BellaFotografica - Beaumont Texas Wedding Photographer

Carrie Underwood

August 6, 2008 – 3:54 pm

I don’t get to go to many concerts since our little one’s birth, but since Melanie’s birthday was coming up fast, I decided a couple tickets to multi-Grammy winner Carrie Underwood’s concert would be a nice gift. Held in the local Ford Park Arena, the venue was packed with thousands of rabid Carrie Underwood fans:

Carrie Underwood

The price of concert tickets these days is crazy, but we weren’t disappointed in the performance Carrie Underwood put on - Amazing! The band and backup singers are the best in the business - young and talented. The lightshow and “laser beams” really added to the atmosphere.

Carrie Underwood in Concert

She rocked all her #1 songs and a couple I hadn’t heard yet. From “I’ll Stand By You” to “All American Girl” to “Jesus Take the Wheel”, she was in amazing voice - crystal clear when she wanted it and country gravel road when she needed it. We loved it from beginning to end.

Carrie Underwood in Concert

By Allen | Posted in Concerts, Family | Tagged carrie underwood, concert photography, country music | 10 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Parker and Barrow

July 28, 2008 – 10:32 pm

I had some fun this past week, attending a seminar and photoshoot put on by John Michael Cooper of AltF infamy. John, whose work inspired the whole “Trash the Dress” craze, was in classic form - teaching, shooting, and inspiring.

The day started off mildly, with John sitting down with us to discuss some of his background and thoughts behind his more famous images, then led us through some exercises in photographing engagement sessions. In the afternoon a couple recently married came in and we spent a little time shooting “pretty pictures”:

bridal photo

bride and wedding dress photo in black and white

bride and groom

before moving into the more interesting part of the day, JMC’s re-creation of Bonnie and Clyde’s takedown, with a modern-day bride and groom twist:

we have a bride down

I do not understand mister officer

Just a note that no bride was harmed in the photographing of this event. To the contrary, people line up for the chance to experience one of JMC’s one-of-a-kind events. After taking their mug-shots they were free to go, with images worthy of 30″x40″ canvases.

groom mug shot

bridal mug shot

Great day If you are interested in doing some out of the ordinary photography, contact me soon to discuss how we can put some fun images together for you.

By Allen | Posted in Weddings | Tagged bridal photography, engagement photography, trash the dress | 12 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Linda and Chris’ Wedding

July 17, 2008 – 5:52 pm

Finally!

I just have to post a few of my favorite images from Linda and Chris’ recent wedding - the color was beautiful, but for most of the following photos black and white seemed to fit the mood better Chris is my nephew, recently home from Iraq and the Marines and Linda is his gorgeous bride from Harlingen, Texas. Lots of family from both sides attended, Linda and Chris will have plenty of support as they start out in life together. We love you both!

But wait! I am getting ahead of myself… the day started off like most summer weddings in South Texas - hot with a threat of rain showers. It had rained several times during the rehearsal the evening before so the planned outdoor wedding ceremony was moved indoors. We scrambled a bit to get everything ready and it turned out perfect Here’s a few from earlier in the day… one of the bride’s floral bouquets - lots of color and a beautiful arrangement:

brides bouquet

Looking out past the wedding cake into the reception area:

grooms cake

Linda’s friend assisted with her getting ready - Linda is looking radiant!

bride getting ready with makeup

Linda’s proud family looking on:

wedding ceremony and brides family looking on

Afterwards, Chris’ Dad (David) gave Chris a toast he didn’t seem just too happy about

wedding reception toast

Linda seemed to enjoy it tho And the happy couple sets sail for a few days R&R:

wedding ceremony groom and bride

grooms boutoneirre

brides shoes and bouquet

Here’s the slideshow of the story of their day:

By Allen | Posted in Family, Travel, Weddings | Tagged harlingen texas wedding | 17 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Summer!

July 14, 2008 – 5:42 pm

While waiting for Chris and Linda’s wedding photos to be posted, I thought I’d give you a look at one of the more eligible bachelors in Texas enjoying the peak of summer play. Stand in line ladies, he’ll be available ~2027

For those who have met the little guy, you know one of his favorite things about summer is watermelon. He can eat his weight in the delicious summer fruit and will give you a good 2-foot stomp if you take it away before he’s eaten most of the rind

mmm tastey

mmm…

watermelon

the thinker

He spent most of his day playing in the sand or the water’s edge - and yes, the sand/plant/etc mixture is what we call a beach in our part of the Gulf

sun sand and fun

He didn’t quite understand that if you launch the sand up and into the wind, something odd is gonna happen:

the mummy

oops

Shortly after the above shots he picked up his bucket of sand and dumped it on his head. Luckily, he still responds to instruction from his dad and with a little coaching the sand was going where he wanted it. Afterwards he rinsed a little in the Gulf of Mexico waves.

splash

David finished the day with a few slices of pizza and slept all the way home, dreaming of sand and watermelon.

More pictures can be found here: http://picasaweb.google.com/allenayres/Summer2008

By Allen | Posted in Family, Travel | Tagged beach, Family, summer | 7 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

Rachel and Brent’s Wedding

July 7, 2008 – 10:03 pm

Held in a beautiful church in DeRidder, Louisiana, Rachel and Brent’s wedding ceremony and reception was gorgeous. Every detail from the expansive church to the perfect reception hall in the town’s historic performance theater was carried out with class. I think you’ll agree after viewing the following images:

The flowergirl arrives:

The ringbearer gets his attire adjusted *just* so:

ringbearer getting ready

Entrance to the church - a beautiful day!

front of church

The groomsmen take a break:

groomsmen chilling

This year’s most eligible bachelors:

ringbearers hanging out

Wide angle shot from the balcony of the wedding ceremony getting under way:

wide angle view of ceremony starting

Rachel is all smiles as the pastor gets the rings ready:

rachel and brents wedding ceremony

This moment with the unity candle:

black and white lighting the unity candle

Reserved, the tables are ready at the reception:

reception centerpiece detail photo

This wedding cake tasted as good as it looked:

wedding cake photo

A final image of the gift table:

wedding reception gift table detail photo

A few more images can be found here.