Colleyville, Texas Portrait Session: Meet the Montgomerys

Meet the Newlyweds, Larry and Mary Beth Montgomery! These two crazy kids tied the knot just a little over a week ago and we had the chance to document the last few days of their engagement. These guys had been in my books for quite some time but the weather in Texas just wasn’t agreeing with our schedules. No worries though! Just as they were approaching the finishing line, the sky cleared up and we ended up shooting their engagement photos on the first really nice spring day in North Texas!

Larry had purchased this session for his then-girlfriend over Christmas. He knew that she would love to have a few photos taken of her with her little boy, Liam. Little did she know that Larry would propose shortly after and this session would become their first shoot as a Family of 3!

After checking the weather for several weeks and praying for a day without rain, we decided to meet just 7 days before their “I-Dos” at the Colleyville Nature Center. Mary Beth had stressed that she wanted nature to be a the forefront of importance in their portraits because both Larry and Mary Beth lead active lifestyles. Located smack dab in the middle of the metroplex, the Nature Center would be an awe-inspiring backdrop. Spring had just begun and the flowers were blooming all over the park.

They arrived in style. Seeing that they were so close to the big day, Mary Beth had arranged to have her Hair & Make Up Trial that morning and she showed up looking fabulous! I fell in love with her skirt and the simple black off the shoulder top was a beautiful complement to her jeweled necklace and long dark locks!

To boot, the boys were  dressed simple, casual and so very perfect. Larry brought a classic neutral gray suit jacket to wear over his button down and Liam looked picture-perfect with his black and white gingham backwards hat and red corduroys. It was the perfect combination of style and laidback glam.

DID I MENTION THE ROCK ON HER FINGER? Holy moly, it is gorgeous. It is shiny and beautiful and looks oh-so perfect on her freshly manicured fingers! I even gave Larry a High Five! Good Job Buddy!

We strolled around the park stopping underneath fresh blooms and by the various waterways that surround the Nature Center for  photos of this sweet new family. If truth be told, it seemed to me like they had been a family for quite some time.

Liam really loves his Mama. It’s hard not to notice the way he looks at her. But, he really admires Larry too. You can tell. He looks up to him and has this ease about playing and joking with his StepDad that comes with an air of trust and respect. It made my heart so happy to see them all lovingly holding hands and embracing this new journey they were about to take off on.

Our last stop was by the ponds. I had promised Liam that he could take a few photos. I try do this with all my sessions because you would be amazed at the authenticity of the smiles you get when the little ones become the one behind the lens. Liam had Larry dipping his Mom and was posing her all kinds of funny ways.  He really enjoyed himself and I was glad to see his perspective documented so naturally.

I had asked them to bring a blanket to sit on. This is usually an easy photo. Not with these guys though. I was crying laughing at Larry on that blanket. He could not get comfortable to save his life. We tried so hard to make it work and in the long run, the photos were really cute but only they and I will know what a struggle that blanket was. Larry kept tipping over and wrestling to get comfy. Liam and Mary Beth couldn’t keep it together while watching him struggle. I hope that in 20 years from now, these guys still laugh at that memory that way I do.

Congratulations to the Montgomerys! I could not be happier for you guys! I wish you a wonderful and prosperous life together and I appreciate you allowing me the opportunity to document this very special time in your lives!

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The Kramer Family Portrait Session

Hey guys! I’m back at it again with another adorable Family Portrait Session. This time around, I met up with the Kramer Family in Grapevine, Texas to snag a few family photos. Meet Joey, KD, Joss and Emily!

You may notice this little girl, Josslyn. She has been featured on our blog before during the Waters Family Portrait Session. That shoot was all about cousins, brothers and sisters but this shoot was all about the immediate Kramer Family, just Mom, Dad and their sweet baby girls.

We initially met in downtown Grapevine near Tolbert’s to take a few pictures of Dad, Joey. He was in need of a few headshots for his up and coming chiropractic office and we both thought Main Street would provide the perfect backdrop. But more about those Headshots later…

After Daddy’s photoshoot, we headed to a section of shoreline called “Katie’s Woods”. Located near the boat ramp at Grapevine Lake, the cypress trees lining the small beach front would be perfect for blocking out that harsh morning light. Both babies were all smiles.

After a few test shots, I was ready to start posing these guys. But, they were all about play. Joey and KD lovingly tossed their little ladies in the air while each of them giggled endlessly. These 2 photos pictured above are my absolute favorites from their session. You can see how stoked the girls are by just looking at the huge smiles on their faces. Pure Joy Y’all!

Once we all had calmed down a bit, Joss was all about loving on her baby sister, Emily. She kept reaching over to tickle her and give her kisses on the cheek. KD and Joey have some heartbreakers on their hands so they better watch out!

After we managed to get a few of all 4 of them looking at the camera, Dad headed back into work for a little bit while mom, KD, stayed behind to grab a few photos of just the girls! While KD changed their outfits, I got a small blanket out so we could set Miss Emily down without getting her all dirty.

Does this girl have the prettiest blue eyes or what? And man oh man was she a happy little girl. She kept smiling at her Mommy and not once did she try to take her headband out of her hair. She even let me love on her for a little bit. While KD was changing Joss into her 3rd Birthday tutu, Emily and I bounced around in the shade.

We managed to get a few of the girls together but it was getting pretty hot out by then so I didn’t want to test their patience. We had started at 7 AM and it was nearing 8:30 when we realized how high the temperature outside had raised. Luckily, the breeze blowing off the water kept everyone in a good mood.

Or maybe my iPhone playing Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” on repeat kept them in a good mood! Seeing that Joss is a Trolls fan, like so many of us have been or are, I figured this song might help Princess Poppy with her twirling!

We ended their shoot by letting Joss don her 3rd Birthday tutu and wand! With that big pink bow in her hair and the colored pom-poms on the inside of her rainbow colored tutu, Joss proved to be just about the cutest 3 year old in the whole wide world! I had a blast shooting this family’s session and I look forward to seeing lots more of these guys in the future!

For information on how to book your unique Portrait Session, shoot me an email at therustienailhead@gmail.com or head to our Instagram page (@therustienail) to follow along with upcoming events, mini session and travel dates!

Mommy & Me Mini Session

My favorite little ladies are back up on the Blog this week! Last week, my good friend, Pida, stopped by with her little ones, Zoee & Paizlee, to set up their Mother’s Day shoot! Every couple months, these girls participate in our Mini Sessions and I swear each session gets better and better.

We started the shoot at one of my favorite locations, Bear Creek Park. In all season, this space provides ample light and gorgeous backdrops. This time would be no different. We headed to the park and immediately made our way into the Spring Wildflower patch. Full of Indian paintbrushes, blue bonnets and sweet pea, this spot would be perfect for the girls to run around!

I was a little nervous about heading deep into the flowers. Last time I headed out with these girls, we ended up in a sunflower field. Though the photos turned out adorable, it was definitely a nightmare shoot. Though now we laugh about it,  all of us were badly bitten by chiggers as we made our way through the flowers. For the whole story on how my husband came to the rescue, head to their Summer Session.

After taking a few quick photos in the wildflower patch, we decided to head into West Lake. A short drive up the street led us to a series of water features located on a walking trail near Vaquero. The girls were loving it. They immediately jumped right into the overflowing pond.

We ended the shoot at a series of columns near 121. As the sun set in the west, Mama Bear, Pida, jumped in for a few pictures with her monkeys! They were sweet as ever. It’s always so cute to see them battle for their Mama’s attention. Zoee just snuggles in, always wanting to be closest while Paizlee waits for their Mama to give her direction.

It is always a joy working with these sweet girls. They are always flexible and Pida is the best stylist I’ve got. Her girls always come dressed to the nines. I learn more and more about each child’s personality after their shoots. I’m also learning more about their relationship together.

Watching these sisters love on each other is something I look forward to doing year after year. Each time they surprise me and each time, I find myself loving them a little more. They are so comfortable with me taking their photo and they seem to thoroughly enjoy being a part of the process. In fact, at the end of every shoot, we have a small photography lesson and I let the girls take a few photos with my camera! I hope we keep this ritual up and one day, these girls can become my assistants/stylists!!

If you would like to book your Mommy and Me Session before Mother’s Day, shoot me an email at therustienailhead@gmail.com. I am offering a 20-30 minute portrait session within Dallas Fort Worth for just $100! I’ll include 15 hi resolution images and special surprise for Mom!

***Special note for all the dads out there, I will honor this price and package in the form of a gift card if you want to surprise your special lady this Mother’s Day!

Christmas Minis: The Lollipop Gang

Happy Christmas Eves’ Eve! A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of meeting up with this adorable Trio of ladies to shoot their Christmas photos! You’ve seen these ladies before during their Christmas shoot last year and during their Back to School Session in the Sunflower Fields this summer.

As usual, Pida’s little girls and their friend, Mia, showed up in the most adorable dresses. They were pink, purple and white tulle with gold glittery tops. The girls even made sure to coordinate their bows to match! Seeing that it was one of the coldest days in Texas, we made sure to bring blankets and hot cocoa for these munchkins. As we walked our way around the trails near the Sports Complex in Keller, we found a bridge that would make for the perfect spot for our shoot. We let the girls run wild for awhile and then eventually, I handed over the marshmallows and the huge lollipops. The girls sipped on their cocoa, threw marshmallows at each other and snuggled with their blankets! Though it was chilly, we made the most of our time and the pictures came out just as cute as these little ladies!

I love getting to spend some girl time with these crazy gals and I am thankful for the time I get to share with them. Merry Christmas Ladies! I hope Santa brings you everything that you asked for.

For Information on how to book your unique Portrait Session, shoot me an email at therustienailhead@gmail.com. Throughout the month of December 2016, I am offering $150 Mini Sessions in the Dallas Fort Worth area. These sessions include a 45 minute session within DFW, 15-20 Digital Images delivered in an Online Downloadable Gallery and Print Release. Perfect for Christmas Card Photos, Surprise Holiday Proposals and even Gifts. You can buy this deal for a limited time as a Gift Certificate in 2017!

Harper’s 2nd Birthday Shoot

This sweet boy is 2 and I cannot believe it. It feels like just yesterday that his Momma was breaking the baby news and now, he is a walking, talking Energizer Bunny! What an amazing adventure it has been watching this crazy little guy grow up. His momma and I are quite the comrades so I have had the pleasure of witnessing Harper in all his stages. As a baby, Tiff & I would have our girl’s nights while Harp Dog would crawl around on my kitchen floor with his cow printed blanket and my sweet puppy dog, Reyna. And when he started walking, we would head to the park and practice his milk drunken stumble. Now, he just runs circles around me all the while yelling, “Nina, come on.”

Harper is no stranger to having me shove the camera in his face. I have shot his First Birthday, Halloween, Easter & Christmas photos and now his 2nd Birthday. He’s getting quite good at being the ham, a quality I am sure that he gets from his Momma. This go around would be no different. We headed to downtown Keller to check out a Dr Pepper mural and decided it was the perfect backdrop for this little dude’s shoot. Tiff, bring the  supergenius that she is, made sure to bring a bribe. We had a plan. For every giggle, Harp Dog gets an M&M. Once we got him all hopped up on sugar, the smiles came pouring out. He was singing and dancing in front of the wall. Twirling and laughing at the “big trucks” that kept flying by. He was having a ball, to say the least.

We wrapped up at the wall and headed towards a huge open field so we could play a little tag and watch the sunset. When we let him run wild, boy did he. This guy was posing behind trees playing peek a boo and waving a stick around like he was Harry Potter. It was hilarious listening to him try and yell “expelliarmus”. This boy has a way of keeping me in stitches. As the sun went down, Tiff softly sang a few lullabies in his ear to calm him down for the ride home. It worked like a charm. Shortly after dark, we made our way back to the car and called it a night. Sometimes, this job doesn’t even feel like work. Shoots like this are a grateful reminder of how joyful work can be.

For information on how to book your Holiday Mini Session in Dallas Fort Worth or the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, shoot me an email at therustienailhead@gmail.com or get all the details from our DFW Holiday Mini Session Blog or the Laurel Highlands Holiday Mini Session Blog! I would love to meet you and help make your vision come to life this Holiday Season!

Fall Mini Session: Brit & Mia

Our Fall Mini Sessions are in full swing and I couldn’t be more thankful that little Miss Mia and her Mommy, Brit, made their way out for a photo shoot. Dressed in navy blue and pink, these girls showed up with some pretty amazing props. One of the props consisted of a huge frame lined with multi colored florals. Mia’s aunt had crafted it for this little lady’s upcoming birthday. The other was a letter “M” that Mia had decorated with jewels for her glam shoot! Both props were the perfect additions to this Mommy and Me Session. We started our shoot at Bear Creek Park in Keller and worked our way over to a secret sunflower field for a few shots around sunset.

This wasn’t my first rodeo with little Miss Mia. We met awhile back, around Christmas time. Mia had joined her besties, Zoee and Paizlee for a Holiday Mini Session. They all arrived in dresses with adorable fur vests. They loved posing and playing “ring around the rosie”. The three of them had me cracking up all night. Needless to say, I was really excited at the chance to get Mia in front of the lens again.

I was even more pleased to find out the other girls would be joining the shoot too! Little did I know, this would end up being a very memorable shoot. After trekking through the tall grass, I noticed a shift in the girls’ personalities. They all seemed to be walking on eggshells when just a few minutes ago they had all been giggling together. I couldn’t quite figure it out. I assumed it was because they were getting tired. Their mommas assured me that they would be fine.

After a few minutes of trying to coerce them into smiles, we could tell something else must be going on. We were shocked to learn that these brave little ladies were being attacked by fire ants and chiggers! And now, so were we. It was awful!! We ran screaming and crying from the field. We grabbed some ice and rubbed it on our legs while we all cried on the sidewalk. After more than a few tears had been shed, Mommy managed to convince Mia that ice cream was the only cure. I felt so bad after that and assured Mia that we would never venture into the sunflowers again. Brittney assured me that Mia would be ok. They headed out for chocolate chip cookie dough the minute we all started to feel a little better . 

Despite the hiccup in the sunflower field, our girls night turned out to be an adorable affair. With her polite demeanor and precious smile,  Mia lights up any room. And, she has the best giggles, especially when Mommy is around! It was a pleasure to finally meet Brittney and spend a little quality time with her pretty princess! I hope I have the chance to work with them again the future!

 

Fall Mini Session Information

We are currently booking Fall Family Mini Sessions. You choose the location (within DFW), you choose the style and I provide 1 hour of shoot time, 10-15 digital images delivered in an online gallery and a Blog Spotlight for sharing! These make for great Christmas Card photos! The cost is $150 during the months of September and October. if you’re interested in setting up a timeslot just shoot me an email. If not, no worries, just pass this info along to anyone who you think might be interested. I appreciate your time and hope we get the chance to work together soon! Consider following along on Instagram @therustienail or give us a LIKE on our Facebook Page!

Thanks a million,

Angelina Norris

The Rustie Nail Creative Studio

Creative Director & Portrait Photographer

therustienailhead@gmail.com

http://www.therustienail.wordpress.com

724. 216 8185

 

 

Senior Potrait Session: Dawson

Part II of our trip to Oklahoma consisted of meeting Dawson, a bubbly little thing straight out of Broken Bow High School. This curly haired brunette was interested in having a few Senior Portraits taken before Graduation the following weekend. She arrived in a delicate pink dress and light wash denim jacket looking the perfect picture of 18 years young. From the minute we started shooting, I knew that this shoot was gonna be a breeze, which rarely happens. Dawson was very comfortable in front of the camera and had this mega-watt smile to match.

 Turns out, Dawson just so happens to be the cousin of our first model, Raina (check out her session here) and we managed to snag a few photos of these 2 silly girls together. It was really interesting to see how different these girls were in personality. Raina, the quiet, dramatic fashionista and Dawson, the happy go lucky homecoming queen (I don’t actually know if she won, but I’d of voted for her). These kids were so comfortable together that it made my job a piece of cake. I kept hearing them telling little inside jokes and cracking each other up, which made for some awesome candids. I almost wish all of my Seniors could bring a few friends along for those giggly shots! It was a fun night chalk full of gorgeous sunset silhouettes and wet toes as we jumped in the lake towards the end of the shoot. This gorgeous gal is headed to Oklahoma University in the fall and we wish her the most amount of luck as she tackles this next big adventure!

To book your 2017 Senior Portrait Session, email therustienailhead@gmail.com for any and all Inquiries! We look forward to helping you and your family document this major Milestone! Best Wishes as you embark on the next step!

Florals graciously provided by Wanderlust Floral Designs. Check out their page here.

 

Rescue Session: Raina & Pumpkin

Words will never be able to explain how thankful I am for my time in Broken Bow, OK. What started out as a Christmas gift for our expectant brother and sister in law turned into a girls getaway for me and my ride or die floral fashionista, Tiffany of Wanderlust Floral Designs. From the start, the plan was to kayak, eat some Grateful Head Pizza and head to the Girls Gone Wine. But, the truth is Tiff and I have been itching for the opportunity to set up a styled shoot with some real live models and boy did we luck out.

After putting a few feelers out at a some of the local businesses, we heard back from a young girl named Raina. She was interested in having a few photos taken of her and her rescue pup, Pumpkin. Coincidentally, my puppy dog is name Reyna. From the start, I had this feeling we were on the same page when it came to styling the shoot. I let her know we would have an elaborate 30 foot floral garland and we proceeded to coordinate the details.

Beaver’s Bend State Park in Broken Bow, OK played the backdrop for this beautifully crafted session. After a few walks around the Mountain Fork River Beach and the shores of Lakeview Lodge, we managed to stumble across an area marked Overlook Circle. After a short hike down a semi-steep hill, we managed to come across a rock beach in a cove that was surrounded with cypress trees and an amazing view of the lake. To top it all off, we ended the portrait session as the sun set over the Ouachita Mountains, providing some amazing silhouette shots.

Raina was adorable, Pumpkin was even sweeter and these two were totally made for each other. Raina had a heart for rescue and adores having her pup tag along for all of life’s adventures. I am so happy that she set up the time to let me document their bond. My favorite part about this shoot was how vocal Raina was about her vision. Raina made it clear from the beginning, she wanted dramatic poses, a few smiles and some candids with her pup. She even managed to bring Pumpkin a bandana that matched her delicate baby blue romper. This chick was kind and patient with the beauty to boot. It was an absolute joy to meet her and Pumpkin. I’m continuously surprised by the kindness of the people I get to meet during my travels and look forward to the chance to work with Raina and her sweety in the future!

 To book your Custom Photo Session, email therustienailhead@gmail.com with any and all inquiries. We would love to meet you for coffee or a beer and discuss what your vision is for your one-of-a-kind shoot!

Katlyn’s Senior Session 2016

This past weekend, I had the great pleasure of meeting Katlyn and her family. Katlyn is about to join the Class of 2016 Graduates this spring and needed her Senior Portraits taken. After a little coercion, we managed to talk Katlyn into a sunrise session. I can’t imagine what it is like to try and convince a 17 year old to wake up at 6 am on a weekend for a photo shoot so Props to Momma Lisa!

The truth is, I can’t stress enough to clients how that early light and the aesthetic of a cool morning can make the photos really pop! But, man oh man, did we luck out. We really couldn’t have planned a better sunrise. It was a beautiful morning at Bear Creek Park, 55 degrees of perfect photo shoot weather! Mom and Dad took a hike around Keller Pointe while we ventured onto the horse trails and into the flower-filled meadow. Kat and I hit it off right away, talking about her post-graduation plans and laughing our way through the knee-deep grass in the fields. We stopped for an outfit change/coffee break about halfway through, got recharged and headed out into the daylight.

She continued to surprise me throughout the shoot. After an hour, almost every client gets that face…you know the one. They’ve reached that smile limit when their face hurts a little from all the direction. Well, not this girl. She could just naturally shift from sweet smiles to serious poses. Looking through the gallery really showcases that side of her character. She is this uber graceful and kind girl with a wild side, that little bit of edge that everyone envies. It was such a pleasure to meet someone her age with her head on her shoulders and big dreams on the horizon. This girl has a beyond bright future ahead of her and I hope we get the chance to work together again!

 

If you want to see more of Katlyn’s Senior Session, head to http://therustienailcreativestudio.pixieset.com/katlynsseniorsession/

Please don’t forget we have Portrait Sessions going on until the end of April! Contact therustienailhead@gmail.com for more information on pricing and package details!

 

Highlight on Whitney Bowman Photography

Today, we are going to take a minute to talk about Community over Competition. Every forum, book, blog touches on this particular business model. In the creative world, I have found that this idea plays an essential role that every business needs in order to define their voice. Having the support from your peers or colleagues creates a sounding board for positive change, for forward motion.

This idea provides opportunity for growth and change. I have found that the biggest struggle in being a small business owner is balance. Balancing work and ambition can be a tumultuous task so when you find a fellow creative that you can bounce ideas off of, the possibilities for innovation become endless and somehow, easier to bare.

Whitney Bowman is a force to be reckoned with. She is a mom to this amazing little guy, Jake, a wife to her highschool sweetheart, Billy, a consultant for Rodan + Fields and runs her own photography business in North Texas. This girl knows how to get things done and fortunately enough for me, she’s graciously made her self available to help me out and answer some questions about how to keep that balance.

When it came time for Christmas card pictures, I had only one person in mind for the job. Whitney took the time to meet us at Bear Creek Park in Keller, TX and managed to capture some beautiful portraits of our family. Today, we’re going to sit down and chat with this sweet Mama about what drives her and how to stay on track.

RN: How do you balance life as a mom, entrepreneur and Rodan + Fields consultant? Any tips for staying on course?

WB: Well, I have only been doing all three together since June. I have learned it’s tough but to never procrastinate. I have a white board in my office where I keep a to do list. I also make daily to do lists. Lists keep me focused and off of Facebook. I feel accomplished when I check things off. Plus, my husband, mom, mother-in-law and Mother’s Day Out help A LOT! 😉

RN: What type of camera do you use and what is your favorite feature the camera has to offer?

WB: I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II. I’m not a very “techie” person so I really can’t tell you why this camera body is better than another, or what feature I like the best. I just know it takes great photos and it’s easy to use.

RN:  When/Where did your passion for photography begin?

WB: My mom enrolled me in 4H when I was in 3^rd grade. I got to take photography lessons at a photography studio and enter contests. My grandfather bought me a subscription to National Geographic and I would just look at the pictures and try to recreate them.

RN: What are some challenges ran into when starting your Photography business and any advice for budding photogs like myself?

WB: Pricing. I don’t want to be the cheapest and I don’t want to be the most expensive.  I want my prices to be fair for both parties involved and reflect my talent and time.
As far as advice… I would say to stick with your price. Don’t change because you think your customer isn’t going to like it. If you think it’s fair enough to advertise then don’t change it.

RN: Any particular lens you enjoy using more than others?

WB: I really really like shooting with a 70-200mm. It makes the images especially crisp and from a long distance.

RN:  Indoor or Outdoor? Which types of shoot do you prefer? Any desire for an indoor studio?

WB: I LOVE to shoot outdoors! One, because that’s what I am comfortable with, and two, because it has the best lighting. I would like to have an indoor studio but really just for bad weather days.

RN: Editing or Photographing? Which element of this career sparks more of an interest for you?

WB: I dislike sitting at a computer just editing which is why I am more concerned with getting the image right in the camera first. Doing this allows me to get the images back to my client quicker.

RN: Where do you see Whitney Bowman Photography in 5 years?

WB: I would LOVE to see Whitney Bowman Photography as the, or one of the, premier senior photographers in the area. I don’t much see myself in a studio or hiring other photographers, just because I want to keep this a small operation.

RN: Any locations or events you really hope to snag in the future? (more weddings, more seniors, etc?)

WB: I really enjoy photographing seniors. They are so shy at the beginning of the shoot but by the end they have stepped out of their shell and are working it!

RN: Lastly, recommendations to clients for best possible shoot? (attire, time of day, props, Pinterest, lighting suggestions).

WB: Be as natural as possible. Don’t go buy a new outfit that is uncomfortable because then your photos will be. I am a less is more kind of person as well as in my photographs which is why I don’t use a bunch of props. In my opinion, you have family photos taken to capture your “people”, your family. Why take away from that with props? When you look at a portrait, what is the first thing you look at? Faces!

Here is a sneakpeek of our shoot. For more information on how to book with Whitney Bowman Photography, check her out on Facebook page (Whitney Bowman Photography) or her IG account (whittyb82). You can scroll her Blog, http://www.whitneybowman.wordpress.com, give her a call at 817-223-7406 or shoot her an email at whitneybowmanphoto@gmail.com.

Big thank you to Whitney for taking the time to sit down and talk with me and for choosing to share her knowledge of achieving the dream. Hopefully one day soon, we get a chance to collaborate ideas and put one in the books!