Hello from Fort Lauderdale, Florida! Neil and I embark on our cruise tomorrow for the next 8 days and we are super excited for it! Weve needed a vacation for a while now.

A few weekends ago I participated in The Wedding Photographic Society’s first convention held here in Durham ish Raleigh, Nc. The speakers were some of the triangles “rock star” photogs. Everyone had different opinions and brought something different to the table. They all have a different way of thinking and doing business, which just proves that you should do it your own way, the way that works for you. Don’t do something just because someone else is doing it. I really enjoyed it and I feel like I got a lot out of it. Even though a lot of it was just bringing up things I had read previously or had thought about but forgot. I really enjoyed getting to mingle with all of the photographers. Having started out not knowing too many folks in the Triangle I had a hard time. I didn’t know anyone and I was new to the whole “photography” thing too. I branched out to other photographers but got nothing back. I didn’t even want to second shoot with them, I just wanted to get coffee or lunch and chit chat. I wanted to be friends with people that liked the same things I did. So for the past 2 years Ive been kind of alone out here in Smithfield. So meeting so many people that were so nice and seemed to care was awesome. Even having been to the WPS meetings was a big help. Just knowing there are people out there that want to be friends and want to network is a great help. And of course I find all of this out with less than a year to be living here in the Triangle. Figures. Anyway, it was awesome and I’m hoping we don’t move before the next convention here in 2011.

Part of the workshop were “lens lessons” with each of the instructors. The first lesson I took was with Christobal Perez of Azul Photography. First off, I really like him. He is so accommodating to everyone and he gives good hugs, plus his strobe work is pretty fantastic. Here he is at the beginning of the session with our model Christa.

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Our whole group:20100628-DSC_404520100628-DSC_4098

Next up in the lens lessons was a boudoir session with Stacy Borelli of Swank Photo Studio. She does some fantastic work with half clothed women. Having never done anything like this I was excited to learn.

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These last two were my favorite!20100628-DSC_4278

Gabby and Will were married on a very hot Saturday in June. It was a lovely day though compared to when we did her bridals when it rained cats and dogs. Throughout the day there were lots of reasons for Gabby to be stressed but she handled it awesomely. She and Will both are super down to earth and calm. If she was stressed you sure couldn’t tell as she was all smiles all day!

20100619-DSC_0042These first two images are my second shooters images. I was a fan of these over my own. Maxine is awesome.20100619-DSC_0099

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I really enjoyed the Rosedown Plantation. It had a ton of interesting rooms to go through and they all had awesome, antique beds and furniture in it. I think the coolest thing about it was the “bachelors house” except for the decor inside it. I think they should to some updating to it to make it more “man friendly” but I really liked that. Plus the owners were nice, that’s always a plus.

20100619-DSC_2156Also, that second dress photo, Maxine’s I couldn’t resist blogging that awesome flare!20100619-DSC_2157This cake from The Cakery in Selma was probably the best cake Ive had in a while. I was a bit hesitant to try it because of the fondant but Nikki worked her magic and it was scrumptious!20100619-DSC_2061

Her flowers for the wedding were magnolias so I thought it fitting to have the rings on it. None of the ones blooming were that pretty so I figured the bud would work out just fine.

20100619-DSC_2179When you entered the reception space it smelled like grape koolaid. What a GREAT idea for coloring the water!? This next one is Maxine’s.20100619-DSC_3590

Will wrote Gabby a letter.20100619-DSC_2067Gabby read it.20100619-DSC_209520100619-DSC_2143All the girls wore magnolias in their hair20100619-DSC_218920100619-DSC_220320100619-DSC_220820100619-DSC_229220100619-DSC_229720100619-DSC_162320100619-DSC_240120100619-DSC_1632

Gabby’s favorite part of the day was actually getting to marry her best friend.

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Max’s shot. I need to get me a good wide angle lens. Its next on the list.20100619-DSC_069520100619-DSC_310120100619-DSC_311020100619-DSC_185320100619-DSC_322220100619-DSC_333320100619-DSC_344220100619-DSC_351920100619-DSC_3572

Gabby’s advice for the future bride: Dooooon’t worry about stressing out over every detail. Hire good vendors, give them a general ideas and kind let them do their thing. they are the professionals. Also, if you are feeling a little iffy about a vendor, don’t hire them to cross them of your list. Pick people that fit you, and a palm pilot never killed anyone :)

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You guys rock. I hope you had a blasty blast in Europe.

Makeup artist: Nikki Mauldin

Wedding dress: David’s Bridal

Florist: Selma Flower Shop

Ceremony venue: Rosedown Plantation

Reception venue: Rosedown Plantation

Ceremony music: Molly Olah and her strings

Caterer: Catering By Design

Cake: The Cakery

gabby | the bridals

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Gabby and I met up a few days before the wedding for her bridals. I was a little nervous about meeting up only a few days before the wedding for fear her dress would get super dirty. Mainly because of the rain.. other than that.. the ground would be fine but rain just messes things up, makes things stain and dirty turn to mud. I got there early and it was pouring! Luckily (and apparently normal) Gabby and her family was late. It worked out pretty well too. By the time they got there the rain had stopped. Surprisingly, we didnt get the dress too too dirty.

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She looks so hot in this photo. HOTTTTT!20100616-DSC_142220100616-DSC_1475Blog2

i do | sean + lorena

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Lorena and Sean were married the first weekend in June in Pensacola, Florida. It was a nice rainy day out but you know what they say about raining on your wedding day right? This wedding was a long time coming for Lorena and Sean. He proposed two years ago!  I’m so happy their big day finally got here. I knew it was going to be fun as soon as I read their contract and Lorena wrote her wedding colors to be electric aqua blue, mango tangerine orange and sandy wheat! It was surely a fun wedding to shoot, especially that reception. Lorena and Sean are crazy fun dancers!20100605-DSC_0295

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Probably one of my favorite shoe shots ever! Plus they are my favorite brand of heels so that might help.

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Isn’t Lorena gorgeous? I don’t think I can take a bad photo of her?

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This next photo is my favorite from the whole day. I don’t know why I like it either but I do. Maybe its the fact that nothing is in focus? Or all the pretty flowers?

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While I was with the girls Leslie met up with Sean for a few photos. Oddly enough the guys weren’t ready yet.

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Sean’s favorite moment of the day was saying his vows.20100605-DSC_0662

At this point in time it was pouring outside.

Sean is a stud.20100605-DSC_0773

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Lorena’s favorite moment in the day was enjoying the last dance of the evening with their family and friends.

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After the cake cutting and toast I noticed it was no long raining and I wanted to get a few of just them and I am so super glad we did.

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Right after these photos it looked like this:

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Thanks Leslie :)

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You guys were awesome. Thanks for coming out with me for the photos. It was worth it right? Even with the rain. I thoroughly enjoyed your wedding day! Thank you so much for trusting me with your memories.

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Lorena’s advice for the future bride: You must be willing to accept “last minute” changes. Things will “go wrong”.

Sean’s advice- Gather your guest’s addresses first, everything else will fall into place.

Hair:  Christine Tormey
Makeup artist: Christine Tormey
Wedding dress: David’s Bridal
Shoes: Nina
Bridesmaid dresses: The Bridal Plaza
Florist: KaBloom!
Wedding coordinator: Barbra Isominger
Church: St Luke Methodist Church
Reception venue: St. Luke Methodist Church
Caterer: Apple Market
Cake: Publix Bakery

sweet tease! gabby + will !

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Gabby and Will are awesome. I also think they are perfect for each other. I think this because all of their friends think this and they are a lot alike. I like their friends, so I trust their judgment. They got married yesterday afternoon here in Smithfield, NC at an awesome place called Rosedown Plantation. I would highly recommend it. A few days before the wedding Gabby and I met up for some bridal portraits. I’m so glad we did too given the time crunch we were under for the actual wedding.

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and a few from the wedding…

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My second, Maxine got that shot of the bridal party. They were a fun bunch.

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I hope you two have an awesome time in Europe. How jealous I am of you two.

i do. | carrie + ryan

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

My first stop photography wise once I got into Florida was for Carrie & Ryan’s wedding. They got married memorial day weekend in Defuniak Springs followed by a reception at Ryan’s folks place in Laurel Hill. This was my first venture into that area of Florida and I think its gorgeous. Its definitely very rural but still nice. My favorite part of the trip out there was seeing that there was a thrift store or two on the main road up. Carrie wore her soon to be mother in law’s wedding gown and her mother’s veil. She pulled off the vintage look pretty well. This was my first wedding where the dress wasn’t new and I absolutely loved that she wore it. You rocked is Carrie!

While she was getting her hair done I was outside watching the lightning!

After the rain was done we had a little fun with the photos. I love it when people just love eachother. It makes my life a whole lot easier :)

I had a fantastic time photographing your wedding. I wish you many many happys in your life! Congratulations!!

Lorena| Pensacola Wedding Photographer

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

I have known Lorena’s family since I was in middle school. Her brother Brandon and I used to sit on the bus together and talk about Dragon Ball Z. I wasn’t really into it but Brandon was and he was nice and I was new so I tolerated it. ;) Fast forward to high school and Lorena is in my music class. I didn’t talk to her much as I was pretty consumed in myself and my own senior friends. For the Christmas production we ended up singing a duet together; Let It Snow, My favorite. We kept in touch and I was pleasantly surprised to have her ask me to be her wedding photographer! I flew down to Pensacola in April to shoot these and boy were they hard to keep hidden for so long. It was even harder to keep for the past week. I wanted her bridals to be my first blog on my new blogsite! Anyway, lets get to more of the goodies!

It’s not everyday you can convince a bride to climb into a tree! Lorena is awesome.

Sean and Lorena’s wedding photos will be up shortly!