Allison is friends with my past wedding bride, Madison.  The story goes that apparently Madison told Allison that she HAD to hire me as her wedding photographer, too.  It appears Allison was smart and listened and well, I was so happy to join James and Allison on their big day. When we met at a coffee shop for the first time to talk and look over their contract their love was so apparent.  They were both so funny and loved to laugh.  Oh, and the story of how they met?  One of my favorites.  They were both members on a dating site and happened to be “matched”.  They began talking and when the time came to finally meet for a date and Allison asked James where he lived, James gave…the description to the same exact location Allison lived.  They lived in the same exact apartment complex and had no idea!  How awesome is that?

Their wedding took place at Our Lady of Grace  in Greensboro with the beautiful reception at Revolution Mills.  I had the amazing and talented Lindsey of LifeExposed along with me to second shoot and I couldn’t have asked for a better second photographer that day.  Lindsey has a great ability to photograph a wedding in an amazing documentary style and her photos were so complimentary to my style and was the perfect addition for James and Allison.

Rain was pouring when Lindsey and I showed up to Jade Aveda that morning to meet Allison and her bridesmaids and family as they prepared for their day.  Allison’s mother met us at the door and when I walked in music and laughter filled the air.  I was nervous for Allison.  I knew she had prepared so hard for their big day and I didn’t want her to be let down because of the rain.  She was seated in the very back of the salon and when I walked around the corner the biggest smile was on her face, she welcomed me and assured ME that she didn’t care at all about the rain because she was so excited to get married.  I breathed a sigh of relief and knew that her day was going to be beautiful.  Before the ladies even finished with hair and makeup the rain had moved on, the sun had come out and the day carried on.  With music and laughter, just as it had begun.

James and Allison, thank you so much for taking such great advice and having Lindsey and there to document the most special day of your lives.  Your hard work paid off and your wedding was so beautiful, heartfelt and classy.  I could not have asked for a more cool and calm bride and groom than you two have been through the whole process.  I wish you nothing but many more days of music and laughter.

I ADORE this family.  For those that don’t know, Sarah and Jordon are the Mr. and Mrs. behind the amazing and talented Sadie Higs Photography.  Their cutie pie son, Nolan, just makes their equation complete.  Sarah and I first met earlier this year after we had emailed back and forth as fellow photographers and met one day over coffee just to discuss photography, the industry and business.  She was so down to earth, willing to share anything she could and completely embraced me as a fellow photographer.  We both come from the thought that it’s better to have allies rather than form competition in the industry and I seriously feel blessed to have met her.

They hire different local photographers every year to capture their family portraits and I have to admit I feel honored to have been asked this year.  I stand amongst some of the best local photographers asked to document their family and when she first asked me I got so nervous I almost said no.  How could I measure up?  They’ll notice things that the regular client may not because they’re both amazing photographers.  What if I completely fail?  In the end, I knew I was being waaaay too self critical and if she asked me to takes these portraits it must mean that they really trust and like me as a photographer.  So, I shoved all of those nerves under the rug and replied that I’d LOVE to.  And I did!  And I was SO nervous.  But I did it.  And I just started three sentences in the ways you’re not supposed to but if those are the only mistakes I made during this whole process then I’m golden.

We actually had a blast during their shoot and Nolan was so fun.  I don’t photograph many children and Sarah would frequently apologize for him being squirmy or running around or having his own ideas but I personally loved it.  It was real and I was there to capture that.  We came up with the campfire and smores idea just a week before the shoot and Jordan was awesome enough to build a little fire pit just for the shoot.  Those smores?  Most delicious thing I’ve eaten in a loooong time.  In the end we were all standing in the kitchen, talking photography, the industry and business.  They are seriously so laid back and an amazing family as well as amazing photography allies.  Nolan even came up to me and thanked me before I left which made my heart melt.  Oh, and they make parenting look so easy, fashionable and fun, don’t they?

Sarah and Jordon, Thank you again for asking me to capture these photos for you.  It really means a lot and only three years ago would have been a task I would have only dreamed of taking on.  Thank you for trusting in me.

I have had quite a few people email me to ask if I was going to put out a 2012 mini accordion calendar template this year. I really didn’t think I would have the time to do it but I am down with a cold and figured I’d spend a little time to work on it. Thank you to those that requested it, and enjoy just in time for the holidays!

Download includes both solid and floral backgrounds as well as a new beautiful frame border. Grids are also shown on Psd’s so you know exactly where to drop your photos! Just save as a .jpg and you’re ready to order. Sized for WHCC.

Cost: $20 and includes both front and back templates as well as solid & floral backgrounds and a beautiful new frame border background.

Please note that this is not an instant download and that I personally email you the Psd file myself. I email the files as quickly as possible after payment is made.

I met Laura and Matt earlier this year when Jade, my makeup artist and I traveled to Eagle Springs to photograph their engagement session.  Laura has a great sense of style and loves all things vintage so she wanted Jade’s help with bringing her vision to life.  When we showed up to their quaint house surrounded by a beautiful orchard the clouds started to roll in and the wind began to whip around.  We hurried to get ready and made it out in just enough time to capture some beautiful photos.  Matt was such a gentlemen helping us three ladies as we ran through the rain to try to take cover; carrying umbrellas, my reflector and holding open the door.  I knew Laura was in good hands.

We didn’t have quite enough time to finish the shoot like we had hoped but we ended the evening at their family owned ice cream stand down the road where they waved us off with big cones full of ice cream goodness. Laura and I stayed in touch to schedule Pt. 2 of their session and our schedules finally aligned this past weekend.  They came to Winston Salem this time and we wrapped up the second part to their engagement session at Reynolda Gardens.  The wind was once again fierce, the temperature had once again dropped but Matt was once again a gentleman and Laura was once again flawless and classy.  I commented on her makeup and hair as soon as she got out of the car and she exclaimed “I know!  I’ve been working on it for the wedding!”  She was just as beautiful, professional makeup artist or not, and is going to make one stunning bride!  Speaking of which, be sure to watch out for her on next season’s Say Yes to the Dress.  She gave me some juicy news about the show but I won’t spill them here.  Laura and Matt, thank you for everything!  You two are so beautiful and full of love.  So kind, patient, gentle, and respectful – just as a couple should be.  I cannot wait to shoot your bridals next month and I wish you nothing but the best of luck in all you do!

First, our shoot from Eagle Springs, and a cameo from Dixie whom was sweet as pie!

And our second session this past weekend at Reynolda Gardens.

You may remember Madison & Josh from their “First Look” session that we photographed a month before their actual wedding.  Because photos were so important to them, they wanted to make sure they had plenty of time to get the images they wanted and weather wouldn’t be an issue.  You can check out their First Look session here and here.  Madison told me when she got engaged I was one of the first people she told because she wanted to make sure she could book me for her wedding.  They held their wedding at beautiful Lake Lure this past summer and I admittedly have gotten so far behind on blogging that I am just now getting around to sharing my weddings!

Madison and Josh had a wedding that was purely for them.  They wanted to celebrate their union and then spend time with friends and family.  Seriously, they had their ceremony, a small brunch and then we were off to Madison’s parent’s house where everyone changed into comfy clothes, I was ordered to put my camera down and we enjoyed BBQ and beer for the rest of the evening.  Madison and I even rode off for a bit on her family’s four wheelers.  Her wedding day was simple, but so are they.  They weren’t in it to impress their friends or to end up gracing a wedding blog.  Their ceremony was beautiful and they both shed tears even though they had already seen each other in their wedding attire a month earlier.  They are simple, but they love deeply.  I adore this couple and Madison has become a great friend since she and I first met a few years back.  I wish you two nothing but the best and may you always love simple and madly.

Whitney emailed me a few months ago so excited she had found me!  She was so sweet right off the bat and I knew I would love to work with her and her fiance Trip to capture their engagement.  She had some amazing ideas and even forgave me for having to reschedule her initial shoot due to health issues that came up expectantly.  I think it all happened for a reason though, because we could not have asked for better weather or more yummy light the day of her shoot.

Thank you to everyone that came along to help make things flow smoothly!  Whitney and Trip’s (and Simon, too) shoot was so effortless because of the obvious love and connection they share.  They originally met in church and share that common ground that so strongly bonds them together.  They are careful and respectful to each other but know how to have fun.  Whitney & Trip, thank you again for asking me to capture such a special moment in your lives – I had a blast and I think these photos speak for themselves as to the love you two share.