Love, Me Blog

the Twincesses | dfw childrens photographer

Crystal — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:28:32 +0000

This post is looooong overdue. Many of you will see these precious faces and feel like you’ve seen them. They are a couple of my favorite little girls in the world! Their little faces are plastered all over my studio and my website and facebook, however, I haven’t ever shared a whole session!! I first met these two back in 2009 for their first birthday! Their momma contacted me after she had been on the search for the girls very first professional photo session. Of course, she turned to Facebook (duh!) for answers where she put out a question asking her friends and family for referrals. You can imagine how many she received One of the biggest compliments I’ve ever received from a client was in this instance. Neely browsed all the websites from each referral and chose to contact me based on my portfolio (imagine that!). It sounds so silly, but I think our growing relationship is really based on Neely’s diligence to find a photographer whom’s work she truly loved, and now, her loyalty to have me photograph the girls each year (and several in between) on their birthdays. So, when I get questions from other photographers about how on earth I can get two little one year olds, or two year olds (with more energy and personality than you can imagine!) to “pose” or both look my way, etc. I really contribute it to our “friendship”. The girls know me and they trust me and while we’ve been known to have looong sessions, I can truly get what I need in just 20 minutes from them if necessary!

So, here is part one of the Twincesses … stay tuned while I showcase their other sessions so you can watch them grow! AND, hear more of my heart about their momma and their sweet grandma, Nanny K. I need some time to formulate words to express what these two ladies mean to me. They truly are why I do what I do and continue to push me to become not only a better photographer and businesswoman, and most importantly, person.

Here’s a flashback to the Twincesses turning ONE! (With non other than their album layout. They purchase TWO of these each year, one for mom’s house and one for Nanny K’s house … ultimately, they will belong to both Madi and Livi).

Courtney | Denver Senior Photographer

Crystal — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:42:47 +0000

I was so excited to hear from Courtney when she contacted me about her senior photos! I had photographed her older sister, Ashley, back in 2008 for her senior photos when they lived here in Argyle. The Byrnes moved to Colorado just south of Denver, where my family moved last year! It was so great to meet up with them again, and this time get to know Courtney a little better. Talk about perfect timing! Saying it was a pleasure to spend time with the Byrne ladies is really an understatement! It was a blast to have a total change of scenery for her images and we ended up doing two separate shoots as our first got cut a little short. I loved her session almost as much as love Courtney Seriously what a witty, fun, smart, and beautiful young lady she is …

Courtney, I wish you so much success as you venture to Indiana this fall. (where she’ll be a cheerleader I might add!) Seriously, I sure hope you have an amazing freshman year!

Here’s her album layout. The GORGEOUS 12×12 album just arrived to my studio and I had to get online to share the layout with you all. I had taken that size off my offered products for a while, but I am for sure adding it back on after seeing hers in person. Just amazing!

coming soon | dfw commercial photographer

Crystal — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:48:16 +0000

Does your child have what it takes to be a Commercial Kid? For a few weeks I’ve been posting on facebook about an exciting new offering over here at Love, Me Photography!

Don’t you worry … Your chance to have gorgeous summertime images of your kiddos will be here SOON. Keep checking the blog for updates on this exciting new offering … fit for all budgets! Spots are sure to fill lighting fast, so go find us on facebook for future updates and leave your email info in the comment section so we can add you to our list.

Here’s a SUPER sneak peek at what’s to come …

new life. | dfw birth photographer

Crystal — Thu, 26 May 2011 20:41:48 +0000

This is going to be short and sweet as I have some cute little girls coming to see me in a few minutes for a session, but I have been DYING to share this and I just got the OK from momma

You may remember the Newton family HERE.

The second time was just as miraculous as the first. See for yourself …

Welcome to this world Nolan James Newton!

and THANK YOU from the most sincere place in my heart, for allowing me to be a small part of your BIG day. It truly was a highlight of my year … AGAIN

(also, take note that I WON the guessing game for weight! Look closely and you can see for yourself)

custom guest sign-in book. | dfw engagement photographer

Crystal — Thu, 12 May 2011 23:23:42 +0000

I promised more images from this POST.

So, I’m holding up my end of the promise This is my little brother and his fantastic WIFE, Heather!! They got married last October and it was seriously the most AMAZING wedding I’ve ever attended …and I’m not being biased. It was even featured on D Magazine’s website, so you can check it out HERE. Look closely and you’ll see a familiar little face Mia Grace was the flower girl along with Tessie … can you guess who she is?

I had the pleasure of taking Dustin and Heather’s engagement photos, which were displayed all over the reception. I’ll see about finding a picture of that so you can see! It was quite an honor.

Here’s the layout of their Guest Sign in Album we created. It truly was a STUNNING piece and my first album order from Vision Art. I was super impressed with the final product. The thick archival pages were perfect for print and guests signatures. The design, while very different from my signature style (clean lines, crisp bold color) it matched the style and theme of their vintage inspired wedding. (Remember, all the blank space was for guest signatures …. for showers and wedding!)

The cover.

craziness | dfw family photographer

Crystal — Wed, 11 May 2011 22:13:00 +0000

Such is my life right about now. I’m beginning to wonder if my clients and friends think I’m making this stuff up! The past year has been a whirlwind, but the past few weeks … a tornado. So many highs and lows and maybe some things I’ll share in the weeks ahead. For now, I’m still processing much of it and well, I look forward to having the extra time to sit and write about it all. For now, there are lots of lovely seniors I’ve had the joy of meeting this spring that are waiting on orders! For now, I’ll continue to share sessions from last year in a strong effort to “catch up”

I loooved this session from last spring! I was so honored when Ryanne called for me to photograph her sweet family. I love that they came just to play and let me capture them together. Can you tell who runs this household? hehe.

Here’s the storyboard layout Ryanne ordered.

and the canvas she got for above her mantle (in black and white) . love it!

and some favorites … ok SEVERAL favorites …

Thanks Donaldson Family for such a FUN session!!!

kinsey | grapevine senior photographer

Crystal — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:05:22 +0000

Kinsey was my first 2011 senior! LOOOOVED her session and the time spent with her and her mom. Such an eventful session, it was crazy! A train came while we were on the tracks, it poured down rain, sprinklers came on at another location. It’s a wonder I captured anything at all! The funny part is that we ended up with a record number of unique images! Such a gorgeous girl and so easy to photograph (as you can tell). I love it when my clients make me look good. Seriously.

Funny story. It POURED down rain in the middle of her session, so we just went with it and kept shooting. She was such a trooper. The whole time I kept thinking, “who the heck looks this cute when wet?? I know I’d look like a drowned rat with frizzy hair!” So, while I used to not be much on the wet look, I must say it was so fun and I love the end result.

Kinsey, I sure hope your senior year has been a blast and I wish you so much success as you venture off to college this next year!

As a side note: It’s so nice to go ahead and get your senior session finished in the summer BEFORE your senior year or the fall. Spring is just so incredibly busy and I hate having to turn people away, but no matter what I do, April wont add any more days Plus you have all your images and custom products, like canvases, albums and storybooks to show off at graduation. Here’s Kinsey’s HUGE storybook layout. I love this book so much! It’s by far the largest senior one I’ve created and I just adore the finished product. These digital layouts really dont do the books any justice, but if your interested, you can swing by the studio and see it in person … its now a sample (wink)!

a duck hunter and his girls. | dfw engagement photographer

Crystal — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:58:08 +0000

I needed a smile after our house fire this week! More on that catastrophe later.

One of my favorite all time images. AND, it just so happens to be my little brother and his wife (oh thats weird) Heather More of them later too!

another year | grapevine child photographer

Crystal — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:35:14 +0000

When this little cutie’s mom emailed me a few days ago to get him scheduled for his two year session, I couldn’t believe it! Had another year really already flown by? It honest to goodness feels like no time at all since our last session. He was one of the last sessions before our big move and you may remember when I showed this teeny little peek of his session HERE. Reflecting on this session made me realize the importance of documenting as many moments as possible and celebrating each milestone. I am so grateful Love, Me Photography has become a part of many families’ traditions, as they come back year after year to celebrate birthdays, welcome new members, or simply capture a special event. It truly is such an honor. Here’s a peak at little Owen at just a few days old HERE.

I can’t imagine how much he’s changed this last year and I can hardly wait to get my hands on him again ! Here’s a view at last years session, when his proud parents celebrated his first birthday! Truly one of my favorite baby sessions. I made an 8×8 session album as a sample product in the studio because I loved the images so much!! Get ready for cute overload.

Sweet Kyli | Keller Senior Photographer

Crystal — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:00:13 +0000

Here’s another sweet sweet senior girl I photographed last YEAR. It’s been pretty fun for me to go back through all these old sessions and reminisce. I’m thinking this sleepy blog has been good for me. Instead of seeing it as another thing to add on my list of “good intentions but failed miserably”, I’m getting the opportunity to reflect on many things. For starters, I get to remember each session. And today, I’m happy I got to remember Kyli.

I remember how sweet Kyli was and how I just loved how laid back and appreciative she was about everything.

I remember her sweet Mom and how they seemed to really have a wonderful relationship.

I remember meeting her handsome little brothers and thinking her mom was in trouble soon.

I remember her boyfriend, Kasey, that tagged along for some photos and how it was apparent that even at 17, they really loved each other.

I remember Kyli’s confidence that they would be together forever, and I sort of believed her. And then I felt bad for the sort of part.

The truth is, I totally related to Kyli. I was that 17 year old girl that was so sure … and then life happened and plans changed. The funniest part is that I have totally checked in a few times (on facebook of course) … and well, Kyli has been right so far and I couldn’t be happier for her. I’m rooting for you both !

All of this remembering has made me realize how much my clients really mean to me, and truly impact my life. Often its like meeting a new friend in both the mom and senior. I feel sort of caught in the middle in a way … 10 years past high school and 10 years until I’m a mother of a 14 year old. wow. If the past ten years is any indicator on how quickly life happens, I have a feeling I’ll wake up the day my baby girl turns 14 and I’ll wonder where the time went. And, chances are, I’ll still feel like the same way inside … the same as I did at 19 and now, 29.

More thoughts on this later. Until then, meet sweet, precious Kyli.

Kyli, if you read this, I sure hope your first year in Arkansas has been amazing!