willodean and jason: durham engagement photographer

I have probably said it a hundred times and I'm sure I'll say it a couple hundred times more--I LOVE taking engagement pictures! I get to know so much about a couple and their personality, and they so dang FUN! I love it that Willodean and Jason had multiple "looks"--one of which was soft and romantic, see?



And then they had a dressy outfit, followed by a change of dress for Willodean. She had a sassy dress and amazing shoes-I love it! And it's always great working with a could that has a clear idea of what they want in their engagement pictures, but that also is willing to try whatever crazy ideas I suggest. For example: see that picture on the bottom right. I said "okay, stand right here and kiss. yes, next to those pipes." and the didn't bat an eye :)



can't wait to photograph your wedding this november!!

michele + quent = married! raleigh wedding photographer

what an amazing saturday afternoon! and an amazing couple! michele and quent were married in raleigh at pleasant grove united methodist church--the sun was shining, the breeze was blowing and the light was incredible!



I loved that they served danny's bar-b-que at their reception--what a southern touch! it was held at the raleigh elks lodge and both the reception area and the grounds were gorgeous! I loved it that there were so many special touches for their day--they gave away seed paper flowers, michele had her grandmothers' pins on her bouquet and quent even found a penny (heads up!) when we were doing some of the couple pictures! such a special day, indeed :)

lauren + pat =married! mebane wedding photographer

if I had to sum up lauren and pat's wedding in a word, that word would be incredible--the venue was picturesque, I loved the colors, lauren looked radiant, pat looked polished, and it was a sunny (and hot!) day! I loved it that everyone partied the night away too!

and pine lake pavilion was just fantastic! the light in the trees, the details of the venue, and just the overall gorgeousness--I was blown away!

I had been looking forward to this wedding for over a year--and especially since I did their engagement photos! and it did not disappoint :)



I must say--the guys totally rocked their pink, yes? and the horse drawn carriage was unbelievable! and at the bottom, those are lauren's something olds--so sweet!

love these? go check out the rest of their wedding under "recent weddings" here!

kristin and erik: durham engagement photographer

these are my fabulous neighbors--and this is their fabulous engagement session!



I loved that the whole time we were doing the session I just kept thinking "they are so in love!" Too cute, huh?

I can't wait to share their wedding with you!!

lisa and richard: north carolina engagment photographer

I feel very fortunate to be blogging about yet another one of my dear friends!

Lisa is my very favorite person on my softball team (no offense other Toxic Wasters!)--she has a contagious laugh, a positive outlook on life and can out-run everyone I know other than my husband (who I swear is part cheetah)--but she gives him a run for his money! And once upon a time, she encouraged me to visit a rock climbing gym with her. I did, I had fun, I got lots of bruises and blisters and bought my very own harness. It was awesome!

Just telling y'all this make me want to go to the rock climbing gym now...

so, anyway, while there I also met Richard. He was very nice and quite funny and a very experienced rock climber--and after one of the evenings at the gym I informed Lisa that I was pretttty sure that Richard totally wanted to make out with her. And you know what? I was right.

They met climbing. Their first date was climbing too-Richard took Lisa on her first outdoor multi-pitch climb--meaning they went 600 feet up a mountain and Lisa's life literally rested in Richard's hands! And appropriately enough, Richard proposed to Lisa while they were climbing!

So for engagement pictures, I just knew that climbing had to be involved! What I didn't know is that it would mean walking to the top of a mountain!



We traveled the path of their first date--first, they climbed Stone Mountain (but we hiked up it)! Next we went to the ice cream stop at the entrance to the park, then ate at Foothills Brewing and saw the sites in Winston-Salem. I loved that I could photograph them at such meaningful places!

They'll be getting married this October and my husband and I will be celebrating our 6 month-aversary at their wedding--and I couldn't think of a better way to mark the occasion!

These are only a handful of the pictures from their session. Wanna see the rest? Go to my wedding website and see their album under "couples!"

katie and ben: durham engagement photographer

I love it when couples laugh together--and this couple definitely did! but ben and katie were so sweet together too! I could definitely tell that they just had an understanding of one another and that they appreciate the little traits and quirks that make them who they are! they are a "go together like peas and carrots" couple!



such sweetness!



I can't wait to show you more pics from their gorgeous wedding!

jessica and cody: tulsa couple photographer

meet jessica and cody. aren't they the coolest? and the silliest?



jessica and I have known each other, for, well, ~80ish percent of our lives. we've been there for each other through awesome accomplishments and stupid boys, bad haircuts and cute clothes, middle school, high school, college and everything inbetween :)

before they left oklahoma for ohio, jessica and cody wanted to get some t-town photos to enjoy in their new residence. plus, we took these only a month before their three-year anniversary, so that worked out nicely, too :)



It was so much fun working an an area that means so much to me, too (I hail from Tulsa, if you didn't already know). Love you guys!

suzanne and thomas; 2010 graduates, UNC!

meet the lovely suzanne and the dashing thomas, who are now officially "doctors of pharmacy." and who also happen to be friends of mine. :)





we made sure to visit The Old Well, aka the really important place where you MUST take pictures at UNC's campus. The University of North Carolina is known for The Old Well--and fortunately we didn't have to wait in line to take pictures at it like I did later that week!



I love it when I get to capture the "couple things" that a pair of people do--and suzanne and thomas? they hold pinkies. awwww.





they graduated just a few short weeks ago--and a few days after we took these pictures they got ENGAGED. in PARIS!!! I could not possibly be happier for them!





I cannot WAIT to shoot your wedding next summer!

the ring: raleigh engagement photographer

last week a very good friend of mine jet-setted off to london to ask a lady to do him the honor of marrying him. and she said YES!

but before that happened we met so that I could see THE ring before it flew with him across the pond. you see, I had the pleasure of helping him select said ring (though he had this one in mind the whole time, so I guess it's more like I helped him confirm ruling out all the other options, ha!)

in any case, it was dazzling, and gorgeous and quite photogenic!



there is something about the one below that I especially love...








best wishes to you both! I can't wait to celebrate with you!

renee and mike: decatur couples photographer

if you are a friend of mine, you might recognize these people. or, specifically, the lady here. you might've seen her in my photos for the last 15ish years. because she is my lifelong friend, renee. and this is her husband mike and their adorable dog buddy.

matt and I visited renee and mike earlier this year and made sure to take pictures! renee got them as a present for mike. so cute! you've already seen one of them, here. :)

so, depending on the moment, buddy seemed to think that picture taking was either REALLY fun or something he was SO over. but man, is he photogenic and fun! they say dogs take after their owners, right...so clearly he was meant to be theirs!









we got some adorable ones of just renee and mike, too!





it was a little bit chilly and a little bit rainy, but we still had a good time and GREAT light! and I am so excited that nearly ALL of these photos were taken at their apartment complex--too cool, huh?



we also went to downtown decatur to get just a few more shots--it was getting colder, but renee's jacket is adorable, sooooo it worked out :)





we also got this awesome one that makes me smile every time I see it!


and then this next part is the very best part of photographing friends--we packed up my gear, locked it up and went to enjoy a delicious dinner with yummy beer and excellent conversation, followed up by the guys brewing beer in the kitchen while renee and I checked out the photos. :) excellent way to end a session, if I do say so myself!

cheers, renee, mike and buddy! it was wonderful to see you last week, renee (she was one of my bridesmaids!) and I can't wait to visit you this summer! love you!

scott, allison, anthony and andrew: tulsa family photographer

Allison won a free mini-photo shoot during my contest last year, and redeemed it when I was last in tulsa. I was SO excited to meet her beautiful sons and see her and her husband, who I know from college!

we got some photos with the whole fam...





some of mom and her baby, andrew...


and then I took Scott and Allison outside for some couples shots. It was pretty cold outside, but the light was gorgeous and they looked amazing! What a good looking couple, huh?







and I LOVE how amazing they look in this one! love, love, LOVE!

molly, eric, nick, lauren and alex: tulsa family photographer

I have known Molly since...since...hmm. Well, we met at church camp in I *think* 7th grade. Or, rather, the summer before 7th grade. It feels like a few lifetimes ago!

And though we have kept in touch (thank you, facebook!) the last time I saw her I held her youngest son in my arms. So it was about time! And it was great to meet all of her kiddos I'd heard so much about!

such a beautiful family!



here's just the parents...



and their cute kiddos!


after the kids lost interest in the pictures, I took Molly and Eric outside for some couples pics. This is one of my favorites!

lauren and pat: chapel hill engagement photographer

this was a really fun session! lauren and pat were up for anything, and we got some AMAZING light while we took pictures together. we headed to downtown chapel hill and enjoyed all the area had to offer.



they are such a handsome couple!




and clearly very much in love.




and this is one of my faves from the day. lauren and pat weren't too sure about it when I said "let's take some on the rusty stairs"--heck, even I was just taking advantage of what inspired me! but they obliged, and we are all REALLY pleased with how they turned out!



their doggies, brady and kali, joined us for part of the session. the pups were not really into the whole picture taking part--there was so much to check out! but they cooperated and we got some cute ones of the whole family.





and this bench, right here, is why we chose the location. this is where pat proposed, right at this very spot!



and here's a classic UNC Engagement shot--at The Old Well.



I can't wait for your wedding in August! Really looking forward to it!