Jen and Brian: Married - Charlotte Wedding Photographer

Jen and Brian's marriage is inspiring to me - they have been married six years....and still seem to really love AND like each other. :) I always get really excited when married couples inquire about booking a session for just them.

We started our shoot out at the Carolina Aviation Museum, which I'd never been to - super cool place. We had planned to start there to represent the shared love of travel that Jen and Brian have.

We started the shoot while the sun was still pretty high in the sky, so it was a fun little challenge for me to shoot in direct sunlight - something we usually don't do.....

....but, I'm still partial to backlight. :)

ooooo.....yes, I love this.

These next two are my favorites, I think. :)

Sure....why not? :)

We ended the shoot uptown for just a few night shots.

I had fun getting to know you, Jen and Brian - thanks for allowing me to take your picture - here's to another 6 years! :)

Frank Found a Home

As we saw the stray dog running wilding all too close to I-277, we knew we had to at least try to catch him. As previously mentioned, we always chase after stray dogs, but are never successful in catching them. When we got ahold of the dog, I had no idea what I was about to be in for.

That evening, I didn't know how much time I would waste calling and emailing Charlotte no-kill shelters over the next few days, as it proved to be basically impossible to get him into one.

I didn't know that the dog was completely infested with fleas, not neutered, and would try to pee on everything in and outside of our house - including Jazzy at one point (that was an accident :) ).

And other than mindlessly giving our other two dogs their monthly dose of heart worm preventative, I didn't really know what heart worms were and how much money they would take out of our pockets to get rid of them.

But mostly, I didn't know how much I would come to love this dog and I didn't know how hard it would be to say goodbye to him.

I prayed close to every day for the past month that God would find a safe and loving home that Frank could permanently go to. Actually, I PLEADED with God that we would find a good home for him. And wouldn't you know it? Yesterday, my prayer was answered. And now, while I do feel relief, peace and comfort knowing he is in a great place with a loving family, I am left grieving his loss from our own home and family. Ridiculous, I know. I know that overtime the emptiness I'm feeling right now without having Frank here with us will fade. But for now, my heart just hurts.

So here I am, fighting back tears (although I can't believe I have any left)....but I am thankful.

I am thankful that Frank was brought into our lives and gave us so much joy in the short time he was here.
I am thankful that God blessed us with the resources we needed so he could healthy through proper vet care.
I am thankful for a husband who loved Frank as much as I did and who now lends me his shoulder to cry on when I miss him.
I am thankful for the peace that I have knowing Frank is going to be loved and cared for permanently.



Yesterday I was on facebook and saw this status update from Samantha - the daughter of the family who took Frank:

"My chihuahua has found a new best friend. Cooper+Frank=Best Friends For Life. :))"

This made me happy. Really happy. :)


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The first night we found him.

Frank with Jazzy.

I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures before we took drove him to his new house.

I will miss hugging him like this.

Freedom Park Wedding - Jenn and Brad - Part Two

As promised, here is part two of Jenn and Brad's wedding day. To see part one, click HERE.

Jenn and Brad had their first dance to "Forever Young" by Alphaville - best song ever. Never have I seen two holding each other closer...seriously.

How fun are these cups?!

Brad and his guys surprised Jenn with a special performance...which was hilarious.

Congratulations Jenn and Brad. We've loved working with you - thanks for everything. :)

Thankful.....very.

Instead of listing out 20+ things that I am thankful for like I did last Thanksgiving, I think I'll just give you the top four today - some bigger/more important than others.

1. I am thankful for waking up this morning with Geoff and three dogs in my bed. Frank actually sleeps on the floor during the night, but jumped up to say good morning. I have the best family ever.

2. I am thankful for hot tea, chocolate, and the Thanksgiving Day Parade in front of our space heater this morning. Enough said. :)

3. I am thankful for our adopted Thanksgiving family - the Kaczmarski's. My family lives out in California and Geoff's live in Chicago. This is our FIFTH year that they have taken us in. Today I look forward to Mrs. K's stuffed artichokes, meeting the newest member of the family - baby Kaylee, and lounging on their couch (possibly while watching a Christmas movie and/or reading Twilight). To see Mrs. K's fabulous artichokes, check out this post from two years ago, HERE.

4. I am thankful for my job. On Monday I had the opportunity to shoot an actual ENGAGEMENT and was reminded (as tears welled up in my eyes from behind my camera) of what an awesome gift has been given to me that taking pictures of people in their best moments is actually something that I get paid for. Man, I'm grateful.

Can't hardly wait to share a bunch of pics from Amy and Andrew's engagement, but for now, I'll leave you with this one. :)

Freedom Park Wedding - Jenn and Brad - Part One

You might remember Jenn and Brad from their junkyard engagement session or from her rock quarry bridal portrait (bridal portrait posted here and here). If not, you'll want to go check those out....they are worth it. :)

To date, I'd have to say that Jenn and Brad's portrait sessions and wedding had me the most inspired, the most in my element, the most excited I was to shoot.

Things started off a little crazily when the power at the hotel they were staying at went out at 2am the night before their wedding and didn't come back on until very late morning the next day. If you've been married, you know this is a semi-catastrophe. Okay, maybe that's a tad dramatic, but when you are a bride getting her hair and makeup done with no working outlets....it becomes a big problem. :)

One of the biggest things I was thankful for was the weather. Knowing their plans to wed under a big oak tree in the middle of Freedom Park, we HAD to have a no rain day. And on October 9th, my prayers were answered as we looked out the window to see sunny skies.

Everything about this wedding was just so them.

Brad and Jenn got ready at aloft uptown.

Hair and makeup by the fabulous Elizabeth Tolley....love her. :)

Brad made the boutonniere's - yup, he's awesome. :) And his custom made turquoise jacket....I die. Really.

How much do you LOVE that ring?!

This moment between Jenn and her mom and dad right before leaving the hotel room to head to the ceremony got to me.

Geoff NAILED these shots of Brad and his guys.

I probably don't need to point out that Jenn is quite possibly the most stunning woman I have ever seen. But really, it's her fun personality and sweet demeanor that pushes her totally over the top on stunning.

Shades of gray bridesmaids dresses with a pop of color in Jenn's bouquet (which by the way, was made my her friend - all flowers purchased from one of my favorite places on earth - The Fresh Market).

Their music choices were great (DJ for the ceremony and reception - Bethany of All the Right Grooves) - Brad walked down the aisle to "All These Things That I've Done" by The Killers.

The ceremony was just precious - the tears in their eyes while their parents stood by their sides.....an incredible moment that Geoff and I were so thankful to be a part of.

Check back for Part Two to see Jenn and Brad's portraits together, as well as the reception in the Freedom Park amphitheater.