UL Alumni Center Maternity /// Brittany + Justin

These two are very dear to me. Brittany and Justin were my first ever engagement session! Justin is also Brandon's childhood friend, and was the best man in our wedding!

We photographed their wedding, and now are photographing their growing family! Justin and Brandon grew up together, and now their sons will as well!! How cool is that??!!

Here's a peek into our day at the UL Alumni Center. How gorgeous are these two?!

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Karen and Jason -- Wedding Part 2

Their wedding day started with a groomsman football huddle.

And ended with a "Who Dat" chant and 2nd Line.

A day to remember for sure!

After a ceremony at St. John's Cathedral in Lafayette,

(you can see it here)

Everyone headed to Grand Coteau Ballroom for dancing and CAKE!

How gorgeous is this cake?!!

I loved the personal touches throughout the day.

Karen's bracelet with rose petals inside, the groom's cake, the fleur de lis accents, the cake-pull, the customized umbrellas and rags for 2nd Line -- to name a few.

I love cake-pulls! It's always fun seeing who gets the ring!

The groom's cake... WOW!

How gorgeous are these three sisters?! You should have seen them boogie on the dance floor! 

May your day always start with a huddle and end with 2nd Line!

To see more of Karen and Jason, visit their wedding website:

http://karenandjason.photographybyjms.com/

www.photographybyjms.com

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With You Through Life -- Louisiana Woodmen of the World Jurisdictional Convention

     I always look forward to the Louisiana Jurisdictional Conventions.  Every two years, members of Woodmen of the World from across the state gather to enjoy great food, great friends, fraternalism and outstanding patriotism.

     In the days of yesteryear, you were greeted with Sovereign, secret passwords, and gestures.  While those formalities may have been lost today, you are still greeted with just as many hugs and smiles as if you were long lost relatives.  Woodmen really is an extension of family.  A family fraternity.  A family of fraternalists that are dedicated to helping others.  Together.  Fraternalists that have a strong sense of American Pride and Patriotism.  As one of the nations leading fraternal benefit societies, Woodmen of the World strives to provide it's members with financial security through every stage in life.  Woodmen is also one of the nations leading provider of American Flags (second only to the US Government). 


     This year I worked with the New Roads Woodmen and helped out with the pre-convention festivities.  Ok, ok. I took more pictures than I did work.  This is a hard working, dedicated group of fraternalists that I am proud to be a part of.
 
And the FOOD!? AH-mazing.
 

 

 

 

One of the main attractions (aside from the cracklin's) is the pulled bread made by the ladies of the New Roads Lodge.  I mean, who doesn't love fried dough with powdered sugar on top?!

 

Our fabulous President of the Ladies Lodge, Kathy, always working.  Your hard work and dedication is an inspiration to Woodmen everywhere.

I love the smells during the Louisiana Jurisdictional Woodmen Convention.  Oh if only this was scratch-n-sniff...

Saturday brings the Official opening of the Convention.  And with that, meetings.  I love hearing the report from the Jurisdictional President.  Hearing about the fabulous time they've had meeting other fraternalists and traveling around the state.  The President's Message from Home Office is a welcome sight as well.  It's overwhelming to hear about the financial security and community involvement Woodmen has had over the past couple of years since the last convention.  Disaster relief (partnered with the Red Cross), American Flag dedications, donations and presentations, and other volunteer community service. 
 
Then the Banquet.  I always look forward to seeing the Jurisdictional Officers parade in.  Ever since I was a little girl.  All dressed up and holding hands with my Grandfather and Dad at our banquet table.  Sharing hot tea with my Grandmother while everyone else sipped their coffee.  This year, the spirit of my Grandfather and Dad hugged the room.  Both amazing fraternalists of the past.  I sipped my hot tea while holding my Grandmother's hand.
 

The delegates of the men's and women's New Roads Lodges (minus the Jurisdictional Officers)

 
You can see more of my Louisiana Jurisdictional Woodmen of the World Convention pictures here Pin It

It's Carnival Time

Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday. Masquerade. Carnival.  Whatever you call it, it's an adventure you're sure to not forget. The gorgeous King and Queen with their elaborate attire.  The Ball, where everyone feels like a princess or prince.  The Masquerade. 

King Cake. Oh, the King Cake!  I could live off of King Cake during the Mardi Gras Season.  If you haven't tried this heavenly confection, you most certainly should!  Best. Cake. Ever.  It's become a tradition that I get a King Cake for my birthday every year.

There are no shortage of parades on the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras Day.  The beads thrown today are not like the 'real glass' beads of the past.  Those were amazing!  These days it's all about the 'big beads'.  The shinier the better.  Non traditional colors and shapes will get the crowd screaming as well.  "Throw me somethin' Mister!"  This year, I was able to go to a small school parade for the amazing 'King Dirk'.

What the tourists don't see, is behind the scenes of Mardi Gras.  The comrodery of the locals.  The life long bonds and friendships of being in a Mardi Gras Krewe.  The planning.  The preperation.  The work.  The hard work.

Ever since I was a young child, we would go to the New Roads parade and spend time with the local members of the Woodmen of the World.  The fellowship and fraternalisim there are second to none.  My Grandfather would work in one of the Woodmen booths with his friends.  Jambalaya, Hamburgers, Nachos.  The smells of Carnival Time!  I was fascinated by the marching bands and the elaborate floats in the parades.  For the past several years, I have had the pleasure of working on the Woodmen of the World float in that very same parade.  The one I had a fascination with all those years before.  I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to share the Mardi Gras Season with. 

Thank you, men and women of the New Roads Woodmen of the World, for sharing another Mardi Gras Season with me. Your hard work, dedication, and fraternalism are truly an inspiration to all.

http://www.photographybyjms.com/

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Because I wasn't born yet

My phone rang. "Am I the first?!".  It was Aunt Cindy.  She's always always the first to call me and wish me Happy Birthday.  I had gotten a couple of texts earlier (one from a very dear friend whom I don't see nearly often enough) but I love voices.  I lay in bed. Staring at the ceiling. A dog under each arm.  Do I really have to get older?

The phone rings again. Mitch.  Happy Birthday comes from the other end.  Along with "why won't your Mom talk to you?" Because I'm not born yet. He laughs.  I love the little things my Mom does on my birthday.  One of the things is that she refuses to talk to me before 11:15 am.

Because I'm not born yet.

"Happy Birthday!" comes through the phone again.  Mom this time.  Because I was born :)

Jess calls.  "Happy Birthday!"  My sister gets on my last nerve sometimes, but I do love her.

Another call. Music fills the room and hugs me with warmth. Off key notes with a southern flare to them ring out.  I love it when my Grandmother sings to me.  I hear another voice singing.  Mom is with her.  They are both singing  "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Running, Jumping Kid and Sweet Pea..."  She says she waited until I was born.


I couldn't have had a better 29th birthday.  Because I was born.

http://www.photographybyjms.com/

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