clear eyes, full hearts, texas forever | east texas lifestyle photographer

Okay, okay. I know that I just quoted Friday Nights Lights in the title of this blog post but I thought that it was an appropriate introduction to my new life in Texas. I have been watching Friday Night Lights in honor of my new move to a small town and so far...  my small town life is nothing like that show, but it's still fun to watch!

I moved about two weeks ago to a small town in East Texas. It may be a little slower here and I have spent a lot of time "chewin' the cud" (this is talking about life and things just because, lol) but this is exactly what I think I needed. Being umpteen months pregnant and working weddings every weekend was getting a little hard on my feet. 

So I am enjoying watching the stars every night, (Vegas may have had lights, but definitely no stars) watching the moon rise over the open fields and taking a closer look at the dew on the leaves. I have had a slower pace of life since arriving and people keep on asking me if I am bored. I can honestly say that as long as there are details in life to capture with my lens I will never be bored... let me tell you there are plenty of details in the state where everything is bigger and better, so I won't be leaving anytime soon. 

meredith + james | east texas lifestyle photographer

I have known Mere and James for just under a year and I have to say that the old adage is true. It is not the quantity of time, but the quality of time. I think that these two will be in my family's lives for years to come. Sometimes you just click with people right off the bat and this is what happened with Meredith and I. Back in March I met her and I just knew that we would be good friends. This happens with all of my good friends. I have always known right away whether or not I will jive with someone. My best friends years later have all told me that they wanted to be my friend too; so I guess we had a sort of "friend crush" on each other. Anyways, Mere I am so happy for you and James and whatever roads you go down, whatever trials and tribulations, may your relationship weather the storm and have many, many blessings..... and by blessings I mean kiddos! (Haha, now that I am pregnant, I just can't help but wish this blessing on all my loved ones too!) So world, here is my debut of a little bit of the love that James and Meredith have for each other. Enjoy!

alyssa + greg | east texas lifestyle photographer

Alyssa and Greg were the perfect couple for the setting. Vivacious, young and full of fun-loving laughter. Greg is just that type of guy who always has a smile on his face... and let me tell ya, it's pretty contagious. Alyssa is of course one of the prettiest girls ever. What makes her so beautiful is the fact that she is totally unaware of it. Together I wish this amazing couple all the love, happiness and blessings that life can hold. Love you guys!

maternity inspiration | lufkin, texas lifestyle photographer

"Are you going to do maternity photos?" was the question I'd been asked at least 20 times or more since getting pregnant.  To tell you the truth, I really haven't been sure I wanted to.  I mean, as much as a positive experience being pregnant has been for me, I was kinda dreading photos of me at my largest immortalized forever.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I might someday want to look back on this time in my life, and in retrospect, I'd probably have a much more flattering view of myself than I do right now.

So I contacted my longtime photographer buddy, Ron Miller. Ron  is such a sweet, non-intrusive person that I knew he'd be perfect to capture some images naturally of us that I'd cherish.  We went over some details of what I wanted out of the shoot and Ron sent me over a "secret" spot in Las Vegas to shoot at that only he knows about! Once we decided on where the shoot would be I got to work and came up with some inspiration boards for shots  to use as a guideline. (Yup I am totally that freakishly organized person, you can thank Interior Design school for that one).

Here is the inspiration and look out for some of Ron's amazing photos!