"A Bushel and a peck and a hug around my neck." Hendersonville, NC

My children have been singing "A bushel and a peck" for months now, and it sort of stuck with me. This was a lovely wedding last spring. Here, some images of the first look in the Groom's family orchard.

The Wedding Album | NC Wedding Photographer

I have spent a big chunk of time over the past few years searching for the best wedding album to offer my clients. Trying out lots of samples and looking for the perfect balance between quality and affordability. It's so important to me that not only are my products beautiful to look at, but that they will truly stand the test of time.

Here's an album I just ordered and thought that I would share what a typical wedding album and design by me looks like.

These hand-crafted, flush-mount wedding albums are available in fine-art fabric or Italian leather. Each album is hand-bound using fuji crystal archival paper with lay-flat qualities. They have an awesome range of colors to choose from and I love the cameo cut-out and embossing options. Please email me directly for color swatches and pricing information.

This 10x10 album is fabric covered (Almond), features the cameo cut-out and has 32 spreads (64 pages).

Your wedding day is your families first piece of history! It needs to be documented and it deserves to be bound in a beautiful book. 

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A Romantic Elopement in the Rain | A Styled Shoot somewhere in the Nevada Desert

Styling : Amanda O'Shannessy | Floral Design : Flower Story | Hair & Make-up : Ruby Finch Salon | Model : Kendra Lee & Husband | Bridal Gown : Lovely Bride | Paper goods : The aerialist Press | Cake : Pretty Please Bakeshop | Hosted and film processing by The Little Film Lab |

A Travel Inspired Wedding at The Grove Park Inn | Asheville NC

Wedding Planning : Two Sweet Sparrows | Venue + Catering : The Omni at Grove park Inn | Hair + Makeup : Lola Salon | Floral Design : Flora | Officiant : Howard Hanger | DJ : Spintastic Sounds | Additional Photography : Jeremy Russell |

Emily + David Engaged | Asheville, NC

Emily and Dave looked like they just stepped off of a 1940's movie set. They were amazing and their session was so much fun! They met and fell in love at culinary school and so it made sense to pay a little visit to The French Broad Chocolate Lounge. Of course, cake just like life, tastes much better when you have someone to share it with.

The Birthday Series | A Portrait Session in Asheville, NC

I met up with Melissa for a session in March at The Venue. Melissa owns 'Pop of Color' and is an excellent make-up artist here in Asheville. She is the sweetest and so fun to be around. I loved getting to know her a little more as there's not much time for chatting on a wedding day when our paths typically cross. 

The Birthday Series | A Portrait Session in NYC

I had originally scheduled a couples session with Katie and her husband in NYC this past February. At the very last minute Katie's husband had to work, but she asked me if I would mind to still go ahead and shoot with just her. It was her birthday and she thought it would be a great way to celebrate and have a little fun! I loved the idea, and as I started to take photographs it dawned on me that rarely are we given these moments as adults. An opportunity to celebrate ourself, document our life or create a portrait that tells our story! Of course Katie brought balloons (it was her birthday) and we did have fun (here are some favorites) and well ... 'The Birthday Series' was born. I'm not completely sure how to describe it, but I know that I want to do more. What would your portrait look like if you could have someone create it for you?

A New Year's Eve Proposal | Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC

Corey contacted me weeks before he proposed to Malory at the Biltmore Estate. Many emails later, here I was hiding behind the statue of Diana on the afternoon of new year's eve. Moments like these are amazing and I'm always so excited (albeit a little nervous) to capture these for my clients. So much emotion! I LOVE IT … and truly for someone to really think this through and hire a photographer on top of that was so thoughtful on Corey's part. He definitely caught his girl by surprise and the Estate provided the perfect backdrop. I especially love the images I think 4th down the page, after Malory said 'I DO' and Corey points me out up the hill, clueing her into our big successful scheme. 

Shannon + Aaron | The Fields of Blackberry Cove | Asheville, NC

I loved getting to know Shannon and Aaron and spending time with their families. Their wedding was full of friendship, love, but most importantly laughter. Lots and lots of laughter! As I reminisce and post these images I can't help but notice how everyone wore a permanent grin on this great day at The Fields of Blackberry Cove.

Venue: The Fields of Blackberry Cove

Catering: Luella's BBQ

Cake and Desserts: Ruth and Ranshaw

Floral: Occasions by Emily

Officiant: Fred Werhan

Hair: Michelle Hallam   Make-up: Lucretia VanDyke

DJ: Chris Colsen Mobile DJ

 

A Look back at 2014

I realize I'm a couple of weeks behind here but Happy New Year Everyone! The thing is I haven't been spending the last few weeks reflecting, setting goals or making good business plans for the year ahead. The truth is I've been building lego forts, taking my kids to the movies, painting, planning vacations and eating far too much British chocolate. I took a little break from work and I have to say it felt great to slow down a little and not think about my to-do-list for a minute or two. I'm so excited about the year ahead but before I do anything else I wanted to look back at some of my favorite images from 2014. A massive thank you to all of my clients and talented vendors I have worked with. I am filled with gratitude for such a fantastic year filled with adventure, friendships and some amazing weddings.

 

Bridal Portraits | Old Sherrill's Inn | Fairview, NC

Spending time at The Old Sherrill's Inn is good for the soul. The history and traditions run deep, and I soak up the nostalgia every time I visit. The house was built in the late 1700's and became an Inn for travelers to stay when passing through Hickory Nut Gap. Outstanding views, and secret hide-a-ways surround the house and endless paths lead to more stories and adventures. This shoot was a little different as I teamed up with one of my favorite people in the world and extremely talented wedding photographer Jeremy Russell. Abby (the bride, also a local wedding photographer) and her husband Andrew are the sweetest couple. We had a great time making these images together. Click here to see Jeremy's awesomeness.

Bouquet by Two Buds and a Blossom.

A Family Holiday Session | Asheville Photography

A fun holiday inspired family shoot, snuggling under blankets in front of a fantastic red barn. These images were used to promote my holiday mini-sessions this past fall with Mingle Events. To see the short stop motion video we created click here. 

Styling and props by Candace Hightower of Mingle Events.

Marfa, Texas | Workshop in the Desert

I travelled to Marfa Texas last month to spend three nights in a Streamline caravan at camp El Cosmico smack bang in the middle of the desert. I was there to attend The Sparrow and the Crow's workshop but came away with so much more than I could ever have anticipated. The images below are in no specific sequence, or order of events. Just a sampling of my surroundings and awesome landscapes I experienced. Some of them were shot on film and some with my Mark iii. The last few images are completely random but were fun to make … a couple of long exposures, an iPhone and a sturdy rock (my tripod did not fit into my case).

The First Look | Rose Garden, Biltmore Estate

Photographing a couple's wedding is a real honor for me. It's monumental, albeit a little stressful and well, a really big deal that my clients completely trust me to capture this massive moment in their lives. The morning that I wake up and don't feel a little nervous to rise and accomplish this task I think is the day I will stop shooting weddings. 

Laura and Brian's wedding day was no exception to this rule especially given that they are both two highly creative and accomplished artists themselves (no pressure). The biggest compliment someone can give me as a wedding photographer is to be told to be myself and encouraged to be creative. Laura and Brian did just that and we had a wonderful time in the Butterfly garden on the Biltmore Estate.

Here are just a couple of images from their first look amongst the roses.

Wedding Venue: Butterfly Garden, Biltmore Estate

Hair & Makeup: Blush: Asheville Makeup Artists

A Memorial Day Wedding | Rivers Ridge Lodge, Old Fort NC

Lis and Wes both serve in the US Army and their red, white and blue wedding was planned beautifully by Kiersa Holy of Events by Kiersa. The love and support from these two families was indescribable and I was beyond honored to document their wedding.

My day began following a trail of balloons to The Rivers Ridge Lodge and I continued to be inspired at ever turn after that. The property is tucked privately away in a wooded area of Old Fort and encircled by the river. The trees provided just the amount of shade on that gorgeous hot day and guests played lawn games and threw rocks in the water. My absolute favorite moment was witnessing Wes present Lis's daughter Lilli with a ring and make his promises to her also during the ceremony; there wasn't a dry eye to be found. Guests were invited to wear red, white and blue and encouraged to embrace the holiday, while the creative use of color and river rocks made for a fun tablescape. The truffles from French Broad Chocolates was a major hit along with the rest of the awesome food and of course the banging sounds of Bright Light DJ.

Congratulations Lis & Wes and thank you for everything you sacrifice every day to serve our country.

Event Planning : Kiersa Holy from Events by Kiersa

Hair & Make-up : Upper Cut Salon

Venue : Rivers Ridge Lodge, Old Fort NC

Officiant: Family Friend

Ceremony Music : Natalya Weinstein 

Flowers : Urban Farm Girl

DJ : Jacob of Bright Light DJ 

Catering : Mamma Dukes

Cake : Short Street Cakes

Truffles : French Broad Chocolates