"They're the 4 best friends any could ever have..."

Two weeks ago today, I was wrapping up the last day of the Three Nails Photography workshop. I can't put into words how amazing the experience was and how invigorating it was to learn from so many talented people, especially Hunter. Hunter is one of my biggest inspirations and I LOVE his work, being able to learn from him was truly amazing. I met so many talented photographers at this workshop and we all instantly clicked which was wonderful! I hope I get to work with them all again during my journey as a photographer, until then Im going to work my butt off fulfilling my dream and ever lasting desire to be a world class photographer.

Here are some sneak peeks at the various shoots that we did.

Engagement session:

Bridal Session:

Best Man & Maid of honor from the wedding portion:

This workshop would not have happened without: Hunter Leone of Three Nails Photography with his creative vision & direction. Makeup artist, Meka with Meka with Motives without her talented hands everyone would look plain & blah. Kirstie Kelly Collections for the amazing wedding dresses. Untamed Petals for their gorgeous headpieces. Pursing Eden for the set design and props that adorned our table. Rampage Farms in Hooks, TX, for hosting & allowing us to use their stunning property.

I absolutely ADORE these two!!! Baby Lucy is going to have some amazing parents!

Janet & Ben,

You guys are absolutely wonderful! Can't wait to meet baby Lucy!!! xo

It was Ben's birthday, so we snuck in a couple of birthday photos for him. :)

This was such a fun session! Originally when Sydney contacted me to do the photos it was supposed to be a Mother's Day surprise but her brother spilt the beans and it ended up being a family affair! It was so wonderful working with Sydney and her family! They definitely rocked their session!

Sydney,

Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your beautiful family! I had such a wonderful time with you guys! xo Layla

Be sure to lookout for the outtakes during the session! ;)

Can't wait to photograph their wedding in September!!!

This beautiful couple tied the knot a little over a month ago and I have to say I was very honored to have photograph their wedding. It was so sweet and special! Jihan & I became great friends throughout the time of talking about her wedding and awaiting her big day! I even photographed her Mehndi (Henna Party). Even though this post is short & sweet, it was definitely one of the most special weddings I have have the privilege of photographing.

We started out the day by having their traditional Islamic Ceremony followed by the wedding in the evening. For those of you that don't know much about Islamic Ceremonies, I'll explain as we go. :)

In the SouthEast Asian Culture, women adorned their hands and feet with henna which substituted as gold. It is said the darker the henna, the more blessed your marriage is. If you've ever had henna done you know how messy it gets, so you can only imagine how long you'd have to leave it on for it to be super dark. 

During the ceremony, the men & women are separated. The head Sheikh (Imann) does all of the talking, with a sermon followed by a couple of questions for the groom and the bride's father. The groom has to ask permission right then and there in-front of everyone for the bride's hand in marriage and with the father's blessing they two are wed. 

And now onto the wedding portion...

In order for the groom to enter the hall, he has to "pay a toll". He has a "financial advisor" negotiating his way into the hall. He has to agree to pay a certain amount of money for the bride and once the bride's family agrees, he's in! This was so fun to watch! 

Jihan & Rafe,

Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your special day! I wish you two a blessed marriage filled with love, prosperity and an abundance of happiness!!

Photographer: Layla Hillail, Le Zu Photography

Venue: Hilton SouthWest

Hijab: Hijab Couture

This beautiful lady got married a little over a month ago and these are just a few images from her Mehndi, which was so much fun! When you're done, don't go anywhere her wedding post is right after this one!

These two are just simply beautiful. Congratulations to Liz & Eric on their beautiful baby boy, Rothko. 

This beautiful couple braved getting up before the sun rose on Sunday morning, drove down to Galveston to meet up with me and well the end result was just perfect. Even though we were all running on very little sleep, Josh worked late the night before and I had pretty much just wrapped up a wedding a couple hours earlier we still had our game faces on!

Hannah & Josh, Thank you for braving the windy, cloudy morning it was well worth spending the morning with you guys! You guys are truly wonderful! Can't wait to photograph you guys again in August! Much love!! Layla

**Andddd seperateeeee!!!** ;)

I've photographed many families over my short time in being a photographer but this one was just so special to photograph. Marissa & Kasey are so wonderful and Im so happy to be the one who photographed their beautiful little family. Nothing is more special than pure love.

It has been so wonderful to photograph so many fellow COOGs lately!

I know they are all going to go off & do wonderful things in the world!

Ashik~ Congratulations on graduating from UH! Good luck with pursuing your master's! Wishing you nothing but the best!!!

I want to give a huge shout out to these two for graduating and getting into the Optometry school at the University of Houston!! Congratulations Jennifer & Peter on your huge accomplishment! Can't wait to see where life takes you guys!! Go COOGS!!!! \\n/

These two get an A++ in my book for most beautiful couple!!! Don't worry you'll see them again really soon for some other exciting news!

Ej & Errol!! Congratulations on your engagement, I wish you two nothing but the best and can't wait 'til November!!! xo Layla

I adore this girl! She was so much fun to work with! Not only did she graduate from UH just like I did but she was so spunky and no-stop posing for the camera! I told her I was going to hire her to model for me one day so you may be seeing more of this pretty girl in the future!

Vivi!! Felicidades on graduating!! I wish you nothing but all the best in the world! I know you're going to do wonderful things! Stay sweet love! Much love! xo Layla

This sweet, sweet family came down from Dallas & Kansas, yes KANSAS, to spend the weekend in Galveston to celebrate Miss Annie's birthday! They were so wonderful to work with and even though we had yucky weather, we made it work! The morning was filled with lots of laughter and getting to know these wonderful people. Apparently, bread comes from Kansas - something I learned while shooting them. They were all so wonderful and I hope to work with all of them again soon!

Annie, Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your beautiful family! Next time you're in town please let me know! Much love! xo Layla

This pretty girl is a graduate from La Marque High school!

Miss Jasmine,

Congratulations on graduating! I wish you nothing but the best of luck in college and in your future career!!

Much love! Layla

This next gorgeous girl is a graduate of Prairie View A&M Nursing School! She was a complete joy to work with and we're going to be friends foreva!!!

Beautiful Dena, Congratulations on graduating nursing school! I know you're going to do amazing things within your career! Stay sweet my love! XO Layla

This beautiful Nigerian couple was so much fun to work with!! We started off our morning on the beach and then ventured over to another location. I had such a wonderful time photographing and getting to know this beautiful couple! Bayo & Abby, Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your love! I hope you guys have a beautiful wedding!! Much love! Layla

I've know Christina and her family for quite some time now and when she called me to do her family photos I was super excited! Her family is so full of life & a complete joy to be around that I knew their session was going to be great. I bribed her kids with donuts and they gave me funny faces and smiles.

Christina & JP, Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your sweet, sweet family. It was so wonderful spending the morning with you guys! Anytime you wanna get rid of the kiddos, just give me a call! I'll give them donuts! ;)

Much love, Layla

She was REALLY, REALLY EXCITED!!

This is what happens towards the end of the shoot when the kiddos have had just about enough....