Cant wait to share the rest of these with you!! Coming soon!
Couples/Engagements
This is turning out the be the booking season for 2012! I am getting inquiries almost daily! Im sad to say that for a lot of them… I am already booked. So, I wanted to take some time today to talk about booking vendors on your wedding day!
First things first, do some research! Get some recommendations from friends, family or on Facebook! Once you have a few names for caterers, photographers, florists, etc… Take the time to really look at each one. Consider what you like, and dont like. Maybe that caterer doesnt seem to have enough options, or the photographer does a post process that doesnt feel right. Its okay! Everyone has their own unique taste, and its okay to not like something that your best friend did.
Pick 2-3 vendors that you might like to meet with. Sometimes, you just KNOW. A lot of my brides book me because they already know they want me to photograph their wedding! I love when that happens!! But, its okay if you need to meet with a couple different DJ’s/Bands to find the right fit. Also, dont forget to ask questions! If you looooove top 40 dance hits and hate mo-town, make sure to ask your DJ about that! More than likely, they will play a nice mix and you will get all ages on the dance floor!
Remember there are a lot of other brides booking vendors too. I am not saying this to put pressure on couples to book and book fast! I am only bringing it up because in the past two weeks I have had to turn away more than a few brides because I am already booked on their wedding day! It is so sad for me to write that response email! I hate it! If there are vendors out there that you absolutely want, email as soon as youre able. Sometimes you dont have a lot of time between getting engaged and saying I Do, so make sure you dont waste time if you have to have somebody! Photographers and venue’s tend to book 9 months to a year in advance, sometimes longer!
And, lastly, ask your vendors for help if they offer! We are all connected in this industry and we love working together! If you are having a hard time finding the perfect cinematographer, ask your photographer, florist, or wedding stylist! They have more than likely worked with one they liked, or know of one who is awesome! Trusting your vendors is key to enjoying your wedding day stress free, so ask them for help if you need it!
I hope this can help a newly engaged couple out there! Wedding planning is often times stressful, so I hope this can help guide you a bit!
2011 was a great year! I am so thankful for every single one of my couples!! Here are some of my favorite engagement session shots! I love e-sessions because I get unpressured one on one time with my clients. We can get used to each other, get to know one another, and they gain so much confidence with the picture process. It makes wedding day AWESOME. I know I am biased toward this opinion, but I think everyone should have an engagement session with their photographer!
In March I headed up to Fredericksburg to hang out with Jessica and Paul!
Then in June, I headed down to VA Beach with Joel and Kaytee!
In August, I filmed a Promotional Video for my Website, and did a mock e-session with Ed and Ashley!
Also in August, Carrie and Derek made the trek to Richmond for their session!
A lot more happened in August, including Michael and Laura’s surprise e-session!
And lastly, I attended a workshop in August where we did a mock e-session!
It finally cooled off a bit in October, and we did Kara and Sam’s session!
In November Chelsea and Drew had their farm session!
The fall leaves were at their peak during Connie and David’s session!
And last, but certainly not least, we headed over to Historic Tredegar for Kelly and Reid’s session!
I love all the big funny laughs, the sweet smiles, and the show stopping gazes! 2012 Engagement sessions coming soon to a blog near you. Stay tuned!
So, here it is. 2012. I was asleep at midnight on NYE (anyone with me?) and, we are now already two days into January. There are a lot of big things happening in 2012. A presidential election, the summer olympics in London, a extra day in February, and saving the best for last, I turn a quarter of a century! I am hopeful for a great year!
I also have to say that I am pumped for my clients! Pumped. I have the best brides and grooms, and I can’t wait to get to know everyone better. On top of that, I have the honor of photographing one of the happiest days of their life! I am a lucky girl. Might sound cheesy, but its true: I love my couples! Excited to share all of them with y’all!
So, cheers to a brand new year. A year of hope, big dreams, and hard work. 2012 is lookin’ good.
No highs and lows this week, but I am sharing a really sweet engagement session with you! Which is way more important, and more entertaining!
Kelly and Reid were introduced by friends. It was one of those things that in the beginning you agree to meet someone but dont really know that it will go anywhere. And then you just find yourself falling in love with someone.
We met at Historic Tredegar, and had a great time capturing the light and laughing together. At least, I think we were laughing together. Its entirely possible they were just laughing at me… Enjoy some of my favorites!
Yep. Kelly is gorgeous!!
Tredegar was a really neat location. And, it brought out all the fall colors Kelly and Reid were wearing! Winning!
Love the one on the right!!
Last two shots of the session…
Congratulations Kelly and Reid! I am so excited for your wedding in May!!
I first met Connie in middle school. And as we all know, middle school is the worst. But, I made friends that I had through high school and still have to this day. Connie is one of those people. And her love for David has swirled in and out of conversations and thoughts since about 10th grade. I wasn’t as close with David in high school, but I hear the same sort of story from his friends. They both noticed one another, and never could forget each other. They dated briefly in high school, but didn’t reconnect again until a few years ago. I am so glad they did, because I know in my heart that David is the one God made for Connie. He loves her so deeply and wonderfully, and that is the best thing for a friend to see.
We spent a chilly afternoon at a local plantation with fall leaves falling and rustling all around us. Neighbors dogs kept Jared company and kept us laughing. It was lovely. Enjoy some of my favorites… oh, and I should tell you… Connie is flat out gorgeous. I can’t wait to see her in a wedding gown!
We played with the leaves a bit…
David looking handsome!
Y’all are cute.
Out of focus? Yes. Connie being gorgeous? Double yes.
We saw some bunnies…
Connie has the best laugh!
Chasing Chickens… I cannot stop laughing at the picture on the right!
Connie!!!! Stoppp it.
Nicely done David.
Love this.
Favorite.
Gosh, I love these two! I unbelievably excited to be shooting their wedding next October. Its going to be gorgeous, just you wait! Congratulations y’all!!
Ohhh Connie and David! I have been friends with Connie since middle school, which were some awkward times for us both. But, we made it through and I cant wait to share their sweet story with you and the rest of their beautiful engagement session! Coming next week!
A few years ago, Chelsea was looking for a new bank. What she didn’t realize was that she was also going to find the love of her life the day she walked in there. She opened her new accounts, and couldn’t help but notice how sweet and cute the guy that was helping her was. And Drew, couldn’t help but notice Chelsea. And this is where it kind of turns into a movie script, because he looked up her phone number and called her. A hop, skip, and a jump later…Drew brings Chelsea to Paris with him and his family, and proposes to her. Engaged in PARIS, how romantic is that?!!
I am unbelievably happy for Drew and Chelsea, and I cannot WAIT for their wedding this coming March!! We did their engagements at Amber Grove Farm, where they will be saying I Do. It’s always fun for a photographer to see and work with the location before you have to shoot a wedding there. You can scope out spots and find the light. We had such a fun couple of hours…enjoy some of my favorites!
Seriously, how cute are they?
I love Chelsea’s laugh!
Drew has the soft smile down!
He’s pretty funny…
Chelsea, stoppp! So gorgeous!
Chelsea’s beautiful ring…Good job Drew!
Ah! I just keep looking through every image over and over. So cute! Congratulations to you both!! Hurry up March!!
Instead of highs and lows this week, I am treating you to an engagement session! Better, right? Especially since its Kara and Sam! Love these two!
Kara met Sam at an co-ed soccer game, when someone asked her to join their team. The first game was a total disaster. Zero communication and raging tempers. When Kara and I met to talk about her wedding over coffee, she said she remembers one positive from that game… Sam. He kept his cool throughout the game and tried to rally everyone. Kara liked that. And, in good time they started dating. In God’s perfect timing, which Sam and Kara would agree with. Enjoy some of my favorites!!
It was supposed to rain this day, and instead we were graced with gorgeous golden light!
Kara and Sam still play on a team together!
It was super windy on the field. But, we had fun goofing off…
I’ll give you one guess as to what their wedding date is…
Yep, it’s their jersey numbers… April 14th! How great is that?
The end! I am so excited for their spring wedding! Its going to be so playful and fun. Congratulations to you guys! 
