Sassy Christmas Cards

Please, no one take offense, but ladies and gents, this IS my favorite family. You've seen them appear a million and five times on my blog, website, and portfolio. You know why? THEY BRING IT. Helllllllllo....Check out the attitude in this pic. mmhhmmmmm.

Misty and I are meeting up for lunch to design her Christmas Card. This involves choosing a photo from their recent shoot. There's quite a bit to choose from; however, I am partial to my new fave....THIS ONE. If she doesn't choose it, she better order it on a beautiful canvas. Just saying...... :)

HAPPY MONDAY!!!

Ridiculous

She's a high school teacher.

He's a U.S. soldier.


They work.

And by work, I mean they are ridiculously good looking, ridiculously in love, and ridiculously perfect together. Yes, that ridiculous.




When you are around John and Erica, you can tell they are just meant to be together. They are best of friends and would not want to spend their days with anyone else on this earth laughing, acting goofy, or talking about anything & everything.




While waiting on my second shooter, Lindsey, to get her camera ready, I "interrogated" John and Erica. I simply said "Alright guys, let's hear it. What's your story? How did you meet? All that mooshy gooshy stuff." Erica didn't skip a beat. She smiled and started into the story, then realized she would rather hear John spill the details. She flashed him a smile, and he started the story by explaining they had met online. They talked for a couple of weeks then decided to meet while John was visiting home. He proudly shared that Erica had driven a few hours just to see him. You could tell he was very grateful for her efforts. Long story short, they met, spent a couple of days together, and knew it was meant to be. It definitely reminded me of a lovey dovey Nicholas Sparks novel. mmmmm, my favorite. I loved hearing John share their story as Erica threw in her two cents, which included many smiles. This, my friends, is why I love my job. I am in love with love far too much not to enjoy capturing these kind of love stories on my camera.

They had some rockin' shoes that I had to share. It's all about the details.

Precious. That is exactly what they are.

John strikes his GQ pose while Erica admires her man.

Lindsey is designing their Save the Date cards. I saw this sign at the old CC theater and had to capture it just in case they wanted to use it for their Save the Dates.

John makes Erica laugh constantly. I have so many images of Erica cracking up, and all I can do is smile.

Before the shoot, Erica & I emailed quite a bit. Erica shared that she thought she & John weren't photogenic (are you kidding me?!?!) ,and how they just wanted to have fun. I can do fun. Anytime, anyday. So, Lindsey and I took them in an alley. They jokingly started fighting, and I encouraged them to continue the fun while I captured it on camera.

I was very pleased the next day when I received the sweetest text from Erica thanking me for such a wonderful time. She and John had a blast. YAY!

Goofy. My kind of people. :)

After the brawl, they kissed and made up.

And lived happily ever after.

Told you, they are ridiculously perfect.

Mike & Mandy (2Become1)

This was a special one. Mandy is one of my best friend's sisters, and her family is my second family. Anytime I get the opportunity to head their way, I'm there. The first time I met Mandy, she gave me sarcasm. I knew we were destined to be friends. As soon as I met Mike a year or two after meeting Mandy, he gave me sarcasm. I knew Mandy and Mike were destined to be. They're goofy. They're fun. They're my kind of people. I had an absolute blast the few days I was in Florida celebrating their marriage with their families. Here's a sneak peek for the sweet couple!

Mandy is very detail oriented, and had some really neat ideas for the guest to partake in when they entered the foyer. Make A Wish/ Take A Wish was a big hit. You Make A Wish for the new couple, and take a wish, almost as if you were opening up a fortune cookie.

Mandy started putting on her dress when Dylan, her oldest son, came in and offered to help zip her up. It was a really sweet moment that I am so glad I could capture.







Mandy's daddy seeing her for the first time. Mr. Dwyer is very proud of each and every one of his daughters and you can truly see it in this image. It makes me smile.









The handsome groom showing me there might be a future in modeling if the military thing doesn't work out.

Mandy with her youngest son, Chad Michael.

Mandy and Mike opted to do a First Look. I am such a HUGE fan of The First Look, which is actually surprising considering how old fashioned and traditional I am. However, as the photographer, I know how stressful portraits can be after the ceremony. Therefore, I am always grateful for a couple that is willing to share in the sweet, intimate moment before the ceremony. We were out on the bay. A HUGE storm came in, and I wanted to scream because it was ruining their portraits. However, I took a deep breath and decided to go with it. In result, Mandy and Mike, in my opinion, have some very unique wedding portraits thanks to the monsterous storm clouds.

Mandy and her father sharing a moment before the ceremony.

The beautiful ceremony. I love images capturing the bride walking down the aisle. It just shows how many people love you and support you.

Prayer.

This image just makes me giddy. This was Mandy's reaction as she was announced as Mrs. Kaseman. So happy.

First Dance.

And a sneak peek for Momma Dwyer for the Family Beach Shoot. My favorite shot of the day.

I love you, Dwyer Family. I had a wonderful time with each and everyone of you. You truly are my second family. And Mike, it was such a pleasure getting to know you and your family. The wedding was perfect and I wish you many years of true happiness.

BLESSINGS!!!

My Favorite Love Story

Okay, so I'm going to leave out a lot of details, which I hate doing, cause it makes the story perfect, but I could write pages and pages about this...

My parents have a real special story that I hold very near to my heart. It truly proves that even though things suck, everything happens for a reason.


Phase I- Melody(my step mother, whom I call Mom) lost her first husband to cancer back in the early 90's.

Phase II- Daddy lost Mom(my birth mother) to a heart attack in the 90's.

Phase III- Mom and Dad meet through a group for single parents. They hit it off and have an amazing connection immediately. They spend lots of time together. Nothing more than friends.

Phase IV- Dad meets another woman (the Wicked Witch of the West), and married her. Mom is out of the picture for years.

Phase V- Dad woke up and realized Wicked Witch of the West was just that....a Witch...just take away the W and replace it with a B. Divorced. CELEBRATE!

Phase VI(my faaaaavorite)- After the divorce, Dad does some research and finds Mom. She's still single and living in Boerne with her son, Sheldon. I still remember the night Mom & Dad were reunited. I will NEVER forget the happiness that filled our home. Back in the '90's, no lovey dovey-ness. In the 2001, LOTS of lovey dovey-ness. :) They fall in love and realize the time apart was crappy as can be, but they're meant to be together, and somehow, it was worth the wait. They get married!

Phase 541561205(current times)- They're married. They're happy. They're the biggest goobers I know. They make me throw up often cause they're so in love. They're the best friends that friends can be. They are what I desire in a marriage one day. I really wish I could sit here and explain my parents love to you. It'll rock your world and then some.

However, the moral to the story is... We all went through a bunch of poo in life. I know there were times when Mom was a single parent raising a newborn asking God why she had lost her husband. I know for a fact that Dad had to go INSANE raising 3 kids on his own. I KNOW he had days he asked God why things happened the way they did. We've all questioned things in life. However, God gave my parents the most magical love story ever. They both received their best friend as their partner ,and are as happy as they come. God had a plan for them. He has a plan for you.

The reason I share this story is hopefully to encourage you, but also to encourage myself. I received a phone call last week that tore my world apart. Knocked me flat on my bottom.

"Your dad has cancer".

My first reaction was a wave of tears. I was sitting in the middle of the restaurant and just let it all out. Next reaction, asking my mom over and over if she was okay. Can you imagine being told that your second husband has cancer, after already losing your first husband to cancer? Screeeeew that. I hung up with Mom. I was at lunch with my girlfriends. They didn't say much. Not much has to be said in moments such as these. But then I said it... "Daddy has cancer." In my mind I thought "WHAT?!?! Did I seriously just say that? Was that conversation just real? Is this really my life?". I was scared. I was sad. I was pissed. I wanted to cry and scream all at once. I talked to God for hours upon hours. "Why God why? Why my family? We've been through enough. Why my parents? They're so in love. Why my Daddy? He is the rock to our family, and simply amazing. WHY?" I just didn't get it. And in all honesty, I still do not. However, I was reminded of my parents' love story. I was reminded that after all the pain we've been through, God blessed us. He blended our family together. It took some bending and molding, but He gave us each other to rely on during our time on this earth. Daddy has cancer. Goodness, that's still insane to say. However, God will take care of us. No matter the outcome, He has a plan for us. A plan to give us hope and a future. I don't get it. None of us do. Lots of people are throwing questions left and right. But just remember, the answers come from above. He will take care of Daddy. He will take care of my family. He will take care of me. And take it from someone who knows, He will take care of you.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" - Jeremiah 29:11

Please pray for Daddy this upcoming week. Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Moved!!! & other updates

Rebecca Crocker Photography is now located in Temple, Texas. Services will still be provided to all cities within a 30 mile radius at no additional travel charge (for you out-of-towners, don't forget I do travel...and love it). The office number is no longer the main line. Please contact me at 254-630-7133 or rebeccacrocker@yahoo.com .

I am so blessed with my job. I know I continue to say this, but it's the truth! I have experienced so many things the last few months. Precious babies have been born, heroic men & women have returned from war, & sweet couples have tied the knot. It has been an incredibly busy time of the year, but I am now in the process of updating the website. Be sure to check out some recent moments I have had the pleasure to capture.

Yes, it is only August, but families are starting to book for their Christmas card portraits. Make sure you get your name in my book ASAP. As well, I have quite a few weddings booked for 2010(hellllllllllo blessings!). Therefore, dates are being taken at a fast pace. Make sure as SOON as you know your date, you contact me for a consultation. This is a very important process for your wedding photography and needs to be done ASAP to make sure your date is booked. Also, 2010 seniors (wow, that's just weird to say), contact me for your Senior Portraits!! The sooner the better. Uh, is that it? I hope so. Hopefully I'll make Blog Appearances more and more, so I don't have to shove it all in one entry.

Time for the fun part. Pictures! Eww and aww over this precious little one. World, meet Tucker. This shoot is actually a few months old(time is flying), but yeah, I'm in love...