Posts Tagged ‘NC wedding photography’

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.

 

Sweet Life Photo 25% discount on coffee table books


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!

 

Lemon yellow and lime green wedding 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!

 

Lauren and Bryan's portraits at Brier Creek Country Club

 

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!

 

Brier Creek Country Club wedding collage Lauren and Bryan

 

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

 

Lauren and Bryan's couple portraits at Brier Creek

Lauren and Bryan's romantic kiss at the gazebo

 

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

 

First dances, wedding cake and toasts at Brier Creek Country Club

 

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!

 

Wedding guests dancing at Brier Creek Country Club

Golf course sunset shots

Sunset shots at Brier Creek

Dancing guests at Brier Creek and last dance for Bryan and Lauren

Departing their wedding at Brier Creek

 

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

 


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!

 

 

Engagement ring with daisy

Red barn engagement session with dogs by Sweet Life Photo Raleigh NC

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 


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!

 

 

Springtime bridal portrait session at Duke Gardens in Durham NC

 

 

 


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.

 

Lauren and Joe get dressed 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!

 

seeing the bride before the ceremony First Look at Chapel Hill

 

"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

 

Newman Center wedding ceremony photographs

 

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!

 

Lauren and Joe's Carolina Inn reception

 

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

 

Wedding reception dancing at Carolina Inn

 

 

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

 


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.

 

Duke Gardens engagement session withe Elizabeth and Trey

 

Enjoy Elizabeth and Trey's slideshow:

 

 

 


All Saints Chapel and Cardinal Club: Cameron and Dannel are married!

We're excited to feature Cameron & Dannel's wedding day slide show on the blog! The couple were married on a beautiful January day at All Saints Chapel here in Raleigh. The ever-wonderful Erin McLean coordinated the wedding and reception that followed at the Cardinal Club downtown. Enjoy these highlights and check back soon for more from Cameron and Dannel's wedding day!

 

 

 

 

Wedding: All Saints Chapel

Reception: The Cardinal Club

Wedding Planning and Coordination: Erin McLean Events

Floral Design: The English Garden

Wedding Cake: Sweet Memories

Entertainment: The Risse Band

 

 


Heather and Jason :: Church of the Good Shepherd and NC Museum of History

Confession time:  I have a major case of Writer's Block. I just don't know what to say to describe Heather and Jason and our experience working with them throughout the year and a half leading up to their December 4, 2010 wedding. I could say I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves, but that wouldn't be enough. We met the couple at the August 2009 wedding show and they booked us for their wedding photography shortly thereafter. Yep, they booked us almost a year and a half before their wedding. That in itself speaks to the level of connection that we felt with them and, I'm guessing, they with us. We just clicked right away. We got to know them over the course of 4 mini-engagement sessions, one each in Fall (at the fair), Winter (downtown with Christmas lights), Spring (on UNC's campus, where Heather graduated) and Summer (at NC State, Jason's alma mater). I wish I had the time to do multiple mini-sessions with all of our couples rather than just one. Over the course of that time spent together, I came to have such affection for them and appreciation for their devotion and love for each other. Plus, we had so much fun! But because I'm rather behind on blogging weddings, I'm going to focus on their December 4 ceremony and reception for now. The Four Seasons post will come soon, I promise!

 

If you follow Pixel Dust regularly, you'll have guessed by now that I don't blog our weddings in consecutive order. Being an artist, I guess I have to feel inspired before I blog each wedding and my levels of inspiration are affected by many things, but none more than the workload in the studio. Blogging takes a back seat to editing, designing, fulfilling orders and taking good care of our clients. We're so fortunate to be busy. This is such a tough time in the photographic industry that I thank my lucky stars every day that we get to do what we do. But that's a post for another day. On to Heather and Jason's fabulous wedding!

 

I met Heather in her suite at the Sheraton in downtown Raleigh (love them -- what a fantastic staff!). The day was cold and dreary, with snow in the forecast, threatening to derail our plans for the First Look and fun shots downtown. But the mood in the room was nothing but celebratory, especially with Heather's Tarheels trouncing the Kentucky Wildcats in basketball. I love this shot of Heather's mom and her bridesmaids cheering on their team while Heather gets her make-up done!

 

bridesmaids cheer on Tarheels

 

 

Heatherl gets her bridal make-up done

 

 

Heather's make-up wide view

 

 

clothing details

 

 

I just love photographing a bride getting into her gown, surrounded by her best girlfriends, her mom, her aunt...there's something really sweet about it.

 

Helping Heather get into her gown

 

 

The process was a bit simpler down in the boys' room.

 

Jason gets ready

 

 

 

 

Heather's dad was waiting for her downstairs right when she stepped off the elevator.

 

Heather and her dad at the Sheraton Raleigh

 

 

While Heather and Jason were getting ready, it started to snow. This meant a major reconfiguring of plans for the First Look and pre-wedding portraits,

but that's the nature of weddings: things don't always go as planned. It's good to have a Plan B. Ours was having the couple see each other upstairs

at the NC Museum of History, overlooking the expansive space where their reception would later be held.

 

Even wet snow can't dampen Heather's excitement!

 

Heather leaving the Sheraton

 

 

Jason, waiting with Heather's bouquet.

 

Jason waits to see Heather at the NC Museum of History

 

 

Heather, rounding the corner and seeing Jason for the First Time.

 

Heather at the History Museum seeing Jason

 

 

Heather and Jason's first look

 

 

Jason emotional seeing Heather

 

 

Jason and Heather hugging

 

 

Heather and Jason's First Look image three

 

 

Heather and Jason's first look image four

 

 

Heather and Jason portrait collage

 

 

Heather and Jason kiss in the pharmacy

 

 

Heather and Jason and their wedding party

 

 

Heather, you're beautiful!

 

Bride at the Chuch of the Good Shepherd

 

 

Downtown Raleigh is blessed with a handful of old historic churches that are absolutely stunning inside and The Church of the Good Shepherd is no exception.

Heather serves on the Wedding Guild and helps out with directing weddings at the church. This was our first time shooting at the church and

it couldn't have gone better. While the snow/sleet came down outside, it was warm, cozy and beautiful inside the church.

 

Bride walking in with her father to Church of the Good Shepherd

 

 

Church of the Good Shepherd Raleigh NC wedding

 

 

Heather and Jason's wedding detail

 

 

 

 

The moments immediately following the ceremony are inevitably some of my favorites of the entire day. Everyone is so happy and there's always

lots of hugging, high-five-ing and happy tears.

 

Celebrating after the wedding

 

 

Hugging after the wedding

 

 

The stairs leading up to the balcony gave me a great vantage point for a casual portrait of the wedding party and both

sets of parents. This is the one I'd have framed and hanging in my house!

 

Group portrait after Heather and Jason's wedding

 

 

Time to celebrate! Jason and Heather's wedding was centered around the great state of North Carolina, so it made sense that the reception was held

at one of our favorite venues, the North Carolina Museum of History. There are so many reasons we love shooting here, from the sweeping staircase, shiny marble

columns (great to bounce light off), the replica of the Wright Brothers' plane (even better to bounce light off), to the friendly, professional staff.

And at Christmastime, there's a soaring, beautifully decorated tree that I couldn't even begin to guess the height of. Definitely a great place for a reception!

 

I love the couple's enthusiasm as they make their grand entrance!

 

The couple come down the grand stair case

 

 

History museum first dance

 

 

Heather dances with her dad

 

 

Love, love, love this shot of Heather's mom Jackie watching the Father/Daughter dance.

 

Jackie watches the Father/Daughter dance.

 

 

I tell my daughter that you can learn a lot about a guy by the way he treats his mother. Jason loves his mom, Brenda. Jason, my friend: you're the best.

And you made me cry!

 

Jason and his mom dancing

 

 

The couple put tons of time and effort into the details of their wedding day, much of it hand-made. Here are some of my faves. The gorgeous floral design

is by the genius that is Lyn Graves of Fresh Affairs. All of the stationery, including save-the-dates, invitations, place cards and menu cards were

hand-made by the couple. What else would this North Carolina-loving couple give their guests but oak trees, ready for planting.

(Raleigh is known as the City of Oaks.) I loved it!

 

Details from Heather and Jason's wedding

 

 

The cake was crafted by Cinda's Creative Cakes. It tasted as fabulous as it looked!

 

The cake by Cinda's Creative Cakes

 

 

Cutting the cake

 

 

 

 

Favorite dancing shot of the year, coming right up. (Courtesy of the talents of DJ extraordinaire, Joe Bunn.)

 

Dancing at the museum

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family and friends gather around during the last dance.

 

 

 

For their departure, the couple gave their guests miniature North Carolina flags. Even though it had stopped snowing, it was still extremely cold and slippery

outside, so the guests formed a tunnel on the dance floor for Heather and Jason to race through.

 

North Carolina flag

 

 

Running through the tunnel of flags

 

Suddenly, there's a lump in my throat and my writer's block has returned. So I'll just say Heather and Jason: thanks. And normally, I don't recommend rushing

to have kids, but hurry up, willya? I miss you already.

 

Venues: Church of the Good Shepherd and North Carolina Museum of History

Catering: Premiere Catering

Floral Design: Fresh Affairs

DJ: Joe Bunn

Cake: Cinda's Creative Cakes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Raleigh Wedding Photography :: Lauren and Bryan

Say hello to Lauren and Bryan, one of our May 2011 couples. We're so excited about their Brier Creek Country Club wedding, not only because they're a wonderful couple, but because it means we get to work with event planner-extraordinaire Tracy Adams of Adams and Events again. We had to reschedule our first engagement session due to torrential rains, but on our make-up day, the sun was so bright we had to work in the shade waiting for it to drop behind the tree cover. Lauren and Bryan scouted this location near their home for us and it couldn't have been more perfect. Here are a few of my favorites.

 

Lauren and Bryan beneath the tree during their Raleigh engagement session

 

 

I'm going to have to carefully space out these shots of Lauren or she just might short-circuit the Internet. Can you say gorgeous???

 

Lauren and Bryan

 

 

 

 

Bryan and Lauren at their engagement session with the red house in the background

 

 

Lauren and Bryan sitting by the old house

 

 

Lauren and Bryan in front of the red barn

 

 

 

 

Lauren and Bryan in the swing during their Raleigh engagement session

 

 

Bryan and Lauren beneath the window of the old house

 

 

Bryan is no slouch in the Looks Department either...and I'd be willing to bet our ancestors dug turf out of some boggy

Scottish (or Irish) glen a few hundred years ago. Aye, Bryan?

(Doesn't he look a little bit like...George W. Bush? A younger, much more ruggedly handsome W?)

 

Lauren and Bryan in front of the tobacco barn at their engagement session

 

 

Lauren

 

 

Lauren and Bryan by the old barn

 

 

Lauren and Bryan in front of the old barn

 

 

 

 

Lauren and Bryan walking in the field

 

 

Sigh...I get to photograph this loveliness in a wedding gown. Nice work if you can get it, right? Lucky me. :)

 

Lauren by the silver barn during the engagement session

 

 

The couple have two dogs, each about the same age and with the same energy level as your typical two-year-old toddler who doesn't want to be at a photo shoot!

 

Lauren and Bryan with their dogs at their engagement session

 

Love a silhouette against the sunset to end a great session!

 

Lauren and Bryan's silhouette shot

 

Lauren and Bryan, we can't wait for your wedding. It will be here before you know it!


Devils Ridge Wedding: Jennifer and John

Jennifer and John are exactly the kind of couple we love to work with: fun, relaxed and able to see the Big Picture. As in, as long as we're married by the end of the night and get to have a big party with our closest friends and family, then it's a good day. No stressing about colors being perfect or the typeface in the programs. Rain? No biggie. Which was a good thing -- because it poured about 10 minutes after they said "I do," ruining our plans for fun portraits out on their favorite golf course. Thank goodness for satellite weather forecasts available online. Jennifer's dad could see a huge line of thunderstorms headed straight for the outdoor ceremony, so at about five minutes until Go Time, Jennifer was able to look out on the crowd, confirm that all guests were present and give the word to start the ceremony EARLY. How often does that happen? Luckily, they planned a super-short ceremony that was seriously over in a bout six minutes. It was the fastest wedding we've ever shot. But it was still all the things great weddings are -- sweet, emotional, heart-felt. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

 

 

 

 

Jennifer putting on her earrings

 

 

John getting ready in the clubhouse at Devil's Ridge

 

 

Jennifer's bouquet from A Ming Rose

 

 

Jennifer and her maid of honor

 

 

 

 

Jennifer and her dad waiting for the ceremony to begin

 

 

Seriously. Fastest wedding ever!

 

Jennifer and John's wedding at Devil's Ridge in Holly Springs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love that John couldn't resist giving his bride a kiss, even in the middle of formals with storms bearing down on us!

 

 

 

Then it was off to start one heckuva celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John dancing with his mom

 

 

John's brother and best man, Dan, gave a great toast.

 

John's brother giving a speech

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a party! I can't remember such enthusiastic dancing in a loooonnnng time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The night ended with everyone gathered around the bride and groom singing, "New York, New York."

 

 

 

Jennifer and John, when we left your party, our faces hurt from smiling so much. You are so lucky to have such a great group of family and friends! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

 

Venue & Catering: Devil's Ridge Golf Club, Holly Springs, NC

 

Officiant: Rev. Ervene Boyd

 

Flowers: A Ming Rose

 

Cake: Sweet Memories Bakery

 

DJ: Joe Bunn DJ Company

 

 

 

 

 


Duke Gardens Weddings: Heather and Dave are married!

I'm so excited to feature Heather and Dave's wedding on the blog. Heather did an amazing job with all the details and I loved her color scheme -- pink and orange. If there is a happier color combination, I don't know what it is. It was absolutely perfect for a May wedding at Duke Gardens on Mother's Day.

 

 

Heather and Dave's rings and wedding invitation

 

 

 

The day began in my favorite suite at the Washington Duke Inn. The light is always beautiful in the bedroom -- perfect for showing off Heather's gorgeous gown.

 

Suite at the Washington Duke Inn

 

 

The ribbon detailing and beading-encrusted back-bodice on Heather's gown was so lovely and unique.

 

 

Wedding gown detail

 

 

Love the body language -- maybe just a tad nervous? Who isn't on their wedding day?

 

 

 

 

 

Heather getting her make-up done

 

 

Heather checks her make-up and jewelry one last time.

 

Heather checks her make-up in the mirror

 

 

All that fuss was worth it, Heather -- you were breath-taking.

 

Heather's bridal portrait

 

 

 

While Heather was getting ready upstairs, Frank was working with Dave downstairs.

 

 

Dave at the Washington Duke Inn

 

 

 

I love this shot of Dave with his mom.

 

 

 

 

No wedding would be complete without a little drama. Heather and Dave's came in the form of major over-crowding at the gardens. Apparently, everyone in the Triangle wants to take their mom to Duke Gardens on Mother's Day -- especially if it's a gorgeous day. I have never in all my years shooting at the gardens seen anything like this. It was crazy. Mother's Day Madness. All the parking lots were completely full and a security guard was turning away everyone -- even wedding guests. I had to leave the inn early to make sure I could get to the gardens, find a parking spot and haul my equipment to the Doris Duke Center in time for the wedding. Luckily, Frank was already there, so I knew we would be covered if I had to park blocks and blocks away, but it was nerve-wracking for everyone involved. Eventually, everyone made it in, but word to the wise -- if you're getting married on Mother's Day in Duke Gardens, make sure to plan for a little parking-lot mayhem.

 

 

Heather arrived at the gardens with about 10 minutes to spare. I still have no idea where her mom parked the truck!

 

Heather and her dad and bridesmaid arrive at Duke Gardens

 

 

 

Guests arriving at Duke Gardens

 

 

 

Dave walks in with Rev. Kayelily Middleton -- one of my favorite people on the planet -- to begin the ceremony.

 

 

Dave and Kayelily Middleton walk in to start the ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather and her dad walking in to the ceremony

 

 

 

Heather and Dave during the ceremony

 

 

 

Heather and Dave chose each other's sibling to be their only attendant. Here's Heather's brother, Tommy, Dave's best man.

 

 

 

 

 

And Dave's sister, Lisa, Heather's maid of honor.

 

 

 

I love the amphitheater behind the Doris Duke Center. It may be the most private place in a public garden to get married. But when you're in the amphitheater on a bright sunny day in the late afternoon, you're getting hit by some serious sun. When you're a guy in a dark suit getting married, you get a tad sweaty. Here Kayelily does her part to keep Dave looking his best. Plus, I think he'd just finished his vows at this point. :)

 

Kayelily wipes away sweat from Dave's brow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Married!!

 

 

Heather and Dave's first kiss as husband and wife

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few of my favorite details, beginning with Heather's gorgeous bouquet by Tre Bella.

 

 

Heather's bouquet

 

 

 

Table set-up in the Doris Duke Center

 

 

 

Table detail

 

 

 

Name tags

 

 

 

The cake was by Guglhupf Bakery in Durham.

 

 

The wedding cake by Guglhupf Bakery in Durham

 

 

 

You could tell Heather and Dave had worked hard on mastering the steps of their first dance -- they were flawless.

 

 

Heather and Dave's first dance

 

 

 

Heather dancing with her dad

 

 

 

Tommy gives his toast

 

 

Great jazz music by the John Brown Band set the mood for the evening.

 

 

Jazz Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The getaway car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The getaway!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather and Dave, it was an honor to photograph your beautiful wedding. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

 

 

 

Venue

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

 


Officiant

Rev. Kayelily Middleton

 

 

Hair and Make-Up

Makeup for Your Day

 

 

Floral Design

TreBella Florist

 

 

Catering

Triangle Catering

 

 

Cake

Guglhupf Bakery, Durham NC

 

 

Music

John Brown Band


Sneak Peek: John and Becky are married!

Congratulations to John and Becky, who were married yesterday in Becky's home church in Wendell, NC. When I was breezing through the files looking for a sneak peek photo, I found tons I could have used from their First Look (which was so amazing and emotional) to their portraits, but it was this shot taken during the first dance that really tugged on my heart strings. I think it captures so well the atmosphere of total joy that they radiated to everyone and especially, to each other, on their wedding day.

 

 

Becky and John during their first dance

 

 

John and Becky, enjoy your honeymoon cruise! It was such an honor to be your wedding photographers. We'll see you when you get back!

 

 


Amanda and Marshall are engaged! Raleigh Wedding Photography

Amanda and Marshall are such troupers. When their first session date was canceled due to torrential rains, we rescheduled for what had to be one of the hottest days of the summer. You'd never know it from looking at their pictures! We are so excited about their October wedding, not only because they are awesome people, but because Marshall is the brother of Jonathan, whose wedding to Emily we photographed last June. Their reception was at one of our favorite venues, Hinnant Family Vineyards. Sadly, their images have yet to make it up onto the blog...I have quite a "back-blog" of weddings waited to be posted. Maybe we'll do a double wedding blog post after Amanda and Marshall's wedding. :)

 

Here are a few of my favorites from the session. Amanda and Marshall, thanks for toughing it out in the good ol' NC heat. We can't wait for the wedding this Fall when it will (hopefully) be much cooler!

 

 

(Amanda has the most beautiful eyes! Marshall's are pretty amazing, too. I'm willing to bet their kids' eyes are going to have hypnotic powers.)

 

Amanda and Marshall on the steps of Centennial Campus in Raleigh

 

 

Marshall and Amanda's engagement session in Raleigh, NC

 

 

Amanda and Marshall in front of a building on Centennial Campus

 

 

Amanda and Marshall's engagement photos

 

 

On the bridge at Centennial Campus in Raleigh NC

 

 

Amanda looking back

 

 

Marshall and Amanda close-up at their engagement session in Raleigh NC

 

 

Playing with shadows at Amanda and Marshall's engagement session in Raleigh NC

 

 

Amanda and Marshall in the field with wildflowers

 

 

Amanda and Marshall's engagement session in Raleigh NC


Canvas Sale!

If you've seen the yummy canvases we love to display in our studio and at the bridal shows, great news:

all canvases are 30% off now through January 31st!

 

Canvas sale info sheet

 


(Just 'cause we love our clients!)

 

Happy 2010!


Jen & Adam: Fearless

Well, this is a first: Jen and Adam's Fearless Bridal session is up before their wedding post! When my "summer vacation" starts in January, the number one item on my To Do list is to catch up on blogging, so expect a tidal wave of posts this winter. Here are a few of my favorites from our session in early November.

 

Love the yummy golden colors of the field and the light. I pumped up the warmth to accentuate those colors that grace us each Fall in North Carolina.

 

Jen and Adam in golden field

 

 

Fall colors

 

 

 

Quiet moment under the tree

 

 

Jen, you are so gorgeous...check out those eyes! Her make-up was done by Kristin Patkunas at Tanas in Cary. I'm excited to say Kristin will be a Sweet Life bride herself next October when she marries Amin at Highgrove.

 

Jen close-up

 

 

Adam and Jen portrait

 

 

Jen and Adam

 

 

Jen and Adam on the quilt

 

 

I think it was Adam's idea to throw the leaves. It took repeated tries, but we finally got the leaves falling and great expressions all at once.

 

Jen and Adam throwing leaves

 

 

Quiet moment under the trees

 

 

When I say "Fearless Bridal" I literally mean fearless. Jen gamely tromped up a hill covered in crunchy late Fall foliage (thorns, stickers, etc.) to get these next shots. Thank you, Jen...you're officially bonafide. We shot in November and something about these next two shots made me think of winter, so I processed them to bring out the blues and lend a wintry feel.

 

Jen and Adam winter weeds

 

 

 

 

field detail

 

 

Yep, favorite.

 

Jen and Adam laughing in the field

 

 

Jen and Adam portrait in the field

 

 

Jen and Adam laughing in the field

 

 

Jen and Adam last shot

 

 

Thank you to Jen and Adam for bringing a sense of adventure along with loads of affection and stunning good looks!

Check back for their wedding post soon...