Posts in Portraits
How to Dress for your Engagement Session

You’re engaged. And just like Buddy the Elf, you want to scream to the world, “I'm in love! I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!” How do you do that? Engagement Photos.

I love engagement sessions. As a photographer, it gives me a chance to break the ice with my brides and grooms, get to know them, try a variety poses to find the ones that suit them best, and help them relax in front of the camera. It really makes the photography on a wedding day a lot easier, because we have already gotten comfortable with each other!

But what do you wear? Here are some things to think about as you plan…

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“Love is the Flower You’ve Got to Let Grow”

Back in the Fall of 2015, I had the honor of photographing the wedding of Kaylan and John Petty. Little did I know that there was a seed planted that day that would end up blossoming into a romance between Kaylan’s maid of honor, Samantha, and one of John’s groomsmen, Blake! A little over 5 years later, these two lovebirds were married themselves in an open field on a beautiful Spring day, surrounded by family, friends, and flowers gathered from both their families’ yards. It was such a beautiful day!

This wedding was truly a DIY wedding, with so many services and details provided by dear friends and family of the bride and groom. Everything, from the flowers to the catering, had special meaning to Samantha and Blake.

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Emily & Austin's Wedding | Charlotte Wedding Photographer

Emily and Austin were married at Grace Church in Harrisburg, Emily’s home church, and their officiant was a close family friend and the church’s associate pastor. His entire family helped with the wedding, including his daughter, who played the harp during the ceremony! One of the most beautiful details of their ceremony was a cross covered in gorgeous flowers. I remember Emily’s dad telling us that he didn’t want it to look too pretty—the cross itself was not a pretty thing. He knows his theology! But what happened on the cross was beautiful and represents the sacrificial love of Christ, and I loved that it was a centerpiece to Emily and Austin’s wedding ceremony. The ceremony was appropriately full of music, from the harpist to the songs that the wedding party and guests joined in singing together. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, there were many friends and family members who were able to attend.

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Porch-raits for a Cause

I didn’t set out to start this big of a project, but it has been such a blessing as I’ve gotten to get to know so many new neighbors! My own two children are also learning the value of giving back and volunteering. Some amazing essential workers on the frontlines of the war this country is fighting know they are appreciated. And many families and children will be fed. During a time of great difficulty and isolation, this project has given me a mission, but most importantly, it has given me and so many others hope!

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Maggie & Zach's Christmas Wedding at Pecan Ridge | Clover Wedding Photographer

A brand-new, family owned barn. Christmas trees and poinsettias. A surprise visit from the Grinch, and a sentimental gift that beats all gifts. Maggie and Zach’s wedding was one of the most memorable weddings I have ever photographed, for so many reasons!

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How to Dress for Fall Family Portraits

Everyone LOVES Fall…Pumpkin Spice, cooler temperatures, Fall colors…not to mention CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Fall is one of my busiest times of year as a photographer, and family portraits are a huge part of this season for me. Read the tips below to help you plan your family’s outfits for your portrait session, and then take a look at some of my favorite Fall Family portrait sessions and the outfits these awesome families picked!

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"May you Always have a Shell in your Pocket and Sand in your Toes" | Carolina and Kure Beach Family Photographer

My little family has found a summer refuge at Carolina Beach, NC. A couple of years ago I found out that one of my friend-clients has a vacation/work home in Kure Beach, just five minutes up the road, and this summer, the stars aligned and her whole family was there while we were, so she asked me to do some family portraits on the beach! Of course I said yes—even though photography is a second job for me, it doesn’t always feel like “work!” (Plus it was a nice little break from all the boy-wildness that is my family!)

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