Candace & Oscar Wedding

Asheville, North Carolina. Gorgeous!! It all started when I picked up my friend and mentor up at the Charlotte airport. She flew in from Minnesoooota  (as they say) Shelley Paulson has a been the biggest influence in my journey of photography. Countless hours spent being mentored, taught, and critiqued. She has had patience with my growing. I’ve had the honor of shooting quite a few weddings with her the last three summers. We’ve somehow always found a way for me to visit her in MN or for her to come to the Carolina’s. She had this gorgeous wedding booked in the mountains of North Carolina and wanted me to second shoot and assist her. I jump at the chance to learn from Shelley. I’m blessed to have her in my life. (for real— <3 you Shelley!)

We had a wonderful weekend in Asheville, getting lost every time we got in the car together. The roads in and highways in Asheville are insane!

When we arrived at the rehearsal of Candace and Oscar’s wedding we were stunned at the view surrounding the venue (The Fields at Blackberry Cove).

The wedding was just so, so beautiful. Every detail was perfect and totally “my kind of wedding”. I have posted quite a bit of details from this day. Mostly because I just loved them so much. Candace and Oscar were so wonderful to be around. I’m so happy that I was able to be at their wedding.

The day after the wedding Shelley and I were able to spend the day in Asheville and surrounding cities shopping, and giggling all the way home. It was a fabulous weekend.

I shot quite a few rolls of black and white film with my Canon Elan 7. So I’ve mixed in a few here and there. I hope you enjoy these photos. I really love them.

Congrats Oscar and Candace! I’m so happy I met you both!

 

 

So the night before we shot this wedding, Shelley was teaching me about “Rim lighting” (The photo below) I spent quite a bit of time at the wedding looking to find rim light and learn how to expose for it. It is yummy. I need to use/do it more often.

 

 

 

Please check out Shelley’s photos from this wedding!

Joe and Stacey Wedding

“April showers bring May flowers….”

I met Stacey over a year ago when she emailed me a random note telling me how much she enjoyed my music. She had a seen a video of my brothers wedding and saw me sing. We have slowly built a facebook friendship since last year and this year she contacted me to shoot her April wedding. Once we all finally met, it felt like we had known each other for quite sometime.

Joe and Stacey’s wedding took place on a lovely, rainy April day in Thomasville, NC.  Their venue was 12th West Main right downtown Thomasville, NC. Pink flowers were in bloom and a storm was brewing throughout the whole day outside. We were blessed to get to shoot a little outside before there was a downpour. ;D

The ceremony was simple and beautiful. Joe and Stacey washed each other’s feet and did their 1st dance at the alter. I am so happy I was able to be there and witness their happiness.

Thanks Carrie Davis for shooting along side of me.

Congrats Joe and Stacey!! <3 you guys much!

PS: I’m starting to blog my photos a bit smaller in preparation for my new website and blog coming soon!! yeeeeeahhh!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie and Aldo Engagement

Aldo and Stephanie are getting married in just a few weeks! I’m excited to be able to photograph their May wedding. I wanted to get these up quickly so they could enjoy them before their big day.

Thanks for looking!

Josh & Laura’s Wedding

A lazy, rainy September afternoon turned into a beautiful quaint wedding for me to second shoot with Tara Mauldin. Josh and Laura were extremely sweet to photograph…

I hope you enjoy these!

Congrats Josh and Laura, Thanks for letting me photograph your day!

5

“A Winter Wedding”- Christina & Anthony’s Wedding Part 1

Christina has been the closest cousin I’ve ever had and we have so many memories growing up together. I used to love going to visit her in Conneaut, Ohio in the summer time. We would play in my Grandma’s yard, pick raspberries, act out skits, and bike down to Uncle Ed and Aunt Gert’s house for a popsicles. She was always the one that would tell me how bad I was for opening the ends of my Christmas presents under the tree to peek and see what I was getting. (I still do)

Christina has always dreamed of her knight in shining armor. I remember sitting on her bed one time as she sketched out what her wedding dress was going to look like and she told me all the things she was going to do on her wedding day. In more recent years she spent a few summers down here in Fort Mill, SC. She’s been a faithful friend and she’s held on through really rough times. She’s a hero.

Last year Christina found her man! Anthony Rivers, a sweet guy who she had grown up with in church most of her life… and now her knight had finally come and swept her heart away. She decided to do a winter wedding, and get married in her home town of Conneaut. My whole family ventured up to Ohio for their winter wedding on December 4th. We were met with lots of snow (considering my cousin lives right by Lake Erie) I posted a blog about us in snow… (HERE)

Christina looked incredible in her Stephen Yearick wedding dress.  Her Bridesmaid dresses were from Victoria Secret and Davids Bridal and she hand made the guys boutonnieres. My husband Brandon 2nd shot this wedding with me and he did such a fantastic job.

This is just part one of the weekend. So stay tuned for a day after session under a lovely covered bridge in the snow.

I hope you guys enjoy these!

Congrats Christina and Anthony!

Below: My sweet mom is busting a move…

This is my nephew Káel chewing on my Grandma’s finger. haha!

Stay tuned for Part 2…

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

Christmas is next week! Oh my, I can’t believe it. These last few weeks have been so, so busy. I don’t think I’ve ever been this busy over the holidays ever in my life. We went to Dallas for Thanksgiving and spent quality time with my “other, other in laws” (Which is my Sister in-loves (Jessica Gatlyn) parents!) and my family. We had the best time lounging around, eating, laughing, dancing, singing… oh man! Brandon and I loved it.  And then a few days later we hopped on a plane to Ohio, where we were met with a winter wonderland (I thought I was in Narnia). Brandon and I shot my cousin’s lovely winter wedding up by Lake Erie in a little town called Conneaut. Yes, its cold. (like my hat!?)  My mom’s whole family is from up North and we stayed in my sweet Grandma’s 100+ year old house. I love visiting her home. I’m filled with childhood memories every time I visit. Its a bitter sweet time for me. It was fun though to be able to introduce Jessica (my sister-in-love) to all our family and  let her experience “Up North”and the “Gatlyn/Trutwin” side of life.

I shot a “day after wedding” session with my cousin and her new man. We went to a covered bridge and shot snow photos of them together. I think I had 3 pairs of pants on, 4 shirts, plus a jacket. I was so warm. The only thing that did get cold was my poor little fingers. Jessica and Brandon came as my little “helpers” Jessica saved Christina’s veil from flying off into cliff into a snowy, rushing, icy lake. (She’s a hero)  After the session Jessica shot some photos of Brandon and I together as well as some of me. (She should join my team, what do you think?) I love sharing my personal photos with everyone. I know its my family… but I love photographing them. I hope you love these!! MERRRRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!! ho ho ho ho!

He’s ice skating backwards…

This is my beautiful mom. She’s so gorgeous in these photos.

This photo below is my very favorite!

This next photo….. ahhh.. just makes me so getty! I’m in love with it.

Its a snowy Forest.

And here is a small sneak peek of the wedding in Ohio…

Gray & Brittany’s wedding

Here is a lovely September wedding at Castle McCulloch near Greensboro, NC, that Tara Mauldin and I (second shooter) together.  Gray and Brittany had their ceremony in the castle, and an afternoon brunch under a tent in the middle of the woods. It was an absolutely perfect late summer day.

Thanks Gray and Brittany for letting me be a part of your day!

 

Grandma’s with camera’s….. oh dear.

Mr and Mrs!

This photo below may just be my favorite.

Isn’t this just gorgeous?

Gotta’ love Grandparents!

dancing with daddy…

“All the single ladies…” -bouquet catch.

The brides sister caught it!

This was the reaction from the bridesmaid who found out the garter had to go on the leg of the girl who caught the bouquet.

and this too…

Congrats Gray and Brittany!

Jay & Carissa’s Wedding

Tara Mauldin and I shot this wedding on a super hot August day. (I was Tara’s second shooter and assistant)  As it normally goes I start with shooting the groom and his guys at their hotel getting ready.

The service was held at a beautiful Catholic church with a bagpipe player who ended the ceremony.

We had quite a bit of time between the ceremony and the reception where Tara and I were able to get some lovely shots of the bride and groom at Freedom Park and uptown Charlotte. We then headed over to Bentley’s restaurant (I think its on the 27th floor) overlooking all of Charlotte. Its a gorgeous venue. The room has windows all the way around it, where the sun casts its golden light into the reception hall. I love the photos it creates.

Tara and I had such a fantastic time during this reception. One thing I can truly say is, I love photographing people when they don’t know I’m photographing them. I love that style and I love the expression and beauty I find in each person. Photo journalistic style is an absolute for me.

The grooms Aunt and Uncle pulled a slight prank in the middle of the reception and started handing out the craziest glasses that everyone was putting on! It was really great!

The picture below may be one of my favorites.

Both Dads…

Cheers!

Yep, that’s Tara and I in the middle photo.

Congrats Jay and Carissa! Thanks for letting me a part of your day!