Jeremy & Lydia Wedding

I started this wedding off by going to the hotel where Jeremy, the groom, was getting ready with his groomsmen. Jeremy was super nice and very kind.

I met his bride a bit later at the church as we waited for the ceremony to start. When I walked in where she was waiting, she and all her girls were blasting Jessica Simpson and dancing like school girls. So great!

Their ceremony was simple and beautiful. Lydia’s brother sang an operatic version of a hymn with a harpist and violinist. It brought us all to tears (including me)… It was so strong and fantastic.

Their reception was at a lovely country club over by Lake Wylie–Lots of dancing, all kinds of different food, and a great band! Tara Mauldin (the main photographer) and I had a great time! (Here’s a video of the reception!)

Congrats Jeremy and Lydia! Thanks for letting me photograph your day!!

Alex & Megan Wedding

Back at the end of May while I was in Minnesota with my friend and mentor, Shelley Paulson, we shot two weddings together in the four days I was there.

It was a bit of a rainy day, but the purple accents and the lovely Irish theme brightened it up. The sun came out toward the end and created a gorgeous sunset for us all. I regret that I didn’t actually get to know the bride and groom at all (which is the hard part of second shooting). I really wish that I had gotten more photos of the two of them together. They were super sweet in the little that I talked with them. Both of their families were so nice and warm. They made Shelley and me feel really appreciated.

Their ceremony was in an outdoor garden area, and the reception was in the lobby of this gorgeous hotel. You could overlook the reception from three stories up. It was a fantastic view.

During the reception I assisted Shelley for most of the evening with lighting her subjects. Her images are so beautiful… (Here is her blog)

I choked up a bit during the father/daughter dance… I truly felt privileged to be there with them on their wedding day.

I hope you enjoy these photos…

Congrats, Alex and Megan, thanks for letting me be a part of your day!

“Toss a rock in the water while saying a blessing or making a wish.”

I really love this reflection photo.

Ben & Jacqui Rosenbush Wedding

In one of my recent blogs, I wrote about how I went to Minnesota to see my dear friend/photography mentor (read here)

Shelley and I shot this wedding together, I was her second shooter and as always I really enjoyed shooting. This wedding has to be my absolutely favorite as of yet…

Ben and Jacqui are friends of my friend Shelley, so going into the wedding I had a lot of back ground about them and it really excited me to shoot this with Shelley. (Here’s a link to her blog about their wedding) I loved how Ben and Jacqui planned and decorated their wedding. Their taste is very similar to my own, so I felt a lot of passion in shooting their details.

Jacqui’s dress was from TJMax and all her girls  purchased white cotton dresses from different stores. They then threw each dress into teal dye and dyed them all the same color.  Jacqui also has dreads, which made it all the more amazing.

Ben is a musician and music teacher,so for the ceremony he had a string orchestra come and play. (It was so incredible!) The bride and groom left the ceremony along with their bridal party playing kazoos….

Where they got married is Silverwood Park in St. Anthony, MN. Perfect evening, beautiful light, glorious bride and groom and a lovely wedding. I loved it! Congrats Ben and Jacqui I really enjoyed getting to know you both!

Here’s some of my favorite photos from their day…

Kyle & Christy Wedding

I’ve been second shooting with my friend, Tara Mauldin, quite a bit this year, and we still have a few weddings to go. As a learning photographer, I’m taking the time to get a a solid foundation by second shooting about eighteen or more weddings this year. I’ve already shot seven so far, and with each wedding I either feel like I’ve almost got it or I feel like I don’t know a thing. Since I have an intense justice side in me, I want to give people the justice they deserve in hiring me to do their wedding or portraits. I can’t charge people $3000 for a wedding when I haven’t taken the years to learn. And so that’s what this year is for me. Its my “years” of learning.

I’ve been extremely blessed to be mentored and loved by an excellent photographer based out of Minnesota. (Shelley Paulson) She tells me what’s trendy and what’s timeless. She tells me what’s right and what’s wrong. She tells me if my picture is too yellow, blue, red or green. She helps me see “right.”  It’s rough and tough at times, but it’s incredible love. I sometimes spend hours after I learn something from her trying to put it into practice and trying to get it right, and then I add my touch of “me” to it. I’m learning to find my style and be consistent in my work.  I’ll be talking about Shelley Paulson for probably the rest of my life. haha…

I’ve been getting quite a few emails from old friends and random people asking me photography questions the last few months. When I get asked what “they” should charge to do a wedding or a portrait session, I get extremely frustrated. I’ve been trying to grow in photography for the last three years or more… and even I am feeling like I do not have the “best” to give people for what their money is worth. As for someone who just picked up a point and shoot camera and has created their own photography fan page/business, my advice in the most gentle way is: “learn for a long time, and then you can ask people to give you money for the best work you have to offer.”

With all that being said, here is some of my journey with each wedding I shoot.

Kyle and Kristi are such beautiful people…very photogenic and extremely fun to shoot. Kristi was a bride that I had helped a time or two at the bridal salon I “used” to work at. We recognized each other, and it was a bit random that I would be helping shoot her wedding day.

Their reception took place on the 15th floor at the Bentley’s restaurant in Uptown Charlotte. It was quite a view overlooking the Queen City!

My struggle for this wedding was the dance floor. I’m learning how to use my flash. So with every wedding, I feel like I’m just experimenting with it throughout the dancing. Thank God for low white ceilings where I can bounce the flash!

The thing with second shooting (which can sometimes be frustrating) is that I can only capture so much of the story. So, here is my side of their day….

Enjoy….

Joanna & Jason May Wedding

I remember the first time I ever saw Joanna, I had found her website via some friends. She had gorgeous art, beautiful film photography and gentle music. I loved how she wrote her heart out and most of all I thought she had such a unique beauty. I moved to Kansas City, and my husband began working with her through the ministry we used to hang out with. I remember walking into the offices and seeing her. I was super excited to get to finally meet THEE “Joanna Reyburn” It was an honor for me.

We got to know each other slowly and spent a hand full of times together. I regret that I didn’t get to know her better before I moved back to the Carolina’s. She became close friends with my friend/mentor Shelley Paulson. And during my time in Kansas City she started dating Jason. He had been an incredible dancer for a ministry and had just recently put out an album. http://www.jmaymusic.com/ They are a perfect unique match.

They got engaged and asked Shelley and I shoot her wedding.

On May 1st, they got married in somewhat of a barn that had been turned into a venue. It was perfect for them. We also took them out on a day after session to the Longview area. Gorgeous bride, gorgeous groom, and fantastic light. I’ve been super excited to get to share these photos.  Joanna’s dress is from the designer La Sposa.  (in case I had some girls wondering)

Congrats Joanna and Jason! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your day!

Enjoy…

Now the day after…..

this is my favorite of Joanna.