I feel like I’m finally out of my blogging rut, and I owe it all to my blogger besties for keeping me motivated with their words of encouragement and creative inspiration. Sevi (Ware is the Vodka) has started a fun weekend recap linkup called Monday Hangover (totally appropriate given the name of her blog)! Usually at this time of the week, I’m suffering from a Case of the Mondays and feeling like doing anything besides sitting down to write a new blog post. Monday Hangover is the perfect challenge to start the week off on the right blogging foot!
This weekend was pretty amazing. I already recapped the rainy Chocolate Walk in a previous post. Even though Friday’s storm put a damper on things, the weather cleared up just in time for a special baby shower on Saturday.
Bear with me, as I’m going to get a bit emo for a moment. (I know at least one of my loyal readers appreciates a little Stephanie angst). The most trying part of our first year as newlyweds has been setting boundaries between us and people with negative intentions towards our marriage. It’s been a painful process, and we wouldn’t have made it through the roughest patches without our friends.
It’s always a little nervewracking meeting your significant other’s friends and trying to integrate yourself into a group with shared experiences you weren’t around for, and who may be extremely protective of their friend (and/or skeptical of you). However, Holden’s group of friends immediately made me feel welcome and have continuously gone out of their way to include and support me.
As our circle of friends starts going through their own life-changing milestones, it brings me comfort and joy to know that they will be there for all of ours as well. Nadine is one of Holden’s college friends who I’m blessed to call my friend now as well. (We even have girls-only brunches every month hehe). I was honored to photograph Nadine and her husband Bassel’s wedding (the courthouse ceremony before their official celebration in Lebanon) and a few weeks ago… the gender reveal for their first baby!
Spoiler Alert: It’s a BOY!
Baby Pierre Lucas is due in July, so this weekend we threw them a couples baby shower!
The shower was safari-themed. Our friend Judy did a FANTASTIC job on the diaper cake.
It may be a little untraditional to let boys come to the baby shower, but we decided it would be more fun to have them there. I’m so glad we invited them, because it was absolutely hilarious watching them guess the size of Nadine’s baby bump, and which baby food was which. I think the most entertaining part of the shower was the chocolate diaper game!
After the baby shower, I went back into weekend warrior mode with my photography. I already posted some sneak peeks from my shoot with Hanna on Saturday. Sunday was another day filled with photo sessions, starting with Jaclyn and her amazing new hair cut and color!
My next shoot was with Dallas realtor, J.R. We took headshots outside the Winspear Opera House in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
Afterwards, I drove over to West Village for an outfit portrait session with the cutest Dallas fashion blogger, Courtney (http://courtneyandconfetti.com)). She’ll be launching a new style blog soon, so stay tuned!
My last shoot of the day was a graduation session with a gorgeous UNT senior named, Lina. When the forecast started looking stormy, we decided to postpone until next weekend. However, the sun started to peek through the clouds so we decided to go for it! I’m so glad we did. The overcast weather made for some amazing pics.
After the busy day, I was happy to come home and fall asleep to Netflix with my husband. Grateful for the precious friends and wonderful opportunities that keep my weekends so full!
Kristi Case says
The gender reveal pictures are so incredibly cute! You’re such a gifted photographer!
I love the idea of this link up as well!
KristiCase.com
Stephanie Drenka says
Thanks, Kristi!! <3 You should definitely join the link-up!! I think it's live for another two days.
Mai Lyn says
Omgosh what a busy weekend! Loved the baby shower photos and I totally get where you’re coming from in regards to boundaries. It’s amazing how people forget that some questions are really personal and none of their damn business!
Anyway, always love seeing your shots. You always make everyone look amazing. Keep it up!
Stephanie Drenka says
Thanks, Mai Lyn! Haha yea the weekend sort of flies by and then I’m sitting looking at the pics wondering how in the world I had time to take all of them??
Valery Brennan says
Ohhhh I love getting a photo from each of your shoots over the weekend! Also that shower decor is ADORABLE! Can Judy make me a diaper cake?! hahaha
Stephanie Drenka says
Hahaha I told her she needs to start a diaper cake making business and she was like hell no lol. I will have her give me tips so I can make yours!
Sevi says
Thank you so much for linking up with me! I honestly thought it was just going to be me, but my blogger besties got my back.
You will be in charge of my baby shower! Everything looks so cute!!! Oh and I am going to need to book a shoot with you and go to these fun places!
Stephanie Drenka says
Ummm I cannot WAIT to plan the shower for your darling future baby– I just really really want it to be a girl so I can buy her tutu’s!!
Lindsay says
Girl, you are TOTALLY a weekend warrior! And SUCH a talented photographer (but of course we already knew that ๐ ). That baby shower looks so fun, and I say heck yes let the boys come – one of them did, after all, help make the baby. ๐
Stephanie Drenka says
HAHAHA SO true!! I think it was good for the guys to get practice handling diapers and baby food!!
Meghan says
What a fun weekend! Love all the pics–you are SO freakin talented, girl!
Stephanie Drenka says
Thank you, Meghan <3<3<3
IttyBittyFoodies says
Gosh I love those pictures. So many milestones. How lucky are they to have you capture them! Baby shower pics were too cute, Stephanie!
Stephanie Drenka says
Thanks so much!!! It’s been so fun to get to document their story. Even more excited to take newborn pictures soon!
Kendra C says
I know those parents were so lucky to have you chronicle their baby shower and I wish that I would’ve thought of the idea. Very beautiful pictures!
Stephanie Drenka says
Aww thank you! It was tough playing hostess while trying to take pics– luckily my husband stepped in to take a few for me ^.^
Natalie Keinan says
I love seeing little snippets from all of your shoots! Every single photo always looks beautiful! Hope you got some rest after all of those photoshoots!
Natalie
http://www.thefashionhour.com
Stephanie Drenka says
Thanks, Natalie! I did haha. Much needed rest. I think I fell asleep around 8pm.
Christina says
Love your post- that baby shower looks absolutely darling and what beautiful photos (as always!) I love getting a glimpse at all of your shoots!
Christina
http://www.fitnessandfrills.com
Bella says
I love all the pics you took! It makes me miss my DSLR camera ๐
Monday Hangover sounds like the perfect name for a weekend linkup!
Thanks for linkin’ up chica ๐