Zumwalt Wedding | Travis & Claire

Goodness. I feel like there's always too much to tell about a couple to even START writing a blog post about them. This sweet couple is pretty close to my heart. Both of their families are extremely special to me. It's SO great going into a wedding, knowing that you'll be photographing two of the coolest families ever. At the Lubbock Bridal Fair in January, Claire came to visit my booth. She had already booked me, but we chatted about life for a bit. She informed me that she was going to visit her fiance, Travis (U.S marine) in Vegas the next month for a couple of weeks. "WHEN?!" I asked. I had plans to go to WPPI in Vegas the next month too, and even though I knew it probably wouldn't be at the same time, I thought I'd ask. Turns out, we were going the exact same week, soooo I flew out a couple of days before my conference and hung out with Travis & Claire. :) It was so great to sit down with these two and know them a little better. One of my favorite nights, we ate at California Pizza Kitchen and talked about Travis' experiences on the field. For the first time, I realized how strong a man has to be to serve our country out of complete selflessness. I also recognized Claire's strength. She has promised to commit to a man that risks his life for a living. Over pizza in a hotel casino, I had developed a respect for this couple in a new way.



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Find them. :)



Less than a month later, I arrive at the rehearsal of their wedding. Travis had a black eye. hahah My jaw dropped, and I asked Claire what happened. She rolled her eyes and said two words, "Ultimate frisbee."



Travis & Claire moved to California the week after their wedding. Talk about crazy.. What troopers! Here are some frames from their wedding day. This is how Claire prepped for wedding day, playing Jenga with her sister, Grace.








Her dress was STUNNING. Bridals HERE.




I was just telling a friend the other day that one of my favorite things about weddings is the difference between the guys and girls' rooms. Girls are usually going a million miles an hour and drowning themselves in hairspray while the guys are playing video games and eating. In this case, Claire was as relaxed as they come, even getting hand and foot massages from her bridesmaids (those are some good bridesmaids). ha, I love Travis in the left image.



"Travis, give the ring to Cody & the check to give to Matt after the weddin. I <3 you. See you after. -Claire"









I LOVE the bows on the backs of the bridesmaid's dresses.











Okay, I HAD to put this one up. Please look at the groom and the best man. Yup.. look at their hands. hahah, NO ONE knew what was going on except for the three of us. I laughed so hard.



Ha.. the guys were throwing skittles into each other's mouths. Ohhh.. my job.












The onlookers. ;)




Trav & Claire, you have NO idea how honored I am to have shared in your day. Thank you for letting me be a part. Congratulations Travis & Claire: "You be wed." ;)

Tara HOBGOOD | Bride

I'm so lucky. I get to see the bride before the wedding day. I get to attend her "trial-run" (bridal session) weeks before her wedding day. I get to see Mom cry when she watches her daughter in her wedding gown. I get to witness Dad's last glance at his little girl before she walks down the aisle. What an awesome job. I'm so grateful. I feel like I get to watch a real life girly wedding movie every weekend. :D In the past month, I have shot two weddings and was in two weddings. It's been crazy to experience the difference between working and attending. Someone asked me which of the two I liked better, and my answer was, "I love weddings." haha.. After I said it, I realized I didn't answer the question at all, but it was exactly how I wanted to answer. I love them. Yes, some may be crazy. Yes, some may be stressful, but if, by the end of the day, two become one and start life together, it is a success. I may lose touch with some friends, but I will never blame or discount marriage for that. It's life, and I'm happy for a friend or even a stranger to find someone to love for life. Ahhh, I just had to get that out. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend this girl's wedding, but I can't IMAGINE how beautiful it was. She has such great style. I stalk her Pinterest because of it. :D I can't wait to see images from her wedding day. Tara is a GORGEOUS woman, inside and out. In all honesty, I had a rough day the day of her bridals (she knows this), but her precious laugh was the most calming thing to me that night. I loved witnessing that joy first hand. It rubbed off, and after the shoot, I was able to just rest.. not physically, but emotionally. Tara, thank you for allowing yourself to be used for His glory. Now, you get to be used for His glory in marriage with Heath. HOW COOL!!!!!! :) I wish I could've been there.












Sooo, Tara is kind of famous for this tattoo. Seriously. Just google 'love is enough'. She's all over google images.. her design.








Meet Megan. She. is. beautiful.









Mom & best friend. What else do you need on a bridal session??



I may need a wider lens. ;)