Dallas Wedding Photographer Ryan O'dowd's blog & portfolio

Tatiya and Brandon’s Wedding at The Tribute at the Colony

The Tribute at the Colony was the perfect location for Brandon and Tatiya to tie the knot. They wanted to incorporate their heritage into their wedding, so after getting married in Vietnam to celebrate Tatiya’s heritage, they headed to the States for an American wedding that reflected Brandon’s Scottish heritage.

The Tribute at the Colony is a Scottish influenced venue & golf club, which made for the perfect backdrop. Guests entered The Tribute at the Colony to a Scottish Bagpipe player out front. After their indoor ceremony, we closely watched the radar (since it was raining) to see if we could sneak out onto the course for some outdoor photos. The rain passed by just in time for sunset, and we ran outside to grab some shots. For not getting to have an outdoor wedding because of the storms, we were thrilled to have the skies open up for us to take these photos that they will forever cherish! The Tribute at the Colony is such a pretty place for photos, so we were glad we got to take advantage of it!

The dancing at the reception literally did not stop until they were kicked out. This group would have danced all night if there wasn’t a grand exit planned! But all good things must come to an end…so the party headed outside with sparklers to wish this couple the best as they left their reception! Here is a preview of their wedding at The Tribute at the Colony.

The Tribute at the Colony

The Tribute at the Colony

Zack’s Senior Pictures

It’s senior picture time! Or maybe it is past time. Maybe you’re waiting until the end to do it and still want to get some senior pictures before graduation. Well, don’t worry! I can get you taken care of quick!

Zack was needing his senior pictures done and delivered before the end of March, so we fit him in to make it happen. He came out to our red barn in McKinney to get some rustic and authentic senior pictures. He wasn’t looking for anything formal….just some causal photos he could use for graduation announcements and other things you use senior pictures for. We had a great time and I really enjoyed getting to know him and here his story. It is always such a fun season of life with college on the horizon. And knowing the seniors I do pictures of is a great way for me to route for them and pray for them in their future endeavors. Take a look at some of Zack’s senior pictures. And if you still need yours taken, it isn’t too late!

Senior Pictures

in Blog / Ryan O'Dowd Photography

Dog Lovers Engagement Photos

Bringing your dog on an engagement shoot is something I have become very familiar with over the years. Couples love their dog and want to bring them along to help capture this season of their life: engaged, happy, and dog lovers. So when Justin and Marissa asked if they could bring their dogs to the engagement session, I of course said it would be great! What I didn’t realize was that these were 3 of the biggest and strongest dogs I had ever seen. When they pulled up, they didn’t just get out of the car with their dogs. They got out, went to the back of the SUV, and opened the back. Out came 3 dogs who would definitely beat me in a wrestling match. The goal was to spend about 15 minutes with the dogs getting some photos of Justin and Marissa with the dogs. What we didn’t anticipate was the dogs agenda. They didn’t get the engagement photos with dogs memo. The got the memo that there would be squirrels and smaller dogs (well, every dog is smaller) at White Rock Lake. So while we were trying to get them to look at the camera and snuggle up with Justin and Marissa….the dogs were looking at all the furry things running around White Rock Lake. Needless to say, with the help of Justin and Marissa’s friends who Kindly came to help, we were able to get a few engagement photos with dogs and send the dogs home. We spent the rest of the session without our furry friends and just walked around White Rock lake to get some beautiful engagement photos around the lake. It was green and sunny, which make for some really pretty photos! And now I am even more excited about their fall wedding at The Grand Ivory! For that wedding, we will be working with Each and Every Detail, so we know it will be a well planned and executed wedding! But for now, enjoy some of their engagement photos at White Rock Lake.

Justin and Marissa Engagements_5675.jpg

Dog Lovers Engagement Photos

in Blog / Engagements / Ryan O'Dowd Photography

Tonya and Lee’s Wedding at Gilley’s in Dallas

Tonya & Lee were married at Gilley’s in Dallas on a beautiful spring evening! These sports lovers and dog lovers had their dachshunds dogs all dressed up and ready for the big day.

The day started across the street at the NYLO Dallas, where we were able to get some fun pictures in this modern Dallas hotel. The hotel has a rooftop, but the wind kept us from taking advantage of that spot. After the NYLO we walked over to Gilley’s rooftop for a windy but beautiful ceremony overlooking the Dallas skyline.

Their reception was tons of fun! Lots of dancing, lots of sports rivalry (because Lee is a big Patriots fan while Tonya is loyal to her Cowboys), and lots of laugher. This was the kind of reception that could have gone on all night! And to end the evening, these sports fans had all their guest wave a foam finger on their way out.

Here are a few pictures to highlight the day!

Gilley's in Dallas

in Blog / Ryan O'Dowd Photography / Wedding Photography