Erika & Travis Get Hitched!

I have absolutely been DYING to share this wedding!  Seriously, I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for everything to get wrapped up so I could share it.  I am in love with the location, details, emotion, all of it.

Erika and Travis' wedding was absolutely stunning.  It was one of those weddings that you open up your favorite Wedding Magazine and fall in love with.  All the details were perfect from the champagne and gold colored bridesmaids gowns, to pops of pink and fushia in the bouquets.  However, as anyone knows who has helped plan a wedding, it looked amazing and effortless due to lots of planning, and hard work from friends and family.  But what better way to celebrate a union of two people than to have everyone involved?  That's really the perfect word to sum up this wedding, FAMILY.  Erika and Travis are both huge family people whether its through blood or close friends.  Their love and compassion radiated over the whole ceremony.  I really can't put it into words.  So without further ado...Travis & Erika's big day.  Congrats guys!

                    

                 

Mad Props Go to:

Caterer: Mark Wischhusen

Venue: Candoro Marble

Florist: The Flower Pot

Baker: Vickie Davis

DJ: Firehouse DJ, Ryan Ladd

Makeup: Scarlet Strange

Hair: Alyse Wieland

Jacob and Morgan Get Hitched

I met Jacob and Morgan when Jacob hired me to photograph his surprise proposal. Which means I met Morgan mere moments after she said, "Yes."  Kissed Jacob.  And then asked, "What's that clicking noise?"  And I jumped out of the bushes like a crazy creeper, grinning like a fool and yelling, "Congrats!!"  Since then we've been bosom buddies.  Well, maybe not bosom buddies, but I'd say we're pretty tight.  When they asked me to photograph their wedding as well I was overjoyed.

Jacob and Morgan are pretty awesome people.  And by pretty awesome, I mean really awesome.  They met in the 5th grade!  How adorable is that?  Apparently though, Jacob was not interested even though Morgan had a huge crush on him at the time.  Their families became friends and traveled together, so they were around each other alot.  This also made the wedding feel like a big family reunion instead of two families becoming one.  They began dating in college and were engaged their senior year (see previous paragraph on awesome engagment).

One thing I absolutely loved about their wedding is that they were themselves.  The wedding was chock full of details that were little pieces of each of them, their love story, and their families.  You could tell Morgan loves Disney.  From the Disney quotes on the bottom of her shoes from her bridesmaids to her first dance with her Dad to "When You Wish Upon a Star," each detail was perfect.  Jacob was clearly a Lord of the Rings fan from the attendants processional being "Concerning Hobbits," to the SPECTACULAR Groom's cake theme from The Lord of the Rings (seriously the best Grooms cake I have ever seen...no lie).  But you could also tell family was a huge part of their day.  Morgan did a first look with her Dad (which I adore!) and afterwards gave hankerchiefs to her Mom, Dad, and soon to be Mother in Law with notes stitched on them for each. :ENTER WATERWORKS:  It was incredibly sweet and touching!  Morgan and Jacob are also the first couple I have ever photographed that had all sets of grandparents on both sides at their wedding.  It was a serious legacy of love.  They incorporated a lot of vintage details into the day and I felt like those were small shout outs to their grandparents.  One of the best being an heirloom cake topper from Morgan's family from the 1930s.

However I would say, because Morgan and Jacob were themselves, it meant each moment was lots and lots of fun.  The Groomsmen were a blast to hang out with.  Jacob's two Best Men, his brother Kyle and best friend Evan, gave fantastic speeches that had everyone crying with laughter.  Best of all though was Morgan and her Dad's surprise father daughter dance.  One moment they were elegantly dancing to "When You Wish Upon a Star," and then BAM they were breaking it down to "Uptown Funk."  I. LOVED. IT.

The truth is I could go on and on about these two and their wedding day.  Morgan and Jacob are the type of people you are honored just to know.  They are the type of clients that when it's all said and done, you're sad not to have an excuse to talk to them on a regular basis.  So guys, don't be surprised if you get a lonely email in a couple months from yours truly, just wanting to chat and tell you that I'm glad I got to know you.

 

  

   

     

 

               

Mad Props Go To:

Planner: Mardee Miller

Venue:The Read House Historic Inn & Suites

Caterer: Venue

Florist: Rainbow Florist

Baker: Publix (Main Wedding Cake) and Sweet Angel Cakes– Toni Repko (Amazing Groom's Cake)

Dress(es)/Suit(s): White Lace & Promises  and Savvi Formalwear

DJ/Band: Sound Force

Makeup/Hair: Hair-Stephanie Holt, Makeup-Maddie Holt

Mother's Day Mini Sessions

It's not too late!  If you are still searching for a Mother's Day gift I am still booking Mother's Day Mini Sessions for Saturday, May 16th.  This would make a great gift for that special Mom in your life.  Email me today to hold your time slot!

Focus on the Details

What makes a great visual story?  Portraits? Emotion? Location?  Context?  Details?  The truth is all of these scrambled together are what make a story ring true.  All of these aspects help us to encompass the full story of a moment or a day.

Lately I have been really been moved with how authentic my fellow photographers are with their struggles and where they are on their creative journey.  So with all transparency, where do I struggle?  Details.  Details are not my thing.  Speed Racer will be the first to tell you that I am a big picture person.  I love people and emotions so that is where I am most comfortable and the photos that I am drawn to.  However, when you really go back and look through photos its those tiny details that drive the story home.  It's the photos of a grandmother's jewelry on a wedding day; or tiny toes at a newborn shoot; or the disaster of a kitchen after pancake making during a day in the life session.  I CHERISH these little details and yet they are the photos that I struggle with most in capturing.  Maybe because I know they are so important?  Or maybe because I am so enthusiastic its sometimes difficult to slow down?  Whatever the reason I am determined to work on these in my own work.  THUS!  The Focus on the Details series.  This series is a challenge to myself to work on capturing details not only in my professional work but in my personal work as well.  Stay tuned to see how these evolve!

P.S.  Photographer or creative professional?   What do you struggle with in your work?  Comment below!

Still Moments 4. 30. 15

For some reason there is nothing like a still moment with a curled up kitty.  There's something about that warm fury body on a rainy day that calls for blankets, a warm cup of coffee, and cuddles.  We have two cats, Briscoe and Sookie.  Sookie is featured here.  While I pass by them a million times a day in this position, there are some moments when their peaceful nature just strikes me.

Mother's Day Mini Sessions

I can hardly believe it!  My first Mother's Day as a Mom!  I can already feel the time slipping by.  Each moment passes way too quickly.  As I was thinking about that this morning I decided to offer a mini session special for all those Mommy's out there who want to capture this special time before it slips by.  Email me today to lock in your  time slot!

Jaimie

Candoro Marble is a beautiful venue that originally was the showroom and office for Candoro Marble Company.  When Jaimie said she was looking for a vintage backdrop for some soft and classic boudoir photos, I knew that this was the place.  The beautiful show room, wrought iron gates, and slightly decaying rooms spoke of Greecian statues...it was perfect.

Enduring and beautiful boudoir (especially outdoor) has always been a passion of mine.  I love helping women to be confident and feel beautiful.  Boudoir takes a lot of trust, and when a client opens up and is vunerable with me in that way I am just in awe.  I always strive to convey that moment with beautiful images, and it is an area of my work I am looking to expand.

Jaimie's session was so much fun!  Her timeless features combined with her simple and sweet styling are absolutely stunning.  Candoro has so much to offer as a backdrop that during our planning sessions we agreed we wanted to keep her look simple yet elegant, and let the venue do the rest.  Here are a few of my favorites and proves that some of the most beautiful and sexiest images are not about baring it all.

Still Moments 4.9.15

There hasn't been a whole lot of "still moments" around here lately to tell the truth.  But every now and then we get a glimmer of one and hold onto it for dear life.  There is something about having a child that makes you be much more aware of time and its passing.  It can make your stomach churn to realize how much has already gone by, or make you flood with exasperation at how slow the lack of one nap time is going.  Either way you are so much more aware of it coursing through your daily life with an intense ebb and flow.

Ashley & T.J. Get Hitched

I was a little skeptical when Ashley asked me to photograph her wedding.  I sat across from her at Panera looking into her smiling face and had my doubts.  None of them were about her but about me.  I was 8 months pregnant and already felt like I was going to pop.  Her wedding was roughly a month after my due date.  What if it was too soon?  My concern was not for my own well being but what if I could not deliver (as I promise all my clients) my absolute best?  As I looked at Ashley's expectant smile, I knew that I couldn't say no.  Ashley's sweet and understanding personality made it easy to take a chance.  We decided to wing it and I'm so glad we did.

Ashley and T.J. got married on a rainy Saturday in March.  They say that rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck.  This couple doesn't need the luck. They are amazing together and you can instantly feel not only their love but the love of everyone who attended the ceremony.  There was no doubt that not only did every guest want to be there but they were full of excitement and energy.  This wedding was so full of joy, love, and fun!  The wedding party was amazing and the bride and groom were incredibly laid back.  The wedding was at Sampson's Hollow and the low hanging clouds created a dramatic backdrop against the mountains.  The rain held off just long enough to say I do, and then we headed to the porch for shelter and some family photos.  After the family portraits, Ashley and T.J. said they were game to head out into the rain for some couples time.  I adore clients that are up for adventure and trust me.  I love the way these turned out!  Ashley was absolutely stunning in her dress and her love for T.J. raidiated off of her.  T.J. couldn't take his eyes off of her.

        

Congratulations Ashley and T.J!  Thank you so much for taking a chance on me.  I know you will carry the love from that day with you each and everyday.

Mad Shout Outs:

Vendor: Sampson's Hollow Coordinator: Lesley Livingston Baker: Confectionista's Kitchen Hair/Make-Up: Alchemy Salon

Oh Baby Baby

In case, I forgot to mention it...Speed Racer and I are pregnant!  We are having a baby and quite soon too I might add!  Our little one is set to make its debut February 3rd, 2015.  So between holidays and preparing for baby, the posts and updates may be few and far between.  I appreciate your patience during this time, especially all of my clients who have already shown me so much patience and love!  I cannot wait to share the next stage in our life with you as well as my photography career.  Here's to the next adventure!

A special thinks also to Kayla with Kayla F Photography!  I cannot get over my amazing maternity session with her and adore each and every beautiful image she took!