Alyse French Photography | Houston-Based Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer

Tidbit Tuesday #122

May 1, 2012

Today’s my little brother’s birthday. And good grief, it sorta breaks my heart. He’s TWENTY-freaking-years-old. That’s a 2 next to a 0. Twenty… As Cam’s biggest fan in the universe, I can’t help but look back on his days as a little four-year-old building “zords” out of legos and peeing in my closet. YES. It happened. Inside of a toolbox. Inside of my closet… (Don’t worry, this story is his pride and joy.) Cam has always been one of my favorite people in the whole entire world. And I hope he realizes it today. Cammy, you’ll never know how much I love you. I hope your day is the best you’ve ever had. Even better than that day with the toolbox. Happy birthday!!

After a rough day yesterday, I decided to cancel some plans I had last night and simply stuff ice cream into my face, along with Dylan. (Actually, I stuffed a whole avocado in it as an appetizer to the ice-cream main course. You know – to pretend I was making healthy choices or something…) Well, let me tell you, Willie Nelson’s Country Peach Cobbler ice cream by Ben & Jerry’s is the CURE for any tough day. I promise you.

We have this thing we do. Dylan and I… I call it Spiddly-Beat. With capital letters and a hyphen to designate it as officially awesome. It’s basically – no, EXACTLY – like THIS recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live. And it’s the most fun you’ll ever have. Especially when you’re as good at it as me. Or Kristen Wiig. ;)

Song of the Week: Find You on My Knees by Kari Jobe. This song’s resonated with my heart so deeply the past few weeks. I really cannot force myself to stop listening to it. Last night I tweeted about the correlation I’ve found between feeling inadequate and not spending enough time with Jesus. But the good and beautiful news is that He’ll FIND us in the place we’re in. When we feel we have absolutely nothing left to offer. When our makeup’s a day old, the apartment’s a mess, and we realize we just. can’t. do it all. He’s a good and faithful Father. And He’ll never leave us searching. PLEASE listen to THIS song and be encouraged by hope!

Last Friday, Kaley and I shot the ultimate modern wedding bash at Hotel Derek, where I ALSO had a revelation of sorts concerning clients who opt against a first look! There’ll be more to come on that once I post Rebekah and Matt’s full wedding blog. But suffice this picture to explain a bit. Matt didn’t want to see Rebekah before the ceremony, but Rebekah was fine with seeing Matt. Who says you can’t get cute portraits anyway?! :)

Happy Tuesday!!

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Haak Vineyards & Winery Engagement: Chelsea & Nate

April 26, 2012

Let me be real with you. I love my clients. Sometimes I’m just dumbfounded at how good I have it. To work with such lovely, beautiful people. People who end up as friends. Chelsea and Nate are absolutely in that category.

Chelsea is an ultra-fabulous makeup artist (visit her and her partner Taylor’s site HERE) who could drop everything at a moment’s notice to become a world-famous super model if she really wanted to. And Nate is the type of guy you feel like you’ve known for-basically-ever even though you only met two days ago. They are sweet and fun and HOTT, and they are the absolute BEST at making each other laugh…

We met up for C & N’s engagement session at the Haak Vineyards and Winery in Santa Fe on Tuesday, and I’ve been entirely-too-giddy ever since – to show you one of my FAVORITE shoots of all time. And to brag on Chelsea and Nate a bit. Because clients-turned-friends is my favorite-favorite thing. It’s right up there next to using hyphens where they probably don’t belong.. Clear-ly. :) Hope you enjoy the selects! XOXO!!

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We started out down in the wine cellar for some dramatic shots I don’t take too often. So happy with the results!

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Santa Fe was a treck. But this place was SO worth it. Also? The below right makes me smile! :)

You’ll also find I had a hard time narrowing down the images in this post. Mostly for reasons like:

The sun was shining, the breeze was cool, and we headed on into the vines!

Do you SEE what I mean about these two?!

Nate, looking all studly with his lady on his arm.

I gotta mention those heels. Aren’t they perfect?

There were so many gorgeous nooks and crannies where Chelsea and Nate fit so beautifully. :)

Outfit number two and a little more lovin’.

Another favorite-favorite!!

Chels… I know I’m redundant. BUT DAAANG, girl. You’re gorge!

Once the sun fell a bit more, we headed back out for a little wine picnic. :)

Love these two!

So peaceful. I want to LIVE at this place!

Cuddling on the blanket Nate’s mama made. :)

And one more of the girl!

Congratulations to Chelsea and Nate! Leave them love…

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Erica Meyer - Holy Smokes! These are incredible!!!

Aimee - GORGE!! Who even knew we had something like this around here!

Chelsea - Lauren- I got the dress from ASOS..I love it!! I got it just a few weeks before our pictures so im sure they still have it. – Chelsea

Kristin Nicole - Stunning. Gorgeous couple and lovely images!

Lauren - Chelsea – Would you please share with who made the white dress you are wearing in the pictures? I have been searching for months for the perfect destination wedding dress and this is IT!! PLEASE share with me where you got the dress…THANK YOU! It is absolutely stunning. – Lauren

Mischelle - Alyse!! As always stunning. This couple would be found in the expensive picture frames that you want to keep because they are so beautiful!!!

Chelsea - Chelsea- Alyse okay SO I have NO idea how in the world we are going to pick our favorites!!!! OMG they are AMAZING and I cant believe how FABULOUS they turned out!! We had such a great time shooting with you..You made us feel so comfortable!! We LOVE you SO much and cant Thank you enough!!
XoXO

Brittani - Stuh. Ning. Wow wow wow, the are gorgeous and your images are phenomenal! Amazing location + legit photog talent + beautiful clients = droolworthy e-sesh! :)

stephanie rita - one of my new faaave engagements shoots of yours! also, love her dress. and her scarf. and the forehead kiss shot on the blanket. =)

Alicia Pyne - Gorgeous shots my friend!! (as always) But might I also just say, “MAAAAN, I wish I could look like that in front of the camera and wish I could pull off turquoise denim!!!” :)

Dana - Stunning job, Alyse! I think you are so talented. I’ve been looking forward to seeing this shoot ever since I met Chelsea last week at Sunkissed & Made Up. You did not disappoint.

Eleanor Tinsley Park Engagement: Jackie & Danny

April 25, 2012

Jackie and Danny met at work. Scaaandalous… Just kidding. :) Their interests were first sparked for each other while hanging out at a coworker’s party. And as two years went by, they bought a house, acquired three pups, and got engaged beside the light of their Christmas tree. The date is set for next March! And in anticipation of that beautiful day, the three of us (four if you count their little Ruby-dog) set out to shoot their engagement portraits along the bayou off Allen Parkway – where Jackie regularly runs. Here are some of my faves! XOXO!!