my favorite weddings are the ones where i get to create for myself.
“but it’s their wedding day!” right.
it sounds self absorbed, but what i mean is when i’m documenting from the heart without feeling the need to pander artistically to a particular individual or deliver something i generally wouldn’t. the best days from a photography perspective are when i’m working in the moment, uninterrupted, exploring the setting and my own mind creatively.
i always consider the couple and what’s most important to them, but i need the freedom to put my own twist on their vision to create something fresh that i’m proud of. otherwise, it feels as though i’m trading my own approval to things outside of my control.
if i’m creating only for you, with no input of my own, in a way it doesn’t even feel like my own work. when i stumble upon something particularly exciting creatively, it feels like i’m giving a gift. if i love it, i know they’ll love it too.
gretchen + elliot gave me exactly this, and i gave them these photographs in return.
i hope your wedding isn’t the best day of your life.
after this night ended, i remember sitting down, letting out a big exhale, and thinking “wow, this one is over already.”
sometimes it’s tough to let go of the good times and move onto the unknown of what comes next. we build up moments, they’re incredible when they happen, but you eventually have to answer - now what?
the wedding is the start of something beautiful, but it’s far from the pinnacle of your relationship. it’s expensive, you probably won’t eat much, your aunt so-and-so might be a handful, your friends will drink too much, and some things won’t go according to plan. you’ll want to relive it but at the same time you’ll be glad it’s over.
the next chapter is more exciting anyway. the real life things.
because getting married isn’t the achievement. that’s the easy part. making sacrifices and growing together is where marriage pays its dividends.
if 12 years of marriage have taught me anything, it’s that the best days are yet to come.
anna + matt — ten slides will never be enough. love y’all.
planner @pearleventsaustin
venue @eventsatthearlo
floral @nativebloomfloral
cake @feathers.and.frosting
makeup @etoillyartistry
send off @atxclassiccars
i will forever remember 2025 as the year that changed my life, and i want to thank every one of you for being here and supporting me and my family. i’m beyond grateful for you.
it can feel like hard work doesn’t always equal success, and i recognize not everyone had a year they can proudly look back on. but sometimes, if you fight hard enough, it happens. i’ve worked harder than ever but found something to enjoy every day and am feeling the benefits of putting my head down to build the life my daughters deserve.
this is more for me to come back to on the hard days, but this year i:
-celebrated 14 years of marriage
-signed a cookbook deal with harper collins
-raised over $6,000 for texas flood victims
-got a tattoo that means nothing
-taught our oldest to drive
-biannual lake trip with my high school friends of 20-30 years
-served pasta to 350 people to support a family in need
-bought our dream house
-4 years alcohol free
-ate a hot dog at wrigley field with my daughters
-ate potatoes in ireland
-went on next level chef and met gordon ramsay
-prioritized strength and hit PRs in the gym
-fed children in need, as a family
-accidentally became an influencer
-learned to fly fish in colorado
-ordered tacos in spanish in mexico city
that’s an awful amount of words for someone who feels speechless. here’s to 2026.
✨LIMITED AVAILABILITY: We only take on a certain amount of weddings per year and we are booking NOW through the end of 2027 so don’t miss your chance to have an effortless wedding planning experience with Ashley Nicole Affair! 💍
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i’ve taken a much lighter workload over the last year.
burnout is common in wedding photography, and not just common, but anticipated. for several years, i would photograph up to three weddings in a weekend. at times i found it challenging to stay motivated and excited, and couples deserve someone who can give it 100%; they deserve someone who isn’t in it for the money or recognition, but is intrinsically motivated to be there. so i took a break.
a reset was the best thing for me. i’m back to being inspired and present and that feels incredible. intentionality is the most important part of this work.
beyond excited to photograph laura + eric’s wedding today.
A touch of unexpected color in late November for this @prospecthousetx wedding with @birddogwedding .
We brought grasses from the surrounding landscape into our aisle designs paired with vibrant flowers to create a funky West Texas meets Austin vibe for these lovebirds.
Planner: @birddogwedding
Venue: @prospecthousetx
Florist: @idamayesfloral
Photo: @barefoottim
Rentals: @beelavishvintage@bbjlatavola
#hillcountrywedding #austinwedding #austinflorist #colorfulwedding #archflowers #weddingceremony #ceremonyflorals #texasplanner #texaswedding
this has been one of the best years of my life.
a major contributor to that is because i cut alcohol out of my life three years ago today.
not for any reason in particular, but because i was curious if it would affect my life in a positive way. there were few things i enjoyed more than cracking an obscure beer i’d never heard of while cooking up dinner or socializing.
but i found myself relying on it to have a good time. that felt normal, and almost a requirement which began to bother me.
i love a good challenge, so i told myself i’d commit to a year without it. after that year, i’d return to my semi-casual IPAs.
the first few months were tough, and i found myself leaving social gatherings unfulfilled. part of me felt that i was making a mistake; that i was sacrificing my social wellbeing for this little challenge. one of my biggest realizations was ‘damn, i can be awkward as hell.’
but i slowly started to feel the benefits. it started with my sleep getting better, then came stronger relationships where i felt like i was actually present in conversation, a more stable mood, improved energy, and better focus. it has without question made me a better husband and dad.
i stuck it out, hit that year mark, and was surprised to realize i had zero desire to go back to drinking. i may return to it someday, never say never, but for now i’m feeling pretty damn good.
all this to say i’m very happy, and appreciate being able to share this with you. i know i talk a lot of shit online, but i’m very much a real guy working through real life challenges every day. thank you for being here. happy to talk to anyone wanting to have that conversation. 🙏🏼
