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Raleigh Wedding Photographers bio picture

Who I am . . . .

At heart, I am a kid.
At play, I am an artist.
At work, I'm giving a 100% of who I am to my art.
At home, I am a Mom and a wife and an accountant
and a nurse and a chauffeur and a cleaning lady
and a landscaper and an interior decorator and a chef.
I'm not perfect at it, but I work very hard at it everyday.

What you should know about me . . . . .
I'm entirely laid back and fun.
I like making people laugh.
I love a challenge.
My artistic eye and penchant for relating to people, I recognize and
embrace as my gift.
Being a photographer doesn't define who I am, but it certainly has
shaped the person I've become.
I'm a better person because of my photography and my clients;
my muses!

Am I wise? . . . . .
I've come so far and gained so much as a person by experiencing the
good alongside the bad.
I believe that in every obstacle or sticky situation in life, there is
an opportunity for growth in some way.
That a day not thinking about the future is a day neglected.

I am unique. I am close to my heart.
Bottomline, this is me!

Monthly Archives: February 2009

Sweet baby Leah.

I literally had flashbacks shooting this two month old session for Mom, Anne Marie. As I laid Leah down on my damask cubed ottoman, I took note of how very much she looked like my daughter Avery at that age, hair and all.

She was such a sweet and laid back baby. We were sure to get her to sleep during the session. With the heat cranked high and us chillin’ in a rather dark room, we waited for about a 1/2 hour for Leah to retreat to restful bliss. She had other things on her mind. There’s so much in this world to take in and she was not having it. Nonetheless, we got some very sweet baby portraits.

Congrats to Mom and daughter!

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3 Weeks Dating; Engaged!

And it’s not as crazy as it sounds. But yes, Tara and Patrick dated for three weeks when Patrick proposed. They’re engagement was back in January. So things have moved along quite swiftly for the pair as they brace for their June wedding at Falcon’s Hamlet, the ultra exclusive new venue in Clayton, NC. They just received their invitation this past week.

Their story is much richer and deeper than that though. They have been great friends since high school; a very strong element and dynamic going into a marriage. No doubt that they will continue with the admiration for each other. I was witness to how much they truly care about each other during their recent engagement session held on the estate of Falcon’s Hamlet. We drove through the 150 acres stopping here and there along the winding roadway to take in different areas for photo opportunities. It’s just a lovely backdrop for any photographic endeavor. 

Needless to say, I look forward to June 13th when all of the glitz and glamour is brought forward at this idyllic estate. Tara is quoted saying, ” . . .we got our dream venue and I got the best husband-to-be, ever!”.pre 9455 blog 3 Weeks Dating; Engaged!

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A new photographic group is born

wps logo 1 A new photographic group is born

A new photographic group is born and I wanted to share it with everyone.

The Wedding Photographic Society (WPS) – a network of professional photographers who share ideas, thoughts and information to help raise the artistic, technical and business level in our profession. Membership in the WPS offers many professional & personal growth opportunities through educational opportunities, networking, critiques and camaraderie. WPS meetings, forums and web pages are open to any and all professional wedding photographers across the world.

This all started with a handful of photographers meeting at a coffee house talking shop in 2005. Four years later the core of WPS was born. Martha Manning, Shane Snider, Robin Lin, Brian Mullins, Stacy Borelli and Christobal Perez participate in bringing information to help the growth of photographers across the country. Everyone is invited to help and donate their time so The WPS grow into a international organization.

The WPS was created to help build relationships, share knowledge amongst peers and help create a competitive yet supportive photographic community. Leaders & Members of the WPS donate their time in order to help find guest speakers, topic discussions and provide advice, guidance and information sharing freely without compensation.

With that goal in mind, the WPS launched their website, forums & blogs to bring together the professional wedding photographic community.

You can visit us by going to the The Wedding Photographic Society’s website/blog.

Baby, baby, Babe Audrey

Could this Babe get any cuter?! Stephanie came to me by way of a Vintage Vixen session and during the session I discovered that she had an adorable 15mos. old daughter, Audrey. I informed her of my special $50 session that I have going on(see my Calling All Mommies &Babes post on this blog) and she jumped on it.

A special offer, I’m hoping to freshen up my baby portfolio in light of the opportunity of a hospital display.

I knew I wanted to do some really fun baby girlie pictures and to accomplish this, a tutu is a must!

I found a few artists on Etsy.com whom were selling their wares: this particular tutu came from Mom2twogals. Check her work out on Etsy.com. Love this website!

Back to Audrey. Well, she was a great sport, but one thing I didn’t realize until editing was how much she actually hated the tutu. Her little arms floated well above the poofey tutu and her facial expression, although not in these photos was of complete discontent. Bubbles helped bring out her sense of delight and also us being excited and clapping for her. She barely cried though until the end. Truly a perfect little baby in every sense of the word, temperament and beauty. She takes after her Mom! You should see Mom’s VV pictures! Whoa! That’s another blog to come  :  P

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. . . And the winner is: Vintage Vixen, Courtney!

Well, Courtney came to meet me at the Forever bridal show interested in finding a wedding photographer, but we are told that we stopped her in her tracks as she was excited about the Vintage Vixens and professed that she had always wanted to do that.

Well, she did that! Had a sweet little session for her fiance. She was our winner of the bridal show Vintage Vixen session giveaway.

Her lovely, long locks and I mean long, were so cute when put into soft braids for a fun school girl look. Our session was nothing short of fun and laughter. She was extremely easy to work with, adventurous, and very much the girl next door.

A cancer survivor, shortly after her session, Courtney cropped her hair and donated those locks, to the Locks of Love.

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Vintage Vixen Elaina

Elaina is a super cute girl from Greensboro whom came to me this past fall for an engagement session with her fiance, Drake. Low and behold, she found my Valentine’s Day promo special and wanted to surprise Drake.

So once again we headed up to the palace otherwise known as the home of Donielle, the owner of Botanicals Medi-Spa in Clayton.

The day Elaina had signed up, we opted to go for a more high key feel, with glimmering beaded drapes, zebra pillows, and a flokati rug. We also used special glam lights from IKEA that we placed on the floor. 

Elaina was one easy chicky to work with. Everyone that comes before us always has a few moments of nerves, but once we get going, we laugh, we play, we have fun, that all dissipates. As you can see, she totally brought forward her sex appeal, although in my opinion, she didn’t have to do too much!!

Thanks Elaina for all of the referrals. So glad that 5 of your friends are having a Vintage Vixen Party with us! Enjoy your Referral Rewards!

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                                                And this is our logo, V2 with a  black feather!

Referral Rewards – They’re Here!

Are you a fan and want to show the love? We love when we’re so loved that you share the love. Sharing the love inspires us to share the love back with you.

referral cards  Referral Rewards   Theyre Here!

And so here we are. It’s simple and works like this.

Ask us for some cards.

Write your name on the line.

Share.

For every card we get back with your name on it, you’ll get $25 to use with us towards products or accessories. Weddings are worth $50. If you send us 10 or more new clients in a two year period, you are going to feel the love for life! No session fees for you ever again(1 per year) and you’ll receive a thank you 16×20 gallery wrap.

We’re committed to the process. Are you? If you love us and want to earn your way into our family, let us know. Email me Stacy, stacy@swankphotostudio.com and I’ll get them into the mail to you pronto.