As I sit here drinking my morning coffee and writing this post, the screen doors are open, birds are chirping, and the morning sun is casting long shadows on the fence posts right outside my office door. It is definitely springtime along the Texas Gulf Coast. The flowers in our yard are blooming like crazy. Bulbs we planted last fall are emerging and new growth is all around us. This type of day, one filled with blue skies and puffy clouds, has been extremely rare around here recently.

It seems like our weeks have been plagued by rain, time and time again. For Cat and I, this is both a blessing and a curse. Since we live on a working cattle ranch, heavy rains yield lush green pastures, the cattle get a nice bath, and it gives a sense of peace and calm over the ranch. With wet and muddy roads, not much can be done around the ranch. In a way, it brings us together as a family. No one is being pulled in different directions simply because traveling around the ranch isn't possible. It is familiar to us. When the radar shows showers and thunderstorms, I have to admit, we get a little excited. In a way, it reminds me of the snow days we used to have in Indiana.

Early on in our photography business, Cat and I made the decision that we wanted to shoot primarily on the ranch. Looking back, it was on of the best decisions we could have made. We're blessed to have thousands of acres of nature right outside our backdoor - fields, streams, ponds, forest - it's all there. Because we spend every day exploring this land, we know where the sun travels, where the best trees are, which spots are sheltered from strong winds, and where it's too muddy to shoot if we've recently had rain.

Usually, light showers and wet weather don't throw a wrench in our plans. However, last week, we had to reschedule ALL of our sessions. Weeks and weeks of rain have made ranch travel nearly impossible. Boats and surfboards are currently being used to herd cattle. (Ok, I'm kidding about that part, but it was a possibility!) It seems that even when we got a break from the rain, the days were grey and gloomy. Not the type of backdrop perfect for showcasing authentic emotion and love between two lovebirds!

So what did we do?

I called our couples and let them know that we needed to reschedule. The portfolio that they were familiar with, one filled with sun drenched photos, the type of portraits that they hired us for, just weren't possible. I was so nervous having to call each couple and share the news. I know I cannot control the weather, but it is still hard to deliver the news.

Each bride I talked to was so sweet, they completely understood and sometimes even beat me to the point of the call. Even with muddy roads and gloomy weather, our brides were the rays of sunlight that we needed! So to them, I want to publicly say THANK YOU! Thank you for making our "job" easy. Thank you for trusting us! Thank you for being you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Lightning & Cheap Rainboots,

Luke & Cat

The sounds of Bulldog paws dragging across the hardwood floor combined with the morning light cascading through the blinds in our bedroom served as our daily alarm clock. I slipped out from under the covers to start my morning routine while Cat remained and slumbered a minute more. In between cups of coffee, I noticed I had a missed call and text from Cat's grandmother, Nana. She was letting me know there was a big cow working today and wanted to invite Cat and I to attend.

I ran down the hallway to spur up Cat and hope she joined my excitement and wanted to go. Opening her eyes for the second or third time that morning, she said "Sure, when are they leaving?" "Right now!" I said "The horses are loaded and the trucks are ready. They are about to pull out of Nana's driveway!"

We both jumped into action, swapping flannel pants for jeans, grabbing our coats and a camera, and out the door we went not sure of what adventure the day held.

The pictures that follow will be included as part of a collection of our personal work - images of our life and the journeys that laid the foundation for who we are today. No amount of planning could have helped us get ready for this cow working, yet something remarkable happens when we step in to the natural world: our critical eye softens. Gone are the stresses over the details of a wedding day or the perfect portrait. Instead, lumpy clouds, tall tales, and precious time together gain the spotlight.

We allow our personal work to polish our craft.

If you like these photos from the ranch, you might also enjoy these film pictures from around the ranch at springtime, or this post documenting our trip to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!

The year was 1948. Cat's grandmother, Sammie, was eighteen at the time and a student in business school. She rented a room from a wealthy socialite couple in Houston. The couple loved going to the "the-ate-uh" in the evening; Sammie babysat their children in exchange for her room and board. She still remembers the address: 2208 Dorrington Drive, right behind the Shamrock Hotel.

Gene was a student at Texas A&M, planning to join the Navy in just a few months. But first, he and his buddy, William, who dabbled in photography, would drive to Houston to call on Sammie. Gene and Sammie had been courting for a while; they'd be married with in the year. As the two shared a moment of intimate connection, William took the snapshot that has become one of our family's most cherished photos.

Sixty-six years later, we sat in Mawmaw's living room asking her to tell us more about that moment in the hammock with Paw. "What were you two doin'?" we asked, eyes twinkling. Mawmaw replied: "We didn't have any money, so all we could afford to do was look at each other." Mawmaw has taught us so many things over the years. But while speaking those words, she probably didn't realize that she was also teaching one of the keys to successful photography:

Ask your subjects to get close, real close. We tell our clients: "Get cross-eyed close!" with faces and hips nearly touching. They don't need to gaze into each other's eyes. In fact, it's better if they look into each other's lips. Look at Mawmaw and Paw; they're modeling the technique perfectly.

Although the photo above wasn't staged, and although William wasn't giving his subjects direction, he did the one thing that matters most - he stayed present and he caught the interaction, that shared moment of intimacy between two people in love.

Whether it's a successful marriage (Mawmaw and Paw shared 65 years together) or a successful photography business, getting close is the first step. So, we invite you to come closer... cross-eyed close. We've created a brand new newsletter for photographers, Life & Craft: Creating a Business and Photos Authentic To You.

If you follow along with our newsletter, we'll share more teaching stories like this one. We'll tell you about the techniques, tools, tricks, and tips we use when we're behind our cameras and behind our desks.

1. Ask your subjects to get close, real close. We tell our clients: "Get cross-eyed close!"
2. Keep the couple's faces and hips close to each other.
3. They don't need to gaze into each other's eyes. In fact, it's better if they look into each other's lips.
4. Stay present for that authentic "stolen" moment when they have an authentic interaction based on their close proximity.
5. Print that shot so that 66 years from now their grandkids will ask them questions about their favorite romantic snapshot of "Mawmaw and Paw".

Are you a photographer looking to enhance your craft, infuse more authenticity into your work, and create an exceptional tangible experience for your clients? If so, join Luke and Cat in their new educational adventures for 2015, including the free e-newsletter for photographers, Life & Craft. Also keep an eye out for the exciting workshop experience they are planning to unveil in late 2015. Join their mailing list to stay up to date and receive free educational resources, or inquire for one on one coaching opportunities!