I hope I’m not incorrect in assuming that the internet is excited for me to post this session as I am thrilled to share it. When I posted a sneak peek from Angela & Garrett’s engagement session on the McG FB page last week, we broke the record for likes and comments on a single image from that page. It swelled our hearts up near to bursting to have that kind of response to an image we’d worked so hard on. Believe it when I say that nothing about that image was left to chance… we needed that amazing sunset, but we had to know what to do once we got it. 🙂
And really, that’s the secret behind this session. INTENT. Angela & Garrett are insanely in love with each other, and chose to celebrate their love in the town where they both grew up. We chose the season mindfully. We chose the time of day mindfully. And when the session started, this incredible couple put themselves entirely in our hands, and told us to do “what we do best”. I am proud to say that by working together, the four of us truly created some magic in Shiner, TX last week, the results of which are some of my favorite engagement portraits in McG history.
We are shutting down our 2012 wedding season with Angela & Garrett, as the sweethearts become Mr. & Mrs. in their hometown this December. Their love story and the start of their new journey will be celebrated with the biggest crowd we’ve ever photographed at a wedding, but having just been around this couple for one day, I can already tell you they’ll be in their own world. When Angela & Garrett are together, that’s what matters… that they are together. It’s heart-warming to see, and stunning to photograph.
What can I say? We just have the very best job in the world.
We started our session at the West House in Shiner, TX, which is a historic property with a home built in the 1800s, and a really amazing barn. Kudos to Angela for securing permission for us to shoot at this site out in the boonies… it was absolutely perfect.
It’s such a shame Angela & Garrett aren’t great looking, right? I mean, life must be really hard when you’re so hideous. (if you didn’t read that sarcastically, we’re not friends.)
Ok, so, I probably spent too much time shooting at our first location. By the time we realized what was happening, we were pretty much swallowed up in a very intense black scary amazing storm front. We decided that the sunset pictures we wanted to capture at Angela’s family farm probably weren’t going to happen, so we switched plans and went to Garrett’s family’s homestead where the storm clouds would be on full display.
Angela said, “What happens if it starts raining?”
I replied, “We get wet.”
Angela grinned and said, “I like it.”
I repeat… the clouds are NOT Photoshop magic. God just gave us a mind-bendingly amazing sky.
And then, as quick as it blew in, the storm system dissipated. I’d already called wrap on our shoot, but I looked at Mack and said, “If we hurry, we can catch sunset on the dock.” Garrett drove us as quick as he could, and then… oh my friends, THEN. The angels absolutely sang, and gave us one of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve ever seen.
If you’re not affected by that, dear blog reader, then your eyes are broken.
Angela & Garrett, what you gave us last week was a gift. Beyond just the pleasure of your company making this shoot a joy, you also set us free to try new things and stretch our creative wings and create the kind of images that fulfill us as artists. We hope you love these as much as we do… more, if at all possible. 🙂
Blogstalkers, don’t stay quiet today. Come out of the woodwork! Comment! I see the traffic, I know you’re out there. We’d LOVE to hear what you think!
I absolutely cannot choose a favorite… or twelve. This shoot is incredible. When I think of your fabulous photo shoots, I think of your sunflare and your gorgeous gift of capturing the tickly feeling that sunshine gives you. But this, THIS is to. die. for. Sitting here at work, eating my granola bar, these images stopped my chew in its tracks more than twice. Those emotional clouds are breathtaking and that sunset is like none I have ever seen (and I see a lot working nights from the 11th floor). I love every shot in front of the barbed wire fence. I love the one where he is lifting her (the one with the moody clouds). I love the B&W one of them standing facing away from each other in the field. I LOVE the one in front of that house. I love the one of them kissing in the sunflowers. I love the far away one of them in front of the tractor with the barn. Seriously, I could keep going… Angela and Garrett, I don’t know you, but you are both GORGEOUS and look like you were really REALLY made to love each other forever. C&M- holy moly, some of the best pictures of all time. ever. A giant bravo to everyone involved in making this shoot legendary!! (And for officially making me type my longest, blog-stalkiest post ever!!!!!!)
Oh my goodness! These are amazing and I have the same problem…I can’t choose a favorite!
It’s gonna be a good Monday – my mind is BLOWN at 7 am. Picking a favorite would be painful. Those are some of my all-time favorite McG pictures though – insanely gorgeous!
Gorgeous location, gorgeous people, and gorgeous storm system. What more could you ask for? I am still in love with the dock sneak you posted. It may be my favorite e-pic yet ;p
I am going to come out of stalker mode to say that this is pretty much my favest shoot to-date! WHAT! All those cloud pics should be in “Best of McG” for 2012! Amazing work.
Love. Love. Love.
Absolutely stunning! Great work to you both for capturing such awesome moments, but to happy couple a big congrats as well!
Magical! Seriously those are the words! These are insanely good… The colors are so striking it almost doesn’t even look real, there can’t be a favorite because how do you pick out of that! They are so good, amazing jon McG!
Un. Be. Lieve. Able. WOW!
Thank goodness I’m working from home today because I let out a gasp, and then a squeal, and then I did the Ron Washington running-in-place dance… SOOOOO gorgeous!
I’m not ashamed to say that I checked your blog before my e-mail or facebook, your sneak peek had me! I agree, a favorite is hard to pick. I love the fact that even when they are looking away from each other, there is something about their stance and expression that still says they are happy to just be holding hands, I love the colors, I love the clouds. . . great shots!
WOW!!! These are absolutely stunning!
Gasp! The first shot on the dock literally made me gasp. Each shot is PERFECTION! And you’re right . . . life must be HARD when you’re so hideous.
OH. MY. GOSH. I am completely blown away by this awesomeness! I am almost crying here at work! It’s so good to see my friend so happy and in love and I’m so happy that McG is a part of that! These pictures are AMAZING!!! Angela, you’re absolutley beautiful and Garrett is a lucky guy! McG – you captured their relationship perfectly! Perfect couple; perfect setting; perfect photographers. *Tears of Happiness!!* I love ALL of them of course, but some of my favs are 26, 37, 43 and 44. And 46. And 39…you get the idea. LOVE LOVE LOVE! Cannot wait until December and cannot wait to see Bridal pictures!!
Amazing!!! Simply amazing. Just gorgeous, Chelsea. LOVE these. 😀
WOW! Your talent, their beauty, the locations, the sky… wow!
So I just love all the pictures! These are absolutely amazing!! So I must admit it was hard to choose a favorite, but the pictures on the dock were my favorites! Y’all are such a beautiful couple and McG y’all are just amazing as always!! I’m impressed daily by ya’lls amazing talent!! Kudos to this couple for some great pictures. Love them all!
These are so gorgeous! Were you guys using your lovely new lens? Those wide-angle shots kept taking my breath away! Beautiful couple, lovely location, gorgeous skies, and fabulous photographers=Eye splendor! LOVE!
Oh my wow. The rest of those pictures are just as gorgeous as the sneak peak. I’m speechless and in awe. That’s not luck that’s talent!
I have goosebumps all over my body! Those are some absolutely amazing pictures! What a beautiful couple and a beautiful backdrop to match! Great job Chelsea & Mack!
Beautiful couple, BEAUTIFUL work!!!
STUNNING! Angela and Garrett, yall are truly spectacular together! Great job McGowan’s!
I could never, ever pick a favorite from this session. They’re all just TOO much. I’m blown away, once again, by the depth of your talent. New. Favorite. Session.
Let me begin by saying, I absolutely love Chelsea & Mack! And one of my favorite reasons is because they capture true love in such beautiful form…every. single. time. Real estate calls for location (3 times), but really, that’s just one element to a perfect shoot. The subjects/models need to be on their A game (it helps when they’re drop dead gorgeous and IN LOVE!); the lighting should be clean, soft, as natural as possible, and targeted well; the photographers need to be creative and on THEIR A game (with McG, this is a given, 100% of the time); the outfits, make-up, weather, health, traffic, etc. (Obviously I’m looking at this through the eyes of a photographer…and McG client! :)) With all of that said (going for MY longest comment record), here is my list of favorites (although, I love every single shot, this is my attempt at picking my VERY favorites):
5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22 (natural laughter is my FAVORITE!), 23 (the contrast is in.CREDIBLE!), 26 (lucky guy! ;)), 27, 29, 31 (I’m loving the look of this shot, Chelsea! I don’t know how you did it, but this is YUMMY!), 32, 34, 36, 40 (ok!! HOW!?! the skin tone is beyond perfection. ugh. I die.), 41, 42, 43, 44 (how are you going to pick a Best of McG 2012 shot from this series?! I nominate this one to go in the long list of Angela & Garrett nominees.), 45, 49, 50 (THIS is so incredibly hott. Also a huge reason why I love McG – these are the moments that MUST be captured.), 53, 54 (This is heaven. I cannot give high enough praise for this shot. *bowing down to the masters* I’m so proud of y’all for not giving up and hitting save on “that’s a wrap.”) Without a shadow of a doubt, this is my FAVORITE!!!!! McG shoot. to. date. – Chelsea & Mack & Angela & Garrett, consider this one giant virtual kiss on the mouth. 😉 I simply cannot WAIT for your wedding!!!
Chelsea and Mack – thank you. I have been attempting to comment for several hours now, and frankly, words fall extremely short of how thankful I am for your work. You are remarkable photographers–no one in their right mind would argue that, but you are also remarkable people. In our short visit in Shiner, we witnessed your love for each other and your adorable children, and that love manifests in your work as photographers. You strive to capture the most intimate and happy moments of life, and you are not only successful at it, . . . it has become your forte.
I truly love every picture, but one stands out and seizes my heart—the B&W close up of us on the iron fence. Our body language says it all. Here I am, attempting to maintain my balance, unsure of my position, . . . and calculating, . . . and there is Garrett, quietly and carefully watching over me, his hand held behind me for support, ready to catch me if I fall. That shot is the epitome of why I adore him. It has taken several years to find the person want and need by my side for the rest of my life, and I could not be more thankful for him. And I could not be more thankful to you two for capturing this moment. I am overwhelmingly grateful. There are no words adequate enough to thank you for this wonderful experience. Much love, Angela
You guys are beyond amazing!!! Like wow!! This session is stunning…..every ounce of it!
FAAAAANTASTIC!!! There are no words to describe the sheer beauty and grace of these photos. Wow. No words. Lovely. Great. Gorgeous. Exquisite. Awesome. Extraordinary. Stunning. Nice. Beautiful. Nope. None of those suffice.
I think I actually heard the angels sing on the first shot on the dock. Gorgeous photos–absolutely beautiful. Is it wrong to be just a little envious?
OMG! The sunset pictures gave me cold chills!AMAZING!!
Like others have said one of my new favorite shoots of all time! The amazing thing is its not a new favorite solely for the amazing clouds and sunset although the pic with the field/tree and him lifting her and the sunset with the dock left me staring for quite sometime. Some of the expressions of love and laughter are some of my favorites as well. I was going to say this anyways, but after reading Angela’s comment I think its obvious its true for everyone you photograph, your pictures are visually awesome, but what always gets me is the emotion you capture or the little things that only the subjects being photographed can appreciate. I feel like this shoot deserves a slow clap!
You have basically rendered me speechless. Images this goosebump rendering don’t need the reassurance of a comment, they stand immaculately on their own! New favorite engagement session hands down!
I have known Angela for a long time now…and I am one of many that love her genuine, gracious, caring, generous and sweet heart. She is a special lady with much to give. Because I now live in Anchorage, I haven’t been able to meet Garrett – but through these amazing, creative, artistic photos – I am able to glean the kind of man Garrett is and why Angela chose him.
These pictures are beyond beautiful, they are amazing – not only in artistic talent, but in being able to capture the essence of the subjects. AMAZING!! STUNNING!! BEAUTIFUL!!
Thank you for giving us faraway friends the chance to connect with our dear friends. I smiled throughout the whole blog post…and rejoiced with my friend through the miles!
Seriously got chills when I saw the sunset pictures. AMAZING job.
I too am a long time friend of Angela’s. And I have been a blogstalker since Sarah Haggard Rios chose the two of you for her engagement/bridal/wedding photos. I feel like I know you through your blog 🙂 Your story and talent are a gift and I am glad that you share it with all of us.
Words can’t even begin to describe how beautiful these photos are and how they make me feel. To see Angela this happy is something that I have wanted for her for some time. She has the most gracious heart of anyone that I know. I have only met Garrett once and briefly, but you can tell how much Garrett adores Angela; both in person and in these photos. You captured their love for one another so beautifully! A million thank yous!
If I had to pick a favorite (and you already know that is hard to do) it would be the b&w close-up of the two of them looking directly at the camera. Garrett is her protector, her knight in shining armor, her lobster, her penguin, her…well you get the idea 😉
Bravo, McGowan Images! Bravo!
Woah nelly, those sunset pictures are just UNREAL! Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. Well done!
WOW….I mean just WOWWWWWWW!!!!! Both the couple and the settings are just breathtaking beautiful. I can’t wait to see the wedding photos.
Wow. Just wow. That last series took my breath away. Stunning images!
She is just movie-star gorgeous. OMG. Beautiful!
GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS! Absolutely stellar work! You guys captured that sky and your clients beautifully!!!!!!!
WOW WOW WOW absolutely spectacular job capturing this beautiful couple! These photographs are truly gorgeous and AMAZING! I have quite a few favorites too. I LOVE the very 1st one, the 1st one by the tractor and one in front of that house! The super close-ups of the couple are just simply beautiful and the 1st one of them on the dock is my favorite! It is seriously perfect for blowing up into a huge canvas! Great job McG!!!!!!
a-freakin’-mazing!!!! So beautiful!!!! Love love love!!!
Stillll drooling. I was going to write more of my favorites but I ended up writing all of them. 🙂 Fabulous work! I think my best favorite though is #12 because Angela’s smile is just radiant!
These are so amazing, I think I am speechless! You both are the most amazing photographers. Adorable couple and I wish them a lifetime of happiness!
Sarah: YOUR smile is radiant!
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments! *blushing* McG is FANTASTIC!
These are all so crazy good, but I think my favorite is the kiss in the cloudy sunflower field. That needs to jump on a canvas STAT. Gorgeous work you two!
Beyond beautiful! The angels worked overtime on those last pictures.
My golly McG!!
I’ve been following you guys for some time. I pop in every now and then and do a few hours of absorption. 🙂
And….I would have to say….hands down…best yet.
These two beautiful people are some of the MOST natural models I’ve ever seen. (which I’m sure helped immensely)
But the colors and composition are fabulous.
(13,17,18,19,21,25,32,38)
[…] we first explored Shiner, TX back in June (when we shot this couple’s fantastic engagement session), we kind of fell in love with the little town. Everywhere you look, there’s gorgeous light […]