Leslie and Matthew were married at the vineyard last month. I was so excited when Leslie told me they were going to see each other before the ceremony. I wish more couples would forgo tradition in favor of sharing a private moment together before the ceremony. Once the ceremony begins, the day is a whirlwind! I love Leslie’s dress- she is one of the few blessed with an hour-glass figure! I had to steal her heels away for some shots with the wine bottles and anything else I could find! One of the first questions I ask during a consultation is: sooo…what style of shoes are you going to be wearing? I have yet to see the same pair twice. It’s always exciting to hear about all of the wedding details! A few favorites:
Amanda and Chris had a beautiful wedding at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont. If you have never been to DSBG, I would highly recommend spending a day there! The gardens are so lush and amazing! Our day got off to a bad start when it started raining. I tried to hide my disappointment from Amanda when I realized we were going to be more limited than usual. I tried to play it cool, but inside I was dying! About 10 minutes before the ceremony, the rain subsided.
The ceremony was conducted by Rev. Maloy. He was very kind and accommodating. Photographers know exactly what I mean by “accommodating”…We are sometimes asked to refrain from taking pictures during the ceremony, but Rev. Maloy didn’t place any restrictions on the photography.
Amanda and Chris added so many unique touches to their wedding. All of their hard work definitely culminated in a fairytale wedding. Check out Amanda’s hot pink crinoline and shoes! I hope to work with many more adventurous brides in the future!
What a beautiful day…check out those blue skies! I was thrilled when Courtney and Jon agreed to climb up on the wall that surrounded the fountain. It was narrow…she was wearing heels…it could have been a recipe for disaster! Thankfully, everything worked out because it’s definitely one of my favorites from their session!
The DJ, wedding coordinator, photographer, and videographer must work together to make the reception flow smoothly. I absolutely loved that ATRG made sure that I was in the area before announcing any major events. Some DJs start the first dance or bouquet toss without ensuring that the photographer and videographer are ready. It rained briefly before the outdoor ceremony began. The DJ grabbed papertowels and joined the wedding party as they dried off the seats. They definitely go above and beyond what is expected. For more information, visit their website: All The Right Grooves or give them a call at: (704) 549-9951.
Many of my brides want their look to be a surprise on the wedding day but it is so hard to keep bridal portraits to myself for a month or longer! If I can get away with it, I add a few to my Facebook account before the wedding. =) Leslie tied the knot at Rocky River Vineyard last weekend. I love the colors she chose for her bouquet and shoes! The purple really popped against the scenery. A few favorites from her bridal:
One of the best parts of my job is receiving packages in the mail every week! I’m usually awaiting the arrival of at least a few albums, so I never know which one it will be. This one was delivered yesterday…who could be the lucky couple? I work with a few album companies; I love that my primary company uses eco-friendly packaging materials. Working with companies with ethical business practices is important to me.
After I posted about eco-friendly packaging on Earth Day, I received a few emails from people who were curious about how I package my products. I wrap large albums with Kraft 100% recycled paper. I then tie a piece of raffia around the package. I wrap smaller items in magazine pages. It isn’t fancy, but it feels good to lessen the environmental impact.
The next to last picture was taken in April, but I plan to add a few unique touches to future packages. I found a great site that shows how to use things around the house as wrapping paper. I’m currently collecting buttons and sequins…you know, the extras that you throw away or never use that are included with new shirts? When you receive your packages from me, please recycle! Although, the DVD jewelcases in my product line are made of recyclable polystyrene- these are not meant to be recycled. They are meant to be enjoyed for years to come! ;-)
I started working on my new website months ago. I always put clients first, so finding the time to work on my own projects is not easy! Chad travels for work 3-4 days a week. On those days, I work from 830am- 1am, eating lunch and dinner at the computer, and I still can’t seem to get caught up on everything! I finally finished most of the website and uploaded it yesterday. I’ll be adding more wedding galleries when I find the time (it could be a while!)…Check it out and let me know what you think: http://www.kateashbrook.com
I added a new section of testimonials. These were taken from thank you cards and emails. I would love to add more! I will send you something special if you write a few sentences describing your photography experience with me. Oh wait, is that bribery?! LOL…I would appreciate only honest feedback. =) Some things to consider: Did you have fun during our shoots? Did your wedding day photography go smoothly? Were you happy with your pictures, albums, and service? If you had it to do all over again, would you choose me to document one of the most important days of your life?
Lifestyle sessions are so much fun! Last month, Ashley and Matt invited me into their home to photograph their beautiful family. Emory and Hagen are absolutely precious! I had so much fun trying to keep up with Emory; she is a whirlwind! Her cinnamon curls were too cute! In-home sessions are unquestionably the way to go for family sessions. It’s so much easier to draw kids out in their own environment verses a studio environment. We played on the swing set, jumped on the bed, and blew bubbles to capture a lot of personality! Here are a few favorites from their session:
Who says that realtor headshots have to be boring?! Brandy and Greg wanted images that were a little out of the ordinary for their website and marketing materials. Both have been realtors in the Charlotte and Lake Norman area for years. Look them up if you are in the market for a new house…They are definitely passionate about what they do!
Dana and Rich were married at the Salisbury Country Club last month. I was thankful that the dressing room was decorated nicely because I spent a lot of time there! It took exactly one hour and 5 people to get Dana’s dress in place…During that time, I had a lot of fun finding new angles and playing off the mirrors that decorated the room. Dana’s niece, Mira Rachel, was adorable…check out the smiles she elicited!
Dana and Rich have the warmest families. I left their wedding wondering why families only get together like this to celebrate weddings. When I got home, I told Chad that we should get our families together for a night of music, food, and fun. He asked me what we would call it on the invitations….Hmmm.
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