Featured: Charlotte Wedding Magazine

This post has been a long time coming. SUCH a long time coming.

Geoff and I were BEYOND thrilled to learn that our work from Amy and John's wedding was to be featured in the premiere issue of Charlotte Wedding Magazine. If you haven't yet seen it, you MUST pick up a copy. It's a great new resource for Charlotte brides.

*Again....apologies for the poor quality - our new scanner truly is crap.

Featured: The Knot Magazine

When I was engaged, I spent an embarrassing amount of money on wedding magazines....it's true. The NC Knot magazine was one of my favorites, mostly because I loved reading the real wedding stories to learn of new venues and vendors. At the time, becoming a professional wedding photographer wasn't on my radar. Funny how quickly life can change so drastically!

Anyway, when we got word that our work was going to be featured in the spring 2010 issue, I was RIDICULOUSLY excited.

Sorry for the crappy quality - our scanner kind of sucks.

Lauren and Jon's Charlotte wedding featured in the "Just Married" section (thanks again to Amy Martin for second shooting for me!):

Natalie and Matt's Raleigh wedding featured in the "Style Stalker" section:

We were also excited to see we were listed in the "Best of NC Photographers":

Featured

These features were from awhile ago, so you may or may not have seen them already. If you haven't, please go check them out!

Many thanks to Southern Weddings, Every Last Detail, and Unveiled for featuring our work. :)

Part One of Ashley and Jason's wedding featured on the Southern Weddings blog can be found HERE.
Part Two can be found HERE.

Click HERE to see Andrea and Shawn's wedding on Every Last Detail.
You can also click HERE to see Amy and Andrew's engagement.

And finally, to see Holly and Drew's wedding featured on Unveiled, click HERE.

Featured

Recently, we've been given the awesome opportunity to have our work featured on some of my favorite wedding planning inspiration blogs/sites. A HUGE thank you goes out to Green Wedding Shoes, Ruffled, Rock 'n Roll Bride, Unveiled, and The Knot!

Jenn and Brad's Attire on Green Wedding Shoes:

Jenn and Brad's ceremony on Ruffled:

Jenn and Brad's reception on Rock 'n Roll Bride:

Julie and Jason's wedding on Unveiled:

Natasha and Robert's wedding on The Knot:

Featured: Carolina Bride

We were super excited to hear that Lee Ann and Miguel were to be featured in the current issue of Carolina Bride magazine. And when we saw the layout, my jaw dropped. I love it. :)

Featured: Vintage Glam Weddings

I was thrilled when Julie sent me an email the other day letting me know that her and Jason's engagement pictures had been featured on the Vintage Glam Weddings Blog. So fun! Check it out by clicking HERE.

A Chocolate COVERed Party

After finding out that Jessica and Steve landed on the cover of Carolina Bride, it was decided to have a get together to celebrate. Never did I think it would turn out to be such a beautiful (and tasty) event! All of the credit goes to wedding planner Alyse Woodward and Josh Dernosek of Best Impressions Catering.

Many thanks to the following vendors for sponsoring:

Event Coordination: Alyse Woodward Events
Venue: Byron's South End
Cake: Cake Lady Jill
Flowers: Flowers in the Cellar
Catering: Best Impressions Caterers
Linens: Connie Duglin

Pam's work from Flowers in the Cellar was FAB. She even dipped the flowers in real chocolate and used chocolate chips in the flower beds to fit the party theme.

Yes, I admit I went a little overboard on the detail shots....but how could I not?!

My jaw straight DROPPED as I watched the staff of Best Impressions lay out all of the fabulous desserts. Seriously, if you are in need of an amazing caterer for your wedding or event, Best Impressions is where it's at.

These were my favorites.

How pretty are the truffles?!

Props to Alyse for providing one of my favorite things - the candy bar.

Thank you Cake Lady Jill for the delish cake!

Cheyenne, Jessica and Alyse

Alyse with her man, Philip

The guests of honor - Jessica and Steve

Candice and Daniel of The Beautiful Mess

Candice and Amy Furr of KA Studios

Thomas of GG-Images and Geoff

Geoff, Kristin of Kristin Vining Photography, and Cheyenne

Josh of Best Impressions

Jessica and her sister Josalyn

Alyse, Critsey of Critsey Rowe Photography, and Cheyenne

Cheyenne, Stephanie of Stephanie Pulliam Photography, and Geoff

Jessica, Steve and Alyse

Featured: Rock n Roll Bride

I was super excited to get an email from Jenn yesterday morning telling me that her and Brad's pictures were featured on the Rock n Roll Bride blog. Head over to check it out! :)

Carolina Bride: April-June Cover

"What struck me the most was DJ insisting that one of the most vital things to succeed in this industry is faith. Faith that a business will blossom. Faith in thinking outside the box. Faith that the journey is just as important as the destination. DJ had no clue how close to home his words were hitting. Every sentence pricked my heart because I knew I needed faith more than I needed anything else. I hung onto his words - picking them out of midair and filing them away in the Never Forget file in my brain - and instantly knew it was the sign I was looking for. God used him as my confirmation. I'm going forward full-throttle with photography and I'm faithful I will succeed."
- Jasmine Star

It must have been a year and a half ago that I found myself POURING (as in hours upon end) through the old blog posts that chronicled the humble beginnings of Jasmine Star. If you know anything about Jasmine Star, you know that she writes. A lot. And at that point in my journey toward becoming a wedding photographer, I couldn't get enough of her story.

There are MANY pieces of Jasmine's story that inspire me. But it was the quote above that REALLY rang true with me. So much, in fact, that just as soon as I was finished reading it, I sent it through my printer, cut it out, and pasted it to the inside cover of my photography journal. Having read through her blog telling of her decision to leave law school to pursue photography....and seeing how quickly she perfected her skill and moved straight to the top...all the while not hesitating to give all the credit to God....I was inspired. I was encouraged. I was on fire. And having felt God's blessing, I was ready to take on the world.

There are many days that I feel like I'm the world's worst photographer who should never pick up a camera again in her life. But last Wednesday when I got the call from Carolina Bride magazine telling me that Jessica and Steve's wedding had landed on the cover, I thought maybe, just maybe, we were doing alright at this photography thing. Clearly, we have a long way to go, but to us - this cover is a little nugget covered in BBQ sauce to show us we are moving in the right direction.

Even amongst my mid-week excitement, it wasn't until Sunday - at the end of church while singing "Glory to God" - that I was brought to my knees and humbled before God at just how flipping big He is and how He loves me. And even though I don't even come CLOSE to deserving it, He continually gives me the desires of my heart. He gave me the opportunity to be a part of a church that rocks my world. He gave me a "there-aren't-words-to-describe-how-amazing" husband who loves me more than anyone. He gave me a passion I didn't know I had in me for photography...and has backed it up with a successful business. And most of all, He has given me life in Him....and offers me an unfailing love, comfort, and peace...no matter what happens. And THAT is what really freaks me out in the best way possible. :)

Now, I know to some this may not be anything to make a fuss about. But honestly - to us, we are OVER THE FLIPPING MOON excited. For us, seeing our pictures in Carolina Bride magazine has internally validated our place in this industry, as well as has encouraged us to keep on pushing. Now go on out and get yourself a copy!

And I'm sorry - but how HOT is Jessica on that cover?!

Many thanks to all of Jessica and Steve's vendors!

Wedding Planner: Alyse Woodward of A Perfect Engagement
Ceremony venue:The Atrium at the Design Center of the Carolinas
Reception venue:Byron's at SouthEnd
Catering: Best Impressions
DJ: Split Second Sound
Dress: Dar-Lynn's
Hair/Makeup: Kymm McLean of Who's the Fairest

Featured: Jewelboxing

I was more than excited to get an email from Steve at Jewelboxing asking if I would like to be featured on their blog. Seriously, any chance to help promote this product and I'm all about it. Click HERE to read post on their blog.

Jazzed. For real.

Can I just say how JAZZED I am?

A little getaway to Savannah for the weekend was just what we needed. The weather was beyond perfect - perfect enough to sit on River Street with a book and a slushie. it was quite a shock to come back to Charlotte to snow!

Before heading back home on Saturday evening, Geoff and I spent a few hours at our favorite coffee house - Gallery Espresso. We finally took out some time to ask ourselves some big questions about our business, as well as begin to detail out our plans for it's future. Doing this made us realize it's importance and decided we need to be in reflection of where we are and where we are going far more often.

One of those plans....is to fully rebrand ourselves in a way that is more in line with our style of shooting, our personalities, etc. Here's a shot from inside Gallery that may drive our new brand that will launch next fall.

Also, be sure to go on over to the SJB Blog - we were featured on it at the end of last week! Thanks, Shanika!