Raleigh Wedding Photographers »

Little did Jenna know the day she hit the trail with her high-speed boyfriend, Tim, that at the trail’s end it would give way to a gorgeous ring being placed on her finger.

Jenna had told me about their romantic bar meeting amongst casual friends and how it evolved into a full blown relationship as we navigated our way through Historic Oakview Park during their recent engagement session. A tad bit guarded in tone she revealed to me they indeed met at a bar and I had to admit that, that indeed was the starting point for my husband and mine’s relationship, over 14 years ago! Something in the bar water, perhaps?

The 2 mile hike up South Mountains State Park proved quite a workout as they encroached upon High Shoal Falls, a beautiful crystal clear waterfall dropping 80feet. The falls weren’t the only thing dropping that day. On one knee, Tim proposed to a very winded Jenna whom hardly could utter the word ‘yes’. She managed to get it out. They’re engaged. A wedding at The Highgrove on Laurel Lake is planned for July 2009.

S-

Chris McCord, a native of Michigan, found himself in NC two weeks before a friends wedding, getting acquainted with the girl he’d later spend the rest of his life with. 

It wasn’t a set-up. Chris was helping his friend hang crown moulding in his house when he got caught up in a long gaze out the window and down the driveway at the neighbor next door, Jennifer Autry. The gazes didn’t go unnoticed as Jenn cants she recalls the grey sweatshirt he was wearing. Chris fondly recalls her red top and hippie skirt and her equally unforgettable long locks. But neither was in the mood for a relationship because they had no place to go from there. Chris was going back home to Michigan after the wedding.

The reception revealed another little plan for them. Jenn’s parents had caught wind that Chris was ‘sweet on Jenn’ which apparently stirred some emotions for both of them. Jenn admits going up to him during that reception and calling him out on the southern expression and retorted with a coyly phrased, “Perhaps, I’m sweet on you too.” It was the ice-breaker they both needed. 

With so much in common and a very easygoing beginning to their relationship, saying good-bye and going back to Michigan posed a challenge and Chris’ lost watch. He accidentally left it with Jenn and told her he’d be down to get it in two weeks. Not falling short of his promise, two weeks later, Chris packed and moved himself down to NC. Not being assumptious, the new couple took it very slow only to realize that they were very much in love with one another and meant to be together.

Which leads us to present day. Their love story won the essay contest for the Wedding Giveaway. They were the lucky couple whom received my photography services and the event planning services of Cara, at A Southern Soiree. The couple was also blessed with DJ services provided by Complete Music, rustic autumnal flowers and fauna by Gwen Romig of Princess Petal, hair and makeup by Cynetha Williams, and an always sweet treat and piece of art cake by Edible Art. The wedding and reception were held at Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh.

As I was documenting their day, one sentimental moment I witness comes to mind. When Chris caught eye of his bride Jenn as she rounded the courtyard at Brier Creek, the emotion got the best of him. From a distance and with my long lens, I caught him saying, “Wow! Wow!”. Proof positive of how much he was taken aback by her and how much he adores her. Now that’s sweet!

S-

Kauai. Land of unspoiled wonder and diversity. Our island hop in Hawaii. Adventures. Many memories. Some better than others. 

Where to start: My brother Dan and his new wife happened to be vacationing on their honeymoon same time as us. Well, we kind of all planned it that way. And as per recommendation of our friends, Joe & Liz, we had to do an open-door helicopter ride. Liz has since been quoted saying, ‘I would never do it again because I have kids now and what if . . . ‘ and now here we are the Borelli’s, signed up for this adventure that they would never do again, and we have kids! Thanks Liz!

OK, so we charter our 2 hour journey via Inter-Island Helicopter tours with water fall lunch. $710 in the hole; this better be good. Little did I know at the time, that this was going to be one of the top things I have ever done in my life.

Like my brother, I’ve alway had a pretty strong sense of adventure. I screamed probably for the first two minutes and then realized, I’ve got to shut up and start shooting. I must tell you, you can try to lean out the helicopter to take pictures, but the force of wind is so strong, I swear it almost pushed my D300 through my skull.

I will go picture by picture and explain what we saw, oh, and what we did. 

Our trustworthy helicopter pilot.

Self portrait of a helicopter passenger.

Portrait of a white-knuckled helicopter passenger

Waterfall in Waimea Canyon, also known as the little Grand Canyon.

Next beautiful water pictures are from the Na’Pali coastline. The very dangerous coastline. No swimming allowed due to treacherous rip currents and waves.

This is Princeville, where the important people or celebs hangout.

This is a pretty cool thing and I don’t know if it was an extra perk because we bought the 2 hour tour, but we landed on the inside of a volcano. This is one of the volcanic walls. 

OK, we had stopped for lunch at this point. Moss grows out of a still log and not a rolling stone.

OK, here’s where our adventure turns into a new adventure. This is my agile brother Dan, boarding a volcanic rock, in preparation for the dual man jump into the 12ft. deep water. The 2nd man was to be my husband Rich. Rich didn’t make it. He tried the same agile maneuver, his foot slipped, and his middle finger broke his fall on this very same rock. MMMMMM, not so pretty!

This is a picture of the waterfall that distracted me while everyone else tended to Rich. I can handle anything trauma oriented. Heck I watch Discovery Health while eating dinner. The one thing I can’t stomach is the site of broken bones, hence why I am taking pictures of this waterfall. Inside, I was freaking out. So off, we went. Our pilot decided he was going to airlift us to Waimea hospital. What a super-great guy!

He radioed in his ‘buddies’ with the FD and they were there to greet Rich.

So, was the very expensive ambulance who literally drove us 200ft. and charged us $595!!!!

Dan and Megan leaving to go back to the airfield so they can get the car to come pick us up.

The look says it all. I was cracking up peeing in my pants!!!

Rich retorted.

Blah. Yuck. The doctor had to pop that baby back in to place. I had to leave the room. I volunteered.

For the rest of the trip, my gimpy fingered Rich, had to wear a splint, and was on very limited activities. I was sad that he couldn’t experience the other two awesome adventures I went on. But I must say this, this made for a good story. Thanks for the memory, hun!

S-

OK, I’ve always have said this about my little man, but he really is an old soul. He came into this world with a sense of knowing and understanding. It’s hard to explain, but I flashback to a picture I took of him at 6 weeks old. He’s propped up on his arm, turned slightly towards his shoulder head straight up and looking right into my lens. You’d swear he was a news anchor. Very Tom Brokaw and smart looking. 

And you tell him something once and it’s embedded. He’s got a sharp noodle and his imagination is tops. He just gets things. And I get him! And like any parent who loves their child, I am just fascinated with him.

Without a doubt, he is intrinsically funny. He knows how to throw face at the camera and how to pose and my latest shoot with him(long overdue) proves it. Just check him out.

Love my little goofball. My daughter’s on deck for her photo session.

S-

                                                                          Major Goofball

                                             Burke’s interpretation of Ben Stiller in Zoolander

                    He had a mosquito on his forehead. He’s not awestruck by the accident on our street.

Ashley is one of my brides for this month. We took her mind off of her wedding and had a knock-down fantastic session playing dress-up. 

Once again, the fantastic make-up artistry of Margo Williams of Belloviso came through with not only our 50′s look, but also easily transitioning Ashley into a 70′s glam look and I’m totally blown away with our wardrobe for this shoot. Revolver is a consignment boutique in downtown Raleigh on Glenwood which plays host to some of the most adorable retro outfits. So if you’re looking for some individuality in your wardrobe, movie set outfits, perhaps Halloween too, Revolver is a place you must visit. www.revolverconsignmentboutique.com . Liz, the owner of Revolver, was hands-on from what I hear helping to contribute to our retro cause. Thanks again Liz for all of your help!

Ashley so reminds me of the 70′s Breck shampoo girl. Very clean, pure, and girl next door. She says that the session was a great distraction from the million and one things going on in her life right now, including moving into her newly built house, hosting her rehearsal dinner there on Friday night, with her wedding on Saturday. Can you say busy girl? !

She smiles at me when I tell her that her cute little 4×6 red album for her new hubby, will be wrapped with a black bow and black feather. 

S-

And it has nothing to do with candy, believe it or not, although I do love a fresh Hershey  . . . 

‘Tis the season. We broke out the Halloween decor. I love getting dressed up and being something that I’m not. I hide behind a scary mask and black cloak, play scary music, and last year I even purchased a fog machine. I love haunting my porch and neighbors. 

Took a few shots to ring in the season of fall and Halloween. You can see my littlest goblin haunting the window of the porch. 

Oh, and the kitty is a new addition to our house. She arrived the day we left for Hawaii and my daughter started feeding her. So guess who’s our newest family member? Lucky or Luky as Avery spells it. She’s very sweet.

Happy Halloween!

S-

It was only befitting that this country couple have their engagement session where their roots are strong; on the homefront. So I trekked on out to Four Oaks to document their session in 3 locations all within a mile or 2 of each other. 

The first stop was Stephanie’s family tobacco warehouse. Love the combination of industrial with farm and I think this made for a fun dichotomy in pictures.

Next, we went back to her house, where we got a little more playful as the family dogs decided that it was important to be photographed as well.

And lastly, we stopped on over to a field of poppies I had passed on the way into the session. Although with an air

 of trepidation of spiders and critters, Stephanie trusted me as she stepped in amongst the flowers for some all-encompassing floral pictures.

Their relationship as Stephanie coins, ‘ a long story’, in a nutshell translates into she’s marrying her brother’s friend. A May 2009 wedding is planned.

S-

And yes, this was a fall wedding, so the daffodils weren’t readily available, but Allison managed to have her florist find her a petite daffodil to adorn her autumnal colored bouquet.

The significance to the daffodil carries over in the couples’ lives. Allison had revealed to me that throughout all of her first dates with Jimmy at WFU, he always would manage to bring her a daffodil. So it was almost befitting that when Jimmy was going to propose to Allison, that he showed up with a large bouquet of the flower. How could Allison say no?!

Their romance continued on the front drive and steps of Berry Hill Estates where they were to say their ‘I do’s’. It was a first time for me taking in the beauty of this venue in South Boston, VA. It was almost too much. John, the event planner for the estate, had to keep me in line and on time when it came to getting back from their post-ceremony pictures. There was so much to take in and you take an adorably affectionate bride and groom and you throw them in the backdrop of something entirely, visually stimulating; well it was hard not to explore the grounds and just enjoy my newly married couple and let them just enjoy their time.

And their love is so inspiring. For 20 minutes after the ceremony, I had to just be an observer and documenter as I witnessed a very profound expression of love through the tears of Allison and the eyes of Jimmy. He just couldn’t take his eyes off of her as they continually requited, “I love you”!

As the evening wore on, the couple was welcomed into the cozy and warm ballroom. Tabletops were named after famous love songs and were accented by warm autumn colors and wire pumpkin tealight holders. The doors of the ballroom remained open throughout the entire reception as the cool evening added a refreshing element. The food was absolutely fantastic! And the cake done by no other than Donna from Sweet Memories of Apex, NC, succeeded the dinner.

In a nutshell, this wedding was perfect in every sense of the word. Great couple. Great venue. Great day. God really smiled down on this couple for the day of their wedding!

The reason for my eternal gratefulness, is for this fantastic wedding. What a couple! What a backdrop!

Craig and Laddy had made a great decision, and blindly I might add, by putting their trust in their Maui wedding planner Deanne Nakamura of Precious Maui Weddings. Not much to do by way of decorating this stunning backdrop as nature is essentially providing that for you. Nonetheless, many pretty elements were added to their wedding to round out the Maui’an feel to this tropical event, including tropical fauna, fans adorned with their names, and asian-style parasols. Deanne is truly talented and had an eye for details.

Seawatch on the Wailea mountain side played grounds to their ceremony and reception. The vantage point was spectacular as the view was looking down on the ocean at sunset. Laddy walked down to a heavily floral laid aisle to greet her groom, Craig. The couple has been a couple for many years, so finally sealing the deal amongst such beauty brought on strong emotions from all. A teary-eyed groom always gets me and there was no holding back as they exchanged their vows which definitely had a comical undertone as well.

When all was said and done, we made our way down the road to the beach for some gorgeous sunset shots. Woooweee, sunsets don’t get any more breathtaking.

Afterwards, we strolled over to the outdoor grass veranda style reception guarded by the warm light of tiki torches. The food was absolutely delicious and boy can Laddy move! The girl has been holding out on me! Never saw it coming.

Craig&Laddy are finally ‘fully’ Maui’d!  :  P

S-

Many of you know that I recently had the awesome oppportunity to document a very special wedding on Maui. And the timing was uncanny as it fell on mine and my husband Rich’s 10 year anniversary. You know where this is going. We were able to make this our 2nd honeymoon. What a gift! We were truly blessed.

And it was quite refreshing to shoot landscapes and textures and vibrant colors and to really participate in a visual buffet. It really made me realize that beauty is everywhere. It’s in the bride I photograph. It’s in the expectant Mom, it’s in the sheer laughter you hear from a child. It’s not just the pretty things in life, for if you just look, beauty is everywhere. It was nice to just pay attention to the things that are often overlooked and on my time and as I saw it. I was able to study form, light, and texture; for me. It was nice taking a moment to look, I mean really look to find the beauty in something.

Very often we’re in our ‘zone’, and it has nothing to do with the journey, but rather just getting to the destination. I flashback to hiking the Kalalau trail on the Na’pali coast. I was with my brother, who somehow managed to always be at least 20 paces ahead of me and his wife Megan. She had canted to me at one point,  ’welcome to hiking with Dan’ and I just kept thinking how much he was missing along the way. Granted, he may have been trying to get his workout in, and yeah, I got one too, but I was really there for the ride and not just getting to the end. I walked my pace in the crappiest of shoes, blister riddled, and full of mud,  and I made it to the end and back. I saw the rock beach, where well over 90 people had lost their lives due to the force of the sea. But it wasn’t about the point of arriving at that rock beach.

It was refreshing to pay attention to the journey as it revealed itself to me; a very spiritual part of myself. This lush beauty forced me to feel connected again and I just want to bottle this feeling and carry it with me. I really have come back from this trip forever changed.

There are a few more entries associated with our trip to reveal as it was quite an adventure. So, for now, I guess just sneak a peak at a few of my pics from the trip of a lifetime.

S-

(more…)