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Hello 2013

Posted in 2012, Absurdly Adorable, Baby, Bride, Businesses You Should Know About, Clientele, Documented Events, Events, Family, Headshots, Her Side Project, Holiday, iPhone Photography, Katie Was Here, Kids, Personal, Professional, Scenery, Vacation, Wedding, tagged 2012, 2013, anecdotal, Austin, AWC Austin, Baby, beaver creek, Boot Whisperer, Bride, canon 5D mark III, Charleston, christmas, CO, couples, DC, Facebook, Family, friends, half marathon, Her Side Project, holiday, home, Instagram, Jamaica, kids, LIVESTRONG, nature, Negril, outdoors, Photography, photos, portraits, recap, relationship, running, SC, Texas, travel, Vacation, Washington, Wedding on January 3, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

2012 was a year of change and growth. As with every New Year, there’s something reassuring about starting anew. I’m entering 2013 feeling optimistic, calm, and forward-thinking. I can’t wait to see what this year holds! Who knows what kind of recap post I will be writing one year from now!

As always, I am thankful for your readership, your business, and your friendship. Her Side Project would not be what it is today without you.

This year:
I made new friendships (both inside and outside the office), finally set the Her Side Project Facebook Page live, started wearing new specs more often, upgraded my camera equipment to the Canon 5D Mark III (big personal/professional achievement!), celebrated the marriage of five different wonderful couples!, started running and training for my first half marathon on behalf of an extremely important person, celebrated one year with that certain special someone, attended several live music shows (noteworthy: Florence & The Machine and Joe Pug), joined and became quite active with an amazing organization (AWC Austin), cheered on the Texas Longhorns (Hook ‘Em!), attended another fab year of SXSW, met the famed Boot Whisperer!, supported my best friend as she became a mother, traveled extensively… and so much more.

Wishing you a bright year full of new beginnings.

All my love,
Katie

+++

Here are the highlights:

A sweet redheaded baby boy:

Met one of my favorite bloggers at SXSW ’12: cupcakes and cashmere.

Visited beautiful Washington, DC, Beaver Creek, CO, Charleston, SC, and NYC.

A windy Spring day.

Met a little girl with a flower in her hair.

Old family & friends in the beautiful Texas Hill Country!

Birthday twins.

“Got Smart.”

Hung out with some super fierce crime fighters.

Photographed my dear cousin’s picture-perfect family.

Celebrated some rockin’ birthday parties.

Pretty in pink portraits.

Nuptials in Jamaica, mon.

Posed with the sister: graduate edition.

Brotherly love.

Christmas: A family affair

2011 recap.

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Bridal Suite Scenery

Posted in 2011, Bride, Businesses You Should Know About, Documented Events, Events, Family, Katie Was Here, Personal, Wedding, tagged 6th street, Austin, Best Friend, Bride, getting ready, hair, Jeff Loftin Photography, makeup, Texas, The Driskill, Wedding on February 7, 2012 | 1 Comment »

On the eve of New Years Eve, my best friend Christine married the love of her life, Ryan. The glorious day began at 9am sharp, as all the bridesmaids gathered together at the Driskill hotel in downtown Austin for hair, makeup, mimosas and relaxation. Before Jeff Loftin Photography and his team showed up to document the day, I snapped a few photos while we lived the life of leisure in the bridal suite.

This hotel was the perfect. The beautiful room was full of natural light and exquisite touches. French doors swung open to greet the beautiful morning, overlooking popular 6th street. Sunny and in the low 70s, you couldn’t ask for better weather for a wedding — right in the middle of winter, too! The bed’s headboard had an elaborate design, providing a beautiful backdrop for many of the photos.

Reghan, Christine’s flower girl, hung out with the “big girls,” and even got her hair and makeup done. She’s such a doll.

Christine, you were a beautiful bride. Thank you so much for asking me to be your Maid of Honor and for your stellar friendship since 6th grade! Can’t wait to see what the future holds for more milestones and fun. I know you’ll be by my side (or at the very least, on the phone!) Love you!

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Sam & Adan: l’amour

Posted in Bride, Current Work, Engagement, tagged Austin, Bride, engagement, French, friendship, groom, marriage, Texas on October 25, 2011 | 2 Comments »

When she stepped out of the car on the day of the photo shoot I was immediately taken back to the 9th grade. Madame Dutarte’s French class. Note passing. Test taking. Talking when we weren’t supposed to be. Making plans for the upcoming school dance.

True friendship.

Only now, my friend Samantha is not 14, inviting me over to her house to watch One Tree Hill or to take a trip to Amy’s Ice Cream on Saturday. She’s 25, grown, and engaged.

I was so honored to take Sam & Adan’s engagement photos in the heart of the city where we grew up: Austin, Texas. It was great to catch up with an old friend, meet the love of her life (he’s awesome) and capture their relationship during one of the most exciting times of their lives: the year leading up to their joyous wedding.

As I told Sam when I delivered the photos, this shoot is special to me, because when you look at the pictures, you can immediately see how much they love each other. If I had to describe the tone of this session in one word, the word would be sweet. They are so, so sweet.

Congratulations Sam & Adan. Enjoy wedding planning and the many years to come as you spend your lives together. À tout à l’heure!

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Eternity

Posted in Bride, Current Work, Documented Events, Engagement, Katie Was Here, Personal, Secret Proposal, tagged Bride, Dallas, engagement, Husband, Meyerson Symphony, proposal, Rosewood Mansion, Texas, Wife on July 13, 2011 | 5 Comments »

I attended the wedding as my friend Vickie’s guest, but other than her I didn’t know a soul in the room. I sat across from a nice couple at the reception. I didn’t know them, they didn’t know me, but we talked anyway. I admired their friendship and relationship. They seemed like such a perfect fit.

Who could’ve guessed we were destined to be great friends? Countless game nights, miles and miles spent traveling on I-35, I-30, I-20, I-75 to Fort Worth, Denton, Dallas, Austin and the in-between (and four memory-filled years later) here we are. Close friends. They are people who make me happy when I’m around them. People who make me feel like the best person I can be. Amanda and Chris are the kind of people who offer the best advice and those I can always trust.

So, you can imagine when Chris asked me if I would help him propose to Amanda on July 2nd, I was beyond ecstatic. I couldn’t wait to be part of such an exciting event and honored he wanted me to be there.

The week leading up to July 2nd was a bit of a blur. Busy at work, my days were filled taking care of responsibilities in anticipation of being out of town. However, my week was also spent lying. Amanda and I communicate via email or text message daily, so keeping Saturday’s activities a secret from her was particularly challenging. Chris’s plan was to send Amanda on a scavenger hunt around Dallas before proposing, but we needed a starting point.

Using my visit as an excuse, I was responsible for getting her to commit to a brunch date and show up on time. For what was supposedly a casual outing with a friend, sticking to a strict schedule was definitely not going to be easy. Ladies – how many of you would probably show up to brunch with a close girlfriend with your hair in a ponytail and wearing old yoga pants? I’m going to guess many of you. So, as a woman who would want to look her best when proposed to, I lied to Amanda and asked her to pose for my photography portfolio to ensure she did her hair, makeup and wore a cute outfit. After a lot of convincing (and more lying), she agreed.

I arrived in Dallas and we went straight to brunch. Prepared for the “photo shoot,” Amanda looked great. She looked so great I almost thought she knew what was going on. Chris followed us, calling the restaurant and met the manager outside to pay for our meal in advance. I had the envelope containing the first clue in my camera bag, and the first chance I got I smuggled it into the back kitchen to give to our waiter.

I approached him and said, “My friend is getting proposed to today and this envelope is the first step of the process. Can you please give it to her by 12:25pm?” He happily agreed and I returned to the table, trying my hardest to have a normal conversation, enjoy my food and not be a clock watcher. Soon enough, 12:25 came around and the envelope was presented to Amanda. I couldn’t help it, I turned bright red and looked down at the table. Sort of in a confused state of shock, Amanda demanded, “Katie Shagman! What do you know?” It only took a few minutes for her to realize what this was all about and we both started crying a little bit. I’ll never forget that moment.

We read the first clue which directed us to a nail salon for complimentary manicures and pedicures, courtesy of Chris (thanks again!) It was wonderful, but took forever, so we were unable to hit the next few spots in the scavenger hunt. We went straight to the Meyerson Symphony Center in the Downtown Dallas Arts District where Chris met us and guided Amanda to a private theater. There, Ryan (Chris and Amanda’s good friend) played acoustic guitar as Chris sang Amanda a song. Up until this point I had no clue Chris could sing so well! Immediately following the song, he got down on one knee and proposed.

She said yes.

Chris gave Amanda an incredible engagement ring. It’s a band with diamonds all the way around, called an eternity band, and is so perfect for her. Although Chris had the Meyerson reserved for the proposal, there was a time limit and we had to leave pretty promptly. We left as a group and retreated to the Rosewood Mansion for celebratory drinks and amazing appetizers.

While I didn’t document the majority of the day (I was too busy living in the moment), we did steal away at the end for a couple pictures of the newly engaged couple.

My favorite part about this entire process is that through all the lying, scheming and galavanting around town, Amanda really had no idea she was about to be proposed to. Chris and I really pulled it off!

Chris & Amanda: I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. You’re wonderful people as individuals and you’re even better together. I’m so excited for your wedding next summer and look forward to making many more wonderful memories.

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Ashley & Jack

Posted in Bride, Clientele, Current Work, Engagement, tagged City, Country, Couple, engagement, Fort Worth, marriage, Wedding on July 7, 2011 | 10 Comments »

I must say, the following post is HOT. In two ways. Allow me to explain.

Not only is this couple extremely good-looking, we took their engagement pictures when it was 103 degrees outside. Do you have any idea how unbearable, uncomfortable and insane that kind of heat is to be in for two hours? Let’s just say I’m still a bit delirious from heat stroke as I type this post. We almost didn’t make it out alive, y’all.

Oh but this couple, two of my very favorite friends/people in Fort Worth, they fooled the camera. They look incredible: cool, calm and collected and not the slightest bit uncomfortable. I’d like to give a special shout out to the A/C in Jack’s truck, a small towel on hand for touchups, and the shade found on the streets of Fort Worth for making this photo shoot possible (and a success). I’d also like to thank Ashley and Jack for being so cooperative, obliging and excited at all times.

Ashley: What can I say about one of the nicest, most fun friends I’ve had the privilege to know? I’ll start with the basics: loyal friend, dangerously incredible dancer, Mexican food lover, lifesaver (both in terms of friendship and career – she’s a nurse), sweet & southern, beautiful and fun to be around. I met Ashley through my roommate in Fort Worth (Brooke) in 2008. We quickly became fast friends when Ashley was one of the first befriend me when I was new to their social circle. She went to see SATC in the theaters with me, even though she’d already seen it the very same week. She was a familiar, friendly face during my first TCU fraternity party experience. She was always ready and willing to hang out, even if it was just to sit by the pool and talk. I always looked forward to spending time with this wonderful girl when I lived in Fort Worth, and I still look forward to seeing her when I make it back up to the DFW area from time-to-time.

Jack: He and Ashley make the perfect pair. Jack is tall, I mean – really tall (6’5”), also a lifesaver (nurse – yep, you guessed it, they met at work!). He’s also funny, a good conversationalist and a country boy with city swagger (Jack, you know it’s true). When Ashley introduced me to Jack, I could tell he really liked her and I always noticed how well he treated her. I remember the beginning when he’d pick her up for first dates and watched their relationship progress as they became more serious and hardly left each other’s side. As my good friend became close to this awesome man, I couldn’t be happier for the two of them.

After getting engaged this year, Ashley told me she wanted to hire me for engagement photos. So, the first chance I got, I drove to Fort Worth and spent the evening with them all over the city (everywhere from TCU, the Stockyards, downtown and a country field!) They came prepared with several outfits for each setting and also brought a special guest for a few photos: Chester (their adorable dog).

Ashley and Jack are preparing for a beautiful destination wedding this February in the Carribean. With a little luck (and a whole lot of planning), I hope to attend! I’m excited to see what the future holds.

We may have trampled a few flowerbeds, almost run out of gas en route to the country field and cursed the Texas heat, but it was all worth it. I think these photos capture the essence of Ashley and Jack as individuals and a couple. Ash & Jack: I hope you look back on these pictures for years to come and remember exactly how you felt in these moments.

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Texas Roots

Posted in Bride, Current Events, Documented Events, Engagement, Family, Food Photography, Katie Was Here, Music, Personal, Wedding, tagged Austin, Best Friend, Bridal Shower, Bride, Bridesmaids, Celebration, Live Music Capital of the World, Texas, TX on June 3, 2011 | 6 Comments »

She may live in Cincinnati, but Christine’s roots are in Austin, Texas. It was only fitting that our fair city and hometown serve as the inspiration for our best friend’s bridal shower.

After months of planning and plotting, the big night finally arrived. From classic Texas decor to Austin inspired cookies (guitars, stars and bats anyone?) our theme was complete. Here are a few scenes from the celebration!

We love you, Christine! You’re the best friend a girl could ask for!

Special thanks to my sister, Laura, for stepping behind the camera to grab a few shots from the party. Without her, I might not be in any!

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Gorgeous and Perfect

Posted in Bride, Current Events, Personal, Wedding, tagged Bride, Dress, Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, Princess, Royal Wedding, Veil on April 29, 2011 | 1 Comment »

I didn’t take this, but how amazing would it have been to be the one who did?

I have completely fallen victim to the magic that is the Royal Wedding. “Princess Catherine Elizabeth, Duchess of Cambridge.” Has a certain something to it, no?

Flawless makeup, such poise, a beautiful voice, those sleeves!

Starstruck,
Katie

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My Best Friend Is Getting Married!

Posted in Bride, Clientele, Current Work, Engagement, Personal, tagged Austin, Bride, Buckeyes, Cincinnati, Downtown, engagement, Frost Bank, groom, Longhorns, marriage, Ohio, Photography, Red Heels, Texas on February 24, 2011 | 7 Comments »

And I’m her maid of honor! I am so thrilled to announce that one of my favorite people in the world, Christine, is engaged to the most perfect guy for her: Ryan.

After meeting in Cincinnati, OH, while attending Xavier’s PsyD program (yep, they’re gonna be doctors!), a girl from Austin, Texas and a boy from Eaton, Ohio became fast friends. After a year of study groups, attending social gatherings and working together in the student health center, they became nearly inseparable. There was something about the way Christine spoke about Ryan that made me a little suspicious of their “platonic relationship.” I detected greater feelings that she was not letting on. I remember accusing her of liking him, but she’d laugh it off and tell me I was funny (notice she never denied it). I’ll never forget the day she called me to confess her romantic interest. I had just arrived at my storage facility in Austin after making the long drive with the movers from Fort Worth. I remember Christine sharing details of their first date, and telling me how she really, really liked him. That it was different with him (in a good way), and that the transition from friendship to relationship was so easy it was hardly noticeable. All I could think was “I told you so.”

There’s something y’all should know about the significance of this engagement. I know most young girls grow up dreaming of their wedding and future husband, but this has been a main topic of conversation between C & I for many, MANY years. Through thick and thin we’ve been there for each other during exciting life milestones, sad breakups, going to different universities, etc, and while we currently live thousands of miles a part, we remain extremely close. Because of Christine I got to use a trampoline in her backyard growing up even when my parents wouldn’t buy me one. Because of Christine, I got to get my hair and makeup done at a salon in middle school for her 13th birthday party. Because of Christine, I have a first-hand understanding of what real friendship means. I couldn’t be luckier. These reasons and more are what make this engagement so special to me.

One night last Fall, shortly after Ryan popped the question, Christine and I were on one of our famous marathon phone conversations when she brought up wanting to take engagement pictures. “I’m kind of nervous! What are we going to look like? Is it going to be awkward to pose?”

I took the opportunity to reassure her. “Look,” I said, “this isn’t about making you and Ryan look really good (although that won’t be hard). This is about capturing you and Ryan as you are now, today: freshly engaged and eagerly anticipating starting the rest of your lives together.”

“Oh,” she said quietly. “I like that.”

So, as promised, I did just that: captured Christine & Ryan, just as they are today: wonderful people who are very much in love. The pops of color (including Christine’s red hot heels) and new cowboy boots for both of them truly make the pictures. Well that and their ear-to-ear grins, despite the freezing cold temperature!

Keep your fingers crossed we’re able to make the second part of the shoot happen: Cincinnati style – before the wedding this December. It’ll take some coordination and penny-pinching, but I’m determined to make it happen for my best friend.

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The Proposal

Posted in Bride, Clientele, Colleagues, Current Work, Documented Events, Engagement, Her Side Project, Secret Proposal, tagged Becker Vineyards, Bride, engagement, Fredericksburg TX, Photography, proposal on December 22, 2010 | 10 Comments »

I am pleased to present to you the story of Nick and Amy. There is only one place for me to start, and that’s at the very beginning.

I met Nick, my officemate, a year ago when I returned to our Austin location. He works in a different department than me, but we see each other occasionally in the hallway. I couldn’t hide my surprise one morning in October when he approached me about a “non work related” question. He explained he was planning to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Amy, on November 20th in Fredericksburg, Texas. He described his planning process from the past six months: picking the perfect venue (Becker Vineyards), preparing the menu for a picnic under a big oak tree on the property and collecting photographs to create a scrapbook of their entire relationship. The best part of the book? The very last page featured a photo of Amy’s best friends, taken at the vineyard, holding a sign that said “Say Yes!”

Amy’s birthday was the week of Thanksgiving, so this special trip to the heart of Texas wine country was disguised as her birthday celebration (with the scrapbook as her surprise present). Little did Amy know, the trip was to be so much more than that.

As if this story didn’t already have my attention, Nick hit me with the following:

“I’m not sure if you do this kind of photography but would you be interested in secretly taking pictures of the proposal from afar?”

I almost fainted from excitement. Would I? I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do! Completely blown away and honored that Nick would include me in this major life milestone, we began plotting the day.

Considering that it might seem strange for me to be by myself, taking pictures of Nick and Amy/weirding them out, I commissioned my friend Anne to go with me. Anne would be my “model” for our pseudo photo shoot at the vineyard. That way, I could pretend to take pictures of Anne, while really focusing beyond her on the happy couple.

Here’s how we mapped out the day:

Anne and I planned to arrive at Becker shortly before noon, scope out the property and wait for Nick and Amy to arrive.
About 30 minutes later, I would wait for Nick to send me a text message letting me know they’d arrived.
I’d stalk them and take pictures while waiting for the present to be opened after they ate lunch.
As soon as the present made an appearance, I’d photograph the entire proposal from start to finish.

In addition to all of these steps, I was also responsible for calling Nick’s best friend, Sam, to let him know when he and a group of their closest friends should arrive to celebrate after the proposal. Amy thought the trip was just going to be with Nick, so she was sure to be very surprised!

November 20th arrived and Anne and I roadtripped to Fredericksburg. We approached beautiful Becker Vineyards and the weather was just perfect.

It wasn’t very long before the VIP arrived too. In that moment, I morphed into a member of the paparazzi.

The Arrival

Unsuspecting Amy, Nervous Nick

Approaching the Picnic Site (Nick didn't even put that sign there!)

I spent a lot of time hiding behind a fence. This is what I saw.

For the next several minutes, we waited. When I grew tired of taking the same photo over and over, we grabbed some great ones of my wonderful assistant, Anne.

But although it felt like we had ample time to waste, it quickly evaporated as the gift appeared and it was business time.

Opening the Gift

The shutter rapidly clicked as I took frame after frame after frame. All of a sudden, thanks to my zoom lens, I could see the ring box in Nick’s left hand. The book was coming to an end, and the big moment was about to happen. Before I knew it, he was on one knee, Amy had her face in her hands and I was crying. That’s right – tears were streaming down my face while simultaneously taking pictures. That was a unique experience I won’t forget anytime soon.

Immediately after proposing, Nick pointed me out in the distance. Amy couldn’t believe the photographer she had been commenting about during the picnic (“Who is that? That model is pretty. I wonder what they’re taking pictures for?”) was actually there for her and had documented the entire thing. Suddenly, a group of their closest friends ran up to the picnic, completely surprising Amy.

Shortly after, Nick waved me over. I threw on my sunglasses and joined the celebration for some up close shots. From there, we launched into a full blown engagement photo shoot session (and did some group pictures too!)

At one point a ladybug landed on Amy's ring!

As we walked around the grounds taking photos, word spread around the vineyard that these two had just gotten engaged. Many people clapped and cheered as we passed by, and when a small band was playing on the porch, everyone looked on as Nick and Amy took a few moments to dance.

After awhile, we settled in the grass under the big oak tree and enjoyed a glass of wine. Amy called her mom, Nick called his dad and everyone relished in the excitement of the day. By this time, I felt as though I was part of their group, good friends with everyone. It doesn’t get much more welcoming than that.

It was the perfect ending to the most perfect day. Nick and Amy: congratulations and thank you again for inviting me to be part of your engagement. I wish you both the very best!

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Rocky Mountain Wedding

Posted in Bride, Personal, Wedding on July 15, 2010 | 3 Comments »

What do you get when you take an engaged gal, 50 of her closest family and friends and a trip to Dunton Hot Springs, CO? A fabulous four-day wedding in the mountains!

I am so honored to know Brooke and her now-husband (!) Ryan. Brooke and I lived together for a year and a half in Fort Worth. She was one of my very first friends in that city and introduced me to a great group of people I have come to love just as much as her! When she called that fateful night to tell me she was engaged, I screamed on the rooftop of the Reata. After the bridal magazines papered our living room floor for a few months and she asked me to be a bridesmaid, I couldn’t contain my excitement. As I accompanied her to boutique after boutique and she tried on wedding gowns, I had to hold back the tears. Every party, shower and phone call over the past year has been filled with happiness and anticipation. The wedding may have now come and gone, but my elation has not diminished in the slightest.

Brooke & Ryan – I wish you a lifetime of happiness. Congratulations.