Visual Family Heritage

It’s always so difficult for me to come up with something to get my parents for Christmas. Anyone else there with me? I mean… seriously they have anything they need that can be bought at a store, and honestly usually don’t want me to get them that stuff in the first place. In the past, I’ve resorted to coffee and coffee mugs… but alas, their cabinet has reached its limit on how many can be stored, and I still wonder if they ever drank coffee in the first place.

However, every since I’ve taken up photography as a lifestyle, I found myself coming up with more and more creative type gifts. This year was one of my favorite things I’ve done. It required a bit of sneaking around on my part, and quite a few late nights… but, I think it was all worth it.

Basically, I made my parents a coffee table book with photos of our heritage. It goes back several generations on both sides.

I came up with the idea, because my mom has somehow accumulated a nice stash of original photos that date back a century or so of our family. For a while, they were hanging up in the guest bedroom, but they got taken down and were just sitting in a box. I think my sister was a little freaked out by all the dead people on the walls when she would come home to visit. So, maybe those things don’t really belong on all your walls. But, they definitely belong somewhere, right?

I think that a little coffee table book like this is the perfect solution.

So, one weekend when I was home… I managed to convince my mom that I was working on a project for something else and needed all these photos (pretty sure she just played along and knew that SHE would be getting something good in the end).  What I thought would be a pretty easy project, resulted in many MANY late nights scanning old photos into my computer, editing them and removing most of the crap that had tainted them, and then figuring out which ones should make the cut. I was even able to scan some of the backs of the pictures in and incorporate people’s handwriting where they had written out who was in the photo.

I’m not gonna lie… there were times when I was completely freaked out. Freaked out by looking at people who died long before I breathed my first, or who I actually knew in their old age and watched die, and seeing them look strikingly similar to myself.  All decked out on their wedding day with an amazing looking bride. Not one wrinkle on their face. Really skinny. I found myself being transported to their thoughts. I wondered what they were thinking about during the millisecond that that photo was snapped. Did they have a clue what they would look like 50 years down the road? Did they know that I would be sitting here 70 years later with their image pulled up on my iMac thinking about what they were thinking about?

Yeah… sometimes I just had to shut it down and hit the sack.

Anyway… in the end, I was really pleased that I did this project and feel all the more connected to my heritage.

And, as a photographer, I’m really glad to know that these images won’t be lost forever because of decay, but now have been preserved for just a little longer, so I can show my grandkids what their ancestors looked like.

Here are the layouts from the book. Now you can see where my big nose comes from!!

Sidenote :: both Mom & Dad cried when they looked through it… that sure never happened with the coffee mugs!

Villacin Wedding :: Bryan/College Station Photography

Just after the new year, I had the great privilege of photographing Steven and Holly Villacin’s wedding here in College Station. They were married at Grace Bible Church, where they were really involved during school at Texas A&M, and it was evident by the amount of people who attended the wedding and spoke so highly of them.

One of our favorite things about doing wedding photography is that you are one of the few people who literally are with the bride and groom throughout the entire experience. It’s a really odd thing. I mean, prior to the day, you really know very little about the couple most of the time… but, you spend every moment of this really important day with them. You witness all the emotions. Take in all the details of the wedding that other people probably just pass by. By the time we get in the car at the end of the night, we are usually talking about the bride and groom as if we grew up with them in childhood.

Then, to top all that off. For the next several weeks, I spend one late night after another, examining each and every photo, making minute changes, and creating art. I basically relive the entire day in slow motion over the next several weeks.  So, it’s not an exaggeration when I really consider my clients to be friends by the end of it all.

Steven and Holly are such a great couple. They love each other a ton… but, clearly love the Lord so much more. Steven is now attending Dallas Theological Seminary, and they seem to be off to a good start!

We wish you guys all the best in life and are excited to see what God is going to do through you!

As we were finishing up all the groomsmen photos, they suggested to me that we head to the bathroom and take some in there. Of course, I’m up for anything, and thought it was a terrific idea! There were a few other ones that I’ll leave off the blog, but I thought this one was pretty cool…

The reception took place in the Great Hall of A&M United Methodist Church. It was a really awesome room… I loved the vaulted ceilings.

Check out the side view of the grooms cake. It was completely made by Steven’s uncle. Pretty spectacular!

Don’t be afraid to leave Steven & Holly some LOVE in the comments section!

For more information about Wedding Photography
visit my website :: www.ryanpricephoto.com

Ronel’s Story

This little boy has been filling up my prayers and my mind lately.

His name is Ronel and he is from Haiti.

A few weeks ago, I got an e-mail from his new mother in Houston saying that they wanted me to take some portraits of their family sometime soon. They have a hand full of kids already, and they were in the process of adopting Ronel. In light of the earthquake, many orphans who were already in the adoption process were having their paperwork expedited in order to get them to a caring family quickly and out of the Hell that has become their current reality.

I was really excited about it. I LOVE adoption… and I love to help people who are involved in adopting wonderful kids like Ronel.

So, I began following the Parker family on their journey via her blog.

Here’s what Ronel looked like when he was first rescued by a mission in Haiti…

He was probably 7 or 8 years old and weighed only 28 lbs.

His health has been restored and he has been given hope because of this family who loves him deeply.

Long story short, Ronel was supposed to board a plane headed to the States a week or so ago with several of his friends who were also being adopted. He was all dressed up and excited to spend the rest of his life with a loving family. All of that came crashing down when he was turned away due to one piece of paperwork that was not complete. He was sent back to the orphanage where he sat in tears.

Can you imagine the disappointment? Every time I think about it, my eyes start watering up.

Here’s where the story gets a little like a movie. Prepare yourself. You may want to just take a seat and make sure you’re emotionally stable.

Ronel’s father decides that this is not acceptable. So, he got on the phone and called a Congressman.

Nope.

He didn’t do that.

I lied.

That’s what most of us Americans would do though.

NO… he freakin’ packed a backpack full of granola bars and boarded a plane for Haiti to get his son out!

For real… I’m not making this up.

For the last several days, Ronel and Ernest have been sleeping on the embassy floor in Port-au-Prince pleading with the authorities to allow their child to come home. They’ve been hitting a lot of walls though. Apparently, UNICEF has convinced the Haitian government to slow the adoption processes down for these children… seemingly in an attempt to thwart potential child trafficking issues. But, for a family who has already been deemed as viable parents for this child, already been through the home study, already verified that Ronel has no other family members he could live with… this just seems ridiculous.

Today, I’m joining the chorus of people who are crying out on his behalf. Yeah… I’m praying. But, I’m not stopping there. I’m letting people know about it… and I’m asking YOU to join me.

Please join me in contacting these important people and letting them know about Ronel’s story. They have the power to do something about it and need to know. When you contact them, make sure you are specific about RONEL. Let them know that his adoptive father from Houston is sleeping on the embassy floor at this minute with his son pleading for a way out.

Ready.

Set.

GO!

Raymond Joseph
Haitian Ambassador to US
embassy@haiti.org
p 202-332-4090

Kenneth H Merton
US Ambassador to Haiti
haiti-earthquake@state.gov
p 509 22 29 8000

Hilary Clinton/Dept of State
Main Switchboard: 202-647-4000

Coker Wedding :: Bryan/College Station Photography

Just before Christmas, I had the privilege of shooting Ian & Ali’s wedding. They were a blast to work with and really knew how to throw a party!

You just can’t go wrong with a venue like the Astin Mansion in downtown Bryan, TX.

A few months before the wedding, I was able to go there and shoot the bridal portraits, and it just gave me a taste of what the wedding would be like… amazing.

When I first met Ian & Ali, sitting at a small table in the corner at Sweet Eugene’s coffee shop here in College Station discussing their upcoming wedding, one of the first things they told me was that the guys in the wedding would be wearing kilts. For real… the guys were really wearing kilts! I was pumped. I love it when people put their own touch into their wedding and do something different like that. While sitting there drinking coffee, I had already got this photo stuck in my head and couldn’t wait to get it out…

It was really great to be able to make some new friends that day and celebrate with them at such a great event. I’ll stop talking now and just let you look at some of my favorites from the day…

Part of the reason Ian & Ali were able to get such great shots was that they took my advice and had a special time before the ceremony to see each other. When I mention this to a couple, they always kinda gasp at me and think I’m a raging lunatic for even suggesting something like this. After all, I mean, we do live in Texas, and good ole southern tradition is a pretty big deal to most people. What I try my hardest to explain to people is that by setting aside a special time before the wedding to see each other, you are able to share that initial moment between just the two of you. You’re not nervous while walking down the aisle with 300 people staring at every move you make. It’s just you and the one you love. And… of course, I’m hiding nearby to capture all of those amazing expressions as they happen. I know that this couple was definitely glad that they decided to go this route… so, it’s worth a thought!

Here was that first expression when she walked up…

I have to take a pause and brag on my AMAZING side-kick (aka: wife)… she captured this awesome shot of the ring on the heel of Ali’s shoe. It was one of my favorites from the day. Great job, babe!

These things were AWESOME… they are called ‘mochi’. It’s basically some Japanese ice cream thing wrapped in a dough… I really have no other way to describe it. I had the mocha flavored one and was almost done for the night afterward…

This lady made us laugh all night. She was the grandmother of the bride, and as you can tell… she was kinda the life of the party. I can’t begin to count the one-liners that she left us with. Gotta love old people!

:: Beware of Christians ::

I’m excited about Beware of Christians coming out pretty soon!

I have a few different reasons while I’m excited… I’ll admit.

1.  These guys do a great job cinematographically (yeah… that’s a word I just now made up). But for real… I love how creative a few college kids who have semi-limited experience in producing full-length movies can be.  Sara and I recently got around to watching their first movie, One Nation Under God, and I was legitimately impressed with it.

2.  What Christian guy in or shortly out of college wouldn’t drop everything they are doing to do just what these guys did… tour Europe trying to figure out what you believe and why the world is the way it is.  So perhaps there’s a little vicarious living on my part going on.

3.  I love how they are asking some hard questions about our faith and seeking to find the answers.

4.  One of the main producers/actors?/hippie-college-dudes is a good friend of mine (Michael Allen=the first guy to pop up on the trailer).  We’ve been able to hang out frequently over the last year through church and lunches on Northgate and just talk about life. I love this guy! I see in him what I was about 2 years ago, but on steroids (not the real baseball player ones… everyone knows  that this scrawny boy who loves music and art barely even knows how to spell steroids… I’m using it in the figurative sense). We see the world in a very similar way and ask a lot of the same questions. I love being a few years ahead of him in life and getting the chance to add some perspective to the questions we’re both asking.

So yeah… I may be a little biased here. But, I think this movie is worth checking out. I think it’s at least worth watching the trailer for a few minutes. And I definitely think it’s worth telling some of your friends about (cuz that’s what I’m currently doing, friend). If enough of you people in cyber-world spread the word about this movie and watch it on YouTube, there is a good chance that it could go big… like really BIG. As in they’re meeting with people in “the biz” about getting this mass produced and on screens around the nation BIG.

I would love to see a movie in theaters that is REAL people asking REAL questions and not just another “Christian Movie” with the same scripted actors that make me feel goofy as I walk out of the theater. You all know what I’m talking about! Don’t act like you don’t.

Alright… that’s it.

Click…

Watch…

Spread the word.

Happy Birthday :: Wife

Today, my wife joins me in the 2nd quarter of our hundred years (ha… hope it’s not that long)!

She is an amazing woman and has taught me so much over the last few years.

She sacrificially does so much in our family and has a devotion and tender heart toward the Lord that is unbelievable.

I really can’t wait to wake up and see what she’s like in another 25 years.

May our God bless you and keep you and shine His glory more brightly through you!

I love you more than you know…

Apel Family :: Bryan/College Station Photographer

Charlie and Kirby are great friends of ours. I’ve known them since I was about a freshman in college at Texas A&M. We were in the same small group at church for a while and I always thought they were the cooler upper-classmen (and still kinda do)! I’ve had the privilege of watching this awesome family grow from 2 separate people to now having 2 extra little people.

Sara and I have never tried to hide the fact that we want to be like these people. It’s true. We have no shame around here. I mean… Charlie is a talented graphic designer for A&M and a cool dad… and Kirby is a great mom, always dressed like a model, and really crafty.

This family is probably one of the best looking families that I know… so, of course I’ve just been waiting for the day I would get to photograph them! But, I was even more excited when they called me and told me why they wanted to get their photos done. They, like we, have a huge passion for adoption… and a few weeks ago they submitted their paperwork to New Life to start the process.

So, the Apel family marks my very first family to take me up on my offer to do a Family Session for FREE for families using the photos to build their portfolio to adopt. It was such an honor for me to be able to partner with them in this… and I can’t wait to finally meet the new little Apel one day soon!

Please be in prayer for this family as they begin their journey. The process of adoption can be difficult in many ways, but is always so worth it. We’re praying that it would go extremely smooth and even beginning to pray for the wonderful child they will bring home one day. So, leave them a comment on this post and let them know you’re praying for them.

In order to raise money to fund this adoption, Kirby has just announced that she would love to redesign your blog and all the proceeds will go directly toward the adoption. So, go check out their awesome blog and shoot her an e-mail if you’re interested in helping them out!

Here are some of my favorites from their shoot. These photos were taken at a pecan grove outside of College Station, TX and in downtown Bryan, TX.

For more information about Family Sessions, visit my website
:: www.ryanpricephoto.com ::

Things to Consider in Giving to Haiti

As I’ve sat in my office for the last few days scanning through photos and reading headlines and Twitter updates about what is happening as a result of the Haiti earthquake, my heart has been heavy. My eyes have been pretty watery lately… which is something that doesn’t happen all too often… ask my wife!

Although I have never been to Haiti, and honestly have no ties there… there is just something about living and working in a very underdeveloped country that links your heart to things like this. When I look at photos of Haiti and read about the countless orphanages that are now destroyed, part of my heart links that with Malawi and my mind just gets overwhelmed with how devastating this truly is.

As Sara and I have talked and prayed through what our response should be, we definitely feel that there is no question that we should give and give generously to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Then comes the next question… with so many organizations throwing banners in my face to HELP!… who do I give to?

The more and more that I have been involved in working in developing countries and just following what happens in these countries closely, my views have been shaped to a fairly narrow perspective. A few years ago, I would have just given to any organization that popped up in my inbox. Now, we are much more selective.

I’m not going to say that I think that some organizations are doing “bad” things with your donations… but, I want my donation to be more than mere money. I want that money to have eternal consequences. I want it to go to people that I trust. People that I know value the things that I value. I also want it to go to people who are culturally competent and know the nationals well. People who get their hands dirty in that country and don’t just stay in posh hotels when they come to visit.

When I think about Haiti, the first organization that comes to mind is Compassion International.

They’ve been on my radar for several years now, and honestly, although they work worldwide… I tend to associate them with Haiti more than any country because they have an enormous presence there. Compassion is a child sponsorship program… but so much more. They also partner with local churches in the countries they work in. This is a HUGE deal for me. If you’re wanting your money to help “the least” then I highly recommend giving to organizations that don’t just work through the government, but through grassroots organizations like churches and orphanages and such.

Compassion works with over 65,000 children in Haiti alone! What a unique position that they are already in to meet very real needs of people there.

Another reason I choose Compassion is because I know for a fact that they are who they say they are. They don’t just throw “Jesus” on the banner to solicit donations. They truly believe with all their heart that Jesus is the ultimate remedy to the real world problem that we face. They also believe that we are His hands and feet in situations like this.

So, the answer was pretty simple for us. I’ve had a few different people approach me this week and ask “who should I give to?”… so, I figured that a post with some of my thoughts was warranted.

Here’s where your money will go ::

• $35 helps provide a relief pack filled with enough food and water to sustain a family for one week.
• $70 gift helps care for their needs for two weeks.
• $105 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain two families for two weeks.
• $210 gift helps care for two families’ needs.
• $525 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain 10 families for two weeks.
• $1,050 gift helps care for 10 families’ needs.
• $1,500 helps rebuild a home.
• $2,100 helps supply 20 families with the basics for three weeks.

So… what are you waiting for… GIVE TODAY!!

Vann Family Portraits :: Bryan/College Station Photographer

When Nick and Carissa contacted me and said that they wanted me to take their family portraits, I was pretty excited. I knew them both from Texas A&M and going to church together at Living Hope. They live down in Houston now, so it kind of surprised me that they were willing to come up to College Station for photos. Besides that, they are a pretty stylish family with a really cute little girl… so I knew they would be great photos.

After talking about some possibilities for the locations of the shoot, they really thought it would be cool to do them on campus because it has so many memories for them. They took their engagements on campus and really wanted to tie the two together. But, they also wanted really artsy photos… not just your run of the mill. At first thought, I really didn’t see how that was going to happen. I’ve always thought of the photos taken on campus as being a little too Aggie for my taste and just couldn’t think of a lot of cool things. But, I was determined to make it work.

By the end of the session, I was pumped. We had successfully captured great photos on Texas A&M’s campus that didn’t look like the norm! I’m no longer afraid of shooting there!

Just a few weeks after the session, we got word that we may be seeing them again sooner than we thought. Because in a few short months they’re going to be expanding by two. Yup… they’re having TWINS!  We’ve already been thinking about all the cool things we can do with newborn twin portraits…

Sara and I are really excited for you guys. Thanks for letting us create some art of your family with you!

A not-so-typical Century Tree photo… I was leery of even approaching it… but was really happy I did!

That kid has some EYES!

When we talked originally in planning the photo session, they told me that they really wanted me to capture different parts of their daughter, Eden, that would look abstract.

I’m really diggin’ the lens flare look these days…

Looks like we’re in good shape…

… we made it 1 year!

On December 27th, Sara and I celebrated our 1st ever wedding anniversary.

I couldn’t have made a better choice in selecting my bride.

She makes me laugh…

makes me pies…

makes my bed…

makes me question why I do things that I do…

makes me very glad to be married!

This past year has honestly been awesome. So many people seem to look back on their first year in horror. We think that one of main reasons that we’re able to look back on it and think good things is because of taking Countdown with the Bacaks. We wholeheartedly recommend taking this class to all engaged couples! We learned so much about each other during that time that by the time our wedding rolled around we had already got through some of the hard stuff.

Marriage has, without a doubt, been the most refining thing in both of our lives. All of our dirt is constantly getting exposed and it just doesn’t sweep back under the rugs very easily when you live with someone. But, we’re grateful to the Lord to be changing and getting closer to His character as we rub off on each other.

For our anniversary this year, we decided to take a little trip (will probably be the only year that we’ll be able to afford doing that!). We went out for a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant in Austin and stayed at a cool hotel overlooking Town Lake.

Then we went out to Fredericksburg for a few days and stayed in this awesome little cabin that was out of town a ways. It was perfect. We had a fireplace, jacuzzi, flat-screen TV, and front porch with rockers! There were also elk and deer right outside of our door. We would definitely go back to this place!

Our number 1 goal was just to chill while we were there. We both bought a novel while we were there and read a lot… we watched cable TV (because it’s been like 6 months since we’ve seen TV at all!)… and we went in to town and hit up all the after Christmas sales in the cool shops.

And of course, when you’re married to a photographer, no vacation is complete without bustin’ out the camera and taking some anniversary photos! Sara hates me for sure!

Honestly though… I didn’t even plan this. Sara and I were just walking around the property our cabin was on one afternoon and we came to this secluded spot and I just couldn’t pass the opportunity up… and I just so happened to be carrying my camera. So, I rigged my camera up in a tree. Yeah, you read that right… I used the strap to wrap it around some branches and to make it look straight. Then we went to town with taking different poses. We know we’re dorks… and we’re OK with that!

Here are some of our favorites…

Happy Anniversary my Love!!