A Little More Changed :: Tulsa Senior Photographer

One of the absolute joys about my job is being able to shoot seniors.  I love every minute of our time together because I always leave a little more changed than when I arrived.  I always talk about how eager and ambitious my senior clients are, which is all very true, but it's the things smaller than that that change me.

Throughout our senior sessions I hear everything from small grumbles of parents 'making' their kids live at home while staying local for college (look at the bright side:  free rent!  You'll appreciatte it one day) to eager shrills of excitement when I ask if they're ready to graduate.  I say I leave a little more changed because by shooting seniors I will never forget those special years in my life.  I am constantly reminded by the eager shrills of just how exciting it was to graduate.  I remember everything that has come since high school graduation and how much was ahead of me in my journey.  All of this makes me so excited for my seniors.  For that moment in time I know something they don't know.  I know just how much fun is ahead of them!

Internet, this is my new, beautiful, friend Alex.  From the moment she stepped out of the car she was glowing with excitement and eagerness for her pictures, which all comes to live through the images we came up with.  I loved our time together.  What can I say, she made my job easy!

So, for your sake, I'll quit the ramble and get on to the images.  Here she is.  As beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.  Have fun at that 'other' University dear.  I'll think of you during bedlam :)

It's ok.  When I look at these I die a little too.

To view Alex's complete session go ahead and click the play button below.  It doesn't dissapoint.  Promise!

The Princess & The Frog :: Tulsa Engagement Photographer

I'm Baaaack!  Sorry for the absence.  I couldn't exactly move outside the perimeter of my bed the last 24 hours so writing a blog post was probably not in any our best interests.  Who knows what these little fingers would have written. 

So, since I've been MIA the last few days, who's ready for story time and a few pictures??  Great!

Once upon a time... Just kidding.

High School Sweethearts.  Everyone knows one or two of them... from storybooks, but they don't really exist in real life.  That's what I thought anyway.  They're just a fairytale.  Kinda like when the princess kissed the frog and he turned into a prince.  Yeah, right.  And honestly, what girl kisses a frog anyway.  Every female, and some males for that matter, scream and run the opposit direction the second one of those little green guys jumps their way.  I've yet to see anyone gingerly walk up to one, pick it up and give it a nice smooch .... I digress.

Leanne & David are a part of that storybook fairytale.  And not the same fairytale where David is the frog and turns into a prince.  That would be just plain awkward for Leanne.

They met in highschool several moons ago and have been inseperable ever since.  They knew in their heart of hearts they were meant for eachother, but needed to wait it out.  Needed to have the appropriate time stamp to go with the ring so that everyone didn't think they were crazy for getting married after a few short months.  Well, internet, these two love birds are happily engaged and set to get married this summer.

Leanne & David, I'm so happy for you guys.  The best part about my job is showing up to a shoot with the twinkling of a friendship lying in the balance.  Every time I leave, I leave with new friends and memories.  Especially with you two.

Thank you for choosing me.  Thank you for being awesome.  And thank you for working your shoot.  I loved every second of it.  And let's not pretend.  I'm a little in love with your images.

and I apologize for the annoying watermark in advance.  A few of my images have recently had little ant legs and been walking off to various locations.
  

Standing Out From The Crowd :: Tulsa Senior Photographer

I think every time I shoot a senior I fall even more in love with my job.  I always say this, but they are so full of life and ambition that it makes me excited.

Manessah was no exception.  She was game for anything which allowed us to get some pretty amazing stuff for her senior pictures.

The thing about seniors is they all want their images to stand out from everyone elses.  This is what I love so much.  We match up well because I don't want my clients pictures to look like everyone elses.  I want every session to look different and reflect the individuals in each image.  Sure, you can go to Jo-Schmo down the street, but you'll probably have to stand next to the same pillar 1,600 other people stood next to and place your hands juuuuust so.. you know, just like the 1,600 people before you did.  I don't want that for my people.  I want your session to be fun and I want your friends to look at your pictures and say, oh my gosh!  That is so cool!  Because, what just happened?  You look way cool and I get that giddy happy feeling inside because I made you look so cool to your friends.  Double score.

Manessah, you are an absolutely breath-taking senior girl and when I left your session, I, again, couldn't wait to run home and get them on my computer.  Here you go my dear.  Your senior pictures in all their awesome cool'ness.

Please do not change, alter, edit or crop these images in any way.  All images copyright of Allison Lee Photo.

To The Ends of The Earth :: Tulsa Engagement Photographer

Everyone has a story to tell. Some of those people are even lucky enough to have the kind of story we all wish we could tell.

Kamerie & Eric had no idea that buy flying halfway across the world for a mission trip one summer, they would in fact be taking the next steps towards the rest of their life.  Sounds cheesy, right?  Well, not if you're the person living it out and has the love story to tell at the end of it all.

From the moment the words hello passed across each of their lips, they were inseperable.  Eric from Arkansas and Kamerie from california; neither one would have ever imagined the path they were being guided down by taking part in a mission trip.  After all, it was just suppose to be something they did over the summer, not the one thing over the summer that would change their lives forever.

Now Eric & Kamerie are set to get married in a few short months in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.  Guys, I'm SO excited for you two.  You are perfect together and I'm absolutely certain God got it right when he put you both on those planes for a mission trip... only to end up sitting next to eachother on the flight back home.  hand in hand.

Internet, meet my new friends Kamerie & Eric.  They're two steps beyond awesome.

What Goes Around Comes Around :: Tulsa Engagement Photographer

He loved her smile but wasn't sure whether his smile did the same thing for her.  He was 16 and had a love for Alissa like she would never know.  They hung out with the same crowd, always ending up in the same places, but never taking the next step needed to let her know how much he truly cared for her.

Two years later his dreams were crushed as they walked across the stage for graduation.  Why had he waited so long?  Why couldn't he just tell her he'd liked her for years.  Why?

Well, with every good love story comes a happy ending, which is just what Dustin and Alissa received.  A few years after graduation these two ended up in the same crowds again... at the same places and are now set to tie the knot in a matter of days.

Dustin & Alissa, Congratulations!  Have so much fun getting married with your toes in the sand!!

Alissa, all I'm gonna say is... R.A.W.R.

Did someone say icing?  Well, OK then.  Here ya go!

Manic Music Monday: Tulsa Wedding Photographer

Every Monday I write this little post called Manic Music Monday. Why do I do it? Music has influenced my life for as long as I can remember. I cannot sit in a quiet room and thus always have music going.

I remember working on a project with my dad a few years ago and the second we walked into the kitchen to begin our project I walked straight over to the sterio and turned my iPod on. This was something second nature to me, but he started laughing at the fact that to me, turning on the radio was the start of a project for me. That is how I officially started things.

Now, still to this day, when I sit down and fire-up my computer, the first thing I do is turn on Pandora, iTunes, Grooveshark... something that will send music into the air surrounding me. It makes me feel complete.

And, because my husband thinks I sometimes have 'interesting' taste in music, I'm sharing some of my weekly favorites with you.

Whew. Long enough explanation for you? Thougth so.

And, just to peak your interest, my weekend was filled with some of the most stylish toddlers I've ever laid eyes on. I mean, these guys should have come to my house and dressed me for the day - that's how hip they are... and at only 2 years old! Acid washed jeans and a few rockin' vests. Ugh. Why did my mother find it necessary to dress me in pig-tails and sweaters my grandmother 'painted' for me.

So with that, I bring you this weeks' edition of Manic Music Monday. Enjoy!

Beauty From The Inside Out :: Tulsa Senior Photographer

Seniors have this zeel about them that no other age group can replicate.  I always get so excited to shoot seniors for this very reason.  They're open to your ideas.  They want very edgy/unique images that will make them stand out from the rest of their graduating class.  and this is what makes me fall head-over-heels for them every time.

Miss Hannah is an absolute delight.  Just looking at her images has me swooning.  I only wish I could have worked the camera like she did when I was 18.  Heck, I wish I could do that now!  I can take pictures.  I cannot however, be the subject in pictures.  I become quite awkward. 

Not this girl.  Man, she jumped right in and took me for a ride. 

Hannah - you are gorgeous.  You're the kind of gorgeous all mom's hope their daughters will become: from the inside out.

Oh, and internet.  She's even more awesome for her choice in colleges.  Hannah will be attending my Alma Mater this fall and I couldn't be more thrilled about it!!!  She's going to look awesome sporting all that orange!!

And, now that you're biting your nails in anticipation of her beauty, I'll quit my ramble.

Friends, meet Hannah.

I warned you of her beauty.  You just didn't believe me, did you?!

Again.  Icing on your cake.  Hannah's complete session slideshow.

The Best Is Yet To Come :: Tulsa Photographer

Alright, as promised I have something very exciting to share with you all.  Will this change your lives?  Probably not.  Will you get as excited as I did?  Umm... yeah, again, probably not.  BUT, because we're friends I'm sharing it with you anyway.

Yesterday, that fabulous employee sporting the solid brown ensemble with the three little letters U. P. S. arrived on my doorstep.  Little did he know that package he was holding was going to make me jump for joy and almost want to hug him!  I said almost. come on peeps.

I scribbled my signature as fast as I could and snatched up that beautiful brown box as quickly as my little hands knew how.

And what was inside?  Well.... only this!!!

Like I said, you probably aren't as excited as I was when I saw that beautiful brown truck pull up, but let's just pretend you are.  (and yes, sorry the pictures are small.  I took my own but don't have them with me at the moment.)

So there you have it internet.  A beautiful new Nikon D3s is the newest member of the Allison Lee Photo family and I couldn't be more excited!!!!!

The Dynamic Duo :: Tulsa Photographer

This little family is as sweet as pie!  Yes, we live in the south and I can say things like that.  Their two little boys are the light of their life which was completely evident as they ran at high speeds through the field during our session: the parents eyes watching them the whole time.

The youngest - Little C - was quite the edition to this family.  He's cute and he knows it.  At one point I asked him if he was cute and he said, YES! followed by a quick no. 

Hilarious!

So here are a few from our time together a few weeks ago.  Enjoy!

And stay tuned for tomorrow.  BIG news!!!

And, well, we all love a little more. To view their complete session go ahead and click play on the slideshow! It won't disappoint!

Manic Music Monday :: Tulsa Photographer

Yes, dear friends, it's Manic Music Monday!  I think this is honestly one of my favorite parts of the week.  I love scouring through my music collection every week to find the perfect song choice to bring you all.  I'm just hoping you love everything I throw at you!

I also hope everyone had a great weekend!  Mother Nature decided it would be a really nice (late) April Fools joke to pretend it would be nice this past weekend then show up in all her horror at a wopping 90 degrees.  Bless her heart.

I've got lots to bring you all this week in the way of new fun images, so grab some popcorn and park your sweet little self in that chair of yours this week cause you won't want to miss this stuff!

But until then here's a little Rosie Thomas to hold you over.  She's an absolute treat for your ears!

Kisses & Disses :: Tulsa Wedding Photographer

We'd spent the weekend sprucing up our living room, you know, new paint.  In my mind it was going to be a quick and easy task which we all know means it's going to be long and drawn out.  Nevertheless, we taped, primed, painted, painted again, taped again then laid in the middle of the floor staring at the ceiling.  Proud of our accomplishment. 

As we began moving all of our furniture back into its rightful location I mentioned to Caleb that he needed to fix the pillows on the love seat.  What happened next was almost enough to lay me back down in the middle of the floor and start rolling with laughter. 

Without skipping a beat his mouth opened and he said, it's OK I watch HGTV, I 've got this.

What?  Who are you and what have you done with my husband?  You know, the one that works on cars and loves landscaping?  Not the one that now knows how to fluff and place pillows. 

Which brings us to another edition of Kisses & Disses!

1. My out-of-the-box bride from last weekend.  Just wait until you see this girls shoes!  I love it when my brides go for the non-traditional.  It adds such a fun flare to their images!!

2. The kick-off of wedding season.  We're always exhausted come November/December and welcome the 3 month break, but we always love to spring back into wedding season too!

3. Sally Hanson's Manicure Nail Polish.  Ladies, you will love this stuff!  Promise.  I'm hooked.  I think I have 3 or 4 different colors and am constantly buying more!

1. This Oklahoma wind!  Ridiculous.  How's a girl suppose to do her hair in this stuff??  I mean seriously!

2. Not nice neighbors.  Need I say more?  No bueno.

3. All this NCAA jargin.  My team didn't make it this year so I'm just goint to pout and be thankful it's all over with now!  Here's to next year Cowboys!!

The Piano Man :: Tulsa Engagement Photographer

His stomach was filled with nerves just minutes before the event was set to begin, but he couldn't figure out why.  He'd played at events hundreds of times, but something about this particular night made every nerve in his body twist into tiny nots.

She was excited for the wedding for the reason so many girls get excited: a pretty dress, love, flowers, love, cake, love, dancing... and love.  These are the day, that as little girls, we stand in our bedroom and pretend we are walking down an isle... with little bear in hand, of course.

The one thing neither of them realized though, was that this particular event would change the course of both of their lives, forever.  This was the night their paths were written to cross.

Now, 8 short months later Branson & Heather share a love for one another unlike anything I've seen.  I honestly believe these two could stare at one another for the rest of their lives and be prefectly content. They know what it means to love and to be truly loved by another.

Branson & Heather - you guys are a treat.  Thank you so much for allowing me to share in this special time in your lives!  Two more months guys!!  Congratulations!

Like I said, these two can stare at eachother and forget anyone else is around.

Heather, just quit it.  You are too beautiful for words.

As a part of Branson's proposal, he took Heather back to the place they met and proposed at the exact spot where he first laid eyes on his future wife: the piano.

Heather and Branson were engaged at the beautiful Harwelden Mansion so we ventured back there for a few engagement shots.

And because everyone wants ice cream with their cake, here's a look at Heather & Branson's entire engagement session.