LAKE TOXAWAY INTIMATE WEDDING SURROUNDED BY FLORALS

Intimate weddings are always especially close to my heart, since they remind me of my wedding day. Mark and Mary were married at the elegant and quaint - The Greystone Inn in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina. Mary beamed the entire day and the love that she and Mark share was beautiful to capture. Brevard, NC floral designer Petal and Fern adorned the terrace with hanging greenery and a floating floral arch boasting blush and cream roses. Guests were seated under the canopy of greenery and twinkle lights, listening to live musicians perform as they waited for Mary to walk down the rose petal covered aisle. The floral aroma was incredible! After a sweet ceremony officiated by a friend, the wedding guests enjoyed cocktails on the terrace overlooking Lake Toxaway and a mountain view. A reception followed in the Lovelace room, with a family style table eloquently designed. Again, the flowers smelled amazing! It truly was a day filled with so much beauty and love it was an absolute pleasure to document.

FAMILY - FINAL DAYS OF SUMMER

One of the BIGGEST compliments is when families return throughout the years. Ironically, we were planning on using this field two years ago for a family photography session. Right before photo day, it was mowed! We revamped and ended up sharing a beautiful sunset together on a mountain top. If you want to see click here!

While scouting for the perfect spot for our session together this summer, my mom and I drove past this field. At first, not even realizing it was the same field from two years ago! It was in the process of being mowed that very moment. We got out of the car and jumped over rows of hay to flag down the gentleman working. He thought we wanted to buy hay and kindly stopped the tractor. :) Luckily, half of the field was still available for one more day! Perfect timing and a lovely evening was shared with this sweet family, capturing moments and making memories.

BLUE RIDGE ENGAGEMENT

I can remember nineteen years ago when my parents would have friends over for “Survivor” night parties to watch the show together. I invested in a one-on-one mentor session with Julia Sears, a photographer I greatly admire, and she goes to “Survivor” night parties since she’s friends with a cast member! So fun that she invited Chris and his beautiful fiancé, Kate, for an engagement session in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Julia let me pick her creative brain and spent a generous amount of her time with me.

SPRING MATERNITY IN BREVARD

If you want the sun to come out, this family is your lucky charm! Even with a cloudy forecast, the sun came out and we shared a beautiful sunset together! These three kept me laughing and I truly enjoyed our time together. It was the peek of spring and the forsythias in Brevard were showing off. The perfect setting to capture this special time before baby boy arrives. Congratulations! I can’t wait to meet the new guy!

MOUNTAIN TOP MATERNITY

Lauren and Chris traveled to the Blue Ridge Mountains for their baby moon. Chris’s first trip to the parkway and the view did not disappoint! We shared a gorgeous sunset, sprinkled with a few clouds that added character. I’ve known Lauren since high school and she reminded me of the days when we were on the dance team together and I would tell her where to stand and demonstrate the steps for a dance move. Little did I know it was great practice for giving direction and posing couples! Here are a few of my favorites from my evening with Lauren and Chris.

FLY FISHING ON THE RIVER ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Their first date was fly fishing together - how fun is that? When Olivia reached out and shared her vision for her engagement session, I couldn’t wait! All suited up in their fly fishing gear, they took me to the river and I photographed them in their element. A place that brings them joy, peace, and laughter and where they have shared wonderful memories together. We hiked out of the river just in time to catch a beautiful sunset and a countless number of laughs. Aside from having gorgeous locations for our backdrops, Matthew and Olivia were so much fun to photograph because they are incredibly happy. I wish you two a lifetime of happiness!

PLAYING IN THE LAND OF THE WATERFALLS

My friend Brooke found her person and I couldn’t be happier for her. In the midst of planning her wedding, she squeezed in a day trip to the mountains to splash in the waterfall and celebrate her engagement to Chris. Standing next to a waterfall is thrilling, refreshing, and mesmerizing. There is something about the sound of the water and witnessing such a marvelous creation of nature that rejuvenates the spirit. Combine that with giddy feeling of just getting engagement and there was a whole lot of happy at this portrait session!

Congratulations, Brooke and Chris!

FIELD OF GOLD ADVENTURE SESSION

I have it marked on my calendar when the golden rods will bloom. I wasn't thinking that since I'm in the mountains now, plants will be blooming at different times. I squealed when I pulled into the spot for a long awaited family session and saw a field FULL of golden rods blooming "two weeks early". If that wasn't enough to make for a beautiful photography setting, we also had the perfect weather, and an invitation to board a U.S. Army helicopter! What?!

This evening was a needed reminder that when things do not work out the way you had planned, something even better is in the works. We had been planning this family session since December of last year. Our vision was to meet on a snowy day, but it never quite worked out because of icy roads and calendar clashes. I'm so thankful how all the pieces fell together and for spending the evening with this most deserving family on the mountain side. Not only are they amazing parents, they also established a non-profit organization to help veterans heal holistically so that they can lead happy and healthy lives. 

Addi's smile is the biggest when we are on the edge of the mountain or she's flying through the air into her dad's arms.  She's not even two yet and has already jumped out of a helicopter. ;) With her adventurous spirit, I can't wait to see where life takes her.

GLOWING THROUGH THE CLOUDS | MATERNITY SESSION

Spending the evening with Crystal and Greg was like hanging out with old friends. Even though we met for the first time the evening of Crystal's maternity session in Pisgah National Forest, by the end of our hike I felt like I'd always known these two.

A last minute thought just as I was leaving my house before the maternity session, I grabbed a piece of lace which had belonged to my grandmother. I had a vision of Crystal holding it wrapped around her baby bump on top of the mountain. I positioned Crystal in the perfect spot and turned to get set up for the shot. When I turned back around, a cloud had rolled through and Crystal looked like she was glowing through! The weather can change in the mountains so quickly, and this moment in the cloud made for a beautiful capture.

I wish the best of luck to Crystal and Greg on their new adventure with their first little girl! 

 

LOVE IN SAVANNAH WITH A SURPRISE PROPOSAL

Every corner I turned in Savannah was a glorious new sight for a photographer's eyes. Color, texture, and light peeking through the historic buildings made me so excited! White jasmine climbed over walls with the most amazing smell. I picked some jasmine and combined it with some other local florals to make my sweetest smelling flower crown to date. Beautiful mom-to-be Sarah, her precious daughter Vada, and Joey with a surprise up his sleeve joined me as we walked through downtown Savannah. Expecting their new little girl to arrive soon, Sarah wanted photographs taken in Savannah as it is a special place for them. Joey had his heart set on proposing in the park - our last stop of the evening. He stayed calm and collected, but as we neared the park, his pace grew a little bit faster. We picked an open green secluded area, with stunning Southern Oak trees framing the scene. I couldn't stop smiling waiting to hear Sarah say "yes". She was so surprised and happy! The only thing that could top this moment was when Joey then turned and gave Vada her very own ring. Best job in the world to be able to capture special memories like this one. I can't wait to meet your new little girl! She sure is lucky to have you all for her family.
 

ENGAGEMENT AT SUNSET IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

Kasie and Tate are lifelong friends and now planning their Charlotte wedding for later this year. It was a pleasure to spend the evening with these two, photographing this special time - their engagement! The rain postponed a couple of our scheduled session dates, but the third time was the charm. We had the most beautiful weather and sunset on the Blue Ridge Parkway! They were up for an adventure and the views + photographing their sweet love made for a perfect evening together. From a waterfall to a mountain top, Kasie and Tate went all out hiking to the best spots to celebrate their engagement! It's the BIGGEST compliment when Charlotte friends come to visit me in the mountains and let me show them my favorite places. 
 

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN | FAMILY + SENIOR SESSION

Graduation deserves to be celebrated! This family picked the perfect location to reflect their love for the outdoors and adventure and document senior pictures before graduation. I wish this style of senior pictures had been a thing when I graduated high school!  We hiked Black Balsam Knob just in time to catch a gorgeous sunset with phenomenal views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. After an awesome hike, they had pizza waiting for them in their car! I knew I liked this family right away and the forethought to pick up a pizza solidified it!
 

SPRING FLORALS AT MCGILL ROSE GARDEN

Ahh, just look at this gorgeous hanging flower arrangement created by Nectar! The magic they create with florals is guaranteed to brighten a day. I know first hand! When my husband and I were dating, he would surprise me with the most beautiful arrangements I had ever seen. All created by the incredibly talented team that makes up Nectar. He even proposed to me in Nectar's backyard - the quaint little McGill Rose Garden in Charlotte, NC. 

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph this vision for the beautiful sisters of Twine and Twig! They have an incredible eye for style! McGill Rose Garden was the perfect setting to showcase their Surf Collection.