Kelly Hornberger Photography | Houston Wedding Blog

7 Houston Photographers We Love and Why

Got cold feet about choosing your wedding photographer? Use our short list of Houston photographers, and what real brides and grooms say about them, to help you find your perfect Houston wedding photographer match!

1) Taylor Golden Photography
Known for her sweeping cityscapes and dramatic images, “go big or go home” is Taylor’s style. If you have a destination wedding or an especially scenic wedding in the works, Taylor is your gal. As at home at a backyard wedding as she is capturing a ceremony on the Venice canals, her level of experience and professionalism makes have earned her both trust and raves from our couples. Personable and friendly, with a disarming demeanor, Taylor Golden White will not only quickly become your one of your favorite photographer, but she will also fast become your friend and travel advisor.

Houston Wedding Photographer Taylor Golden Photo: Taylor Golden Photography

The buzz: “From the initial meeting to the final viewing, Taylor’s level of professionalism, combined with her striking personality made for an ‘only seen in the movies’ experience. And our photos speak for themselves! The unique shots and candid moments are EXACTLY what we were looking for. Taylor’s work is anything but typical. Instead of feeling like clients, we felt like family. Her friendly and spunky personality made us instantly feel at ease. We now have hundreds of amazing photos to look back on, which are worth every single penny. Thank you, Taylor. Our wedding album isn’t just a bunch of pictures – it’s the start of our family legacy.” ~Dustyn & Heather

2) D. Jones Photo
David Jones and the team at D. Jones Photo have 15 years of experience shooting Houston weddings. Familiar with just about every venue and location in Houston, and comfortable working with many Houston vendors, “lust for light” photographer David captures the luminosity and splendor of your wedding from bride or groom suite preparations to the sparkler exit, without missing a beat.

D Jones Houston Wedding Photo Photo: D. Jones Photo

The buzz: “David Jones is professional and does wonderful work. I’ve recommended him to all of my friends because he is reliable and easy to work with. He delivers on his word and consistently under-promises and over-delivers. This is the kind of vendor and photographer that you want for your special events and definitely for your wedding!” ~Nicole

3) Kelly Hornberger Photography
With her passion for natural light and her her unique eye for styling, Kelly is an especially excellent photographer choice for outdoor ceremonies, al fresco receptions and Hill Country or destination weddings. She can provide both digital and film photography, for images with depth and texture. If you are a boho bride or a groom obsessed with capturing the details, Kelly is a great choice for your wedding photography.

Kelly Hornberger Houston Wedding Photographer Photo: Kelly Hornberger Photography

The buzz: “Her pictures were absolutely breathtaking! She listened to what we wanted, she cared for us throughout the whole process – but most importantly she loved us. I can’t begin to tell you how blessed we have been through the relationship she keeps with her clients.” ~Taylor & Joe

4) Adam Nyholt, Photographer

Easygoing with a big personality, Adam will make you feel at ease. The team at Nyholt are in love with love, and the passion they have for capturing your engagement and the events throughout your wedding day shows with every photo. With a wide- ranging portfolio extending to portraits and families, Adam Nyholt can become your family photographer for years to come.

Adam Nyholt Houston Wedding Photographer Photo: Adam Nyholt, Photographer

The buzz: “Adam and his team truly brought our wedding to life (from engagement pics in NOLA, to bridals, to the wedding, to the beach). He captured our personalities, and genuine emotions and we felt so comfortable around him. We had so much fun each and every time we got to work with him.” ~Kelley and Buster

5) Kelli Durham Photography

A California-trained photographer with a thriving Houston fan base, Kelli brings a bit of Napa wine country back to her native Texas. She will approach your wedding with a fresh, youthful and modern style, and offers both film and digital photography for moving, gorgeous wedding photos.

Kelli durham houston wedding photographer Photo: Kelli Durham Photography

The buzz: “Kelli is BEYOND amazing to work with. She has a real gift for capturing the magic in every moment and making you look and feel beautiful the entire time! From our engagement photos to our wedding day, we could not have asked for a better photographer or friend. We are so thankful to have her in our lives, and to have such gorgeous pictures to look back upon!” ~Allison & Mac

6) Civic Photos
Nothing makes a couple feel more comfortable than a photographer who loves to pose, direct and photograph people. Barrett Henry and the team at Civic Photos are well-known for their ability to showcase the living, breathing, laughing, crying, reveling people in the wedding story, not just the Pinterest-worthy details. Utilizing a wide range of lenses and state-of-the-art equipment, Civic Photos provide a broad scope and a unique look to each individual wedding couple’s event photos.

Civic Photos Chateau Polonez Houston Weddings Photo: Civic Photos

The buzz: “My husband and I couldn’t have picked a better photographer. Barett took great photos for our engagement! I was a little nervous as I had never had professional pictures taken, but he made us feel comfortable and made it fun. Our wedding photos were great as well! Again, they were super-professional and captured all those special moments.” ~ Jessica

7) Dream Photo & Video
Shiva and Sam and the team at Dream Photo & Video are your one-stop shop for wedding photos and wedding videography. They offer dramatic images and extensive coverage of your wedding from start to finish, with an exciting and unique style that is excellent for large weddings and “wedding weekends.” Your wedding film is an heirloom, one that documents the words, sounds and emotions that faraway friends, extended family and future generations will want to experience. Because the Dream Photo team can provide both wedding photography and videography services, you will have a consistent style and a seamless look for both moving and still memories.

Photo: Dream Photo & Video

The buzz: “If you’re looking for someone that knows what they’re doing, this is the company you’ve been looking for. Not only is the quality amazing, but the staff and employees are outstanding. Another thing I wanted to point out was their HARD work. We only had one photographer, looking at the pictures you would think we had a entire team. I mean this man was everywhere! And believe it or not, with him running around everywhere he didn’t cause a scene or disturb a thing. Heck, I didn’t know where he was half the time, but he sure didn’t miss anything! Love, love, LOVE the pictures and video!” ~Jacob

7 Top Houston Photographers Share Their Favorite Parent-Child Wedding Pix

Whether your parents are footing the bill for your big day or you and your boo are flying solo with the financials, whether your folks have been married for decades or you come from a family full of beloved “steps,” there’s no denying that your parents play a special role in your wedding day. While the day is, of course, focused on you and your partner, it’s a day of profound and poignant celebration for your parents, too. They got you to this point and now are guiding you along the path (perhaps literally) to forge a new family of your own.

Few people in the world of weddings are as familiar with this emotional rollercoaster as wedding photographers, whose task it is to capture intimate family photos as they document each couple’s special day. So, because we at Weddings in Houston are lovers of all things family—and amazing wedding photos—we asked them about their all-time favorite family wedding photos. Now, take a peek, get inspired…and don’t forget to call your parents!

DjonesPhoto

Photo: D. Jones Photography

The father-daughter dance is always one of the most tender moments of the wedding. You never know what combination of emotions are going to unfold once the music starts. Bride Casey and her father shared this heartfelt dance on her wedding day, in a moment captured by David Jones of D. Jones Photography. “The expressions are purely genuine and telling,” Jones says of his photo. We love how Casey’s dad’s face exudes both the joy of the day and the somber realization that his little girl is all grown up.

Father-Daughter

Photo: Ama Photography & Cinema

The lengths that children and parents will go to celebrate each other on the wedding day never ceases to leave guests (and us) teary eyed. Nothing, not even the debilitating condition that confined her father to a wheelchair, would stop bride Meghan from sharing the traditional father-daughter dance with her dad, Fred. Photographer Aisha Khan of Ama Photography & Cinema, who captured this photo, recounts, “The most touching moment was when she hopped on his lap like the little girl she’ll always be to him, and he laughed. His face is priceless. I have no doubt this photo will be cherished.”

Father-and-Mother

Photo: Civic Photos

Groom Jeff wasn’t about to let his wheelchair-bound mother go without a dance, so he found a creative way to make her feel honored while making her feel more comfortable. Barett Henry, one of the talents behind Civic Photos, who took this picture, says, “Jeff wanted to salsa dance with his mother for their mother-son dance…so he got a chair with wheels and rolled around the dance floor with her. The bride eventually joined in on this touching moment too.”

Daughters-and-Grandfather

Photo: Taylor Golden Photography

For many wedding couples, relationships with their extended family members run deep and long. We love when brides and grooms incorporate aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents into their wedding photos. According to wedding photographer Taylor Golden, recent bride Rachel did just that. “This event was all about family,” says Golden, who captured a sweet photo of the smiling bride getting a smooch from her doting dad. Even more adorable, perhaps? The shot Golden snapped of the bride and her sister embracing their happy grandfather. “You can see the love and connection on everyone’s face, and what I love most is the adorable grandpa. I want to steal him, he is so cute!”

Mother-and-Groom

Photo: Dream Photo & Video

There are few things more sentimental than the special bond between a mother and son. Shiva Saadi of Dream Photo & Video says that Jesus was insistent that his mother join him on the dance floor, though she was reluctant to at first. “I love the satisfied look Jesus has after his mom agreed to dance with him,” Saadi says. “She was not able to hold back her emotions, and was holding on to him tight, clearly looking back on his childhood while dancing with him.” The connection between the two makes our hearts melt.
Father-and-Groom

Photo: Kirk Surber Photography

A photo of a moment shared between father and son can be a rare find in wedding albums, which makes photographer Kirk Surber‘s photo of groom Greg and his father Ken even more special. Ken studied to obtain his officiant license to conduct the marriage ceremony for Greg and his fiancée Minji, and stood alongside them as they made their promise of a lifetime. “Only on rare occasion do you find someone who is willing to go out of their way to be a part of his son’s wedding,” Surber says. Greg and Ken’s matching grins and looks of anticipation as they await the bride’s arrival at the altar are a vivid record of a father’s devotion to his son, and an image their entire family is bound to treasure forever.

Mother-and-Bride

Photo: Kelly Hornberger Photography
The bond between a mother and daughter is deep, complex and enduring. And for many mothers and daughters, that bond only grows deeper during the wedding planning process. After all the work has been done, the dresses are on, and the hair and makeup have been styled, the reality sets in that today is the day. All that’s left to do is allow the day to take hold, and enjoy every moment.

In her photograph of bride Amy and her mom Julie, photographer Kelly Hornberger captures not just the poignancy and pleasure shared by parent and child, but also, with its mirror-like composition, the echo of a mother’s features in her daughter’s face. “The number of hugs and kisses and sweet moments that Amy and Julie shared during the entire getting-ready process was stopped here in time, with the way Julie is adoring her daughter, the holding of the hands and the look of almost tears on sweet Amy,” Hornberger says, “is a moment I’ll never forget.”

Writer: Laura Mericas

5 Steps For Choosing The Right Wedding Photographer

Of all the wedding decisions you make, this one’s a biggie, you guys. Your wedding photographer won’t just snap pix of smiles, pretty dresses, “I do’s” and first dances. He or she will tell the narrative of your day, and the love story behind it, with wedding photos you’ll cherish forever. Here’s our advice for finding a photographer that will do all this and, quite possibly, become a good friend in the process!

Bride-and-Groom Photo: Kelli Durham Photography

1. Get A Reference

Once you’ve settled into the bliss of engagement, it’s time to plan. And that planning includes selecting the photographer who will document your wedding, as well as possibly your announcements and Save the Date photos!

You want someone who is reliable and trustworthy, with a positive attitude (even in the most stressful situations), and who truly gets you. Photographer Adam Nyholt says it’s a good idea to ask for referrals. “This could be a friend who was recently married or your wedding planner,” or a trusted resource such as Weddings in Houston.

Engagement-Shoot Photo: Civic Photos

2. Compare Portfolios

Most professional photographers have their own website and blog, which makes it easy for curious couples to peruse photos, read testimonials, and get a feel for their artistic style.

Aisha Khan of Ama Photography & Cinema recommends asking a prospective photographer for more than one sample wedding to view: “If you ask for one, they might send only their favorite one—it’s important to see what varies from wedding to wedding.”

Adds photographer Kory Fontenot of Addison J Weddings: “Ask to see the full portfolio of a wedding from beginning to end. What you see on a website or in an album is a photographer’s top choices from a wedding. Looking at a full portfolio will give you a better idea of your photographer’s style, creativity and consistency.” After all, “It’s always good to see the good the bad and the ugly before you make such a huge investment.”

Lindsay Elizabeth Strode of Lindsay Elizabeth Photography says that the easiest way to determine your favorite photography style is by “picking images you’re drawn to. If a couple would love to see bright, clean and airy photos of themselves, they should look for a photographer who specializes in shooting natural light.”

Eric Yeh, who co-owns Serendipity Photography with wife Alice Lin, agrees that the lighting question is critical. “Experience with different lighting is really important,” he notes. “Some photographers excel in outdoor lighting, but don’t have much experience with indoor lighting, which can be really tricky to shoot in.”

Bride-and-Groom Photo: Lindsay Elizabeth Photography

3. Spend Some Face Time

When you’re ready to reach out, it can be tempting simply rely on email. This is fine for introductory inquiries, but David Jones of D. Jones Photography encourages couples to “interview or meet with the photographer” in person ASAP. Aside from being confident in their photo-taking abilities, you also want see if “you truly feel comfortable, since there are a lot of emotions on the big day.”

Christine Wright, of C. Wright Photography advises couples “ask them what their favorite part of the wedding is—you can get a feel for their work through what they deem to be most important.”

“Ask your photographer how they would react to family and friends who may want to take pictures on your wedding day,” advises Barett Henry, of Civic Photos. “We are very easygoing, and I don’t mind if people who have known you your entire life want to take photos—as long as they don’t get in the way of our professional shots!”

Bride-and-Groom Photo: Taylor Golden

4. Have a Pregame Session

If time (and budget) allows, consider scheduling an engagement session or a Save the Date session. This is an opportunity to really get to know your photographer, see their work, and for them to get to know you. “I recommend that they get their hair and makeup done professionally, and chose two to three outfits that show off their personality and their relationship,” says photographer Shiva Saadi of Dream Photo & Video. She adds, “Maybe also have a couple of drinks before. Trust me, it helps.”

“The engagement session is a great time to get to know your photographer better, and to get used to their style of shooting, so that the wedding day flows more smoothly, and you are comfortable throughout the day,” adds wedding photographer Taylor Golden. “Something I like to do for my couples is shoot their session in another city, such as where they got engaged, or where they vacation.”

Bride-and-Groom Photo: Ama Photography & Cinema

5. Perfect Portraits

Golden reminds couples to ensure your photographer is committed to shooting the wedding day in its entirety, including, perhaps most importantly, those classic family portraits that will become heirlooms. “Remember, your wedding is likely to be an activity-filled day, and you may not be around your family members all that much,” she says.

To ensure excellent portraits, prior to your wedding, “It helps to create a list of the different family groupings you want to document. Your planner can assist by calling out names for each picture and crossing them off your list to ensure you don’t miss anyone.”

Adds Strode: “Years from now when you’re looking back at your wedding photos, you won’t remember the tiny details, but you will be reminded of the beauty and fun of your big day,” two things that the right wedding photographer will capture completely.

Bride-and-Groom-First-Dance Photo: Kelly Hornberger Photography

Writer: Natasha Garber

7 Gifts That Your Bridesmaids Will Love

Bridesmaids Photo: Kelly Hornberger Photography

You have your bae and your ring…now it’s time to pop the question with your gals! Since you’re going to want them by your side every step of the way, we picked out some really, really cute things that your future bridesmaid squad can’t say no to.

1. Write a sweet, personal message to each of your gals in this fun scratch-off card. Price: $4.50+

Scratch-Off-Will-You-Be-My-Bridesmaid-Card

2. Gift your bridesmaids with a sparkly bottle of wine, and do a good deed at the same time? Yes, please! With every two bottles purchased, One Hope Wine funds a clinical trial for a woman with breast cancer. Price: $59

Pink-Glitter-Edition-Chardonnay

3. They’re gonna need to drink that wine in something, right? Make it even more personal with gold monogrammed stemless glasses that range from $13-15!

Monogrammed-Stemware

4. Floral robes are something your bridesmaids can use while getting dolled up with you on your wedding day, and even use afterwards. Did we mention how adorable it looks in the getting-ready photos?! It comes in different colors and a range of sizes (XS-L). Price: $68

BHLDN-Botanic-Robe

5. Who doesn’t love a pretty pink nail polish? This Essie gel nail polish looks good on every skin tone and stays for at least 2 weeks! Price: $11.50

essie-couture-curator-gel-nail-polish-0.5-oz-essie-140-couture-curator

6. Bath bombs are just what your girls need to de-stress and relax with after those long days helping you plan your big day! Price: $5

Balanced-Roots-Bath-Bomb

7. Show your #bestie how much you love her with this adorable Kate Spade gold cuff. It comes in the cutest packaging, too! Price: $68

Kate Spade-Bestie Cuff

Shabby-Chic Blush, Gold & Cream Wedding by Kelly Hornberger

They say if you have to invite your best friend to your wedding, you’re marrying the wrong person. We know that Houston bride Caroline agrees! “Austin and I were best friends for two years before we started dating in 8^th grade. We’ve always loved each other, but were hesitant of it potentially ruining our friendship. We took a leap of faith and decided to follow our hearts.”

When it came time to propose, Austin knew the perfect way to catch her completely off guard. It was his birthday, and Caroline wanted to surprise him with a birthday dinner… little did she know that she was the one in for a treat! As soon as they arrived to the restaurant, Caroline and Austin were led to the back, where she thought all of their family and friends would be—no one was there, and the room was filled with decorations and pictures of them. “I was so shocked, but thought it was all planned for him and I just hadn’t gotten get the memo,” adds Caroline. He showed her a sweet video he made for her, got down on one knee and asked Caroline to spend forever with him.

Blush-and-White-Wedding-Invite Wedding-Dress Blue-Badgley-Mishcka-Bridal-Shoes

Caroline wore a stunning strapless lace bridal gown from Weddings by Debbie paired with blue Badgley Mischka peep-toe pumps.

Blush-Bridesmaids-Dresses Rustic-Welcome-Sign Rustic-Wedding-Program Engagement-Rings-and-Wedding-Bands Groom Groom Groom-and-Groomsmen Wedding-party Bride-and-Groom-Portraits

Their vision of a rustic Texas wedding came together with shabby-chic decor and romantic accents.

Shabby-Chic-Wedding-Decor Shabby-Chic-Wedding-Cake Signature-Cocktails Beer-and-Football-Groom-Cake Sweetheart-Table Tall-Wedding-Centerpiece

Her favorite moments? “Reading our personal vows to each other from behind either sides of a door holding hands, and dancing with my dad and my mom,” says Caroline. Thanks, Kelly Hornberger Photography, for the beautiful photos!

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Photos: Kelly Hornberger Photography | Wedding Dress: Weddings by Debbie | Music, Lighting & Photo Booth: DJU Entertainment