Friday, October 12, 2012

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

This was the most fun I've ever had with a Christmas shoot.  Santa Claus has surely put Mr. Owen and his sisters on the 'Nice' list this year.  They are ADORABLE!!!
 











This was an outtake, but it cracks me up.  I love how each kid is in their own world.


Merry Christmas to all...;-)

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Happy birthday to Alice

As I sit here debating whether or not to turn on the heat, I am remembering this shoot from September...when it was still warm outside...when I didn't have to bundle Leo up just to take him to school...when I could sleep with my windows open...when the sun stayed awake later than the twins.  I love September.

Alice turned two in September, so we combined her birthday shoot with a family session. 





Alice has a baby brother on the way.  Congratulations, Joe and Mia!






Thursday, October 4, 2012

Details

Jay and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary last month.  I always get nostalgic and bust out the wedding pictures whenever the 18th of September rolls around.  Some of the details of that day have faded from my memory, so I'm glad to have the photos to remind me.  My biggest, really my only, regret about my wedding was that I didn't bother with the details.  When I was planning my wedding, nine years ago, I felt that things like fancy flowers and stylish shoes were a waste of money.
 
But now?  Well, let's talk flowers.  Flowers are HUGE!  I so wish I had stepped onto the color wheel and incorporated colorful bouquets and bright centerpieces into my wedding like these smart brides did.



 
 
If I had it to do again, I'd get married outside.  Rain?  A white tent backup plan has been a beautiful alternative for many brides.







Details!  They matter to your guests.  A little personal touch goes a long way to make everyone feel welcome on your special day.
I wish Jay and I had done an engagement session.  Being engaged can be stressful at times, and an engagement session is the perfect opportunity to just enjoy being engaged.  No planning.  No input from friends, family, co-workers, random people in a bridal shop...just you and your man.  Plus, guests love seeing your engagement pictures in a guest book on your wedding day.


 
 
Sometimes the details are a surprise to even the bride and groom.  Wonderful guests and a thoughtful bridal party decided to have some fun with sparklers at two weddings I shot this year.  The end result?  Happiness and laughter from the bride and groom.


This bride decided to surprise her dad with his favorite Pink song.  They were having their nostalgic father/daughter moment when suddenly they busted out some mad dance moves.



I recognize that ring - it's mine, so Kelly must have taken this picture.  This Welsh love spoon was a nice way to celebrate the groom's heritage.  Again, details.

I thought about having my bridesmaids wear different dresses, but in the end I found it easier just to have them wear the same gown.  This bride chose a dress that could be worn eight different ways.  Each girl tied her dress in a unique way.  As the night wore on, however, we learned that there were way more than eight ways to wear the dress.  The straps became bows atop the girls' heads, capes for flying, and lassos.  :-)


If a groom wants to wear Converse, why shouldn't he wear Converse?!?


A totally unique veil.  The power went out five minutes before this wedding was set to begin.  No sign of nerves on this bride.  Beautiful!

A short dress.  Genius!  I'm totally wearing a short dress when Jay and I renew our vows someday.





The most important thing on your wedding day?  Have fun and don't forget to smile. :-)
Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my wedding day.  It was perfect for us.  But, now that I shoot weddings professionally, I am so much more in tune with all of the sights, sounds and feelings that surround that magical day. 
There is one thing I don't regret about my wedding day: the guy who was waiting for me at the end of the aisle.  Eight years, three kids, and countless memories later I'm still living my happily ever after.