Brian + Aliese | Summertime Garden Wedding in Dumas, Texas

This wedding seriously had it all: a Volkswagen van photo booth, live chickens, tons and tons of orchids, a food truck, and sweet ceremony in a lush, butterfly-filled garden. I don’t think weddings get better than that. Brian and Aliese created a beautiful wedding but more importantly, they focused the day around joining their two families by keeping things relaxed and easy-going. They got married in the bride’s cousin’s beautiful backyard and the day was an intimate celebration with close friends and family.

WeddingsKayla SmithSeptember 6, 2019wedding, texas, bride, the knot, dumas, bridal, groom, marriedComment

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

Allison + Eric | January Wedding at Autumn Oaks Event Center in Lubbock

You can tell a lot about a couple by the time the wedding toasts occur. And for Allison and Eric, it’s easy to see they are two amazing people who became one even more amazing married couple. Their family and friends were brimming with happy tears as they talked about each individual and how excited they were to see the two become husband and wife. It’s one of my favorite parts of a wedding day and their toasts are some that I won’t soon forget. It fills me with joy to know that I’m serving such great people.

Kayla SmithJanuary 21, 2018wedding, lubbock, lubbock wedding, lubbock photographer, wedding dress, texas, autumn oaks, marriedComment

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

Rachel + Matt | Engagement Session at Texas Tech University

I first met Rachel a few months ago when she booked me for her upcoming wedding and the first time I met Matt was during their engagement session. When I saw them together I instantly knew that they fit perfectly together. I mean, just look at them! Matt is from all over the United States but he moved to Lubbock to accept a job at Texas Tech's library. He then met Rachel at church and they fell in love.

EngagementsKayla SmithNovember 6, 2017engagements, wedding, engagement photos, texas tech, texas, couple, love, autumn, fall, photographer, lubbockComment

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.

Amy + Ross | First Christian Church & McPherson Cellars Wedding in Lubbock

I could go on and on about how much I love this couple. Just one example of how sweet and amazing they are: Amy texted me the morning after her wedding to say thank you. That one text totally exemplifies how Amy and Ross live their lives - with love, kindness, and consideration for everyone around them. They really are perfect together and I know that they are going to do some amazing things in their marriage.

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

Kayce | Ethereal Palo Duro Canyon Bridal Session

I get pretty attached to my clients and Kayce is no exception. Since she lives in Fort Worth, the first time I met her in person was during her bridal session in Palo Duro Canyon - where her wedding also was. I instantly liked her. And her wedding last weekend ended up being one of my all time favorites for many reasons but mostly because the people there were awesome. Not only were Kayce and her now husband Conner so amazing, nice, and relaxed but their wedding party was perfect as well!

WeddingsKayla SmithMay 10, 2017palo duro canyon, wedding photographer, wedding, bridal photos, bride, wedding dress, canyon, texas, weddingsComment

Ashley + John | Early Spring Engagement Photos at Texas Tech

I'm so glad that Ashley, John, and I were finally able to meet up and do their engagement session! I say "finally" because all of us kept switching the date back and forth. We couldn't seem to find a date that stuck due to weather, work schedules, my shooting schedule, etc. But finally! We made it work and it was so worth it.