Rosemary, Michael, and the Wedding Planner...

This is the story of Rosemary, Michael, and their wedding planner, Desana Turner!

I have some experience with weddings.  I stopped counting how many weddings I've attended, but the number is up there.  I've seen weddings run as smooth as silk, and I've seen wedding disasters.

What is a wedding disaster?  Flowers and cake that get delivered to the wrong address.  Flowers that are the wrong color.  The band shows up to the wrong wedding venue.  A DJ that doesn't show up or call.  Wedding guests arrive at the reception venue, and it's locked up.  (These stories are all true).  Catering is a whole different level of disaster.  I understand that catering a large event is a tricky logistical undertaking.  But you don't want to have 200 hungry guests, and the food is an hour late coming out, and when it does come out, it's over-cooked, burnt, or worse, they run out of food.

See what I mean by disaster?  The difference between a smooth wedding, and a disaster is planning.  I'll admit, some brides can do it.  I've seen a bride and mother combination that could coordinate supplies for an invading army and not have one glitch.  It can be done, but not everyone has the time, or the OCD skills to do it well.

I've always given advice to brides that having a wedding planner.... (and the caveat is a "GOOD" wedding planner) will save you time, blood, sweat and tears.  Lots of tears.  One of those really good wedding planners that I've worked with is Desana Turner.  That woman pays attention to details.  On March 1st, I photographed Rosemary and Michael's wedding.  It was complex.  A lot of planning, decorating, and coordinating with dozens of vendors.  It still went smooth.  I tip my hat to Desana.  She was on top of things.  I think I almost heard her use profanity when she found out the horse drawn carriage wasn't going to make it,... but otherwise, she never even breaks a sweat.  The flowers, the food, the music, was perfect.

Rosemary's dress was beautiful.  The groomsmen looked sharp.  It was a gorgeous wedding.  The venue was the famous Woodward House mansion.  Built in the 1880's, the hand carved wood, and atmosphere in this beautiful venue added to the romance of the evening.

Cold Engagement Session on the Riverwalk

Welcome to Texas.  The previous week, we had balmy warm weather in the 70's.  This particular photo session the temp was hovering in the low 40's.  At first it looked like it would be grey and overcast, and then, BOOM, the sun comes out.  Crazy.

Derek is active duty military, serving our country from Clovis New Mexico.  Trust me when I say that you have no idea how much of a sacrifice he has given.  If you've ever been to Clovis, you know what I mean.

This was our only day to shoot.  Like a good soldier, he and Sarah braved the chilly wind, and we walked along San Antonio's famous Riverwalk.  He put up with my jokes, and we even had a duck that tried to get into the photo shoot.  I can't wait for the wedding.

Photography Advice for Brides

Things your Photographer wished you would do...   no really... seriously.  I can dream, right?


Over the years, I've worked with more than a few brides.  Some were easy to work with, and some didn't want to make the photography aspect any easier.  I can't and shouldn't complain... it's not their job to make my job any easier or better.  But there are things they can do to help me out that will make their wedding pictures better.  A happy photographer is a good photographer!

Sandra and Jason

I knew it was going to be a fun wedding.  Sandy told me that she liked my ideas, and wanted to do some "fun" pictures.  You see... this is the second wedding they've had.  The first wedding wasn't quite the dream wedding they had planned.  Sandy was involved in a horrible accident just days before the wedding.  She spent months without being able to walk.  She said that Jason carried her... everywhere.  She had horrific injuries, and she is still dealing with the pain, and the surgeries.  She has another surgery scheduled in the next few months.

What is Boudoir Photography?

The word "Boudoir" is French. It is literally translated as "bedroom" but is used when referring to a 'Lady's Bedroom'. Boudoir photography is not new, although the popularity and public acceptance is on the rise.