Austin Wedding Photographer

May 15, 2023

Lost Mission Wedding : Jessica & Josh

I am super excited to share Jessica and Josh’s Lost Mission Wedding! As a passionate photographer, I had the privilege of capturing their special moments, and I must say, it was truly amazing. With every visit to this enchanting venue, I find myself capturing breathtaking shots that leave a lasting impression.

This time, however, was exceptional. I have dedicated myself to elevating my photography skills and refining my editing techniques to develop a consistent and unique style. By relying on two fixed lenses (58mm and 85mm), I have consciously chosen to forego the convenience of a zoom lens (24-200mm) that I typically use. This intentional gear simplification allows me to be fully present in the moment, rather than shooting from a distance. Not only does this approach enhance my interaction with clients, but it also challenges me to strive for the perfect shot. The superior quality of the images and the relief from carrying heavy equipment are undeniable benefits.

From start to finish, this wedding was an exceptional experience. The attention to detail, the radiant couple, and the picturesque time of year created an atmosphere of pure magic. Arriving two hours before the ceremony, I had the opportunity to capture precious moments of preparation and Jessica and Josh’s unforgettable first look. Witnessing Josh’s awe-struck reaction upon seeing Jessica for the first time was an unforgettable sight that will forever stay with me.

We efficiently completed all the family and wedding party shots before the ceremony commenced, allowing Jessica and Josh to enjoy extended quality time with their loved ones. The series begins with a naturally lit photo taken from the side of the chapel, where soft and moody lighting created the perfect ambiance. I seized this opportunity to create a mesmerizing image. Once the wedding day portraits were complete, it was time for the reception—a vibrant celebration filled with countless joyous moments. Selecting the shots for this collection proved challenging, as there were so many fun-filled highlights to choose from. Be sure to check out one of my personal favorites—the garter grab photo below!

Being part of this wedding was an absolute delight, and I’m thrilled to share these extraordinary photos with all of you. Join me in extending heartfelt congratulations to Jessica and Josh on their new journey together. Their love story is beautifully immortalized in these images, and I am honored to have been a part of their unforgettable day.

Contact me now to preserve your wedding day collection through my curated approach.

Lost Mission Wedding by AJH Photography, LLC 2023

April 3, 2023

South Lake Tahoe Wedding : Brian & Erika

Brian and Erika’s wedding at Valhalla Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe, CA, was a truly magical event. As a dear friend of Brian’s, I was thrilled to be part of their special day and to capture their beautiful moments through my lens. Valhalla Tahoe is an incredible venue that boasts breathtaking views, stunning gardens, and immaculate grounds. As I arrived a few days before the wedding, I was immediately struck by the beauty of the place. The California light that illuminates the area is simply breathtaking, and I was excited to capture some amazing shots. One of the things that made this wedding so special was the meticulous planning that went into it. Faith from Whimsy Events was the day-of planner, and she was amazing. Her attention to detail and professionalism was outstanding, and it made the day run smoothly. Faith was on top of everything, and I would highly recommend her to anyone planning a wedding in the Tahoe area. As I started shooting, it became clear that this was going to be a special day. The bride looked stunning in her dress, and the groom was dapper in his suit. The ceremony was held outdoors in a picturesque setting that provided a stunning backdrop for the exchange of vows. The reception was held in a beautifully decorated hall that was full of light and laughter. As a photographer, I have had the privilege of shooting weddings all over the world. But there was something special about this one. Perhaps it was the location, or maybe it was the people. Whatever it was, I felt inspired to capture every moment of the day. Looking back, I can say that this was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever shot. The love and joy that was present in the air was palpable, and it was an honor to be part of it. It was also great to catch up with Brian and see him so happy with his beautiful bride. In conclusion, Brian and Erika’s wedding at Valhalla Tahoe was a truly magical event. The location was stunning, the planners were exceptional, and the couple was beautiful. I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of this special day, and I hope that the photos I took will help Brian and Erika cherish their memories forever.

March 21, 2023

Arkansas Wedding : Carson & Angelo

Carson & Angelo had their Thorncrown Chapel Wedding on March 12, 2020. I have always wanted to shoot at this amazing place. I saw the chapel for the first time early in my career on Pinterest. From that moment, I always thought how amazing it would be to have the opportunity to photograph a wedding out there. I arrived in Northwest Arkansas the day before the wedding and made my way to the Crescent Hotel & Spa located in Eureka Springs, AK to get settled in. This place was amazing. Bult in 1886, this was one of the most magnificent hotels in America. Even by today’s standard, this hotel is truly spectacular. The day I arrived was the real beginning of the COVID-19 crisis that brought our country to a grinding halt. Luckily, I was able to take my mind off all of that stuff, and focus on documenting this one of a kind celebration. We kicked the wedding day off with some getting ready shots. Once those were all wrapped up, we made out way to the chapel. I must say, the lighting in the space was pretty challenging. Luckily, I was able to make speedy adjustments exposing for the right values with the constantly changing light. The whole time I was shooting the ceremony, I was thinking about what I wanted to accomplish with Carson & Angelos’s wedding portraits. I am super proud of how they turned out. The first shot in this post is my favorite. All of the fancy flash work and composite stitching is exciting and impressive, but there is very little that can compete with quality natural light. There was so much color in that forest, that I really needed to take advantage of everything it had to offer. After we wrapped up all of the natural lighting stuff, I had to do a few flash composites. Make sure and check out the last image in the series for my favorite composite from the day. After we got everything wrapped up, we made our way to the reception for the remainder of the evening. This was an truly amazing day, and I love how this collection turned out. Many congrats to Carson & Angelo!

Thorncrown Chapel Wedding

Arkansas Wedding Photography by AJH Photography 2020

February 19, 2023

St. Anthony Hotel Wedding : Rochelle & Jonathan

Rochelle & Jonathan got married at San Fernando Cathedral and their reception followed at the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio, TX. This was a fantastic day and an absolutely beautiful wedding. I really love shooting at San Fernando. It is one of the prettiest churches I have photographed, and it is always a pleasure visiting that marvelous space. We started the day at St. Anthony for some getting ready shots. After I bounced back and forth between the bridal suite and groom’s room, we headed to the church for some pre-ceremony photography. Once we were ready to rock, the ceremony kicked off. The lighting in that church is tremendous. It glows golden light everywhere and has a really fantastic perspective at the back, for some high up shots. The first photo in the series is a three image flash composite of Rochelle & Jonathan in front of the cathedral. I focused the light for the first image on their faces, and the second blast was concentrated on her cathedral veil. My assistant tossed the veil, giving the illusion of a wind gust. Once it was patched together over my base image, it came out awesome. I am a huge fan of executing those really complex photos that pop! It is certainly challenging, but it gives those images a unique property that would otherwise be impossible. Although it sounds really time-consuming, it only took about 2 minutes. The key is to have the plan in advance rather than just winging it 🙂

After we left the church, we headed to the hotel for some more photos, as well as the reception. We started off on the top deck of St. Anthony for some wedding party shots as well as a few images of Jonathan & Rochelle. After we wrapped all of that up, it was party time. These guys had an absolute blast, and I am honored to have been included in their wedding day.

Many congrats to Rochelle & Jonathan!

-Arol

St. Anthony Hotel Wedding

February 18, 2023

Ma Maison Wedding : Yisel & Ali

This was an absolutely stunning wedding. The decor, the venue, the bluebonnets, the couple. I could go on about this one! I arrived about two hours before the ceremony for some getting ready shots of the ladies in the bridal suite. The getting ready images are some of my favorites fro the day. The dramatic lighting made for some high contrast images that really pop. After we wrapped up the getting ready photos, it was ceremony time. This venue is wonderful because you have several options when it comes to ceremony location. This spot is a close tie with the other outdoor location that I have photographed. After the wedding ceremony was wrapped up, I shot all family photos as well as Yisel and Ali’s wedding day portraits. We took advantage of several spots on the grounds, but it was hard to move away from all of the amazing bluebonnets that were in bloom. Ali & Yisel are a seriously good looking couple. I knew that they would photograph well, but this was just ridiculous. I was really excited when it was time for the reception. Tracy Collins did a tremendous job designing and managing the reception. The decor oozed class, and the space was a thing of art. The gold and white layers really gave this reception a sophisticated and elegant look that looked incredible in front of the camera. After the details shots were taken, Ali & Yisel made their grand entrance and went strait into their first dance as husband and wife. Joel with Greenbelt DJ kicked off the party and kept it going hard all night. This wedding was one to remember and I am excited to share a few of my favorites with you all. Enjoy the collection and feel free to share them with your friends and family. Many congrats to Ali & Yisel!

Ma Maison Wedding by AJH Photography, LLC 2018