Smithfield « Hilary Mercer! Photography

Charlotte or Charlie is a cute little baby. She is probably the best baby I have photographed although it might have been my new bean bag. :) I really like newborns and I really wish I could meet more of them. They are my favorite subjects to photograph besides couples and lindy hoppers. I really like the fact that I am their first professional photographer. When they are older they will see these pictures and think, what was she thinking? “Wow! How cute was I? Mom, I fit into a bowl?” Or other random things like that.

Charlotte is about a month early. Her mama wasn’t due to have her until September 6th. Luckily she came early since her daddy really wanted to meet her. To second that luck the whole family was able to hang out with me on Sunday. Thanks for taking the time out of your limited days to spend with me. Now on to Baby GaGa (her in womb name which I might steal when I pop’m out.) She was 6 days old when I finally got to meet her. 20100815-DSC_5658

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Chad, I know youre going to hate this photo because of the missing ring(and i love it!) but Y E S ladies, he is taken! 20100815-DSC_5869 20100815-DSC_5887 copy 20100815-DSC_5899 20100815-DSC_5915 I made this quilt for her as a baby present. It thrilled me that she wanted to use it for the photos!! 20100815-DSC_5933

I have been wanting to photograph a baby hanging for quite a while, yay for parents being game! 20100815-DSC_5948 copy love those little rolls. 20100815-DSC_5969 no wonder this kid is so cute.

Happy Day at Sea from the Carnival Freedom!

I met Holly at Gabby & Will’s wedding and she was a bridesmaid. We instantly clicked so I was excited when she contacted me about her wedding in March. I met up with them to talk about their date and the most fun part of the wedding packages the engagement session! She and Craig mentioned they wanted to use their car as a prop. Of course I was excited. Holly also explained her love of cats to me. Craig actually proposed in their new house using one of their cats. I found it a little funny that during out session a kitty cat followed us around the whole time, although I dont think I got a photo if the little guy. :( Okay! on to the goodies!

20100707-DSC_4426 We started out at the Kenly Tobacco Farm Life Museum. They are lovers of antique things so it was a perfect setting to start out at. 20100707-DSC_4475 get it craig! 20100707-DSC_4489 20100707-DSC_4537 20100707-DSC_3241 20100707-DSC_3265 I love how excited they are to be going nowhere. Ok ok, I told them to look excited. 20100707-DSC_4571 20100707-DSC_4580

you wouldnt believe how bad it stank on this road. they were troopers! 20100707-DSC_4596 20100707-DSC_4615 20100707-DSC_3276

yowwwwww owwwww! 20100707-DSC_3284 20100707-DSC_3321 20100707-DSC_3341 20100707-DSC_4683

1 Comment About: Johnston County Wedding Photograher, Kenly, Kenly Tobacco Farm Life Museum, NC, North Carolina Wedding & engagement Photography, Plymouth Grand Fury, Smithfield, Smithfield Engagement Photographer, Smithfield Engagement Photography, Smithfield Wedding Photographer, Smithfield Wedding Photography

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_0042 These 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_2156 Also, that second dress photo, Maxine’s I couldn’t resist blogging that awesome flare! 20100619-DSC_2157 This 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_2179 When 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_2067 Gabby read it. 20100619-DSC_2095 20100619-DSC_2143 All the girls wore magnolias in their hair 20100619-DSC_2189 20100619-DSC_2203 20100619-DSC_2208 20100619-DSC_2292 20100619-DSC_2297 20100619-DSC_1623 20100619-DSC_2401 20100619-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_0695 20100619-DSC_3101 20100619-DSC_3110 20100619-DSC_1853 20100619-DSC_3222 20100619-DSC_3333 20100619-DSC_3442 20100619-DSC_3519 20100619-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

4 Comments About: catering by design, Johnston County Wedding Photograher, Molly Olah, NC, NC wedding music, North Carolina Wedding Photography, Rosedown Plantation, selma flower shop, Smithfield, Smithfield Wedding Photographer, Smithfield Wedding Photography, The Cakery

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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