Jessie & TJ: Married!
Jessie and TJ were married on October 3 in Kinston, NC at Queen Street United Methodist Church, a beautiful historic church built in 1911. The day was tailor-made for a wedding: sunshine, blue skies and puffy white clouds. If there had been blue birds fluttering around and bunnies hopping through the grass, it couldn't have been more perfect.
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The stained glass windows in the church were beautiful. I focused on a tiny part of one for a close-up of the rings.
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The church has a lovely bridal parlor, complete with antique furniture, a chrystal chandelier and an oriental rug, thoughtfully provided by the church's wedding director, to tone down the bright blue carpet. It was a great space for Jessie to get ready in. I loved the antique mirror, placed at just the right angle to capture the make-up artist as she worked her magic.
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This is always one of my favorite getting-ready shots: the placement of the veil. It's a delicate procedure. I love how Jessie's mom Debbie is holding onto her. I think she was actually keep Jessie upright so that the hairdresser wouldn't pull her over when she put the veil on -- she was making sure that veil wasn't going anywhere!
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Lately, I've found myself a tad obsessed with through-the-door shots. I especially like this one.
And this one...
While all the beautifying was going on, Frank was outside with TJ and his many groomsmen, all of whom were a riot. Frank said he spent much of his time with them laughing.
The man of the hour with his Dad. I really like this shot. Those windows were amazing!
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I LOVE this moment as TJ's mom Gwen spruces up his hair. Isn't that just like a mom? I can almost hear TJ saying, "Mom, stop! You're embarassing me!"
After photographing Jessie upstairs in the balcony, I noticed as she started down the stairway that the light from the narthex was throwing a lovely shadow on the wall and quickly fired off a shot. This is the result. I love it!
Jessie, you made such a beautiful bride!
Not surprisingly, the church had very strict rules about where we could be to photograph the actual ceremony. Frank and I spent the majority of the ceremony on opposite sides of the balcony. But I was able to be on the floor during the processional. As Jessie made her entrance, I was tucked away in a corner as instructed, but kept my eye on her mom and grandmothers. I love their expressions.
After scooting back up the aisle as Jessie and her dad passed, I flew up to the balcony to take my spot. We were instructed to position ourselves so that we would not be seen by any guests, which meant we spent most of the ceremony across from each other in the balcony, which curved around and directly above the sanctuary. The sharp angle down to the sanctuary floor provided some wonderful angles. I love this shot of Frank's as Jessie and her dad walked up the aisle.
Eight bridesmaids watch as Jessie walks down the aisle.
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Love the angles -- and TJ's expression!
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Married!
My favorite. Thanks, honey, for always being ready.
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Reception bound!
The reception was held at The Bentley, a beautiful bed-and-breakfast inn in the heart of downtown Kinston. The beautiful day turned into the loveliest of evenings, perfect for the guests who sat out under the stars and in the moon-light!
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Jessie and TJ's grand entrance down the center stair-case. Classic!
These two were so adorable!
I love to capture guests interacting. Jessie's sister-in-law Audrey is expecting soon -- I bet she had so many hands on her baby bump that evening!
The band was amazing. Just three guys strong, they had everyone on their feet and having the best time! This was taken from outside on the porch looking in through the window. First doors, now windows...I sense a phase coming on.
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What better way to end a perfect day than with a sparkler send-off?
Jessie and TJ, thank you for the privilege of photographing your wedding. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!
PartnerCon in New Orleans: Shooting Workshop with Sean and Mel McLellan
We are back from an amazing week at Pictage's Partner Conference in New Orleans. We've uploaded all our images: there are 1,002 of them, so you'll be seeing more from the week on the blog soon. I'm really excited to share these few with you from the shooting workshop led by the crazy-talented award-winning team of Sean and Mel McLellan of McLellan Studio in Nashville, TN. A group of 25 photographers plus Sean and Mel took to Royal Street to photograph Peter and Whitney Carlson from Dove Wedding Photography and Mindy and Phil Thornton from Phindy Studios, also out of Nashville. Here's Mel, one of the most adorable pregnant chicas I've ever had the pleasure to learn from:
and Sean, her partner and husband, advising Mandi-Nikole about the set-up of a shot.
The workshop was added at the last minute because of high demand; somehow, we lucked out and got a spot. When Mel introduced Peter, Whitney, Mindy and Phil as our models for the shoot, she added,
"And they are very, very uncomfortable right now!" I would have been too, if I were in Whitney's place here:
It's good for us photogs to be on the other side of the camera every once in a while to remind us that it can be an uncomfortable place. I think Whitney handled all those cameras pointed at her with grace.
The focus of the workshop was making the most out of limited locations. Whether it's a lack of light or a lack of beauty in the surroundings, it's important for wedding photographers to be able to deliver beautiful images for our clients under a huge variety of circumstances. We literally stepped out of the hotel on Canal Street, turned the corner on Royal and got down to work. Of course, in a city like New Orleans in the French Quarter, beauty, character, color and texture are all around you.
Peter and Whitney
Phil and Mindy
Sometimes the light isn't right...too low or, as in this case, too bright. So you have to make the best of it by placing your couple in the sun and working with the light you have.
As we walked up the street, we passed a band of musicians playing on the corner. Naturally, a dance was in order.
When you're shooting a subject with 25 other photographers, sometimes you don't get much choice when it comes to your angles. That can be a good thing: I really like this shot not only because of Whitney's great expression and the sense of movement, but also because of all that great detail in the metalwork above the couple's heads. Here I'm shooting at street-level because there were at least five other photographers directly above me and I couldn't move...but it works!
The big finish!
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The wind caught the train of Whitney's dress as we moved up the street.
I don't know who styled the shoot, but I love the vintage touches!
My favorite:
More from New Orleans to come!
Dianna & Todd: Married!
See these flowers? See how elegant, how colorful, how simply exquisite they are? Well, that was Dianna & Todd's wedding. Perfect in every way...
...except for the rain. :(
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Hellooooo, beautiful!
Times three. How much do I love how the bridesmaids' bouquets pops off those gorgeous eggplant gowns?? ALOT.
Yep, Dianna, I agree...bald guys are sexy.
Especially when they're sweet to their mothers.
I love it when brides and their moms start laughing during pictures. I like to imagine that they're releasing the tension that can sometimes build up between even the closest moms and daughters during wedding planning. Or maybe my jokes are just that funny.
OK, everybody: remember this photo. There's going to be a test later and it will be important.
"Daddy, hold my flowers."
Lyn at Fresh Affairs is the creative genius behind all the flowers. Orange, pink, purple & green: so modern for a Fall wedding. Love, love, L-O-V-E.
I like to stay with the bride right up until the walk down the aisle, so Frank gets to cover all the action leading up to the ceremony. Like grandparents laughing...
and ring bearers being generally adorable...
and teenage greeters being teenagers.
Dianna gives her mom a hug before she leaves to be seated. Moments like this are why I like to stay with the bride.
Single-but-not-for-long girl walking. TO GET MARRIED!
Frank and Margaret, you're adorable.
This was our second wedding of the year at Edenton Street United Methodist Church. Remember Kendall and Jeremy's April wedding? Same rules applied here -- photography inside the sanctuary only from the balcony, so this is the best way to get a shot of the bride and her dad before heading down the aisle...and I love it.
It never fails that some of my favorite shots are those taken right after the ceremony where everybody's hugging, laughing and congratulating the newly-married couple.
If you're stuck inside due to rain, Edenton Street is a good place to be stuck.
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Than it was on to the party bus, headed for Woody's at City Market, one of Dianna & Todd's favorite places. Naturally, the champagne flowed.
Sweet Life does artsy-fartsy!
The reception was held in the Hanover Ballroom at the Raleigh Sheraton. I have to say how much I appreciate the staff here -- everyone was so nice and took good care of us. Definitely check them out if you're looking for a reception site. I was floored by how beautiful this room looked and what a huge difference the uplighting made. If I could, I would stand on a chair and yell, "If you want an easy way to make your reception stand out, use uplighting!" Love the flowers in the room too.
The cake, by Sweet Julia's, inspired by detail from the invitations and programs. So pretty!
Remember Dianna & Todd's engagement session and the motorcycle? Check out the cake topper!
The party begins with the introduction of the bride and groom -- look at the great color from the uplighting in the ballroom (and yes, I'm going to beat you over the head with it all through this post.)
Dianna and Todd are so wonderful together. Photographing them is such a pleasure.
Ladies, I've said it before and I'll say it again: always marry the one who makes you laugh. Todd makes Dianna laugh.
The wedding party gets into the First Dance.
Both sets of parents as Frank welcomes everyone to the reception.
Chocolate-covered strawberries...yum.
This ring-bearer thought so, too.
Dianna and her dad surprised us all by starting off their first dance to "Baby Got Back."
"I like big butts and I can not lie..."
Todd's turn with his mom, Barb. Todd, you're just awesome.
Dianna's sister Heather and Todd's best man Justin toast the couple.
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This was a very special moment. Heather's husband David is serving in Iraq. Heather arranged a special message from him via video link. Here's David:
While he was speaking, he complimented Dianna and someone in the room yelled, "Does she have a sister?" David didn't miss a beat and responded, "Yes, but she's taken!"
Time to cut that gorgeous cake.
Then it was time for the party to really get underway. And what a party! Even the little ones got into the dancing with great enthusiasm.
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Frank and Margaret burnin' it up.
Bill and Barb, bringing it in tight. (Notice the room lighting...just sayin'.)
Now this was something I can honestly say I've never seen. One thing that was clear: both families were very close, enjoyed themselves immensely and weren't afraid to show it. Apparently, there's a tradition among Todd's family to do this at every wedding: to the tune of "Rawhide," everyone gets on a chair and "rides" it around the room as if they were on a horse. Bizarre, hilarious and great to shoot. Dianna's first time on a "horse."
Everyone was having so much fun, thanks in large part to the skills of DJ Jason from Island Sound.
I love this shot of Dianna and Heather.
And Todd with his niece, Miranda.
Hmmm...wondering which song is playing in this shot? Could it be...YMCA?
Time for the bouquet toss.
The DJ Jason said we would keep repeating the garter toss until a single guy actually made an effort to catch it. If the garter landed on the floor, Todd had to do it over. We went through the process three times before one of the guys manned up and reached for the garter. But first Todd had to get it off.
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Oy...such enthusiasm.
Remember the eighth photo from the top? Well, here's that move again...
And again...plus many other photos featuring "the move" that I didn't have the space to post. Guys, maybe it's time to find a new move?
You know it's been a good night when the ring bearer is so tired he can sleep on three chairs with a raucus party going on all around him!
Last photo of the night (for us anyway...I think the party rocked on long after we made our exit.)
What a great way to cap off a beautiful wedding. I have to say I've never laughed as hard as I did at this reception. We have the best job in the world!
Dianna and Todd, it was so much fun to be your wedding photographers. We wish you years and years full of love and laughter and we know you'll be doing "the move" at your children's weddings, too!
Pictage’s PartnerCon November 3-5
The Big Easy. NOLA. The Crescent City. N'awlins. Whatever you call her, that's where we're bound for the next four days, taking part in Pictage's annual Partner Conference, three days packed with inspirational seminars and hands-on shooting workshops. I've always wanted to go to New Orleans. It's where I wanted to go on our honeymoon, but my more travelled husband insisted it would be way too hot (wimp) in September, so we didn't go. I'm beside myself with excitement, not only because of the destination, but because of the amazing talent we'll get to learn from and work with in the next few days. People like Joe Buissink, Carlos Baez, Denis Reggie, Lianna Lehman, Jared Platt...I could go on and on. We'll be taking a workshop with the talented husband and wife team from McLellan Style on Wednesday, learning to find the beauty in even the most-utilitarian places (Hello, mega-churches? A little more form with the function would be ever so nice). I know we're going to learn so much while soaking up all the beauty of the French Quarter. But I have no doubt that the most rewarding part of the trip is going to be on Thursday, when we take part in a huge charity photo shoot for 200+ families who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. NBC is purportedly sending a camera crew to cover the event, so look for us (maybe!) during the second hour of the news on Thursday or Friday. It's going to be awesome!!!
We'll be checking email and returning voice mails as time permits...thanks for your patience if we're not able to get back to you as quickly as we'd like!
Laissez les bons temps roulez!
