One to Ten: Part 4

Here is the final post from Millie Holloman's One to Ten workshop that I attended last month! For the second shoot, we went into downtown Wilmington at night. We were met by three different couples who came to model for us, and we had a variety of lights and flashes to play with. The location was really neat, and all of the couples were great to work with.
Overall, the workshop was incredible. It was so valuable to see how other photographers do things, not only on shoots but also in the studio. I left exhausted, but with so many ideas! Thank you Millie and your fabulous team for the opportunity!

One to Ten: Part 3

For the "shipwrecked" shoot, we not only worked with two couples but also a family of 4. The kids were a lot of fun, and the whole family was great to work with. However, it is definitely different working with a family that includes young kids vs. older models! With the couples, we could tell them how to pose. With the kids, though, they call the shots! There are advantages to both, and it was neat to work with both in the same setting. I was really excited about the shots I got!

One to Ten: Part Two

For the first shoot at the One to Ten workshop, we went to this shipyard that was just amazing. There were all kinds of boats there, most of which were falling apart. They looked like they had just been kind of thrown there! In some places, there was just these piles of debris. I honestly think it was my favorite location that I have ever shot in!
We were met there by a few groups of models: two couples, and one family. I am including a few of the shots I got of the couples below; the family shots will be in the next post. Having more photographers (there was 11 of us) than models (8 altogether) has both it's benefits and challenges... it was really good to be able to bounce ideas off of each other, and to watch how other photogs worked with the models. It was also a challenge in that it forced me to try to think outside the box to get the angle that no one else was getting. I can honestly say that I loved every second, and was sad when it was time to leave!

You'd never guess from these shots, but this couple was actually not a couple. They'd both been recruited by Millie's staff, and had met before, but were definitely not "together". But they were great at pretending!

You can't wear a wedding gown and not have a ring... that is actually my engagement ring she's wearing!

I think this one is my favorite...

One of the boats had a huge hole in the side, so we stuck her inside and set up some flashes and pocket wizards behind her for this shot.

Stay tuned for the family shots, as well as pictures from the night shoot that followed this one...

One to Ten... Part One

What do you get when you combine about a dozen photographers, 8 models, perfect weather, and an amazing location??
Hint:

A couple of weeks ago I headed up to Wilmington, N.C. for a workshop hosted by the fabulous Millie Holloman. Part of the workshop involved going on two separate shoots, the first of which was in this incredible shipyard. The above images were just some fun ones I grabbed.. stay tuned for more of the actual models!

Welcome Bryleigh and Elliana!

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to do some pictures for sweet little Bryleigh Jane and Elliana Noel, who are the twin daughters of Chris and April. These little girls were born 2 months early and weighed less than 4 pounds at birth! When these pictures were taken, the girls were just over 5 weeks old, weighed over 5 pounds, and were doing great.
Because this is such a precious time, Chris and April wanted some pictures to remember it by. So I came over to capture them doing the things that they typically do with the girls: bathtime, feeding, and of course some cuddling. We are planning on repeating this every couple of months for the girls' first year, so stay tuned to see how they grow! In fact, every time I come over we are going to take a picture just like the one above, of the girls in the armchair. That way it is possible to see how they grow!
I don't know if it is because I am about to have a baby girl of my own, but I absolutely loved doing this session. Chris and April, thank you so much for the privilege of documenting your little girls! This is such a precious time for you, and will go so fast. I pray these photos are a blessing to you.

Congratulations Travis and Cori!

From the moment I first talked to Cori, I couldn't help but be excited about her wedding. She and Travis were planning to have their wedding at the beautiful Florida Carriage Museum over near Ocala, and I couldn't wait to shoot in such an amazing location! Not only that, but I was excited to photograph such an incredible couple who not only love each other, their family, and friends, but who also love Jesus.
Cori especially wanted to make sure that we had time to get some great shots around the farm, so they planned to see each other before the ceremony. When I first arrived I went to the house where Cori was getting ready, and then we headed out to a small garden where Travis was waiting with his back turned. We got Cori in position, then told Travis to turn around. He looked so happy when he looked at his gorgeous bride! We grabbed a few shots there, then headed to an open field for a few more. It was a rare treat for me to have that time with the couple, and they were great considering the intense sunlight and heat! The rest of the day went off without a hitch, and everyone had a great time.
I hope you enjoy the slideshow! Thanks so much, Cori and Travis, for allowing me to be a part of your day. I pray God's blessings on your new life together!

Happy Easter!

Perhaps this is a strange picture to post with a title of "Happy Easter". But to me, it seems appropriate. The picture is of my father's grave; he died in December of 2001 in a plane crash. His death was crushing - I loved him more than anyone! But, yesterday the Lord brought some things to mind. I was listening to one of my favorite songs: "While You Were Sleeping" by Casting Crowns. There is a part of the song that is a reminder that the Lord will come again, and we don't want to make the mistake of missing Him. That part of the song paints an amazing picture in my head of the moment when Jesus comes back. I can see the dark sky, but a light all of a sudden spreading across the horizon... oh, what a moment that will be! But as I was reflecting on that song, it also reminded me of one of the reasons why I look forward to that moment so much: I WILL get to see my dad again! I WILL get to wrap my arms around him, and see his smile, and hear him call me "sweetie doodle" again. I WILL get to fill him in on all the details of my life since he left. And I WILL get to introduce him to my husband and, Lord willing, my children.
So what does that have to do with Easter? Well, it is because of Easter that I have that hope. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead 2,000 years ago, I - and all who love Him - will also rise. What a hope! What a day that will be!

Bray and Leslie - the Day After

Bray and Leslie's Hilton Head wedding was perfect in every way - except that it rained! Right as the outdoor ceremony was supposed to start, the skies just opened. Fortunately the clubhouse had a pretty foyer that they could use. However, due to the weather and all of the confusion surrounding it we didn't really get a chance to get any shots of just the two of them. So we decided that the next day they would get dressed back up and we would do it then. And it worked out perfectly! The weather was gorgeous, Leslie's hair and flowers were just as beautiful as the night before, and we ended up with more time than we would have gotten had the weather cooperated on their wedding day. So it definitely worked out for the best!