Dallas – Page 2 – Amanda Raylee Photography | Dallas Fort Worth Wedding + Portrait Photographer

Kaylee + Patrick | Engagement Session | Plano, Tx

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Amanda Alexander in Couples, Engagement, Weddings

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.

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

Posted on July 30, 2018March 23, 2023 by Amanda Alexander in Newborn

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!

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.

A Day in the Life of The Kupiec Family | Documentary Lifestyle |Aubrey, Tx

Posted on June 3, 2018August 17, 2018 by Amanda Alexander in Documentary

When I first started shooting my clients, I always imagined doing documentary sessions one day. It’s like being a little photojournalist but for families. Do you ever just see your kids playing together from across the lawn or maybe you’re giving your husband a long sweet hug in the kitchen after a long day. Those moments are precious. One day you might not live in the same house and your babies will be grown before you know it. Don’t you want to remember them someday or even show them to generations to come.

This year I gave myself a few goals. One was to get my own studio (more on that later) and the other was to be creative. I want to shoot what makes my heart happy and I am so excited to share this with all of you These are called “Family Lifestyle” sessions or “A Day in the Life”. When you schedule one of these documentary style shoots, I want you to feel relaxed. I know, nothing about family pictures with your kids is relaxing but hear me out! I don’t want coordinating outfits, I don’t need anyone to stay pristine. No shoes, no shirt, no problem y’all! I just want to come over and hang out with you. Follow your kids playing or helping mama cook. Daddy mowing the lawn or the babies having a bubble bath.

SO HERE IS THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
I will be offering half-price documentary sessions all Summer long! For just $175, I will come to your family home for a couple of hours to capture your memories in your most comfortable setting. All edited photos are included and will be sent to you in a digital gallery with a release to print AND an added discount on an album!

To show you my vision, I was lucky enough to know the perfect family to try out one of these sessions and I couldn’t be more in love. Thank you so much Sammie Sean, Graham, and Harrison for letting me hang out with you for the morning.

Here is a day in the life of the Kupiec family…

Baby Bingaman | Maternity Session | Plano, Tx

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Amanda Alexander in Maternity

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!

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

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!

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!