so special, yet having to say goodbye to such genuine, kind, beautiful people. Wait, that’s a lie. That totally happened… And I can’t wait to share more!!!

I spent much of yesterday salivating over my fave Food Network shows, Barefoot Contessa and Giada at Home. Now if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, then you already know what I’m about to say, but I think it bears repeating.. I LOVE me some Giada de Laurentiis. But the girl loves her consonants a little too much for my ears. And hey, I like to pronunciate as much as the next guy, but her over-enunciation of Italian ingredients makes me giggle every time. Come to think of it, Giada’s a lot like my dad, who can’t help but say “Australia” in an Australian accent… All the world’s gone iiinsaaaaano.

Song of the Week: Sister by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. I’ve apparently lived under a rock for most of my life. (But don’t tell Dylan I said that… He’d totally be all, “I’ve been telling you that for THREE YEARS NOW.”) I first heard this song just last weekend. When the bride danced with her brother, and the groom, his sister. If you know me at all, the song absolutely KILLED me. And will likely continue to do so on the 60th time on repeat, I’m sure.

And now a sneak peak at Lindsay and Jared’s Dolce Seaview Resort wedding… Even a freak October nor’easter couldn’t put a damper on this most perfect day. :) (Also be sure to follow our Facebook page HERE to see sneaks immediately after our weddings!!) Here is one of my favorites. More to follow soon!!

Happy Tuesday!!

I am a firm believer that finding a photographer you can trust is tantamount to enjoying your wedding day to its absolute fullest. If we stop and think about it, no other vendor controls the ebb and flow of the most important day of your life more so than the photographer. We are with you from beginning to end. Whether making sure you get in your dress in time for the first look, or making sure to work fast and efficiently through your list of family formal shots so you can enjoy your cocktail hour… Your photographer’s job is to capture it all artistically and within a realistic time frame that prioritizes YOU and your images. And that kind of responsibility demands a client’s complete, honest-to-goodness, wholehearted TRUST.

I know trusting your photographer isn’t always as easy as writing a blog post on why you should. :) But I truly believe that hiring someone you can trust and then actually TRUSTING them throughout the entire process is the best favor you can do yourself. Your concern should be to enjoy yourself! NOT that we might miss that shot of your great-grandmother breakdancing. We know our craft enough to realize what shots are important to you. You can trust that we know what a solid timeline looks like. And you can trust us to make our creative vision come to life. But only when you intentionally surrender control and just let us do our thang. Because in the end, we know how to best capture your day. And we only want the absolute BEST for you and your images.

• Will: Gain some pretty fun experience.
• Will: Have an opportunity to build your portfolio.
• Will: Learn how we do what we do as we do it.
• Will: Be expected to carry bags and run small day-of errands.
• Will: Need to sign an agreement with Alyse French Photography.

• Will Not: Be paid. Though you WILL be in hugs and experience.

• Must: Shoot Nikon. Which is nothing against all you Canon people… ;)
• Must: Be based in Houston or close enough to it.
• Must: Have your own transportation.
• Must: Be excited about it!! :)

And that’s it! Write us, and we’ll get the selection process rolling. But be forewarned, the veins in my forehead pop out when I’m happy… As you can see.Happy Sunday, y’all! :)

Over the last two years, AFP has grown as both a business and a brand, having provided me full-time work and full-time income. In achieving these milestones once thought to be much further off, we’ve learned a few things along the way. About what’s worked. What hasn’t worked. And what’s in store for the future.

Dylan and I are crazy excited to introduce to you our newest venture and extension of the AFP brand – a blog focused on the ins and outs of how we do business – Windsor Collective. Spearheaded and written by Dylan (the brains of the family), with occasional guest posts by yours truly, Windsor Collective will strive to bring sharing to a whole new level. We’ll talk about our goals. Our marketing strategy. Our pricing strategy. Even our bow-tying strategy. Okay, that last one is a stretch, but it would certainly TIE in well with WC’s old-school professor vibe. :) And yes, with that pun, it’s safe to say I am turning into my mother…

Without further ado, we invite you to check out and subscribe to Windsor Collective! While you’re at it, be sure to like our Facebook page and follow our Twitter handle @Windsor_Collect. Oh, and a final and very special thank you to our dear friends Alicia, Kat, Donnell, Megan, Char, and Kristin for their insight and feedback in previewing this no-longer-ambiguous project! XOXO!!!

Happy Wednesday!! :)