Erica M Photography »

They say third time’s a charm. In this case it’s true. Kayci won a free photoshoot with me back in August and wanted to get some engagement shots with her fiance Andrew. But we got rained out, twice. As I drove out to Fort Worth Sunday morning I prayed that the heavy fog rolled off and didn’t turn into rain. It thinned and we had an overcast day and the temperature was perfect. We started off in the Stockyards and when I mentioned my earlier family shoot in the Botanical Gardens, Kayci said we had to go there next. So this out of towner lead the way!

Kayci and Andrew both grew up in Wichita Falls and say they knew of each other, but didn’t get together until they were both at Texas Tech for college. They are both such friendly and happy people with magnetic personalities and an excellent fashion sense. No wonder they were drawn to each other ;) And apparently they think I’m either hilarious or I’m a nutcase. You decide. In either case, I’m happy if you’re happy and laughing. Oh, and in love ;) Congrats you two. Thanks for rocking this photoshoot!

I have known Lindsay about three years now, but it feels like way longer. We both were photo majors together at MICA but it took France for us to become friends. I’ll be honest. I was intimidated, not by Lindsay specifically, but by pretty much everyone my first two years of school. At the beginning of our Junior year Lindsay went off to Paris and I went of to Aix-en-Provence in Southern France. These four months in France definitely changed not only my art but me as a person. I’ve always been independent but France forced me to take my guard down. To open up and try new things. So, off I went to explore Paris. There I got to know Lindsay over several bottles of wine underneath the Tour Eiffle.

When we were back in Baltimore, Lindsay suggested we have a show together of our work we made abroad. We did just that. From then on we were not only photo friends, but every other kind of friend there is. It is such a comfort and a relief to have each other to call for camera help and business advice, email each other new inspirations and articles, and of course just to chat. I had moved back home for a few months after I graduated, and not so late one December night, I got a call from Lindsay and let out a little yelp, well a pretty big yelp. My mom came in my room (how very 6th grade) and informed me she was trying to sleep.  I informed her that Lindsay just got engaged!!! Enter Russell. Well, not really. They’d already been together a few years by the time Linds and I became friends. So for me, Russell was always part of the picture. I like Russell because he really surprises me sometimes. He can be serious and adamant about something one minute and then funny and goofy the next. Sort of like this shoot.

I went to visit Baltimore earlier this month and Lindsay asked if I’d want to do her and Russell’s engagement pictures. My response of course was, “Heck yeah!” Russell on the other hand needed a little more convincing. Finally, he reluctantly agreed. True to from, he surprised me. I got them both smiling and laughing and gasp…he actually admitted to enjoying himself! Probably also because he got to play hookie from work for two hours on a Wednesday morning :)

Lindsay and Russell, I couldn’t be happier for you. Thank you for opening your home to me every time I come back to Baltimore. And thank you for allowing me to be the one to document your love.

Linds, you are fierce and I love it.

There are some differences between Mora and Brian. She is more detail oriented. The little in between moments. The subtle shifts and changes. Brian is more concise. A little less poetic. A little more practical, but just as sweet. I love how these differences are actually completely and utterly wonderful compliments that, in Brian’s words, work perfectly.

“I love Brian’s quirkiness. He can never be said to be boring. There is always an aspect of him where you are not exactly sure what he is going to do or what he is thinking. There are things you can always depend on him to do and be, and it is this dependability I love as well. He will always hug me when I am sad. He will always listen when I’m worried or upset. He will always tickle me to annoy me so I’m no longer upset. He will make me laugh so hard I cry, so that I’m not holding in tears of frustration with school, studying, work, etc. He will always be a wonderful big brother, a great son and grandson. I love his honestly. He will tell you if the dress makes you look fat. He will tell you if your tummy is too pudgy. He will tell me when I’ve gone to far and am being a butthead and need to relax. He will do pretty much anything he thinks is appropriate to make me happy. He will not let me push him around or bully him. He maintains he does what he wants when he wants, and lets me have the same liberties. I love how his eyes change from brown to green. I love how dressing up for him always involves his blues clues Steve shirt. I love his determination when it comes to winning things. I love his sense of humor, and the challenge of making him laugh.”

“Have you heard about the problem of trying to fit a round peg in a square hole? The idea that the one cannot fit into the other. She’s one, I’m the other, and it just works perfectly. And the biggest reason is her.”

As Mora was hurrying around her room one night, getting ready to go out with a friend, Brian sat on her bed and chatted with her as she whizzed by. He had a box of taffy with him and offered her some. She kindly turned it down as it was very old and she had in fact been nagging him to throw it away for a while now. She finished getting dressed and mentioned getting a snack. Brian again offered her some taffy which she again turned down. As she frantically looked for a banana Brian finally exclaimed, “Have some BANANA taffy!” She took pity on him, as he was so adamant about his taffy. She opened the box but there was no banana taffy. Just a gorgeous diamond ring :)

Mora and Brian, thanks for a great shoot. I can’t wait to see you guys in May for your wedding in New Jersey!