Clare + Andrew // Raleigh, NC Wedding Photographer

Heyyyy there everyone. : ) Things have been pretty quiet on the blog this year due to our growing family (and therefore my limited bookings!), but I am very excited to share a wedding with y'all today that I shot last June. Clare and Andrew got married at St. Francis of Assisi, and the reception was held in downtown Raleigh at The Stockroom at 230.

I have known Clare since college (more on our friendship HERE), and I was so honored when she asked me to photograph her and Andrew's wedding. Everyone who spoke at their reception talked about how Clare and Andrew always strive to help people be the best versions of themselves, and I couldn't agree more. They are two of the kindest, most generous and thoughtful people that I know, and I'm lucky that they chose me to document such an important day in their lives.

My favorite parts of their wedding day were the moments of anticipation leading up to the first look, the heartfelt toasts given by their family, the band (you guys...I couldn't stop dancing to Whiskey Rebellion...so good!) and the food (Andrew specifically designed the menu and boy did it rock my taste buds!). Oh, and just simply being surrounded by some insanely nice folks all day was a real treat.

Bride's dress: Mori Lee
Bride's shoes: Becca & Louise
Bridesmaids' dresses: Azazie
Groom's attire: Snapsuits
Bride's makeup and hair: WINK Hair + Makeup
Florals: Fallon's Flowers
Coordinator: Hazel Weddings and Events
Ceremony music: Veritas Springs
Cake: Publix Bakery
Band: Whiskey Rebellion
Caterer: PoshNosh Catering
Invitations: designed by the couple, with help from the bride's godfather, Doug Smith
Programs: DIY by the couple
Rings: Diamonds Direct
Calligraphy, napkins and hanging wreath: DIY by the mother of the bride

Enjoy some of my favorites, and congrats to the newlyweds! : )

2015 Business Recap!

It's been a whirlwind of a year. I honestly cannot believe 2016 is almost here. Blows my mind, actually. Whenever you have kids, the saying "the days are long and the years are short" certainly rings true. Brooklyn is almost 19 months old and we're officially on baby #2 alert (hence my earlier-than-usual recap post!). 

If you remember my recap from 2014, I set some goals for myself for the new year. And a lot of the goals had to do with a shift in re-focusing my business. Let's see how things worked out:

1) Focus more on portrait sessions (versus weddings), because they allow me more flexibility with raising our children. I succeeded in making very intentional decisions this past year about what and who I photographed. Unfortunately, this went hand in hand with having to say "no" to almost every non-local shoot or wedding, but I'm happy because it allowed me more time to be at home with my family. Along with caring for my baby girl full-time, I still managed to shoot five weddings, eight newborn/baby sessions, five family sessions, two engagement sessions and one maternity session. I'm very fortunate to have a mother-in-law nearby who cares for Brooklyn so well AND a husband who supports me and realizes that my photography business is still important in my life.

2) Give my online presence a makeover, including streamlining my sites. I'm almost there with this! I've already consolidated my two previous sites to one portfolio & blog URL via Squarespace, which I'm very happy with. I also switched to a new gallery hosting company called Pixieset that is much more user-friendly and displays photos beautifully. The last thing on my makeover: give my logo a little upgrade!

3) Photograph a live birth. Unfortunately, this still hasn't happened. If you know of someone willing, leave me a note in the comments or e-mail me with suggestions! 

4) Do a session pro bono. I failed miserably with this. Time isn't something I have a lot of these days, but I still want to make this a priority for 2016.

5) Run a contest with a free session catered to local clientele. I hosted this at the beginning of last year, and Paige, if you're reading this... I still owe you a session! : ) 

Even though the season in my life has changed dramatically over the past year+ from seeing myself as primarily a photographer first to now a mama first, I still very much love the moments I spend with my clients. I still get that nervous/giddy/adrenaline-filled feeling right before a session or wedding starts, which shows me that I love and live for photographing people. And I don't think that feeling will ever go away!

Thank you so much to everyone who continues to support my little business. Every comment on social media and my blog puts a huge smile on my face. Cheers to 2015 and all my clients who made it so special! Here is a photo recap (in order!) of every session and wedding from the past year. I look forward to what lies ahead in 2016!

And one last thing: as of today, I am on maternity leave until April. I will still be posting some personal things on the blog in the coming week(s), as long as this little dude en utero stays put. ; )

Louisa + Boyce: Chevy Chase Club // Chevy Chase, MD Wedding Photographer

Louisa and Boyce had a stunning wedding! The ceremony was held at St. John's Church in Lafayette Square, a historical church located across the street from the White House. You may remember my Instagram preview of the couple taking a selfie with one of the kids visiting the White House on a field trip (I presume). So many middle schoolers were cheering and clapping for them while we did a few portraits. It was so neat (and adorable)! Louisa and Boyce's reception took place at the beautiful Chevy Chase Club in Maryland. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather!

Bride's dress: Mira Zwillinger
Bride's shoes: Jimmy Choo
Bridesmaids' dresses: Bella Bridesmaids
Groom and groomsmen attire: Read Wall
Makeup: Pam Brandes
Hair: Eivind & Hans
Florals: Philippa Tarrant
Coordinator: Hanson Productions
Cake: Chevy Chase Club
Band: The Source
Invitations: Just Paper
Calligrapher: Jennifer Muffler
Programs: St. John's Episcopal Church
Rings: Kingoff's Jewelers
Caterer: Chevy Chase Club

Special thanks to Anna Arpasi for helping me shoot that day!

Louisa's dress was so unique and gorgeous; I'd never seen anything like it! It seemed as though she was floating through the air the whole day. The soft blues of the bridesmaids' dresses complemented the sharp black tuxedos of the guys really well. I SO enjoyed hanging out with this crew. Everyone was so relaxed and excited for Louisa and Boyce. And the DANCING! The dancing at the reception was really fun to photograph. My best goes to the newlyweds and their families. Enough from me... Enjoy this classic spring wedding!

Featured: District Weddings - Kelly & Reed's Washington, DC Wedding

Kelly & Reed's beautiful Washington, DC wedding was featured on District Weddings last month (eeeek I'm so behind in blogging!). So extremely thrilled that one of my favorite local blogs picked it up. Go see the full feature HERE.

CHRISTIN + CAREY - Lewes Yacht Club Wedding

I loved loved LOVED shooting this wedding. I adore this snap of Christin and Carey not long after they became husband and wife -- such happiness! Their wedding day was so laid back and beautiful. The couple got married in Lewes, Delaware in mid-April, and it couldn't have been a more gorgeous and fulfilling day. The ceremony was at the Canalfront park, and the reception was held at the beautiful Lewes Yacht Club (such a stunning sunset!).

Bride's dress: Justin Alexander Bride's shoes: Nine West Bridesmaid dress: J.Crew Groom's bowtie: Acclaimed Accessories Makeup: Michelle Burns (family friend) Hair: Ryan Burns (family friend) Florals: Flowers by Mayumi Ceremony music: Barry, Larry & Greg Clinton (Carey's uncles) Cakes: 12 different kinds (!!!) made by various family and friends Band: The Band of Dan Caterer: Lewes Yacht Club Invitations: Apropos Rings: Continental Jewelers (engagement ring -- McConnell family heirloom) Transportation: Jolly Trolley

I met Christin through her younger sister, Kelly, who I did an internship with in New York City during college. I'm SO grateful that Kelly kept up with my blog and thought of me when her sister got engaged. These two families couldn't have been sweeter. I loved how so many of their friends and family helped out with the details! Enjoy some of my favorites from this gorgeous and exciting day!

And thanks so much to Heather Baker for helping me shoot!

So gorgeous!

Seeing Carey with his nieces and nephew was just the sweetest.

I LOVE Carey's nephew's reaction during their first kiss. Priceless!

This house once belonged to Carey's great great grandfather. Amazing! We had to get a couple of shots on the porch.

Lewes is such a charming little town!