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Lois M Photography

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Bride in courtyard during bridal session by blue door at Thistlewood Manor and Gardens

Austin

Elegant Bridal Portraits at Thistlewood Manor And Gardens

Bridal portraits are the perfect opportunity to prepare for your wedding day and ensure you’ll feel beautiful and confident as you walk down the aisle. They give you time to try your hair and makeup, slip on your stunning wedding gown, and see the entire look come together without the pressure of your wedding day. 

I also love taking bridal portraits because it allows the bride time to slow down and enjoy a session dedicated to capturing her beauty and all the intense emotions leading up to the big day. It’s a special time that often gets overlooked in the whirlwind of planning and preparation but deserves to be remembered and appreciated.

Beautiful bride surrounded by greenery in the courtyard at Thistlewood Manor in Kyle, Texas

Bride during her bridal session at Thistlewood Manor in front of the expansive fountain surrounded by greenery
Bride during her bridal session running in the ballroom for a creative photo at Thistlewood Manor and Gardens

Bride sitting on a bench at Thistlewood Manor and Gardens with the Manor in the background

I recently had the opportunity to photograph a beautiful bride at one of my favorite luxury venues, Thistlewood Manor and Gardens in Kyle, Texas. And now that she’s officially a Mrs., I can share her stunning bridal portraits with the world. 

Thistlewood Manor and Gardens is ideal for dreamy and ethereal bridal portraits because it offers a French-inspired aesthetic with neutral indoor and outdoor spaces. The venue itself is expansive with so many photo-worthy spots to explore and the property as a whole is gorgeous. It’s a popular choice for grand weddings between San Antonio and Austin, Texas because it offers so much to its guests. 

Bride on staircase in the ballroom at Thistlewood Manor in Kyle, Texas by Lois M Photography

Bride in the gardens at Thistlewood Manor by Lois M Photography
Bride during her bridal session sitting in the ballroom at Thistlewood Manor

Bride on beautiful staircase in the ballroom of Thistlewood Manor during her bridal session

The manor’s grand staircase and the lovely water feature in the main gardens were some of our favorite places for Alyssa’s bridal portraits. These spaces perfectly complemented her hair, makeup, bouquet, and magazine-worthy wedding gown. 

During the session, I focused on taking both traditional, posed photos as well as photos that truly captured Alyssa’s bright and bubbly personality. Bridal portraits are meant to highlight the bride, and so I believe it’s important to encourage movement, fun, and creativity. 

Elegant bridal session photo of bride wearing her veil at Thistlewood Manor

Bride in the Courtyard by blue door at Thistlewood Manor and Gardens
Bridal session at Thistlewood Manor in Kyle, Texas

Elegant bridal portraits of bride with floral arrangement outside in the Courtyard by the French inspired fountain at Thistlewood Manor and Gardens

If you’re in the midst of planning your dream wedding, but you want to take some time to yourself (and maximize your time with guests on your wedding day), consider booking a bridal portrait session. We can find a gorgeous location that perfectly suits your vision and aesthetic and allows you to capture these once-in-a-lifetime memories.

Ready to book your bridal session? Here’s what to do next: 

  1. Read more about my portrait sessions here.
  2. Fill out the inquiry form below
  3. Explore the blog for my favorite locations around San Antonio and Austin, Texas

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BEHIND THE LENS

MEET lois

Art with soul. Moments with meaning. Work led by intention.

Photography has always felt like second nature—an extension of how I move through the world. I grew up on a country property in Oregon, where most days were spent outside—filming home movies, dreaming up scenes, and photographing whatever caught my eye. I studied viola and piano, and that early love for rhythm and light still shapes the way I photograph today: with presence, intention, and feeling.

I’m the second youngest of eight, raised by Romanian immigrants who taught me to dream boldly and love deeply. Over the years, I found myself drawn to beautiful, refined storytelling—creative in approach and rooted in capturing true emotion. In 2021, I officially launched Lois M Photography. Since then, it has grown into a full-time business anchored in story, soul, and imagery that reflects life at its most honest and beautiful.

Today, I live just outside San Antonio with my husband, our three kids, and Luna, our mini dachshund. I find joy in the everyday—faith, family, music, strong coffee, and the kind of love stories that endure.







Inside the work 

A deeper view of my process — how light, timing, and direction shape images that feel honest and lasting.

Let’s Begin