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Russell & Amanda’s Bowling Alley Engagement Photos

When I say I like to step outside the norm for engagement photos… I mean it. I would love to say “Sky’s the limit,” however I’m not about that skydiving life & sometimes there are limits when it comes to who would let you take photos or not.

Russell & Amanda are big bowling enthusiasts. When they told me this, I thought, why not take their photos in a bowling alley. Their photos were scheduled during summer, and since it is so hot outside, it’s nice to do things inside for a change.

They showed up to our engagement portrait session with a whole rolling bag filled with their balls, shoes and so much more. Bowl & Barrel was so amazing to let us take photos in their industrial styled alley.

Though the alley was not a place the couple would usually go to bowl, they loved the look and even had a Red-Bull at the bar before the couple headed off to celebrate Russell’s birthday later that day.

 

Santos & Ana’s Backyard Wedding

Santos & Ana’s small backyard summer Houston wedding photography.

As a fellow backyard wedding bride, I really felt drawn to Santos and Ana’s wedding. They enlisted friends and family to make their wedding truly special.

After going through such a hot, dry July it was crazy that the sky finally opened up and started raining, just before Santos and Anna’s wedding. This happens. Mother nature has her own plans. I tell all of my couples getting married on rainy days that rain is good luck on your wedding day. I actually have a whole blog about it. The couple bounced back and forth with the location of the ceremony, but the rain cased just before their wedding and they were able to hold the ceremony and reception outside.

I was in awe at the full island charcuterie spread, the adorable decorations and the floor seating style. The cute coffee table seating was so unique to experience at a wedding. It felt like everyone sitting on the floor had a closer connection to each other because of it. Those who didn’t want to sit on the floor or couldn’t, walked around or sat outside by the bar.

Probably my favorite decoration from this wedding was the golden retriever with cake in it’s mouth by the wedding cake. The couple had pictures of their golden retriever all over including as table numbers. I just love it when couples can incorporate their fur-babies into their wedding, whether they bring them along or they are there in spirit as a cocktail name or place cards.

Also, the bubble gun was an amazing trick for a wedding photographer. I’ll have to get one to use in the future.

See all the photos from Santos & Anna’s wedding below.

 

 

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Kelly Urban Photography — Houston wedding photography

Ponderosa Walking Park Engagement Portraits

Earlier this spring, I met up with Tanner & Olivia to take their engagement photos at the Ponderosa walking park on the north side of Houston.

A lot of times, I pick an engagement portrait location virtually (meaning I don’t always visit it until the day of). This location was one of those virtual picks. It looked good from google maps, and my google image search. I realized, as I drove up to the park that it was in Shirley Acres back yard. It’s crazy to me how I find new locations right next to places I’ve been before.

I love how lush and green everything looked in these engagement photos. Tanner & Olivia looked amazing and had fun goofing off and dancing to the cicadas for their engagement portraits.

Check out Tanner & Olivia’s engagement photos here:

 

My Favorite Wedding DJ’s

Vendor Highlight!

Music is an important part of your wedding day. Whether you are only using music only for your reception, or plan on having a string quartet play Bridgerton style music all day long, music sets the tone.

As a former marching band nerd, I’m a little partial to music. Over my years as a wedding photographer, I’ve worked with all sorts of DJ’s and bands. Today, I wanted to talk about my favorite DJ’s.

It’s important to first figure out what you want and need before you choose a DJ. Are you looking for someone with extensive knowledge in music from your culture? Are you looking for someone who will help to get the dance floor hoppin’? Maybe you’re looking for something a little softer, like delicate background noise for your wedding.

DJ’s who get the party started (Dance & interact with the guests)

What are your thoughts? Have you worked with an amazing DJ or know an amazing DJ? Leave a comment below with their information!

Brendan & Christina’s Theater Engagement

Brendan & Christina’s thespian stage engagement portraits on the Sam Houston State University campus.

It was a blisteringly hot day near the end of spring when I met up with Brendan and Christina on their old stomping grounds, the SHSU campus. While waiting for the temperatures to drop a little outside, we started our portraits on the campus’s theater stage.

I always enjoy doing things a little different and hadn’t taken any engagement photos of a couple on a stage or in a theater. It was fun being the only people in the theater and getting to recreate theater lights with my lighting.

After taking photos inside, Brendan and Christina took me on a tour of the campus (I’d never been there before). It was interesting taking photos in places that held such rich history and memories to the couple.

 

Downtown Houston Engagement Photos

Nick & Jennifer’s Engagement photos in and around the Post building in Downtown Houston.

I met Nick and Jennifer on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the park just across from the Post building downtown. This was my first time exploring the park in that part of town. We started on a cute hill overlooking the city skyline then explored the lower parts of the park where bikers zoomed past us every few minutes. I was pleasantly surprised to find a man-made waterfall there just by a cute wooden bridge.

After walking around in the lower parts of the park, we made our way to the top of the Post building to get some more of the skyline then we took photos on the different types of staircases (there’s such a variety!) Check out Nick and Jennifer’s Houston engagement photos below

 

Downtown Houston Engagement Portraits

James & Chelsea’s showed me the hidden haunts and gem’s of Houston during their engagement portraits this April. I love this city. It’s crazy that you can live here your whole life and still learn new things. I am slightly obsessed with learning about haunted sites and (though I knew of some of them) loved hearing the details about the haunted places downtown.

Our second stop (just after the “Houston is Inspired” mural) was the La Carafe Bar, one of the most haunted bars in Houston. As we made our way to the second floor to take some balcony photos, Chelsea was telling me about the ghost who likes to push women down the stairs. Needless to say, I was white-knuckling the handrails & still managed to slip on something at the top of the stairs.

After the bar, I took James and Chelsea to a little baby waterfall I discovered hiding under the street level along the Buffalo Bayou, then we headed to the place James & Chelsea had their first date. Unfortunately, COVID took it down, so we were only able to take photos around the building.

We ended up back along the waters edge where the haunted Spaghetti Warehouse is located (which is now replaced with a bar). We walked along the water then up to the Sunset Coffee Building and lastly to a colorful bar across the street.

I must tell you, as I was writing about the haunted spaghetti Warehouse building, something pushed over Andy’s golf clubs upstairs (everyone was downstairs at the time). Everyone freaked out. I told Andy the ghosts must have read my blog and decided to let me know they’re watching…

 

Nick & Rachel’s Sunset Coffee Building Wedding

On a gorgeous spring day, Nick and Rachel exchanged vows atop the Sunset Coffee building looking over Downtown Houston.

Weeks before their wedding, Nick and Rachel decided to take some couple portraits around the Hermann park area. We started in the Cochlear Butterfly museum and ended in the Japanese garden.

On their wedding day, guests arrived to the Sunset Coffee Building by the busload. Guests milled about and found their seats overlooking the Buffalo Bayou as they waited for the wedding to start. Nick and Rachel made their way up the side stairs together and walked down the isle hand in hand. They chose not to have a wedding party, however include several of their friends and family in reading passages from poems and other pieces of literature that spoke to them and their lives together.

After the wedding, the guests made their way down to the second floor where the cocktail hour. Guests cooled off and wandered around the level taking in the sights of downtown or taking photos in front of the gorgeous floral sculpture that SOMEONE made.

Dinner was served on the ground level (which is actually below street level) under tents with glowing lights. An amazing collection of flowers littered the three long tables. After dinner, guests were welcomed to join Nick and Rachel back on the second floor for dancing and cupcakes.

The couple choreographed a first dance that included all of their closest friends. TO WHAT SONG? After the first dance, the DJ did a reverse anniversary dance. He started with couples married the longest and worked his way to couples married for less than 5 hours. I loved how they actively worked to get people onto the dance floor. The last thing the DJ asked was for everyone to come to the dance floor to take a series of photos. One photo of everyone looking at me and smiling. One photo of Nick & Rachel kissing and everyone going “eew” and the last photo of everyone with their hands in the air. As soon as the DJ counted to 3 (for the photo) he started a song to get the party started. This was such a clever way to break the ice and get everyone on the dance floor dancing.

Congratulations to Nick & Rachel! May they have years and years and years of happiness.

See the wedding photos.

 

Vendors:

Venue: Sunset Coffee Building

Coordinator: Lriliece Events and Decor

Floral’s: Babe City Blooms

Decor: Art Attack

Tent: Houston Tents & Events

Catering: Dhaniyas

Dress: Lafayette Couture

Brazos Bend Park Engagement Portraits

Brad & Christy’s Brazos Bend park engagement portraits were set on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The birds were chirping and the bees were busy pollinating. Spring had officially sprung!

I enjoyed walking around to some of the places I’ve been before and exploring some new locations within the park. Check out the engagement photos below.

 

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A Southwest Houston wedding photographer
Richmond, TX
kelly@kellyurbanphotography.comKelly Urban Photography

A Southwest Houston wedding photographer
Richmond, TX

A Houston wedding photographer