I remember walking into the Arboretum a few minutes early–I always like to get a feel for the location even if I’ve been there before: what’s the lighting today? Is it crowded? Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a bride doing something quite clever; she was standing in a trash bag with a hole for her feet, so the bag could keep her dress off the ground. After a moment of appreciation, I thought, wait I know her. Turns out, she was my bride Alli!
Once her mom joined us we headed in. The Dallas Arboretum is a special location for them both because it is where Alli’s parents got married! Specifically the Sunken Gardens, so I knew we would be heading to that area, but first I wanted to get her portraits at Crepe Myrtle Alley just in case that area became busier as we neared the end of the day.
Right as we were about to start, I noticed a ladybug had landed on her sleeve and I thought it was just the sweetest thing–a little Fairytale Princess Magic for my bride and soon-to-be vet! Yes Alli was not only planning a wedding, she was also going through veterinarian school!
I love it when my brides choose to have bridal portraits before their wedding day. It allows them to make any tweaks to their look if needed, and it gives me freedom to be creative and give her dress all the attention it deserves! If things are going crazy on a wedding day, those solo portraits of the bride can be rushed and fewer than I like, so knowing I have them already captured is a great relief for myself and my brides.
Be sure to read all about Alli and Tyler’s wedding at the Laurel in Grapevine–we loved getting to see past brides and grooms, not to mention an Aggie wedding is always a good time!
This next photo is my favorite image from her session BUT it was not my “go home happy” shot, as my mentor Katelyn James likes it to say, that comes next. Honestly amazed I haven’t printed this one for my office.
THESE were my “go home happy” pics. Now, as you’ve seen, we created multiple stunning portraits of Alli, she had a complete gallery before I pulled her off the path to take these (you guys the ground was wet and she is literally holding her entire dress off the ground–God bless my clients for trusting my shenanigans).
The reason I stopped was I knew I could create some amazing foreground with the flowers, an element I felt we were creatively missing, so yes, I’m still cheering and smiling at these photos.
