It rained just long enough to get these shots!

I love the hearts! <3

Q. Where did you meet?
A. We met in Organic chemistry class at University of Houston.

Q. What was your first impression of him?
A. I did not like him at all and was not interested in dating him. I thought he was very arrogant and a snob. Which are common qualities in a Persian guy. When I found out he was Persian I for sure did not want to date him. I had no idea before we started dating that he had a crush on me the whole time.

Q. What was your first impression of her?
A. She’s so quiet and oblivious.

Q. What did you do for your first date?
A. The first date was a trick date. Sara thought a group from class was going to the science museum to see the Body Worlds Exhibit. When Sara got there only Ashkan was there.

Q. When did you know he was the one?
A. The year he went to Louisiana to spend Thanksgiving with my family.

Q. When did you know she was the one?
A. The day I was sick and she drove all the way to my house and brought me gatorade and tylenol and cleaned up my vomit.

Q. How did he pop the question?
A. We were on vacation in Chicago for Lollapalooza and our first night there he wanted to go to the Sears Tower. He set off the security alarm because he had the ring in his pocket but security still let him go through. When we get to the top and are looking out at the city he proposes.

Q. What do you love the most about him?
A. The fact that he is so intelligent is a blessing and curse but I also like the fact that he never leaves his family out in cold even if they are wrong or drive him crazy.

Q. What do you love most about her?
A. That she likes to go places and even though she’s quiet she still has an outgoing personality.

Q. Does he have any funny quirks?
A. The way he talks and laughs.

Q. Does she have any funny quirks?
A. She has a funny stare when she’s mad.

Q. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced together?
A. School has kept us really busy and apart the majority of the time. We’ve also had to face his parents divorce and my grandparents deaths.

Q. What’s the secret to your happy relationship?
A. Always talking to each other even when we are fighting. Keeping each other in the known even if we can only talk by texting.

Here is one engagement album I printed. I use Lilia and Justin’s engagement session. Here is one cover option and a few of the pages to showcase the different page designs I used. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

A few pages are covered completely with an image. I wouldn’t sign on these pages.

Other pages have white space for guests to sign on.

Some pages have a sheer background for guests to sign on.

The second part of the shoot was downtown on a rooftop. I have been living here in Houston all of my life and I have NEVER seen a better view of the Houston skyline.

This was an amazing experience and we got some amazing portraits. Which ones are your favorite? Leave a comment and let me know!!

Here’s Max!

And Gabe!

Bed head.

Sitting in the toy box like he owns the place.

They are TOO cute! I just can’t get enough!

“Scrunchy face!”

Lady killer face!

I couldn’t resist the eyelashes shot.

GOOOOOOOAAALLLLL!!!!

Take one bite, put it on the table, take one bite, put it on the table…

Joel’s brother Ira was in town for Guard drill and dropped by to say “Hi”.

Piano lessons.

Bed time, good night.

There is a beautiful simplicity to this photo which makes it one of my favorites. There are several elements of design that I really like about this photo including shape, pattern, and texture. To have a central subject composition that is visually interesting requires good use of symmetry and balance. In this case everything in the frame is vertically symmetrical
except the sculpture piece and the placement of Kimberly’s arms and head. The sculpture lends a lot of weight to the left side of the frame but is not distracting because it is featureless. Her bent arm mimics the triangular shape of the sculpture and helps to visually connect her to the artwork. The rounded part of the sculpture and the round train of the dress similarly help connect her to the sculpture. There is a lot of different textures in the portrait and I love how the hard and angular metal and stone of the sculpture garden contrasts with the soft gentle quality of Kimberly’s back and dress.

I also love the tonal contrast in this photo. It reminds me of when I shot with  Ilford HP5 plus 400 high contrast black and white film in my college darkroom class. The strong contrasts of both shades and textures creates some tension in the piece but I think the mood is really nicely controlled by Kimberly’s confident and elegant stance.

We have so much fun shooting bridal portraits! When else do you get to walk around the city in a bridal gown looking like a princess? Tell me what you think in the comments below.

The necklace below can be worn with the ear rings photographed with it or the ones to the right.