I have never been the person who comfortably eases her way into something new.  Any time I start something new, I jump in with both feet… hands tied behind my back.    Most of the time, I blindly stumble and feel my way around until I become more familiar with my new surroundings, but I never slowly acclimate myself.  It’s been this way since I was a very young girl.  I couldn’t just ride my bike… I had to ride my bike to my memaw’s house, then lift weights, then shoot baskets, then ride my bike home.  When I got home, I practiced my long jump form in my homemade long jump pit.  I couldn’t just jog a mile with my friend after school… I had to alternate each hundred yards with different exercises of skipping, side stepping, hopping on one leg then the other.  I dare not just wash my car… I have to detail each and every square inch sometimes using Q-tips to reach far back into the air vents and even remove decorative pieces of trim to clean behind them.

Since 1993, when I was stationed in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Granny Taylor invited me to her house for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.  Everyone who was a “regular” at Granny’s house was assigned a food item to bring.  Crazy Aunt Carol brought the mashed potatoes, Aunt Donna made the potato salad, Aunt Tata made the green beans and corn casserole, and Tricia made the broccoli casserole.  Granny would cook the turkey, ham, and stuffing.  Since everyone knew how much I loved cooking and how early I liked to wake up (please note my sarcasm), I was assigned dinner rolls and ice.   And not the good, homemade or even the frozen-and-let-rise kind.  I’m talking the 10-minute, brown and serve variety.  For the last 17 years, I have got to experience some of the best holiday food on the planet, spend time with some really great people (and with my own brother and sister), and all I had to do was wake up in time to put 12 dozen brown and serve dinner rolls in the oven.

Earlier this year, Granny Taylor passed away (LOVE you, Granny!) and her family is making slight revisions to their holiday plans.  Although I’d probably be completely welcomed, I think it’s totally ludicrous to continue with the Taylor tradition until I’m nearing my 70’s, taking my kids who will be in their 40’s, and bringing my grandchildren who, if all happens in a timely manner, will be teenagers.

Now is the perfect time to begin a new tradition with my children, and hopefully one day grandchildren, in my home, and with a meal that I have prepared.  I have not cooked an entire Thanksgiving meal since 1992, after Sierra was born, so this ought to be interesting.  We’re having turkey, ham, stuffing (a very special recipe), and all the trimmings.  I’m also making two pumpkin pies, and a cherry  pie.

I’ll jump in with both feet… hands tied behind my back.  For now, I’ll cook everything… the whole kit and kaboodle.  Maybe one day, I’ll start assigning the menu items.  (Sierra, you’ll have rolls and ice.)

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I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget.  As professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.

I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling, reading, and listening to Elvis!

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