houston bridal showcase: wedding expo 2010

I got two tickets to the Houston bridal show at the George Brown Convention Center earlier today (thanks to Laurie Perez!), and I must say - what an experience! 

No, I didn't have a photography booth of my own; I actually came to sight-see and to connect with both vendors and photographers alike, and it was kind of crazy hearing "Bride to be? Bride to be?" at every corner. But what fun for a boudoir photographer like me! I had my handy dandy Canon G11 and snapped off some photos of some of the booths that caught my eye.

The Laurie Perez Booth looking very busy.

I walked around a little.

The Princess Bridal Booth. This dress below made me see stars. And beads.

Rebekah at the Dream Bouquet Booth. After a beautiful gown, nothing makes me stop and stare more than a beautiful flower arrangement.

Tom at the Monarch Limousines Booth

vows, beads and happiness: a new orleans wedding

As a Houston portrait and boudoir photographer, I don't get to travel outside too often. So when Jessica Vallecorsa of JVallecorsa Photography asked me to come second shoot in New Orleans for her beautiful couple late last year, a quick slideshow of happy memories in the French Quarter from my sailor days sparked brightly in my mind's eye. I, of course, speedily said yes. It was actually more like, "YES! YES yes yes YES!"

So the two of us packed our bags into her souped up red mini cooper and trekked eastward. What a little tart her mini cooper was, with its sparkling chrome accents and painted rear-view mirrors! The truckers couldn't help but honk at this beauty. Repeatedly. I'm hoping one year I'll be so good, Santa would bring me a mini cooper for Christmas.

And even though we met some traffic on the way there, it wasn't enough to dampen our spirits. We were rearing to go, batteries charged and energized both literally and metaphorically, when we met Lisa and Jay the next day in their separate hotel rooms. Actually, Jay was already dressed to the nines in his military uniform before I got there, anxiously waiting with his best man for Lisa to get ready. So I didn't get any of his "getting ready" shots, but that's alright. Here are some of my favorites:

Our first view of Oak Alley Plantation, where the ceremony was to be held, was breath-taking. The first thing that came to mind was Gone With the Wind's Tara, Scarlett O'Hara's majestic home. The ceremony was held under the trailing branches of these oak trees, presided over by Marie, our Justice of the Peace.

The tears came.

And didn't stop coming.

When the ceremony finished, we toured the grounds and got some amazing "Mr. and Mrs." photos. We kept it fun and romantic.

*So* Gone With the Wind!

I searched back into my early high school days for some inspiration for this next shot: I remembered reading a romance novel with something similar on the cover. You like?

Back into the limo and on our way to the French Quarter. I couldn't help but notice that they were not messing around with cutting the cake! That knife meant business.

Walking down Bourbon Street, we met all sorts of  fabulous characters.

The couple specifically wanted some gris-gris from Madame Laveau's House of Voodoo. For good luck!

Honestly, it was so much fun being there, being a part of Lisa and Jay's life as it unfolded in the most special day of their lives. Thank you Jess for asking me to shoot with you. I will definitely always remember this non-traditional New Orleans wedding.

Facebook us - here's why!

Kris Fulk Photography| Houston Lifestyle Portrait and Boudoir Photographer

Houston, we have some awesome portrait photography opportunities for you! This weekend, our Facebook page reached 200 fans, and we've decided to host the "200+ Fans Strong, March Contest!"

While you have to be a Kris Fulk Photography Facebook fan to qualify, there's no reason why I can't spread the word here. So, you ask, what exactly is this contest about?

It's a really good one, at least in my opinion :)

In exactly 140 characters, use the words photos, windy and thirty to tell a "story".

That's characters, mind you, not words. The most creative story will receive a free session and some goodies. The deadline to submit entries is March 7th, 8PM. But if you want to know more, mosey on to our facebook note.

Can't wait to read your entries!

pretty little things

This week I finalize almost all of the orders from S Factor Houston. We did a boudoir / glamour session on-location back in January for some of their students. I love how it's turning out. I had a lot of fun and I can't wait to give these to the girls!

Pretty little things brought to you by Kris Fulk Photography.

"I Posed for (Very) Sexy Photos" - a REDBOOK magazine february article

Reading through the wonderful articles in Richmond Bridal Boudoir Examiner, Soraya Duke's post about this month's REDBOOK magazine was too good not to repost.

"I Posed for (Very) Sexy Photos."

By getting naked for the camera, no-nonsense mom Kimberly Ford rediscovered a part of herself she thought she'd lost forever. By Kimberly Ford

It answers how boudoir photographs helped two very different women, but more importantly, how it gave Kimberly Ford her confidence in herself back.

Read it for yourself - just click on the title link below and let me know what you think.

"I Posed for (Very) Sexy Photos" By Kimberly Ford

Redbook magazine article on boudoir photography.
"I Posed for (Very) Sexy Photos" By Kimberly Ford.
Photo Credit: Teresa Nora Trobbe/Teresanora.com

Kris Fulk Photography

Laughter and kisses

Last month, Laurie asked me if I wanted to second shoot for her wedding this past weekend. I said, "Are you crazy? Of course!" Well, okay, I guess that's what I said in my head. But what came out of my mouth was a more sedate, "Sure, let me check my calendar."

If you've been following my blog, you'd understand how I treasure every opportunity to shoot a wedding. I love love LOVE portraits and boudoir, but there's something about weddings that keep you on edge. Keeps you on your toes. Makes sure you stay sharp. And for some reason... I crave that. (See masochism.)

I remember when I walked into the room where Austin was getting ready at the Doubletree hotel in downtown Houston, he was jittery and pale, and not even the youtube video on the laptop was enough to get him to tie his bow tie correctly. "Do you know how to do this?" he asked me. Me, the despair of womanhood, who can't cook for my life but who can braid and solder wires like a champ. Luckily, his friends came to the rescue, fetched one of the bridesmaids who then ironed out the situ really quickly. We even had time to go to Sam Houston Park (where the ceremony was held) before the ceremony started and get some one-on-one with the groomsmen.

Watching Austin transform when Sally came down the aisle, it reminded me so much of what I love about weddings. While everyone looks at the bride, I look at the groom. The sweetness in the grooms' faces really gives me that "Awwww" moment. Austin was smiling joyfully, and Sally was both beautiful and graceful, with that look in her eyes that was specially for the man she loved. Their ceremony slipped from the traditional when their minister called on their friends and asked some questions to tease the couple with. There was so much laughter, and I felt so privileged to have been there. Thanks, Laurie!

The reception was held at Cordua: Artista just a few blocks away from Sam Houston Park. The decor was beautiful and the food absolutely deliscious. You've never had tres leches as good. Trust me.

And then just for fun, the faces behind Laurie Perez Photography, Laurie and her husband Felix. Looking smokin' hot, if I may say so myself. It should be illegal to look this good while working.

Laughter and kisses brought to you by Kris Fulk Photography