You know that song from Dora the Explorer? We Did it! We did it! We did it! Lo Hicimos! We did it! I know I’m such a dork, but I feel like singing that song when I see our feature on ‘What Junebug Loves‘ today….as an artist, it just feels good when other people find your work worthy of showcasing. And the ladies at Junebug Weddings, well, they’ve got style and grace for sure. So it’s an extra big honor to see my work featured there. Thank you Christy, Kim and Blair!

About the shoot: Joy Marie and David are a couple of people that I hold close to my heart. Not only are they great friends and fellow colleagues, but they are two people who Push, Inspire and Believe in me from a Creative Standpoint. I like to surround myself with people like that! I feel so blessed to have them in my life. So you can imagine what an honor it was when they asked me to photograph them on their 13th Wedding anniversary in Nashville, TN! How is it even possible that Joy and David have these 3 growing boys who add all this life and vitality to their day-to-day! I think I’m gonna have to photograph the WHOLE FAMILY next time! Until then, check out some Smallwood STYLE….

Michal and Eli wanted to do something outside the norm for their Engagement Session. Inspired by a vintage throwback feel, and a nod to Old Hollywood….we sort of threw together this bbq story upon arrival at their West Hollywood digs. So Fun! We rounded out the shoot with a quick visit to Canters Deli, an all-night diner (and Los Angeles Landmark) that’s been serving up giant Corned Beef Sandos for oh, about the past 50 years. As Kevin Nealon would say…..LEGENDARY! Quite possibly my favorite part of this shoot is that is was a collaboration with my friend and [established] colleague – Joy Marie. Post-shoot, Joy works a little magic on her favs, I work a little magic on my favs and VOILA! An engagement story is born (:

I’m not even sure where to begin with the story of Alton + Jill. We’ve been dear friends for years and years, A is a BFF in every way. It all started back in Austin, Tx. when Alton and I showed up to  the same party wearing the same exact makeup. It was a FIERCE look that was featured in the pages of Vogue magazine that month….a cylindrical black liner/shadow application that’s kind of hard to explain. But when two people meet who are brave enough to step outside their space with a look so bold, it is clear that those two people are bound to be soul mates on some level. So it was at that moment that our friendship was etched into the books of eternity. I think that was in the year 1998. Since that day we’ve really become like family, moving to NY at the same time – exploring the city together. Making a home there. Thanksgivings spent together, year after year. And the parties, oh the parties.

Somewhere along the way, Alton met Andre and they fell in love (: Seeing Alton that happy with someone who clearly loved him with equal amounts of enthusiasm….well that was something that has always put a giant smile on my face. Being in the presence of these two will always put a giant smile on my face. I don’t go on the record about very many things on my blog. But I actually do have ALOT of strong opinions about a lot of things. Perhaps the strongest opinion I have is that gay men and women SHOULD have the right to be married just like everyone else. Who are we to set the rules on who can spend their lives together and who cannot? I’m not going to rant – but there….I’ve put my stake in the ground.

Alton and Andre were actually married years and years ago with an extravagant ceremony atop a Cruise liner Ship in Rio de Janiero. All the guests were asked to wear white. And when it came time for me to get married, well, guess who made the rings? Andre and his Dad have been making jewelry for years out of their family owned Atelier located at the Copa Cabana. Simply Fabulous! I always get compliments on my “stackables”.

Anyway, when Alton and Andre came to town recently…we got together and did what we ALWAYS do. 1. Drink Champagne and 2. Take Pictures of Each other. Only this time, I was strapped with some hefty equipment, and my professional lighting technician, haha.  Nice work Tony on making these guys look EXTRA FLY with the Off-Camera Flash. And big kisses to you A+A – please move to Hollywood soon!