Jess Barfield Photography

I've known these two separately for years and now that they are together, they are two of the happiest people I know (they have always been happy but now it's multiplied by about 2,459 and they are disgustingly adorable together).  Walker and I shared a glorious Waco summer together in 2008 while both in summer school at Baylor and got to be great friends.  I know I say this a lot on my blog but it's just the truth: the sweetest kind of happiness is when you're happy for your friends. Walker and Katie: I am seriously happy for you. Love y'all.  J

It's been a big week for me. Lots of changes and lots of things going on.  God gave me a bit of perspective last weekend on a visit to one of my favorite places in the world. Blake and I visited my grandparents out in the Texas hill country this past week after shooting a wedding in San Antonio. We laughed, we ate, we joked  - which are many of the reasons I love my grandparents so dearly.  Each time I visit my grandparents, I take time to go sit in the guest room and look through our family photo albums (this time was with Blake).  We looked through my grandma's years at Baylor (sic 'em!) and my granddad's years at A&M. I've been looking through these simple black and white pictures since I was a kid and I can't seem to get them out of my head when I'm out creating images with my camera.  They have really made an impression on how I approach what I do. They are timeless. They are precious. They captured my grandparents' hearts and I cherish them.  Everyone has these pictures tucked around the house somewhere.  Take some time to pull them out and look at why we take pictures. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1200" caption="My great-grandmother, Marie. My namesake. "][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1200" caption="My great-grandfather is on the far left in our family's tailor shop in Rising Star, TX. "][/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1200" caption="My grandfather was and is the coolest guy I know (right up there with Blake)."][/caption]

Waco Hall.

I like to think that this was my grandma's first day at Baylor -- "Move In Day 1950" if you will?

We spent this past weekend in San Antonio celebrating a gorgeous wedding with old friends from Baylor! Lizzie and Jon are dear friends and their wedding day could not have been better (ok, maybe there could have been a bit more sunshine!) the church was beautiful, dating back to the late 19th century; the reception was a blast and detailed to perfection; most importantly the happy couple are a pure match and I'm thankful to count them as my friends. Church: St. Mark's Episcopal Church Band: Blind Date Reception: Westin River Walk Second Shooter: Taylor Lord Assistant: Kimberly Chau ** REMEMBER: Comment on this post and I will send you a link to the full gallery in 4-5 weeks! Lizzie: you are beautiful inside and out and I feel very fortunate to be your friend.  I'll be your wardrobe assistant anytime : ) -J

Southern Living Weddings Special Edition will hit newsstands next Friday, January 21st!

Buy a copy to see photographs of Luke and Caroline's beautiful Camp Waldemar wedding!