Leanne & David {{Tulsa Wedding Photographer}}

It was seven years in the making for this beautiful couple.  Seven years full of waiting in great anticipation for the day David's stunningly beautiful future wife would walk down the isle to become his forever. 

Ties tied and dresses cinched their day finally arrived: and not a  moment too soon.  I've photographed a few weddings in my career and every single time a bride descends down an isle towards her groom I get choked up.  This time was absolutely not exception.  The anticipation these two held for the moment of finally saying 'I do' was felt heavily in the October air.  Everyone there knew what they were witnessing was right.  Everyone knew it was absolutely meant to be which made every moment that passed absolutely perfect.

Leanne and David, I am eternally grateful to you two for choosing me to capture these special moments in both of your lives.  For letting me witness the special love that you two share with each other. 

Internet, take a peek into the sweet day that Leanne became the eternal other half of David.

Ugh, these images make me swoon.

To a see a little more of Leanne & David's love story click on the slide show below.

You may remember Kyla from her engagement session a few months ago.  This woman is simply amazing.  Her heart is as pure as, well, something completely pure.  She loves deeply.  Lives fully and regrets nothing.

I've been waiting for a while now to debut her gorgeous bridal images, and, in honor or her beautiful wedding yesterday, here you have it!  The new Mrs. Kyla T.

Kyla you make a stunning bride and I couldn't be happier for you and Tyler!  Congratulations!!

Once In A Lifetime :: {Tulsa Wedding Photographer}

When you make the final decision to choose one photographer over another you ultimatly have your reasons.  You like their style.  You like their price.  You like the emotion they are able to pull out of their clients.  You ultimatly see yourself in their images and can't imagine any other person photographing your big day.  It's true. 

Now, if you know me or have met with me, you know I'm a bit of a talker.  My husband loves this about me.  But all other conversations aside, let me be serious for a minute.  Yes, price will play an important roll in determing your wedding photographer for some of you, but don't let that be the final straw.  Ten.  Fifteen years from now you won't remember what color the table linens were.  You won't have flower still laying around from your big day.  You will have pictures of the table linens.  You will have pictures of the flowers.  See where I'm going?

There are three main things you will take away with you from your wedding day.

Your memories.

Your wedding video.

Your wedding images.

Oh, and your groom, but hopefully that's a given :)

You only get married once.  You don't get wedding photography do-overs.  You get one shot at capturing your wedding day as it unfolds.

So choose wisely.  Choose them because you can't imagine anyone else photographing your wedding.

Details In The Fabric :: {Tulsa Wedding Photographer}

As a bride there are so many things that go in to making your wedding day the best it can be, but since I'm a photographer, let's talk about that for a minute.

You have most likely spent several hours looking at photographers, comparing prices and packages and possibly meeting with a select few that you are considering for your big day.  Now, with all your work there is still one thing left for you to do to ensure your images turn out the best they can possibly be.  Pay attention to details.

      Disclaimer: I did not take this photo.  Courtesy of Etsy.

Little details like the personalized hanger for your dress will take your wedding photos from awesome to (as my husband recently described it) off-the-hook.  ha! (he was joking... a little)

And in case you didn't like this idea, just wait a little bit and I'll try again!

Style Me Pretty :: {Tulsa Wedding Photographer}

As I sat in her chair, black cape draped across my body to keep the falling hair from taking up residency all along my arms, we began chatting about her upcoming wedding.  Now, starting a conversation like this normally goes something like this.  So, tell me all the details! Yeah, that was easy.  I know.

You see, Lauren isn't quite engaged yet, but for the last couple of years I've known her guys have come in and out of her life every once in awhile, but she never lets them stay.  She knows what she wants and if you aren't it then she'd rather be single.  Bravo chica!

When she invisioned her wedding she talked of trees in full-bloom, the freshly manicured back yard of her possibly future in-laws, and lots of white blankets spread out on either side of the 'isle' which would be lined in candles.  She stopped cutting for a minute, looked at me and said, does that sound strange?

And this is where I reach my point. 

Your wedding is just that.  It's yours.  Personally, I love Lauren's idea of making it personal, cozy and quaint.  You don't have to put on a party if that's not your style.  If your theme is cozy and personal, do it, and carry that theme throughout everything you do.  Put blankets on the ground, pull some vintage furniture that you may have and create sitting areas around the yard for guests at the reception, use jars for your drinking glasses, have your decor reflect your theme and make it personal to you.  After all, these are your memories and you don't want to be stuck with memories floating through your head that you don't like.

Disclaimer: I did not take these images.  Image courtesy of Style Me Pretty

Don't let your wedding reflect what everyone else wants.  Make it your own.  If you want to wear a veil - gosh darnit wear that veil - it's the only time in your life that is is acceptable for you to walk around in public with that thing on without people thinking you're crazy.  So do it!

If you want your wedding colors to be the same colors your best friend used, it's OK!  I guarantee you the only people who are even going to notice is you and your best friend, and most likely she'll be honored that you loved it enough to use it for your own as well.  After all, you're not stealing her wedding theme/ideas, just a few simple colors that you're going to go make your own.

Whatever direction you decide to go, go with what you fell in love with and carry that theme throughout every detail of your wedding.  It's the details that will pull your whole theme together.

And most importantly.  If you want blankets - spread them out proudly, just make sure and wash them beforehand.

Taking Applications :: Senior Representative Program :: {Tulsa Senior Photographer}

Schools are letting out.

The stores are filled with shorts and tanktops.

And most important?  Snow Cone Shacks are open for business!

What does all of this mean?  It means SUMMER is almost here and we've got a new class of SENIORS about to relish in all that it means to be Seniors!

So what does this mean for you all?

I'm looking for unique 2012 seniors who want to be part of my Senior Representative Program!!!

In exchange for your help promoting Allison Lee Photo to your friends, you'll receive a free senior photography session!

One male and one female student will be chosen from each of the local high schools in Tulsa and its surrounding areas:

(Bartlesville, Owasso, Jenks, Broken Arrow, Bixy, etc.)

Now for the deets...

In order to be a senior rep for ALP, you must:

Be a senior graduating in 2012

Be camera friendly (if you hate having your picture taken this probably isn't the position for you ;)

Have a fun sense of personal style, be unique... funky even!

Live in Tulsa or it's surrounding cities/suburbs

Agree to promote Allison Lee Photo to your friends and classmates

Represent ONLY ALP & use the images from your session as your senior photos

Return a photo release signed by you and your parent/guardian

If you are a part of ALP's Senior Representative Program, you'll receive the following:

A free senior photography session

Unlimited shoot time

Two sessions (a fall/winter AND spring/summer)

A proofing gallery to select your favorite images

A CD of low-res, watermarked images to be used on your social networking page (Facebook, Myspace, blog, etc.)

50 senior rep. cards.  Each card will be personalized with your name, your photos and our business information to hand to your friends and classmates.

3 mini albums of your images to be used to show your friends and classmates (and so you can give one to mom and grandma!)

An opportunity to earn print credits and print discounts for each person you refer to Allison Lee Photo

A $50 prepaid Visa gift card will be awarded to the senior rep with the highest number of rep cards returned by January 1st, 2012 (**must be at least over 10 returned cards to qualify)

Card can be spent however you like

You'll earn referral discounts for each referral you send to Allison Lee Photo:

1-3 Referrals - 10% off print order and $20 print credit

4-6 Referrals - 10% off print order and $40 print credit

7-10 Referrals - 15% off print order and $60 print credit

11+ Referrals - High-Resolution DVD of all images from your session

All senior reps must agree with the following terms and conditions:

Senior representative sessions must be scheduled and take place before August 14, 2011.  You may schedule an initial session before August 14th and a follow-up session to take place before January 1st, 2012.  This might allow you to have the fall landscape as well as the summery Oklahoma weather in your portfolio.  Rep cards will be given to the reps before September 1st, 2011.  All students will be entered into the drawing for the $50 Visa card, but only rep cards before January 1, 2012 will count towards the drawing.  Any rep cards after January 1st, 2012 will still contribute towards your print credits and discounts, but will not count towards the Visa gift card drawing.  When your referrals book a session and pay in full, you will receive credit for that referral.

Any referral that presents your card when booking their session will receive 10% off of their senior photography session.

Be sure and tell your friends about the perks of the senior rep session.... they can sign up for the 2013 season!  Your participation in the program will not only introduce you to fun & funky, personalized photography, but wlso a way to help your parents out and earn incentives towards your session for senior portraits at little or no cost!  All students must return the aplication, including the model release, before June 30, 2011.  This program is first come, first serve so be sure to act fast if you're interested.  All reps will be contacted and announced on my blog July 13, 2011.

TO ENTER:

Please send me an email to allison@allisonleephoto.com with a photo of yourself & the school you will be graduating from (for my records)!

I will send you the full application & model release.

I can't wait to work with you!!

The Knot is Tied :: Tulsa Wedding Photographer

Luke & Jazi Tying the Knot!

Wedding Venue: First Baptist Church

Wedding Reception: Camp Loughridge

He said it was her laugh that first grabbed his attention.  They had class together in college yet the only communication he had with her was through her laugh.  She would smile and throw her head back in complete adoration for whatever it was that said to be so funny.  and this made his heart wrench a little bit.

Luke knew his interest for this girl was different than any other girl he'd admired in teh past.  This particular girl had ambition and a zest for life.  She had a career path and a love like he'd never witnessed before. 

As life would have it, Jazi noticed Luke in class and decided... why not?  She invited both he and another guy to come out with she and her friends for her 21st birthday. 

Lucky for Luke, the other contender didn't show and what started out as a nice birthday gesture blossomed into the marriage of Jazi & Luke.

You may remember these two from their chilly engagement session a few months back. 

Luke & Jazi, thank you for being amazing and open to my crazy ideas.  Congratulations.  I'm so excited for you two.

And internet, give Jazi a big high-five - she just graduated a few days ago from Medical school and is now a doctor.  Wohoo.  free medical advice!  ha.

And because every blog post is better with a slideshow, I have to oblige.

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 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.

Manic Music Monday :: Tulsa Photographer

This is going to be short because, well, we've got lots of editing to do friends! We had a SUPER fun wedding Saturday that went way into the wee morning hours, but man was it a blast. Our bride and groom lit up the dance floor and we (bride included) saw a side of the groom neither of us knew existed! You'll for sure want to see stuff from this wedding. Coming up!

I'm sure many of you watched the ACM's last night, but just in case you didn't or you missed this little number because you were running to the kitchen to grab a snack, let me show you one of the best numbers from last night. My girl Carrie!


Enjoy!






And I apologize for the all caps.  I'm trying to figure out how to fix it... Lindsey?? :)

Don't Judge a Book By It's Cover: Tulsa Wedding Photographer

Don't judge a book by it's cover.  Well, friends.  Now, I hope you judge me by my new cover!   Straight outta the box - I give you the new DVD and Case.  I spent the last few weeks designing these bad boys and am oober excited to share them with you! 

So, take a look.  Drool over them a little.  And let me know what you think!  Do you love them as much as I do??... probably not, but a girl can dream, right?!



A Big. Gigantic. Thank You: Tulsa Wedding Photographer

You all made our day.  My photography partner and I could not be more thrilled with the way you all represented yesterday.  You absolutely blew us off our seats with your eagerness for pictures!

So, thank you.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for allowing us to enter your lives and capture a small piece of what you love so dearly.

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

We cannot wait to begin working with all 158 of you!  Ya'll are the b.e.s.t.

Sweet Valentine's Day Gift Idea: Tulsa Wedding Photographer

Do you still need the perfect gift for your sweetheart?  Tired of the standard $60 roses? Don't want to spend an outrageous amount of money to impress the sox of of them? 

Today's deal on Living Social is a one hour photo session with yours truly for only $40 dollars!  With your purchase you will receive a CD of 10 images to print and an online gallery with the remaining images from your session.

I promise.  This deal is too good not to buy into! 

And the best part?  You don't even have to tell your sweetheart how much you did or did not spend on them!  A voucher will be sent to you via email and all you have to do is wrap up something cute saying you purchased a photography session for the two of you to make some memories together.

Talk about the best gift ever.  Your loved one will be extatic over this gift!  And guys, it's the easiest gift you can give!  After all, didn't you get her roses the last 3 years?  Gettin kinda old, don't ya think?

I'm just sayin.  This gift will make her eyes sparkle.  She'll think you went way out of your way and got her something extremely unique.  Dream come true.

So go buy it.  You have 24 hours until this deal expires.

To buy into my living social deal click HERE.  I promise.  You won't be disappointed.

Free? I like free stuff!!

We're mixin' it up a bit over in these parts!  Today I'm announcing a GIVEAWAY!  And honestly, who doesn't just love something free. 

This one's a little competition to see just how many fans we can get on our fan page.  Currently, as of this morning, we are at 106, good job guys!  But that's not good enough.  We want more!  muahahaha.... sorry bout that.

So to spruce things up a bit, I've designed this little gem here.

There you have it folks.  All you have to do is like our page, go to your own status and make a post about this blog offer using this link http://tinyurl.com/296h2o3 , then make a comment on this blog post below telling me you've done everything... and if you just feel like hoppin' around, you can always visit our website.  There's some pretty awesome stuff there.  That's it!  All you have to do now is tell all your friends about it.  Blog about it, tweet about it, and keep facebooking about it.  Remember, the more you tell your friends and the more they 'like' our page... the better your chances are of winning!

So here's the real sweet part.  For every 25 additional fans we receive, we will give away a 30 minute mini-session along with 10 images on a CD for your printing pleasure.  How awesome is that?  And all you have to do is post a few things!  Saweet!

Ok.  Hop to it!  We will annouce the winners next Friday, January 14th... so stay tuned!

*** Reminder.  You have to go to our fan page on Facebook and like that page to be entered.  A few of you are liking this blog post with the like button above, which is great!!, but you have to visit the actual Facebook page too.  Thanks guys!

A One Year Wedding Anniversary/First Date: Tulsa Wedding Phtographer

Please? Can you please get me in touch with Sallie, he said to her best friend. I’m leaving to fly back to Oklahoma tomorrow and I desperately need my hair cut by her. The night before he saw her amongst friends and was fascinated. By her grace. Her laughter. And simply put, her presence. It didn’t go his way though. Sallie was off the market and showed no interest in Heath. So what’s a guy to do? It’s 2010. He, like any other normal person, stalked her Facebook. He waited for that infamous moment when her relationship status changed from ‘in a relationship’ to ‘single’. And that was his chance to make his move. So instantly, he contacted her and pleaded for their first date.


Fast forward.

He knew he wanted to impress this girl. He knew he had to do something spectacular. So he called the most prestigious restaurant he could think of, and in Heath’s own words, “… you know those restaurants you want to go to but you know they next morning your bank account will be crying…” that’s where he took Sallie. Heath called the restaurant to make reservations and told the hostess he would be celebrating his one year wedding anniversary with his wife. Why? Because that’s the only possible way to get into places like that, he thought. It worked. But now that dilemma. According to his own words, he was supposed to be married to this girl, but in fact it was only their first date.

On the way to the restaurant he decided he had to confess. I have something to tell you, and she turned slowly towards him. They had only known each other a few short weeks, so this statement made her a little nervous. “I told the hostess it was our one year wedding anniversary. I’m sorry. It was the only way to get a reservation.” She busted up laughing and this is when he knew. He knew this girl was the one God created specifically to complete him. The one he wanted. The one he had to have.

As they sat at the fancy restaurant they were continuously greeted with a ‘Congratulations on your one year anniversary’ by all those that passed by, and now a year later Heath & Sallie have completed the circle and can begin their journey towards that one year wedding anniversary.

So, to Heath & Sallie. You two are amazing and I can honestly say you complete each other. For every time you laugh, the other one is smiling an endearing smile, and every time you look at one another we are all reminded of what true love is. Together you are perfect. Thank you for opening your lives and allowing me to glimpse into your special day. Oh, and thanks for letting me pretend your reception was a huge birthday party. That rocked!



I think it is a bride's right to wear a birdcage veil.  Honestly, they just make me excited.

Heath & Sallie chose to do a first look, which I love love love. Did I mention I love this? From this moment on the nerves were gone for these two and they got to relax on their wedding day!

 

 
They are a sassy group.  Let me just tell you.  Fabulous.

 
 

 
 

Big Deal. Big. Huge!

I promise I don't avoid my blog for long periods of time.  It's just that me and Mr. Blog have been on the fritz lately.  I'm sure we'll work it out, but it's touch and go at the moment.  Once we work out our issues this blog's gonna blow up like nothin you've ever seen.  I've got them all laid out - all I have to do is hit publish and you'll be on overload!  That is, if Mr. Blog and I ever work out our differences.  Let's pray that we do.

So on a completely other note.  Tomorrow's my birthday.  I get to turn another year older.  The big 2-6.  Yep.  26 my friends.  and if you know me at all you know that birthday's are a huge deal to me.  Like Tyrannosaurus Rex huge.  Ginormous.  Colossal.  Ok I'll stop.  But I love them.  Not just mine, but I equally love everyone else's too.  Probably even if I don't know you - I still love your day.  Because it's your birthday.  What's not to love?  I believe birthdays should be filled with so much celebration that whomever is having the birthday is overcome with love.  That's how it should be done.  Cake, balloons, gifts, phone calls, surprise parties ( these are the best) and pedicures.  Fine, you can leave off the pedicure if you want, but you don't know what you're missin!

And because I have the best friends around, they've decided to start celebrating with me early!  Today has been filled with flowers, gifts & cupcakes!  Watch out tomorrow.  You're gonna be awesome!

Oh, and for my innocent bride and groom tomorrow?  You watch out too.  Getting married on my birthday is flippin fantastic!  I may or may not pretend all your friends gathered at the reception are really there to help celebrate my birthday.  And I may or may not pretend that your gorgeous wedding cake is in fact my extra large birthday cake.  Where are my candles?  Oh, you want to cut my birthday cake now?  Excuuuuse me?  I think it shall be the bride.  groom.  and photographer cutting the cake tomorrow!

Here's to great friends.  birthdays.  and other people wedding celebrations that I secretly turn into my birthday parties!

Here's to you 26!

And thank you iPhone for always being there to snap a quick pic when I need one.