Friday, October 30, 2009

Rest. Recoop. Refill.

This past week has been amazing. My wonderful husband literally pushed me out of the house, and made me spend time out and away from the busy-ness of our lives. So I drove up to Virginia, and spent some time at our old stomping grounds... Crosspointe (the former Life East campus).

For the first time in a long time I actually found myself thinking clearly and enjoying life again. I met with my friend Cheyenne last week, and we both couldn't get over how "down" we had been feeling lately (my personal feeling is that as wedding photographers you get this rush of adrenaline to help you "push" through the season, and then have this big let down after things have slowed down... kinda've like a bride after the wedding is over. :)


So I went to all my old haunts... Bisset Park (Radford), The Cascades, walking to the 2nd stop sign... Life finally came into focus, and the realizations followed... The past really isn't overpowering, and can't control my future if I don't let it. Who I am fits, and I don't have to make myself try to be anyone other than me... and that's a sigh of relief. People are going to hurt me - that's just life, and the more I run from it the more people I hurt... I think that realization is the most true, and the most painful. It's the walking through life knowing people are going to scuff you up and leave you with bruises, cuts and scrapes that scares me to death; but that doesn't mean that I have to stop being me.

Enjoy the following - it's the awful scenery that surrounded me in VA for almost a whole week! Can you imagine living around this stuff all the time??? Sheesh!
























Tuesday, October 27, 2009

DJ & Andria Married!

This love is the kind that books are written about...

DJ & Andria are an amazing couple, with an amazing family... and a truly wonderful story. There are very few things that make me cry at weddings, but every once in a while something truly unique and beautiful strikes a chord in my heart.

While the girls were putting the final touches on their hair and makeup; DJ's daughter, Rachel was sitting off by herself and said, "Today is going to be the best day ever. Today is when my Daddy marries Andria, and I get to have the best Mom in the whole world." And that, my friends, encapsulated the entire day.

As the day rolled on, I began to see that the love that DJ & Andria share with each other is the kind of love you only wish you could have. They have a deep seated understanding of their admiration and adoration of each other, and that love filled every room they entered. The moments they shared with each other after the ceremony were sweet and romantic, and reminded me of the kisses and love my grandparents shared... A love that would go the distance.

Thank you both for allowing me to photograph your day, and be apart of your family for the past few months. It was truly an honor.


Many thanks to Dawn Roof, for second shooting, Heather Brady from The Look for makeup, and Bryan Borrelli for all the fabulous hair!


Beautiful flowers provided by Darlene from The Petal Shoppe...

And of course... My favorite is last...


Saturday, October 17, 2009

Matt & Tyler Married!

Matt & Tyler's wedding day was truly a remarkable one. As my husband and I traveled out to Topsail Beach the night before the wedding, we crossed over onto the island and realized we were in a completely different time zone. It seemed as if this place had no concept of time or schedule, and everything felt very California-surfer chill. We woke up the next morning to find Matt & Tyler swimming in the ocean with the wedding party, and that just seemed to be the entire feel of the day... very relaxed, very chill, very much in love. The wedding was small, but intimate... a perfect example of who Matt & Tyler are, and the unconditional love they share with each other.

They had an in-town reception at Colonel Francis Beatty Park at Lake Pointe Hall. Here are a few of my favorite snapshots from the ceremony, family reception and in-town reception. Enjoy!


Tyler's wedding dress was a 4 piece sarong that was intricately tied by her future sister in law, Amy.Matt's first look...Small reception on the island...Bryson was by far the most entertaining little boy I'd met at a wedding... he was causing a ruckus all day long, until this moment...
In-town reception... these would be "groom balls"... so delish (diamonds not included)!!Here's Bryson again...Boys will be boys...Mr. & Mrs. Saintsing... officially open for business...And my favorite...