Degrees North Images

06/10/2026

05/07/2026

Do you need an engagement session?
In my view, no.
But also, maybe.

There are a few questions you could ask yourself to help you decide.
- Do you always hate how you look in photos?
- Do you want them because it's a milestone? This one is tricky. Watch the video to understand why.
- Do you have a trip planned during your engagement period where you could get vacation photos as a souvenir?

If your wedding budget is a zero sum game, I would rather have you spend that engagement session money on adding an album to your wedding photography package. This is what my husband and I did and we are SO GLAD we did.

A seasoned pro photographer doesn't need to practice with you before the wedding day because they will have had meetings with you ahead of time, have a solid timeline with hidden buffer time in place on the wedding day, and be able to read your movements and facial expressions from the moment they start photographing.

I have NOT photographed the majority of my clients before their wedding day because so many of the weddings are destination events for my clients.

All that being said, I do love photographing engagement sessions. One of the pros is that you can get extra creative about where you want to do it and what you want to wear. You can make the theme completely opposite or complimentary to your wedding. It's full freedom.

Another great option is adding an engagement session album that can be used as a guestbook to your package!

Let me know in the comments if you had an engagement session and how you used your photos, or if you skipped and spent that money somewhere else. ⬇️

05/06/2026

I'm excited to share that I'll once again have a booth at the 2026 Galveston Tourism Summit!
Join me Tuesday, May 12 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. Register at the link 👇🏻

Celebrating a Decade of Tourism Excellence in Galveston

04/22/2026

Your bachelorette era meets Galveston.
With everything from spas and shopping, to nightlife for an island queen, this is the place to be.

Need a place to stay that feels like a Barbie summer house?
Check out Girlie Grounds

Grab your sunnies and rent a Moke from Galveston Moke Rentals and see the island in style.

Host + Planning
Coordination Moonstruck Events and M2M Events Co.
Hair and Makeup Studio DG Beauty
Models

04/08/2026

Excited to share this awesome feature published on Married On Island from a sunrise elopement on East Beach.

Discover Chrissy and Matt’s intimate Galveston beach elopement, featuring magical blue hour photos, a sunrise ceremony, and heartfelt wedding touches. Perfect inspiration for couples planning a relaxed, scenic beach wedding.

03/18/2026

Kids (and some adults) are unfiltered, which is THE REASON FAMILY PHOTOS ARE FUN!!!

I heard your gasps through my phone, but let me tell you, a huge part of the reason that family sessions can feel overwhelming to book, is because of expectations that don't align with your actual family.

No one in your group is a soulless moldable statue. And if you really wanted photos of statues, you could just go look at an art history book.

When you start looking at YOUR family photo sessions as an experience you get to have with the current iteration of your family (cause let's be honest, these kids grow up fast!) it starts to feel more like a little adventure and less like a burden.

Your family is fun and full of character. Your kids are comedians, acrobats, scientists, and poets. Letting go of the idea that anyone in your family will cease being exactly who they are for an hour is the biggest step.

You cannot recreate some else's family, just as no one could recreate yours. Trying to do this takes away from all the real moments you could be having together. I want to hear your husband's dad jokes. I want to see grandma searching for shells with her grandkids. I want to see the cousin chaos!
..and yes, you can absolutely have a beer.

02/25/2026

Bookmark this for your Galveston beach ceremony!

Our beaches are both a blank canvas and a work of art. Decorating for your elopement or wedding ceremony can be as "extra" or simple as you want.

Here is some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing, and of course, proof you don't need to do anything at all but show up and get married! (Tap photos for vendors).

Tell me in the comments which setup is speaking to you the most??

02/23/2026

You don’t have to leave the country or hike up a mountain to have a cool elopement. Here are some unique places to elope in the U.S.

Mackinac Island, Michigan: One of my absolute favorite places on earth! This place could be for anyone. Want luxury, they’ve got. Want adventure (light or hardcore), they’ve got it. Love history and want to travel back in time, you can! This is an incredible elopement option for travel lovers that want to experience a Michigan gem.

San Antonio, Texas: It’s more than just The Alamo. San Antonio has a unique cultural heritage more than 300 years in the making. Living history and modern amenities bring old and new together. Visit the missions, enjoy the Riverwalk, and explore the natural beauty at the foot of the Texas Hill Country.

New Orleans, Louisiana: Anthony Bourdain once quipped, “There’s no other place on earth like New Orleans. Don’t even try to compare it to anywhere else.” I don’t know what else to add except that all the food I ate there was some of the best food I’ve ever had in my life. This place is for people that love to celebrate outloud!

Cape May, New Jersey: This is one of the great seaside resort towns on the east coast. Streets are lined with Victorian estates and beach homes, and locals and tourists ride bikes to and fro. Cape May is a pedestrian friendly town with a charming downtown, and a gorgeous beach lined with those famous canopies and umbrellas.

Walt Disney World, Florida: Disney has a TON of uniquely themed venue options for an elopement at their resort hotels and inside the parks. You can even bypass Disney Fairy Tale Weddings and get married via other companies at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts and at Disney Springs. For Service Members, Shades of Green is also an option.

Saugutuck, Michigan is an amazing place for couples that want a little adventure, but on the lighter side. With access to insanely beautiful beaches skirted by dunes, AND a cozy downtown, it’s the perfect mix of outdoor exploration and festive amenities.

Galveston, Texas: Of course I’m putting Galveston on this list! We have everything! While it’s growing as a cruise line port (yes, I’ll photograph your cruise wedding), it’s still a very local's island full of history, hospitality, and adventure. Enjoy five star dining after a surfing lesson. Take a ghost tour after a luxurious spa day. You’re in the Free State of Galveston, after all.

And while I’m at it, here’s a wishlist of other unique places where I’d love to shoot an elopement:

- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
- Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California (Just go look at photos and you’ll understand why this is right up my alley!)
- Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia (It’s like another planet!)
- Dogwood Canyon, Missouri
- Saratoga Springs, New York (I was stationed there in the Navy and need more reasons to go back!)
- Isle Royale National Park, Michigan (one of the most remote national parks in our gorgeous country!)

02/13/2026

The very green and warm (sweaty) months are mere weeks away!

This sun soaked engagement session had me in Houston (a rarity these days) and the light was *chef's kiss* amazing. Added to that, the dress Alexis picked for this portion of their session was perfection!

Book your spring sessions now while dates are still available!
Visit degreesnorthimages.com/contact to get started!

01/07/2026

Come meet me in real life on January 18th! See you then!

Counting down the days to our Wedding Expo + Open House!

Getting excited to see some of our favorite vendors: