Emma Claire is a walking girl! | Children’s Portraits | Swansboro, NC

If you have been following my blog over the past year, you are very familiar with Emma Claire. I have been photographing her since she was in her mama’s belly. In fact, I shot Ray & Stephanie’s maternity portraits in the very same place as Emma Claire’s one year session. I am currently designing Emma Claire’s first year storybook album and I love how it will come full circle. Especially when the sessions were at such a special location.

Stephanie’s family’s home on the sound offers a beautiful backdrop and lots of walking room, which we really needed! I should really say running room. Emma Claire is in that stage when she just wants to go, go, go! And she’s all-smiles. I just love it! See Emma Claire's other sessions here, here, here and here.

Ray and Stephanie, thank you so much for hosting our little family at your beach house for the holiday. Emma Claire is just a doll and I have loved documenting her growth this past year. I look forward seeing her grow into a beautiful young lady!

Jon & Sarah | Rose Garden Wedding | Raleigh, NC

This summer, I was lucky enough to be working for Fresh Photography by Jeff and Melanie Mansfield as the associate wedding photographer. I was thrilled when Sarah inquired about hiring the associate to shoot her and Jon’s wedding. As soon as I met Jon and Sarah, I knew we made a perfect fit.

Their story is so sweet. Here’s a little snippet, Jon had Sarah’s elementary students hold up signs saying “Will you marry me?” while he hid in the closet during one of her classes.

They both expressed a deep desire to honor God with their relationship. Sarah had a promise ring, given by her father when she was a teenager, which symbolized her commitment to saving herself for her husband. During the ceremony, she gave the ring back to her father, who then handed it to Jon. What testament to the sacredness of marriage.

The ceremony was held in the Rose Garden at the Raleigh Little Theatre, which is absolutely breathtaking in early July. And Jon’s expression when he first saw Sarah that day shows just how breathtaking she was! Love it!

They had some unique traditions included in their ceremony. Not only did they include the purity ring exchange, but instead of a unity candle, they had “unity water.” The couple poured clear water from two small vases into one large one, which had food coloring in it changing the water to blue. I think they may have invented something knew as far as wedding traditions go.

Jon & Sarah, thank you for being so sweet and real. May God bless you with steadfastness and marital bliss! Jeff and Melanie, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve this couple on one of the most important days of their lives.

Sarah & Christian | Wedding Day Photography | New Bern & Atlantic Beach

I love to look through Christian & Sarah’s wedding photography to see Sarah’s smile grow brighter and brighter. I hadn't seen Sarah since her bridal portraits session. The wedding day had finally arrived and now she could relax and enjoy all her finished plans. I met Christian for the first time that day because he came all the way from New Jersey to make Sarah his bride.

The wedding day started with rain, but this couple and their guests were so joyous and merry, the gloominess outside had no chance inside.  The ceremony was in New Bern, and then we traveled down to the Dunes Club in Atlantic Beach for a lovely evening reception. This wedding venue offers a classy and beautiful interior and a spectacular view. The clouds cleared by the time we arrived at the beach (woohoo!) so we headed down to the water with the bridal party. It was beautiful!

Nicole, my second shooter, Mackenzie, my assistant, and I got a special glimpse of Christian and Sarah’s affection for each other when we spent a few minutes with them alone on the beach. They are so in love and it’s stinking adorable! I absolutely love the series of shots when Sarah throws her arms around her husband – it was totally spur of the moment and real.

Oh yeah, and…Best. First. Dance. Ever. These two know how to get down and so did a lot of their guests. This reception was a total party and the groom had a special surprise for his bride. Sarah and the guests’ reactions were pretty entertaining.

Sarah, Christian and family, thank you for inviting us into your lives for this wedding day. We had an amazing time with all of you and pray God’s blessings over your future.

Nicole, once again, amazing work. I wish we could always be side by side with our cameras.

Mackenzie, you did a wonderful job and I could not have done it without you. You are becoming an excellent photographer!

Jon & Cait | All Dressed Up and Somewhere to go | Wedding Portraits

My little brother has found himself a pretty amazing lady to spend the rest of his life. They got hitched this June in Franklin, Tennessee, and our parents threw them a second wedding reception in our hometown of Canfield, Ohio at the end of last month. I documented the hometown reception and did a post-wedding portrait session with them. This is my version of “trash the dress,” and I call it “all dressed up.” Usually the couple has “nowhere to go,” but Jon & Cait’s shoot was a few hours before the reception, so they did. (Reception photos will be posted soon, and photos from the photo booth are here.)

If you’ve been following my blog since the beginning, you probably remember Jon & Cait (see them here). They may just be my favorite couple to photograph. We share a love for natural and airy photographs. Plus, they’re just so darn cute together. 

Jon and I are five years apart in age, and I have seen him grow from a little brother, who constantly picked on me, into a strong and courageous young man. I am positive he is a faithful and loving husband and Caitlin is made for him! When I met Caitlin, I immediately wanted to get to know her, not only because she was dating my brother, but because she introduced me to Bon Qui Qui. She constantly keeps us laughing and is a joy to be around.

Josiah, McG and I (baby in-tow) were all in the Franklin wedding, so I could not take my camera along. That was really hard! But I needed to experience their wedding with my own eyes, not my lens. I saw my brother as I walked down the aisle toward him in his last moments as a single man. I stifled my own tears when I saw his as they celebrated Christ’s covenant with communion.

They hired an amazing photographer (Jenn M. Photography), but I still had that yearning to mark the event myself. This session completely fulfilled my desire to capture their marriage.

Jon & Cait! Thank you so much for allowing me to share in this special time of life with you in so many ways. We were looking forward to your marriage from the day Jon was born! We are so blessed to have you in our family now, Caitlin. Love you guys!

Sarah & Kyle | Wedding Day Photography Part 1 | New Bern, NC

Let me just tell you that I absolutely love this couple. We just clicked! I knew we would hit it off when Sarah pulled out her wedding binder at our first meeting. I found out the feeling was mutual when Sarah told me after the meeting that both her and Kyle could see themselves being friends with me outside this whole wedding thing. That is THE best thing a couple can tell me!

As the wedding day grew closer, I found out even more amazing things about this couple, especially after reading every word of their wedding website. You just have to read the story about how they met. Go ahead, you can read it here!

Kyle and Sarah are just so in love! I am so joyful to share their wedding photography with you. The looks and laughter are priceless, and we had a beautiful day at the New Bern Golf and Country Club. Check back early next week for part two! 

This is their sweet pup, who found a comfy spot while all the girls got ready.

Kyle and Sarah, I seriously had a blast shooting your wedding. The details were gorgeous. You are a picture of what God intended when he founded marriage. So many perfect photo ops, I was just ecstatic!

I pray that God blesses you and brings you ever closer to himself and each other. Thank you for letting me capture such a glorious day!

Also a shout out to my awesome second shooter, Travis Bartlett, for some great shots of Kyle and the groomsmen getting ready. And Taylor, my assistant who I could not have done without! Sometimes the sun is our enemy! I believe we made a spectacular team!