Mieke and Mark at Three Points Ranch

Wow, this wedding was a blast. It took place out in the hill country of Texas at Three Points Ranch. TPR is a new events venue and damn it is a scenic place for a wedding. It is only an hours drive out of Austin but you are certainly a world away.

The groom, Mark, is a director/cinematographer/owner at Action Figure, and a recent pick to Austin's Most Eligible Bachelors by Austin Monthly magazine. The bride, Mieke, is a Speech Therapist and plays a kick-ass air guitar.

In addition to our still photography, a friend of Mieke and Mark's filmed the entire event. Not video, film! Some film friends of the couple also compiled a surprise slide show that had everyone oohing and aahing.

The ceremony was beautiful and infused with a sense of the surroundings, with mariachi's and a reading from The Tao of Willie by Willie Nelson. The cocktail hour, in a courtyard surrounded by Airstreams, loosened everyone up for the music of LC Rocks , who kicked off the evening with The Scorpions "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and never let down the momentum. Quite possibly the most fun I have seen people have dancing. When Mieke jumped on stage and strapped on a guitar, the crowd roar was deafening. One for the books.

family visit

My brother, Rick and niece and nephew, Nicole and Matt, came from New Jersey for a visit last week. They hadn't been here since we were married 10 years ago. They changed, we changed and boy had Austin changed. They live in rural New Jersey, lakes, mountains and even bears, so we try to do city things but couldn't resist a trip to Hamilton's Pool. I think the highlight though was Eeyore's birthday, they got a truly unique Austin experience there.

Michelle's bridal at Laguna Gloria

Michelle's wedding will take place at the Bob Bullock museum in June, so we were right on time with her bridal sitting this past week at Laguna Gloria. In the first shots we played with her dramatic mantilla styled veil. After, we shot some without the veil which showed off her tiara and up do. Verbena Floral Designs did an outstanding job with her bouquet.

Amy's bridal at Laguna Gloria

Here is just a couple of the beautiful images we captured of Amy at Laguna Gloria for her bridal sitting last week. Her red hair and amazing eyes just knocked me out every time I looked through the lens. We are looking forward to the wedding that will take place at the Driskill Hotel later this spring.

Megan and Greg's Wedding

Megan and Greg's wedding took place on a beautiful spring day in happening downtown Austin. Between the annual art fair, a fund raising walk and theater goers, the streets were bustling. Amy and Scott of Amy's Platinum Weddings and Events navigated us through it all without a hitch.
The ceremony took place in one of downtowns' most treasured buildings, the historic St. Mary's Catholic church. From there we grabbed the wedding party and visited Austin's newest pride and joy, the Long Center for the Performing Arts, for a few shots with a great view and amazing architecture.
Next it was dinner and dancing at the swanky Stephen F. Austin Hotel. First a few drinks in the bar, cocktail hour with the guests and then into the ballroom, set elegantly with long tables and flower arrangements by Stacey Hogge of Petal Pushers. We worked alongside Jeff Marrow, I would love to see his video footage of the best man singing his toast. And to top it all off the cake was so delicious and the band had the guests jumping all night.

Gena and Chad's wedding at the Barr Mansion

This past Sunday at the Barr Mansion Gena and Chad were married. The wedding party and guests were as beautiful as the day and the gardens. Chad, a metal worker, crafted a wonderful arch for them to be married under. Gena, a lover of plants, chose potted orchids for the tables.

The Barr Mansion, the only certified organic events venue in Austin, provided a delicious vegetarian feast. Gena and Chad made the wonderfully unusual choice of a reggae band, The Stingers, for the reception, and they kept the party jamming.

Steven

This is a portrait of Steven. I met him twice now, both times a guest at a wedding. Hopefully we will see him again, he is a fabulous subject. -stella

Pyracantha Berry Painting

Hot off the easel! I finished this one yesterday morning. I painted this one from a photograph I took over at Green Pastures. It's the largest one yet at 3ox30 inches. I'm not sure, but I think I am going to paint something besides berries next.

So it has been confirmed, Miranda Gray will be exhibiting with myself and David Leonard at the Davis Gallery in the fall. The opening reception will be Saturday, October 4th, 2008. I know it is a long way off, but I am super excited about this show. Mark your calendars and join us at the opening.

Parking Lot Carnival

My obsession with documenting the traveling carnival continues. These shots were taken while The Mighty Thomas Carnival set up shop at the Tony Burger Center parking lot here in Austin. -brian

Leslie's bridal portrait at Laguna Gloria

We shot Leslie's bridal portrait on the beautiful grounds of Laguna Gloria. Leslie was a perfect bride and was awesome to work with. Her simplicity and classic beauty translated perfectly with this museum setting.

More of Jessica at the Barr Mansion

Here are a couple of additional images of Jessica at the Barr Mansion.

Jessica's Bridal at the Barr Mansion

A few from Jessica's bridal at the Barr Mansion.

o.k., this one got me, I'm a romantic -stella

Lonestar Rod and Kustom Round Up

It's that time of year again. The Lonestar Rod and Kustom Round Up is in Austin again. Check out all the hot rods, rockers, greasers, and hanger-ons strutting their stuff on South Congress and at the Expo Center this weekend. This is a most fascinating sub-culture. And with over 700 entries into the car show this year, and thousands of rubberneckers, I would imagine you couldn't be driving anywhere this weekend without noticing this events impact. -brian