Longview, Texas | Peteet Family | 12.15.14

Having corresponded with Allison via email for a while, we were so looking forward to meeting her crew for their mini session.  So as usual, we arrived at our location early, just to scout things out. This time, we found that something had indeed changed since last we'd visited our little spot... KITTENS.  Four or five of them came bounding fearlessly around my ankles - curious little bundles of fluff.  Unfortunately, I made eye contact with a blue-eyed kitten and he apparently took that to mean I'd invited him to be part of the Peteet family photo shoot. 

Those kittens followed us with every move.  And though their cuteness did prove to be a slight distraction for little eyes... this gal gave us her best smiles.  :) 

"As soon as I met you, 

I knew an adventure 

was going to happen." 

                                        - Winnie the Pooh

Peteet Family, thanks for braving the kittens with us!  :)  And thanks for the opportunity to hear part of your story!

Blessings,

Jill & Kay

A Thanksgiving perspective... | 11.27.14

Today is a wonderful day to look at life from a different perspective (either figuratively... or literally - like from a tree).  :)  With that new perspective, we are reminded and challenged to live our lives in a spirit of thankfulness. Especially today, we recognize that God is the one to whom all our thanks and praises are due! And we are thankful to Him for His provision, love, and mercy.

Happy Thanksgiving from Jill & Kay! 

"Hallelujah! 

Give thanks to the Lord, 

for He is good; 

His faithful love endures forever."

                                               - Psalm 106:1

Lake Cherokee Wedding | Dustin & Grecia | 11.5.14

There's something about a wedding at sunset... it's gorgeous.  Take that sunset wedding and put it out by Lake Cherokee, add in close friends and family (who've traveled quite a ways to get there), plus some handmade details and a lot of laughter, and you've got Dustin & Grecia's beautiful day!  

From the moment we met the bride and groom, we could see what a sweet, genuine couple they are.  (Not to mention, they were game for whatever idea Kay & I came up with!)  :)  They were both excited to get married, and enjoy the opportunity to celebrate with their guests.  

The first look... loved Grecia's smile!

As guests took their seats for the ceremony and the wedding party lined up, light flooded the yard - a  perfect accompaniment to Dustin & Grecia's wedding ceremony.  

"And the two shall become one..." 

                                   - Ephesians 5:31

An absolute favorite...

From the homemade jellies, to young cousins with Polaroid cameras, and everything in between, Grecia & Dustin's reception was a big hit!

(Oh, by the way, we've eaten our fair share of wedding cake over the years, and this one should totally win an award.  It was absolutely delicious!)

As night fell - the whole place took on a new look, just in time for the party to start.  :)

Blessings to you in your marriage, Dustin & Grecia!

Jill & Kay

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Mr. & Mrs. Welch's wedding day photos will soon be available to view at:

www.welch.jillandkayphotography.com

Caughron Family | Longview, Texas | 10.27.14

We're excited to catch up and share some of our sessions from this summer!  It seems like more and more we're meeting folks who are new to Longview, and inevitably, we find out that we were practically "neighbors" before coming to Texas  This fun family hails most recently from Eastern Tennessee, just an hour or two south of where I (Jill) went to school! 

Sarah alluded to Knox's great energy in her communications with us before their session.  But it didn't take long for us to experience some of that energy for ourselves!  :) 

I wish you could hear the giggles that came from Knox as Justin and Sarah swung him down the path - it was too cute!

Justin & Sarah wanted to capture just a little bit of what Knox likes to do at this age.  This, of course, meant playing with his buddies, Woody & Buzz.  :)

"Laughter is timeless...                    

    ...and imagination has no end..."

                          - Walt Disney

 Jill & Kay

Elmwood Gardens | 10.24.14

Palestine, Texas, is home to Elmwood Gardens.  Kay & I have heard quite a bit about this wedding venue, and last week, Kay spent an afternoon on the property helping with a bridal fair - which gave her the perfect opportunity to scout it out.  Turns out, the talk is true.  All that afternoon my phone buzzed with messages like, "This place is great!  Can't wait for us to photograph a wedding here!"  :)  Elmwood Gardens is truly a unique and beautiful place!

As a part of the wedding industry in East Texas, half the fun for us has been the opportunity to meet and enjoy the talents of other vendors.  The camaraderie of working together for brides and groom is a special one.  Our friends from Pursuing Eden provided several lovely set-ups out on the lawn, and with the addition of beautiful florals from La Tee Da, and sweet treats from Kool Kakes by Dylan ... it was a great picture of event teamwork.

Jill & Kay