Blog – Page 4 – Amanda Raylee Photography | Dallas Fort Worth Wedding + Portrait Photographer

The Davis Wedding | The Springs Event Venue | Weatherford, Tx

Posted on February 21, 2018February 21, 2018 by Amanda Alexander in Weddings

The end of 2017 was insanity. So many sessions, so much editing, and so many WEDDINGS! Not to mention being super pregnant at the time definitely made it a tad bit more challenging. Now that we are well into 2018, and Baby Daphne is finally here, I can enjoy a little breather and blogging time!

Sandy and Joshua were married at The Springs Event Venue in Weatherford, Tx. It had been rainy and cold the week before but this particular Sunday was sunny, gorgeous, with a little bit of a chill in the air.

Pulling up to the venue, I was immediately excited because of how beautiful it was. The decorations were perfect for a winter wedding. A little rustic but oh so chic and whimsical. The bride and groom, looked like two lovebirds out of a fairy tale.

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Davis! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your big day!

Photographer: Amanda Raylee Photography
Videographer: Storytellers Studio
Venue: The Springs Event Venue – Weatherford
Cake: Back Home Bakery
Hair: Drybar Fort Worth
Florist: Springtown Flower Shop
Linens: VIP Linens and Events
Bar: Professional Bartending of Greater DFW
Food: TCP Catering
DJ: Heartsong Events and Lighting

Riley Lou | Fresh 48 | Grapevine, Tx

Posted on February 12, 2018February 18, 2020 by Amanda Alexander in Fresh 48, Lifestyle

This session was the last one I shot before I had my own baby girl. Actually it was a whole 8 days before I had her! I waddled into that postpartum room and met the sweetest newborn girl. Miss Riley! She was the teeniest, sweetest baby all dressed in purple floral and she knocked her session out of the park.

Congratulations to mama, daddy, and the new big sister!

Now booking 2018 maternity, fresh 48, and newborns!

The Ayala Wedding | Oak Water Ranch | Granbury, Tx

Posted on December 22, 2017March 23, 2023 by Amanda Alexander in Weddings

It was the perfect October day for a wedding at the gorgeous Oak Water Ranch in Granbury, Tx. I was so excited that the day had finally come for Alexis and Edric, the sweetest couple imaginable. I arrived early to scope out the place and saw all of the wonderful engagement photos we took together back in January displayed on every table in the room. You can see that adorable session here actually! We had a blast on that super cold morning.

All of the flowers, decorations, and tiny details were perfect. The greens and reds were beautiful together. The bouquet…to die for! And OMG, that DRESS! (Alexis, you were gorgeous).

The wedding went off without a hitch, minus some crazy winds earlier in the day. From the first look to the last dance. The ceremony was traditional but sweet and afterwards everyone had so much fun partying the night away under the stars. The perfect day. Congratulations you to the new Mr. and Mrs. Ayala! It was such an honor to play a small part of your love story!

Here are some of my favorite moments from that day…

Vendors
Photography: Amanda Raylee Photography
Venue: Oak Water Ranch – Granbury, Tx
Coordinator: Something-Blue Weddings
Music: DJ Eddie G
Ceremony: Strings 4 All Seasons
Florist: Weddings by The Kreative Consultant
Cake: Granbury Cakes
Food: Patriotic Pig
Videography: Washington Filmz
Dress: Pence and Panache Bridal & Tuxedo
Makeup: Morgan Perkins Beauty

Baby Huerta | Maternity Session | McKinney, Tx

Posted on December 20, 2017March 23, 2023 by Amanda Alexander in Maternity

Maternity sessions are something I have a real passion for. I love making a mommy-to-be feel like she is the most beautiful human being on earth in that moment. Being 8 months pregnant myself right now, those “I’m a goddess” moments are few and far between, let me tell ya!

I was so excited to shoot this maternity boudoir session for my gorgeous client, Priscilla. She was amazing! It’s so hard to believe that later that same month, she had her precious baby girl.

Here are some of my favorite shots from her maternity boudoir…

(It’s never too early to book your maternity session, contact me here to get started!)

Brogyn Rae | Fresh 48 | Fort Worth, Tx

Posted on November 3, 2017March 23, 2023 by Amanda Alexander in Fresh 48, Lifestyle

What’s a Fresh 48?

It’s a question I get a lot. Fresh 48’s are a newer type of session but they are one of my favorites to shoot. A Fresh 48 is a session that is shot within the first two days, and sometimes 3 days, of your newborn’s life while you’re at the hospital. No fancy outfits or woodsy locations, just a mommy, daddy, and a precious baby. Parents still glowing with the love and awe of a new little person in their life. First timers and veterans are exactly the same during those first moments. Everyone loves a new squishy little one. Personally I can’t get enough of those precious cries and oh that baby smell. There is nothing like new baby smell. Seriously, next time you have a chance, smell a newborn. With parent permission of course!

I was lucky enough to follow the Blair family from maternity, to fresh 48, to newborn session. I love being able to do that. It gives me so much time to become familiar with them from pregnancy to the first couple of weeks home. Brogyn was the perfect baby. She was awake for a minute and then out like a light when she was swaddled. She and mommy wore the most adorable matching outfits from Posh Peanut, the colors were perfection. It was probably my favorite Fresh 48 session of the year.

Here are some of my favorite photos from Brogyn Rae’s fresh 48!

Oh and special announcement!!!!

From now until the end of the year, all mommies expecting babies due in April to July who book a maternity, fresh 48, or newborn session with me will get $100 off! I’ll be booking a limited amount of these so book yours early!! Click here to contact me so we can get you on the calendar.

Aren’t they adorable? Congratulations to the new Blair family!

The Talamantes Wedding | Cross Creek Ranch | Plano, Tx

Posted on July 7, 2017July 7, 2017 by Amanda Alexander in Weddings

I’ve been wanting to blog this amazing Cinco de Mayo wedding since I shot it and I’m FINALLY doing it y’all!

Cue the Rocky music you guys because it is happening! Here we go!

This wedding was planned in 5 short months and was nothing short of gorgeous. Cinco de Mayo is already a colorful holiday and the way Meagan planned it all was perfect. BBQ food truck. Pan dulce bar. A bridal suite I wanted to steal and put in my backyard for mommy getaways. It was the best day.

I watched all the joy from family and friends spill out everywhere I wandered. The bridal party laughing about their bare feet. The groomsmen taking shots and goofing off with the groom, David. Everyone was so happy that Noah’s mommy and daddy were becoming man and wife. They would officially be the Talamantes family.

It was such a joy and a pleasure to be a part of a beautiful day with these two love birds and their perfect little family. I wish you two all the world’s happiness on your new adventure in life!

Here are some of my favorite shots of the Talamantes wedding!

Photographer: Amanda Raylee Photography
Venue: Cross Creek Ranch
Floral: Market Street Allen
Cakes: Market Street Allen
Pan Dulce Bar: La Popular Panaderia
Catering: Not Just Q
Hair: Marbles Beauty
Bridal Makeup: Florina Perales (Forever Flow)
Centerpieces/Decoration: Cross Creek Ranch
DJ: Noel Martinez

Congrats you two!!

The Dollar Wedding | Historic 512 | Fort Worth, Tx

Posted on May 20, 2017March 23, 2023 by Amanda Alexander in Weddings

Would you believe it all started at a Buffalo Wild Wings? Not really where fairy tales usually begin but this one did. One boy, two twin boys, a Time Square engagement later and here we are. Chelsea and Scott’s wedding day!

It was shaping up to be a beautiful April Sunday at the Historic 512 in Downtown Fort Worth. Chelsea and her bridesmaids were finishing their last minute touch ups. Scott was hanging out with the guys, including their three little guys, Maddok, Hatton, and Maxxon. Then came time for the dress, it was a beautiful mermaid gown with intricate lace detail and a high neck. It was perfection on her. I still remembered every detail from our bridal session a couple of months before. I watched as Chelsea floated around the room helping all of her girls get ready. Eyeliner. Hair. Lipstick. Even doing her own.

While Scott and the boys had some traditions of there own to share…

In the middle of the wedding party photos, Scott and Chelsea took a moment together to just be. To say hello. To take in the day that they become a family. It was probably the sweetest moment I’ve ever witness at a wedding. Sometimes a little breather is needed during the craziness to breath together.

And before we knew it, it was time to walk…

Thank you so much to Chelsea and Scott for choosing me to capture this special day for you. It was gorgeous, so full of wonderful memories, and joy. I’m so glad that I got to be a part of it all. Congratulations to the new Dollar family!

Here are some more of my favorites of the day…

Photographer: Amanda Raylee Photography
2nd Shooter: Meagan Nelson Photography
Venue: Historic 512
DJ: MWP Customs DJ Services
Caterers: Triumph Catering
Details: Keri Rains Decor

The Martinez Family | Family Session | Plano, Tx

Posted on April 28, 2017March 23, 2023 by Amanda Alexander in Family

Getting to see a family become a family is a special experience. I met a gorgeous strong woman last year while she was pregnant with her son. Her name is Madeline. She was graceful and beautiful and I fully credit her with my maternity session boom. Her session was amazing and still one of my favorites. You can see it here and I’m sure you will agree with me 100%. She was fantastic! Fast forward to this past fall when she asked me to take family photos of her and baby Mateo. Not just any family photos. Their first family photos.

It was a cold morning but these 2 were bundled up and stuck it out like troopers. Mateo couldn’t get enough of the camera. Looking adorable in his fuzzy hat. We wandered around the park and snuggled in the blankets. We played with leaves and sticks and had all the fun that early morning. It was such a great experience to see this young woman go from being pregnant and excited to meet her baby to being the perfect mommy for her son. Two puzzle pieces that were simply meant to be together.

Being a single mom is not easy. My mother is law was a single mom of 5 boys and just hearing her stories of all the crazy moments, all the fun moments, and all the wonderful memories is amazing. All the credit in the world to single mothers out there doing everything they can for their families. I know Maddy was nervous about taking these photos being just the two of them but I think their perfect. This is their family. This is their life. I know when Mateo is older and graduating from high school, he’s going to see these photos and say “Wow. My mom did so much for me.” and he won’t be wrong. Miss Maddy, you are a genuine, kind, caring person and it’s such a joy to see you be a mom to this little cutie.

Here are some of my favorites from this family session…

Happy early mother’s day!

Baby Walker | Maternity Session | Dallas, Tx

Posted on April 20, 2017March 23, 2023 by Amanda Alexander in Maternity

It’s always fun to see your client’s lives change and grow in ways that make you so happy and even proud. Then by some magic, you get to capture it all for them. Like…how cool is that?

Almost exactly one year ago, I was hiding in a bush secretly shooting the proposal of Samantha and Stephen. Yes that really happened and it was so much fun! You can read all about it and see the photos from their adorable engagement session here. I’ve been lucky enough to capture their relationship from the very beginning. Now I get to see them expand their little family with another sweet baby girl.

I was so thrilled to see them pull up and dressed to the nines for this session! The gorgeous long flowy maxi dress was perfect shade of pink and coordinated with Miss Kaylee’s floral dress beautifully. Not to mention those amazing braids and Stephen’s suspenders. LOVE. The whole session was magical and looks like something out of a fairy tale.

Here are some of favorite shots from the session…

Dress by Blooming Maternity (altered by Samantha)

So excited to meet this baby girl! Congrats to the Walker family!

Mrs. Dollar | Bridal Session | Keller, Tx

Posted on April 14, 2017July 7, 2017 by Amanda Alexander in Weddings

The met the future Mrs. Dollar for the first time in person on a beautiful day in February. The perfect day for bridals. As a mother of 3 itty bitties and planning a wedding, Chelsea was super busy so we hadn’t been able to get together before this. Completely understandable! Planning a wedding is hard.

Chelsea’s mom Keri and her maid of honor Cortney came along to our session because wedding dresses are hard y’all. I can’t tell you how excited I was to see her put on this amazing lace mermaid gown with its high neck and gorgeous details. It was perfection and fit her like a dream. It was paired with an adorable pair of vintage heels. We had the best time exploring the park in Keller and finding the most amazing light for these bridal photos. I’m so happy to finally be able to share them because the Dollars are MARRIED as of April 9th! I cannot wait to blog their beautiful wedding at the Historic 512 in Fort Worth. In the meantime, here are my favorite photos from Chelsea’s bridal session!

Check back here soon for a blog post all about the Dollar wedding!