Welcome to our blog! We're glad you're here. This is where we'll share our latest work, what we're thinking about, the latest installments in the Thompson Poole story and you're guaranteed to get a healthy dose of Wendi's passion for food. We have a lot to say, but one-way conversations are no fun. We want to know what you're thinking so make our day...leave a comment...we promise to read it!
Wendi & Denise
Back in January we had the pleasure of working with the Floral Elegance team for Katrice and Michael’s San Antonio wedding. You can see their lovely creations here and here. We recently popped into their studio for a visit and wanted to share some of their loveliness with you.
I really like their logo and love how it translated into the floor design. Yes those are my fun yellow shoes! Yayness!
Floral Elegance
434 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 2106
San Antonio, TX
210-494-2024
www.safloralelegance.com
We had the great fortune of spending the day at The Plant in Kyle, TX for a photoshoot. This is not your typical Hill Country ranch house! The award-winning architectural wonder located on 17 hill-country acres is a unique option for an intimate wedding, a corporate executive retreat or a weekend get-a-way. I encourage you to visit their website to learn about the unique history of this building. Can you believe it started as a humble cement plant?
It rained the entire day we were there, but I was able to catch a few outdoor shots just as we were leaving. You can see more of the images from our (indoor!) photoshoot at Elizabeth Anne Designs. Enjoy!
The Plant at Kyle
Kyle, Texas
For reservations, rates & current availability visit their vacation rental management website.
For inquiries other than those relating to reservations, email info@theplantatkyle.com or call Mark Holzbach, 512-689-6777.
Disclosure: The Plant at Kyle generously donated the use of their facility for our photoshoot.
by wendi
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I recently made my visit visit to Minneapolis and if you’ve talked to me since my return I’m sure I’ve told you about Al’s Breakfast. I can’t sop talking about it. It’s one of those places that you can’t help but talk about. It was probably one of the best dining experiences I had, all in a 14 seat diner. It is the quintessential greasy spoon. If you ever make a trip to Minneapolis you need to go there, actually you have to go there.
I stumbled upon this place when my mom and I were looking for a late breakfast one morning during a visit to see my brother. I did a Google search and Al’s Breakfast was one of the top hits and everyone was raving about this greasy spoon. So we went. I had my camera with a 24mm in my purse and was just planning on a quick breakfast before a day of exploring. Al’s was quick in some respect. We got our food quickly and the service was fast, but the wait, well that took at least 45min. The place seats 14 people and the rest of the customers line up behind the stools with only breathing room between the two. There were a couple times we were asked to pick up our stuff and move down the bar. It was great. There was even a great cook whose been there for decades and had great conversations with everyone.
I ended up finding out that this place actually got a James Beard Award. A well deserved award I have to say.
The yellow papers are vouchers or tabs that customers keep. You can buy them for other people and when they come in they just pay with the paper. Fun!
And here is the crowning glory of this place, the food. Probably the best blueberry pancake I’ve ever had – thin, crispy on the outside and blueberry goodness on the inside.
My only disappointments were that I couldn’t eat more and that I didn’t bring better gear to shoot inside. I guess this means I need to make another trip. We almost went the next morning but since it was Saturday I thought the line would be too much. Enjoy and wish me luck in the neighborhood pie contest this weekend.
by wendi
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Wendi and I like to think of ourselves as reasonable people, but when it comes to albums we are down-right stubborn! We strongly believe every couple should have an album (more on that subject soon) and no ordinary album will do. Your wedding story deserves something special – a timeless presentation that highlights your images. When we were introduced to Cypress Albums and Boxes it was love at first sight and we knew they were the one for us!
Where do I even begin? The descriptions alone are enough to make me swoon.
individually handcrafted by artisans
rich, smooth, heavyweight fine art paper
Japanese bookbinding fabrics & Swiss ribbon
understated elegance and exquisite detail
The “Cypress,” an elegant matted album.
Beautiful thick art paper and binding detail
The “Cypress” and its accompanying European style presentation box.
The “Iris” is an elegant, modern flush-mounted album. More images and details here.
by denise
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Today we’re continuing our Through the Lens series where we explore Wendi’s approach to photography and how her background in photojournalism translates to weddings. My first challenge to Wendi was to help me understand what’s going on in her head when she looks through the camera. This time around Wendi chose the subject — planning for the end — and when her notes hit my inbox I had to chuckle because I’m the Type A one and she’s the artistic one so I couldn’t wait to read what she had to say about planning! I love that she continues to surprise me and as I learn more about how she does “her thing” I have a deeper appreciation for the thoughtful preparation that goes into each and every shoot.
And now, in the words of Wendi…
Planning for the end. When I’m shooting I always keep the final product in mind. For magazine assignments I shoot more verticals because I know how the magazine is oriented and verticals play nicely on the page. With weddings there are a lot of final products – albums, prints, slideshow, web, etc. The one thing common to all these is a good story and every story needs a good opening, something that draws in the viewer.
For albums I like to start with a hook to immediately grab the viewer’s attention, but I also want to introduce the key characters. When I can achieve both in the same photo, like in the image above, I’m a happy photographer! Let’s see if I can deconstruct this process for you.
I was looking for a cool, tight shot of our bride, Ashley, to lead the story, but I wanted more than just a tight portrait. (Before going on, you need to know that I love white space/negative space. I think it is its own character and plays a definite role in storytelling.) When I saw the clean wall behind Ashley as she was having her hair done I wanted to use it to my advantage. After just a couple shots I quickly knew I had what I wanted and I knew exactly how I wanted to use it in the album.
It would be the opening image, placed alone on the right hand side of the layout. The white space in the image catches your eye and leads you to read the image like a book, left to right. You’re instantly connected with one of our main characters, Ashley and you’re eager to turn the page to learn more.
With all that being said I want to be very clear that I’m not a “stager” and I don’t plan everything. On the wedding day I am an observer and I capture the wedding story truthfully as it unfolds before me.
I didn’t pose Ashley for this image. It was a moment captured. It was a moment where my preparation of considering the final product + keenly observing my surroundings came together to create a unique introductory image.
by denise
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by wendi
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