August 2, 2011

Wedding | Allie & Jamie

This is a wedding Jeremy & I will never forget. We made the beautiful drive from Charlotte to Oak Island, with the sun shining, and beautiful blue sky. I met up with Allie & some of her ladies at Pure Salon in Southport.  Everyone was laid back and having a great time being pampered. While I was there, Jeremy was getting venue shots of the Oak Island Golf Club and beach. I met up with Jeremy at the club, and we waited for the bridal party to arrive. We chatted about the weather, and how we hoped it would hold out for the beach ceremony. One of the golf cart guys told us to walk around the back of the building, and this is what we saw….. Needless to say, the bottom was about to drop.   By the time Allie & Jamie were dressed and ready for their first look, it was pouring.  So instead of seeing each other on the beach, or golf course like we planned…. we made the best of it, and used the restaurant balcony upstairs. These are actually my favorite photos from the day. After they saw each other they started to dance. Allie said they hadn’t had a chance to practice their first dance, so this was the perfect opportunity. After a few moments alone, we got going with all the formal photos…. but with the rain, we were stuck doing them under the club overhang (thank God there was an overhang… I really don’t know where else we could have done them! AND thank God they decided to do all the portraits before their evening ceremony!) All the guests were instructed to arrive a little early, so when a break in the rain came, everyone dashed to the beach for the ceremony. Club employees and groomsmen were drying chairs for the guests. Then, just as if it was planned….. the bottom fell out again…. just as the bridal party made there way down the aisle. During wedding ceremonies, it’s normally a nice breather…. as photographers you get to catch your breath, and get ready for the party ahead. Not this one. Thankfully when the rain came down I had my zoom lens on my camera, and Jeremy had the wide angle…. so that’s what we shot the whole ceremony with… in fear that changing lenses would get water inside our cameras. My lens kept getting covered with water, and finding a dry spot on me or Jeremy to wipe it off became comical. I really love all the pinwheels they decorated with… at the end of the night they were handing them out to the guests, so Jeremy and I snagged a few…. and they make a great addition to my office 🙂  Jamie got suckered into serenading the crowd with “Mr. Roboto” I know this photo isn’t in focus or perfectly lit… but I love it anyway… you can see all the colors from the bubbles! I have to say, through all the things that could have gotten these people down… nothing did. Allie & Jamie, all their guest and family staying in the best spirits the entire time. The guest stayed till the end of the night, even though they were all soaked. That’s commitment. You have an amazing support system, don’t forget it! Congratulations, Allie & Jamie!
August 1, 2011

Goals | August

I’m slightly embarrased that I never did goals for July. Oops. Maybe because I knew I came no where near completing them. With summer in full swing, life is busy, the day job is busy and so is photography! I mean, after all, it is wedding season. So… I’ll painfully go back to June’s goals and fess up to how I did or didn’t do…. 1. Finish moving in the office This is a work in progess… but all major stuff is in!! 2. Blog 2 weddings from April Oops. I promise this will happen… but maybe not till September…. 3. Blog Jessica & Hunter’s May 14th wedding DONE & DONE 4. Blog Catey & Michaels engagement DONE 5. Blog Emma Rae & Wiggles Didn’t get around to it…. 6. Photograph Laura’s Bridals at Duke Mansion DONE 7. Order prints to hang in the new office DONE…. but I’m ordering more 🙂 8. Get frames for said prints DONE… but I need more now! 9. Stalk the FedEx truck for my new sample canvas DONE! 10. Maybe start working on a new KISS sample album DONE! 11. Finish painting office DONE! 12. Blog photos from shoot out with other photographers DONE! 13. Wait patiently for Mary Jo’s cloth store to call me and tell me my curtain fabric is in DONE! 14. Find white denim & have my wingback chair reupholstered in it. Changed Plans… but found fabric! 15. Hope & pray West Elm calls me about my sofa going on sale Changed Plans… bought different sofa. 16. Relax with friends before July is CRAZY! (lots of traveling & 3 weddings!) DONE!17. File quarterly taxes by June 30…. (I feel like I JUST did this…. ugh!)This was a mistake… should have been done by July 30… and they are DONE! I guess I don’t feel too bad about what I did accomplish…. but I had an extra month to do it all! Alrighty…. August Goals…. whew….. 1. Blog Allie & Jamie’s Oak Island wedding…. hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday!2. Make a dent in the office decorating with Jeremy’s help3. Edit & blog Laura & Nathan’s Charlotte wedding4. Edit & blog Katie & Philip’s Wake Forest wedding5. Order a sample album from a NEW album company!! So excited about this one!6. Continue to search for Jeremy a new shooting bag…. stylish that zips shut is HARD to find!7. Photograph Susie’s Charlotte wedding8. 2nd shoot in Wilmington9. Have the pink sofa reupholstered.10. Purchase a video light. I’ll leave you with this image from Katie & Philip’s wedding on Saturday at Sutherland. I’m in love with it, and it will for sure be printed & hung in the office!
July 29, 2011

Bridal | Laura

Today, right now…. Laura is walking down the aisle to marry Nathan!!! I had the best time hanging out with Laura and her mom & aunt at the Duke Mansion in June. Laura had a definate vision of what she wanted her bridal portrait to be…. beautiful & southern 🙂 The Duke Mansion provided to perfect backdrop to Laura and her beautiful gown. I want to take a moment to talk about bridal portraits. I didn’t do one. Why should I do one? I want all the photos on my actual wedding day. BIGGEST. REGRET.  Not ever having been a bride, I didn’t fully understand how crazy your wedding day is…. there really is not extra time to prance around in your beautiful gown having your photo taken. I have a handful of great photos that my photographer took of just me before the ceremony, but I wish I’d taken the time to have a full session done. You get to play princess on a 2nd day, MUCH LESS stress on your actual wedding day, and you’ll get all those photos you, your mom & grandma all want of you! You’ll also have a perfect opportunity to test out your hair & makeup artist and your florist for your bouquet! AND… an added bonus (and quite possibly the most important factor) you’ll get to know your photographer. You’ll understand how the two of you work together, things will only go that much smoother on your wedding day and you’ll be more comfortable in front of the camera. Rant over. On to the photos! Congratulations Laura!!
June 13, 2011

Bridal | Jessica

Back in February while Jeremy and I were out in Vegas, we met up with some local friends and talked about doing a shoot out in the desert while we were there. Needless to say the whirlwind that is Vegas/WPPI didn’t allow time for it. So, we decided we’d get together when we got back to NC. So, over Memorial Day weekend we, along with a few others got together to hang out, shoot, and talk shop. It was so great. I truly enjoy the company of this group of ladies. We openly share about our businesses, our goals, and our struggles…. and our coupon-ing 🙂 Many photographers in our area use this “urban barn” for shoots…. none of us had ever been out there, so we decided it would be a great experience to shoot somewhere new to all of us. It was great to see how we all worked together, but at the same time, used different angles to create different looks. We all took turns giving our bride, Jessica direction… and coming up with ideas on what we could have her do and where to have her stand. I love these photos so much, that one of them now hangs (HUGE) in my new office 🙂 Dress: Enzoani Couture, ChristinaShoes: Steve MaddenHair Flower: TargetNecklace: Etsy 50mm 1.4 vs 20mm 2.8 The photo on the left is the one hanging in my office 🙂 The lovely Carrie, at Flower Diva in Pineville, NC provided our orange bouquet 🙂 Other photographers images from this shoot: Tish MackayKelli BolingAshley GillettLindsay Hess A little behind-the-scenes action….
August 2, 2011

Wedding | Allie & Jamie

This is a wedding Jeremy & I will never forget. We made the beautiful drive from Charlotte to Oak Island, with the sun shining, and beautiful blue sky. I met up with Allie & some of her ladies at Pure Salon in Southport.  Everyone was laid back and having a great time being pampered. While I was there, Jeremy was getting venue shots of the Oak Island Golf Club and beach. I met up with Jeremy at the club, and we waited for the bridal party to arrive. We chatted about the weather, and how we hoped it would hold out for the beach ceremony. One of the golf cart guys told us to walk around the back of the building, and this is what we saw….. Needless to say, the bottom was about to drop.   By the time Allie & Jamie were dressed and ready for their first look, it was pouring.  So instead of seeing each other on the beach, or golf course like we planned…. we made the best of it, and used the restaurant balcony upstairs. These are actually my favorite photos from the day. After they saw each other they started to dance. Allie said they hadn’t had a chance to practice their first dance, so this was the perfect opportunity. After a few moments alone, we got going with all the formal photos…. but with the rain, we were stuck doing them under the club overhang (thank God there was an overhang… I really don’t know where else we could have done them! AND thank God they decided to do all the portraits before their evening ceremony!) All the guests were instructed to arrive a little early, so when a break in the rain came, everyone dashed to the beach for the ceremony. Club employees and groomsmen were drying chairs for the guests. Then, just as if it was planned….. the bottom fell out again…. just as the bridal party made there way down the aisle. During wedding ceremonies, it’s normally a nice breather…. as photographers you get to catch your breath, and get ready for the party ahead. Not this one. Thankfully when the rain came down I had my zoom lens on my camera, and Jeremy had the wide angle…. so that’s what we shot the whole ceremony with… in fear that changing lenses would get water inside our cameras. My lens kept getting covered with water, and finding a dry spot on me or Jeremy to wipe it off became comical. I really love all the pinwheels they decorated with… at the end of the night they were handing them out to the guests, so Jeremy and I snagged a few…. and they make a great addition to my office 🙂  Jamie got suckered into serenading the crowd with “Mr. Roboto” I know this photo isn’t in focus or perfectly lit… but I love it anyway… you can see all the colors from the bubbles! I have to say, through all the things that could have gotten these people down… nothing did. Allie & Jamie, all their guest and family staying in the best spirits the entire time. The guest stayed till the end of the night, even though they were all soaked. That’s commitment. You have an amazing support system, don’t forget it! Congratulations, Allie & Jamie!
August 1, 2011

Goals | August

I’m slightly embarrased that I never did goals for July. Oops. Maybe because I knew I came no where near completing them. With summer in full swing, life is busy, the day job is busy and so is photography! I mean, after all, it is wedding season. So… I’ll painfully go back to June’s goals and fess up to how I did or didn’t do…. 1. Finish moving in the office This is a work in progess… but all major stuff is in!! 2. Blog 2 weddings from April Oops. I promise this will happen… but maybe not till September…. 3. Blog Jessica & Hunter’s May 14th wedding DONE & DONE 4. Blog Catey & Michaels engagement DONE 5. Blog Emma Rae & Wiggles Didn’t get around to it…. 6. Photograph Laura’s Bridals at Duke Mansion DONE 7. Order prints to hang in the new office DONE…. but I’m ordering more 🙂 8. Get frames for said prints DONE… but I need more now! 9. Stalk the FedEx truck for my new sample canvas DONE! 10. Maybe start working on a new KISS sample album DONE! 11. Finish painting office DONE! 12. Blog photos from shoot out with other photographers DONE! 13. Wait patiently for Mary Jo’s cloth store to call me and tell me my curtain fabric is in DONE! 14. Find white denim & have my wingback chair reupholstered in it. Changed Plans… but found fabric! 15. Hope & pray West Elm calls me about my sofa going on sale Changed Plans… bought different sofa. 16. Relax with friends before July is CRAZY! (lots of traveling & 3 weddings!) DONE!17. File quarterly taxes by June 30…. (I feel like I JUST did this…. ugh!)This was a mistake… should have been done by July 30… and they are DONE! I guess I don’t feel too bad about what I did accomplish…. but I had an extra month to do it all! Alrighty…. August Goals…. whew….. 1. Blog Allie & Jamie’s Oak Island wedding…. hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday!2. Make a dent in the office decorating with Jeremy’s help3. Edit & blog Laura & Nathan’s Charlotte wedding4. Edit & blog Katie & Philip’s Wake Forest wedding5. Order a sample album from a NEW album company!! So excited about this one!6. Continue to search for Jeremy a new shooting bag…. stylish that zips shut is HARD to find!7. Photograph Susie’s Charlotte wedding8. 2nd shoot in Wilmington9. Have the pink sofa reupholstered.10. Purchase a video light. I’ll leave you with this image from Katie & Philip’s wedding on Saturday at Sutherland. I’m in love with it, and it will for sure be printed & hung in the office!
July 29, 2011

Bridal | Laura

Today, right now…. Laura is walking down the aisle to marry Nathan!!! I had the best time hanging out with Laura and her mom & aunt at the Duke Mansion in June. Laura had a definate vision of what she wanted her bridal portrait to be…. beautiful & southern 🙂 The Duke Mansion provided to perfect backdrop to Laura and her beautiful gown. I want to take a moment to talk about bridal portraits. I didn’t do one. Why should I do one? I want all the photos on my actual wedding day. BIGGEST. REGRET.  Not ever having been a bride, I didn’t fully understand how crazy your wedding day is…. there really is not extra time to prance around in your beautiful gown having your photo taken. I have a handful of great photos that my photographer took of just me before the ceremony, but I wish I’d taken the time to have a full session done. You get to play princess on a 2nd day, MUCH LESS stress on your actual wedding day, and you’ll get all those photos you, your mom & grandma all want of you! You’ll also have a perfect opportunity to test out your hair & makeup artist and your florist for your bouquet! AND… an added bonus (and quite possibly the most important factor) you’ll get to know your photographer. You’ll understand how the two of you work together, things will only go that much smoother on your wedding day and you’ll be more comfortable in front of the camera. Rant over. On to the photos! Congratulations Laura!!
June 13, 2011

Bridal | Jessica

Back in February while Jeremy and I were out in Vegas, we met up with some local friends and talked about doing a shoot out in the desert while we were there. Needless to say the whirlwind that is Vegas/WPPI didn’t allow time for it. So, we decided we’d get together when we got back to NC. So, over Memorial Day weekend we, along with a few others got together to hang out, shoot, and talk shop. It was so great. I truly enjoy the company of this group of ladies. We openly share about our businesses, our goals, and our struggles…. and our coupon-ing 🙂 Many photographers in our area use this “urban barn” for shoots…. none of us had ever been out there, so we decided it would be a great experience to shoot somewhere new to all of us. It was great to see how we all worked together, but at the same time, used different angles to create different looks. We all took turns giving our bride, Jessica direction… and coming up with ideas on what we could have her do and where to have her stand. I love these photos so much, that one of them now hangs (HUGE) in my new office 🙂 Dress: Enzoani Couture, ChristinaShoes: Steve MaddenHair Flower: TargetNecklace: Etsy 50mm 1.4 vs 20mm 2.8 The photo on the left is the one hanging in my office 🙂 The lovely Carrie, at Flower Diva in Pineville, NC provided our orange bouquet 🙂 Other photographers images from this shoot: Tish MackayKelli BolingAshley GillettLindsay Hess A little behind-the-scenes action….