Andi's Bridal Portraits at Sky Creek Ranch

If you are looking for a photographer for your wedding, find one that doesn’t mind getting rained out! I have been rained out twice at Sky Creek Ranch, in Keller, TX and I don’t mind one single bit! Photographing indoors allows me to have much more control over the final results. I am definitely a control freak when it comes to light and this bridal portrait session is a great example of that! In under 2 hours we went from day to night and all the shades of dusk in between, and we didn’t even have to go outside! No matter how many times I shoot at Sky Creek Ranch, I always manage to find new angles and new ways to utilize the space.

Sky Creek Ranch is one of my preferred vendors for many reasons, but most of all it’s the great relationship I have with the events coordinator, Keaton Dixon. I love seeing a familiar face and knowing that everything is going to run smoothly for me and my team. I always know I will be well taken care of because of Keaton! Best of all their food is amazing and we are always well fed. As I always say, “no one likes a hangry photographer!”

PRO TIP: If you are planning to do a Bridal session, the venue is the best location to do it. Not only is it included with most venue rentals, but they have a bridal suite for you to change in and lots of room indoors for photos! If you have great weather, you can utilize the outdoor spots as well, but for this particular session it was a very rainy day and we did not have the ability to go outside for photos.

If you have your heart set on Bridal Portraits, be sure to ask the venue representative about their policy for portrait sessions when you view the venue. The venue is typically the only free indoor option for these sessions, renting a studio can be costly but it’s worth it if you don’t have a venue to use. Trust me, you do not want to have to reschedule hair, make-up, photography, and flowers because it ends up raining on your session date and you were planning for an outdoor location.

Gabriella's Downtown Dallas Bridal Portrait Session

Lately, my absolute favorite way to photograph bridal portraits is to have a friend drive me and the bride to several locations in the downtown Dallas area.  There are a few things about this type of session that really work for me.  First of all, it  cuts down on walking.  Which you wouldn't think would be a big deal in a portrait session, but with bridals it definitely is!  By having a friend drive us to spots in the city, we are allowed to rest our feet in between shots and cool off or warm up from whatever crazy Texas weather we are having that day.  This session with Gabriella was in the middle of the "hotter than heck"  Texas summer so getting out of the heat every 10 minutes really helped.  I assume this would also help in the winter months when  strapless dress can cause a bride to catch a chill in a few minutes time!  My favorite part about a downtown session is the variety of shots that we can get!  There are so many different backgrounds to choose from and with a chauffeur we can really cover a lot of ground fast.  The shade from the buildings creates such a great lighting that we almost never have to deal with an unflattering light.  If they are timed just right, we can also transition into a glam night-lights session!  So many possibilities in the city!  The only question is where to begin?  

Flowers by Linda McEwan