Today is my fiftieth birthday. And I’ll be honest…I’ve been gearing up for this birthday for quite some time. If I think about certain implications too hard, it’s scary. I can vividly remember things that happened forty years ago, which doesn’t seem that far away! But in forty more years, if I live that long, I will be ninety. NINETY. THAT sounds old.

But at the same time, I don’t feel as old as fifty sounds! When I was a teenager, fifty was grandma-age. Ladies like the Golden Girls or Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote. But I’m fifty and still have an elementary and middle schooler I’m raising! I’m nowhere close to being a grandma (or a Golden Girl), and I have a LOT more life to live!

“It’s like ra-a-ai-in, on your wedding day…”

Thanks, Alanis, for the lyrics that strike fear and trepidation in the hearts of most brides. The thought of rain ruining the day that a bride has meticulously planned for months can instill panic and dread! But it’s not ironic…it’s a very real possibility.

First, let me say: I’ve been photographing weddings for over a decade, and if there’s one truth I’ve come to embrace—it’s that the weather has a mind of its own. I’ve shot weddings in blazing sun and heat, freezing cold, soft mist, a hurricane, and downpours that seemed to roll in out of nowhere. And here’s the comforting part: some of the most breathtaking, emotionally rich images I’ve ever taken have been on rainy wedding days.

So let’s take a deep breath together, and talk through how to handle rain on your wedding day—not with panic, but with perspective, preparation, and maybe even a little excitement!

One of the bridal portrait sessions I photographed this past Fall was Angela’s. Angela and Dillon were married on October 25, 2025 (see their wedding photos here), but we did her bridal portrait session a few weeks prior at Indigo Iris Farm, in September. It was a beautiful evening, and the sunset definitely showed off! Angela wore a simple, yet elegant, dress, and a beautiful crown that her grandmother wore in her wedding. She didn’t have a bouquet, but who needs a bouquet when you’re at a flower farm? The flowers themselves stood proudly around Angela as she strolled through the gardens, and we even used a few stray flowers we found on the ground for a few photos.

The Historic Robertson Homestead is a 200+ year old restored home complete with a bridal suite, groom's quarters, creekside ceremony space, and the "Tipsy Goat Barn," an air-conditioned barn set up for receptions and other events. Located just outside of Rock Hill, SC, it’s a gorgeous venue with so many options for weddings and photos--a photographer's dream!

Booking a wedding photographer can seem overwhelming. There are so many options that can be offered or included in a wedding package! And some photographers get fancy and don’t even call them packages…they call them “investments” or “collections.” Whatever they’re called, here’s a breakdown of possible wedding package components to consider when booking your wedding photographer.

Every wedding is unique and has original moments, but most wedding days follow a similar flow. As a photographer who has been photographing weddings for 13 years, I have developed a few different timeline templates that include most, if not all, of the major events most people want on a wedding day. When I am consulting with a client and/or wedding planner on planning out the timeline of a wedding day, I will send my timeline template first, and then we will fill in all the times and details and adjust as needed. If you’re working with a wedding planner, they should have planning a timeline down pat. But it’s always good to communicate, communicate, communicate and make sure you are all on the same page! Check out today's blog post to steal my most popular timeline!

There’s something magical about leaving your wedding, all dressed up, surrounded by your best friends and family members, blowing bubbles, holding sparklers, or waving ribbons. But is it really? For some, having a grand exit to their wedding is like the culminating event of their biggest day of their lives. But for others, it seems forced and restrictive. Here are all the things to think about as you plan your wedding timeline and consider whether or not you want a grand exit!

In the photography world, there’s a common “Karen”-like term used for the random person at a wedding with a camera who often gets in the way of the hired photographer(s). Because that person is often an older gentleman with a DSLR or point-and-shoot, or God forbid an iPad, photographers affectionately refer to these people as “Uncle Bob.” We get it. Things have changed drastically over the last couple of decades as digital cameras and phones have become better and better for amateur photographers. It could be that these people think they are providing a special gift to the couple, or they want to have photos to show off to family and friends. They will film the bride walking down the aisle, the first dance, and special speeches and then send these photos/videos to the couple or post them on social media. However, here’s why that is not a desirable “gift.”

This past Spring, one of my former students Randi, who is also now a teacher (so proud!), contacted me and asked if I might be interested in doing a photo session for Little Creek Stables, with some sweet girls and their horses. Randi grew up riding horses and now works there part time. I told her absolutely!

The most traditional and expected part of wedding day photography is the wedding party and family photos, but I’ll be honest— it’s a lot like wrangling cats. Without proper planning and coordination, you’ll lose groomsmen and several cousins to the bar, Uncle Joe will wander off to the bathroom, and you’ll be left standing, frustrated, as you wait for someone to go find your missing family members. However, with careful planning and an experienced coordinator/wedding photographer, this part of the day CAN be made as painless as possible.

Sarah Claire and Chandler’s wedding day began with a gloomy, rainy forecast. It was supposed to rain all day long, so I arrived armed with my Crocs, set of clear umbrellas, and a couple of extra changes of clothes. But the forecast and rain definitely did not dampen anyone’s spirits! The girls were in the house having such a fun time getting ready, singing, and dancing, and the rain miraculously stopped right as we headed out for bridal party portraits…and never started again!

One of the first questions I ask my wedding clients in their planning phase is whether or not they want a “first look.” For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, a “first look” is when the bride and groom meet on the wedding day, before the ceremony, to see each other for the first time. For some, this is out of the question…some more traditional couples want to wait to see each other for the first time in the aisle. And there is nothing wrong with that! But there are some benefits to a first look…

I met Jen when her children were involved in Cub Scouts with my two boys. I knew she was a cool lady, but I had no idea how cool until she reached out to me last Fall for some photos with her motorcycle! I had never done a biker session before, but I knew exactly where I should take her for the coolest vibe around.—Camp North End.

I don’t know about you, but I am not a big spender…But the one time of year I love shopping with my gift cards is during the summer Amazon Prime Days! I keep an eye on my wish list and wait for items to go on lightning deals or steep savings and then use my gift cards to give myself a little Christmas in July.

There are quite a few inexpensive items I have purchased on Amazon that I can’t believe I didn’t buy sooner—they have come in so handy! I have an entire post all about my favorite photography-related accessories, but today, I’m sharing some random things that I just can’t live without and don’t know why I never purchased them sooner. Here are my top ten!