Valerie Thompson
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Valerie Thompson

Cozy Fall Engagement Session at Arbor Hills

 

Katie and Bobby are Dallas transplants, and being from the northeast the weather we had for their start of fall engagement session fit pretty much perfectly. I can’t say enough good things about these two, we had so much fun together and they’re just the cutest together.

 
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engagementsValerie ThompsonSeptember 17, 2018left post, katie + bobby
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couplesValerie ThompsonSeptember 9, 2018left post, josie + tyler
 

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Pure rapture. Sometimes this job is just too easy when I’m surrounded by beautiful humans like these! They braved the cold like it ain’t no thang and their happiness and laughter were kindergarten playground level contagious. Also Remington is a hat guy, so peep that Stetson beauty.
Closeness is something I strive for in all of my sessions. I used to hover just a little too far away from my couples for these kinds of shots but I’ve started creeping in closer and I’m loving it. I also tend to shoot these kinds of moments on my 35mm lens, which means I really am right up in your grill. It’s definitely intimidating and it can be awkward for sure, but it doesn’t have to be. I try and get as comfortable with my couples as possible before we shoot - you with me and me with you. That way I’m not a stranger and there’s trust there before we even start shooting. There’s this deep honesty in something shot this close and I think that’s why we feel like we want to hide when someone gets this much in our space. But in that vulnerability, magic usually happens and the images that come out of it are so much more powerful.
Lowkey couples for days ⚡️ Guys, I’m here to tell you it’s ok to tell your wedding checklist to F off. Really. I had the loveliest chat with a bride this morning about what she wants from her wedding and what of the more traditional wedding elements she doesn’t care for, and it was hella refreshing. I’ve helped countless brides plan their weddings and i think it’s easy sometimes for couples to compare how they envision their day based on what they think weddings should look like. More often than not I think it’s easy for those of us in this industry to get caught up in questions like: first look? Sparkler exit? What are your colors? And what florals have you picked out? And our couples do too! Now, you’re talking to the MOST design driven human ever here and you bet I get excitement goosebumps every time I think about my favorite wedding color schemes and floral arrangements but these elements shouldn’t take priority on your wedding day over your marriage, and the togetherness and connection behind it all. I want to encourage all of my couples to think outside the regular wedding timeline and checklist. Take the opportunity to give your guests a little slice of your relationship. Do you guys like to hang out and listen to music? Arrange a lounge area at your reception with a record player and some of your favorite vinyls. Foodies? Put together an antipasto grazing table using some of your favorite local produce. Do you like crafting? Have your guests participate in a little diy activity (like making their wedding favors to take home). In planning this shoot, a big part of what I wanted to showcase was a completely non traditional wedding scenario. This is why we pulled together and combined parts of both the reception and the honeymoon. We had the couple’s sweetheart table set up in the entrance of this canvas bell tent where they would also spend their wedding night. Awesome for outdoorsy couples! My gurl @brookexcrawford turned me onto the Bridechilla podcast the other day and I can’t stop listening. For all my brides who don’t want to follow a Pinterest checklist and who’d prefer to keep it real, this podcast is chock full of planning tips. Tap for vendors
Mr. and Mrs. Zekert blinded by their love or also just their rad custom neon sign. These two are contagiously in love with each other. I think I caught it at their wedding on Saturday because it was in the air for sure. Or maybe it was a cold. Maybe I caught a cold instead. Idk, either way major love to these two newlyweds ⚡️and major props to @ivoryandvineeventco for the amazing setup. Seriously I can’t wait to share more!
Okay sooooo um WHAT. These humans. Are they real? I got to spend the whole day with these two yesterday. We started with breakfast and then we hopped in the car to head for Oklahoma and the Wichita mountains. They are two incredibly warm souls and the kind of connection we got to make on our car ride is the kind of connection I wish I could make with all of my couples. We talked for hours about life and goals and love and hopes and dreams and it was so refreshing. And then we got out of the car and hiked about 3 miles to the top of Mt. Scott for sunset, hiking back down in the darkness. Our bodies were sore but hearts were full to the brim. And then when I thought it couldn’t get any better, in a quiet moment on the drive back, Geron in a few tender words shared the sweetest and simplest profession of love for Brooke. These two grew through some of life’s bigger moments together, and he told her that he was just coasting until he met her, and that she had changed him and I think that in that moment I realized how lucky I am to do what I do.
Happy slow Sunday, lovers. I’m off on an adventure to take some pics in Oklahoma with @brookexcrawford and her bae. We ate breakfast together and we’re about to go on a hike and basically it’s a perfect day in my books. Tap for all the vendors on this look from our Marfa shoot!
Denton, TX
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valeriethompsonphoto@gmail.com
 

Valerie Thompson

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