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When I met with Kim and Brian last year; I walked away from a great meeting and knew I really wanted their wedding. The theme was to be a Halloween goth wedding on Halloween night. It is truly my most favorite holiday, one in which I legally can transform into a kid again.

This wedding could’ve taken a totally tacky approach. But pretty hard to do when given the backdrop of Barclay Villa, a castle in Angier, NC was the host venue, and Kim’s keen eye for chic details. It was pure Halloween elegance with touches of whimsy. Very well done!

I had no idea the amount of details I was up against. From Kim’s orange petticoat, to the ultra chic wedding cake by Donna Ford of Sweet Memories Bakery adorned with fondant bats floating around the cake, and a full onslaught candy bar with candy that would make even the oldest of children’s eyes gleam! The kicker of it all for me was the masquerade influence. Their bridal party was announced sporting masks reminiscent of those from Anthony Kubrick’s, Eyes Wide Shut.

Overall, I’m so thrilled with the opportunity to shoot something different. This for me was different and totally a blast!

Congrats and wonderful wishes to the sweetest of couple’s, Kim and Brian. Never stop smiling, Brian!!

S-

Love an overcast day as a photog. No squinters and the colors are saturated, just how I like them! And throw in a gorgeous couple with impeccable style, and you’ve got a recipe for magical pictures.

Ben and Elizabeth date back to the days of Red Lobster. The romance stewed up between the two over work at the restaurant where they noticed the commonality of their personalities. Bottom line, these two admit each other as FUN! And after getting to know them further, I know they appreciate the simple things in life; renting movies and BBQ’ing together at home. It only seemed befitting that their reception was to be held at their home.

Their wedding took place on perfect ’10′, October 10th and was held at a local park in High Point, NC. The couple got married on the lawn of the park in front of the fountain. It was an intimate affair of 60 people or so, with their closest of friends and family in attendance. Afterwards we partook in some misty rainy pics as we strolled the grounds of the beautifully landscaped park. Elizabeth’s gown by Maggie Sattero was unlike any gown I have ever seen. It had heavy crystal beading on top of a lace overlay. It was almost all too befitting that she would carry a bouquet adorned with white, billowy feathers.

Many beautiful blessings to the pair.

S-

She’s family. My husband’s cousin and probably goes down as one of the best weddings I’ve been a guest.

So life is progressing. Baby Olivia is set to arrive in the next few weeks and we’re all waiting and anxious and excited. Mostly me because I get to torment her with my camera, heating pad, and whatever cool prop I can get my hands on that day!

In the meantime, Matt & Liz are celebrating being pregnant and took time out to have a goddess session with me. Enjoy those last few weeks of nights with sleep because your life is going to be forever changed, Matt! Liz, I already know you’re not sleeping!

Peace sista! I know how you feel.

S-

Well, I must say that I’m so totally thrilled when these pedestrian’s of the downtown Smithfield area popped their heads in to my studio during a Vixen session.

After our initial consult, I knew that I was going to be in for a total treat. Love the client who demands something fun and different and indeed my thoughts were stewing when they told me they wanted to do a retro 50′s style shoot for their engagement session. First thing out of my mouth, “Do you know anyone with a 50′s style car?”. Answer, uh, Yes!!!!

Margo of Belloviso made the special trip out to the Studio to style the duo; James Dean(Jeremy definitely pulled this look off) and Kelly as a pin up style secretary complete with fishnets and bordello shoes.

My last minute thought was a dozen red ballons to add that extra punch of color and whimsy.

Thanks to you two Cats for making it a memorable occasion.

S-

My anniversary. Their anniversary. September 26th. A great day to be married.

All I can say is I’ve completely bonded with these two over the course of the year. Just delightful as a couple. Very much in love and are special people whom have a way of making you feel good about you. In fact, the same holds true for all of their friends and family. Very warm and welcoming.

Their event took place at none other than The Sutherland, Estates and Gardens in Wake Forest. It was a personal first for me and I’ve come to know the venue owners and really value them as people. Here’s to Ashlee & Jennifer. Thank you for making me feel like family!

Well as you would guess, and so holds true for all of my Saturday Fall weddings, it rained. It challenged me and for clients whom you truly want to do right by( which is actually all of my clients  : )     ) and give them pretty pics together, it left me a little sad. Still got some fun artsy shots in  . . . .the . . .  . rain. I just hoped for a better day for them.

It truly did not keep them down or held them back from FUN! The largely Carolina(UNC)crowd partied it down and rounded out the evening with the Tarheels fight song. This wouldn’t happen at a Rutgers wedding, hahahaha!

Contributor’s to the very chic event included florals by Fresh Affairs, Raleigh, NC. A sweet treat of a cake by Sweet Memories of Apex. Catering Works fed the crowd and then the crowd burned off the calories to Joe Bunn dj’s.

Perhaps the craziest sparkler exit ever . . . . I think everyone was still present, they walked the long, sparkly walkway out to their limo and called it a night. Left the next day for their honeymoon in Mexico.

I know these two are going to be happy together so I’m just going to wish them good health! Love you two!

S-

Love this moment and I’m not sure they really know it, but I remember it clearly. I had caught this moment at the end of Delia whispering, “I love you.” I cried. It was endearing.

A perfect misty/rainy/overcast day. What it does to the saturation of colors and making black and white pictures jump off the screen is impressive. I love shooting this weather! Well, minus the rain.

Abigail was simply elegant in her chiffon gown purchased from Nordstrom’s and the only accessory to her was a burnt orange calla lily in her hair. I got her style and she did it well. It’s nice to be in the company of simplicity. Chic.

Their reception at the Sarah P. Duke center( a personal first for me! ) was everything, but understated. There were gorgeous flowers everywhere  done by the talented Ninth Street Flowers in Durham . Cakes are always a centerpiece and this one was done by one of my personal recommendations, Cinda of Cinda’s Creative Cakes. YUMMY!

Premiere Catering and events handled the day of coordination as well as the fantastic food.

And I must bring this to life, my clients came off early on in the day as so quiet and shy. But the reception truly gave way to their ‘sparkly’ side. A light cigar bar, shots with friends, and lively dancing rounded out the evening.

Congrats to Abigail and Jason. Stay warm in Chi-town!

Well, I had a wonderful phone consultation and after an hour of bonding through art, I was totally sold on her as a person. She’s lovely, effervescent, quirky, and the girl gets my props for her PROPS.

Having shopped all over the world for some of the most eclectic ensembles, such places including Italy, Paris, and Vegas, I knew I was in for a treat when her hubby rolled in two large suitcases, two shopping bags, among others. It was evident from the get go that this was going to be no ordinary session for me for many reasons; artistically and spiritually.

Sarah has recently been diagnosed with a rare brain cancer. She admits being a fighter and you feel it once around her. I was moved by her will and determination. She had this uncanny ability to separate all that she’s going through right now and just truly get down and have fun with her session. She was just pure joy to be with and I learned that even in the face of hardship there is still laughter and celebration to be had. I carry that feeling with me now and I understand how what I am doing is so meaningful to me and others; that we truly are sharing and learning from each other. I truly love all the personalities I meet and that we’re able to laugh and celebrate life, albeit as strangers, in the end blossoming into friends.

Sarah, you have nothing but my deepest blessings and prayers for your health. Go get it, girl!!

S-

Well, many thanks to my most awesomest sister in law for leading me to this wonderful family. Melanie, a former Washington Redskins cheerleader and now their Director of Marketing, is now a glowing Mom to beautiful boy, Dexter, born on Oct. 6, 2009.

I met the new family at their ultra chic and modern and babyfied condo in downtown DC. I now know how people truly hate the traffic in DC and that Dupont circle is fun to circumnavigate! Not for the novice.

At any rate, baby Dex had his game on and totally gave us a run for our money. Boy has some seriously strong legs. I’m always in awe of photogs. whom can capture these beautiful sleeping newborns. This session particular took oh, about 2 hours+. We had to work to get him sleepy.

The trick, a new heating pad and one of those ultra soft blankies that when you touch it, it barely feels like you’re touching because it’s so soft.

Congrats to Derek and Melanie. Hope to be documenting more of Dexter in the future.

S-

Super cutie came by way of the referral of Laura D’Artois(thank Laura). The Triple ‘S’ senior and also a bright tennis star wanted to impart elements of her personality into her session. Equipped with TONS of clothes(love it!!) and a wonderful and chipper attitude to boot, our session gave way to several unique looks.

I know they thought I was partially crazy when I said I wanted to first take them to a soybean field I had passed on the way to my studio that day. The golden color was not to be passed up and once I saw the autumnal colors of one of her dress choices, I knew we had a perfect match!

For sure, she’ll be gracing the walls of my studio in the soybean field.

Thanks Hillary for your sweet temperament and dimples! I had fun with you!

S-