Growing up, my mom always stressed the importance of family vacations. (She stressed about a lot of things like all moms do, but this was most important!) I was incredibly lucky to visit places near and far with my family- our adventures spanning from Galveston to Disney World to Greece. I remember toting around my point-and-shoot camera (in typical photographer fashion- even back then!) and making my family pose on the beach at sunset, in front of Cinderella's Castle, and even outside of the Parthenon.
There were, and still are, so many things I love about traveling whether I'm exploring my own "backyard" on roadtrips across Texas for my wedding clients or exploring quaint European cities with my husband, Alex. To this day, what strikes me most about traveling is the way those experiences help shape my every day life when I return back home. I gain a new appreciation for languages, cultures, foods, and lifestyles every time I travel. Most notably, I come home with a greater understanding of the world and am reminded of how small we are in this vast world that God created for us. Alex and I value traveling AND sharing our experiences with others! You can follow along with our adventures (big and small) on our blog, Kati and Alex Travel, and on Instagram at @katiandalextravel.
hello! bonjour! buongiorno!
his
hers
- Pre downloaded podcasts.
- A film camera & plenty of film.
- An empty waterbottle to stay hydrated. (He's so practical- I love it!)
- Extra shirts because sometimes the sweat is real.
- A planned out itinerary with train schedules, ferry times, and bus routes...but with plenty of time to look for the best coffee shops and photo ops in between!
- A single carry-on bag. (Just try to tell Kati she doesn't need 4 pairs of shoes for a week...)
- A portable phone battery so we never get stranded without GPS!
- A good book...or three!
-A light sweater because I'm always cold (Can you tell I'm a planner at heart? Always thinking ahead!)
- My favorite Born sandals so Alex doesn't have to listen to me complain about my feet hurting.
-A notebook and pen because you never know when inspiration will strike!
- Lots of sunscreen and a floppy hat...I'm always trying to avoid getting sunburnt!
- A small backpack to carry around my camera. (Thank you, Target!)
-To-go coffee at all times and a list of the best brunch places.
she loves to laugh.
she plays with her veil.
she enjoys the outdoors even though she hates bugs.
she sees the beauty in the details.
but most of all, she can't wait to spend forever with her best friend.
Meet my husband, Alex! We are high school and college sweethearts who can't remember what life was like without each other! We both have a passion for traveling, spending time with family, and of course, photographing weddings together. Alex is my primary second shooter, and we love tag teaming throughout the day so that you receive the best coverage of the BEST day ever!
While I'm editing and blogging weddings, Alex is researching the latest camera equipment and pushing us to explore the more technical sides of photography. I love that our brains work in different ways because it means we can each add a unique perspective to your wedding day. Our favorite part of photographing weddings together is working as a team to achieve a common goal- telling your story! Alex's areas of expertise are groom getting ready photos and reception details, and he loves scoping out unexpected angles to add a mix of artistic shots to your wedding gallery. On the day of your wedding, you'll find us collaborating on the best shots, sharing camera gear (Nikon 750's and two bags worth of lenses that Alex gets to carry!), and most likely stealing a slice of cake when the moment is right. (We love our sweets!)
Alex's hobbies are film photography, running, hiking, and camping. He's a master chef which is such a blessing, because if not, I would be eating Hot Pockets for the rest of my life!
Kati once went a whole cruise without luggage, and she had no other choice but to come home with a completely new wardrobe!
Most cities can be accessed by boat, car, or train, but not Santorini! Weirdest form of transportation I've ever experienced? A donkey ride up the cliff to Santorini!
Talk about hospitality gone wrong! We were essentially kicked out of an Italian restaurant in a tiny village because the owner said we didn't order enough food. Oops!
We almost got speeding tickets in Ireland and France, but they never arrived in the mail once we were back in the US. I blame the driver...cough, cough Alex! Funny how he never gets them back home!
gotta see em all, y'all!
Strolling on the beach in Nice, France, at sunrise before the rest of the city woke up. We have jetlag to thank for that one!
Driving along the countryside in Dingle, Ireland, on the other side of the road. We stopped at some hidden gem spots, like the cliffside that had a sign reading "Farm Animals Ahead: 1 Euro Per Person." We spent an hour roaming around next to the sheep!
Viewing the Grand Canal from a gondola in Venice, Italy. It was a classic tourist moment, but we couldn't have loved it more! (Oh, and I can't forget that one time Alex wore a black & white striped shirt to blend in with the gondoliers. So embarrassing!!)
Watching thousands of hot air balloons ascend over Albuquerque, New Mexico, right before sunrise. Nothing beats laying on a picnic blanket looking up at a sky filled with balloons of all different shapes and colors.
Braving the Colorado winter weather! If you ever get a chance to drive up to the Rocky Mountains in the dead of winter (driven by a photographer you just met), you should definitely do it! The snow, the icy roads, the wind chill- it was all so memorable!