It makes my heart so happy that when I decided to open my studio last spring, several of the first clients to try it out were good friends. I was so happy to be able to do this fun little session for Tara and her kiddos as a Father’s Day gift to her husband. Our kiddos are the same age and it’s crazy how grown up they are getting (luckily we aren’t getting any older).
I love reliving memories from this past year and this is one of my absolute favorites! When I first started photography I knew that I wanted to use it to help others and volunteer or donate to organizations and individuals whenever I could. I stumbled upon the organization Together We Rise who helps provide belongings and resources to children in Foster Care. At the time they had a program which allowed people who were adopting to sign up for a free photo session of the adoption. I thought this sounded amazing so I signed up as a volunteer. I never heard from them and forgot all about it. Fast forward to at least 10 years later and I suddenly get an e-mail asking if I would be willing to donate a session for a couple that was adopting. I was surprised (since I had forgotten all about this) but SO excited. They give me the address for the courthouse and it turns out it is 1 1/2 hours away, but I didn’t even care. This was definitely one of the most rewarding and memorable sessions of the year for me. Little Chip is such a sweetie and he so lucky to have found equally sweet parents.
I have to be honest. The first time a couple contacted me and told me they were having a “backyard” wedding I was nervous. That turned out to be one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever shot and all of them I have shot since then have been right up there with it. I have learned that if someone has a “backyard” in mind for a wedding, it’s usually not your typical backyard.
Rhianna and Jacobs wedding location was no different. How lucky were they to have a groomsman with several acres that held woods, pastures, a creek and horses?!?!? This couple was just the sweetest from the moment I met them at our first consultation and I know they will enjoy many years of happiness together.
Cap and Gown Sessions are such a great way to make sure you capture every important moment of your senior year, but they can be hard to schedule since most seniors don’t get their caps and gowns until long after they have had their regular senior photo session. That’s one more thing that the having my studio comes in SO handy for! It’s easy to pop in for a mini session once your cap and gown have arrived!
Lindsay had a GORGEOUS downtown senior session and then came by the studio to have some fun with her cap and gown. I think I’m still finding random pieces of confetti. 🤣
If a couple were to ask me for my best wedding planning advice from my experience as a wedding photographer, my #1 answer would be: make it your own! When thinking of all of the “traditions” from weddings we have been to in the past, so many of them are done just because that’s how it’s always been done. But I suggest stopping and thinking about what’s really important and shows who you are as a couple. If Amanda and Phil ever get bored in their current jobs, they could definitely have a future in wedding planning. This bride and groom DIY’d almost every detail of their wedding from the cake, personalized glasses made of wine bottles that were party favors, centerpieces/champagne chillers…even the BEER BIKE! It truly was one of the most beautiful and fun wedding celebrations I have been honored to attend and I was blessed to be asked to capture this gorgeous day!
