Venue: IBar Ranch
Planner: Belleview Events
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Although Cherish Photography specializes in weddings and engagements, I do love the occasional family session - and this little guy is why. He started my day off with a smile and that smile lasted all day. He was absolutely precious! His baby brother is going to be so lucky to have such a great big brother!
Anna and Seth, best wishes to you both and congratulations!
McKenzie and Coady, I don't need to wish you any luck because I know you two will have an amazing life together. Enjoy the ride!
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Cara and Mike, thank you for having me along, I wish you two the best in your life together - I know you will have a ton of fun in your future as husband and wife.
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]]>I REALLY love weddings like Michelle and Jesse's Crested Butte Wedding.
Michelle and Jesse have been together for a long time. Like, forever. These high school sweethearts finally tied the knot after ten years of dating - and I absolutely adore how in love they are after all this time and how much they are looking forward to continuing their life together. They are world travelers (I am so incredibly jealous of some of the places they've been!) and their reception reflected this with a travel-styled theme. A stunning bride, Michelle radiated happiness and truly enjoyed her day. It was such a pleasure to work with these two and their family and friends - what a great group of people they had there to support them!
Michelle and Jesse, I wish you the best in your marriage - I can tell it's going to be a great one. They say that rain on your wedding day is good luck - we definitely had the rain, but you two don't need the luck. You are amazing together. Congratulations and Best Wishes!
I just love this photobomb by a bridesmaid...cracks me right up...
Julianne and Sedric, I am so happy for the two of you - may God bless you both and your marriage. Congratulations and best wishes!
Kelly and Seaver, I wish you the best of luck in your life together. Congratulations and best wishes!
If you've not been fortunate enough to meet them for yourself, pop into their coffee roastery - aside from meeting this sweet couple, you'll get to taste the most delicious coffee you've ever had. And I mean it. I buy it in bulk because it's that good. They are the owners and roasters of Silver Cup Coffee Roasters in Kellogg, Idaho - but don't despair if you don't live in Northern Idaho, they ship their coffee nationwide!
Meghan and Andy don't know if they are having a boy or a girl - it will be so exciting for them to find out. My money is on a girl! Megs and Andy, I am so genuinely happy for the two of you. What an amazing gift your new bundle of joy will be, and what a lucky baby to have you as parents. I love you both!!
And for the rest of you - I challenge you to get through all of these photos without busting out "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" - because these two totally make me feel the love.
Mabre and Jesse, thank you so much for the opportunity to photograph you. I know your wedding will be beautiful and your life together amazing. Congratulations and best wishes to you both!
Erin is the owner of Equip Creative, a graphic design company who not only creates products for local businesses, but wedding invitations and packages as well. One thing I enjoy is shopping locally. In a small community like Gunnison, I feel it's important to support local artisans and small business owners. In the local community, Erin has designed several works of art. By far my favorite is the poster she designed for the Western State Colorado University wrestling team (I especially love this as a wrestling mom - NOT of a college wrestler - no need to date myself!)
Erin is a very passionate woman, and that is something that has drawn me to her not only as a graphic designer but as a friend. She is involved with Legacy Family Ministries, which is the organization for whom I donated a day's worth of mini sessions last winter. This non-profit has been fortunate enough to also benefit from Erin's design brilliance. Erin also designed Legacy Family Ministries website which you can view here.
Erin has designed several other logos and products (hello business cards!) here locally and I'm thrilled to share a few with you. If you do live here locally and have any design needs, please don't hesitate to contact Erin. She is professional, artistic, and won't let you down (in fact, if you're like me, she'll likely blow your socks off with her talent and professionalism!).
I realize that several people who read my blog are not local. I have many brides who use Crested Butte as a location for destination weddings or take advantage of our beautiful mountain setting for engagement photos. And guess what - you're in luck too! Erin designs the most amazing wedding invitations and packages. She has several templates available in her Etsy shop . She also custom designs wedding invitations, so if you don't see what you're looking for in her shop, give her a hollar and she can make your vision a reality.
I am so excited to have my new logo and absolutely can't wait to reveal it next week. It's amazing. Erin did a fabulous job and I truly couldn't be happier about it. Stay tuned to see the new logo next week, but for now, here's a little teaser!
And last, but certainly not least, you need to know where to find Erin and Equip Creative.
Website: http://www.equipcreative.com
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/equipcreative
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/equipcreative
ETSY: http://www.etsy.com/shop/equipcreativeink
PHONE: 901.626.4088
EMAIL: [email protected]
I know you'll love what she creates for you!
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I had to throw this one in too, she also makes wine charms and cork stoppers for your wine bottles - those would be great gifts for your bridal party (or even all of your guests at the reception!).
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Next it was off to Peanut Lake Road on the party bus (which, I must admit, has a pretty great driver - he was able to turn the bus around on a single lane dirt road!) and then around town as the wedding party stopped to take shots at their favorite bar and of course take shots off of the 'shotski'. I also love that this group wasn't afraid to hop off the bus to take photos in the RAIN!
To cap off the evening, the party bus dropped the wedding party off at Maxwell's for the reception - which continued to be filled with fun. The dance floor was filled with guests dancing to Mind Control, the funk band who provided the entertainment.
Dan and Michelle, I couldn't be any happier for the pair of you (and Maddy). I adore how much fun you have together and I know you will spend the rest of your lives laughing together. Congratulations and best wishes!
The biggest part of my growth in photography was finding my style. But it didn't happen overnight. I found photographers whose work I was fascinated with. I reached out to these photographers and took their workshops and attended their mentoring sessions. In this, I discovered WHY I was so fascinated with their work. I learned what it was about their photography that drew me in. I learned how to do the same thing. And as this happened, I saw a definite style in my own work begin to unfold.
What I found was that I loved for my photos to capture emotion and tell a story. While the traditional portrait has its place, it didn't excite me the way the photos of Brooke Snow, Teresa Earnest, and Jesh DeRox did. I sought passion, excitement, and genuine emotion.
I want my photos to tell a story. When one of my wedding couples looks at their photos ten years from now, I don't want them to remember how nice everyone looked or how pretty the dress was, I want them to fall in love all over again. I want my photos to recreate memories. I want them to feel the same love and desire that they did on their wedding day. When someone asks me to photograph their engagement or family session, I want them to leave thinking about how much fun they had - and I want their photos to reflect that.
This, however, is simply an example of what I, myself, strive for. It's not to say it's the only way, or even the best way. Just that it's my way. There are tons of photographers out there who are amazing at capturing their unique style. For example, many newborn photographers love to pose those squishy little babies - put them in baskets, wrap them in different fabrics, and pose them as they sleep. I greatly admire their work and think these photos are beautiful, but their style is just not mine. Another great example are landscape photographers. Often their photos are breathtaking, but again, a style very different from my own. That's one of the great things about photography and art - everyone's work is unique and different, yet artists can still admire and appreciate other artists' work. Each artist's unique style is what makes it his own.
Julie Paisley, a photographer out of Jacksonville, Florida explained it perfectly one day. When asked about favorite locations to use for sessions, many photographers remain mum. The same with giving out advice. Julie has not felt the need to keep these things secret - in fact, she has mentored several photographers and is always happy to answer photography related questions. Why is she not afraid this will hurt her business? Because no matter how much she shares, how much she shows others, how many locations she shares, no other photographer will ever be her. I agree with Julie wholeheartedly. No other photographer will ever have my same vision. They will never see the shot the exact same way I do. That's one of the reasons I love to take second shooters along to weddings. Not only will the bride receive more photos, she will receive more variety, no matter how similar in style the two photographers are. We may witness the same wedding, but we witness it through two different lenses.
For me, finding my photographic style was enhanced tenfold when I discovered Beloved. The Beloved Collective is a movement started by Jesh DeRox in which the idea is to capture true emotion through photos by evoking feeling throughout the session. It is an amazing way to photograph and couples who have had a Beloved Session with Cherish Photography have reported that they not only had a great time but felt more connected to each other after the session. I will definitely have to write a post about this soon!
Another important thing to consider regarding photographic style is editing style. Some photographers like to use bold, bright, highly saturated colors, whereas others prefer a more muted matte look. Some use sepia, others like myself, avoid it. It took me years of going through all of these styles to find one that I love. My look tends to lean toward classic editing with a touch of softness. I don't like my colors to be so bright that they jump out at you, but I don't like them subdued and flat either. I do not do extra skin smoothing because I like the photos to look natural. I do edit all of my photos the as to maintain consistency throughout the sessions.
So now that you've read this entire novel, the question is how does this pertain to you as you venture on your own photographic journey? How do you find your own style? Here is a quick list of things I would suggest for one wanting to streamline their own photography into a more defined style so that your work stands up on its own as YOUR work:
- Find what you love to shoot - weddings, couples, families, children, newborns, landscapes, food, commercial buildings,...the list is endless! What is something you get excited to shoot?
- Find photographers who shoot the same things you do. If you love photographing newborns, find other newborn photographers and sort through their work.
- Decide which of those photographers' work you like.
- Figure out what it is about the work that you like. Is it the poses? The use of lighting? The use of depth of field or angles?
- Start shooting in a similar manner, but don't copy exactly. Use these photos as inspiration to guide you.
The more you shoot like this, the more your own style will begin to develop. It took me quit a while to get to where I had a definite style, but now as your peruse my gallery (which you've all done, right? If not, head over to my website and facebook page and take a look!) you will see that my photos are all quite consistent with one another.
The most important thing about developing your photographic style is that it must be something you love that speaks to and about you!
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Congratulations on your engagement, Carrie and Erik!
...Wildflowers...
...Mountain backdrop...
...And a whole lot of fun!
Jackie and Tim were married in a beautiful mountain ceremony at the Crested Butte Golf Club. The overall theme of this wedding was FUN! From goofing off for photos, lawn games, and a live bluegrass band, it was a fun time had by all. I love how these photos show off Jackie and Tim's fun loving and complimentary personalities as we ran around both the town and mountains of Crested Butte to get just the right ones. I also love the details that they chose for their day - townies with flowers in the baskets, Jackie's great-grandmothers ring, and a flower crown. The day was absolutely perfect!
Band: Honey Don't
Flowers: Rain Crow Farms
Cake: Gateau Fab
Venue: Crested Butte Golf Club
Dress: BHLDN
For more information on having Cherish Photography capture your wedding day, please visit my website!
]]>As both a mom and a photographer, one of the biggest challenges I find is striking a balance between the two. A couple of years ago I found myself pulling out my camera and photographing everything. And I mean everything - Jude playing with a lizard he found outside, the kids playing with hoses in the yard, Adrian catching toads, Derek and Jude mowing the grass (really!!).
And you know I'm all about my photos telling a story. Sure there are plenty of landscape photos - how could anyone go to such incredible national parks and not return with photos of the scenery? But I also wanted to capture the family and how we enjoyed the trip. We have the obligatory "stand in front of the sign and smile" photos, but also photos of us playing at the lake, observing wildlife, and the all important marshmallow roasting. I love how these photos truly capture the essence of our trip. I don't think I need to tell you any more...the photos tell it all!
When I edit, I am very intentional about which photoss I leave in color and which I convert. There are many reasons photographers use black and white. I was guilty of this one when I first started out - many times photos are converted to B&W because the white balance is off. Or because the focus isn't spot on. Or because the ISO was high resulting in a grainy image. This isn't to say that you shouldn't convert for these reasons, because honestly, we all have photos that aren't perfect and converting it is the only way to 'save' it. BUT this shouldn't be the only determining factor. Also, some people just plain like black and white. That is fine also! There is nothing wrong with converting all photos to black and white. Heck, Ansel Adams is famous for his black and white images. BUT to me, not every photo shines to its highest potential in black and white. Sometimes leaving the photo in color allows it to shine.
So, how do I decide how to edit the photo? Generally, I try to leave the photos in color - I am a colorful person and I love color. I love the brightness it adds to a photo. I love the vivacity color adds to photos. I love the excitement. I love how it lends itself to the setting. Often I want the focus of my photos to be on the people, but sometimes the scenery is so beautiful that I don't want it to be lost. Sometimes the expressions are so colorful that to convert to black and white would take away from the beauty of the photo. Sometimes the location is simply beautiful - with a vibrant sky or sunset lit mountains. I don't want to lose those details.
Sometimes a bit of color just makes the photo spectacular.
As I write this, I find it interesting to notice that when I edit an album, the majority of the photos are color -but I end up posting an awful lot of black and white on Facebook, so there is something there that I am definitely drawn to.
There are times where I prefer black and white. For me, this is when I want the viewer to truly focus on the expression in the photo. Or when I want simplicity. When I don't want the viewer distracted by the background. To me, black and white enhances the emotion in a photo. It highlights faces and facial expressions. It invites the viewer to be a part of the photo. Especially with Beloved Sessions in which the entire objective is to create real authentic moments. This tender moment is highlighted by a black and white conversion where any distraction of color, especially in the background, is removed.
And a few of my all time favorite black and white images:
What do you think? When are your favorite times to use color vs. black and white? Do you have a go-to editing style?
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Brooke Snow's Lifestyle Class is wrapping up - and I am still playing catch-up with my blogging. Week 3 was all about Conceptual Contrast and the Decisive Moment.
In terms of Conceptual Contrast, I am shooting for a photo (no pun intended) where there is a juxtaposition between two opposing concepts - for example light and dark, big and small, or old and young. I am choosing to only show one photo for this assignment because I feel it shows conceptual contrast perfectly - and also tells the perfect story of where we are right now. I love how little Kelsy looks sitting on this big potty - although I feel like she is growing up way too quickly, the photo shows how tiny she still is.
The second part of this week's assignment was to capture the decisive moment - the moment in which the composition of a photo and the message or emotion of the scene reach an apex. We were allowed only three shots to capture this perfect moment - and I am thrilled with the photo that resulted. I was watching little Dylan play cars with his mom. The first time the cars went down the chute, they went between his legs and his reaction was priceless! I wasn't sure if the same reaction would occur again, but with some patience on my part, as well as the fact that he was just as excited the second time, I got the exact photo I had envisioned. I loved this exercise because I always strive to be very intentional with my photos (none of that 'spray and pray' for me!). Giving myself three opportunities to capture something I was anticipating was a great challenge!
Week 2 was all about perspective and how changing your perspective can improve the interest in your photos. I often try to shoot from different angles or through different objects, but I usually do one or two different perspectives and then move on. For this assignment we had to shoot from TWENTY different perspectives. That's a lot of different photos to take of the same thing...and I loved the challenge. I also added to the challenge by using a prime lens so I couldn't cheat and just zoom in and out :)
We were asked to take one 'standard' photo and then recompose twenty different ways. I did the activity four times, once with each of my kiddos doing one of their favorite activities. I didn't set this up ahead of time, just popped in on them and started snapping away (otherwise I would have had the boys clean their room first!!.
First was Jude's turn as he played the Xbox. The standard shot is first, followed by a few of my favorite photos from different perspectives.
After Jude, I popped in on Adrian as he played a new game on his ipod. Again, the standard shot is first, followed by some more interesting photos.
Kelsy's turn followed as she colored in the kitchen. She received a gift from a friend which was the coloring book and crayon bag - this was the first time she had used it and she was very excited about it. (Again, standard shot is first)
Last was the biggest challege. Asher doesn't do a whole lot yet - he's only 6 weeks old. He does like his Bobby (which is the nickname Kelsy gave the pacifier), the swing, Wally the Green Monster, and his new super soft blanket (a gift from the same friend). Trying to get different perspectives of an infant in a swing sure was a challenge - but I truly enjoyed it.
This assignment was so fun for me. During a regular session I am so focused on capturing the moments and the expressions that I usually don't go beyond just a few viewpoints. I really enjoyed trying to see things from different perspectives. It definitely encouraged me to put more thought into framing the photo, composition, and thinking about what I wanted to capture and how I was going to do it.
I can't wait for the final two assignments as I share with you more of a glimpse into my life.
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A lifestyle session is a session that captures the true essence of your family.
Memories
Laughter
Interaction
Togetherness
Fun
A lifestyle session is focused around your family and the things you love to do together. Let me capture you participating in your favorite family activities: reading, hiking, snowball fights, roughhousing, playing dress up, baking, playing board games, having pajama parties, roasting marshmallows, painting, ice skating...the sky is the limit!
You will treasure the memories created with your lifestyle session...in addition to fabulous photos, your session will create a fun environment for family bonding. Laugh together and be silly, for these are the memories to cherish.
The current price for Cherish Photography Lifestyle Sessions is $250. This price includes the session, an 11x14 print of your favorite photo, an online gallery of approximately 60-70 photos complete with downloading and printing rights, and a whole lot of fun! Call or email today to schedule your family lifestyle session!
(912)506-3468
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The first assignment for the class came in two parts, the first of which was to choose a character to portray through details. I chose to use Kelsy for this activity as we played dress up in her room.
The second part of the assignment allowed me to capture Kelsy playing dress up as I incorporated these details. The idea of this lifestyle photography was to allow her to take the lead. There was no coaching or direction from me, although she did give me the occasional smile to be sure I was still watching her. What I love about those smiles is that they are genuine rather than the "smile and say cheese" smiles. We started with fun clothes and makeup and then it was on to explore all the other fun she has in her room.
I am looking forward to the next three weeks of the class and sharing my homework assignments with you. I am so excited to grow in a different aspect of my photography and use this knowledge to continue offering fabulous and fun lifestyle sessions in Gunnison and Crested Butte.
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I was so happy to get to meet this family, as we are both new to Gunnison. They are enjoying the town and I am so happy to be able to capture this time in their lives as they settle into their new mountain home.
Because I photograph weddings, I rarely get the chance to 'set up' photos beyond basic posing. I capture events as they unfold. Studio photography is not something I have ever done much of or been extremely comfortable with. I decided to take a risk and step outside of my comfort zone for a studio style photo shoot with Kelsy to celebrate her second birthday which is coming up in a few days. To be honest, a lot of the reason I chose to take her photos this way is because the temperatures outside are not getting above 20 degrees and I couldn't fathom going outside for photos (not even snow photos...which someday I will build up the courage to try!). So looking around our house, I decided our kitchen cabinets would make a perfect backdrop for a tea party themed photo session.
Kelsy was so excited to have her tea party - she loved the process of dressing up in her tutu, necklaces, hat, and nail polish. She loved pouring tea for her guests and of course eating cupcakes...hey, she's not nicknamed Cupcake for nothing! So without further ado, here is how my most precious girl celebrated her birthday:
This past Saturday, in front of friends and family, Kris and Joe tied the knot at Johnson Square in Savannah. With hurricane force winds (causing Kris to ditch her veil halfway up the aisle) and cloudy skies, they shared an intimate ceremony. They wrote their own vows which were sweet and sincere with a hint of humor to them. Immediately following their I dos, the happy couple headed off to party at their Vic's on the River reception. And let me tell you, this couple knows how to have fun! From smashing the cake on each other's faces to an upbeat and lively first dance, this reception embodied the fun-spirited personalities of Kris and Joe.
Kris and Joe, thank you so much for giving Cherish Photography the honor of capturing your special day. Best wishes to you both for a blessed life together.
Words cannot adequately express how much I adore this couple. Liz and Jason, who I first met several months ago (see their engagement session HERE), tied the knot yesterday in a beautiful Tybee Island ceremony. Before heading to the beach on a weather-perfect day, they had their first look at Factor's Walk. This private moment between the two was so sweet, it is obvious that this couple could not possibly be any more in love. The night ended as the two danced the night away at their Savannah Station reception.
In addition to sweet and tender moments and wild and crazy dancing, these two had me in stitches all day! There were handstands, teddy bears, and even groomsmen with their zippers down! Between the two of them, and the rest of the wedding party, they are a riot! I love a wedding that makes me smile, makes me laugh, and makes me cry - and this was a wedding that certainly did all of that.
Liz and Jason, it has been an honor getting to know and love you both. I truly wish you the best life together.
Congratulations, Carissa and Mario, I wish you a very happy life together!
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Following the ceremony, it was time to party - and let me tell you, these two (and their guests!) sure can dance! In addition to being talented dancers, Ryan is a member of a band who entertained the crowd with a special song just for Lulu. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Lulu joined her groom on stage for a truly special moment. This reception was full of fun and surprises around each corner including a s'mores bar and guests wearing alligator hats as they boogied down. It was truly a day and night to remember.
Congratulations and best wishes, Lulu and Ryan, I wish you a blessed life together.
As with any adventure, it is time for me to move on, and I couldn't be more excited. My husband and I had decided some time ago that we were ready to start the next chapter in our lives. As much as we love the Savannah area, we were both itching to head back to the mountains near where we met. After many months of waiting, the perfect job came through for Derek, and we are now headed to Colorado. The big move will take place in November, just in time for the holidays (and it allows me to finish up my busy wedding season as well - don't worry October brides, you're covered!!).
I am excited and nervous to rebuild my wedding photography business in the Gunnison and Crested Butte areas. Gunnison is a small town (only 5,000 people!) nestled in a small valley surrounded by gorgeous mountains. Crested Butte is a nearby resort town well known for its many summer adventures and beautiful fall foliage. I am so excited to use these backdrops to continue photographing the love story between two people.
As I mentioned in the title, Life's Stories Photography will be getting a new face as we make the move across the country. The business has served me well, but I am ready for something fresh and new. The name Life's Stories no longer embodies the work I do in the way I want it to. It was initially chosen for the name of my blog when I first sparked an interest in photography. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that the business would take off the way it has. When photography was a hobby, rather than a way of life, I told the stories of families, friends, and children through photos. As I discovered my love for weddings and Beloved Sessions, the name no longer seemed to fit, but I felt stuck with it. Now, having to start over, I find it the perfect opportunity to revamp my business.
The big change will be taking place gradually over the next few weeks. All of my professional pages (web page, Facebook page, Wedding Wire and Knot profiles, blog, and online galleries) will be changing. They will have new colors, new logos...all kinds of goodies...but the same great photography that you know and love. It's a win-win situation.
Without further ado, I'd like to present the new name of the former LSP!!
(PS isn't that logo the cutest? Thank you, Stephanie from Timeless Moments Photography, I love it!!!!)
Please bear with me as I make this transition, as much as I would love everything to go live at one time, it just works better for me to go in bits and pieces. Thanks so much for your patience and support.
And because I know you are as excited as my family (have I used the word excited enough in this post?), here is a peak of our new home, courtesy of Google Images:
I am absolutely thrilled for our new adventure and can't wait to start sharing some mountainy bliss with you!
]]>Melanie and Barron, I hope you enjoyed your honeymoon and are ready to begin your newlywed life. Congratulations and best wishes to you!
Hair and Makeup: Beyond Beautiful by Heather
Flowers: A to Zinnias
Cake: Addy Cakes
Ceremony by: Reverend Steve Schulte
Venue: Savannah Botanical Gardens
Coordinator: Layla of Simply Savannah Events
DJ and Bartending Services: The Bride's Family :)
If I missed any vendors, please let me know so I can link them up!
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For those of you who know me, you will see why this couple hit a soft spot for me before I even met them. Kris is a nurse specialist who works with bone marrow transplant patients - primarily survivors of Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Multiple Myloma. She is so fortunate to have a job that she loves so much - and those patients are blessed to have such a wonderful nurse who works so hard for a great cause.
Joe is an avid golfer and braved the Savannah heat on Sunday morning to play a full 18 holes - I'm amazed that he had any energy left for their engagement session, but he did, and he was awesome! He and Kris have this amazing relationship. Every time they look at each other, you can tell how much they love each other. The laughed through the entire session and truly enjoy each other's company. After spending another beautiful (although HOT!) Savannah day with this couple, I absolutely cannot wait for their wedding this fall!
Kris and Joe, thank you for giving me the pleasure of getting to photograph you and to know you. I am one lucky girl to have met you both!
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Kim, an Oklahoma native and Oklahoma State University Alum married Chris, the man of her dreams in a beautiful beach wedding on Tybee Island. Surrounded by their closest friends and family both in the audience and as musicians for their ceremony, they exchanged their vows before the sun went down. Their reception was held at the historic Tybee Lighthouse and the setting couldn't have been more perfect. Kim couldn't wait for her buffet dinner which was catered by The Lady and Sons (Paula Deen, for those of you who may not know) and the photo booth which was a huge hit at the reception.
I could seriously go on and on and on, but it's time to let the photos speak for themselves. Kim and Chris, thank you for the honor of capturing your wedding, I am blessed to have met you both and look forward to a lifelong friendship. Congratulations and best wishes to you both!
Coordination: Tybee Island Weddings
Flowers: Made by Bride
Catering: The Lady and Sons
Reception and cake: Tybee Island Lighthouse
Photo Booth: Doll Face Photo Booth
DJ: All About You Entertainment
If I left you out, please let me know so I can give you proper credit.
I had to include these next two: The cat was on the dance floor and didn't move, even when people started dancing!
Kelly and Kyle, thank you for trusting us to capture your engagements. Congratulations on your engagement!
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These two Atlanta residents came back to Holly's hometown of St. Simons Island, GA to be married in the church that Holly's family was raised in by her childhood minister. The Welsley Methodist Center was the perfect setting for these two to celebrate their love for one another. Surrounded by family and friends, these two said their 'I do's before heading to their Sea Palms reception. This reception was nothing but fun with a live band and a dance floor that remained full the entire night. Holly and Ben were the center of attention as they danced the night away.
Congratulations, Holly and Ben, and best wishes for a blessed life together.
Fast forward to their wedding day, Mary and Jere were married at the American Legion in Savannah, where they met a few years ago. Their wedding was in the upstairs ballroom full of friends and family (and I mean FULL - this couple has a ton of people who love them), but we did sneak away for a few photos in the bar where it all started.
The details of this wedding could not have been more perfect as they screamed "Mary and Jere." They are artists, and are surrounded by artists in their lives - and it was evident in every little touch. From the handmade bridesmaids dresses to the wedding bands that were crafted out of rod iron, it could not have been more unique. Congratulations and best wishes to Mary and Jere, I wish you a beautiful life together.
Thank you, Jamie and Jack, for giving Life's Stories Photography the honor of capturing your special day. Congratulations and best wishes, I hope you have a beautiful and blessed life together!
When Heather first called me last fall, I was so excited to hear that she and Shekar were planning to get married at the same location where Derek and I were married. After many months of anticipation, this beautiful Whitefield Square wedding finally arrived. These two had a small, intimate wedding with their closest friends and family which included a carriage ride, tons of fresh rose petals, and dancing the night away at 10 Downing.
Heather and Shekar laughed all day long as they celebrated their special day, and I could not have been any happier to capture it for them. Congratulations and best wishes, Heather and Shekar, and may your marriage be truly blessed.
Blair and Rob - I don't even know where to start! This couple was so much fun to get to know during our Savannah engagement session. We started at the Mansion on Forsyth Park before heading into the park and then onto Gaston Street. We chatted, laughed, and discussed their big day which will be in April of 2013. I am thrilled that these two have chosen such amazing venues for their wedding - the Cathedral and the Morris Center. They told me all about the details of their southern wedding and I will be so excited to share it with you. These two are so perfect together - the way they giggle when they kiss each other put a huge smile on my face every time. Blair and Rob, congratulations on your engagement!!
Tori and Josh are both Georgia natives who are currently living in Michigan - and these southern souls came back home for their southern style wedding at the Mackey House in Savannah. Every aspect of this wedding was absolutely perfect - and this family could not have been more fun to work with.
Thank you, Tori and Josh, for giving me the honor and pleasure of photographing your wedding. Congratulations and best wishes to you lovebirds!
This first post highlights the details that Tori (with the help of her mom) put into her wedding. They decorated the Mackey House down to the last detail - antique store finds adorned the homemade cake, birdcages and seed packets decorated the tables, and Tori herself was the perfect southern belle. Guests were fortunate enough to take home moon pies and bottled coca-cola. It was a wedding made in southern style heaven!
Venue - The Mackey House
Flowers by A to Zinnias
DJ - "Diamond Dave" of VIP Entertainment
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**Please note, I photographed this wedding as a second shooter for Heather of Blu Owl Photography. Be sure to check out her blog for more gorgeous photos including the portraits of Trish and Ben together.
Congratulations and Best Wishes, Trish and Ben!
Congratulations and best wishes, you two!
These two were even more awesome in person. We met up at Forsyth Park for their mosquito-filled engagement session. I had such a great time hearing about their wedding plans and lives in general. As excited as I was to meet Liz and Jason, I am a thousand times more excited for their wedding next fall.
Congratulations and best wishes, Liz and Jason, and I can't wait to get you in front of my camera again in October!!! <3
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I met Erin and Ryan on historic Jones Street in downtown Savannah. They both expressed their love for the unique architecture of the area...and we had a blast dancing down the brick sidewalks and and taking in all the Jones Street had to offer. And for those of you who know me, you know I was excited to be able to take their photos with the blooming azaleas! March in Savannah is just divine.
Erin and Ryan, congratulations on your engagement. I hope the next year flies by for you and you are back in each other's arms before you know it!
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Without further ado, here is Jessica - I know you will love her as much as I do!
Why did you become a wedding planner?
I became a wedding planner for one reason only, because I truly believe in fairytales and the happily ever afters of life. Since I was a child, I always wanted to do something creative and fun with my life while still having my own family. Through many phases of my life. I found my passion in making others happy. Through wedding planning, I am able to do that. I love being a part of something special and helping create a piece of magic for a happy couple on a day that will be one of the most important days of their lives :)
What is your favorite part of a wedding?
My favorite part of a wedding would definitely have to be when the bride walks down the isle and the groom sees her for the first time. I always tend to look at his face at that time. It warms my heart to see the groom's reaction at that time. I also love watching the bride's face - she goes from nervous to completely at ease as she sees his face and everything else disappears but her excitement about marrying the man of her dreams. I also love the father daughter dance. My heart smiles every time I see that new happy bride with her proud and loving father as they share that personal and special moment together. I always revert back to my father daughter dance that I shared with my dad and what a significant moment in my life that was. I also think to my own two daughters and picture what that moment is going to be like for them. It just gives me a sense of joy.
What is your favorite wedding venue?
Honestly, as far as wedding venues are concerned, I have too many favorites to pick just one. But, I love the whole organic feel of outdoor weddings and beach weddings. I particularly love the casino atrium on St. Simons island for the aspect of affordability and beauty. It's one of my go to venues because of its mass appeal and versitility of the space. Although truly, to me, the only thing that matters about a venue is that the bride and groom are absolutely in love with the location and have that sense of home when they are there.
When planning a wedding, where do you find your inspiration?
I draw my inspiration from many places when it comes to the planning of a wedding. i pull a lot of inspiration from the couple I am working with. I watch how they interact with each other and take note of their individual likes and dislikes and the small things that make them work well together. This has always helped me to form a personal connection to each wedding I produce because at that time I have a clear understanding of what will make my clients happy...whether a bride has been planning her wedding day her whole life and has every detail written out as she imagined it, or if she is starting with a blank slate and a happy smile because shes just happy to be a bride. I work with my clients on a personal level to make their dreams a reality. From the latest trends to the most classic wedding traditions, I like to work with the bride and broom's personalities to find the perfect style. When planning a wedding, I like to compare the planning process to an artist painting his masterpeice. Each wedding I do portrays certain emotions and beauty of its own. It is my job to convey the emotions of the couple and their individual personalities through my work. With great attention to the details in the planning process, from the venue, to the centerpieces on the tables, to the first dances the couple shares in their new life together... each moment is filled with an amount of "color" that will leave the bride and groom, and all who witness their special day with lasting memories.
Are you ready for Jessica to paint your perfect masterpiece? Visit her website at http://www.jessicalaurenevents.com and get in touch with her today! As an added bonus, enjoy a discounted price and extra goodies on your LSP wedding photography services when you use Jessica Lauren Events as your wedding planner! We are excited to work together to give you the wedding (and photos!) of your dreams.
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The SOOC (straight out of the camera) photos are on the left, and the edited photos are on the right. These are all done in Lightroom with the presets I've developed to fit the Life's Stories Photography style. Enjoy!
What is Beloved? Beloved is a style of photography in which we go beyond the ‘camera smile’ and capture true emotion. It was stated beautifully by Brooke Snow that in order to capture emotion, we must feel emotion when the photos are taken. Beloved goes beyond regular portraiture and allows you, the client, to look more deeply inside yourself and your loved ones to have a photo session that creates more than beautiful photographs. It creates beautiful memories.
The Beloved Sessions are a fun glimpse into your lives as you learn more about each other and your relationship. Experience laughter, tender moments, and reconnecting with your loved ones in a way that you never imagined would happen from a photo session.
What can you expect from your Beloved Session?
Feelings - Laughter - Love - Passion - Fun
It's not just a photo session, it's a date!
Testimonials about Life’s Stories Photography {Beloved} Sessions:
“It was a much needed re-connection time for us. "Beloved" was a wonderful experience for both of us!”
“What a fun photo shoot! This gave us such genuine pictures and we couldn’t be happier with them. Thank you so much, Kim!”
“We learned so much about each other – it kept us talking for hours after.”
Are you convinced yet? Take a look at these beautiful images from recent Beloved Sessions, and when you’re ready for yours, give me a call at (912)-506-3468. I can’t wait for you to experience the awesomeness that is Beloved.
I love Beloved – the emotions that come from it. The fun, the love, the passion, the inspiration – it all makes for the most perfect photo session. It makes for the perfect date.
Today Tina and Eric joined me on a Beloved inspired shoot on the marshes. The gnats were absolutely horrid, but they didn’t stop our fun photo session full of chatting and getting to know each other. These two played along beautifully with the invites I brought along in my arsenal, and I think their photos just shine with their fun-loving personalities. I truly need to stop photographing couples because I think this is the third consecutive couple I’ve asked to adopt me!
Thank you, Tina and Eric, for allowing me to capture your love, Beloved style!
I went to meet wedding photographers, armed with my notebook full of questions, only to discover I really didn’t need it. Meeting each photographer was about meeting her, not about learning what type of flash she used and what her background photography training entailed. If her photos were as beautiful as they were, obviously she knew what she was doing with a camera and editing software. I needed to make sure her personality type would match up with mine because I would be spending quite a bit of time with her on my wedding day.
When it came down to it, the photographers’ images on their websites and blogs spoke for themselves. Obviously I wasn’t going to go meet a photographer whose photos didn’t grab me. When you look at someone’s photos online, you either like them or you don’t. They style either fits you or it doesn’t. Just be sure there are plenty of photo samples to look at that you like, not just one or two beautiful photos.
I chose which photographers to meet based on how their photos appealed to me. Then I went to meet the contenders.
Based on my personality and needs for the day, I was able to choose a wedding photographer. My decision was not based on who could better answer why she was the best photographer in Savannah. It was not based on who had more equipment or more formal training. It was based on who gave me the better feeling. It was based on whose personality meshed better with mine. For the record, I chose the photographer with less equipment and less formal training.
Even though your wedding notebooks will have you ask about what type of equipment your photographer uses, or what their photographic style is (this should be obvious from looking at the photos online before you even meet your potential photographer!), or “why should I choose you instead of someone else?”, don’t stress over these questions. The bottom line is, you should choose someone who you can work with and who you will be excited to work with.
Here is what I would look for in a wedding photographer (or other vendor for that matter):
*Does his/her personality mesh well with mine? Can he/she relate to me? Will I enjoy working with him/her or will I be rolling my eyes at him/her all day long?
*Does this photographer have good customer service? – do I feel I can reach out to him/her at any time with questions (either photography related or not?).
*Does this photographer have a genuine interest in my wedding?
*What is included in the wedding photography package? (if you want the photos on a disc, for example, be sure it’s included). How soon can I see and have my photos? And how many photos will I get? If the package doesn’t fit my needs perfectly, will the vendor work with me (within reason) to make it fit my needs?
And that is it. I wouldn’t get bogged down with every single tiny detail out there. Be sure you understand the packages and the contract – and then if you love the photos and you love the person behind the lens, go for it! And if you are not getting a good vibe from the photographer, look elsewhere. Planning a wedding should lead you to fun vendors who you look forward to working with, not to a stressed out process of interviewing vendors about every little detail.
Be forewarned…this is a long and wordy post…but I hope you will take the time to read it because I think you will learn a lot about me as your wedding photographer.
I am so fortunate to be taking a workshop right now with one of my all time favorite photographers, Brooke Snow. She is an amazing lifestyle photographer out of Utah and I absolutely love and admire her work.
It was quite a process for me deciding whether to post this on my blog or not. This is a very personal journey for me, and it is a bit strange to put it all out there for the world to see. Then again, if I can’t be totally honest about who I am and what I am doing to improve my photography, I’m not giving you the whole picture of who I (as well as Life’s Stories) am.
To show you what led me to this decision, I have a short story to tell you that helped me reach my decision.
Every photographer has to start somewhere. When I was really getting into photography, I was so excited to delve into the world of weddings. I had never shot one before and knew I wasn’t ready to just jump out there and do it. So I took a mentoring session with an amazing wedding photographer who I admire in every aspect of the word. I never gave this a second thought – I wanted to learn the ins and outs of weddings, and this was a great way to learn alongside one of wedding photography’s greatest. [Quick side note – I believe in giving credit where credit is due – Teresa is a fabulous mentor – check her out at http://www.reallyfunworkshops.com].
Fast forward a bit…I had photographed a wedding with another photographer and my photos were featured as a ‘Real Wedding’ on a wedding website. Like anyone would be, I was very excited and proud. I posted this on my Facebook page with a link. A response I received to this link really put a damper on my celebration though. Sadly, it was from another photographer who I had always had a lot of respect for. I was asked, “Is this the wedding you shot with Teresa’s other mentoring client?”
This comment just rubbed me the wrong way. Partly because I know this photographer and know that it was intended to downgrade me as *just* a mentoring client. I felt like my work, and myself, were being devaluated…because instead of a photographer, I was *just* a mentoring client.
But I am a mentoring client. So why should this comment have bothered me? Why did it make me feel so much shame? I was never ashamed before, I had never even given it a second though. So after a lot of stewing on this comment and reflecting on my feelings, I made a decision. I will not be ashamed to be *just* a mentoring client. I am proud to be a mentoring client. And if you have any investment in my work and me, as a friend, family member, client, vendor, or other, you should be proud of me too. Through mentoring with Teresa my confidence soared. I saw a HUGE improvement in my work in more ways than one. I saw a new depth brought to my work and learned many new skills to editing and streamlining my work flow. Most of all, I learned that I could shoot weddings, and that I could rock them.
So I will continue to be a mentoring client. I will continue to attend workshops. And I will be proud that I am doing so.
When I was a teacher, I went through the process of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher (that’s right! I’m Nationally Certified in teaching English/Language Arts in K-8!!). This process taught me to always reflect on my work. To always keep learning and striving to improve …because not matter what, I would never be the perfect teacher. There would always be opportunities to step it up – and I had to seek them out.
This does not mean I have to be unhappy with where I am along my journey, either in teaching or in photography. The fact that I’m taking workshops doesn’t mean that I’m not good enough. It doesn’t mean that I need help. It means that I’m passionate about my work. It means that I recognize that there is always more that I can learn – both from others and from myself. It means that I value my clients and want to give them the best experience and photos that I can.
So when I continue to attend mentoring sessions and workshops…and post those journeys here…it is because I am a determined, proud, and active lifelong learner. It is because I know that I will never be ‘there’ – I will never be above the need to learn more.
So, without further ado (did you make it this far?), here is my first homework assignment with Brooke Snow.
The assignment pushed me to really think outside the box and shoot my session from a different perspective. There were a LOT of new firsts that I did during this session. It definitely presented some challenges for me, but I am happy with the images and also with what I learned from the experience. The other ladies taking this workshop with me will get to hear a bit more of my insight about this experience (it’s not that I want to hide it from y’all, but these ladies have paid for the workshop as have I, and I feel that I should be loyal to that in this respect). We are to post our three favorite images from the session…so, I present to you, Mary and John.
I LOVE this couple. Truly love. I asked them to adopt me. But they already have 5 kids…so it was a no go. This couple has such a strong relationship. I love the way they relate to one another. You can tell that they are so much more than husband and wife – they are best friends and soulmates. In fact, I was so inspired by them that I will be doing another session with them next week because I want to try out more new tricks that I am learning with them! Mary and John, thank you so much for being a part of this experience for me – you two were fabulous to work with!!
em·brace
1 [em-breys] verb, -braced, -brac·ing, noun, verb (used with object)
**1 to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to embrace an idea.
**2 to avail oneself: to embrace an opportunity.
**3 to adopt (a profession, a religion, etc.): to embrace Buddhism.
**4 to take in with the eye or the mind.
So what does embrace mean to me in terms of my work?
For meaning **1 it means to accept feedback open-mindedly. I realize not every person will love my style of photography, and I accept that. But I need to recognize the difference between people who are putting down my work just to be mean and those who truly want to help me. I want to receive their suggestions open mindedly and reflect upon them constructively in a manner that will help me to continuously learn about and improve my photography.
For meaning **2 it means to accept the opportunities that come my way and make the most of them. And more than that, to do what I need to do to encourage these opportunities to arise. I believe that luck can certainly be involved, but I am an even a bigger believer in hard work. I appreciate successes that I work hard for much more than those that just fall into my lap by chance. Of course, none of these opportunities will mean a thing if I don’t make an effort to get something out of them. Along the same lines, that means embracing my mistakes…because owning them allows me to learn from them.
For meaning **3 -adopt my profession. I have already done this…I am a photographer. Toward the end of 2011 I began specializing in weddings and engagements. Before, I was photographing weddings, engagements, children, families, events, seniors…you name it, I would shoot it. I decided that I would rather not be a jack of all trades, but a master of one. This change began to come about toward the end of the year, but in 2012 I will continue to develop this specialty and be further known as an awesome wedding photographer.
For meaning **4 it means reflecting on my work consistently. Looking at it objectively to decide what worked, what didn’t, and why. Why are certain photos speaking to me? What is it about them that I love? When I take photos that are not my favorites, what are they lacking? How can I fix this? Before becoming a photographer, I was a teacher for many years. One of my biggest accomplishments in teaching was becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. This required constructing a portfolio in which I looked at my teaching and my students’ learning in a manner that allowed me to constantly improve my practices. I plan to use these same principles to improve my photography throughout my career. The NBPTS process required me to look at my work…what was I doing? How? And most importantly Why? This is the same outline I will use to critique my work on a regular basis.
Embrace is my word for 2012. I will embrace 2012 as Life’s Stories Photography continues to thrive. I hope you will all embrace it with me! And I’m leaving you with a photo from Mary and David’s wedding back in April…with a more literal sense of the word embrace.
Wedding Coordinator: Cocktails+Details (http://cocktailsdetails.com)
Vintage Car: Martin’s Vintage Rides (http://mvintagerides.com)
Flowers: Cottage Flowers
Ceremony: The Lovely Lane Chapel at Epworth by the Sea
Reception: Sea Palms
Jamie and Jack, I loved spending time with you today- I hope you had great success at your cake tasting and I can’t wait for your big day!!
And check out how much character this elopement had!! Mat made his own cuff links and boutonniere and Kathryn wore blue running shoes. They laughed together all day long and you can tell this couple has a TON of fun together. Congratulations and best wishes to the two of you!
I met Ashleigh and Patrick on Tybee Island for a drizzly, overcast photo session – but the weather didn’t ruin their fun at all! This couple laughed the whole session through! Congratulations on your engagement, Ashleigh and Patrick!
