Keeping up with the theme of great people + great experiences = great wedding photography…

I met Helen several years ago through friends at one of my favorite Fan hideouts.  We built a random friendship through random encounters over the next few months (one being that she lived a block from our studio…maybe not so random after all) and always had a blast in our brief conversations.  Fast forward a while, and I get the call saying that she’d met this wonderful man (yes, that’s you Barrett) and she would love for us to be their photographers at their upcoming wedding.  Well, the answer was clearly yes, but not simply because we’re photographers and they needed one.  After meeting Barrett, then sitting down and talking about their plans and listening to their story, a few things were clear.  These two were awesome together and that their wedding would be an extension of everything that I knew about Helen and was getting to know about Barrett.  Oh, and they love photography.  Our little tagline isn’t just a throwaway message.  We find time after time that the folks whom we connect with are very much in love with real moments.  For us, to love photography is to love the moment.  Sure, we dig the fun portraits and respect the value of family formals, but the foundation of the wedding day is pure, unadulterated connections between people who care for each other and are simply having a great time.

Enjoy!

I’d like to introduce you to Loren and Ryan, a fantastic couple that I met at a recent Choice Entertainment “Meet the DJ” night.  From the minute the three of us started to chat I could tell there was a connection and I can’t explain how important Lindsay and I feel about making that connection.  We so often stress the experience of working with your photographer as being as important as the images.  After all, we spend more time with you than any other vendor throughout the entire wedding process.   As we end each wedding season (when does it end, actually?), Lindsay and I reflect back on not only what we’ve created, but also the number of great people that we’ve had the pleasure of spending time with.  Being a full-time wedding photographer with a studio to maintain is tough, filled with long days of editing, business, and shooting.  The people we meet are the payoff.  They are what makes it worthwhile.

Well, these two are definitely a part of the payoff.  We had a blast at the engagement session as we walked through the Canal Walk and Church Hill.   There was plenty of laughter and some great tender moments between them.  I hope you enjoy the session and look forward to their wedding day.  Thank you Loren and Ryan!

Now it’s time to share this absolutely charismatic couple and their wedding day with you.  Kathleen and Tommy, coming in all the way from Chicago, had the ceremony at Ginter Park Baptist Church in Richmond’s North Side.  Off we went to the Jefferson’s Grand Ballroom for one heck of reception, complete with a choreographed first dance and tons of fun family and friends.   As always, big thanks to the wonderful staff at The Jefferson Hotel and the ladies of McBride Events.  You made it very special for both families.  Enjoy!

Anyone who knows me knows my love for my home city of Richmond, VA.  I moved here 13 years ago and instantly fell in love.  But…every once in a while it’s nice to get away to something not so familiar.  Well, thanks to Sarah and Kevin, we had the privilege of joining them for their wedding celebration in picturesque Nelson County.  If you’ve never been, find an excuse.  I think you’ll see why from this post of some of our favorite images from their day.  Enjoy!

We were excited to hear that the recent edition of Richmond Weddings magazine would be featuring our work on the cover with a story about Lindsay’s and Matt’s wedding as well.  We feel like every one of our couples deserves the attention so it’s such a joy when one is picked to be featured.  We’ve been holding on to their wedding for a while and are so happy to be able to finally share it with you.  Linday, Matt, and their family and friends were incredible to photograph and spend time with.  Thank you also to Jessica Robertson of Jessica Robertson Photography for the honor of referring her dear friend to us.  It’s not often we have the pleasure of photographing a fellow photographer as a bridesmaid.  A huge thanks to Mankin Mansion for providing an always beautiful backdrop (along with their very helpful and talented staff) and to Amye and Scott with Richmond Weddings for the feature.  Enjoy!

Here’s a little tidbit from Sian and David.  Their beautiful farm wedding took place in Goochland county at the family farm, complete with barns and carriages and fields.  You can’t ask for much more on a lovely summer afternoon.  They prove that vintage is so much more than a buzzword.  It’s a plan, an attitude and a style.  Can’t wait to show you the rest!

Another beautiful couple, another beautiful wedding at the Virginia Center for Architecture.  We’re getting in to the swing of a very full summer season of weddings, but thought we’d share just a few of our favorite images of Emily and Nick.  More to come soon!

Engagement sessions have always been a fun experience for us.   It’s a great way to start the relationship with our couples with camera in hand.  It’s one thing to have great conversations in the studio about wedding plans and photography, but it’s something entirely different once the shutter starts to click.  So, it’s our job to help ease that transition, keep things light, and get the laughter going.  In the end, what we hope for is natural smiles, funny moments, and a great set of images.  For Alex and Paul, we’d had a great time in planning and talking about the wedding, but Alex was decidedly nervous about the idea of being photographed.  If I’d handed her the camera and asked her to photograph me and Paul, I’m pretty sure she would have taken me up on it.  But, as we moved our way through the shoot, indeed the laughter started and we had a blast.  But, enough chatting…

We happily allow messes to happen.

Lindsay put a yogurt spoon in our 4 year old’s hand and let her go to work on feeding our 10 month old, then set about to document the occasion.  Annie never met a grown up task she didn’t want to attempt immediately and with haste.  Vivian never met a spoonful of yogurt she didn’t love.   Here’s the process, the visual evidence, and the effect of Vivian trying to chase down a spoon in the hands of a giggling toddler.

So much rain, so much rain.  But, rain can only get you down if you let it.   I don’t think Katelyn or Cal let it, do you?  You be the judge…

The rest of the wedding coming soon!