Happy New Year!

Ah where to begin? 2011 was a remarkable year for me and Memories Of Your Lifetime Photography. This year will mark my 5^th year in business as a professional photographer thanks to all of my wonderful clients who have kept me going and have trusted me with capturing the memories of their lifetime. It has been a truly remarkable experience and I have met tons of really great and beautiful people along the way.

2011 marked a major milestone for MOYL involving  a complete website redesign that I embarked on, on my own. It also marked a great break through with family and high school senior photography for me.  I was able to photograph a Miss Texas Pageant contestant, I completed 1 year of writing for a nationally syndicated photography website, and I marked my 10 year wedding anniversary to my lovely and beautiful wife Gina. Without her love and full support there is no way I would have been able to pursue this dream of mine. With her love and gentle nudging I have taken what was a passionate hobby to something that is more and something that I have been able to share with many of you.

I recently visited a wedding clients home and they showed me a wall they decorated in their new home they had purchased together. On that wall they had covered it with images from their wedding day, engagement and bridal sessions. All of the images on the wall were ones that I had taken and it really made me stop and appreciate the gift that God has given me. Here is a beautiful couple just starting out in their life together as husband and wife and those precious memories they wanted captured, those once in a lifetime moments that they shared together,  they entrusted me with the responsibility of capturing. It really helped me to remember that what I do everyday isn’t just for my own enjoyment, it’s so much more than that. What I offer to my clients is really a timeless treasure that they will forever enjoy. It really humbled me to know that I am able to share my gift with so many people and touch their lives in a way that they will always be able to reflect on and remember fondly.

So 2012 will not mark the end of civilization as we know it but rather a renewed and impassioned effort to bring my art to couples, families and individuals everywhere! 2012 will make 2011 well worth it!

Happy New Year everyone!

Some Days I Just Feel Like Officer Murtaugh….

“I’m getting too old for this sh*t!” Remember that famous line from Lethal Weapon? Officer Murtaugh said it in every single movie. I feel like Officer Murtaugh tonight. I just got home from a “short” event, about 6 ½ hours and I am beat. My back hurts, my legs hurt, my feet hurt, and to top it all off my allergies are killing me! Curse you South Texas! I am getting too old for this schnit……….

But just like Officer Murtaugh, I keep doing it. Even though I have more nights like this than I care to remember I still keep doing this and for one simple reason, I love it. Days like today make me remember that I am not as young as I once was but at the same time I really enjoy what I do and not a lot of people can say that. I do what I do because I want to do it, not because I have to and that is a big difference. I have done the job that I have to do because I have to do it and it ain’t no fun. I did that for far too long and that probably caused more strain on my body and my mentality than any day long wedding or event did. Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

I always thought that fortune cookie was full of junk but I have to say, that wise old Chinese man who baked that cookie must have known what he was talking about because it really does make a world of difference to do what you love rather than what you have to do. It makes all the rest bearable.

So to you I say this, find what you love and pursue it. Don’t let the “maybe’s” and the” I don’t knows” get in the way. Don’t let the impossible be a reason you don’t try. Even if there absolutely doesn’t seem any way possible do it anyway and make it work. I am the biggest worry wart in the world and if I had let all of my anxiety and nervousness stop me I never would have found something that gives me such joy I stay up till midnight after getting home from working a 6 ½ hour event with my body in complete pain and still manage to pop out a couple of blog posts all with a smile on my face. I speak from experience, find something you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

But really…. I am getting to old for this sh*t……..

Shyanne Yurrita H.S. Senior Portraits

Shyanne is a beautiful Bandera H.S. Senior who really fell in love with the camera. Right from the first shot she really did well and that makes my job so much easier. I took her photos in beautiful Gruene, TX which is a wonderful playground for a photographer. Some of my favorites are of the railroad tracks. Lighting was really good to me that day thanks to all the shade that the location offers. If you ever get a chance to shoot in Gruene I recommend it. Shyanne has her sights set on graduation in a few weeks and I wish her luck!

For the entire album visit: www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy
album passcode: shyanne11

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Taylor Shackelford H.S. Senior Portraits

Taylor is a beautiful, athletic Bandera High School Senior who has her sights set on North Texas and the upcoming fall semester. Taylor has an energetic personality that really shows through in her album. So many times it is hard to get “non-models” to just let go and be themselves in front of the camera. Taylor is just as comfortable in front of the lens as not and that same energy really shows through. I really enjoyed capturing the Memories of her Lifetime and I hope you enjoy! Good Luck Taylor!

For the entire album visit: www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy
album passcode: taylor11

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Jaime and Justin Engagements

These are some of the photos that I shot with Raul Salazar Photography for one of his wedding clients in Gruene, TX. Very beautiful town and I’m definitely going to have to go back for another shoot. Any takers???

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Cassidy Gase H.S. Senior Portraits

Cassidy is one of those lucky young women who the camera absolutley loves! She is the Valedictorian for the Bandera High School Class of 2011. We shot her session at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and it was a truly beautiful day. Lots of color, great light, and a great subject. She has high hopes for the upcoming fall semester at Texas A&M University and her dreams of the future. I really enjoyed capturing the Memories of her Lifetime and I hope you enjoy!

For the entire album visit: www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy
album passcode: cassidy11

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Michelle and Carlos Gamio

Here are some of Michelle and Carlos’s engagement photos taken on the San Antonio river in the King William area, bridal photos taken at Hemisphere Park and wedding photos taken at Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Helotes and Los Encinos in Leon Springs. Great day, great weather, great light, and a great couple. They both were very happy and easy going and made my job alot easier!

For the entire album visit: www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy
album passcode: michelle11

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Ryan Hartley H.S. Senior Portraits

Here are some of Ryan’s high school senior portraits taken at Medina Lake. Ryan takes great pride is his Jeep Wrangler and he just couldn’t make it through the whole photoshoot without getting it a little muddy.

For the entire album visit: www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy
album passcode: ryan11

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McGee Wedding

To see the entire album and to order prints visit:

www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy

Album Code: mcgee2010

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Geary Wedding

To see the entire album and to order prints visit:

www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy

Album Code: geary10

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Amanda Castro Debut

Click here to see the entire album

Album passcode: morales10

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Christ Wedding

Betty and Tim were married recently in the beautiful little Texas town of Boerne at the always beautiful St. John Lutheran Church. I always enjoy shooting there. The lighting is gorgeous, the church is beautiful and they have this wall full of unique crucifixes. I could spend hours looking at them all. I really enjoyed their wedding. Here is a sample and more to come!

Click here to see the entire album

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Alicia Guerrero H.S. Senior Portraits

Here are some of Alicia’s beautiful high school senior portraits taken at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Alicia is an aspiring journalist and as you can see, she looks great on camera!

For the entire album visit: www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy
album passcode: alicia10

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Dee Shelton Bridal Portraits

Dee and Dayle Heiner were recently married in Fredericksburg, Texas on July 10, 2010. It was a beautiful ceremony celebrated by family and friends. Here are some of Dee’s bridal portraits.

To view the entire album or to order prints please visit: www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy

Album passcode: shelton10

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Perez Wedding

The Perez wedding was gorgeous and was held at the always beautiful Marquardt Ranch in Boerne, Tx. The river was beautiful, the venue was beautiful,  and the happy couple looked beautiful too!

To order prints or to see the entire album click here: www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy

Album Code: perez10

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Christa Henry H.S. Senior Portraits

This was Christa Henry’s Senior portrait shoot. The beautiful grounds of the botanicals went nicely with Christa’s beautiful look and beautiful green eyes. Great shoot Christa!

To see the entire album and to order photos visit:

www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy

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album code: christa10

Matthew H.S. Senior Portraits

I took Matthews pics recently at Medina Lake. I was a beautiful day, nice an bright. Mathew was great to work with and really easy going. I think I captured his personality in the photos pretty well.

To visit the entire gallery or to order photos visit:
www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy
album code: matthew10

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Stacy Widner H.S. Senior Portraits

Stacy Widner High School Senior Portraits Bandera, TX

Stacy is one of MOYL’s high school senior ambassadors. I took her photos in Bandera at the Medina river and I have to say she doesnt take a bad photo. I think you’ll agree the camera loves her.

 

CLICK HERE to see Stacy’s entire album!

CLICK HERE to order prints!

Abum code: widner2010

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Sandy and Jason Mucha Wedding

Sandy and Jason had a beautiful wedding at the Marquardt Ranch in Boerne. Their wedding was elegant, sophisticated, and intimate.

To view the entire album visit: www.memoriesofyourlifetime.com/buddy

Album code: mucha09

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Brandi Carreon Portrait Session

Brandi was our Model Spotlight’s Miss December 2009. Her photos are taken at the McNay Art Museum. Brandi won the monthly Model Spotlight contest and was crowned Model Spotlight’s Model of the Month for December 2009 and a FREE professional photosession. For your chance to win go to www.modelspotlight.com to enter.

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