J Mark Photography

Amber at the State Capitol

2012-02-08T14:25:00.000-06:00

Amber will get married in just two short weeks at the Oaks Event Center in South Austin. We roamed around a very quiet capitol building taking these lovely pictures. Why was it so quiet? It was during the Super Bowl! Yes, Mark made the ultimate sacrifice for this beautiful bride. Thank goodness for DVR!

Aiden at 8 days

2012-02-08T13:53:00.000-06:00

Little Aiden is long and lean just like his daddy. What a privilege to be selected to photograph this beautiful newborn. We traveled to his home, where he was sound asleep and took these sweet pictures. Aiden was a trooper. We look forward to many more sessions with this little guy and watching him grow.

Kelsey at 6 months

2012-02-08T13:34:00.000-06:00

What a cutie pie! Such a happy baby and we had so much fun photographing Miss Kelsey for her 6 month portrait session. Last time we saw Kelsey she was just a few days old when we traveled to her home to take her newborn pictures. We have been photographing big sister Kendall for a couple of years so we had to add her in for a couple of shots. Love the interaction between the two sisters! Kelsey is such a happy girl and we had a blast with this session.

Meet Austin Russell Stansbury

2012-02-01T16:19:00.002-06:00

I have had some incredible experiences in life. I met the talented and creative guy in college at the University of Arkansas (Go Hogs!!) that eventually started J. Mark Photography. We married and had two beautiful daughters. It is hard to believe that we started that journey together 33 years ago. Now, both of our lovely daughters are married to terrific men and starting families of their own. The moons aligned and I was able to be a part of the birth of our first grandchild, Austin, on January 14th. The delivery was amazing and a life experience that I will cherish. Lauren did wonderfully and is a very natural mom. Daddy Russell was pretty great in the delivery room also. Mark was able to fly out a couple of days after Austin made is appearance in this world. He enjoyed being grandpa and loving on this little man. And oh, by the way – we took pictures! Big surprise! Meet our beautiful grandson, Austin Russell Stansbury, the newest member of the Cowling Clan. - Vicki

A few more tips to consider

2012-01-02T12:12:00.003-06:00

We hope that we were able to visit you at the Bridal Extravaganza. Thanks for visiting our blog! We have tons of helpful hits scattered throughout each year on our blog. Take time and surf around!

Simply “good” wedding planning advice:

1. "Truly think of who you WANT at your wedding and don't feel like you have to invite everyone under the sun 'just because.”

Remember, it's a wedding, not a high school reunion. OK, we know everyone has that 'crazy uncle' that your mother is insisting you invite -- but the majority of the guest list should be people that you really want to see. If that means your total guest is 75 only people -- great. There's no correlation between having a big wedding and having more fun.

2. "Something may go wrong on your wedding day, but at the end of the day, you will be married to the love of your life and that's all that matters. Relax and enjoy it."

The sooner you can come to accept this piece of advice, the better. So the flower girls started crying and wouldn’t walk down the aisle. Who cares? Sometimes things don’t go quite as planned, no matter how much you prepare for emergencies. Remember that what people cherish most about the day is seeing a happy, smiling bride and groom.

3. “Don't think you have to buy your wedding dress the minute you get engaged. Take your time and enjoy the process.”

We know it's tempting, but try to wait a few weeks until you get used to the word fiancé, first. Unless your wedding is two months from the time of your engagement, there's no reason to rush buying the dress, even if you think you know exactly what you want. Take your time. Try on several dresses, if possible, at different boutiques, and ask the bridal consultants there to suggest a few styles. Keep an open mind; you may be surprised with what you end up picking out.

4. "Be sure to ask the groom what he wants to be a part of. Too often, brides assume that the groom doesn't care when it comes to the wedding details. Don't assume, just ask him."

These days, more and more grooms are getting actively involved in the planning process. And why shouldn't they? It's their day too. If you're worried that your overzealous groom might get in the way, delegate specific tasks that he can focus his energy on. For instance, let him pick out his attire, along with all of the groomsmen; or let him design the seating cards or ceremony programs. Think of it as a bonding experience, and you’ll both probably enjoy the planning more if you’re doing it together.

5. "Set your budget and stick to it!"

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to weddings is sticking to your budget without using up all your savings, or those of your parents. Start out determined to stick with your budget. How do you do that? Be realistic. Start with chunks – get your most important items taken care of first…Venue, photographer, dress, DJ, flowers and catering. Then focus on the less expensive items invitations, cake, favors, etc. You might decide, in the end, that you don’t need favors. Set your budget for each item 20% low. This way you will have some flexibility. Save on one item and move that savings to something else.

6. "Make sure you have transportation planned out for the entire day -- not just to and from the wedding venue."

Plan out the entire day in terms of locations: hair, makeup and nail appointments, getting ready at your house, arriving at the church, getting to that special location for your photos, arriving at the reception, and getting to the honeymoon suite. If you're not planning on renting a limo for the whole day, talk to your parents and bridesmaids and designate drivers for different parts of the day. That way, you won't wind up without a ride to the hair salon because everyone else is out running last minute errands.

7. "Do projects when you're in the mood to do them, regardless of whether or not it’s the right time. If you come home from work one day eager to address your invitations -- just go with it."

That's right, if you're suddenly in the mood to research honeymoon spots or outline your ceremony -- don't worry if it's not on the timeline. There's no reason that you can't buy the wedding bands eight months in advance, book your honeymoon six months out, or do your seating chart as soon as you receive the RSVP cards. The point is, don't leave anything until the last minute or put off a small task because it seems too early. The months leading up to your wedding will fly by, so try to accomplish something small every week.

8. “Spend some one-on-one romantic time with your fiancé every week.”

We know: All that planning and organizing can be draining. And when you're tired and stressed, there isn't always time for romance. Try to take one night a week -- or even better, one day -- where you both commit not to talk about the wedding. Cook dinner together, take a walk, see a movie, and just remember why you're getting married in the first place.

Starting the New Year with a BANG!!!

2012-01-01T12:11:00.002-06:00

Vicki and I took time out to head down to Zilker Park to attempt to shoot some of the Austin fireworks on New Year's Eve. This was our first try at shooting fireworks and we learned a few things. First, we were very lucky to find a place to shoot without doing any on the ground location scouting. I took a look at Google Maps and found a place to try. We wanted to have the skyline in the background with the water in front to reflect the fireworks. When we arrived we realized it would be a pretty great place but we were late and there where already about 5 or 6 photographers there. As we walked up one of then said, "Here, let me make some room for you that tree can get in the way over where you are." How cool was that? Come to find out it was a local Austin photographer, Jerry Hayes. Thanks Jerry.

Second, you have to be ready. Those fireworks start and just keep going. There is not really a lot of time for camera adjustments. Most shows are only about 15-20 minutes and you don’t want to miss that great shot. Also, you have to have an idea of what you are going to do with your camera settings and maybe a couple of minor adjustments and that is it. To select my starting point I had done some research online and started with an ISO of 100, an F-Stop of 8.0 with a 2 second shutter speed. I tried some shots at 1 second but thought the buildings came out dark and I had a hard time timing the shutter and the fireworks burst. I wish I had tried some longer exposures with a smaller F-Stop but that will have to wait till next time. Cool experience. Let me know what you think.

So the tips are 1) Scout your location in advance. 2) Show up early, especially if it is a big event. 3) Have a plan for your camera settings. I may even take 2 cameras next time but that would be hard to manage. 4) Keep vibration to a minimum. Use a tripod and a remote trigger for your camera and if your camera has it you should consider locking your mirror up. 5) Shoot a lot. Timing the bursts is hard and you never know when that great one is going to pop up. 6) Finally, don’t forget to watch the fireworks and have fun. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.

A Christmas Gift - Melissa @ just 6 days

2011-12-22T10:54:00.001-06:00

About 4 yrs ago we were chosen to photography Kate and Andrew's wedding. Then this week we were honored to have them call us to provide the first professional photos of their new Christmas gift, Melissa. I'm not sure Melissa enjoyed her first opportunity to be a model but I think she is beautiful and we were able to capture some very nice shots of her. I joked as we were leaving that I would still always remember her like she is in the last 2 photos here on the blog. Welcome to the world Miss Melissa and congratulations to Kate and Andrew.

Alicia and Steve at Texas A&M University

2011-12-21T10:08:00.000-06:00

Lets start with WOW what a great couple. Kind and gentle with each other and they love to laugh. We met them at the George Bush Presidential Library at A&M on a very chilly Sunday morning in December. You can't tell but Alicia is covered in goose bumps! She was glad when we finished with her first outfit and she could change into a sweater and jeans. We had a great time roaming around the campus taking pictures. A&M is filled with tradition and we heard many stories as we walked around. We visited the century tree and paid tribute to their Aggie rings. Looking forward to this couples wedding!

Perrin at 1 year

2011-12-21T09:46:00.000-06:00

We called Perrin a Gerber Baby. Look at those eyes! Such a sweet boy and a joy to his parents. Mom and Dad were married for 10 years before trying to a child and then it took them 9 years! A miracle baby. We are so pleased they found us and we could celebrate Perrin's first birthday through pictures.

Here are the top 10 reasons to have a photographer staffed live photo booth at your wedding!

2011-12-15T09:59:00.001-06:00

1. J. Mark Photography provides it FREE. You bring the guests and we bring added entertainment. We have decided it really should call it a FUN booth.
2. Live Photo booths are an easy way to capture all of your guests having a fantastic time at your wedding! Little ones, your friends, your parents and your grandparents will have a fabulous time! And you have a lasting memory of them! It is even entertainment for everyone watching the action!
3. Some of the guests at your reception may not be the "Dancing Queen" type…so they might not get photographed out on the floor…but get them in the fun booth, and they will cut loose!
4. You are absolutely going to love it!
5. Your Bridal Party is going to love it!
6. You can email each of your guests a picture as a favor. No need to spend money on favors. Just have a email sign up sheet available at the booth.
7. If there is a lull in the excitement…its a perfect place to gather up all your gal pals from your sorority or your buddies from college to snap a few!
8. A year after your wedding…you can look through these fun booth images and remember what an amazing time you had!
9. Not crazy about the props? Just have a portrait station and have a picture of each guest!
10. Did we mention we provide this at no additional cost?

7 Things You Should Consider on Your Wedding Day.

2011-12-15T09:47:00.007-06:00

Mark and I have written about some of these tips in previous blog entries, but since we see the same issues frequently we decided to do a refresher.

1. Wedding gown problems.

At almost every wedding we have ever photographed the bride has had problems with her bustle. We have photographed over 200 weddings and this happens very often. Some times it is a quick redo of a hook and sometimes it is a broken tie or a tear. Wedding gowns are so heavy that there is often nothing that can be done with safety pins. If someone steps on the back of your gown while you are dancing it’s going to come undone. However, if you know you like to dance and are planning on being a part of all the action, (which we hope you are!) we suggest telling your bridal shop to put some extra hooks on your bustle. Plus, make sure it does not drag the ground and easily stepped on.

2. Flowers that hide too much of your gown.

Photographing a bride on her wedding day is one of the most important assignments a photographer has. Bouquets can easily obscure the beautiful gowns because they may be too large. We can have them positioned properly for the formal posed photographs, but for many key moments through-out the day they are held too high and they hide way too much of the dress. Two examples of this would be; walking down the aisle at your ceremony and being introduced at your reception. If you love the idea of having a large bouquet of flowers, remember to practice holding your flowers low as you’re walking. You’ll be glad you did when you see your photographs.

3. Seeing “you” during the ceremony.

We personally like veils. They’re fun to photograph, they blow in the wind, and they add a classic look to a contemporary gown. But they can hide your face. You are saying your vows and exchanging rings - but no one can see you face or expression! Everyone is wondering is she: crying, smiling, laughing, or all the above? It’s a wonderful moment in your life. You invite everyone that is special to you in the whole world to witness this moment - and they can’t see your face. They can usually see the groom fine, because his face isn’t covered. The same thing can happen with a hairstyle that hides the right side of your face. Remember that the bride will be on the left side during the ceremony and the right side of your face will be what everyone gets to see, or not!

4. Having a friend take your photographs.

This might be the biggest of them all. We have heard at least 100 times "Oh, I have a friend that has volunteered to be our photographer. He is an amateur but he is good." Mark recently helped out a bride with an amateur taking the pictures. The photo's were out of focus, blown out and you could tell the equipment was substandard. Mark did what he could to repair the photos, but at that point "it is what it is". This is why a good photographer is so important. You will want to be able to relive all those wonderful moments that made your day so special. Do not leave those memories to a friend. You only get one shot at great pictures. Select us or don't... but select a professional.

5. Not scheduling enough time for photo's.

For some reason, this seems to be the last thing a bride thinks about. Talk to us. We have many suggestions for effective use of your time that will get you to your guests - as soon as possible, It is easy to build in plenty of time for your pictures. It just takes a little bit of pre planning.

6. Kids at weddings.

This is a tough one! We were parents of small children at one time. If you ask most parents if they would enjoy your wedding reception more if their young children weren’t there, they would probably say yes most of the time. Children do have a lot of fun at weddings and enjoy their role as ring bearer or flower girl. But, they should not dominate the party and take away from the Bride and Groom...like roaming on to the dance floor during the first dance. If you decide to have children at your reception, we have a few suggestions and tips. Naps and sleep are really important for young children. Rehearsals are important for the child so they understand what they need to do - but the rehearsal dinner is not. Take the child home for a good nights sleep. Snacks in a zip-lock bag, (they open quietly), juice boxes, (apple not grape!) a coloring book with crayons (not markers) in a goody bag with books will go a long way to keep the kids busy. Have your reception hall get their meals to them right away. Have your band or DJ play a few kids’ songs during dinner and if possible, have someone take them home early so mom & dad can have some fun.

7. Not visiting your guests as a couple.

We have seen couples separate when greeting family and friends. We suggest you stay together. This way you can be introduced to each other's friends and family that you might not have met and will still be available to move the reception along for first dances, toasts, cake cutting etc. No lost bride or groom this way. We have found that the action is where the couple is. You want your guests to dance... be out there together on the dance floor!

Callie and Joshua at the Headliners Club, Austin, TX

2011-12-14T10:07:00.000-06:00

The Headliners Club sits on the 21st floor of the Chase Tower and got its name from the Headliners, movers and shakers that attend events at this by invitation only private club. It has been the location for debutante balls to political gatherings and now Callie and Joshua's spectacular wedding. The Headliners Club was all decked out for Christmas and simply beautiful. Use of the entire floor gave them room for a bride's room, groom's room, ceremony, lobby cocktail hour, reception, photo booth and formal pictures in front of a beautiful Christmas tree. Callie gave Joshua the most romantic gift that I have ever seen.... a pipe wrench (smile). Josh said he will think of Callie every time he uses it. Joshua is a plumber and Callie a manager at Bill Millers BBQ. Callie's signature item was a horseshoe which she incorporated into her jewelry, cake, and ornament favors. The girls were wore red dresses to match the Christmas theme. Happy families and warm toasts. The day ended with an exit to bubbles and a ride in a horse drawn carriage around the downtown area. Lovely wedding - Thanks for including us.

Deanna's Bridal Session @ Texas Old Town

2011-12-14T09:22:00.000-06:00

Deanna is now a Mrs. so we can post a few pics from her bridal portrait session. Jason wondered why he had to wear a green vest at the wedding. It was because Dee, as her friends call her, selected a touch of color dress and they matched perfectly. Daughter, Mattie, was a flower girl and also part of the bridal session. Texas Old Town was the location. After the session ended, we drove to Round Rock to take a couple of pictures at Jason's fire station. Fun times.

Deanna and Jason @ Texas Old Town

2011-12-08T12:02:00.001-06:00

After a summer of draught, central Texas finally started getting some rain. Good thing Texas Old Town has beautiful and large spaces available for their rain plans. Deanna was probably a bit sad that they could not have their ceremony outside, but we did have a little break in the drizzle and were able to take all the formal pictures outside. Wanting to get quickly to their quests, Deanna and Jason decided to do a first glance. We say it every time, it is awesome to hear the words they speak to each other. If for no other reason, getting to say special things to each other is the reason for a meeting before the ceremony. They had a lovely ceremony that included their daughter Mattie. Deanna was walked down by her dad and brother. The room was quickly flipped and then on to a fun filled reception. About this group... Jason is a firefighter. Those boys are crazy. Enough said! Friends provided very yummy BBQ and we understand that their was a cook off to determine who got the honor of smoking the meat. The cake was cut by an engraved fireman's axe, lots of boot scooting and the busiest photo booth we have had in a while. Good times with great people.

Lauren, Russell and Austin

2011-11-27T13:06:00.001-06:00

We had the opportunity to see Lauren and Russell over the Thanksgiving weekend as they made a quick visit to Dallas and to my parent's home in Hugo, Ok. So we took that opportunity and turned it into a portrait session. They are looking good and feeling good as we all have to wait about 6 more weeks until we can really meet little Austin. Fun times.

Amber and Jonathan

2011-11-21T13:03:00.000-06:00

We are looking forward to Amber and Jonathan's wedding early next year. They will be married at Austin's newest wedding venue called The Oaks Events Center in Austin. But what is really cool... this couple won the use of this facility at their first open house. That really helps with the wedding budget! They are a very easy couple and naturals when it came to picture taking! It was a beautiful fall day at Mayfield Park for this engagement session - enjoy a sample.

Rachel and Patrick –Lockhart, TX

2011-11-10T16:02:00.000-06:00

We met Rachel and Patrick on a gorgeous fall day in Lockhart and roamed around Wilson family farm and Lockhart State Park for this special engagement session. We feel like we have known Rachel all of her life, but in reality it has only been for about the past 7 years when she was a wonderful roommate with one of your daughters. We had a blast taking this session, talking about the wedding plans and getting to know Patrick better. Patrick selected a beautiful sapphire and diamond engagement ring. Sapphires are known to symbolized romantic love, truth, and commitment. They will marry next March at Old Glory Ranch in Wimberley. It is going to be a wonderful celebration. Local band Suede will entertain the crowd. By the way, Rachel and Patrick will share our wedding anniversary date!

Kayla and Philip - Villa St. Claire

2011-11-07T10:55:00.002-06:00

Kayla and Philip got married at St. Elizabeth's in Pflugerville. They had a truly unique ceremony that combined both of their faiths. You could tell each pastoral message came from the heart and from knowing each of them for years. St. Elizabeth's is beautiful and provided a great backdrop for a lovely ceremony. A easy breezy family and group photo session and then off to Villa St. Claire for a full filled reception. Kim and Rebekah do a fabulous job coordinating events and this evening flowed very smoothly. A very tasty dinner and a special kids meal. I had to laugh that some of the adults waited until the kids went through first, so they could get the leftover mac and cheese with chicken fingers! Four cakes, lively dancing, a incredibly active photo booth and an exit to sparklers and bubbles. This wedding had it all. Good job and happy beginnings Kayla and Philip! The couple selected Jamaica for their honeymoon, jealous.....

Andrea and Kyle @ Inn at Wild Rose Hall

2011-11-07T09:55:00.000-06:00

Andrea and Kyle got married at the very lovely Inn at Wild Rose Hall. Kyle’s restored blue Chevy truck was the inspiration for the wedding colors. Too cute! Andrea selected very organic looking flowers to complement the venue – really pretty. Family and friends traveled from all over the US to attend this event and you could feel the love and support. This was a laid back event with lots of fun and dancing. Saltlick BBQ, beautiful cake and craziness in the live photo booth. The couple had an awesome celebration and I don’t think they wanted the night to end. Kyle is a welder currently working in California where the couple traveled for a honeymoon and Andrea is an ER social worker. I bet she is never bored at work! Enjoy a sampling from this beautiful day.

Carsten @ 8 days

2011-10-27T16:03:00.000-05:00

We were lucky enough to work with Tiffany and Tanner when we photographed their wedding and now to take the first professional pictures of this little guy at 8 days old. Carsten means "follower of Christ". Tanner is a fire fighter so what could be better than putting him in daddy's helmet? It is just adorable. We think Carsten just might follow in his daddy's footsteps! Tiff and Tanner have been blessed with a beautiful baby boy. Thanks for letting us be small part of his first few days on planet Earth!

Kristin and Dave - Winfield Inn

2011-10-21T13:32:00.000-05:00

The Winfield Inn, Kyle Texas was the setting for this very lovely wedding. Kristin and Dave are such a fun loving and easy going couple. They decided to have a first glance moment. It was really awesome to hear Dave tell Kristin how beautiful she looked. Then we knocked out much of the formal pictures. Dave had his brother and Kristin had her sister stand up for them. Kristin was escorted down the aisle by her father and then he preformed the ceremony! He was funny and his words were heartfelt. A truly special gift. The reception was awesome. Perfect weather, incredible food, great staff service, a cake and petit fours, lots of dancing with Joel from Greenbelt DJ, a sing along and fun in the live photo booth rounded out the night. Kristin and Dave chose a laid back honeymoon at a family cabin in Oklahoma for some much needed rest and fishing... one of Dave's passions. Thanks for including us! Just a note the Winfield Inn was beautifully green and has gone green. See their website for more information - http://www.thewinfieldinn.com/about_us.html

Brayden and Family

2011-10-21T12:51:00.001-05:00

We love being selected as the "family" photographer and getting to watch young families grow. We took Bayden's pictures at birth and then again at 6 months and then for this awesome family session. We visited a local park for a pond, tree's and ducks... add in this really awesome family and wow...great session. I personally love the "blue" jeans picture and Brayden looking up to mom, Stacy and Dad, Chris. Enjoy!

Michelle and Brandon – Kindred Oaks

2011-10-14T14:38:00.000-05:00

Record this day in history. Michelle and Brandon not only got married on Oct. 8th...but, it also rained for the first time in months! Thank goodness Kindred Oaks has one of the best and beautiful rain plans available in Central Texas. No one seemed to care that it rained. The rain created a lovely backdrop. Michelle wore comfortable cowboy boots and a vintage pill box veil. It was her something old and borrowed. The rain stopped in time for group and formal pictures to be taken outside and then on to a fun reception filled with wonderful food, toasts, cake and lots of dancing. We love the new dance floor and so did Michelle and Brandon’s guests. The dance floor was packed all night long. A bit of fun in the live photo booth and an exit to glow sticks. The couple honeymooned in Puerto Rico.

Liz and Kevin - St. Williams and Villa St. Clair

2011-10-04T12:04:00.000-05:00

It was wonderful working with this very sweet couple and their families. Liz and Kevin had a beautiful mass for their wedding ceremony at the equally gorgeous St. Williams Catholic Church in Round Rock. Then off to Villa St. Clair for a cocktail hour before dinner. Everyone once in a while you see something very unique at a wedding and this one had a card trick that I am still trying to figure out. A remote message from the best man, yummy cake a milk and cookie table, a very active photo booth and lots of dancing. Great event! Liz and Kevin are enjoying a well deserved honeymoon in St. Lucia.

Tonya and Scott @ Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Moravian Hall, Cornhill Tx

2011-09-22T16:08:00.000-05:00

There are so many places to have weddings in Central Texas...we will ever see them all. Tonya and Scott's wedding was our first visit to Cornhill, TX. They were married at Holy Trinity Church which is is celebrating it's 100 anniversary and is a simply stunning church. Tonya was escorted down the aisle by both of her parents, which we thought was pretty cool and both sets of parents joined them at the altar to join Tonya and Scott's hands. The reception was held at the Moravian Hall just a short walk from the Church. Moravian was used in the 1996 movie "Michael" with John Travolta. After talking with grandpa (who was an extra in the movie), I could remember the scene! We love, love, love this type of wedding. Easy going, fun, lots of dancing, a huge grand march, awesome food, friends and family enjoying the celebration and a couple truly enjoying the day. P.S. We actually had a little rain storm during the ceremony. With the wildfires and severe draught, it was the first time ever that we didn't think -"Oh NO!". Rain on your wedding day is said to bring good luck to the marriage. According to the old wives' tale, the knot in "tying the knot" becomes wet and is harder to break, thus making the marriage strong. Cheers to a strong marriage and a bit of rain!

Tonya's Bridal Portrait Session at Mayfield Park

2011-09-22T10:07:00.000-05:00

Mark met Tonya with her sister along to help at Mayfield Park. This summer has been a scorcher, literally, but Mayfield Park has stayed green and beautiful. I think the lovely park with Tonya's beautiful dress and smile hides the fact that it was over 100 degrees during this session! She looks gorgeous. Tonya is an easy going bride that loves to have fun. The lighting was fabulous for this session. Congrats to Tonya and Scott who are now Mr. and Mrs.

The #1 FAQ

2011-09-22T08:55:00.007-05:00

One of our most frequently asked questions is regarding the shooting family formal photos at weddings. Usually, it is about how to minimize the time between the ceremony and reception. The bride and groom want to get to their guests, as soon as possible. We agree and want to help facilitate that! But, to be honest, we tell every couple the same thing and only about 25% implement a plan. Then after the actual ceremony, what they want to do the most… get to their guests quickly. And it does not happen because of lack of preparation.

We have a proven system that works. Start with one side of the family. Often the bride’s mom is helping with reception coordination, so we suggest starting with the bride’s side so mom can finish with pictures and leave to assist. We will start with a large group and peel back people in layers. This means we start the session with a very large family group of the bride's family, then peel away aunts/uncles/cousins, then peel away grandparents, then peel away siblings, so we're left with just the parents. Then we shoot just parents with the bride and groom, then just the siblings, then just grandparents. We end with both sets of parents with bride and groom. Then we repeat the process with the groom's side of the family. If everything goes well, we can shoot all formals in about 25-30 minutes.

We will end with the full wedding party and a few pictures of the bride and groom as a new Mr. and Mrs. The entire process should not take more than 45 minutes.

How can you make this happen? Here are a few tips:

Before the wedding, email or have a conversation with your families and tell them your expectations - "Don’t leave the ceremony location and don’t go to the bar". If they know (in advance) that you want them in a picture they will be prepared. The rehearsal dinner is a good time to remind them!

Have a listing of family groupings. Give that list to someone that will help you organize the next group while we are taking pictures.

Bride and Groom, you have an important task. Exit the ceremony – give hugs and high fives to your wedding party and avoid getting “congratulated” by the rest of your family and friends, until after pictures. We know this is VERY hard to do. If you get caught up in congratulations it will take a while to break away to get the family pictures taken care of.

Consider a “first glance” moment and take many of the pictures before the ceremony.

Dude, give me your keys! Why you need a day of wedding coordinator:

2011-09-22T08:49:00.003-05:00

We told our friends on facebook, that our next blog post was going to be on the need for a "day of" wedding coordinator. Our hope is that you will read and take advice from photographers that have seen it all!

At a recent wedding, a groomsman came running up to the groom asking for his car keys. Why? Because the person designated to pick up the main course at a local restaurant forgot the food! What?? Talk about added stress!

You have planned the perfect wedding and you have asked all your friends help deliver supplies to the reception site and pitch in to help set up. Done... but now everyone wants to enjoy the ceremony, food and dancing! Who will be there on the day of the event to make sure it goes according to your plan? Who is the contact point when your vendors arrive? Who tells the ushers to start seating? Who lines up your wedding party for their entrances? Who communicates with the wait staff to instruct them to start serving? You and your family are busy visiting with family and friends that you haven't seen in a long time. Who will you rely on to see that everything falls into place?

Too often, brides rely on family, friends, the DJ and the photographers to carry out plans on the day of the wedding. By asking a friend or family member to take on this stressful task, that person will not be able to enjoy the event as a guest and will end up feeling like "event staff." In most cases, your "volunteers" have little experience in this role and end up frazzled as they try to keep on top of everything that must be done to ensure that the day goes smoothly. Save your family and friends from this fate! Coordinating a wedding day schedule requires unique experience. Many of us are novices when it comes to organizing and executing such a logistically intricate event. It is your day of wedding coordinators job to make your day stress-free. Select your venue and vendors and don't forget to let a coordinator bring it all together for you.

Michelle - Broken Spoke and Zilker Botanical Gardens

2011-09-16T16:07:00.000-05:00

We met Michelle at Zilker Botanical Garden for this bridal session. Michelle is an assistant principle at an elementary school so we know it was not easy to fit this session into her very busy days. The garden was surprisingly green for the water restrictions and extreme heat we have been having. It was only 102 degrees! Michelle was a trooper. Then off to the Broken Spoke for pictures in front of the very old and rusty Lone Star Beer bus. Too cute! We love, love, love these! Michelle gets married in just a few short weeks at Kindred Oaks. We usually password protect these sessions, but Michelle said her fiance isn't tempted to look. Enjoy.

Bonnie and Joe - Bella Notte

2011-09-16T15:43:00.000-05:00

Bonnie and Joe became Mr. and Mrs. Love at David Chapel Baptist Church in Austin. Joe grew up in this community driven church and was married by a family member. Bonnie had a beautiful lace gown that looked vintage. Simply stunning. Then off to Bella Notte in Round Rock for a very great reception. Purple was the signature color and the tables were beautiful. Delicious dinner, tear producing toasts, a chocolate wedding cake, lots of dancing and a very active photo booth. The staff at Bella Notte did a wonderful job. Bonnie and Joe are off to London and France for their honeymoon. We are jealous...

Kadee and Ray at the New Braunfels Civic Center

2011-09-16T15:03:00.000-05:00

Love is sweet was the theme for this wedding. Kadee's mother and aunt did a wonderful job coordinating a very large event. The couple had a super group of friends supporting them and the wedding was a blast. Kadee and Ray shared a tender first glance meeting and took most of their pictures before the ceremony. Lots of dancing and action in the photo booth. Ray gave us the ultimate compliment. He said that their engagement session was so fun and the results so good that he wants to take up photography... we joked with him and told him we didn't need the competition!

Kadee's Bridal Portrait Session at Laguna Gloria

2011-09-16T14:32:00.000-05:00

It is so hard to wait to post a bridal portrait session until after the wedding! We met Kadee and her mom at Laguna Gloria for this session in the middle of one of the hottest Texas summers in history and the bridal was cool as a cucumber! It was a fun session and only a slight challenge... Kadee broke her hand a couple of weeks before the session. Which, by the way, is not great when you work with your hands. Kadee is a chiropractor!

Kate and Matt at Thruman's Mansion

2011-08-31T12:23:00.000-05:00

We had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful couple an photographing their wedding on a very toasty day in August. Kate and Matt graduated from Rice University and then both went on to Harvard. Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest University in the US. Kate just completed her law degree and took the Bar exam one week before her wedding. She will also start a new job right after their honeymoon at a law firm in Boston. Wow...talk about stress. Matt is finishing up his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. I would say their future is bright! A family member conducted the ceremony and guest enjoyed an Austin original - Salt Lick BBQ for dinner. Almost all the guests were from out of town so, they got to experience Texas barbeque at its very best. Toasts, cake, cakeballs and how could I forget cobbler and ice cream for dessert. The dance floor was packed and the photo booth was ultra crazy. It was a wonderful night. Enjoy a sample from Kate and Matt's day while they honeymoon in Costa Rica.

Bob Lawson - Travis County Sherrif's Office

2011-08-31T11:19:00.001-05:00

We met Bob and his wife Marsha at the state Capitol building to take a few pictures in uniform before he turns in his car on Wednesday and celebrates a much deserved retirement. Bob has worked 39 years in law enforcement. I asked him what he plans to do and he said "Well, I hope not much" with a big smile. But I know he plans to teach a few classes at the academy. Bob is also an avid bowler and hopes to participate in many senior bowling tournaments. Mark and I visited with him at the end of the session for a few bowling tips!

Chance at 6 months

2011-08-31T11:02:00.000-05:00

This was our second session with this happy boy! We visited Chance at his home when he was less than a week old and this time they came to visit our studio with bother Cooper and Mom Holly and Dad Chris.This little wiggle worn is about ready to start crawling and then watch out world!

Summer Photo Safari

2011-08-30T13:49:00.004-05:00

We had an incredible summer vacation. I try to think of words and not much can adequately describe the spectacular beauty. I will have to say in full disclosure that it was one of the most physically demanding vacations ever and we have hiked Mt. Vesuvius! But, at the same time, it was a vacation that was virtually unplugged and we came home refreshed and satisfied. We experienced this great vacation with our good friends, Steve and Sandy Hancock. Enjoy the grandeur of looking up, looking down and looking across.

Day 1 - Vegas
We started in Las Vegas. 24 hours in the crazy heat and massive crowds was enough. We did have an fantastic dinner at Sensi in the Bellagio - incredible food with impeccable service.

Day 2 – Getting Settled
We drove to Orderville, Utah and checked into our home for the next week at the XBarH Lodge. Wonderful place to stay! That first evening we just sat for hours looking up at all the stars. The guys experimented with star trail photography. Super cool!

Day 3 – Smaller Parks
Because it was a Saturday we decided to explore some of the smaller parks and avoid the crowds. We visited Cedar Breaks National Monument and The Red Canyon. It was about 60 degrees when we stopped for lunch. All the wildflowers were in bloom. For dinner we ate at the Buffalo Bistro. It is crazy the food you can find in the middle of nowhere. This little place served up the best wild boar and buffalo ribs with very cold beer.

Day 4 - Bryce and its hoodoos: Looking down and looking up
This place is amazing! Hoodoos are created when soft rock topped by harder rock is eroded. They reminded me of hundreds of toy soldiers. Looking down was awesome, but we hiked down so we could look up. WOW… what a view – on the down side, we had to hike back up! But ,the view was well worth the adventure.

Day 4 (Continued) – Looking out: Sunset Arch
The grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is made of up 1.7 million acres. We drove 40 miles down the Hole in the Rock dirt road and used binoculars to find the arch. Then we hiked 2 miles across the desert, skirting around cactus and brush. We arrived just in time, set up, and ate a light dinner while watching the sunset. Now, the only part of watching something at sunset in the middle of a desert is that is gets dark very quickly. We had to hike back, find the car, 40 miles back to the main road and 2 hours back to the cabin. Needless to say, this was a long day!

Day 5 – Kanarra Falls – Looking up

While at Cedar Breaks a couple of local cyclists told us about this 3.5 mile slot canyon and narrows. Kanarra Creek is a very photogenic canyon with bright red walls. This was a pretty easy river hike just outside the of the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park.

Day 6 - Rainy Day

It rained and we really enjoyed a recovery day. Drove into the little town of Springdale and enjoyed a good burger for lunch.

Day 7 – Looking up: Zion National Park

This place is massive! We hiked to the Emerald Pools and to Weeping Rock. The bright blue sky against the pink, white and red rock was really beautiful. I think that it is hard to tell how big is place really is through photos.

Day 8 – Looking up: Zion and The Narrows
I joke that having a child was easier than hiking the narrows. But, I am not sure that I am joking. This was a once in a lifetime experience, because I will never do it again. It is extraordinary trek over large river rock and up or through the sometimes neck deep Virgin River. We entered the 60 degree water at 9 am hiked 3 hours up, stopped for lunch (and photo’s along the way) and hiked 2.5 hours back. A glass of wine never tasted so good at the end of the day.

Day 9 - Grand Canyon North Rim: Looking across
Just down the road from the cabin on the way to the Grand Canyon we saw this very reflective pond next to the road and had to stop for a few photos before heading out again. When we got to the canyon our eyes wanted to look a million different directions all at once. Simply put, this place is dramatic and serene. We drove the entire park rim stopping at all of the overlooks – each place offering something different and gorgeous. On our way back stumbled on the Rocking V Bistro in Kanab. What a great place for dinner. Rarely have I had so much trouble deciding what to order. A yummy way to end an incredible vacation.

Day 10 – Hoover Dam
This was a check box! We worked this in because we were so close. Glad I went to see it, but boy was it hot and packed with people.

Baby Kelsey

2011-08-08T13:10:00.000-05:00

There is nothing we love more than photographing our clients as their family grows, it’s an honor to be chosen to document such awesome moments in their lives. This little girl joins her big sister, Kendall, whom we have photographed at 6 months, one and two years. We were s so excited to meet her sweet new baby sister on her 10th day of life. However, she wasn't a tiny one! Kelsey weighted in at 9 lbs 5 oz. and 21 inches at birth. The doctors told mom, Melinda, that the baby was going to be over 9 lbs and they were right! Kelsey had the best color and slept the entire session. And we just loved the barefoot family shot.

Melissa and Bryan at Texas Old Town

2011-08-08T11:19:00.001-05:00

Everything is bigger and better in our great state and this mega wedding was no different! 10 bridesmaids, 10 groomsmen, 4 ushers, 2 flower girls, 2 ring bearers, plus tons of family and friends. Bryan and Melissa both work for Elgin ISD. Bryan is a coach and Melissa is a teacher. I think the whole town showed up! We did have some typical July heat, but the Tejas Hall at Texas Old Town was nice and cool! The groomsmen were dressed in khaki pants, boots, white shirts and red ties (they were all thanking Melissa for not having to wear jackets!) and they girls were dressed in brown and carried vibrant flowers. The ceremony was beautiful and then a party broke out! Lots of boot scootin', chicken fried steak, heart warming toasts, yummy cake, a very large grand march and craziness in the live photo booth. Incredible wedding coordination by Carolyn with terrific staff support. The DJ kept the crowd on the dance floor. It was a wonderful evening. Enjoy viewing this totally "Texas" wedding while Bryan and Melissa spend their honeymoon on the beaches of St. Lucia. We are jealous!

Mallory and Derek

2011-08-08T11:07:00.001-05:00

A bit traditional and a bit "out-of-the-box" is the best way to describe this wedding. Derek and Mallory were friends in high school and then both went their separate ways; Derek to West Point and Mallory to the University of Arkansas. They met again romance was in the air. They were married on a warm Sunday morning at Son's Chapel in Fayetteville, AR. This historic church was named after Michael and Nancy Son who donated the land for the church. The building process started in 1922 and was completed in 1940. Mallory had her sister and two close guy friends stand up for her. She nicknamed them her "bride dudes". Derek had two brothers and his best friend from West Point as his groomsmen. Following the ceremony there was reception line as guests exited the church. The couple decided against a traditional reception, opting for a small luncheon that was held at the Powerhouse Restaurant. Derek's stepmother made a very cute cake that was cut with Derek's saber followed by a couple of tear producing toasts...and then bubbles! Derek and Mallory are enjoying cooler weather at their new home at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

Melissa - Bridal Portraits at Texas Old Town

2011-07-11T13:26:00.000-05:00

Bridal portraits may be the most fun, ever. Especially, at Texas Old Town. We could literally find hundreds of settings. The only down side is that we had to wait until after the wedding to post them! Melissa had an incredible event last Saturday at Tejas Hall. Super staff, fun crowd, and the totally Texas feel that Melissa and Bryan were wanting. Look for pictures in the next couple of weeks. But, wait... I got distracted, back to the bridal session. Isn't she stunning? Boots, barn wood, bridges, water, grass, fields and fences. We loved this session!

The Toffee Co - Product session

2011-07-11T10:35:00.002-05:00

The great thing about photography is that we always get new experiences and challenges. Owner, Donna Palmer brought a sampling of her toffee to our studio for this product session. Her new business is budding and she needed images for her materials. The toffee looks great, but we can tell from tasting each type.... it tastes even better!

We were able to hang out with Kendall again this weekend

2011-07-11T10:24:00.002-05:00

It is such a pleasure watching babies grow up. We were honored to be selected to capture Kendall at 6 months, one year and now as a toddler! What a precious little one. Not even close to a terrible two! We fed the ducks, climbed on the gym and played dress up. She was a doll and very cooperative. Not real crazy about smiling... but we got a few out of her. Kendall will be a big sister soon, baby Kesley is due in a few weeks and we will be there to document the first few days of life... pretty cool!

Round two for little Brayden

2011-07-08T11:17:00.003-05:00

What a cutie patootie! We took Brayden's pictures as a newborn and wow has he grown and developed a wonderful personality. It is so awesome to see these little ones develop. Brayden has the rosiest checks we have seen in a long time. Add a head full of blonde hair and what a lady killer! Mom and Grandma helped with the session. Mom as a spotter and Grandma making the little man laugh and everyone did a terrific job. Fun times!

Lindsey and Mark - Downtown First United Methodist Church and Hyatt

2011-06-30T08:39:00.002-05:00

Easy going and low stress is how to describe this wedding and couple! We started out at the First United Methodist church on a very steamy Texas summer day! After getting most of the pictures taken inside for the comfort of the bride and her bridesmaids, we ran across the street to the capitol for a few very quick pictures. This church does not allow flash photography and photographers must be behind the back pew or in the balcony. Well, no problem and to tell you the truth it provides some great angles and different views. The chapel and stained glass is beautiful and the candles added the extra bonus. Pastor Ruth preformed a touching ceremony. Then off the Hyatt for fun, food and an incredible view. The reception continued with sweet toasts, cake, eager singles for the bouquet and garter toss plus lots of dancing. Joel with Greenbelt DJ kept the crowd on the dance floor and did the group love to dance! Plus a bit of fun in our live photo booth. What a great event! Lindsey and Mark are honeymooning in beautiful (and cool) Colorado.

10 Ways To Ensure You Have Fun At Your Wedding Reception

2011-06-21T14:50:00.004-05:00

As photographers, we see it all. Recently, we have photographed some really fun weddings. It got me thinking, what was different? So, I decided to write a blog on obervations. Here are some simple things you can do to have fun at your wedding reception.

1. Get a good night's sleep the night before. With the excitement it is hard to do, but don't complicate things by staying up to late after your rehearsal dinner.

2. Limit alcohol consumption before the wedding. A champagne toast before the ceremony is nice; drinking the bottle will just put you to sleep! Be sure to eat something, too.

3. Wear or bring comfortable shoes. The bride and bridal party often wear wonderfully beautiful shoes that they can only tolerate for an hour or so. So remember, bringing a second pair of shoes that make your feet happy is a necissity!

4. Plan an exit strategy. Ask responsible friends and family members to help you by assigning them end-of-the-night duties, such as removing decorations, taking gifts to a pre-determined destination and settling up with the hall. Don't worry about the clean up.

5. Where you "are"; "is" where your guests will be. (I am not sure my English teacher would like that sentence structure - smile) If you are sitting, so will your guests. If you are dancing, so will your guests. Stay together as a couple.

6. Relax. Don't sweat the small stuff. I think that I mention this in every blog that I write. Keep your sense of humor on your wedding day.

7. Trust your DJ. A good DJ knows how to handle a reluctant crowd and build momentum with the music.

8. Weddings can have themes and that is fun. Backyard BBQ, Oscar night, oldies music, allow your reception to take on its own identity. Want pie instead of cake? Go for it.

9. Laugh in the FREE - J. Mark Photography Photo booth. We bring the props, you bring the guests. It is a blast!

10. Dance. Above all, have a great time at your party. Eat, socialize and meet
your spouse on the dance floor. Your fun mood is contagious, and guests will follow your lead.

Krystal and Mathieu at Chateau on the Creek

2011-06-16T18:43:00.004-05:00

What a lovely day and wedding at Chateau on the Creek. Krystal and Mathieu had a rough start with their wedding planning and had to almost start over when they got word that their first wedding venue closed. But this was lemonade out of lemons because Chateau on the Creek is a beautiful venue, with great staff and spectacular wedding coordination. Owner, Kathy (Cakes by Kathy), is also a talented wedding cake designer and provided a beautiful cake and fun grooms cake. Nestecha, owner of Justin Blooms and Roses provided the always gorgeous flowers! Krystal and Mathieu are so in love and it was great to watch their tender moments. The family danced the night away. It was a wonderful evening– enjoy!

Christina and Ron at Arbor Pointe

2011-06-10T13:29:00.000-05:00

It is all about the chemistry...literally! Christina and Ron are both Chemists. Ron is working on his post doctorial and Christina is working in the field. They were married on June 4th at Arbor Pointe in Round Rock. It was a lovely warm (aka hot) Texas day! Pat Ott performed a touching ceremony and kept evening on track, Nestecha with Just'in Blooms and Roses did a beautiful job on the flowers, and Chef Bill Boyer of Tapas Austin kept the food coming all night. It was our first truly "tapas" wedding and the food was spaced out over a couple of hours. It was incredibly delicious and a treat for the guests. Cake balls and petit fours for the bride and a guitar grooms cake that celebrates Ron's passion for guitars rounded out the food for the night. The photo booth was a huge hit and Christina's grandmother started off the fun and kept the booth hopping. Toasts, dancing and an exit to rose petals ended the night. The couple resides in Illinois and has a honeymoon cruise booked for July. It was truly a pleasure for us. Enjoy.

Michelle and Jesse - Nature's Point

2011-06-03T13:47:00.001-05:00

Michelle and Jesse tied the knot on Sunday, May 29th. It was a warm, windy yet simply gorgeous day for this afternoon wedding. For those who have never been out to Nature's Point, the venue overlooks Lake Travis and has a beautiful garden, very spacious bride and groom areas and wonderful staff. Lindsey did an awesome job coordinating the event. Michelle picked a "water" theme that nicely reflected the venue and her day. Blue and green dresses for the girls, fish vases filled with beautiful flowers for the alter area, coral and water centerpieces, blue star fish, a cake reflecting their honeymoon destination to Bora Bora and kissing "unity" fish. Yep, fish from two different bowls joined together! Cute and creative. Most guys dream of wearing linen shirts and pants with flip flops to their wedding... and Jesse got to! The men wore beautiful lei's and the girls carried stunning flowers. A huge shout out to ZuZu's Petals, they did an absolutely stunning job with the flowers and centerpieces. After the reception with a very busy J. Mark Photography live photo booth, yummy cake, dancing on the balcony, heart felt toasts, and great food; the couple and their friends headed out to spend the evening on a huge party boat! Fun times, great couple...lovely wedding.