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Adria & Shawn : Engagement

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 6:00 am Posted in Engagements

After what seemed like eons of e-friendship, we finally got to meet Adria & Shawn last week. And of course, we all got along swimmingly. Which is great, especially because we’ll be accompanying this fabulous couple on a huge adventure in their lives come August, as they run off to get married in the Dominican Republic!

Adria & Shawn are aiming for a sunrise ceremony on the beach, and I sincerely hope for their sake that the sunrise in question will be nice & cool with a light breeze coming off the water. Because MAN did they have to deal with some sweltering heat for their engagement session!! It was over 100 degrees for this shoot, and the love-birds still managed to snuggle and look totally in love the entire time. THAT is commitment.:)

Enjoy some of our favorite images from this downtown Fort Worth session!

Adria & Shawn are such easy laughers… our favorite kind of people to photograph!

A little thumb war on the lawn to finish out the night?;)

… and a pinky swear for keeps.:)

We were SO glad to finally meet you two, and we can’t WAIT to see you again for your big adventure!

by Chelsea

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June 19, 2013 - 6:09 am

Adria - Holy unbelievable magic, Batman! These are spectacular! And that’s saying a lot coming from me. Not only am I extremely OCD, but I usually like to stay behind the camera. THANK YOU for capturing these stunning images of us and making me feel beautiful. Can’t wait to see what awaits us on our Dominican adventure! Two things are certain – I’ll finally get to be married to the man I love AND we’ll have incredible pictures as proof! Thank you both again so much. You rock my face right off.

June 19, 2013 - 6:26 am

Shawn - They are awesome! You two are amazing!! Thank you thank you thank you

June 19, 2013 - 8:30 am

Connie Kuehl - Oh my goodness! you both are beautiful in love. My first born is so happy, and my soon to be daughter in law is totally lit up and gorgeous. My prayers have been answered! I love you sooooo much!

June 19, 2013 - 9:51 am

Joan Rice - Hope you will be very happy. Love, Nana

Bristyn : Bridal

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 6:00 am Posted in bridal

Remember earlier this year, when we kept having Winter Relapses in North Texas? It’d be gorgeous & in the mid-70s, then BAM… snap directly back to cold blustery winter weather. Poor Bristyn had to endure this kind of cold snap during her bridal session. I’ll tell you what, though… despite the fact that the wind chill was 34 degrees by the time we were done with her session, this beautiful girl NEVER complained. She rocked every second of her portraits, and they turned out so beautifully!

We shot these portraits at the N at Hard Way Ranch, one of our all-time favorite venues. It’s such a fantastic option for country bridal portraits. Enjoy our favorites!

What you DON’T see here is Mack picking Bristyn up and setting her down on the wood pile ever so carefully. He’s grateful I don’t ask him to do this for every bridal session… but sometimes it’s just necessary!:)

I’m all about sunshine & green grass, so I was surprised when these last few indoor portraits on a brick wall became my very favorites. There’s just something so classic & simple about them… you can really see that Bristyn is beautiful all by herself!

Congratulations, sweet girl! You’ve been a blessing to work with from the very beginning, and we hope we’ll be able to shoot you again!

by Chelsea

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June 18, 2013 - 6:11 am

Mad - On the woodpile, in the blue truck and in front of the brick wall – all fantastic!! Congratulations Bristyn!

June 18, 2013 - 6:46 am

Bristyn - ahhh! yes it was freezing and my skin was turning purple lol
geez it was worth it! Look at that prettiness! :) Thanks so much for being amazing Chelsea and Mack!!

June 18, 2013 - 1:31 pm

amy - the entry way door pic is amaaaazinggggggggggggg!!! so beautiful!!!

June 18, 2013 - 1:38 pm

Kevin - Woodpile pic looked like the winner until I saw that first brick wall image!

June 18, 2013 - 6:56 pm

bobbileigh - I love the last set with the brick wall, so classic and beautiful.

Bristyn & Riley : Wedding

Monday, June 17, 2013 6:00 am Posted in weddings

Happy Monday, ladies & gents! We didn’t shoot a wedding this weekend, but thanks to last weekend’s double header, we still have a pretty one to share with you!

Bristyn & Riley were married on June 8th in Weatherford, at their home church with a reception following at the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse. It was a busy day, but such a happy one. More than anything, Bristyn & Riley were just happy to know that at the end of the day, they’d be drifting off to sleep for the first time as man & wife. No matter what a day throws at you, it’s pretty easy to stay happy when you have THAT to look forward to.:)

Bristyn is one of our most laid-back brides of all time. When I asked her if she had any locations in mind for her First Sight with Riley or her portraits, she said, “Nope, just whatever you think will be prettiest!” Thankfully there was a park just a few blocks from their church where we found beautiful trees & a little escape from that blistering June sun… these moments photographed so perfectly!

This couple had a very large wedding party, but they all played well together and got things done quick! I think it must have had something to do with their desire to get out of the sun.;)

Even when a bride books a separate bridal session with us (which Bristyn did, and you’ll see that gorgeousness tomorrow!), we always try to make time for a bridal portrait on the big day. There’s something so classic about this one!

Ceremony time!

Mr. & Mrs. Deaver!

We spied this beautiful little pond not too far from Bristyn & Riley’s reception venue and had to make a detour on the way there… it was just too pretty to pass up!

Congratulations, you two! We so enjoyed working with you, and we’re looking forward to capturing more special moments for you in the future.:)

by Chelsea

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June 17, 2013 - 11:20 am

Rhonda Dunlap - The pictures are great ! Thank you so much !!!!!

June 17, 2013 - 12:21 pm

mandaroo - Stunning bride and her dress is gorgeous! Love the colors and the bridal party pics are great!

Danielle & George : Wedding

Friday, June 14, 2013 6:00 am Posted in weddings

Danielle was referred to McG by one of our favorite brides of all time, so you can just imagine my heartbreak at finding out we weren’t available for her wedding date. Luckily, wedding dates are moveable, and we got to party with Danielle & George after all!

George might just be the most romantic groom we’ve ever had. He’s clearly just over the moon about his lovely bride, and takes every possible opportunity to make sure she knows it. His sole priority on the wedding day was Danielle… if she was there, then nothing else mattered.

The couple was married at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmer’s Branch, surrounded by friends & family from all over the world. I don’t know that we’ve ever had such an international guest list before! George is Greek from South Africa, and listening to his family talk is one of my new favorite things… such great accents.:)

Even though their venue was running seriously behind schedule when we arrived, Danielle was cool as a cucumber! She & her girls enjoyed their afternoon watching the Sex & The City movie, and gettin’ all prettified…

Lipstick on the teeth?? That’s what your Maid of Honor is for.:)

Time for the First Sight!

We loved having time to run around the Brookhaven Country Club grounds with our bride & groom for some afternoon portraits! The sun was high & hot, but we made it work beautifully!

I’m still dying over these bridesmaid ensembles. Such a fantastic idea to do separates that the gals can easily wear again… plus, the sequins & lace are perfect for a summer wedding!

The big M above the fireplace and all the candles really brought a homespun touch to the ceremony space…

Mr. & Mrs. Mavromaras!

The newlyweds swayed their first dance to Van Morrison’s “Into The Mystic”… a fantastic choice.:)

A big round of applause for Mother of the Bride Shelley… she knows every single word to “Baby Got Back”!:)

Congratulations, George & Danielle! I’m jealously stalking your Instagram posts of travels through London, Paris & Greece, and I can’t WAIT to hear all about it. May this just be the start of a fabulous adventure together!

by Chelsea

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June 14, 2013 - 9:44 am

Danielle R - Really, really beautiful. Favorite part has to be the genuine, pure joy that is all over everyone’s faces! Danielle – that wedding dress is gorgeous!!

June 14, 2013 - 1:13 pm

stephanie - What a sweet couple and such a beautiful first look. Love the bright flowers, just lovely.

June 14, 2013 - 1:14 pm

mandaroo - Gorgeous wedding and adorable couple! I happened to be listening to “Into the Mystic” randomly when I decided to come check out the blog today! :) Great job McG!

June 15, 2013 - 12:25 pm

Kitsa - A perfect wedding, a beautiful bride, the cutest couple ever! What a proud, happy groom! Loved every single moment of the ceremony and the reception.
Outstanding photography too.

Paige & Dan : Engagement

Thursday, June 13, 2013 6:00 am Posted in Engagements

We were immediately excited to see Paige’s wedding inquiry, because she’s the sister of one of our sweetest brides of all time… we LOVE being able to work with a family over and over again! But then, Paige solidified herself on our 2013 calendar with these words… “Intimate Hill Country Wedding”. Um, Done. We’re so there!

We got to see them again earlier this week when the couple came out to visit us in the country for their engagement session. They also brought Dan’s two children along, so some of the images were a family affair! It really warms my heart to see and hear how much a part of this celebration Dan’s kids are going to be… after all, this wedding is about their little family as a whole!

This session was our first really hot one of the year… still 97 degrees when we were finished shooting at sundown. Major props to Paige for looking completely gorgeous through the whole thing!

More often than not, we have to prod our couples into PDA during their sessions. We’re used to it… we know it’s a little awkward to get all nuzzly in front of people you haven’t known that long. But Paige & Dan didn’t have that problem at all! They’re SO completely wrapped up in each other that we barely had to direct them at all, and this session was a total breeze to photograph!

Love! Such a fun family moment.:)

I just love this new little spot we’ve been using. I want to have my own romantic picnic there!

Congratulations, Paige & Dan! We’re so looking forward to partying with you in Wimberley in November!:)

by Chelsea

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June 13, 2013 - 6:52 am

Bailey - These are gorgeous! I got up early to see the post and once again, McGowan Images always comes through! I love the ones with the kiddos, but my absolute favorite is 3rd from the bottom. Paige and Dan are so good looking it’s ridiculous! I’m with Chelsea also, I can’t wait for November!

June 13, 2013 - 7:47 am

Jenn - Wow – what a gorgeous couple!! These are beautiful, and I love that they incorporated the kids. Such a sweet time for their family, Congrats!

June 13, 2013 - 8:18 am

Alissa Schroeder - Beautiful, beautiful! I can’t stop smiling. You McGowans are geniuses (and you also had some pretty good subjects).

Thank you for making me feel close to them even though I’m 8,000 miles away! I will be home for good in early November.

June 13, 2013 - 10:22 am

Paige - I love these! You guys did an awesome job capturing the beautiful pictures and making it fun the entire time. Even the kids had fun. Thanks so much for working through the scorching heat to give us beautiful engagement/family photos. I’m so excited for November!

June 13, 2013 - 10:32 am

Dan - I couldn’t be more honored than to have Paige as my fiancée and future wife! Thanks Chelsea and Mack for capturing our love in such a simple and fun way! Our family shots with Kaitlyn and Tanner are absolutely priceless :) I can’t wait to marry this wonderful woman!

June 13, 2013 - 12:35 pm

maggie - love love love the lighting as always GREAT JOB!!! and Paige you are SO PRETTY!!!!