Baby Kei | Surrogacy | Fresh 48 | Fort Worth, Tx

Surrogacy is an amazing thing. Being able to give a gift like that, there are almost no words for it. As a mom myself, I couldn’t imagine a life without my babies. That’s why I was so thrilled when my sister-in-law, Angelina, asked me to document her little belly buddy Kei’s first moments in the world at Harris Methodist Hospital Southwest in Fort Worth, Texas.

You could tell that the brand new parent, K&P, were already head over heels in love for this tiny baby boy.

I asked them to share a little bit of their experience and here’s what Angelina had to say…

It’s hard to put into words what this experience has been like and just how much it means to me. We were matched perfectly to this amazing couple living a world away. We instantly knew they were the ones God had put in our path. We got to hear their struggle and are now part of the same story. We had all wanted to get this journey started right away,  after all they’ve been waiting so long already. Our first try was a success! 39 weeks and 3 days later and he’s here! This miracle has come true. This prayer that’s been said and asked for countless times has finally been answered. This dream has come true. These amazing people are now parents! It’s an unbelievable feeling to realize the role I played. We became family. I am emotional and cry thinking about everything and where we are now. I hugged my husband lastnight and just cried then he said “it’s crazy huh? You did it!” Just because the pregnancy is over, doesn’t mean our journey is. It’s just beginning. We get to be included for the rest of his life!

***Words from K&P to come later after they’ve adjusted to new parenthood.

Also, you can read Angelina’s blog documenting their entire surrogacy journey here.

Here are some of my favorite moments from Baby Kei’s fresh 48.

Welcome to the world little guy!

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Mrs. Walker | Bridal Session | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Mr. and Mrs. Walker finally said their vows this weekend in a beautiful, intimate ceremony at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Dallas, Tx. Even though it rained 90% of the day, as soon as Samantha saw Stephen at the end of that isle nothing else mattered. Her words exactly.

Now that the wedding is over, I can finally share this gorgeous bridal session I shot with Samantha and her two girls, Kaylee and Teagan, last month at the same venue.

Here’s are a few of my favorite photos from the new Mrs. Walker’s bridal session. Stay tuned for the wedding blog in a few weeks!

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Kaylee + Patrick | Engagement Session | Plano, Tx

Fun Fact: Did you know I was born on a pretty lucky day? Saint Patrick’s Day! So I’m basically a lucky charm you guys. Look it up. Science. Hahahaha!

Kaylee and Patrick are getting married just ONE day before my birthday next year at the gorgeous Cross Creek Ranch in Parker, Tx. How lucky am I to be shooting it for them?! Judging by this amazing engagement session (they were so fantastic), it’s going to be a beautiful wedding with two very in love people.

It was so hard to narrow down, but here are some of my favorite moments from their engagement session.

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Maverick Judah | Maternity Session| Newborn Lifestyle | Argyle, Tx

Hello Hello! I am back in the blogging game you guys. This time for real. I am going to be so on top of this.

Let me introduce you to something. His name is Maverick and he is the first baby boy I’ve gotten to shoot in a loooong stream of adorable girls. Weighing in at 10 pounds, I believe his mama said, and those little eyes that match his big sister’s. He stole my heart y’all!

This little family has been a part of my client family since 2016. Believe it or not, I met them when that curly haired little beauty was still in her mommy’s tummy. It was one of my favorite maternity sessions.

Then I found out they were expecting baby number TWO and guess who got to photograph that maternity session?

THIS GIRL!

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It was perfect and beautiful! I was so excited to finally meet baby Maverick when we finally had his newborn session in their gorgeous new home. Especially because his gender was a surprise just like his big sister’s was.

Here are some of my favorite moments of his newborn lifestyle session!

Oh and don’t forget, I offer discounts on baby bundles! Contact me here for details.

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Baby Bingaman | Maternity Session | Plano, Tx

The first session I shot after my maternity leave just so happened to be a maternity session. My baby girl was 6 weeks old and my husband brought her along to the park just to keep her close. It had been 5 years since we were in the newborn club so it took a little adjustment, lol. Mommy’s know what it’s like to leave their babies for the first time so having her just in the same park made my heart calm.

When Brenna booked her session with me, I was so so excited to shoot it. This baby boy was prayed for and oh so loved already! She was gorgeous and did such an amazing job. The Bingamans tried to conceive for three years before starting IVF and they were blessed to get pregnant on their first embryo transfer! Brenna said “I was convinced it didn’t work and it didn’t feel real literally until he was in my arms.” Baby Ashton Jett arrived on March 26, 2018 at 7:26pm weighing 7 pounds and 19 inches long.

Congratulations Aaron and Brenna on your new addition, I cannot wait to meet Mr. Ashton!

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

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!

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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

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The Talamantes Wedding | Cross Creek Ranch | Plano, Tx

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​

 

 

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Congrats you two!!

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The Dollar Wedding | Historic 512 | Fort Worth, Tx

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…

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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

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The Martinez Family | Family Session | Plano, Tx

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!

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Mrs. Dollar | Bridal Session | Keller, Tx

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!

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