S & H

Welcome to a little blog journey 

that is dedicated to 

Stephanie & Hayden

a stunning bride &

a handsome groom

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:4-13

December 22, 2012 marks the day that two more of my children's friends became one! It is always a special honor to me to photograph someone I know but, the love story of Stephanie and Hayden has a few twists along the roadmap of my heart's journey that I would like to share! For those of you who really know me, I will try to keep this brief! Years ago my dear friend Carolyn insisted that I take her daughter's engagement pictures. With slight hesitation I agreed but, was not sure what my head was thinking when I said yes. Armed with my little 35 mm "film" camera and my original 35mm camera that had been my old faithful Heather, Michael and I headed to the metroplex for a day of creating a few memorable shots! Michael, I promise I will not say anymore than that for now! What I will say is sometimes my "zeal" and artistic bent can get in the way of good protocol! 

Remember I said 35mm camera!? It seems almost like a dream how fast technology has advanced since those days! Yes, digital cameras were already in existence but the sacrifice of quality was a place I was un-willing to venture. I had to wait patiently for the film to be developed, printed, and then I tossed out all of my rejects. The moment had come to deliver a proof book. In the weeks building up to delivering that little book (humble beginnings) Carolyn had kept bugging me to be the wedding photographer and I was pretty firm in saying NO! I walked into her kitchen , that always smells of delicious aromas, and was greeted with her giddy excitement. She couldn't wait to tell me that she had found a wedding photographer to do Heather and Michael's wedding! I felt a flood of relief as she was showing me the business card! For a split moment I was reading it and thinking, "how odd, the lady's name is Teresa." Carolyn being very creative herself and very handy with her computer had made a stack of business cards, with "Images by Teresa" printed on them.  She is chuckling and I am shaking my head no and if she was telling this story it would get even longer.... She won and I won that day! It was her vote of confidence that pushed me out of my comfy nest and landed me in front of the bride and groom armed with camera on the day of Heather and Michael's wedding day. 

Hayden is the third Haskell child for me to have the privilege of attending their wedding and capturing precious memories for the next generation of little Haskell's to enjoy! And yes, Hayden is her baby and yes I said baby! All of you mommies know what I am talking about! I should mention Heath just in case he takes time to read this. He is the second Haskell and loves to eat my chicken enchiladas! Heath, I couldn't mention your name and leave out the chicken enchiladas! He will be the really tall guy in the pictures and the adorable little flower girl will be his little baby!

ok, here is a pic of the really tall good looking Heath! 

But, remember I told you this story would have a few twists along the way?! Stephanie happens to be one of my eldest daughters childhood and dearest friends. Stephanie and I share a special bond.... coffee! Through the years of the girls growing up our home was usually the roosting place for Leslie, Stephanie and Halee, who loves coffee too! It has been a blessing watching these little girls grow up and become beautiful young women. Needless to say our families have had the opportunity to share many of life's celebrations. 

When our daughter turned 15 we celebrated with a really big party called a Quinceañera. If you are not familiar with one of those you can google that and we can save a little time, ok?! Thank you and Stephanie thanks you! Leslie and I had our hands full in all of the details of putting this special celebration together and to be perfectly honest I was slightly overwhelmed on being sure we had fifteen couples of young people to walk in it. Yes, that would be thirty teenagers!  Unbeknown to any of us in the adult world it seems that there was a tad bit of matchmaking going on! It was decided that Stephanie and Hayden would be paired up as a couple......

Fifteen teenage girls......

This possibly could be the very first picture taken of Stephanie & Hayden!

and fifteen teenage boys......

And drum roll please..... We are back to the story, the love story of Stephanie and Hayden!  Months and months and months of planning, shopping, sewing, dreaming,  and yes, Pinteresting and seven long years of these two young people falling more and more in love we have arrived on the beautiful spring day for the perfect wedding! Hold on! Did I say spring?!  No, it was the second day of winter but, Texas always can surprise you with unpredictable weather. The skies were clear and blue with gentle breezes......

Where the Mr. and Mrs. begins.....

the dresses all hung with care and tags attached.....

invitations, sealed and delivered with much merriment to follow.....

and the groom "shaving" a special moment
with his little ring bearer.....

a bride shares a special moment
with her little flower girl.....

recognize this pose, anyone?

And all together......

are we having fun yet!?

the wedding party.....

Heath & Leslie ~ Matthew & Halee ~ Chris & Jordan ~ Vicente & Lauren
Jordan & Sara
S & H

Emma ~ Hayden & Stephanie ~Noah
This shot looks simple, but can we just say there were
several bloopers?!

this has to be one of my favorites....

and a new generation of little ones.....

Waiting on his bride....

Hayden you are a man of integrity....you never turned around!

Stephanie giving him a love letter....

and the endless details.......all chosen in love.....

The rare moment in a photographers life is when you capture a shot that you know is different from the norm....Hayden is in the process of telling me that this is not easy...... He still has not "seen" his bride.......

And finally he gets to turn around......!

A beautiful bride......

looking to the future......

and we are having fun......

this is another Pinterest idea...

Hayden reading the letter that Stephanie gave him......

and her Daddy is placing her wedding veil on her head......

praying right before the ceremony starts....this is amazing......

a shot from the balcony and the ceremony begins......

Hayden holding the framework of the cross ......

Michael, the pastor, and Hayden's brother n law is explaining the symbolism of the cross......

and Stephanie adds her piece, the piece that is delicate and needs protection......

the exchanging of the rings.....

Mr. and Mrs. H are off to see the world......

close up of the wedding cake.....

love birds atop the cake.....

I said it was a wedding full of Pinterest ideas!

floating cranberries.....

And then there was the sweet stuff.... a candy bar that would make any child smile!

A nice little spot in the woods complete with a smoking fireplace.....such a unique  grooms cake!

Babys breadth filled the re-purposed coffee cans
 and graced the guest tables....
Did I mention that the brides daddy and I modged-poged those
 votive candles and rolled them in epsom salt, nay I didn't think so!

Mr. and Mrs. H. steal a kiss at the head table......

S & H Green Stamps.....Who remembers when? S for Stephanie and H for Hayden!

Leslie & Reece are quickly ambushing the car! Loving the painted soda cans in the wedding colors.....

First Dance.......

coffee anyone!?

I told you she liked coffee.......!

..... sweet love and do we hear more wedding bells ?! ........

fun in the photo booth.....

more fun with the guys......

yes, mistletoe!

Watching these four kids grow up has been a special blessing that I tuck away in my heart to ponder.....

pinkie promise.....

and the girls will have fun.....

Mr. & Mrs. D sign the birthday calendar......
Now I ask how special is this idea for the guest registry?

Mr. & Mrs. H. are ready to depart the party.....
cute hat, Mrs. H. !

one last picture......

and they are off......to see the world

a sweet token for all of the guests to take home and hang on their Christmas tree.....

a fun moment captured .....

Emma and Noah had their work cut out holding this big frame ..... the wind and the sun made it a tad bit more difficult, but I think they did a great job! 

It is official!

Mr. and Mrs. H.

the Bible that the ring bearer carried.....

The Cross finished!

S&H .... Stunning & Handsome!

We thank you for stopping by for a sneak peek of the S&H blog...... Miles may separate us, but the memories we carry in our heart are close indeed..... till we all meet again may our gracious Father God keep us safe and draw us closer to Him! A great big thank you to the M. & H. Families for allowing me the privilege of capturing your children's wedding!

Preserving Priceless Moments 

for the next generation…

©Images by Teresa

"Above all, I craved to seize the whole essence, in the confines of one single photograph, of some situation that was in the process of unrolling  itself before my eyes."  -Henri Cartier-Bresson

Quince photos were taken by Stephanie Blacketer