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!
I recently had the distinction of one of my images being chosen for the cover of Southern Bride & Groom magazine. And yet again as a Wedding Photographer in Raleigh, I am honored by now being featured on their blog, but not without distinct recognition of several key elements: first of which is my bride Jenna Tuberdyck-Germano and her groom Brian Germano whose reception took place at Prestonwood Country Club.
Their proposal story is one that will tug at your heartstrings as you’ll read that the very next day after Brian had asked for Jenna’s hand in marriage, her father had passed away quietly in his sleep. Please read more of their story on SB&G blog.
Further credit was given to Jenna and Brian’s wonderful vendors on the blog as well.
Southern Bride and Groom magazine is a classy magazine which fully embodies all that is bridal here in the North Carolina area. Brides and grooms alike will be sure to find a great resource for finding the best in the industry.
And for those other wedding pros not already a part of Southern Bride & Groom, the magazine is highly recommended as a great tool for advertising.
In a pool of some locally amazing Raleigh Wedding Photographers, it’s always an honor to be featured in a magazine. Making the cover is blushworthy and I’m humbled!
My lovely September bride, Jenna Tuberdyck-Germano was just stellar to work with. To say the word FUN in her company is an understatement. There was no posing with this one. Her and her ultra exuberant husband in a pool of 20 bridal party members, WHOA! lived it up and had fun on the knoll of the 18th hole, Prestonwood Country Club. The picture I believe says it all……exactly how a bride should feel on her wedding day. Beautiful, carefree, and above all, happy!
She traveled to me from VA. A good friend of another one of my Vintage Vixens, Tammy, the two are both from military backgrounds. She proclaimed to me that when the men are deployed they hit the gym and so do we! And, well, I guess get some hot, sexy pics taken. Once again, major props to Margo my hair and makeup artist extraordinaire of Belloviso for the transformation.
Look closely. No photoshop done on those gorgeous eyes! Yes, Sarah has one gorgeous green eye and one of a rich amber brown. WOW! It runs in her family.
Not quite! Actually, the ‘Triple S’ senior opted to forego her senior class ring in order to have a session with me. All too flattering! Made me want to work extra hard for her. She is a casually fun girl with a little edge which came by way of a few shots we snapped with her looking like a biker chick with her dad’s Harley!
Out on a whim, I decided to submit my pictures to Kentucky Bride Magazine. A cross-cultural wedding was a first for us, as we documented the nuptials of Krupa and John. Their Lexington, KY wedding took place on John’s parents horse farm in May of this year. Their strong and colorful imagery coupled with emotion, set me forth to seek publication for their wedding. I stumbled upon Kentucky Bride Magazine; a clean and classy publication. I decided to go for it! Their wedding was well received and we’re featured!
It’s always such a blessing to actualize your passion and see it come to life in a magazine.
Becky came to me with several ideas for her senior portrait session. It was important to her to incorporate pieces of her in her senior year.
An avid equestrian and flautist, she came well prepared for her session. Yes, she brought the flute but she did not bring the horse! We paid a quick visit to her family farm afterward for some pictures with her horses. A ham and a half, and I believe to be a pin-up model from a former life, she was easy to work with and her images reflect that.
I knew Jenna was going to be a beautiful bride when I first met her, I just wasn’t prepared for how stunning she would be in her gown! WOW!
Jenna warned me she wanted no group pics, just one big one at the church! Ummm, OK by me. The biggest time sucker in my eyes is all of the group pictures, the corraling of the people to keep them contained. Knowing that she had 10-11 peeps on each side of her bridal party(yes! She’s popular!) I was doubly OK with the idea of keeping it simple.
Ceremony took place at a scary church in N. Raleigh. I was afraid of the church lady who when we walked into the ‘getting ready’ room gave me the look of death. Some other photog. must’ve done a number on her at one time! She warned me, there’s was to be no movement during the ceremony. Uh? Am I allowed to breathe?
Glad that was over when it was over. We hustled back to Prestonwood Country Club and little did I know HOW festive things were on the Mack Party Truck. Good lord! I didn’t have to tell them much. Honestly, just through a few punch lines their way and snapped away. It was entertaining to say the least, but little did I know how entertaining this reception was going to be and what was in store for me. I have never seen sooo many sweaty dance people, boys dancing with boys(it rivaled a gay nightclub). They tore up the floor~! Lacey and I literally laughed all night and couldn’t stop shooting. Everytime we thought we caught a break and saw it all, someone was outdoing someone elses’ moves. Crazy!
Jenna & Brian – you are forever remembered! Off to a beautiful life together . . .
The Sutherland Estate & Gardens in Wake Forest is such a great backdrop for a wedding. Nevermind the fact I love Ashlee & Fer! The rich rustic/country vibe was the venue of choice for my August 21st clients, Meghan & Mark.
Honestly, the pair couldn’t get any cuter and Meghan is knock-down gorgeous! They wed in front of smaller group of their closest family member and friends. It was a bittersweet affair and the toasts were particularly sentimental as the gathering paid certain homage to Meghan’s Mom who had passed away when Meghan was a young girl.
But that gave way to certain sweetness as they partied on under a tentless sky in the hot Summer night. They ended with a traditional sparkler exit down Sutherland’s long brick path.
It was an honor, Meghan & Mark! Here’s to many years of great things coming your way.
A friend of one of my former brides, Tammy has been following the Vintage Vixen brand for a while now and asking questions periodically. I knew it was only a matter of time before she landed in studio for her own Vintage Vixens session.
She really inspired me with her line of dresses(reminiscent of Old Hollywood fashion, not necessarily vintage) that she brought in for her session. I like different things. It keeps my shooting fresh and new for all of my clients.
Below are some scenes from our session together. It was a blast, Tammy. Looking forward to having you as a bride one day, too!
