A few weeks ago we were incredibly honored when fellow wedding photographers, Payton and Samantha of Ruddock Photography in The Woodlands asked us to take their branding photos.

We first met Payton and Sam this past fall at our friends Zach and Jody Gray's Houston stop of their In Camera Workshop. During the introductions part of the day, we all clicked when we found out we were all Aggies. They both have engineering degrees (read: smarty pants) so I do sometimes feel like a country bumpkin around them with our Animal Science degrees.

At the In-Camera workshop Z&J taught both natural light and off-camera light. We helped them out (read: carried the lights) with this stop of the tour and were their hosts for Houston. We met so many fun local photographers and it was a great experience.

Payton came to my rescue towards the end of Day 2. We were doing the shooting portion of the off-camera lighting workshop, and we were walking all around the Discovery Green area of downtown Houston. The lights weren't that heavy, but they were large and awkward. Luke had a light to carry and I had a light to carry. At each stop we made, I'd put the light down and the workshop attendees would shoot their pictures, then we'd pack up and head to the next stop. As we ventured further and further away from the hotel where the workshop was being held, I kept thinking it was going to be a loooooong walk back with the big light. Payton saved my LIFE when he said he would carry the light back. He now has a fan forever!

You can imagine how excited we were to hear that these two were going to rebrand their business and needed some images to use on their website. They wanted some images with their camera and without. We had an amazing time with these fellow photographers and are so glad to count them as friends!

Natural light is our favorite and we almost always shoot exclusively in natural light. Like most photographers, we have the equipment we would need to get us out of a jam if we needed to, and we do know what we're doing. However, we just love the warm and glowy feel of natural light so we stick to that.

That being said... Payton and Sam are off-camera light enthusiasts. They said that the wanted a couple of pictures with the off camera lighting to use in their branding as well. So they brought all their gear and all 4 of us put our heads together to get a few shots that made sure to reflect their off-camera lighting skills as well!

We'll always be natural light fans, but it sure was fun to get that dramatic sky that you get with the off-camera light!

Payton and Sam - THANK YOU for a super fun evening of geeky photographer stuff! Can't wait to hang out again! :)

Alex and Maury were our first engagement shoot of the spring (and by spring, I mean the grass is getting greener and the trees are getting a few leaves on them, FINALLY!)

We met up with them on a perfect springtime evening and had the time of our lives. As they pulled into our driveway, we walked out to meet them and say hello. Little did we know that we were meeting some FANTASTIC people! As Alex and Maury pulled their outfits out of their truck, I was aimlessly visiting with them and then I stopped. I saw it.

A brown bag. THE brown bag. The one I would know anywhere...

In a perfect little thin script font, it said "Sprinkles" on it.

These two had done it. They had brought me (I mean US) Sprinkles Cupcakes. My favorite. My love language.

After the initial shock wore off, we stowed the cupcakes away in our kitchen and went off to start photographing these two. Little did we know this couple would be so much fun to photograph! Alex and Maury, you made our job so much fun that day!

Alex, you are a knockout! I think you might need to do a guest post on Makeup Monday someday!

As the sun set and evening rolled in, Maury spread a quilt that they had brought with them and they sat down to bask in the evening sun. It was perfect.

The tattoo is for Maury, and it says, "always."

We are so incredibly excited for their wedding later this year. We had a wonderful time with you guys. Even had you not brought us the Sprinkles, you would still be way up on our list of faves! Thanks for a super fun evening!

Alex and Maury's wedding day images will be coming later this year. Sign up now to pre-register (and get a special little credit!) to view their images so you don't miss this couple's special day!

Another one of our 2012 couples celebrated their first anniversary this past week! Congratulations to one of our Briscoe brides, Christina, and her groom, Travis!

It's hard to believe it was a whole year ago that we were all at Briscoe Manor for your day!

As we looked back through your wedding day, here's three of our favorite standout memories!

1) Travis was so excited before the first look.
I'm always a big fan of first looks - we did one ourselves when we got married. Travis was all smiles before he turned around to see his lovely bride.

2) That sunset.
Kudos to whoever planned the ceremony time around the sunset. What better time to recite those vows than during a gorgeous sunset. Check out all that golden light goodness!

3) The father daughter dance.
This was not your typical slow swaying "Butterfly Kisses" dance. Christina and her father broke it down and there wasn't a single person in the whole room without a smile on their face. It was amazing!

Christina and Travis, congratulations on your 1-year anniversary! We can't wait to keep in touch with you guys and watch where life takes you as you live out your happily ever after!

View their original wedding day blog post here!