Harley, the four legged supermodel

Someone had mentioned to me that I hadn't posted any pictures of my kiddos lately! I snapped a couple of Harley enjoying the tube on the cat tree, and I thought I'd share.






And one of Dante's nose for good measure.




Check back tomorrow for a BIG announcement. It's going to be 100 kinds of awesome.

Ask Me: What do we wear to our engagement session?

There is always one big question that every couple asks, after we schedule their engagement session.

“What do we wear?!”

First off, don’t worry! There is only one thing I truly require of my couples when it comes to picking their engagement outfits. I ask that you dress comfortably! Now, this doesn’t mean the kind of “comfortable” that you watch TV and eat Ben and Jerry’s in, but well fitting clothing that suits you and your personality. If you truly, truly only ever wear jeans, tee shirts and Chuck Taylors… by all means, WEAR that to your engagement session!

This being said, I do encourage couples to do a couple of things. First, is to bring 2-3 total outfits for the session. You may only wear one, you may wear two, you may even wear all three; it’s just good to have options! Second, don’t be afraid to have FUN with what you wear! If you’re a couple who appreciates retro styles, the ladies can rock a pencil skirt and the guys can rock a skinny tie. If you’re a punk rock couple, wear some plaid pants! It’s all about your personality.

To make it really easy, here’s a list of do’s and don’ts!

DO:
1. Make sure your clothes fit properly, and that you won’t be constantly pulling or adjusting your garments.
2. Ladies, be sure to highlight your favorite parts, and minimize your less favorite parts. If you love your collarbone, wear a nice v-neck or deep scoop neck. If you aren’t best friends with your thighs, stay away from light colored pants.
3. Bring 2 – 3 outfits to your engagement session. Ladies, if you’re wearing sexy heels, make sure you bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes for moving between locations.
4. Have fun! Wear vintage garments, bring fun accessories (sunglasses, hats, scarves, guitars, books, whatever you please!), team jerseys; whatever you feel really shows off who you are and what you love (other than each other, of course).

DON’T:
1. Feel like you have to match. Instead, go for colors that are complementary or analogous in nature.
2. Wear big, obvious logos, or super busy/loud patterns. They distract from your beautiful faces, and in the end the photos are all about you!
3. Feel like you have to cake the makeup on! You should apply a little more than you normally do, but you still want to look like yourself. The three most important things – foundation that matches your skin tone, mascara, and hydrated lips!

There we go! It’s pretty simple over all. I am always happy to answer any specific questions or give you more detailed tips, so feel free to email me.

Catherine and Travis - The Reception! + Music Video Friday

I loved, loved, loved Catherine and Travis' awesome reception, which was a great follow up to their gorgeous ceremony! Why did I love it so much? Because it was totally full of love, laughter and DANCING! Oh yeah!

The reception was at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Addison. They were really great and accommodating!

Enough chit-chat, let's get with the pictures.



I rode with the bridal party in the limo to the reception. There was just enough space for all of us to fit perfectly!


Thanks to Melanie Swan for her detail shots!


Mmmm, more tasty cake shots from Melanie. I loved the pink sparkly cake!




I always love speeches, and these were awesome. I particularly loved Catherine's dad's speech, it was so sweet.


The cake cutting started innocently enough...


... but, I wasn't disappointed! It only got even better with the cutting of the groom's cake..


I love it.


Catherine and Travis did a sweet romantic first dance, and then did a little saucier dancing shortly there after!


Catherine and her girls danced to the The Spice Girls - Wannabe. I wanted to make it the video of the day, but embedding is turned off. They did an awesome job with their dancing!

*** Brandi Thompson Photography is not responsible for any retinas burned by viewing the INCREDIBLY AWESOME images that follow ***


I love dancing! Notice that Father Crosby, who preformed the wedding ceremony, makes an appearance on the dance floor. Total awesomeness.


The fun continued with the bouquet toss (Catherine had a trick bouquet that split apart!) and the garter belt toss!

Catherine and Travis - Thank you SO MUCH for choosing me to document your day. I had so much fun and I totally adore you guys. You're the best!


A quick snap of me and the gorgeous couple, taken by Melanie!


Here's a fun shot of me shooting the portraits earlier in the day, also by Melanie.

Just in case you thought I forgot.. Here's today's music video! This is dedicated to Catherine and all her ladies at the wedding.

ABBA - Dancing Queen

Catherine and Travis - Part Two - The Portraits

Okay, so I was going to put portraits and reception together, but I couldn't.. too much good stuff! So here's part two, portraits!

We were lucky that the rain cleared up in time for us to squeeze in a few quick portraits outside! Thanks, Mother Nature, we appreciate you working with us on that one. :)

All the group formals of the guys, and the ring shots were taken by Melanie Swan!





They almost look like they're being punished for being up to no good.. but not these boys.. they're ALL good. :)




The gorgeous Catherine after she was ready to go!


Awww.. such pretty ladies..


Bwahahaha. I cannot even put into words how much I love this. Check out Catherine's sister, Nicole, on Catherine's right. That is one of the best faces ever.


I love shenanigans, and encourage them whenever I can.


Aww, Catherine is so beautiful!






I took a little time to play with some fun textures..




Adoration.


Catherine started pulling her veil over Travis' face, I love his expression. And hello, hot kiss!


I love this shot.




I loved Melanie's use of the umbrella for some of the ring shots!




Reception shots to come.. :)

Catherine and Travis's Dallas Wedding - St. Rita's Catholic Church - Part One

What happens when two adorable, gorgeous, smart, funny people meet? Perhaps you should ask Catherine and Travis, because it happened to them. Now they're married!

I had way too many awesome shots, so I am dividing this up into three posts. First, getting ready and the ceremony, then the next post will have portraits and last but not least, the super fun reception!

Church: St. Rita's Catholic Church
Dress: Maggie Sottero
Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse

Many, many thanks to the incredibly awesome, and oh so adorable, Melanie Swan for coming up from San Antonio to second shoot with me!! She handled the guys getting ready, and most of the guys portraits, as well as getting alternate view points during the ceremony!





























Catherine is a woman of many expressions. I love it.








I caught this adorable shot while they thought nobody was looking. ;) I'm always looking!

Stay tuned for part two coming up within the next few days! :)