Emily and James: Part I

There's so much I want to say about Emily and James and so many photos I want to share that I think I have a bad case of blogger's block. I guess the best place to start is at the beginning: the engagement session. I hadn't met with Emily and James until the morning of their session. Up until that point, I'd been working with Emily's amazing mom, Julia, on all the brass-tacks details, since Emily and James live in D.C. I've said it here on the blog so many times, but it bears repeating: I love engagement sessions. They're fun, relaxed and (hopefully for everyone) stress-free. But more importantly, this time together gives me a chance to get to know you as a couple, find out how comfortable (or not) you are in front of the camera, discover your best angles, what makes you laugh and just generally prepare you for the experience of being photographed relentlessly on the wedding day. Just like you have a multiple dress-fittings, tux fittings, make-up and hair trials, the e:session is like a photography "trial" before the wedding.

Even though I'd never met them before, I knew in a flash that not only were Emily and James going to be great to work with, they had an amazing chemistry and -- just, well, happiness -- and that it was going to be a great shoot. And it was. So without further ado, I give you...Emily and James.

That about sums it up. Happy, goofy, expressive and in love. I could stop here, but I'm not going to.

They have 1,000 mega-watt smiles...it took days for my vision to recover.

Emily and James met at Raleigh Charter High, so of course we had to go there for some photo ops.

Texture, angles, pretty people...life is good.

This is what you call working with the sun. Boy, was it bright that morning (and it was early, too).

After RCHS, we headed downtown. If you live in Raleigh, you know what this is.

If not, I'm sorry you're not lucky enough to live in Raleigh. Come visit us and find out.

If you haven't figured it out by now...Emily + James = FABULOSITY. Want more? I thought you would.

Emily and James got married on January 3 at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham. What would turn out to be one of my favorite weddings ever started early in Emily's suite. Usually, this is a pretty chaotic part of the day, but it was quiet and peaceful as Emily was getting glammed-up.

All of the floral design for the wedding was done by the always top-notch Kelly Odom, including Julia's peacock-feather-fabulous hair piece. Julia, in case I didn't tell you that day because it was so busy, you absolutely ROCKED that dress and only you could make that hair piece prettier. 

The shoes, the dress, the just-right-ness.

I don't know why exactly, but I LOVE this shot of Emily putting on her shoes. No fuss, no muss, just gettin' it done.

Maybe it's that awesome window light.

Julia and Mark get the first look at their beautiful daughter in her wedding gown.

Mark's help was needed to tie the perfect square-knot in the sash. Dad's are handy for things like that. (Happy Father's Day!)

Perfection.

My favorite. (Just FYI, I did NO retouching on this shot. That's how awesome Emily's skin is and why photographers go a little nuts when the light is right. It makes all the difference in the world.)

Time for a little blog love for James.

Thank goodness the tux shop has a Bowtie Hotline 24-7.

James, you handsome devil, you.

Is there anything better than nine handsome guys in tuxes all following directions?

Yes. One glowing bride and seven gorgeous bridesmaids. (Sorry guys, you lose.)

Yes, I love it. Yes, it's on permanent rotation in the blog-header. All you other bridesmaids out there, time to step up your game.

(Off topic, but hey, it's my blog: look how the flowers form a pretty wavy line-like shape. You girls rock).

Flowers so pretty I could just eat them up.

Stay tuned for Part 2 (it's a blog cliff-hanger!): more portraits, James and Emily's First Look,

(Gasp! They saw each other BEFORE the wedding? Oh no, they di'nt...oh yes, they di'id!) and the reason

we're all gathered here today (erm, then): the ceremony.