Thank you Robin for all you do for our country, we wish you well on your deployment!

Roz and Jason

We traipsed all over the place – I only started to figure out my way around the maze of mezzanines and hallways and elevators towards the end of our shoot – that place is HUGE! As an added bonus, our escorts showed us to the smaller theater, which was almost as stunning as the main stage. It’s all so ornate!

We had a fabulous time shooting your engagement photos, and can’t wait to get your album rolling!

Roz

The recent rains in the area washed away some of the tire tracks, and left the sand a bit moist, so we didn’t have to contend with blowing dust. The moisture in the air also contributed to a phenomenon we don’t often see out here – the golden light of sunset started much earlier than usual, and lasted until the sun dipped below the horizon. Combined with the deep rust-red of the sand, we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to take photos.

Roz asked Rick to take Rocio out on the back of a friend’s ATV, turn around, and drive past us. Rick apparently enjoyed the ride so much that he took the long way around – and caught air coming up over a rise on the dune! We’re betting he has a quad in his garage before their first anniversary, because he was having entirely too much fun motoring around the dunes.

Jason

After they chatted and snuggled for a few minutes, we did several portraits around their home, inside and out, before heading to the UTEP campus, where Rocio had made arrangements to take some photos at the Alumi Lodge. Then, we headed downtown to Camino Real, where we placed them in the Dome Bar and on the marble-and-brass staircases for more portraits. We also did a few outside the Plaza Theater next door, where the upcoming production of Wicked was advertised by the inflatable feet of the Wicked Witch protruding from the front door.

Rick and Rocio had budgeted plenty of time for their portraits, so we were running well ahead of schedule by the time we were ready to head to the next location. We spent the down time chilling in the Central Grill and Bar before we met up with the rest of the bridal party at Club Vanilla, in the bar district where we did Rick and Rocio’s engagements. Vanilla was an incredible background for some very compelling group portraits, and we ended the session with Rocio standing on the bar, backlit by the shelves of drinks.

The wedding mass was held at All Saint’s Catholic Church, an older cathedral with plenty of character. The balcony wrapped over the entire seating area, allowing Roz to get very close to the bride and groom during the ceremony, while shooting from above. I shot from the floor as usual; although the church was very small and pretty crowded, I was able to move around a little without interfering with the ceremony in the slightest. After the mass, we photographed the families on the alter, and then headed over to the reception.

When I walked in to Isaron Hall, my first impression was of the huge, octagonal gazebo-like structure dominating the center of the two-story space. My second was of the huge amount of lighting and effects gear hanging from the ceiling! After dinner, the party kicked off in grand style with a waltz by the bridal couple. They’d obviously practiced the dance, it looked very natural and some of the poses provided perfect photo ops (which we took full advantage of!) Then the dance floor opened, the smoke machines and lasers kicked in, and we were off into some of the best dance images we’ve ever captured!

Eventually, Rick and Rocio stopped dancing for long enough to cut the cake (which was decorated with custom bobble-heads, dead ringers for Rick and Rocio) and throw the garter and bouquet, but the party started right back up and was still going strong when Roz and I bowed out sometime after midnight. Rick, Rocio, we had a wonderful time, and we got some incredible images! Keep an eye on the blog for even more incredible images, this time from the Trash the Dress session we did on Sunday, out at Red Sands on an ATV!

Jason

The day started out quietly, with Maria at Tresses Salon in El Paso. Tresses just moved to their new digs on Gateway East; the salon was still having some finishing touches added, but that didn’t seem to affect the outcome – Maria’s hair came out looking great! Then it was off to the mall, where the ladies at the MAC counter helped her and Jasmine apply their makeup. Roz and I grabbed some lunch after they were finished, and then we all went to the hotel, where Kara, the wedding coordinator, was waiting for us with the rest of the bridal party, Maria’s mom, and the dress!

I took off right after Maria got a gift of jewelry from Genaro; I had to cross I-10 to get to the hotel where the guys were getting dressed. The room was cool after the heat outside, and so were the guys – everyone was mostly ready to go (early!) when I got there, so I delivered the silver USB drive Maria got Genaro (engraved with “World’s Greatest Husband”), we did some images of the poker chip cuff-links Maria found for the guys in Las Vegas, and then we headed to the church.

As we headed down Zaragosa towards Ysletta and Mt. Carmel, we ran into a water main break, which forced us to detour. We might have gotten lost if Roz hadn’t spotted the dome on the Old Mission Church! We made it in plenty of time, but the ceremony got off to a late start anyway, as guests got caught in the traffic jam that resulted from the road closure. It was a pleasure working with the Father again; he remembered us from Armida’s wedding at the Mission, almost a year ago!

After her maids walked down the aisle, Maria appeared, and Genaro’s face lit up. She was radiant; Roz had to wipe tears away (after she got the photo of Genaro’s face, of course!) The ceremony included many Latin touches, and the painted alter area provided a perfect backdrop. Mariachis provided traditional musical accompaniment to the ceremony, and afterward, they played in the plaza while the guests danced and we shot formals.

En route to the Lancer’s club for the reception, we all got stuck in traffic around the broken pipes again – but we got to the hall in plenty of time for the main events of the evening! The stunning main wedding cake was complemented by a groom’s cake, which resembled a pile of poker chips. After dinner, DJ Ivan announced the toasts and cake cutting, and then the party got started with the bouquet and garter toss!

Ivan handled the pre-bouquet-toss conga line perfectly – and it’s easy to let the party go on to long, or to cut it too short, and leave the guests hanging. The bouquet toss went off perfectly. Then it was Genaro’s turn – and he put on an impromptu strip tease for Maria, strutting his stuff, throwing his vest to her, and having a great time.

When Ivan called the young couple who caught the garter and bouquet out onto the floor, I was worried – we’ve seen a few fairly awkward situations arise at this point. Once again, I was shocked. I’m still not sure if it was planned or not, but Ivan threw on MC Hammer, and the couple transformed instantly from awkward teens into two of the hottest dancers I’ve ever seen! When they were done tearing up the floor, the rest of the guests came out – and the party went up another notch. Ivan kept the dance floor hot all night, a feat which is amazingly rare down here. Never once did he clear everyone off with a poor song selection; the crowd was having as much fun as he was. And wow, could they DANCE! Admittedly, I’m a white guy – but there were quite literally toddlers out on that floor that could dance circles around me.

After we shot more (incredible) dance images than I’ve ever gotten at a single wedding, Roz and I packed it up and headed home. Maria and Genaro, we met some fun people, and generally had a blast spending the day with both of you! Have fun on your honeymoon; we’ll have images ready when you get back!

Jason

Then we drove up to Scenic Drive, and did some stuff overlooking El Paso – it’s a stunning sight! I hadn’t been up there before, and wowza there’s some cool houses up there on those hills! I’ll have to buy one and call it my summer home I think. After shooting there, we drove out to UTEP, and walked all over campus. We took some individual shots of Rick and Rocio outside their respective college buildings – and thank goodness the Business College building was open – ahhhh, air conditioning and water fountains!

It was a blast guys, your wedding is going to be coming up before you know it, and we can’t wait!

Roz

The wedding is coming up fast you too, it was lovely to see you both again – and I didn’t have to have surgery this time! (It was right after shooting their first session that I fell ill and ended up in the hospital, luckily, this wasn’t a repeat performance!)

Can’t wait for their wedding!

Roz

We kept Andy, Andreas, and their attendants and family a bit longer than usual for bridal portraits, because the Gardens provided so many stunning backgrounds and exciting vignettes for photos. The heat kept us cycling through batteries for our flashes too – Roz and I both wound up with burned fingers after dropping hot batteries out of the strobes. After dragging everyone all around the park, we wound up back at the fountain for some truly amazing bridals.

Everything was still being set up when we all arrived at Avalon Hall. Andrea’s feet were killing her, so she and Andy changed into Chucks (hers were bright pink!) – and of course, we couldn’t let that opportunity slip by! We hauled them out for a few more portraits just as the sun was setting; then we stole her heels and did some fun shots of them on the fountain in the hall. There was some confusion about when the DJ was supposed to show up, but he arrived shortly after dinner. Toasts, the cutting of the cake, the first dance, and the bouquet toss followed in quick succession, and then the party really got rolling! The fog machine made for some great light effects, and we got some amazing dancing shots before calling it a night.

I can’t imagine the sacrifice these families make for us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for keeping our country and our citizens safe. You truly rock.

Roz