February Showers Bring March Flowers

There has been hype and anticipation for months now over the Flower Crown Workshop at Summerfield at Tate Farms hosted by Three Twelve Co. And it continues to build! The location is absolutely magical and we all know anything hosted by Three Twelve is going to be amazing. (Anyone caught a glimpse of the upcoming Kwestival...?)

This post is neither sponsored nor necessarily promotional, we are all just really excited for this to come together. Yesterday I met with Three Twelve Co. and The Backyard Bouquet to get a preview of what we'll be doing. I honestly think that whenever you get good people together it's bound to be amazing. And then you add flowers on flowers on flowers...

All images © 2016 BECKLEY PHOTOGRAPHY. All rights reserved.

BEHIND THE SCENES OF A STYLED SHOOT | WITH DAN SAUER PHOTOGRAPHY

A lot has happened at BECKLEY HQ in the past couple months. We've started working with event companies, boutique shops, jewelry lines; we've branched out into taking on-site office head shots; we've met and worked with more bloggers and Dallas creatives; and we hired a new stylist!

If you follow us on Instagram, you may have seen her beautiful face a couple times already. You can also see it here! where she is officially introduced!

Last week we got to work with Dan Sauer Photography on a styled wedding shoot, and our BECKLEY Team worked as on-set stylists with Elizabeth doing hair and makeup for the bride and Alex offering hands-on styling (dress clipping, adjusting for photos, arranging the flower crown, etc.)

Some people prefer sleeping in on a Sunday morning. We prefer waking up bright and early to spend our mornings sipping coffee photographing, and styling. 

See some photos from Dan Sauer Photography here.

STYLED SHOOT | HIGHLAND PARK

BECKLEY Photography (formerly BECKLEY & Co.) (yes we are still a team) (yes we still offer our styling services) (yes we hate that "& Co." wasn't accepted by the state's office as an official business title) (and yes we are still nursing our wounds)

... had the wonderful opportunity to work with Dan Sauer photography last weekend on a magical styled shoot. Dan is a photographer friend of mine from Los Angeles and coordinated this entire shoot in no time at all - which is a testament both to how amazing he is and also how phenomenal Dallas is. (In case you missed it, I think very highly of the Dallas creative community. See: Every post ever on the BECKLEY blog)

This was an exciting opportunity for the BECKLEY Photography team because our lovely Elizabeth did the hair and makeup for the "bride" and our brand new stylist Alex worked flawlessly on-set styling the models to perfection. Big win for team BECKLEY!

PHOTOS | DAN SAUER PHOTOGRAPHY

Let me list these fantastic vendors because they are forever my favorite people:

Photography | Dan Sauer Photography | @dan.sauer
Set Design | Melanie & Co. | @melanieannewing
Florist-tables | Platinum Petals Floral | @platinumpetalsfloral
Florist-crown/bouquet | Leeny's Flowers | @leenys_flowers
Model Stylist: | That's us! | @beckleyco
Dress | Circle Park Bridal | @circleparkbridal
Vintage rentals | Gold Dust Vintage | @golddustvintagerentals
Baker | @brigid.mcmahan
Calligraphy | Kimi Nam | @kimi.nam
Models | @claireballor & @james.voelker

** COMING SOON | BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOS FROM A BEAUTIFUL HIGHLAND PARK STYLED WEDDING SHOOT **


 

MAXWELL & GRAY + NUTRITION BY KARA | PANCAKE PARTY

January's featured event by MAXWELL & GRAY was a mommy + me pancake party with Dallas nutritionist Kara (NUTRITION BY KARA) teaching mommies and their little ones how to make easy and healthy four-ingredient pancakes. The kids loved learning how to make the pancakes, but we all know there is nothing better on a bright Saturday morning than sitting at a kiddie table, drowning your pancakes in syrup, and shoveling them down. (So kid-tested, mother-approved!)

Stacy from Maxwell & Gray goes above and beyond in putting these events together and we are so excited for February's event coming up in a little over a week! Click the link to register

WE ARE GIVING AWAY AN ENGAGEMENT SHOOT

Born out of personal experiences, BECKLEY Photography** was created to offer location and style consulting before and during photo shoots to give clients the exact images they want without too much hassle and planning on what should be the blissful side of things. We love shooting engagement photos because <see any engagement photo session we've ever done> ... they are just so magical. Happy couples enjoying new experiences together, dressed up for the occasion, laughing kind of nervously in front of the lens at first, and ultimately warming up to the whole photo shoot thing and having a ball. 

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AND SO

To kick off 2016 we are GIVING AWAY an engagement shoot PLUS style consulting (what he wears, what she wears, what colors, where to go, etc. etc.). Super fun and exciting stuff. 

The giveaway is hosted on instagram, but we are happy to share some details here on the blog.

Valued at $350, we will choose one lucky winner to enjoy this photography + styling engagement shoot package!

TO ENTER:

+ Follow us on instagram @BECKLEYCO

+ Tag three friends on the image who are either rocking some new bling themselves or may know someone who knows someone ETC. who will enjoy the chance to win!

That's all!

** In other exciting news, we are officially BECKLEY PHOTOGRAPHY LLC and will be shifting some gears to properly represent the new business title

 

COLD AIR WARM HEARTS | ARTS DISTRICT ENGAGEMENT

Rachel and Will are the kind of couple who are adorable together without even trying. On a blustery Saturday afternoon, after watching the weather like a hawk, we went out and braved the cold. Such troopers, the couple cuddled up and we had a great time wandering the Arts District for their engagement shoot. Will proposed at Klyde Warren Park and Rachel has a background in art, so it was only fitting to pose at the DMA and next to Savor. I love how they were able to interact so naturally in front of the camera - they really made my job so fun. 

YOU ARE EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED TO BE

A rush of wanderlust, a yearning for change, a need for excitement. Friday afternoon hits and more often than not I just want to GO ANYWHERE - especially somewhere photogenic. I actually googled today "How to move to Berlin". (Why Berlin, who knows)

I saw these words a couple weeks ago and they really spoke to me. 

Sometimes I can get impatient and just want everything to happen all at once. We have a lot of exciting ideas and collaborations in the works for BECKLEY & Co., but these words are so comforting. Not to be confused with contentment, but I think it's important to remember to be fully present in each moment and in life. Take in all that is around you, all you have been given, and all the opportunity that lays ahead. God has a plan, and that is something I often forget. 

Happy Friday from the BECKLEY & Co. Team!

HOW TO: MONDAY

Part One of BECKLEY HOW TO 

We will be sharing tips on taking photos with an iPhone and with a DSLR, how to edit photos on the computer and on your phone, lighting and composition tips, and a lot more. But on this Monday morning we thought we'd start slow and just share all our coffee photos from the past year or so.

Bon Java and Happy Monday

TAYLOR + SCOTT | DALLAS ARBORETUM

Sunshine and blue skies are what Taylor and Scott had hoped for during their engagement session at the Dallas Arboretum, but instead they were met with overcast, gloomy autumn weather. There is nothing better, though, as a photographer, than assuring clients that this crummy and dreary atmosphere creates the most beautiful lighting. Their faces lit up (and that's all the sunshine I needed - the cheese ends there I promise).

We had a wonderful day wandering the grounds, battling only a few hoards of children while in the pumpkin patch. The Arboretum offers so many beautiful backdrops - if anyone in Dallas hasn't been or is contemplating a membership, I think it's such a wonderful retreat so close to a large city, it's always worth it to go - and take lots of photos!

CITY STREETS

You know that cool new place you find that everyone has known about for years but it's new and exciting to you? THE JOULE. An absolute new favorite spot for coffee, food, drinks, work, play, occasional celeb sighting.

Last week I met up with Kathryn of Wrapped in Rouge at the sleek hotel, got my third caffeine fix for the morning at Weekend, chatted with every barista and lobby manager in sight, and got some really fun shots inside and outside of the hotel that I have been really excited about.

I love shooting with style bloggers because they are like living, breathing, Pinterest boards (or simply, style inspiration) that make me remember that there is more out there than black jeans and grey sweaters. 

See her post here where she describes her outfit details better and more eloquently than I ever could. 

HAPPIEST 2016

Born and raised in California, it is always a blessing to come home for any length of time - especially to escape the brutal (eh 40 degree) cold in Dallas. Prior to this visit, my husband and I had the pleasure to visit his hometown in Wichita where the cold was colder BUT we got snow, and to me that is magical. (See "born and raised in California")

A few big things that made the end of 2015 and start of 2016 wonderful:

  1. Our newly-adopted terrier bit ZERO children (and I could honestly stop there and be so happy)
  2. We got to visit with 85% of my husband's family for Christmas - which was huge... get it?
  3. Truman (terrier) learned to love snow as much as we do
  4. We rang in the new year with best friends
  5. On the first day of 2016, Andrew and I drove down to San Diego to visit my sister, brother-in-law and two nephews (and that MIGHT be the cherry on top so far)

With that, we hope you have a very happy and blessed 2016!

- Becca

Molly & Matt

Weddings are a special time. The bride, groom, and their families come together, and put so much of themselves into an event that brings unforgettable memories. For Molly and Matt's wedding in New Braunfels, that was especially evident. Flower arrangements, signs at the reception, invitations, programs, and the weekend timeline were made by the bride. The groom brewed five different beers. The Common Table, a wheat beer was a crowd favorite. On a crisp, overcast day overlooking the Guadalupe River, these painstaking preparations came together to make one of the most memorable weddings we've had the privilege to photograph.

  • Wedding Coordinator | Clearly Classy Events | Lauren Sutton
  • Cake | Adam Collard
  • DJ/Band | Boswell
  • Florist | Molly & Moms
  • Hair | Micah Gempel
  • Makeup | MK Twetten
  • Rentals | Whim Event Rentals | Luke Johnston
  • Tent Rental | Whim Event Rentals
  • Venue/Ceremony | Saints Peter and Paul
  • Venue/Reception | Hideout on the Horseshoe
  • Photobooth | Amanda Reynolds (sister)

Amanda of Glitter and Spice | Getting the Shot

Working with Amanda is like a breath of fresh air. At our last photo shoot in Deep Ellum I arrived in less-than-a-cheery mood because traffic and school children wandering the streets, and the whole no parking spots thing. It just wasn't pretty. So when I arrived she gets out of her car, sees me, hops back in, and hands me a purple and black glittery wand. What could change my mood faster than a wand?

I love Amanda's classy style that never bores. We brought on a lot of attention while dodging traffic to get these photos.

Worth it. 

the BECKLEY vision

BECKLEY & Co. was founded with the vision of becoming the source of inspiration for creating complete images that combine style, location, and photography. Officially a year old as of October, we have come along way in curating a brand that melds our California roots with Dallas's accessible networking, startup, and creative community. 

While we have immediate goals in reaching out to more Dallas creatives and collaborating to bring our expertise to this great city (and beyond!), we also have goals to acquire and create a studio space in the not-too-distant-future.

We are the cool and cozy navys, greys, whites, and blacks. We are natural wood and cool breezes. We are matte finishes and copper accents. We are sage and eucalyptus. We are cotton and linen. We are BECKLEY & Co. 

And if we were a storefront, we would be S E T & C O., which is by far the best kitchen and home decor store in Dallas, and probably Texas, America, and the world.

Sometimes the vision can seem impossible or we can get distracted with whatever matter is right in front of us, but it is so refreshing to walk into a shop like S E T & C O or brainstorming with other Dallas creatives and realizing there is a lot out there that is very real and attainable given hard work and dedication. 

 

 

THE FAME

Some may have seen my recent heart-felt post on Instagram and the FaceBlog about October marking the one year anniversary for BECKLEY & CO. This is a huge milestone because it marks the day I allowed myself to take photography more seriously and pursue a new career.

Not only was this year about building my photography business, but it was also about getting to know the creative community that we are so lucky to have here in the DFW metroplex. There have been so many wonderful people that I have met simply by doing what I love. One of these lovely people invited me out recently to watch a live taping of The Fame at the Rustic featuring local bloggers Dallasites101 and Culture Nugget

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An absolute perfect way to spend a Monday evening - catching up with friends, meeting new people, finding out the face behind the cutest dog-insta ever (@thecharlieconnection if you were wondering)

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We sipped, we 'grammed, and we laughed about how it's nearly approaching daunting how many events there are in Dallas now. What with the parking and the crowds... and getting older and just wanting to stay in with the new puppy...

The Fame airs Saturdays on TXA-120 at 8:30 am, but I am partial to watching the filming Monday nights at The Rustic at 7:00 pm!

welcome to the team

With my husband traveling for work more often that we both would have preferred, we found ourselves moving up the timeline for adding a new furry member to the family. We had envisioned owning a home, having a doggy door, and providing a spacious yard for our future-Rover. That said, scanning the internet for rescuable pets was a slippery slope.

Meet Truman Capote

As any pet owner - especially one who has rescued a pet - knows, there is nothing more special than providing a loving home for an animal who needs it. All bias aside, Truman is the best dog in the world, and even though this was our version of a spontaneous decision (3 weeks in the making), we are so lucky he is now a part of our lives.

Official introduction complete


CELEBRATE at BISTRO 31

This is why I love Dallas and the creative community. Last weekend I got to celebrate the birthday of a girl I met through a Dallas blogger - she came to help at a shoot with Kelley at The Style Barn and was so fun to work and chat with! Additionally, all credit goes to her for my attendance at Le Diner en Blanc, so it goes without saying this girl is amazing.

All credit goes to Kelley for throwing her a fabulous birthday dinner at Bistro 31 - girly drinks, sparkly cake, and sushi rolls on sushi rolls