28 Days

Not Netflix... not rehab... I'm due 28 days from now. I couldn't be more excited! Maybe he'll come early although I really like the idea of an April baby, so March can just take it slow with me.

On another note, I just posted the album layout I designed for Matt and Gillian (September 4 wedding) on Facebook. It's a 10x10 album, hence the square images. I really like it, and I used a new program to design it which cut my design time by at least 50% and gave me a lot more creative flexibility... something this lady needs these days!

Next up is editing. I shot a super fun wedding in Chapel Hill two weeks ago that I need to edit, then I'll be heading on to editing last week's bridal shoot. We captured the bridal shoot it in two very odd locations: a fire station and a retirement home :) I thought I'd seen it all, but these were firsts for me! Both locations turned out great though. I can't wait to share images. The most exciting part was the fire station got a call while we were shooting. It literally took between 8-12 seconds for the truck/firemen to be gone. I've nevre seen anything so fast in my life. I was very impressed and am now even more thankful for our firemen, policemen and others who put their lives on the line daily to protect ours. So cool!

 

Portrait Bonanza

Well, I'm just falling behind here... life is just too busy! I thoroughly enjoyed my Mother's Day today though. In fact, the whole weekend's been great. In-laws are in town, the neighborhood pool opened, we finally found a kick ass double stroller we like... (once you young people have kids you'll understand.)

I have the best hubby. While I enjoy a few high end luxuries in my life, I'm a frugal person at heart. I get shoppers guilt very easily. He is the opposite. Jim never buys anything, but when he does, he's goes big. I can spend $100 on "nothing" at Target, but cannot bring myself to spend more than about $40 on a single item for myself. So what did I get for Mother's Day??? ...a nice big gift card to Coach! Gaffney, here I come! (see, I can't even shop at the SouthPark store, I must go to the outlet.)

Ok, so back to photography. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to photograph Emily and Brian's engagement uptown. They are a fun, very laid-back couple who are getting married in May at the Whitewater Center (can't wait for that!) We had a good time and they were perfect at following my instruction of ignoring me unless told otherwise.

This past Friday I got to head over to one of my June bride's (Amanda's) house for her bridal portrait. Her house had amazingly huge windows that let in some great light which I quickly took advantage of before the sun set. We then took it outside for a few breezy shots. Her fiance Lyndon is just going to fall over next month when he sees her for the first time as "bride." What a beauty! I think she looks so grown up, but she just graduated college last week!

Last but not least, tomorrow night I'm heading up to Lake Norman. I have a couple who is not getting married in NC, but want engagement photos none the less. Their neighborhood is having a dock slip party tomorrow night, so we're going to head out on their boat. How fun! This will be a first for me, but I'm not scared... I can swim. and the cameras are insured :)

Nikki - Charlotte Engagement

So today was nice and cloudy with a high of only 81! This is uber-odd for Charlotte in August, which is usually melting around 100 this time of year. Luckily, Mother Nature cooperated as I had two shoots today. The sun peeked out here and there, but we made do with it anyway. (Photogs hate sun... ok, "hate" is a strong word, but we prefer some clouds/overcast much of the time.)

My first shoot was with my next bride, Nicki, who's getting married in just three weeks in Lake Norman. We met up at the Latta Plantation for the shoot. She was really easy to work with and has the cutest dimples I've ever seen! I really like how things have turned out so far.

Love these two shots!

I'm not into antiques, but I love the old barn. What can I say?

Just LOOK at those dimples... I want to pinch them.

My second shoot was with good friends of ours who have been dying to get their family portrait taken now that they're a family of SIX! If anyone can juggle a large family, it's these guys. Our hats are eternally off to them... I'm hoping they write a book that the rest of us can read on tips/tricks for child rearing. Just having #2 on the way is starting to freak us out!

"Mom" is really creative, and although I thought I was also creative, I could never come up with all the fun activities/crafts this woman can! Damn Martha Stewart. Some days I wish she would adopt me and I could could be a kid again for a day.