Kim and Chris’ Engagements
Posted on July 31, 2009
Kim and Chris are a hilarious couple! Chris is the brother of one of Kacie’s oldest and best friends, Michelle, so needless to say I am very excited about their wedding in December! We shot along the waterway in the Woodlands, grabbed a bite at Goose’s Acre, then went back out for a few more night shots. Here are some of my favorites from the shoot!







I-a like-a tha kissey shots.


I love this shot!

Oh, and this one!



I have to admit I semi-stole the idea for this shot from my friend Brooke Schwaab-Shephard


We almost missed the last fountain show! We kind of lost track of time and forgot the last show was at 11pm. At 11:05 we were sitting by the fountain, bummed, thinking we were done for the night when the heavens opened up, trumpets blared, and the the fountains lit up for one more divinely appointed show! Kim was very excited

Finally, I thought I’d throw this last little montage in. If being able to make your spouse laugh is a sign of a successful marriage, then Chris and Kim have got it in the bag!

Thanks for a great shoot, guys! Everyone feel free to leave a little comment lovin’ if you like what you see
Filed Under Engagements, Photography | 3 Comments
Marlo and Justin’s Wedding
Posted on July 31, 2009
Marlo and Justin were married and held their reception at the Lakewood Yacht Club on Clear Lake. It was hot. as. crap. that day, but just before their outdoor ceremony started the sun began to go down, a little breeze kicked in, and a large oak tree provided the perfect amount of shade for them and their guests. It turned out to be a gorgeous ceremony, and the nice atmosphere was only the icing on the cake for the union of two people so much in love. The reception that followed was a lot of fun, and Phillip of PRP Entertainment kept the party going and helped prove that accountants are always the wild ones
Here are some of my faves from the day. Leave me a comment and tell me your favorite!


























These guest books are the bomb! If you’re one of my clients, make sure to ask to see one!












Filed Under Photography, Weddings | 3 Comments
Danielle and Joel’s Wedding
Posted on July 30, 2009
Danielle and Joel are incredibly cool people, and they come from great families! I have really, really enjoyed working with all of them. Their wedding was beautiful in every sense of the word– the love, the excitement, the emotions, and the details– everything was perfect. The wedding ceremony was held at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, and the reception was held at Royal Oaks Country Club. I once again got to work with Natalie from Belle of the Ball, and she made sure everything went flawlessly. My friends Joey and Aaron from 31 films provided the videography, and did an incredible job, as always.
Here are some of my favorite images from the day!



While the girls were being pampered, Joel and the guys got their bowl on at 300.















Why’s this one blurry? What kind of lousy photographer takes blurry pictures???



This is one of like 10 pictures I have of Danielle grabbing Joel’s butt. Just sayin.








The cigar roller was a surprise to Danielle’s Dad. It was the same man who was at Lindsey and Hooman’s Wedding.



Love this picture!

And this one


“Throw your hands up and SHOUT!”




Filed Under Photography, Weddings | 3 Comments
Caden Gray
Posted on July 24, 2009
Caden Gray Nyholt was born July 23, 2009, at 7:51 PM. He weighed in at 5 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 19 inches long.
It’s after midnight on the following day, and I am exhausted! Not nearly as much as Kacie, but exhausted nonetheless. I am actually home right now because I’m going to be shooting a fantastic wedding tomorrow for my clients Amanda and Fred. It’s going to be a long day of shooting, so we decided I better come home and get some sleep. It really sucks to be leaving my new family, but I’ll be seeing them again soon!
Yesterday, the day of Caden’s Birth, was a rough one for us. Kacie suffers from a pregnancy condition called pre-eclampsia, which is why we delivered 3 weeks early. Because of her condition escalating as she came to the hospital, she was put on this really awful medicine that does a great job at preventing seizures, but made her feel like crap. She had labored for roughly 12 hours when our doctor determined that Caden was going to have a hard time “fitting” and she called for a C-section. Less than 30 minutes later Caden came into the world!
Below are some photos from the whole experience. As I mentioned in my vacation post a few weeks ago I try not to live my life “through the viewfinder” when it comes to family, and instead I try to be “present” and just experience life. That being said, I’d be dumb not to bring my camera, so I did
I only took it out occasionally, however, and during his birth I took very few exposures. If they came out, great, if not then oh well. There were far more important things to experience.
—Warning: There are a couple relatively graphic photos from the delivery. They’re not too bad, but a little different from my usual blog material
—
This is almost halfway into the day. Kacie is starting to feel bad after being started on the bad medicine. Our amazing doctor, Dr. Cowen, and our superstar nurse, Liz (who is my sister) are seen working to make sure everything is going smoothly.

It was so amazing to have Liz be a part of our delivery. She really is a fantastic nurse, and she spent all day with us making sure Kacie and Caden were safe.

Kacie was not able to eat anything all day. This popsicle was her “lunch”, and was the only thing other than ice she got to eat.

The pumps feeding Kacie’s I.V.

Moments after Dr. Cowen called the C-section, people were running around frantically trying to get ready to go. The OR was kind of backed up, but there was a gap that we could slide in right then if we got Kacie to the OR immediately. I had less than a minute to put on my paper scrubs, and figure out what I was going to bring into the OR. Lugging my whole camera bag in there was obviously not an option. I had to decide between my D3 and my D90 (which can do video). I decided on the D3 and the 50 1.4. After arriving in the OR I took a seat next to Kacie’s head, behind the curtain hiding us from a view of the operation. The Nurse Anesthetist told me she’d give me a heads up when the baby was about to come out, and that I’d have a split second to take a picture and see him before the baby doctors whisked him away to evaluate him. I stayed seated as long as I could to comfort Kacie, who was really feeling bad and was pretty out of it. Finally, the nurse says “Do you have a strong stomach?”. “Umm, I think so,”, I reply. “I hope you more than think so…. OK, NOW!” I pop up and take 2 clicks.
This next picture captures perfectly the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The feeling I felt when I first saw Caden come out of the womb and into the world was indescribable. I was completely fascinated, overwhelmed, overjoyed, and full of awe. I consider this to be one of the best pictures I have ever taken. Maybe just because it’s my kid. I dunno.

Moments after I took this picture, Caden was gone. Kacie got a brief glimpse of him but was unable to really see him well because of the drugs. I told her not to worry, he wouldn’t stay that ugly ![]()

After the baby docs gave the all clear, Liz goes to work. She weighed him in, re-swaddled, then gave him to us to hold for just a few minutes.

Kacie holding Caden for the first time.

Liz took this picture of me. Good job Liz!

Liz and I wheeled him past the waiting room where about 2000 family members anxiously awaited his arrival.

My mom.

Liz showing him off from the nursery

Another one of my favorite pictures ever. Mom and baby learning how to breast feed.

My mom holding Caden. I think he looks just like me!


Kacie’s dad, Jeff, and Holly

Kacie’ s mom.

I love this picture!


He may look like me, but he has Kacie’s incredibly long fingers and toes! Maybe he’ll be a guitar player or pianist with great balance! He LOVES to play with his hands, and he is very expressive with them.

Finally, this is a picture I took of Caden sleeping in Kacie’s arms shortly before I left tonight. I love you two!!!!!

Well, that’s all for now folks! Expect gobs and gobs of pictures over the weeks, months, and years to come
Please leave a comment if you think Caden is the man!
Filed Under Personal, Photography | 52 Comments
Penelope’s Bridals
Posted on July 15, 2009
I shot Penelope and Tom’s wedding July 4th, so now i can post Penelope’s bridals! We shot them at the Rice Hotel downtown, where they had their reception. Penelope looked incredibly elegant, and her dress was a perfect fit for the vintage feel of the Rice. She was very comfortable in front of the camera (maybe because she married a photographer?), and her confidence really shows in these images. Here are some of my favorites!
This shot might be my favorite! In this room there was track lighting with pretty bright lamps so I used them ![]()
Love me some foreground framing!
So elegant!
Thanks for a great shoot Penelope!
Filed Under Bridal Portraits, Photography | 2 Comments
Amanda’s Bridals
Posted on July 8, 2009
Amanda’s is one of many weddings I’m shooting for a particular family who I really like alot. It started with Sarah Beth and Nathan’s wedding, and I most recenlty shot Jessica and Christopher’swedding (pics to come!). Amanda and Fred’s wedding is coming up at the end of the month, and I am really stoked about it! We took Amanda’s bridal portraits at Houston Country Club, where they’ll also be having their reception. The combination of her ultra-elegant dress and the upscale decor of the club helped create this gorgeous, timeless, and classy look in every photo. Here are some of my favorites!
Did I mention her dress was amazing?!?
She looks like a vogue model in this pose. Way to throw the looks, Amanda!
This one could be my favorite…
Thanks for a great session, Amanda!
Filed Under Bridal Portraits, Photography | 1 Comment
Brandi and Warren’s Wedding!
Posted on July 3, 2009
Brandi and Warren are really cool, laid back, and down to Earth people. When I first met with Brandi and her mom last year, I could tell it was going to be a blast to work with their family! After two great engagement sessions (one in downtown Houston and another at Brandi’s family’s home in Orange) and a killer bridal session, I couldn’t wait for the wedding to come along!
I had the great privilege of working with the wonderful Kristen Cogan and Kristen McShane of Keely Thorne Events, and the best videographer in Houston, Joey of 31 Films.
Brandi and Warren were married in an intimate ceremony in Orange, then they threw the biggest party in East Texas’ history at the Hinds’ home. Without further adieu, here are some (ok, a lot) of images from the day!
Getting ready in Mom’s bathroom.
Warren is definitely one of the most suave guys I know.
On to the church! This was the tiniest church I’ve ever shot in– only 5 rows deep. It made for a very intimate ceremony though!
They have the most amazing oak trees on their property!
For the cocktail hour guests hung out around the pool and were served Hurricanes by the famous Pat O’Briens bar out of New Orleans.
Restaurant August and Iron Chef champ John Besh, of New Orleans, provided some of the food I’ve EVER had. 48-hour-slow-cooked Kobe Beef, anyone?
Christmas lights and chandeliers hung from the oak trees to create an elegant atmosphere for those dining beneath their branches.
And of course there’s nothing better than a hand made cigar to celebrate the evening’s events.
To the left you’ll see a giant projection screen. Later in the night, while guests mingled around the pool, they could still see what was going on in the big tent.
Who Made the Cake drove the cake all the way from Houston to Orange, which has to be the most nerve-wracking thing I can think of doing. It was delicious though!
JT Ka-Nection Band, also of New Orleans, provided the entertainment. These guys were great!
When the band took a break, Damon (the guy in the hat) with PRP Entertainment was the life of the party. When the band quit for the night, he kept it going until 5 am!
Mr. Hinds knew how to party!
Even though the party went all night, Brandi and Warren called it quits around 1:30 am.
There are a lot more photos I wanted to post, so make sure you watch the slideshow to see more!
THE SLIDESHOW!
Thanks Brandi and Warren, for being such cool people and for inviting me to be a party of your AMAZING wedding!
Filed Under Photography, Weddings | 5 Comments