Nerdy Houston Wedding Photographer

Cameron & Bethany’s Winter Houston Oaks Wedding Photography

January 8, 2019

Christmas day arrived and I was watching the weather for Cameron & Bethany’s wedding that Saturday. The forecast went from 30% chance of rain to 60 % chance of rain within a day. I got the call from Cameron & Bethany’s wedding coordinator, Alissa Faircloth, that they were moving the wedding to a covered pavilion within the property because of the forecast. I was biting my fingernails and praying to any and all gods (God, Gaia, Mother Earth, The wedding gods) for a dry wedding day. Finally, on the Friday before their wedding the forecast changed to a 20% chance of rain.

I stepped onto the chilly Houston Oaks Gun club property thankful for an overcast day instead of a rainy one. Bethany and her friends and family were in the cottage getting ready. Spirits were high and the cottage was full of laughter and anticipation.

Cameron and Bethany wanted to do a first look before their wedding, and it couldn’t have been more magical. Cameron waited by a lake as Bethany was carted via golf-cart to the location for the first look. Of coarse, there was an entourage of friends and family who hid in the background. Everyone wanted to see Cameron’s reaction. It was well worth the wait, because Cameron nearly melted as he turned to view his bride in her dress for the first time. After, the entire wedding party moved to the Houston Oaks main property to take group photos.

One Thousand years by the Piano Guys bloomed over the speakers as the blushing bride walked down the isle escorted by both her mother and father. The couple chose to make a unity braid at their ceremony to show their commitment to both God and each-other.

It was a beautiful ceremony which ended in laughter, tears and lots and lots of dancing. The entire wedding party wore holes in their shoes as they danced the night away, thanks to they DJ’s at PRP Entertainment.

Vendors

Venue: The Clubs at Houston Oaks
Wedding Coordinator: Alissa Faircloth
Flowers: HEB Blooms
DJ: PRP Entertainment

Happy New Years!

January 1, 2019

It’s officially 2019. I can’t believe how amazing 2018 was. A lot happened for me and my wedding photography business.

I rebranded, changing my business name from Photography by Kelly to Kelly Urban Photography, changed my website, attended some outrageously fun weddings, I met some really amazing people and made some great friends. I hope 2019 is just as amazing (or more).

Bethany’s Rainy indoor Bridal Portraits at the Houston Oaks Gun Club

December 29, 2018

Congratulations to Cameron & Bethany on their wedding! I am so excited that I can now share Bethany’s bridal portraits.

It was a cold and rainy Sunday when we ventured out to take Bethany’s bridal portraits at the Houston Oaks Gun Club, but the weather did not dampen Bethany’s mood. I loved all of Bethany’s details, they are so happy and bubbly just like Bethany’s personality. The beautiful bride was all smiles the entire evening, even with the weather. We even ventured out into the rain to take a few photos under an umbrella.

Comeback next Tuesday to see photos from their wedding day.

Top 10 Detail Photos

December 18, 2018

I love taking detail photos at weddings. They are a lot of fun to arrange, and a super important part of wedding photography. Check out some of my all time favorite detail shots.

It was so hard to pick just 10 images.

20 Questions to ask a Potential Wedding photographer

December 11, 2018

Ever wondered what to ask a potential wedding photographer? Well have no fear, here are 20 sample questions you can use (in no particular order).

Click here to download the free easy to print PDF

Are you available for my wedding date?
Do you travel to my location?
Do you use off camera flash?
1. Why is this important? You want your photographer to be using a flash that doesn’t flash directly in your face if you can avoid it. Off camera flashes have the ability to bounce the light off a ceiling so you don’t have harsh shadows.
What is your most popular package?
What amenities do you offer in ALL of your packages?
Are there any amenities that I can add to packages that don’t already offer them?
Do you take engagement portraits/ bridal portraits?
Do you have insurance (this is really only important if your venue requires it)
Do you offer packages with second photographers?
What is the turn-around time for your images?
Do you edit your images?
Do I have the rights to all of my images or only a select number
1. Some photographers charge a smaller fee to photograph your wedding, then charge clients per image. Some photographers charge a higher up-front fee and include edited images.
How do the images come to me when they are done?
Do you offer prints beyond what is in your package?
Do you offer wedding albums?
1. What does your wedding album look like?
Do you share images on social media?
Do you offer same day edits?
How long have you been a wedding photographer?
Have you ever worked at my venue before?
Have you ever photographed a wedding like mine before?

If you haven’t already read the previous blog post (3 steps to hire a wedding photographer) check it out now!

3 Steps to Hire a Wedding Photographer

December 4, 2018

3 Steps to Hire a Wedding Photographer

It’s engagement season, and I imagine a lot of you have just gotten the ring (yea!) Now’s the time to start looking for things like wedding venues and a wedding photographer. So what should you do? I’m a believer in lists, so…

Step 1: Make a list of all of your potential wedding photographers. I would suggest using Excel if you have access to it.

In your spread sheet, put in the company name, main contact, phone number, website…

Step 2: Determine what’s most important to you and put those photographers on your list.

Are you on a tight budget and you just need someone to take a few snaps of you at the alter?
Do you have a specific style in mind and are hoping for some great amenities like USB’s, Printed images and wedding albums?
How much time do you think you will need a photographer (ball park idea)?
Of coarse, your budget needs to be considered.
- Know that wedding photography averages $2,000-$5,000

Step 3: Start contacting your potential photographers & whittling them down to “the one!”

Lastly, things to consider, choosing a wedding photographer should be like looking for a friend to rent (that sounds bad). You’ll want to consider personalities. If you don’t get along with your photographer, your images and nerves could suffer. Make sure their photography style is in par with your vision. If you don’t like the style of photography they offer, you probably won’t like the images they produce for you.

Where do you search for wedding photographers?
Facebook, WeddingWire, The Knot, Google…

Dylan & Jennifer’s Disney Wonderland Wedding

November 27, 2018

A little over a year ago, Dylan and Jennifer said “I do,” under the Texas stars.

Their Disney themed wedding was full of colorful decorations, a mad hatter wedding cake and, of coarse, Disney songs.

Happy Anniversary!!

White Oaks on the Bayou

November 20, 2018

White Oaks on the Bayou vendor appreciation.

It’s 2 days from Thanksgiving, so I’m starting a new type of blog post; vendor appreciation. I will kick off with one of my all time favorite wedding venues, White Oaks on the Bayou.

There is so many amazing things going for this venue. It has a beautiful, permanent outdoor ceremony setup with a stage and a fountain. Wedding parties can dress up or down the area to customize it to your needs. You could drape curtains from the pergola, flowers, cloth streamers… you’re only limited by your imagination.

Also, it’s out in the country, which I love. Surrounded by farms with cows and horses, the venue is 32 acres of quaint and quiet serenity. A big difference from the bustling madness of the forth largest city in the United States.

The bridal suit is light and airy with plenty of room to move around, while the groom’s room is a darker, hunting cottage feel. There is so much space for tables and a dance floor with plenty of windows and an amazing wooden door with wrought iron embellishments.

Check out some of my photos from the venue, including some photos from past weddings I have shot there.

What they offer:

White Oaks on the Bayou Rental Includes:
Lavish 32 acre property on sublime waterfront views with access from 9am-1am!
Gorgeous gazebo
Gold chiavary chairs
Round & rectangular guest tables to choose from
Large built-in stone fire pit for your guests to enjoy
Stunning outdoor patio w/ string lights
Picturesque outdoor swing perfect for bridal portraits
Bridal Suite & Groom’s Cave
1 hour rehearsal with coordinator
Coordinator on day of event
Set-up & clean-up
2 easels

Contact Sherry to schedule your tour.

Top 10 Flower Girl Photos

November 13, 2018

What’s more adorable than a little girl in a puffy dress throwing flowers into the air like she just doesn’t care?

Not much.

I have photographed some really adorable flower girls in past weddings. Some cried happy tears that their uncle was able to marry the man he loved, others were super sassy. Some were sisters or even twins, others were just friends. Check out my top 10 flower girls wedding photography.

John & Heather’s Rustic Cross Key Acres Wedding

November 6, 2018

It was a stunning fall day in Richmond, TX. The perfect kind of day for a wedding photographer.

The sun was out, the birds were chirping, there were few clouds in the sky and the temperature was surprisingly pleasant. I entered the Cross Key Acres venue with White Wedding by Billy Idol stuck in my head (because it was a “nice day for a white wedding.”)

Heather and her immediate family and friends were readying themselves inside the bridal suite at the venue. They took their time enjoying the moment and reveling in what was soon to be a stunning wedding.

As Dan and Shay from the ground up started, John and his grooms men (his Grandfather and father) along with his ring bearer walked down the stairs from the venue to a romantic backyard setting. Long fingers of Spanish moss danced in the breeze behind the wooden door frame and ancient wooden table, set up as the alter.The arch of the door frame supported a large, exquisite arrangement of white roses, white hydrangeas and an assortment of other beautiful flowers.

Heather and John assembled a unity cross partly through the ceremony — with the help of Heather’s daughter (and made of honor), Lexi. What are families for, right?

The ceremony was short, but sweet. There were tears of joy and laughter from the happy couple as well as several guest. After taking some wedding portraits with the party and family, Heather and John took some time to themselves in the bridal suite. In a rare turn of events, a wedding I was at was ahead of schedule (by 30 minutes or more!)

The wedding party made their grand entrance to Celebration by Kool and the Gang, and Heather and John went right into their first dance. They moved about the floor as lovers to James Arthur say you wont let go. After, Heather danced with her stepdad, a tribute to her late father. Her mother joined in and made it a trio on the dance floor. Then John danced with his mother to I Hope you Dance by Lee Ann Womack.

As the night continued on, wedding guests wore holes in their shoes dancing the night away. Of the guests, the children owned the dance floor. They flossed, duggied and did whatever else silly dance they could come up with (to any song that was on, including slow songs). One kid even did the worm on several occasions. I was impressed.

The night wound to an end, as all great parties do. All of John & Heather’s guests gathered outside the barn with extra long sparklers for a grand exit the happy couple will always remember.

I am sure everyone will miss them as they make their journey from Texas to Oregon to start a new chapter in their lives.

Congratulations John & Heather!