Lynn Michelle

As a computer science major, one of the suggested requirements to graduate was to get involved in an extra curricular activity on campus. I thought the newspaper would be the place for me - I had always been commended for my writing skills and I had just left my post as head of our rogue high school newspaper.

The conversation with the editor did not go as planned; she was insistent upon needing a photographer and I just wanted to write. I guess I wore her down, she let me submit a story - a humorous tale about the parking situation at school. It had the laughs, tears, and pizazz of an award-winning article. It would change the world! But it never got published. Instead, she handed me a camera and ushered me out the door for my first assignment.

And that's how I became a photographer. I don't have a great story about growing up with a camera in my hand. My life on the newspaper was an anything but a glamorous array of rolled film (yes, I said the f word), developer and deadlines.

Here I am 12 [eek] years later and I can say that this is exactly where I want to be and I shoot fabulous people.



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Lauren & Rob’s Wedding

caught up with Lauren at Haute Facade, where Amy was putting the final touches on her hair. I ended up getting to the Dallas Arboretum before the rest of my crew arrived so I scouted out portrait locations. Knowing it was going to be a scorcher, I was trying to combine the scenery, a close location, and lots of shade. My first choice was vetoed a few minutes later when the guys arrived to start setting up chairs. Drats, location #2 scouting began! Luckily, it was only a few feet away and actually EVEN more beautiful, which I realized after the golf cart was moved out of my way:)

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Vivian and Nancy ran off with Lauren’s accessories and dress as Tracie and I, um, kept the girls company in the air conditioned reception room.

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

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Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Yep, everyone was gleefully giddy!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob wanted a picture of all of their guests for their album! LOVE!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Light play – ’cause that’s how I roll.

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

The YMCA is MUCH more exciting with this group!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

And The ROBot, too!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arborteum Wedding

The Fabulous Vendors

[ hair & makeup ] Haute Facade, Amy Doty

[ location ] Dallas Arboretum, Rosine Garden & Rosine Hall

[ officiant ] Love Notes Weddings, Marty Younkin

[ flowers ] A Stylish Soiree

[ Quartet ] Forte Strings

[ cake ] Delicious Cakes

[ catering ] Two Sisters Catering

[ dj ] Dave from London

[ coorindator ] Altar Ego Weddings

[ photo booth ] Create the Memories Photobooth

[ videography ] Cake Video

Lauren & Rob’s Big Reveal & Portraits

I was anxious all morning about the weather. It was the first Saturday that I wasn’t worrying about rain, my new concerns now have turned to the heat. If I haven’t mentioned it yet, it was only 1000 degrees outside. I was crazy worried about having a grumpy bridal party, bride and groom on my hands. Nope! Everyone eager and excited! Ok, maybe eager and excited to get out of the heat, but nonetheless they were eager and excited!

Lauren and Rob opted to calm the jitters by seeing each other before the ceremony and starting on pictures.

First, we set Rob up under a tree and asked him to cover his eyes.

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

I went to get Lauren, pointed her towards Rob and said “go!”

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lauren made a run for it and tapped him on the shoulder.

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding
Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lots of hugging and smiling ensued.

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding
Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

From there we found some really big, shady trees for some portraits!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding
Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Of course we had the bridal party join in! They are, literally, a hot bunch!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding
Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

A little family love.

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

The mom’s looked especially stunning!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

And both grandmothers were super feisty, which I love!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Hello Red Raiders!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

I’ve come to the conclusion that all bridal parties need props. It’s hula hoops for this one!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

And just because you can never have enough of a good thing, we scheduled a mini portrait session to capture the sunset. Oops, no sunset today, but we still frolicked around the Arboretum and enjoyed the amazingly blue (straight out of camera!) sky!

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Lauren & Rob's Dallas Arboretum Wedding

Ally & Brandon’s E-pics

I met Ally a few months ago after quite an email exchange. I knew from the start that we were going to have a grand ‘ole time together and it didn’t hurt that she was the sister of one of Vivian’s good friends. As usual, we met the other half for the first time the afternoon of their engagement pictures – Brandon proved to be fun times as well.

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally had requested a graduation outfit picture to replace the ones that she didn’t particular enjoy from their graduation – I didn’t take the first batch, that’s why ;) .

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

I squealed with joy when they pulled into the driveway with an electric green Jeep. What’s more fun than an electric green Jeep and a sexy sunset for engagement pictures? Few things, that’s what!

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Then some jumping/flash gunning fun.

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

And, finally, I brought super soakers!

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Ally & Brandon's Valley Ranch engagement pictures

Megan’s McKinney bridals

Months and months ago I received a phone call from Megan. She had run into a former bride of mine named Stacia who convinced her to call me for bridal portraits. And I don’t mean, “ran into Stacia” like she had ever met her before in her life, this was a completely stranger telling her that she had to call me! Stacia’s name not seem familiar to you blog stalkers? I shot her in September of 2004, (way before the bliggity blog was up) … and she’s still out there singing my praises! Gosh, I love my brides!

So let’s get back to Megan. Megan booked me sight unseen for bridals and I suggested that the Cottonmill in McKinney was the place for her to do bridals. She was very excited. Months later we found ourselves in McKinney, in the middle of June, warm as warm can be but Megan didn’t panic – she all happiness & smiles … and she brought YELLOW shoes!!! LOVE!!!!

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography 568287109 Dezqd M Megans McKinney bridals

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography

Megan's McKinney bridal portraits by Lynn Michelle Photography

The definitive guide to Dallas Fort Worth Engagements & Bridals

I’ve added a tab for engagement and bridal portrait information here on the very blog that you are perusing – it’s in the drop down box under weddings. [Are you RSSing or Google Readering? Well come over and take a look!]

See it? It’s right there … a little to the right … a little to the left .. now up, up, up!

dallas and fort worth engagement and bridal information guide by Lynn Michelle Photography

Alright, so maybe not THE definitive guide, but it’s pretty awesome done if I may say so myself. O wait, I just did.

If you think I’ve missed a crazy important detail or want to add some of your own wisdom & silliness, let me know by leaving a comment. Or emailing me. I know you have my email saved under your favorites, right?