The Outlaw Family | Austin Family Photographer

I was 15 years old when I met Ashley (Binner) Outlaw, which means that we've known one another for almost 15 years now.  Wow, sorry friend that I just gave away the fact that we'll both see 30 this April. ;)

I can't always recall the first time that I meet someone, although I'd like to - I just have a pretty awful memory that way. However, my memory is crystal clear in regards to the first day that I met Ashley. Two weeks before I started my sophomore year at West High School, I had the oh-so-pleasant task of having to walk through the entire football team to get to the gym for volleyball try-outs. Just try to make yourself invisible while walking through a tunnel of boys in their padded uniforms . . . awful. As I rounded the corner, there in the bleachers were rows upon rows of girls . . . just staring at me as Coach Young introduced me as the "new girl from Austin". Gulp.

Needless to say, I thankfully made it through our first practice and as I was leaving the gym, Ashley ran over to me and introduced herself. She asked if I'd be up for swimming at her friend Brooke's house and if I needed a ride, then they could give me a lift. Imagine making friends like this two weeks before school even began, they were my lifesavers. Ashley and Brooke were the first friends I made in West and I owe them so much in making my high school experience a great one. How many people can say that they actually loved high school? I'm so thankful that they took a chance on me and took me under their wings that year, I will forever have a special place in my heart for them.

Speaking of taking chances, Ashley was the first of my friends to reach out to me in asking if I would take pictures of she and her oh-so-charismatic and adorable son, Jace. She took a chance on me, knowing that I hadn't been at this whole picture taking business for long and for that I am truly grateful. She was also the first to turn one of my images below into her Christmas card this year!

I had such a great time on this shoot. If you can't tell by the photos below, Jace is quite the character and just so lovable. It's extremely apparent that they equally adore one another and both share an affection for laughter. Jace decided half-way through that the huge blue ball he brought along for the shoot was becoming an annoyance, so he sneakily threw it into Lady Bird Lake, along with his socks. Ha! She shrugged it off as any patient mom would do. Ashley has the toughest job imaginable - single parenthood. I commend her for her strength and admire her sweet, fun spirit. She loves this boy with her entire being and for that, she gets my vote for "Mother of the Year".

Thank you, Ashley for being a dear friend to me over the years and I only hope that we can spend more time together and definitely make up for lost time. Love you, sweet friend.

Best wishes,

kelley denby photography

Amanda + Dieter | Engagements | Dallas Engagement Photographer

My oldest sister, Amanda is marrying Dieter this October and I couldn't be happier for them. They're the type of couple who you just want to be around, because they're a ton of fun, hysterical, understanding, loving and EXTREMELY generous.

They took a chance on me last April in allowing me to take their engagement pictures and although these didn't turn out 100% to my liking, since I had just received my new Canon 50D a week prior - I thought I would share them regardless. Fortunately, they were happy with them and that's all that really matters in the end.

More to come of Amanda in her bridal pics this September.

Congratulations you two, I love you more than words.

Best wishes,
kelley denby photography

Spring Forward?

Lately it's felt more like Spring than Winter, if you don't factor in the random snow days that occurred a couple of weeks ago. My co-worker and I were joking about how bi-polar the weather is in Texas, but when we have evenings like the one yesterday, all is definitely forgiven for its indecisiveness. 

Spring is my absolute favorite time of year and not just because my birthday falls smack dab in the middle of it either . . . well, maybe that has a little something to do with it. Because it's on its way, it made me think of last Spring and how the field (aka: drainage ditch) in front of our home is basically a dog park for us and our neighborhood. Last year was our first Spring in our home and before we knew it the entire field was full of Bluebonnets. It's not much to look at right now, but it didn't stop our teenage neighbors from skateboarding in the cul-de-sac late this afternoon and before we knew it there were neighbors all around us, talking and having an impromptu great time. It's the kind of neighborhood that we didn't expect to find in South Austin. For one thing, we have three sets of neighbors surrounding us who are around our same age - all dog owners and all are who I would now consider our friends. Lucky doesn't even cut it. 

The photos below are of last Spring on one of those random evenings we were in the field. I don't know about you, but our pre-teen and teenage neighbors, who are brothers are some of the coolest, most friendly boys we know (besides Ethan of course). Caleb, the youngest is always popping over to talk to Kris or I, asking if he can help us with anything and honestly just likes to talk . . . a lot. His older brother, who Caleb refers to as "Brother" (we still don't know his name, I think it's Brandon?) doesn't talk that much at all, but from what we've seen, he's a really sweet older brother to Caleb, most of the time at least. It's just nice to see them outside as opposed to playing Call of Duty Black Ops all weekend/night long, which they did say that's how they prefer to spend most of their time (as does Ethan). Some people think that kids aren't what they used to be, that they're all pasty, unadventurous, video obsessed, phone carrying punks, but these guys prove that theory wrong all the time and I'm so glad for it.

Here is one of those impromptu evenings that reminds me of just how fortunate I am for our home and for our neighbors, including Caleb and Brother. 

Spring forward? Yes, please.

  

Best wishes,
kelley denby photography

The Davis Family | Austin Family Photographer

I met Mark and Mindy . . . 

Wait, I know what you're thinking . . . you don't even have to say it, but I know that all you're thinking right now is, "Mork and Mindy, Mork and Mindy - Nanu Nanu". I know this, because when I first met them six years ago at The Broken Spoke, that's all that was running through my head as well.

Mark and Mindy came into my life via Kris and I must say that the night I first met them at Mindy's birthday party all those years ago I thought two things: "Mork and Mindy - Nanu Nanu" and "Jeez, I really hope Mindy likes me, because she's pretty protective over my new boyfriend, Kris (who just happened to be her best guy friend since their days at La Grange High School). Luckily, since I was forced by my mom at the age of 15 to move from Austin to West (yes, the town where you stop to buy Kolaches at Czech Stop off of I-35) it taught me a thing or two about keeping a low profile and not coming on too strong with over-protective, small town girls who want the best for their closest guy friend. 

To make a very long story short, I eventually won Mindy over and can say that she is one of my dearest friends. We may not talk every day, but she's the kind of friend who you can pick back up with months later (that is if she hasn't put you in the gap) and it's as though not one day has passed since you last saw one another. Mark has been a true-blue friend to Kris since those La Grange High School days and even though I almost killed Mark a couple of years ago (ANOTHER long story) they managed to forgive me and still want to hang out with us. Amazing. :)

The interesting thing about Mark and Mindy is that they met 21 years ago this evening at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in La Grange at a Valentine's Day dance. To help you with the math, they were definitely in middle school, if Mark's Batman shirt he was wearing that night is any indication.

I have never met a more devoted, strong, fun-loving, adventurous, and thoughtful couple than these two and I had the honor of taking their family pictures a few months ago. I hadn't spent much time with their daughters, Halle and Keslyn, but it didn't take them long to warm up and start having fun. This was one of my most favorite shoots, because what's not to love about the Davis family? They've been through 21 years of ups and downs, of lows and highs, just like every couple, but they remain true to one another and focused on their union as partners and loving parents in this crazy world. The love just oozes out of all four of them and when you shoot a family like this, they just make it that much easier for you.

So, congratulations Mork . . . dang it, I mean Mark and Mindy on the night it all began and here's to many, many more good times ahead. You guys are an inspiration to us all and we're so thankful for your friendship!

Told you that love just oozes out of them. :)

Love always,

kelley denby photography