While in town visiting her aunt, Sonnet was surprised with an impromptu photo session at Lake Cliff Park in Dallas, TX. The images capture both her exuberant youth and blooming maturity. The last image freezes a moment between a proud aunt and her niece.
When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody,
you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.
- Billy Crystal (When Harry Met Sally)
We do many things in the name of love. Last minute sprints through airport terminals. Letting Peter Gabriel profess our undying love through our over-sized boom box while wearing a trench coat with the sleeves stylishly rolled up. Keeping a smile while wearing a wedding dress in the overwhelming 100-plus degree Texas heat.
OK, so the first two aren’t exactly reality based… but that last one… I saw with my own eyes.
Spending the afternoon with Melissa at Lockheart Gables in Fort Worth, TX, I realized that the intent of the images that we captured were not for her benefit. Not even for a glimmer of vanity sake. Each image was an expression to her fiancee Corey of the excitement she felt for the day that they will forevermore be presented as Mr. and Mrs. Weaver. Cue Peter Gabriel.
I have learned thing or three about family in my years on this here Earth. One I put into practice recently is: When your father-in-law asks you to help him concept the packaging for his new collection of Christian tejano tunes – you say “yes”. I alluded to Enrique Martinez’s upcoming release Cielos Abiertos, which translates to Open Heaven, a few months ago (view post) and now I present to you the finished product. If you would like to purchase a copy of this recording email me at bob@illinoisandback.com.
Front Cover
Back Cover
Here is a quick selection of the other looks from the shoot.
What can I say about Brad and Stephanie that couldn’t be summed up by the fact that they commissioned me to create the worst Christmas photos ever… a challenge that I took seriously. As you can see by the images below we definitely achieved our goal.
During one of the many breaks Stephanie and my wife Mati (the shoot stylist) had to take to tend to the gravity defying bangs, Brad and I created the greatest Christmas movie poster ever. “If your on the naughty list this Christmas… get ready for a holiday helping of Frozen Justice!”
Then we just had some fun.
Thanks again to The Polenz for not only being really easy to work with and fun to be around but also willing to use their imaginations to create a bit of holiday magic.
Check out a few more pics from the shoot in the slideshow below… enjoy!
When I look at these pictures of my niece Piper – I see my brother Rick. Not just in physical appearance because, of course, all children are a genetic mashup of their parents visual characteristics – it’s more than that. Piper is a curious, spirited carbon copy of her father. She is full of energy and desires to be apart of the action at all times. Every toy must be out and at the ready to be played with at a moments notice. And there are no sidelines in her mind. You probably never realized bathtime was a team sport until she grabs your hand and marches you along with everyone else in the house to the tub.
If you are ever over at my parents house, ask them to show you the photo albums full of pictures of Rick that look oh-so-similar to the ones below. Who knows – Piper might be there visiting grandma and grandpa – with her fist extended waiting for you to “blow it up”.
