Mark + Madi | Fun and Playful Engagement Photos in Amarillo, Texas

Just know that if you decide to book your engagement/wedding photos with me, I’m definitely going to make you hug, kiss, and cuddle, and I might even make you dance in the street or run down the road holding hands with each other. Fair warning! Madi and Mark were one of my most FUN couples to date! I never had to prompt them to laugh at each other or giggle. It was so natural for them. Their smiles, their hugs are genuine and they come from a place of pure love for each other. They are best friends. They went along with all of my crazy plans and had a great time while doing it.

EngagementsKayla SmithJuly 15, 2019engaged, engagement, love, couple, photographer, amarillo, downtown, palo duro canyonComment

Seth + Jayla | Traditional and Elegant Wedding at St. Mary's Cathedral in Amarillo

Seth and Jayla are really the loveliest, sweetest people and I feel lucky that they chose me to take their wedding photos. And not only are they sweet, but their family and friends are spectacular. They had some of the nicest bridesmaids and groomsmen that I’ve encountered in the many weddings that I’ve photographed. It’s no wonder they invited over 400 people to their wedding! They are loved by many.

WeddingsKayla SmithJuly 6, 2019amarillo, texas, photographer, wedding, catholic, bride, groom, wedding photographerComment

My Favorite Spots to Take Photos in Palo Duro Canyon

I have taken engagement, family, senior, and wedding photos in Palo Duro Canyon literally dozens and dozens of times. It never gets old for me! Each time I’m driving on the flat plains and then suddenly the world opens up into the canyon, I am amazed. It is absolutely my favorite place to take pictures around Amarillo, Texas. It is beautiful and versatile. And because of that versatility, I thought it was necessary to create this blog to show some of my favorite spots within the canyon to take photos. These little sub-locations within the canyon are completely different from one another and it’s hard to choose a favorite among them. They all look great any time of year but some can look drastically different from one season to another and on those, I’ve noted which season the picture was taken in.

Kayla SmithFebruary 19, 2019palo duro canyon, engagement photos, family photos, senior photos, locations, amarillo, texas, amarillo texas, texas panhandle, natureComment

Emily + Jeremy | Wedding at Panhandle Charm in Amarillo, Texas

Emily and Jeremy are a couple of those clients that have become friends to Mason and I (Mason was their DJ and they actually found him before me). Throughout their whole wedding planning process with us, they were so gracious and so inviting. Their wedding did not feel like work to us - it felt like a fun party with friends. Jeremy even invited me to stay longer and I wish I could have!

WeddingsKayla SmithSeptember 2, 2018wedding, amarillo, texas, panhandle charm, canyon, bride, groomComment

Rachel + Matt | Late December Wedding in Palo Duro Canyon

"We were together...I forget the rest" - Walt Whitman

Literary quotes decorated Rachel and Matt's wedding - making their day a true reflection of their personalities. Even before Matt came along, Rachel always wanted a winter wedding and I hope the late December day in Palo Duro Canyon was everything she imagined it would be. Despite the 20 degree weather- and from a photographer’s perspective - I’m so glad they still decided to get married outside. In the frigid temperatures they said their vows as Rachel’s dad officiated and they planted a new pine tree together. It was a representation of their young marriage and the years of cultivation and care ahead of them.

WeddingsKayla SmithJanuary 15, 2018wedding, amarillo, texas, palo duro canyon, wedding photographer, weddings, bride, bridal, tx, amarillo txComment

Taryn + Joey | Downtown Amarillo Fall Engagement Session

I liked Taryn and Joey the instant I met them. They're one of those couples that make me sad that I only get to see them for their engagement photos and their wedding - which isn't until next June! Too long! (I mean seriously, can we hang out?)

EngagementsKayla SmithOctober 26, 2017amarillo, engagements, engaged, wedding ring, couple, love, downtown, wolflin, autumn, fallComment

Sheridan | Westminster Presbyterian Church Bridal Session

Sheridan is really a kindred spirit to me. I've never had a bride so organized and efficient and I absolutely love it! She's one of those brides that I jive so well with. But while we get stuff done, we also have ton of fun during her sessions. I shot her engagement session with now-husband Jerry back in April and then I shot her bridals a couple of weeks ago. Her hilarious, wonderful mother was there during bridals, of course, and she made the experience even better.

Carsyn + Tino | Elegant Wedding at St. Lucien's and Amarillo Botanical Gardens

Carsyn + Tino packed a ton of their loved ones into the quaint St. Lucien’s Chapel, which I now believe is one of Amarillo’s best kept secrets. Right before their ceremony, a couple of things happened. First, the bride and groom stood back to back, without seeing each other, as their closest family members surrounded them and covered them in prayer. Tear drops fell down Carsyn’s cheeks during the special, intimate moment. Then, seconds before they walked down the aisle, the sky erupted with a downpour of rain.

WeddingsKayla SmithJune 16, 2017amarillo, wedding, wedding photographer, catholic, wedding dress, texas, brideComment

Sheridan + Jerry | Springtime Lubbock, Texas Engagement Photos

I knew I liked Sheridan and Jerry from day one. We met back in the fall when they booked me for their July 2017 wedding. The moment that Sheridan pulled out her wedding planning notebook was the moment that I knew I had found an ideal client and kindred spirit. She was so organized and on the ball! Being super Type A myself, it's fun to work with people that think like I do.

Wedding Day Timeline Tips from a Wedding Photographer

Nothing can have a more drastic effect on a wedding day (negative or positive) than the way the timeline is laid out - and whether or not that timeline is adhered to. As a wedding photographer, I have seen first hand how a well-planned, spacious timeline allows me to create great photos and allows the bride and groom room to relax and breathe. I have also seen how cramped timelines that are more of an afterthought cause frenzied brides and grooms and missed photo opportunities.

Elise | Downtown Amarillo Senior Photo Session

Elise's senior photo session in downtown Amarillo has officially convinced me that winter is just as beautiful as all of the other seasons. I love the crisp cleanness of wintertime, the muted colors, and the softness. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Elise is a beautiful girl with the brightest blue eyes. She's a senior at Claude High School and she clearly has a heart of gold. She's headed to Midwestern State University after she graduates and though she doesn't know what she will study yet, I'm sure she'll be very successful.

SeniorsKayla SmithJanuary 3, 2017downtown, amarillo, senior, senior photos, high school, amarillo photographer, claudeComment

Year in Review: Some of my favorite images from 2016

Holy cow, it's been an exciting year! This is the year that I finally started doing photography full-time without depending on income from another job. It's the year that Mason and I bought our first home (my office is no longer in the kitchen!) And it's the year that I shot 28 weddings and around 100 portrait sessions. To say that it's been sunshine and rainbows all year would be a lie, however. I've had many frustrations and difficult moments but it's all been worth it. I'm still ecstatic that I get to wake up every day and live this life.

PersonalKayla SmithDecember 21, 2016photographer, amarillo, texas, photo, wedding photographerComment