Melanie & Alan | Blacksburg, VA Engagement Photographer

Posted on July 27, 2010

I am not even sure where to start with these two. They were so fun to shoot and so sweet together. I mean, I just want to follow them around and photograph them all day long. Ok, so that might make me like the paparazzi but you get the picture.
Alan just got back from Afghanistan. Since he was away for most of their engagement Melanie told me she wanted some pictures of him in his uniform to remember this time in their relationship; and since Alan looks darn cute in it. (right, Melanie?).

Right as we arrive at the session it starts to downpour! We headed into our favorite tunnel at Virginia Tech to get some shots and wait for the rain to stop. A bunch of high schoolers who were on campus for basketball camp also had the same idea. It could have made for some awkward moments but these two were on the entire time.

Melanie, you are GORGEOUS!

They wanted a vintage feel to their photos. I enjoyed having the opportunity to play around with the photos and love how this one came out.

Alan tells the story of how they met so well. His eyes just sparkle as he tells it. Btw – they met at the supermarket!!

Melanie – here are some shots with your favorite umbrella!

Work it, Alan! Seriously, you need to be on the cover of GQ.

Our FAVORITE on the right. Words cannot describe how much we both love this photo.  They just fit into each others arms perfectly. Melanie & Alan, we recommend getting a canvas of this one – we are!

How totally awesome is Melanie’s necklace?! I want one. I googled it and found out that it is from Forever 21. Ben – this would make a great gift.

Melanie wanted to make sure they got photos in front of a fence. Check! We love when couples come prepared with ideas. It helps make sure that they get photos that they will enjoy!

I’ve said it before and I will say it again – Every guy needs a Melanie and every girl needs an Alan.

Ahh, we love you guys and can’t wait till your wedding (and hopefully other sessions!). Thanks for being awesome.

Carnathan/Will Family Session | Harrisburg, PA Family Photographer

Posted on July 16, 2010

Meet the Carnathan/Will family!

We shot this session on a HOOOOOTTTTTT day in PA! They were all troopers though. We rotated between each family so others could head into the air conditioning and cool off for a few moments.  My view.

Ben’s view.

This cutie is full of life. I think my favorite moment of the day was when, in my attempt to get a certain reaction, I asked him to tell me a story. Well most kids just stare at you blankly and say “I don’t know any stories”. Not this one. He went into full story mode. Love that.

What a great looking family! Ok, in full disclosure, I might be a bit biased since they are my family.

Ben’s favorite.

My favorite. I just love the composition of this photo. The Sunday paper strewn about…I think this perfectly captures my Aunt Pat.

Best way to end a photo session on a hot day? Water balloons.

Thanks guys for letting us be apart of your family day!

Ann & Stephen | Blacksburg, VA Wedding Photographer

Posted on July 12, 2010

Please welcome back to our little corner of the world – Ann & Stephen. Their engagement session was only a few short weeks ago.  You can see it here. Since we are in the business of photographing people in love it might be a bit trite to say the what we love about these two is that they are soooooooooo in love. Maybe it is their infectious personalities. I think the photo below is Stephen at his best.

Sweet Ann. How gorgeous is her makeup! They airbrushed her makeup on. Little aside: I am very intrigued by the concept of airbrush makeup and wanted to jump in the chair and try. I resisted though. All the hair and makeup was done by Amanda and Company.

Hot Mama alert! I just adore Ann’s mom and she was just stunning in her one shoulder blue dress.

Notice the yellow rose in Ann’s bouquet? This was in remembrance of Ann’s grandfather who recently passed away.

One of my many favorite moments of any wedding is the moment right before the Dad (or whoever!) walks his daughter down the aisle. It is an emotional time and the last few moments of being just a Daddy’s girl to a being a wife.

Stephen’s dad couldn’t find a bartender anywhere so he just went behind the bar and poured himself a drink. A 4 finger scotch.

First, the band, Sunset Drive, was just amazing. Their rendition of Shout! was toe-tapping! I just wanted to jump up and down in the middle of the dance floor with everyone else.
Now for the photo on the left. Ann & Stephen had a special Polish ceremony at the reception that transitioned Ann from girl to wife. This was represented by removing Ann’s veil and replacing it with the cap that you see on her.  Her veil was folded up and Stephen gave it to Ann’s parents to thank them for raising her well and pure.  Then he was presented with a hat that lightened the mood. It was adorned with suggestive items as well as items that represent his hobbies and responsibilities. It was quite funny as well as emotional.

Hello Gentlemen. I love guys in tuxes. It should be a requirement to wear one every day. Well either that or suits. Suits I like as well. I should also note how versatile The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center is to shoot in. Between all the Hokie Stone outside and the cleanly decorated inside there are so many places to shoot in and out of the IVTSCC.

What’s a party without a little dance off?

In love and married.

Congratulations Ann & Stephen. We wish you all the best and hope to work with you all again soon.

Kristen & Matt | Harrisburg, PA Wedding Photographer

Posted on July 2, 2010

We ventured up once again to beautiful central Pennsylvania for the wedding of Kristen & Matt. These two were such joys to work with! They were up for anything and left us so much time for photos. Love that!!

Due to a small logistics glitch, the bride, groom and bridal party all had to get ready in the same room!  Good thing for portable dividers.  Kristen’s dad got there early and enjoyed a quiet moment getting ready before the the entire bridal party showed up.

Ben tells me that when a guy is putting on his shoes, he has the most time to think about the day ahead – its the one part of getting ready that all guys know how to do already (hey how many guys put on tuxes each day!), the mind goes on autopilot and gives them a chance to think.  I can only imagine that Matt is thinking about Kristen and the big moments that are about to happen that day.

Julia and her grandpa. Kristen and Matt got married at the Zembo Shrine. What a gorgeous location! Plus the weather was just perfect. It was hot and humid all day until the minute we arrived at the reception and then downpour! At that point though who cares!

Work it ladies!

Married.  We love the moments in the ceremony when serious and composed gives way to the real emotions underneath. One of my favorite moments of the day is when the couple is introduced as Mr. & Mrs.

Sam’s favorite!

My view on the left. Ben’s on the right.

Ben was moving around the dance floor and came out from behind one of the support columns only to find Matt serenading Kristen as they danced – love it

Julia, the flower girl, was such a trooper all day. She played with this magna doodle the entire ceremony and then carried it around most of the night. Though, as you can see, she did have some moments but all was right in the world a few minutes later when the DJ played her favorite Taylor Swift song.

The carved monogram on the right was their cake topper!

Ben’s favorite! Gives us chills every time we look at it.  If there was a picture that captured absolute bliss, this is it.  Such a perfect moment. This is why we love what we do. To get to capture these moments so they can be remembered forever.

Congratulations Kristen & Matt!!