{Austin Engagement} Tina + Dustin

11.02.2011

“Love!!!! It made me cry good cry. Dustin loved it.”

I met Tina in the very late 90’s when I was in high school. We both lived in FL at the time and she would often serve my sisters and I “sampler platters and strawberry tall cakes” as I was told on the day of this engagement session. I always thought her sweet and and it was about a year or so later that Tina and I would find ourselves at the same parties among common friends, being silly and quoting lines from the movie “Freeway”. I always had my camera in tow and I remember the “mean” faces Tina would give me anytime I snapped a compromising photo.

Fast forward ten+ years – Tina’s perfect guy pops the question and she decides they would drive over to Austin from San Antonio for engagement photos. Although it had been a decade since we’d last seen each other and spoken to one another, I immediately knew the places I had to take her and her fiance. I was ecstatic. And as you can see in these photos, it really didn’t matter where I took Tina and Dustin. These two are pretty much comfortable together anywhere. Should I mention their first date lasted an entire weekend?

And this is why I love my job – photography can open you up to something new, bring you somewhere unexpected, and take you places that are old and familiar. Tina & Dustin – thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this special time in your life. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my old friends {talking history not age here} happy. Not even chocolate milkshakes or strawberry tall cakes. I hope you enjoy the photos and slideshow!

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{Austin Weddings} Melissa + Jesse

10.29.2011

Woke up feeling fortunate to have been a part of the super-blingy and fabulous wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Glider and I couldn’t resist sharing a photo of the lovely newlyweds. They were married at Laguna Gloria in our wonderful Austin, TX last night with the help of the wonder-worker/everyone’s favorite Austin wedding planner, Liv.

And for the record – I teared up 3x last night during the wedding and reception and, yes, once again this morning {but who’s counting?} when I saw Dad’s first look at his baby girl. Thank you, Melissa and Jesse, for allowing me the opportunity to do what I love. I cannot wait to share the rest!!

xo,
Z

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{Austin Engagement Photos} Kifany + Matt

10.21.2011

“These pictures are great…looking forward to seeing the rest of them! You are soooo talented and we had so much fun with you! Thank you for the thoughtful blog posting…you are a sweetheart! Looking forward to our big day in March and happy you are a part of it. “

As is so often the case with most blog postings, I have to start on the topic of weather. I know – it’s almost ad nauseum – but would you believe. Of all days for torrential downpour. Mother nature chose a day that I procured vintage furniture from Georgetown for the should-have-been outdoor half of an engagement session.

Kif and I met over coffee and the relationship budded over Kendra Scott jewelry and Michael Kors shoes {though not generally given to cliche, I must say this relationship was one made in heaven}. We sat at Lola Savannah and after talking at length about the big day and about ourselves, she decided to book me on the spot. We would later run into each other at a birthday party and then meet for engagement photos on the fifth anniversary of their meeting. It also happened to be UT vs OU game day and let me tell you after the woe that was the Red River Shoot Out, this was just the “whoa” Austin needed.

Matt and Kif – I cannot put into words how excited I am to be a part of something this wonderful. You guys are fabulous and I am thrilled to be documenting the lives of two people who are beautiful both together and individually.

Looking forward to your wedding day!
xo, Z

Jewelry by {my favorite!!} Kendra Scott

Hair by bloAustin

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Happy, Happy Friendaversary!!

10.12.2011

Kelley and I met on the set of a fashion shoot…..

2007

Now that I’m typing this statement, I recall very distant memories of our fun nights downtown when we were asked by friends and strangers, “How did you two meet?”. {Apparently it is not often a vertically-challenged Asian woman and statuesque red-headed woman peacefully co-exist.} Kell and I would instigate a guessing game in which we would we would allow said persons five chances to guess how we met or pay the price of ten push-ups. No one in the history of Z & Kell ever managed to guess in five tries. End tangent.

The opportunity to chat did not present itself during our initial meeting so technically our friendship budded over a glass of wine on 2nd street several days later {doesn’t it always? I will save all the fun adventures that ensued the years following for another post or never}. This also happened to be the same year I attended eight weddings and two baby showers so to celebrate US, we decided on the anniversary of our meeting we would celebrate our first and hopefully annual Friendaversary. As a homage to the elixir that brought us together we ~~hired a chauffeur~~ made my soberaholic, teetotal husband to drive us to four different wineries to satiate our appetite for wine & cheese and bust a little impromptu pop princess karaoke during the rides in between.

Kell and I have matured so much (translate: a lot less young, single but still very much appreciative of grapes} – yeah – we now prefer the spa. Last year we went to Lake Austin Spa Resort and this year we went to Spa on the Lake.

Post-Facial, Post-Massage, Post-Eucalyptus Shower
Spa on the Lake, 2011

Next year we are going back to Lake Austin Spa Resort where the use of an elegant Balinese-inspired pool lounge area in plush cotton spa robes after a calming steam bath is strongly advised.

A little TLC for our tattered tootsies
Lake Austin Spa Resort, 2010

I hope this inspires YOU to grab a friend, one you may get to see often {but not enough}, and have some one-on-one with one of your best friends.

Happy Friendaversary, my fabulous friend and bridesmaid!! Cheers to another year of friendship, spa days and great wine. Love you.

xo, Z

{Austin Engagement} Liz + Brian

10.10.2011

Literally, I mean, and figuratively – Liz and Brian are too cool and hot for Texas. Unless you’ve been napping under a rock or busy following Kim K’s Un-Royal Wedding {did I just give away my celebrity gossip know how??} you, too, have been dying for cool in any shape or form in these parts all June, July, August and September long. As luck would have it, a cold front {read: high 80’s} came through and brought on pleasing lighting and strong 3mph winds for a fun-filled engagement session.

Liz and I had been exchanging emails for a about a week or two leading up to the shoot, carefully planning location and wardrobe, so when we met in the hotel lobby I greeted her with a big, unabashed hug. We began shooting almost immediately and as evidenced by the stunning photos below she was a natural in front of my camera. Sometimes grooms need guidance on posing, smiling, and relaxing the face more than brides do. Such was not the case with Brian. He was easy going and laid back. It was quite evident he was comfortable with a camera document their love story while he naturally doted on his beautiful fiance.

Thank you Liz and Brian for the opportunity and for taking the time from your graduate studies to let me do what I love!

xo, Z