MINI-SESSION // JON & KELLEY

I have known Jon for over half of my life - he's one of the few people I allow to call me by my family designated nick-name, and is friends with both of my big brothers. I love this guy. So when he married Kelley and she started coming around and we were able to get to know each other, I knew I loved her, too! She is an incredible pastry chef, who works alongside Mandie at Got What It Cakes, here in Charlotte (if you don't know about GWIC, go check them out. Delish.)

Anyway, we had talked for years about doing an anniversary session and this past winter, we finally made it happen! I'm so thankful for these two, their kind hearts, and trust in my work. I loved seeing how they love each other- it's beyond wonderful.

Oh, AND how gorgeous is Kelley? Her hair and makeup was done by Erin Ashley. Killer job! 

ENGAGED // MEAGHAN & JIMMIE // GEORGIA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

every once in awhile, there's a couple that makes me re-examine how, why and what i shoot. they push me without knowing it, they encourage me to try new things. jimmie & meaghan are definitely that type of couple.

i knew when they booked that they had fantastic senses of style. a little more alternative than my usual, which i absolutely love (i love anything "different")  - both have awesome taste in music, sweet personalities, and huge hearts for the Lord..i love that they totally let their personal style come through in our session and trusted me enough to be able to capture them as who they are. i mean hey, anyone i can get a tattoo with after the session? i'm down for.

i also knew from talking with meaghan that she wanted someplace different from the usual field/natural area that i typically shoot in, she wanted a more urban feel. it was a challenge, but i spent an entire afternoon driving around charlotte, scoping out back alleys and finally landed on a spot i discovered a long time ago that everyone in charlotte seems to shoot at, nowadays, and then a new little spot that you'd never think was pretty just looking at it. and then (my favorite), a parking deck. it was perfect for each of their outfit choices.

i'm just so pumped about this session, i could talk about it forever! 

everything came together seamlessly and we had so much fun just shooting and talking and getting to know each other. they even took me to thai and hung out for hours after our session. these two are the real deal. i knew i was going to love meaghan from our limited interactions before booking, but to love jimmie just as much as his bride? that's a huge perk. so glad to know both of them. i seriously can't wait for their wedding in feb (my first of the year!) - it's going to be perfect and totally unique, just like meaghan & jimmie! 

love ya'll :) see you soon! 

ENGAGED // TAYLOR & DAN // CHARLOTTE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

i freaking love taylor and dan.

if you follow my blog, you know me well enough to know that i preach about the HUGE importance of loving your photographer/loving your couples, and these guys epitomize what i'm talking about. dan and taylor are awesome. they love each other so well, they laugh all the time, and have two of the most inclusive hearts in the world. (i doubt dan has ever met a stranger!) i normally don't use the term "soul mates" because i think it's cheesy and fits into a meg ryan movie from the 90's, but i will definitely admit that this specific paring is perfection. 

we had so much fun shooting their session last year at the laboratory mill. we got gorgeous light, beautiful surroundings and japanese food afterwards (YES!)

i'm so thankful that we've become good friends throughout this entire process (and they're officially godparents to my sweet pup, Murphy) -  the world is a better place with these guys in it. 

can't wait for your wedding in just a few short months! 

just because // chrisy & tyler // raleigh wedding photographer

oh me oh my.
i love these kids.

i don't know how chrisy found me but i'm so glad she did. when i got her email asking if i'd be up for making some pictures with her and her sweet boyfriend, tyler, i was like "um heck yes" because not only did she seem awesome, but i could tell, even through her writing, that she was so head over heels in love with her man. and meeting them just solidified that the feeling is mutual.

i met them at their apartment in raleigh and was welcomed by a thousand candles (sounds way more romantic than i meant it to) and them running around trying to get ready. i immediately felt like an old friend sharing their space. so we all piled in her car and started the session at a park where they used to run/maybe still do. (i can't remember.) after getting yelled at for stepping on plants, we noticed the sun was setting, so we booked it downtown. 

chrisy and tyler were so considerate of me and my style as a photographer, they were worried i'd feel uncomfortable shooting in a parking deck because it's not my typical. and i told them, "hey, you're awesome, but don't worry about it" because i knew wherever they brought their love, we'd make gorgeous pictures. and we did. and these two are so FUN together. there wasn't a second where they weren't loving or laughing and it made for one of my favorite sessions of last year. even though it was freezing. 

i can't wait for the day i get the phone call that these lovebirds are engaged because that will be the day of huge celebration. i'll join them in raleigh and we'll go to beasley's and then drink delicious coffee and plan their wedding. i love love love you two. you make me so happy and i can't thank you enough for letting me be a part of your story, even in a small way.