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 »

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 »

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 »

Heather and Tyler are engaged: Raleigh Wedding Photography

Meet Heather and Tyler. Two things you should know about them: 1) Heather has the most amazing, contagious laugh and 2) Tyler loves to make Heather laugh. Basically, if you spend enough time around them, your cheeks will hurt from smiling and laughing along with them. I'll probably need physical therapy for my face after their October 15th wedding in Raleigh. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tyler proposed in the very chic bar at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills, so we headed over as the light faded. After a quick outfit change, these two were back on -- and such good sports, 'cause it was pretty hot and humid. You'd never know it by looking at them! (Now me, that was a different story -- humid hair horrors.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather and Tyler's only photo request was to get something in the same spot where Tyler proposed -- and of course, it was occupied. But after a little gentle intimidation from me, in the form of hanging out too close to the banquette and sighing loudly, we were able to get some cool shots. (Those of you who know me are laughing right now -- because I couldn't intimidate a squirrel.)

 

 

LOVE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather and Tyler, thanks for being so much fun! Frank and I can't wait for October 15!!

Aug 18, 2010 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

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.

 

 

 

 

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!

 

 

Jul 18, 2010 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »