Charlotte Wedding Photographer » Kristin Vining

Bloggers meet Dustee + Justin…

“Howdy, Ya’ll! (insert a little cajun-drawl!)”  Earlier this month, I hopped on a plane and headed down to NOLA to photograph last year’s Facebook Frenzy contest winner, Andrea Eaton (those images are coming soon!) and this delicious Texas couple!  Dustee and I met via Style Me Pretty, after seeing the beautiful Lindsey + John’s blog post.  She called.  We clicked.  She booked.  Having never met in person, she and her family took that leap of faith in us – in me!  And I could not be happier!!  And wouldn’t you know it – Dustee and Justin are being featured this morning on Style Me Pretty’s, Little Black Book!!  Those who come from SMP, shall return to SMP??  THANK YOU, Ms. Eddye – you and the entire SMP team are AMAZING!!

Back to the eSession, we started out shooting at the quaint  W Hotel, followed by a visit to Mardi Gras World!!  We ended the night on Bourbon Street with a little stop at the jazz cafe inside the Royal Sonesta Hotel.  THANK YOU to EVERYONE involved in making this shoot possible (Tommy, Duanne and Andi with Paris Parker Salon…THANK YOU!!).  While New Orleans was setting record-breaking frigid temperatures, Dustee and Justin kept it hot and spicy!!  We pulled together as a team, got in – took our shot – and got out!  I am so proud of what we were able to accomplish in little time and freezing (to the bone cold) weather!!

And because I’m utterly in love with this duo, I figured I would just share their entire love story – it’s just too good to pass up (and I certainly cannot top this writing!).

“A native of a small West Texas town known for its fried steak fingers and football, Dustee Tucker (yes, her given name!) considers herself a “home grown” girl.  But don’t let the accent fool you, she isn’t all small town.   Coming from a family that encourages you to reach for your dreams, Dustee grew up surrounded by inspiration from her family — Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen and Interior Secretary Gale Norton.  Dustee saw their many contributions as a testament of the value of hard work and determination and sought an opportunity to work in the marbled halls of Capitol Hill as a press staffer for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.  In her experience on “the Hill” she witnessed the crippling of ricin poisoning on the Capitol offices, the fall of the space shuttle Columbia over Texas and the collapse of Enron; but most importantly, she saw the rise of American’s pride in our country after 9/11.  Dustee later went on to work for President George W. Bush as a political appointee where she served as a Director of Communications to Alphonso Jackson.  From a family that represents both sides of the political aisle, Dustee jokes that of all the advice she was given, probably the truest statement in Washington is, “If you want a friend, get a dog.”  She took that advice to heart, and is the proud co-owner of a yellow lab named Raleigh.  After seven years of the political hustle and bustle, Dustee traded in DC for a chance to get back to family and friends and all things Texas.  In her current role, Dustee advises executives and leading companies around the world on media strategy and communications.

Also a native of Texas, Justin grew up in Austin and was headed to the University of Texas when he changed his plans and continued his baseball dreams at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio on a baseball scholarship.  Fate works in mysterious ways as his college teammate and close friend’s wife later introduced him to that certain girl from West Texas.  During his junior year, St. Mary’s won the 2001 Division II National Championship in Montgomery, Alabama, and despite his love of St. Mary’s blue and gold, Justin continues to bleed the burnt orange of his beloved Texas Longhorns.  He introduced Dustee to all things Bevo, and even though she still wears high heels to the games, she now has burnt orange in her wardrobe.

Justin and Dustee still joke about their first meeting.  Justin misheard Dustee when she pronounced her name, mistaking “Dustee” for “Destiny.”  Well, little did they know that a year later, destiny would indeed be the case!”

Justin and Dustee are tying the knot at the swanky One&Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas this summer.  We CANNOT WAIT!!  OH – and J+D…THANK YOU for the yummy after-shoot dinner.  I had THE BEST time hanging out with y’all.  Lots of love!!