Featured in Southern Bride and Groom!

We're so excited that LaToya and Byron's July wedding was featured recently in the Real Weddings section of Southern Bride and Groom's Winter/Spring edition! Seeing the spread in the magazine brought back such great memories. Check out the feature in the magazine online here. LaToya and Byron were on the blog back in July, but if you missed it, here's Part I and Part II. Enjoy!

Jan 04, 2012 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

Images We Love :: 2011

It's the time of year when it seems that everyone is making "Best Of" lists. Best movies, best songs, best books. Lots of photographers make "Best Of" lists, too.  I don't do it every year; some years I'm just too over-whelmed by the process of trying to narrow down my favorite images to finish the list once I start. It's a little like trying to pick your favorite child. You can't. This year, after being inspired by a friend and colleague's "Best Of" blog post, I sat down at the computer, determined to do the same. Forty-eight hours later (not all in a row, I do have to eat), I've finally finished. There was simply no way to include them all in one blog post, so a slide show will have to do. (Scroll down to the end of the post to view it.) You'll see a few of my favorites below. I hope you love them as much as I do.

A word about how I compiled our list. To make the cut, only two things had to be true: the image had to be made in 2011 and I had to love it. That's it. What follows are not images from our favorite weddings or shots of our favorite couples. If we were blessed to work with you the past year and one of your images isn't represented here, know for sure that it's not because your wedding wasn't wonderful or you didn't measure up in some way. Nothing could be further from the truth. I gave myself a deadline and resolved to stick to it. The laundry's piling up, the Christmas decorations are still everywhere and the dog needs to be walked. Time to get up from my desk.

Throughout this process, I was reminded time and time again how very fortunate we are to do this work. How very lucky to witness, 20 weekends out of the year, the hope-filled celebration that is a wedding. Know that at each and every wedding, there was a moment where my heart was in my throat and I had to blink back tears. Many nights I left wedding receptions with my face aching from smiling and laughing along with you and your guests. Wedding photography, in my opinion, isn't about creating art to fulfill some sort of need in myself. It's about documenting a rite of passage, a momentous day in the life of two families, a leap of faith made when two people stand up together and make their promises. If we can give that day back to you in images that help you remember, we've done our job. And we consider ourselves lucky.

-- Elizabeth

Jan 03, 2012 | Wedding Photography | 5 Comments »

NC State and Museum of Art Engagement Session :: Caroline and Mathew

Meet Caroline and Mathew and their dogs, Philmont and Toby! Frank and I caught up with them on Hillsborough Street outside Mitch's Tavern, the place where they first set eyes on each other. When Caroline told me she wanted to start at Mitch's I was all for it since I spent quite a bit of time there back when I was an undergrad at Meredith (hello, NC State guys!). I have such good memories of that place from my college days; surprisingly, they're not hazy at all. ;) (Fun fact: Mitch's is ranked by MSN as one of the top ten taverns in the county and was featured in the movie Bull Durham.) The bride-to-be told me she really wanted a shot of them under the Mitch's Tavern sign with the dogs. Here you go, Caroline! Then it was off to hit some of our favorite spots on the NC State campus, their Alma mater.

A quick outfit change and it was off to the NC Museum of Art. Mathew proposed in Museum Park near the three giant rings (fitting, huh?). The plan was to get a shot on the bench where he proposed, but interlopers in a hammock strung between two trees near the bench foiled our plan. We figured they wanted some privacy and we had plenty of space to roam. (Another fun fact: the museum's best known piece of outdoor sculpture is called Gyre, which refers to the sense of circular motion you get when viewing the rings from just the right angle.) I love how a simple change of outfit, scenery and time of day can give you a whole different feeling to images. We loved photographing these two -- they have such an easy way of being together, making each other laugh one minute, getting close and sweet another. We can't wait for their wedding next July!

Oct 22, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 3 Comments »

Haywood Hall Wedding :: Carly and Bill

Kiss me with rain on your eyelashes,
come on, let us sway together,
under the trees...”
-- Edwin Morgan

It's what every bride and groom who want to get married outside dread: rain. When you're choosing a garden venue or the beautiful grounds of an old historic house like Haywood Hall in Raleigh, you only imagine how glorious it will be on your wedding day, with the sunlight dappled through the trees. So you plan for the possibility of rain, but you don't think about it much and then only with a whispered prayer that it will stay away on your day. And then the wedding week arrives and the forecast is...well, not good. Rain is likely. So what do you do? You pull out the rain plan and if you're like the lovely Carly, you buy really adorable umbrellas that seem to have been made just for your wedding day, so perfect is the design and color. (When I saw those umbrellas, they were so right I knew we were going to be using them in photos, even if it didn't rain one single drop.)

Maybe more nerve-wracking than a steady rain is a rain that starts and stops. Will we get married outside this beautiful old house or under a dark tent? What if we call it now and and the rain stops ten minutes before the ceremony? It made me nervous, the teasing quality of the start-and-stop rain. Carly and Bill had elected to do a First Look and Frank and I had found the perfect (and perhaps only private) place on the grounds, but it was entirely dependent upon the rain holding off. Luck was with us and we had the time we needed. I love Carly and Bill's First Look, so you'll see a boat-load (ark-load?) of pictures from their time together.

Thankfully, the heavy rain held off and everyone, from the wedding party to the guests, were good-natured about braving a steady misting of the wet stuff to allow the couple the wedding they wanted on the front lawn with the Rev. Barbara Lodge officiating. Thank goodness we'd done the bulk of the photographs before the ceremony. We had just enough time to get the combined family portraits done before the rain started in earnest. Protected under a series of tents in the back yard, family and friends enthusiastically celebrated until late into the evening. Before heading downtown to continue the party, Bill and Carly slipped away with us for a few final shots. Enjoy some of our favorites from this lovely wedding day.

Time for the First Look. I don't know which I love more: Bill's sweet expressions or Carly's emotional reaction to seeing her groom for the first time on their wedding day. Carly and Bill, we felt lucky to be there with you!

How perfect is it when even the greenery on the porch coordinates with the teal in your bridesmaids' dresses...and those two colors just happen to be your wedding colors? Carly is a graphic designer, so I'm betting none of that was an accident. :)

(Loved working with this wedding party! What a fun-loving group.)

Catering Works provided the floral design and catering, with special touches provided by the bride.

Carly and Bill, we thoroughly loved every minute of your wedding day. We wish you thousands of sunny days together...with enough rain thrown in to make the flowers bloom!

Oct 15, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 6 Comments »

Coffee Table Books on Sale!

Starting Friday, October 14, we're offering a 25% discount on press-printed coffee table books for one week only!

These are professionally printed, hardcover books with fully customized designs. Because the pages lay flat when opened, with no seam between the pages, these books are a great way to showcase your images. We can create books that would make great holiday gifts for the extra-special people in your life — parents, grandparents, spouses, kids, best friends and of course YOU yourself! And there are lots of interesting options for these books: glossy pages, matte pages, leather covers, cover images that wrap around the spine, etc. The discount works on pre-orders as well. Shoot me a message and I’d be happy to give you all the details: Elizabeth@sweetlifephoto.com.

Oct 11, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 1 Comment »

Duke Gardens Wedding :: Allison and Chris

Allison and Chris were married at Duke Gardens on a beautiful sunny day in September. A memorable day in many ways, not the least for its date: 9-10-11. (Try to come up with a good excuse for forgetting your anniversary now, all you 9-10-11 grooms!) There were so many things I loved about this wedding, from Allison's adorable red shoes, the punch of color in the bridesmaids' dresses, Chris and company's super-modern classic khaki suits, calla lillies...but perhaps the best thing about their day was the overwhelming spirit of love, fun and celebration that was in evidence every where you looked. This couple is blessed with an amazing group of family and friends!

The day started out in separate suites at the Durham Marriott City Center. I love documenting the getting-ready portion of the day in hotel rooms.  It's hard to beat window light and it can be found in abundance in hotel rooms thanks to those giant windows. Frank met up with Chris and his guys who were all pretty much ready because, let's face it, the guys have much less to do when it comes to "getting ready" than the ladies do! They headed out into the downtown Durham sunshine for some pre-wedding portraits while I photographed all the girly stuff. Then it was off to the gardens for some quick portraits. The couple chose the Angle Amphitheater behind the Doris Duke Center for their ceremony, perhaps my favorite site in the gardens for a wedding because of its relative privacy, something that can be in short supply in a very popular public garden. Chris's uncle performed the sweet and simple ceremony that featured the couple reading personalized vows to each other. Guests moved onto the North Terrace for cocktail hour while we shot some couple portraits and then it was time to celebrate! Be on the lookout soon for a post featuring their Photobooth images -- one of my favorite Photobooths ever!

Enjoy more of our favorites from the wedding day in Chris and Allison's slide show below. Thanks for letting us share such a beautiful day with you.

We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

Oct 06, 2011 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »

Raulston Arboretum and Downtown Raleigh Engagement Session :: Kelsey and Cory

Kelsey and Cory met at NC State in the Fall of 2008. Kelsey was a sophomore; Cory was a senior. Cory literally caught Kelsey's eye by riding his bike up and down the hallway of the dorm where she was trying to study, having been chased out of her room by an amorous roommate and her boyfriend. Kelsey and some friends noticed something or someone periodically zooming by the open door and, intrigued, she poked her head out to see what was what. What she saw was Cory, burning off energy (he's got plenty). He stopped, removed his motorcycle helmet and introduced himself. The two spent the rest of the night talking until 3 a.m. in the hallway. The rest, Kelsey says, is history. (Wonder if that's the subject she was supposed to be studying that fateful night?) :)

Fast-forward to 2011 and wedding plans are under full swing. When we started planning the engagement session, little did Frank and I know how much thought and time this couple would put into choosing just the right props to represent themselves as a couple. Of course, the match-making red bike would have to be a part of the session. (I knew I wanted to capture Kelsey still, with Cory whizzing by on his bike.) The couple are also huge photography fanatics, so they brought their DSLRs. We put aside our brand loyalties for a few shots and I'm happy to report that photographing a Nikon did not cause my Canon to burst into flames. I love the series of the two of them photographing each other. Cory must have jumped at least half-a-dozen times. Did I mention he's got a lot of energy?

On our way to the arboretum, Frank and I spotted this amazingly-detailed and brightly-colored graffiti wall. I was ready to get down on my knees and beg them to stop there quickly for a few shots, but they were up for anything. I LOVE the shots in front of this wall. I think I must have a repressed graffiti artist in my soul somewhere, just itching to be set free! The resulting shots are some of my favorites. I'm just crazy about all that color. And in case you haven't noticed -- how gorgeous is the bride-to-be? That close-up of her is one of my all-time faves.

After a quick outfit change, we were off to downtown Raleigh for the second half of our session. We found this purple and rusty-red wall that I couldn't resist, given the gorgeous colors in Kelsey's skirt. Kelsey and Cory love to cook. Baking and decorating cakes are specialties of Kelsey's and Cory reports that her Red Velvet cake is hands-down the best anywhere. They love cupcakes too and brought along a few from Gigi's near Cameron Village. I thought it would be fun to ask them to try to eat the cupcake together and see who could come away with the least amount of frosting on their hands and faces (no smashing allowed!). They enthusiastically embraced their mission and we only needed a few napkins afterward.

By the way, Kelsey? I love your shoes!!

Enjoy more of my favorites from the session in this slide show. Kelsey and Cory, we can't wait for your wedding next June!

Oct 03, 2011 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »

Southport Wedding :: Sara and Clint

Remember when you were a kid and there was that one special babysitter you actually liked? Who was fun and pretty and smiled a lot, always quick with a craft and a hug? The one who brought you presents and danced with you in the kitchen? Who wrote you poems and read you bedtime stories? That was Sara for our kids. We met her in the summer of 2000 when she was a teenager working in the neighborhood ice-cream parlor. She quickly became our go-to babysitter. The kids loved her so much that they often asked if she could come over to "play" even if we weren't going anywhere. As the kids got older, Date Night was often eclipsed by soccer games and play practice; though we saw less of her, we kept in touch. She'd pick the kids up and take them to a movie or to the mall. Every Christmas, she would stop by with presents for the kids, even if she hadn't seen them in a while. That's the kind of person she is: always thoughtful, always loving, always our "favorite." So when she told us she and Clint were getting married, we knew nothing would stop us from being there to document the day. And what a beautiful day it was!

Working with Wendy and Michelle at Seaside Wedding Connection, Sara and Clint planned a destination wedding in the historic coastal city of Southport, NC that was relaxed and family-oriented, meaningful, sweet and full of charming details and great food. I loved Sara's apple green and rustic brown color scheme with touches of vintage lace and natural elements like willow sprig centerpieces and Granny Smith apples. The little white chapel could not have been more perfect and the reception next door in the charming Yacht Club was unique and fun, with dancing outdoors on the lawn and lots of heart-felt tributes from friends and family, many of whom traveled great distances to celebrate with them. I particularly loved the rustic, hand-made directional sign that listed both Sara and Clint's respective hometowns in Texas and Connecticut and the farthest distance a guest had traveled to be with them (Guatemala, where Sara's sister lives). Sara's lovely raffia-accented bouquet was crafted by Don Baker of Brunswick Town Florist and the simply elegant cake accented with bright green spider mums (one of my favorites) was by the Crazy Cake Chicks on Oak Island.

The final image in this post is one of the bride and our children, Dan and Kat. They're mostly all grown-up now, but they will never forget their favorite babysitter. And neither will we. Sara and Clint, we wish you and Nathan a lifetime of love and happiness!

Sep 28, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 3 Comments »

Umstead Park Engagement Session :: Erin and Steve

We met Erin at the Southern Bridal Show and Expo back in April and instantly fell in love with her mega-watt smile. Who could possibly resist her? Certainly not Steve, her fiance. The two met at Appalachian State when Erin and her roommates needed a fourth to replace a girl who was moving out. As Erin puts it, "We weren't having much luck...until we found this boy online. Steve was brave enough to move into a house occupied by three women! We became instant friends." The pair stayed friends for two years while Erin worked on her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy in Greenville at East Carolina. Romance didn't beckon until they traveled with friends on an autumn excursion to a winery in Virginia. They've been inseparable since and will be married this May at Crenshaw Hall in Wake Forest.

Since Erin and Steve love to spend time together outside, an engagement session at Umstead Park seemed like a natural fit. We loved meeting Steve and hearing about his new job, gathering soil samples in the mid-west for testing to help farmers in the nation's Bread Basket make the best decisions on how to manage their land. The day was overcast which is perfect for portraits....nice, soft light that flatters and makes colors pop. We were about two-thirds through our time together when a cold front literally rolled in across the lake before our eyes. Before we knew it, we were caught in a tremendous down-pour. Laughing, we all took off running for the cars, knowing no matter how fast we ran, we were still going to be soaked. As we dashed down the path, I held the camera up at chest height and started shooting, hoping something would be in focus, even though we were running as fast as we could go. That's the last shot...and one of my favorites of the day!

Erin and Steve, we feel so lucky to know you and are excited about your wedding in May!

Enjoy more favorites in Erin and Steve's slide show:

Sep 27, 2011 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »

Southport Bridal Session :: Sara

Sara is now a married woman, so I can officially share a few of my favorites from her bridal session in Southport in June. I love the first image and was so excited when she chose it for her large bridal portrait. We had so much fun driving all over the quaint seaside town looking for interesting places to shoot. Sara was such a delight and I can't wait to share images from her wedding to Clint this past weekend. Stay tuned!

Sep 05, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

Bay 7 Wedding :: Emily and Doug

Congratulations to Emily and Doug, who were married August 6 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Durham. The couple met while students at Duke and spent many happy hours in Duke Gardens, so when thinking about locations for their First Look, the gardens were a natural choice. Mother Nature played coy with us though; heavy rains during the morning were filling my head with alarming visions of muddy wedding gowns, but the rains tapered off as we got closer to the appointed hour. After a few phone calls, the couple decided they wanted to meet in the gardens, muddy paths or no. I'm so glad they did!

One of the benefits of doing a First Look is the chance to get all your formal shots done before the wedding. This was important to Emily and Doug and their parents because they wanted to have a receiving line. Usually, I freak out a little when a receiving line is mentioned for the simple reason that our time between the wedding and reception is often very brief and receiving lines can eat up a chunk of time. I tell all our couples that the Big Clock in my head starts ticking as soon as they kiss and head up the aisle! But the couple made sure we had plenty of time for the receiving line and a few family shots that couldn't be made prior to the ceremony. And I have to admit, I do like the emotion that comes with all those congratulatory hugs and hand-shakes.

Emily wore Doug's mother's veil. I love it.

Bay 7 in the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham is a fantastic venue. Great light, exposed beams and brick and check that metal wall by the stairs. Such a great space! Beautiful floral design by Tre Bella and a classic wedding cake by Cinda's Creative Cakes provided elegant touches.

My favorite shot of the night.

I just have to brag on Frank for a moment. He is THE MAN when it comes to capturing the bouquet toss. Check it out!

You know the mighty Joe Bunn kept the crowd happy and on their feet all evening long.

Enjoy a few more favorites from the wedding day in the couple's slide show. Emily and Doug, we had such a great time photographing your wedding.

Thanks for letting us be a part of your day!

Church: St. Paul's Lutheran Church

Reception: Bay 7

Floral Design: Tre Bella

Cake: Cinda's Creative Cakes

DJ/Entertainment: Joe Bunn, Bunn DJ Company

Aug 24, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

Prestonwood Country Club :: LaToya and Bryon: Part II

And now, as promised, Part II of LaToya and Byron's gorgeous July wedding!

For those of you just starting to plan your weddings, here's a tidbit of info to digest: it takes about 200 hours to plan a wedding. That's right: 200 hundred hours. That's five full-time work weeks. If you don't have five full-time work weeks to spare, how on earth are you going to plan a wedding without losing your mind? Easy. Hire a professional wedding planner. With incredibly busy schedules as professional basketball players who spend a good part of the year out of the country, LaToya and Byron knew they would need help to pull off the wedding of their dreams. So they turned to wedding planner extraordinaire Tracy Adams of Adams and Events in Cary. You've heard of some weddings compared to a runaway train? Well, Tracy was the engine that held all the separate "cars" of this wedding together so that it stayed on track.

Floral Design: Greg Warren Flowers

Lighting: Rick Bryda, Total Production Services

Entertainment: Greg Ramsey, Joe Bunn DJ Company

Venue and Catering: Prestonwood Country Club

Cakes and Candy Bar: Cinda's Creative Cakes

Hair and Make-Up: Theresa Williams

LaToya and Byron make a stylish grand entrance into their reception.

Crazy cool cake: check.

I've never see such a reaction to a cake before and it earned every single "ooh" and "aah". There was a parade of guests up the grand staircase to take pictures of it prior to the cake cutting. This was one instance where I think everyone hated for it to be cut! (Compare the two bottom images. The one on the right was shot before Rick with Total Production Services worked his magic with some dramatic red up-lighting. Perfectly fine, but what a difference the lighting makes!)

The surprise groom's cake, a replica of his Carolina-blue Buick.

LaToya and Byron are blessed to be surrounded by so much love and support from family and friends. There was a lot of love in the room!

I especially like these shots from the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances.

Tar Heels on hand! Byron with friends and teammates, past and present. Many of LaToya's teammates from the LA Sparks traveled to celebrate with her as well. And how priceless is the look on the flower girl's face? She looks ready for bed, but look out: she got her groove on shortly after this picture was taken. Maybe she was just tired of having a camera in her face!

LaToya's maid of honor Christina gave the sweetest toast. The two have been friends for a long time...long enough for Christina to have seen quite a few of LaToya's boyfriends come and go. She was describing how she knew Byron was the right one for her best friend when she said something about how many guys LaToya had knocking on her door in high school. Byron turned to LaToya and did a mock-serious "I've got my eyes on you" move while her mom and dad were in stitches.

One bouquet and garter toss later, it was time to dance!

To close out this blog post, I leave you with a shot of LaToya and Byron posing with their cardboard twins (a 7-foot cut-out specially made from one of their engagement session pics). If you'd like to see more Photobooth mayhem, check out their album on the Sweet Life Photo Facebook page (just "Like" to be able to view the images and leave comments). We had such a great time photographing this wedding! LaToya and Bryon, we wish you a future of "nothing but net". Thanks for everything!

Aug 18, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

Prestonwood Country Club Wedding :: LaToya and Byron: Part I

There is so much fabulousness (is that even a word?) to LaToya and Byron's July wedding at Prestonwood Country Club that I have to break this blog post up into two parts. There's just so much to show you! And it was so magnificent it's best to take it slowly and spread it out. (Kinda like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows or Twilight, Parts I and II...if one movie is good, two must be better, right? And that's the last pop culture reference you'll get today, promise.) The wedding was planned and coordinated by one of my favorite wedding professionals, Tracy Adams of Adams and Events.

LaToya and Byron met while they were both students at UNC-Chapel Hill. To say basketball is a shared passion is to put it mildly. Born and raised in Mississippi, Byron was named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year before playing for the Tarheels. Carolina fans will recognize him as a member of the 2005 National Championship team. Byron is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. He currently plays for the Lugano Tigers in Switzerland, the Swiss league champions in 2011. LaToya was born in Germany while her parents served in the US military.  She also played four years at UNC from 2004-2008 and was the 13th pick in the 2008 WNBA draft, going to the Phoenix Mercury. She is currently playing for the LA Sparks in the WNBA and in the Turkish Professional Leagues. That's right: Byron plays for Switzerland. LaToya plays for Turkey. When we met for their engagement session, we talked a little bit about what it was like to be apart for a good chunk of the year. Needless to say, it's tough. It's also a challenge for LaToya to live in a country so unlike her own. But she said that going to visit Byron in Switzerland helped to make up for it, especially since she would fly into the Milan airport and spend at least part of each trip shopping in the fashion capital of the world! Byron and LaToya are the kind of people you'd love to hang out with. Imagine the stories they could tell.  We didn't get to spend nearly enough time with them!

On to the photographs! I'm just going to get the hyperbole out of the way now: Magnificent. Opulent. Warm. Emotional. Funny. Real. That pretty much sums it up!

Byron and his groomsmen. Have you seen a sharper-looking bunch of guys? Oh, to be a red rose boutonniere. :)

I could have photographed LaToya all day. Side-view, profile, up-close, far away, looking up, looking down: beautiful from every angle! Her hair and make-up was expertly done by Theresa Williams, who is, no question about it, one of my favorite make-up artists working in the Triangle. If you'd like her contact info, leave a comment or send me an email. Theresa, you are a true pro!

The three cymbidium orchids in LaToya's bouquet by Greg Warren Flowers were in memory of much-loved family members not in attendance, but close by in memory. Tears weren't far from the surface, especially when LaToya's father saw her in her gown for the first time. But there was plenty of happiness and laughter, especially when Byron's on-the-spot groomsman helped him out with a little breath pick-me-up before the big kiss!

Stay tuned...Part II is coming up tomorrow!

Aug 17, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 1 Comment »

Pinehurst Engagement Session :: Kristin and Zack

Meet Kristin and Zack. Among their many talents, looking cool in 100+ weather is right up at the top. How did they do it? I was a sweaty mess. The only glow off these two was, well, the glow of LOVE. Say it with me now...awwww!

Kristin and Zack met while students at NC Sate. After graduating this Spring, the couple moved to New York where Kristin works as the Assistant Manager at the American Eagle Outfitters flagship store in Times Square and Zack as a Sales Manager at C.H. Robinson. Kristin grew up in Pinehurst, NC and Zack loves golf. If you know anything about Pinehurst, you know it's close to heaven for golf enthusiasts. So naturally, the golf course just seemed like the perfect location for their engagement session. We started out at the Carolina Hotel where she'll be getting ready on the day of the wedding, then took a short trip down the road to end up at the Pinehurst Resort for some photos on the veranda and the course. It was so hot that prior to the session I thought there was no way we'd be shooting for more than an hour. But this adorable couple was so fun, I was surprised to find 2 1/2 hours had passed since the first click of the shutter. Hopefully, this heat dome will have dissipated by the time the wedding rolls around on August 27th, but if not, I know these two will weather the temperatures well.

To see more images from Kristin and Zack's engagement session, take a few moments and enjoy the slide show!

Aug 03, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 5 Comments »

Downtown Raleigh Engagement Session :: Lizzy and Jeff

The most challenging thing about photographing Jeff and Lizzy? Finding a day that wasn't blisteringly, cook-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot. (The weather this summer has caused me to reschedule so many sessions I'm finally getting serious about finding the perfect studio space.) Luckily for me, Lizzy had the foresight to check the forecast and noticed a brief break in the weather three days before our scheduled session. Thanks to the couple's flexibility, we were able to move the session and caught such a lucky break -- it was ONLY in the 80's on the day we met downtown for one of my favorite engagement sessions ever. How adorable is Lizzy's hot pink one-shoulder dress? And Jeff made me laugh talking about the search for the perfect blue short-sleeve shirt. I love it when couples put lots of thought into what they're going to wear -- it makes such a difference!

We're really looking forward to January, when we'll meet Jeff and Lizzy again for their wedding at Sacred Heart Cathedral and reception at the Marriott City Center. Any guess which day they'll tie the knot?

Enjoy more images from this fun session here:

Jul 27, 2011 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »

Brier Creek Country Club :: Lauren and Bryan are married!

If you find yourself craving hand-squeezed lemonade or an ice-cold lime rickey after feasting on this blog post, you're not alone -- and it's not just the 100+ temperatures! It's the fresh, modern, delicious combination of lemon yellow and lime green that transformed Brier Creek Country club for Lauren and Bryan's June wedding. Feast your eyes on some of the gorgeous details!

Lauren and Bryan have been together a long time, so the excitement was running high before the ceremony. Lauren's bridesmaids were so much fun. They kept me laughing the whole time!

Brier Creek's Jasmine Court has to be one of my favorite outdoor ceremony venues in the area. It's sited beautifully and just check out the magic that floral designer Greg Warren worked on the arbor. Wedding coordinator extraordinaire Tracy Adams worked her own brand of magic, making sure everything flowed like melted butter in the warm summer sunshine!

A few stolen moments alone...with me. :)

Lauren and Bryan kicked off their fabulous reception with a very stylish first dance!

This fun crowd didn't need any encouragement to get busy on the dance floor! While Frank was shooting the enthusiastic action, I happened to look outside and see an interesting sky taking shape. I love summer thunderstorms at weddings, provided they happen long after we need to be outside taking pictures, of course! The dramatic skies that grace us afterward create great photo opportunities. Thankfully, the couple was willing to sneak off for a few shots on the golf course!

To see more images from Lauren and Bryan's wedding, check out their slide show below:

The following fabulous vendors helped to make Lauren and Bryan's wedding a huge success:

Event Coordination and Planning: Tracy Adams, Adams and Events

Venue: Brier Creek Country Club

Floral Design: Greg Warren Flowers

DJ/Entertainment: Ron K. Smith Productions

Cake Artist: Cinda's Creative Cakes

Jul 25, 2011 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »

Lauren and Michael are engaged!

We met Lauren and Michael last October when we were at Highgrove to photograph Kristin and Amin's wedding. Lauren and Michael are going to be married in September and we're really excited to experience shooting in Highgrove's brand new building. Luckily, we didn't have to wait that long to get to hang out with this out-going, happy couple (and wow, adorable much?). Lauren and Michael met in 2004 in English class. They had an assignment called "Getting to Know Your Classmates." Obviously, they made an "A" on that assignment and have been together ever since. Lauren loved this location when she saw it in Bryan and Lauren's engagement session last year and the owners graciously allowed us to shoot there a second time. The couple brought the rest of their energetic family along for the second half of the shoot. Maggie and Millie were well-behaved and as full of personality and life as Michael and Lauren. Personally, I think the dogs should be members of the wedding party, complete with flower collars and white leashes, but I'm not sure I'm going to get my way. Oh well...maybe we can pet sit sometime!

If you regularly follow the blog you'll notice that this is the third post in a row featuring a bride named Lauren. And guess which wedding is coming up next? That's right...Lauren and Bryan. I have no explanation for the surplus of brides named Lauren, but we feel really lucky!

Lauren and Michael, we can't wait to see you in September. Give Maggie and Millie a treat from us and enjoy your slideshow!

Jun 19, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

Butler Chapel Wedding :: Lauren and Daniel are married!

In honor of Father's Day, I thought I would start Lauren and Daniel's post with this sequence of her dad seeing her for the first time in her wedding gown on her wedding day. You can tell that the bride and her father share a close relationship. I'm sure Marty was bursting with pride: just a few weeks earlier, Lauren graduated from Campbell University's Pharmacy School. Lauren played softball throughout high school and college. Marty logged plenty of time in the bleachers cheering her on and this day would be no different. A girl's biggest fan is her daddy!
 

Lauren and Daniel were married in Butler Chapel, Campbell University's new chapel. It truly is a stunning building, full of light on the inside and highlighted by a beautiful stained-glass window in shades of blue and green that evoke a summer's day.

Lauren was truly one of the most relaxed, laid-back brides we've had the pleasure to work with. She had a no-nonsense approach to her wedding planning, so naturally, she and Daniel chose to do a First Look. :)

Poor grooms...they don't get as much time in the spotlight as brides do, but Daniel deserves his 15 minutes. He's just finished up his second year of law school at Elon University and hopes to practice in the area of estate planning. What a handsome guy! Lauren told me one of the reasons she chose the bright teal color for him to wear is because it brings out the blue in his eyes. I really enjoyed photographing these colors, so you won't see a ton of black and whites in this post. The colors are just too good to resist.

How gorgeous is the light in this chapel? You don't see this quality of light often in a church; most of the time, churches are on the far end of the dim scale where light is concerned. After the ceremony, Lauren and Daniel came back down the aisle to personally greet their guests row by row from the sanctuary. I loved this idea as it provided some great candid moments as friends and family greeted the newlyweds. The little dude a few shots down wasn't a fan; he was ready to get to the party. He liked having his picture taken, though!

The reception was held at Chicora Country Club in Erwin, NC. Lauren and Daniel are both so friendly and down-to-earth. Their reception felt like a big family reunion. The decor had an elegant Southern feel and I loved how the shades of black and white, bright teal and hot pink worked together.

Lauren's bouquet toss has to be one of my all-time favorites. This poor girl looks like there's a ballistic missile headed her way. Usually it's the guys who cringe at the thought of participating in any activity that might hurry marriage into their future. Don't worry, hon; there's no rush!

Off to St. Lucia! Lauren and Daniel, thank you so much for allowing us to photograph your wedding!

Check out Lauren and Daniel's slide show for more great moments from their beautiful wedding day:

Venue/Wedding: Butler Chapel, Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina

Venue/Reception: Chicora Country Club, Dunn, North Carolina

Floral Design: Dutch Iris Florist

Cake Artist: Ambrosia Cake Creations

Jun 17, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 7 Comments »

Duke Gardens Bridal Portrait :: Lauren

When I met Lauren and her mom Kelly at Duke Gardens for her bridal portrait session, I gasped when I walked into the room and the bride-to-be turned around. She literally took my breath away! Her white satin gown had the most gorgeous asymmetrical pleating on the bodice. So one-of-a-kind, just like Lauren. She has a truly infectious laugh and her smile has a life of its own! I quickly learned that this was one bride who would not be giving me any of the angsty-fashionista pouts that seem to be so common these days in bridal portraits -- she was going to smile and smile big. I think the third photo down is one of my all-time favorites. I just love a bride who's so happy she can't help laughing!

Jun 17, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 3 Comments »

Newman Center and Carolina Inn :: Lauren and Joe are married!

Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows how much we love Carolina Inn weddings! I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that Frank and I got married there just a few years ago. :) Whenever we're there, everything seems to go flawlessly. The same was true for Lauren and Joe's May wedding. I love the window light in the portrait of Lauren below. There's beautiful light every where you look at the Carolina Inn.

I've said it many times before and I'll keep saying it: I love First Looks! Anyone who believes that you'll miss out on "that special moment" when he sees you in the your dress: call me, please! You get to have that moment -- you just get to have it in private, away from the eyes of your nosy aunt and your future husband's boss. (I'm kidding, I'm kidding. No, I'm not. First Looks are awesome!) I love how Joe looks a tad bit nervous in the first photo, but when he turns around to see his bride, he's all smiles afterward!

"You don't marry one person; you marry three:
the person you think they are,
the person they are, and
the person they are going to become
as a result of being married to you."
Richard Needham

Welcome to the party! Wow, do Lauren and Joe's friends and family know how to have a good time! Jason with Island Sound kept everyone on their feet all night. It was everything a wedding celebration should be. Lauren and Joe, thanks for letting us be a part of it!

"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...that's AMORE!"

Enjoy more of our favorite images from Lauren and Joe's wedding in their slide show:

The following fabulous vendors helped make Lauren and Joe's day one to remember:

Venue/Wedding: The Newman Catholic Center and Parish in Chapel Hill, NC

Venue/Reception: The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, NC

Floral Design: Tre Bella

DJ: Jason Huggins with Island Sound

Wedding Cake: Simply Cakes

Jun 13, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

Duke Gardens :: Elizabeth and Trey are engaged!

Elizabeth and Trey are just one of the many awesome couples we had the pleasure to meet at the Southern Bridal Show and Expo in April. These two lovebirds met while both were attending UNC at Chapel Hill and took the most sensible route of being friends before they started dating. Spend even a little time with them and their love for each other is crystal clear: it's in their eyes when they look at each other, in the way Trey can make the more reserved Elizabeth laugh, how he wraps her up in his long arms and she looks completely serene and peaceful when he's near. We are so excited about their Old Salem wedding next April. Until then, here are just a few of my favorites from their engagement session at Duke Gardens a few weeks ago.

Enjoy Elizabeth and Trey's slideshow:

Jun 09, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 5 Comments »

Preston Woodall House :: Susan and Taylor are married!

Susan and Taylor were married on May 14 at Preston Woodall House in Benson, NC. Before jumping into the story of their day, here are some of the details of this lovely wedding, featuring shades of apple-green and coral-pink. You can see the couple's fresh and modern touch in everything, from the table markers to the hand-made wooden bird favors. Everywhere we looked there were fantastic details to capture.

How gorgeous was Susan's dress??? And it suited her perfectly. One of my favorites! The vintage pins in her hair and on the back of her gown were a beautiful touch.

Taylor and the groomsmen looked smashing in bespoke charcoal suits with sophisticated pin-stripes.

The weather was iffy all through the early afternoon. At the rehearsal, both Susan and Taylor talked about how much they wanted to get married outside. Even with a great rain plan in place, I could tell they were both really hoping that the rain would hold off just long enough for the ceremony to take place. At about 4:30, the clouds opened up in great torrents, but slowed to a light drizzle eventually. Diane, the coordinator at Preston Woodall House, held the ceremony for about 15 minutes, long enough to get the seats dried off and the guests seated so that Susan and Taylor could have the ceremony they wanted. The sun even came out briefly during the ceremony. It was lovely.

What a fun reception! It was obvious everyone had a great time, but none more than the bride and groom. I love their dancing photos!

At 10:30, the couple had a sparkler departure, but the surprise was on the guests -- after "departing", the bride and groom lead the guests in a conga line back into the house for more dancing and Photobooth fun.

See more of Susan and Taylor's big day in the slide show:

Susan and Taylor, thank you so much for allowing us to share in your wedding day happiness! Here are the vendors who helped make the day such a success.

Venue, Catering and Accommodations: Preston Woodall House, Benson NC

Coordinator: Diane Seymoure

Flowers: The English Garden

Cake: Cake Dreams by Sally

DJ: John Carter, Perfect Day DJ

Check out all the fun from Susan and Taylor's Photobooth on Facebook!

Jun 06, 2011 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »

Duke Gardens Engagement Session :: Lauren and Daniel

Meet Lauren and Daniel. This adorable couple will be married in May at Campbell University's nearly-new Butler Chapel. Lauren is a Campbell grad and will finish up her Doctor of Pharmacy degree shortly before she walks down the aisle. Daniel is a second-year law student at the Elon University School of Law. Busy as they are, they found time to roam around Duke Gardens last Wednesday for their engagement session. Lauren and Daniel met in the 5th grade when they both took part in an AG program where students from different schools were "email buddies." It would be too perfect to say they were email buddies -- they weren't -- but they met when the two classes got together at the end of the year. Sometimes during a session, I'll ask couples to tell each other what they remember the most about the first time they met. I had backed off with my 200 mm lens, so I didn't hear what Lauren said, but I did hear what Daniel told his bride-to-be. "I thought you picked out really cool food at the Golden Corral buffet the first time we met." Lauren and I both cracked up! "Do you even remember what I ate?" Lauren asked. "No," said her future husband. "I just remember thinking that you were a really cool girl with good taste in food."

Lauren and Daniel, we're very excited about your wedding in May. See you soon!

Apr 11, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 3 Comments »

The Cotton Room :: Danika and Brian are married!

Danika and Brian were married in March, on a warm, sunny day that would prove to be the last we'd see in North Carolina for a while. We've had such a chilly Spring! But their wedding day was blessed with beautiful skies and a refreshing breeze. It seems only fitting. Danika and Brian are truly one of the most devoted couples we've had the pleasure to photograph. The day started out in Danika's suite at the Residence Inn with hair and make-up. Danika was a super-organized bride, so the mood was nice and relaxed. Her bridesmaids' laughter contributed to the fun atmosphere. Frank caught up with Brian at Danika's home in Durham and reports that Brian was calm, cool and collected -- even after discovering that Danika blew the wedding-gift budget out of the water with a new laptop.

Danika and Brian chose to see each other before the ceremony (something regular readers of Pixel Dust will know I ADORE) and I love, love, love their First Look photos. Brian's face-splitting smile, Danika's tears...speaking of tears, I think our bride was a little surprised by so many emotions, so close to the surface. Weddings are like that! And Brian still teared-up when she walked down the aisle. I know. I was there! The Cotton Room is a gorgeous venue and I can't wait to return. Their set-up for ceremonies is so pretty; sectioning off the center of the room with flowing white drapery that beautifully diffuses the light streaming in through huge windows. It's a wedding photographer's dream venue! The ceremony was sweet and simple. The flower girl was so into walking down the aisle with all that attention focused on her that she forgot to throw out any rose petals. But no one cared...because it's always the little "oops" that make for great wedding stories.

Because we'd done most of the wedding photos before the ceremony, we only had to do a few family groups before Danika was off to have her beautiful gown's complicated bustle put in place. Then it was time to start the party. One thing you should know about this couple is that they've spent most of their time together actually apart -- Brian lived in Arizona for a while, then moved to Virginia while Danika's jobs took her to various places as well. This career-minded couple knows about priorities though -- and how to make long-distance relationships work. The plan was for Brian to continue to live in Virginia while Danika would stay in Durham. But after the cake cutting, a joyful, tearful Danika announced that Brian had gotten a transfer and would soon be moving to NC. The room erupted into cheers from family and friends. After sneaking outside for a few late-night shots, it was time for Frank and I to head on home. What a wedding! Thanks to all the vendors who made it go so smoothly, especially LaToya Vick with Elite Memories, wedding coordinator extraordinaire! The always-stunning floral design and decor was by Fresh Affairs, the cake was by Cake Dreams by Sally and Creative Entertainment provided the tunes that kept everyone on their feet.

Danika and Brian, thanks so much for allowing us to photograph your wedding. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

The Slideshow:

Apr 05, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 5 Comments »