A couple months ago I received the sweetest email from Claire. She wrote adoringly about her husband, Jason, and how she was so proud of him and his perseverance & dedication in recently graduating with his degree in Christian Leadership while at the same time working and also starting a budding photography business to support the family (they have 2 beautiful daughters). This meant driving 60 miles one way to and from work/school while getting up at 4am to work on homework & photography business stuff so that he could spend time with Claire and the girls while they were awake. The next step in their journey is to move out to Los Angeles next year so that Jason can attend seminary school. For now, though, Claire was writing to tell me that she was planning a surprise trip to Dallas and a stay at the Hotel Magnolia for Jason's graduation and birthday gift, and she asked if Kylie and I would be willing to join them for dinner so that Jason and I could talk photography. Honestly, I think my initial reaction was one of hesitation because I'd never met or spoken to these people other than through a couple comments on the blog. I was drawn to the sincerity and authenticity in Claire's message, though. I didn't have to meet her to tell she was crazy about her husband and that they were good peoples. I think the way she ended her email was the clincher... A wife madly in love, Claire Drumm I asked Kylie what she thought, and she didn't hesitate at all, so we were in. We met up with Jason and Claire last night at a restaurant called Fuse in downtown Dallas and had a fantastic evening with our new friends dining in our own old-elevator-shaft-turned-private-dining-room. Jason and Claire are the real deal when it comes to passionately pursuing Christ, and it was evident as we got to know them that God had shown up so many times in their lives. They are the sweetest couple and a ton of fun to hang out with. Of course we talked photography throughout the night, but I really enjoyed just hearing their amazing story and talking about every day life with them. They are 2 genuine people chasing after a picture (no pun intended... well maybe a little) of marriage as God intended. Here's a few images from our "blind date".

I love me some big, old buildings.

A self-portrait in some store front glass before we met for dinner.

And here's Jason and Claire. Aren't they adorable?

I love this photo. So sweet... and HOT.

Fuse was a very cool place with great food and eclectic decor. Below is an image of a wall that leads to the unisex bathroom. Isn't it incredible? (the wall, not the unisex bathroom part).

After dinner, we walked upstairs in the restaurant to the outdoor patio. It had an "interesting" vibe that included some great decor and plants...

...a DJ playin' some smooth music...

... lots of soothing lighting...

... and of course a belly dancing, flame twirling girl standing in the pool. You know, the standard stuff. {not pictured in this post: a few couples making out like they were the only ones there}

And finally, on the way out of the restaurant they have a sweet collection of hand-painted cowboy boots.

After dinner, we walked over to the Hotel Magnolia where Jason and Claire were staying, and while we tragically got there too late for the free milk and cookies in the stylin' 2nd floor lounge area, we did get this image of the hand-painted ceiling in the elevator corridor.

Jason and Claire - Thanks so much for a wonderful evening. We wish you guys abundant blessings in the journey ahead, and we look forward to keeping in touch.

Scared yet?

I had several people ask how I did the lighting for the fitness portfolio images of Jen, so I just decided to post a little visual since we all know what a picture's worth. This set-up was for most of the images of Jen in her workout clothes. The image of her in street clothes was a little bit different set-up using just a Nikon SB-800 with a 20x20 softbox attachment, a silver reflector and ambient light. Note: If I did the set-up below again, I would bump up the power of the Nikon SB-800 flash providing back light to 1/8th power or so to get a little stronger highlight from behind.