Tag: anniversary

Categories
Blog Family Portrait Sessions Weddings

A Glorious Wedding

Nacogdoches wedding photographer Greg Patterson at Union Springs venue in Garrison.
Your wedding is much like standing on a precipice.
Nacogdoches wedding photographer Greg Patterson at Union Springs venue in Garrison.
Your wedding is much like standing on a precipice.

 

One of the biggest privileges we have at our studio is photographing weddings. Over the last thirty years, we’ve photographed countless of them and each one different from the others. Some weddings stick out more than others, for instance when we photograph the wedding of people close to us. A couple of months ago, we did just that. Haley has been working at the studio for two years; in fact, you might have read her wonderfully-worded blog about her engagement. Two years in a small business among just a few employees can seem like a long time of relationship-building, because you share each other’s ups and downs and, in this case, life-changing events. We consider those close relationships a perk to running a small business.

Getting Married…

Getting married for most people must seem as if you’re standing on a precipice, at least if it’s your first. Culling through Haley and Kyle’s wedding pictures and seeing the looks of unabashed joy on their faces is enough to bring tears to my eyes. The more you admit to knowing very little about being married, I think the better. Thinking back to my own wedding thirty years ago, Greg and I, both of us twenty, didn’t know much about life except that we loved each other. Had we known more about the hardships that would come or the dreams we’d give up for one another, we might have called the whole thing off! Knowing so little, for us, proved to be a real asset. We learned as we went along, together! At times, the more experienced of the two of us patiently led the other through a trial. Other times, we both went blind with only each other to cling. There’s been more good times than bad. And, looking back, we consider each one a blessing if only for the fact we came away better for it. This wide-eyed optimism has gotten us through thirty wonderful years together. We pray the same for these two.

Thanks, Kyle and Haley, for letting us come along on the beginning of a great adventure!

Nacogdoches wedding photographer Greg Patterson at Union Springs venue in Garrison.
Two very blessed people.
Nacogdoches wedding photographer Greg Patterson at Union Springs venue in Garrison.
The moment after you hear “May I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Categories
Blog Events Family News Portrait Sessions

About being engaged

Moon_236a
Kyle and Haley engaged and loving it!

“Engage in the little moments, you never know which of those will actually be the big moments,”

There is no possible way to convey to you the magic that was August 15, 2015. Engage your attention with me for a moment. I thought, lying there looking up at the stars, I was simply opening my graduation present from my Kyle. Little did I know that at the bottom of that much desired, fox cookie jar, there would be an art deco engagement ring picked out specifically for….me!?  I was only expecting cookies! Sneaky boy.

There are very few days that are more important to me than August 15. I woke up, I walked the stage, and I celebrated with family and friends. My folks spoiled me like they do, my brother and sister-in-law came to cheer me on, and my best friends even surprised me by driving all the way from Ft. Worth to celebrate! It was unlike any other day, and that was only the beginning. Moving to Nacogdoches from Houston almost four years ago, I never imagined I’d be marrying a BIN(born-in-Nac, if you will) or building a house on 11 acres of fresh air! I suppose it is still too soon to say, but come April 9, I will be a Compton. I will be a wife!?

This engagement has taught me

This engagement has taught me to “engage.” August 15 Kyle proposed and we found ourselves…engaged in a planning process like no other. Engaged to one another, planning to commit the rest of our forever to being together. It has been an absolute blast. We have engaged in planning our big day, we have engaged in Bible study together, we have engaged in planning not simply a wedding, but a life that will build each of us up and result in two better people. Engagement is much more than a ring and a wedding. Though that may seem obvious, it is easy to make the wedding the big event, and not the life you live after that day.They say the stresses come and go. And sure they have come, but when you have someone so supportive, so silly, and so solid to stand by you, it is a real adventure. To find someone who finds the best in you and cherishes every ounce of your flawed self is something irreplaceable. I never expected to find someone who I adore so much, yet slum around with like a best friend. He is like the 3-in-1 shampoo-conditioner-soap… but obviously better. He makes up the best songs, tells the craziest stories, prays with me and for me, and encourages me on the daily. I am richly blessed.

This season of engagement has taught us a lot about each other, ourselves, and has helped us realize how incredibly blessed we are by a wonderful family, church family and so many supportive friends. The people I have met here have become so special to me and I cannot picture a better group of encouragers to be surrounded by. Engaging in this Nac life has been a small slice of heaven!

…not to mention our incredible photographers! Greg and Cindy hired me almost two years ago. Engaging in their business, their work at SFA, and raising three awesome kids seems to come naturally to them. I know it doesn’t. They work hard and they are two prime examples I have been blessed to know. Our parents have put up with Kyle and myself for, well, our entire lives.. now that is perseverance! If only I can invest myself and engage my best in all I do… I’ll know where and who these great qualities come from!

Moon_200b
Kyle and Haley engaged with having fun!
Categories
Blog Children Events Family Portrait Sessions Rambling Travel Weddings

One great afternoon in Nacogdoches

HALPIN FAMILY-This weekend we met with two families we hadn’t seen for a few years. They’d each been a part of Nacogdoches for different reasons. The Halpins came, as many do, to SFA to further their studies. In fact, both Michael and April were students of Greg’s in the Communications Dept. They asked Greg to photograph their wedding here in Nacogdoches fifteen years ago.Halpin_191 PT

Halpin_131 PT

Conditt Family-A portrait session in the Ruby Mize Azalea Garden brought Becky’s family together this weekend. Though Becky and her daughter have  lived away from Nacogdoches for awhile, Clint calls it home, for now. We reminisced about how Sabina, during her portrait session when just 4 years old, was happier to pull the flowers than pose for the camera. When Greg finally got her attention, she looked up angelically still with fists full of flowers.

Later, as I reflect on all of this, I’m happy to have shared some important moments with them, and for the opportunity to reconnect. I think about other people and families who we’ve built relationships along the way, and how this small town brings us together at different times and for all kinds of reasons. It seems that we’ve changed so much more than has the town.  Sure, many businesses and restaurants have come and gone, and many of the people who were once here have moved on. But, much of it is still the same, and that’s comforting especially to those who’ve been away for awhile.

Many, many years ago, a college town became our home away from home when we came from Dallas to attend SFA. Although we didn’t intend it, Nacogdoches became home when we started our family. Now, as our kids are turning into adults and moving away, I can’t imagine living elsewhere. Sure, we talk about all the fun and exciting locations where we might move upon retirement, but this will always be the spot to which we come back. After all, what better place to spend an afternoon with friends and family.

Conditt_145 PT003200003254_033 (4.7.03)

Conditt_68 (4.19.04)

Categories
Blog

A loving tribute

Nathan helping Dad place the grass.

There are two people that have been a constant in my life. For the past forty nine years, I’ve known I could count on them no matter what. When I became united with my husband, and then we became one more and then another and then another, they made room in their hearts for all of us. I hope I can count on them for many more years.

We take it for granted that the people that give us life will devote the rest of theirs to us. After all, our parents were, at one time, much younger and ambitious with their own dreams, dreams that would make them movie stars, war heroes, or astronauts, and these dreams didn’t include us.

When I see each of my parents now, and think about them younger and more carefree,  I wonder if they knew what they were giving up when they had me. How could they? Parenthood takes more than we could ever imagine. Not one minute belongs to you, alone, ever again. Even when our children are  grown and married, can we even stop worrying about them then?

When my parents retired, they didn’t take a cruise or buy an RV to while away that extra time they would now have to spend at their leisure. They didn’t pick up gardening or bridge, either. They did pick up and move to Nacogdoches. Greg and I had just bought an old house, a real fixer-upper. While my parents were still in Dallas, they’d come as often as they could to help us get the house ready to open as our photography studio. Looking back at the pictures, now, almost  eleven years old, it seems that they were there for all of it. From refinishing the floors to painting the walls, from making curtains to putting in new grass, they were there working alongside us.

When they left Dallas, the only place they’d ever called home, they left family and friends behind and immersed themselves in making Nacogdoches their new home. They continued helping us in every way they could. Fortunately for us, the garden at the studio has become my dad’s pet project, one for which he has much passion. He makes sure it looks good from week to week no matter the season. We share a meal with them once or twice a week, and our son kicks back out their home as easily as he does his own.

They do all these things readily and joyfully and would never consider that they’ve given up anything for us. And, that selflessness is what I love and part of why I want to recognize them.

So in this month we’ve set aside to tell our loved ones how special they are to us, I want to thank you, mom and dad, for all you’ve done for me. I’m the person I am because of you.

Mom cleaning paint brushes.
Mom cleaning paint brushes during studio renovation in 2004.
Nathan helping Dad place the grass.
Nathan helping Dad place the grass in front of 122 N Mound street studio.
IMG_0640
Dad using his painting skills during the studio renovation.

Categories
Blog

A tribute

Memories of those whose help we couldn't do without.
Memories of those whose help we couldn't do without.
Memories of those whose help we couldn't do without.
Memories of those whose help we couldn’t do without.

Looking at these pictures from ten years ago, reminds us of how thankful we are for the help we had relocating to our present location. It was a big undertaking and we, more than anyone else, doubted that we could. But, we couldn’t have even considered it had we not had a lot of support. First of all, the place we moved into was a much bigger and older place that needed a lot of attention. In fact, the previous tenant was a fraternity, and judging by the collection of broken glass and such left behind, they must have had a good time! I can’t remember the number of hours we spent painting, sanding, tiling, hammering, spackeling, sewing, weeding, tilling, planting and cleaning (not to mention the actual moving), but there was enough to go around. To mom and dad, we thank you for being available to do anything and everything. And, thinking about how you had to drive in all those weekends makes me even more grateful. You were and are our biggest support. To Juree for being our biggest cheerleader, social planner, office manager, punching bag (on the worst of days), and most of all, friend. And Billy, for being our muscle when we moved and terrific handyman! To Jessica, Daniel and Nathan for just being great and supportive through the whole thing. And Robin, too, for lending us some elbow grease. To Scott Wagner, our master tileman.  To Shawn for building us our beautiful children’s playhouse. To Barbera for giving up a weekend or two to come and paint and, then, paint some more! To all of you and the others too who helped us celebrate at our opening and be happy along with us, we love you all very much and are thinking of you fondly this month.  Greg & Cindy

Categories
Blog Events News Rambling

Celebrating 10 Years

Original and signed version of our ribbon cutting picture from Chamber of Commerce. Shown now, ten years later on the front porch of our Victorian Studio located at 122 N Mound in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Original and signed version of our ribbon cutting picture from Chamber of Commerce. Shown now, ten years later on the front porch of our Victorian Studio located at 122 N Mound in Nacogdoches, Texas.

TODAY we are celebrating our 10th year anniversary in our current location and roughly 20 years in business. With God’s blessings we are proud to have served Nacogdoches and surrounding East Texas area for the past 20 years!

Over the next month we will be sharing some before and after photos while reliving the past 10 years in this historic Victorian location. We hope you join us by following along and sharing your thoughts along the way.

With deepest gratitude,
Greg & Cindy Patterson

Original and signed version of our ribbon cutting picture from Chamber of Commerce. Shown now, ten years later on the front porch of our Victorian Studio located at 122 N Mound in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Original and signed version of our ribbon cutting picture from Chamber of Commerce. Shown now, ten years later on the front porch of our Victorian Studio located at 122 N Mound in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Categories
Blog Rambling

Can you say “Happy Happy Happy” Anniversary!

Greg & Cindy Patterson toasting to a new life together.
The beginning of something beautiful! Toasting to everything Happy Happy Happy!
Greg & Cindy Patterson toasting to a new life together.
The beginning of something beautiful! Toasting to everything Happy Happy Happy!

Can you say “Happy Happy Happy” Anniversary! Well I can as today my beautifully kind and amazing wife and I celebrate our anniversary.

Time really does fly when you are happily married. I do remember some not so easy moments but they are like dust in the wind compared to the years together. We started young at a mere age of 20. Young, excited and ready to start on our own, we were married 27 years ago today, January 3rd 1987.

Over the 27 years, we have celebrated the birth of three wonderful and healthy children. Watched as they grew, played Nacogdoches Baseball, NYSA Soccer and been part of the Nacogdoches Dragon Band.

We started a business from nothing, basically working out of a closet in one of our rented homes. The business has always been part of our family and close to our hearts. A strong sense of family has been important to us and the business allows us to share this passion by capturing those special moments for others.

Since its January and such a great month for tips, I though I would pass along my tips for my happy marriage.

1. Love your spouse more than yourself. Easy to say but putting self in anyplace other than first is difficult. When self is at least second, then in my opinion it allows for you to be joined together as one.

2. Realize that there will be bumps, hills and sometimes mountains to climb in life. Work, bills, kids can all wear on an otherwise healthy relationship if you let them be first. So go back to my tip No. 1 and make sure your spouse comes before you and the job and the kids and anything else.  

3. There are really so many things I could say and have likely over 100 tips. Well this LAST tip is simple. Remember those two words you said during your marriage. You remember? “I DO!” Those two short words in my opinion are a promise. But what were you promising? My vows I promised “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish ’till death do us part.” So my last tip is to remember your promise and be faithful to the best of your ability to live up to that oath.

I would love to hear your story and or comments.

Greg Patterson, Certified Professional Photographer