Jayden - Steele High School - Class of 2024

It’s hard to believe that May is right around the corner once again. Parents are trying to soak in every ounce of time with their soon-to-be high school graduates. For parents, this time is exciting, while at the same time has us holding on to our kids being kids as tightly as we can. For family friends, we look at their kids in awe and wonder how they are indeed old enough to graduate. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing the Brett family since I moved to Cibolo. Alissa and I served on our kid’s elementary school PTC board before I began teaching. I loved her from the minute I met her. With life being forever busy with kids in sports, I always get extremely excited when my dear friend asks me to come photograph her family. Her first baby is getting ready to graduate. Jayden is such a kind and sweet young man. Like other teenagers, Jayden loves movies and video games and has enjoyed attending football games. During his high school career, Jayden played the violin in the Orchestra, and was invited into the National Honor Society, and HOSA. He was also a part of the school’s JROTC. When asked what he would have done differently he says he wishes he would have joined the JROTC sooner, and added that he encourages incoming freshmen to get involved in clubs and other organizations that the school has to offer. What’s next for Jayden? He is going to get to live at home while attending Texas State for Nursing.

For those of you still looking to have your soon-to-be graduates’ senior pictures done, let me help you check that off of your list. Let’s get you on the schedule!

Early Spring in Gruene

Nothing makes me happier than when family friends ask me to capture memories for their own families. Being trusted with such an important job means the world to me. This family just so happens to be the family of my daughter’s best friend Lilla. Her mother Pilar messaged me a few weeks ago super excited that her oldest daughter Taylor and her husband were going to be in town, so it was the perfect time for updates. Off to Gruene, we went. The weather was a little brisk when we arrived, but it quickly warmed up. These three ladies are absolutely beautiful inside and out. It was my first time getting to meet Taylor and her husband Brandon, and Taylor is every bit as sweet and warm as her mother and little sister. It brings me such joy to bring this little sneak peek to all of you.

If you are looking for some family updates, a milestone session, or Senior pictures, I would love to work with you. Send me a message and we will get you onto the schedule.

Medici Family ~ 2024

My first photo session of the year was perfect. We went out to Gruene, Texas for an early morning shoot; probably one of my favorite areas to photograph in our area. It has plenty of hidden areas that are perfectly rustic. Although it was a brisk 47 degrees out, this family came out and was so fun to work with and photograph. I’ve known Jessica for a few years through working with her on my campus and I have taught a few of her children. They are a spunky bunch and you can tell that they love being together. The older kids were ready to jump and do whatever I asked of them and had a great time doing so. The younger two are very sweet and shy, but John Paul also loves to be silly. Their German Shepherd, Axsel was a real trouper and was such a good boy throughout the entire time we were there.

Here is a little sneak peek of our morning. Click on the pictures for the carousel to move.

Watermelon Mini Session with Paisley

I’ve been anxiously waiting to be able to photograph this sweet young lady for quite some time now. This sweet little girl is about to turn TWO. Over the last few weeks we ended up having to reschedule her session three times because the weather was just not on our side. Mom and I were a little worried today when we walked outside and saw that it was a little overcast, however today was the day; the day we got to venture out to Gruene, Texas, and have a watermelon snack and play with Mommy. She happily sat with her took little nibbles of her watermelon. She did not like that I ended up taking her shoes off, but Grandma knew just the trick to drying her tears and helping her return to her cute adorable smiles. Paisley is at the stage where she doesn’t want to stray too far from mom, but she loved running after her, and running to hug her. I loved watching them together, Mom’s smile while snuggling her baby and the way Paisley snuggled into her mommy was the sweetest thing ever. Stacy thank you so much for letting me spend part of the morning with you! Here are a few of my favorite shots, ok ok, there’s more than a few, but I can’t help it. She’s so cute!

If you would like your own Watermelon Mini Session, message me, and we will get you booked!

~Rowan

Baby Holly

It’s so exciting to welcome new babies into the world, it’s even more exciting when it is one of your co-workers. It’s been some time since my last newborn session, but my sweet team mate, Kristen and her husband Ryan welcome a wonderful little girl named Holly into the world last month. I was blessed with the opportunity to go photograph her in an at home session. I’ve been so excited for my friend to become and mom, and I loved watching her be just that during our session. Holly is a sweet baby, and wanted nothing more but to be snuggled up close to mommy. Here are a few images from our time together, and I can’t wait to go get some baby snuggles again soon.

Steele High School Senior ~ Tyler Switaj

I’m so blessed to be able to be the photographer for this families high school Senior for a second year in a row. Last year, I was able to photograph their son Zack, who happened to swim with son while they were in high school. Moving to this year, Tyler is the third son of a very dear family friend. He found a wonderful job this year working at a horse ranch in Seguin, Texas, and just looking at these images you can see straight away how therapeutic this job has been for him. Tyler, like his brother Zack, is autistic. Being able to care for these animals has brought him so much joy and he couldn’t help but give each of these horses huge hugs and we moved through his session. Just as you could see his attachment to these gorgeous equestrian beings, the horses were equally attached to him. They were happy to follow him around the corrals, and just be with him. It is no wonder as to why he chose his place of work, to be where he wanted his senior pictures taken. There was an incredible sense of peace while we were there. I hope you enjoy this sneak peak of his handsome guy and his favorite friends.

Robyn and Kelly

I’m so excited that Robyn and her fiancé Kelly took advantage of my Sweetheart Mini Session. I was so happy to see my friend again. Robyn worked at the same campus as I did before I came on as the Art teacher. She worked I as the SLC lead teacher with my husband and quickly became one of my favorite people. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met, and exudes light. She’s the kind of person that you just feel better to be around her. She has since moved onto a different campus doing the same job, and I miss seeing her dearly. She and Kelly are soon to be married this fall and I couldn’t be more excited for them. We ventured out too Gruene, Texas today for an early morning shoot, and oh was it chilly. I haven’t gotten to meet Kelly before today and can’t wait to see more of her, and more of them together. There is a sweet image of them sitting on a bench, where I asked them to close their eyes and I just to happened to capture Robyn gazing at her soon to be wife and you can see the immense love and forever crush that she has for Kelly. For that reason it became my favorite image of the day.

How adorable is this couple? Robyn and Kelly, I loved my morning with you both. I hope you love your sneak peak and your gallery.

~Rowan

Zack Switaj ~ Steele Knights Senior ~ Class of 2022

I was so excited to get to take this young mans senior pictures. Zack has swam alongside my Aiden and I was SO HAPPY that he wanted to be photographed at the pool. I have wanted to photograph a senior in the pool for a few years. We had a ton of fun, and I love how his eyes lit up when I asked him to hop into the pool in his clothes with his tie still on. He told me “It feels so weird to be in the pool with my clothes on! Now I have a great idea for Wacky Relays!” His favorite memory from his high school career was when he became a Co-Captain for the team. His most valuable lesson is to never give up. He says “Seriously! Just DON’T!” and his advice to incoming freshman is to keep setting goals you can crush, and then make new ones. Don’t forget to “Swim Fast” He told me today that “We don’t leave our opponents in the dust, there’s a reason we tell them to Eat our Bubbles”

I remember the first time I ever laid eyes on this handsome guys. He had orange everything, from head to toe. Goggles, swim backpack, puffy jacket, jammers (what their long swim trunks are called), you name it. He loves the color orange. He is also quite the chef, and his swim coach often has him bring in some of his baked deliciousness in for the team. When you ask Coach Fain she says that “Zack always keeps me in check as a coach, helping me remember details and being ready to help do anything needed for the team. Of course there’s the amazing baked goods he’d give for special occasions and the thoughtful gifts throughout the years. He always made me feel appreciated.” Not only is Coach Fain their coach, she happily becomes their school mom ready to cheer them on and support them however she can, regardless of the path they choose.

Once he graduates in a few short months (still not sure how that is only two and a half months away), Zack will be heading to Roger Williams University in Rhode Island to major in Marine Biology. Given his love for the water, I just know he is going to settle in happily.

Now, I don’t know how I’m going to manage to post just a “few” favorites, because each of these images is my favorite for their own reasons. I was introduced to very funny and silly side of him. His mom warned me that he may not be up to being photographed because it’s not really his favorite thing in the world, but he really opened up and enjoyed his time in front of the camera.

Ok, I definitely chose more than a “few”.

Jenn, Tim and Zack, I hope you love this little peak. xoxo-Rowan

Stars Vipers Cheerleader ~ Chloe Rakers

Took this gorgeous young lady our for a photoshoot in her uniform about a month ago, while we were at Cheersport in Atlanta. It was a really fun competition to go to. They gym of course brings their photographer in for some headshots, but with a mom for a photographer, she’s always looking for me to take pictures myself. Partly because she can be herself and act silly in them. . For a parent that’s always exactly what we want the portraits of our kids to be, a true representation of who they are. We were able to grab one of her cheer sisters to get in on the fun too. These two have been cheering on the same team for three years now. Chloe has a fabulous sense of humor, and is also kind hearted and loves to take care of others. She’s an animal lover and is obsessed with her yorkie, Ollie. So here are her pictures, don’t forget to leave her some love in the comments.

Lucas Rakers ~ His turn in the spotlight and some brotherly loveLucas

Lucas just turned 11, and it’s been a little while since I took any pictures of just him. So while we were out shooting Aiden’s senior pictures, we brought Lucas along to snap some of him also. Lucas is really feeling the fact that Aiden is a senior and may be leaving the nest soon after. While Aiden has said he’d like to live at home while attending community college first, Lucas is still aware that Aiden is already spending less and less time at home. He waits up for him to get home from work and every time he sees Aiden, he is always asking him to play a game with him, just so he can get what ever quality time he can with him. Quality time is definitely Lucas’s love language and he gives the best hugs in the world. He gets really excited to receive board games and movies, because to him that means the family is going to play with him and have a movie night. He loves Legos but only if it means his brother will build with him. Aiden’s love language is touch, he really loves hugs and cuddles. Even at 17 he will cuddle with me on the couch. Lucas’s love for quality time and Aidens love for hugs makes for a pretty awesome pair, because when they aren’t arguing their hugs and bonding time are pretty sweet.

I hope you enjoy this gallery, its one of my new favorites.

~Rowan

Aiden Rakers ~ Class of 2021

I’m not sure when it happened, because I promise I barely looked away for a moment; but this tiny four week early little 6lb 13oz baby boy is about to graduate high school. Not only is he about to graduate, but he also turns 18 next month. He is a varsity swimmer for Steele High School, has owned and run his own small lawn business, along side life guarding for the past 3 years, and is looking forward to going to school to become a mechanical engineer. We finally went out to Essex Modern City in the downtown area of San Antonio and got the rest of his Senior pictures taken care of. The first group we took down at The Float Inn in the fall, but these are more his speed. Cap and Gown pictures to come…

The Float Inn, New Braunfels TX

Location : Essex Modern City

A Little Photo Fun with Grandma

I completely forgot that I had these in my camera roll, so as I was uploading the images from my last session into Lightroom, I was very pleasantly surprised to see these. My mom moved to the area this past summer, so we have been excited to do all the things that the San Antonio has to offer. This particular day we took her to the Float Inn for the Pumpkin Patch and some lunch. Iit was fun to walk around and see all the cute little areas that they had put together for different photo opportunities.

Sunday Morning with the Salinas Family

Words cannot express how much I was looking forward to this session. I met Susan when my younger two started school in Cibolo. As the councilor at our school, she has poured so much love into so many young men and women and I am very blessed my own younger two children got to experience just that. This month has brought a bright new beginning for Susan and her family as she was asked to full fill a different position and now gets to teach incoming councilors and help guide them into helping out their own students. While we were all shocked and sad to hear that she was leaving our school, I couldn’t help but be excited for her and for all the students that her guidance will touch. This past week was our first full week without her there, so I was so excited to get to see her Susan’s today and have a little fun with her and her family. It was such a pleasure to walk around Historic Gruene with them, listen to her boys giggle as they talked, and enjoy the area pretty much all to ourselves. Susan and Joe, I hope you enjoy this little glimpse at your images as much as I enjoyed you all today.

xoxo

Rowan

Ms. Jennifer and Family

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than coworkers reaching out for a photo session for their families. This lovely lady left our campus at the end of last year to be able to stay home, because her household was about to grown by two tiny pink feet. I finally got the pleasure of meeting this sweet little baby last weekend, and OH MY, did she give me some baby fever. While we are finished expanding our family, I take great joy in being a bonus Auntie to friends and their littles. This little one has such gorgeous big brown eyes, and was so easy going. Her older brother is just in love with his baby sister, and boy does it show in these pictures. I can’t wait for you to see this little glimpse into the time we spend together last week. To my sweet friend, how I’ve missed your “Hello, my Love” greetings in the morning and seeing your face everyday. I can’t wait to come spend more time with you this summer and get my Jenn fix and my baby fix in. Thank you so much for asking me to capture this precious six month mile stone.

Much love,

Rowan

Steele High School Senior ~ M'Kenzie Daniels

I’ve got the pleasure of meeting M’Kenzie a few years ago, because her mom offered her help to my incoming freshman, so he know when he needed to try out for the swim team. It’s crazy to think that was three years ago. I also get to work with her mom on my campus. They are a really fun bunch, and know how to have a good time and there are always tons of laughs when her mom and I get together. Kenzie, is incredibly driven and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her. She will be off to Texas A&M Corpus Christi this summer to study Marine Biology.

Steele High School Class of 2021

Have you ever h ad those moments when you nail something, and you get so excited that you jump up and down? Thats how this entire photo shoot felt. I got the pleasure of photographing Noah’s sister a few years ago, for her Senior pictures, so I was super excited when their mom messaged me for Noah’s as well. Noah is such a sweet kid and I’m so excited with how comfortable he was during the shoot. His pictures are some of my favorites of this year. He asked to go out to the Japanese Tea Gardens in San Antonio. I love photographing there. Many people forget about it or write it off because it tends to be pretty busy all the time. It’s a really beautiful place, and perfect for his shoot. So enjoy them, and comment and give them some love.

The Switaj Family

There isn’t much I couldn’t say about this lady and her family. She is one who would quite literally give you the shirt right off of her back. Her son Zack, swims with my Aiden for their high school team as well as a summer league, and her daughter cheers with my Chloe. We’ve become quite entangled in each others lives. Her two other boys are just as enjoyable to be around. I loved being able to photograph a post holiday shoot for them. There wasn’t a moment where they were playfully teasing one another, smiling or cracking jokes. It make for an extremely fun evening. So without any more delay, here is a little peak into their session.

Our turn….

I try every year to create family photographs of our own; you know, the ones where I’m in them too. It’s only worked one other time, and that was 8 years ago. I hired someone last year, and this year I was going to hire someone again. Our schedules just didn’t match, so that meant if I wanted them, I had to do it myself. Thank Goodness for tripods and self timers! I’m very happy with the turn out, my oldest was able to help, and captured a great picture of my husband and I. As I sat editing this afternoon, I kept looking at my older two dumbfounded at how fast the last 16 years have flown by. I wouldn’t change anything. Doug and I have three amazing kids, and we are so blessed by all three of them. They are all completely perfect in their own way. That’s not to say there are some pretty low, lows that come with really high highs, but I wouldn’t change anything about any of them.
2020 has truly been a year to remember for so many reason. There’s been so much loss, so much uncertainty, so much ahhh! This year has taught us, to “Take the Pictures” as my dear friend Alissa always says, Live Your Love LOUD, as my friend Kryste says, and enjoy your little people being in your house, all together at the same time. Aiden started working this year and had to work ON Thanksgiving. We were absolutely NOT fans of this new part of our new normal. So on days we are all home the answer to going to a friends house is now my new favorite time to say NO. They may gripe about it sometimes, but I know down the road they will appreciate it. So here’s a glimpse into our day today.

The Brett Family

I was pretty excited when she asked me to take her families pictures this year. Out of everyone that I know, Alissa Brett knows how much value a simple photograph can hold. The journey photographs take you on, to be able go back in time for just a single moment. These are moments to treasure and sometimes leave you wanting to grasp hold of that moment in time and never let it go. This last year her motto has been “Take the pictures, always take the pictures.” I couldn’t agree with her more. Alissa has taken 2020 and has done everything she can to make the best out of it. Whether it’s a Zoom craft day, dinners in the drive way, creating a bowling ally on her driveway for her kids, or taking remote learning by the horns; one thing is for sure, she makes the best lemonade out of every lemon she’s been handed. Lis, I hope you love your sneak peak every bit as much as I loved spending time with you and your family.