Artstar

We've moved...

2010-09-22T18:36:00.004-04:00

All I can say is moving a blog is not that much easier than moving from one home to another. Check out the new blog here, and keep in mind, we haven't unpacked all the china yet!

Julia & Dan :: Ciociaro Club Wedding, Windsor Ontario

2010-09-21T15:24:00.005-04:00

For Julia & Dan's wedding, Mandy and I traveled to Windsor, Ontario for our first trip to Canada. I initially met Julia & Dan just to shoot their engagement portraits here in Atlanta where they are both attending medical school. It came as a great surprise to me this summer when Julia asked if we would travel to document her wedding as well. I'll never forget her wedding; although I was shooting for 14 hours, at the end of the night the only thing on my mind was that I enjoyed every moment. At one point during the day Julia gave me a hug and said: "I'm so glad you're here!" making me feel like an old friend. Julia seems to have that effect on people, and I imagine for that reason she will make a truly wonderful doctor whose patients rest easier in her care. It's clear how much she and Dan love one another, and I feel privileged to have recorded a few fleeting moments for them.

By the way, it rained ALL DAY! No one let that dampen the celebration however...

Mandy's photos of Dan and the guys getting ready.

Mandy's next two photos

Mandy's photo

One of my favorite images

I love my new 24mm f1.4 MKII lens, used for the two images below. If those technical details mean nothing to you, don't worry- the specs just mean it is crispy sharp and the colors are amazingly true, plus it is capable of shooting in very low light. I previously had the MKI, aka first version, and it was, um, not wonderful.

The reception details created by Raviv at FOS Decor were incredibly lush...

My favorite detail by far was the projection of roses along all the ballroom walls. The projection created an other-worldly ambiance.

Mandy's lovely, warm first dance image

And one I caught at the end of the dance that shows so much tenderness between these two. After I clicked the frame I wanted to fist-pump the air in triumph, but I managed to refrain myself.

More 24mm lens goodness...

There was a wonderful sense of family and love for Julia and Dan throughout the reception, as shown here by everyone surrounding them.

Time to say goodnight!

If you want to see more, watch Julia & Dan's slideshow by clicking here.

Featured :: Montaluce Wedding on Valley & Co Blog

2010-09-07T12:25:00.006-04:00

Check out Becca & Brent's classic Montaluce Winery wedding on the Valley & Co blog today! Valley & Co is Aleah & Nick, a west-coast husband and wife team who plan and design events together. I love their uncluttered, bright blog and was excited to have this submission accepted by them. Click here to check out the whole article on the Valley & Co blog. Thanks Aleah & Nick!

Baby Tripp Dennis :: Atlanta Newborn Photography

2010-09-07T01:10:00.002-04:00

Congrats to Nicole & Rob on the birth of their son Robert Dennis III. He is such a cute little fella!

Featured :: Bethany & Scott's Magnolia Hall Wedding :: Altanta Occasions

2010-09-06T12:40:00.004-04:00

As any of my brides and grooms know, I strive to understand and be aware of the wedding details that are closest to the couple's heart. And I know that as many questions as I may ask, I still don't know everything about everything. I know the names of the wedding party and closest family, maybe a little or lot about how the bride and groom met, and I may hear about an heirloom or a tradition incorporated into the day. But I rarely know what's on the mind and heart of the bride and groom as they plan the whole day. For that reason, I loved reading the whole story Bethany provided in her interview today on the Atlanta Occasions blog. It's always a pleasure to have a wedding selected by publisher Heather Vreeland, and I know she appreciated the many colorful elements Bethany selected. Which brings me to a wedding planning tip: if you're interested in having your wedding published or featured on a wedding planning blog, consider the details very carefully. If they are thoughtful and reflect what is unique about you and your fiancé, the details will inspire other engaged couples and editors will be eager to share. Head over to the Atlanta Occasions blog to read Bethany's interview and see more photos.

Old Courthouse on the Square :: Decatur Wedding

2010-09-01T19:04:00.002-04:00

Quite a few years ago, I had the opportunity to work with Cathy Brim of Bloom Floral Design and I recall being impressed with her creative, fresh designs as well as the simple fact that she was early to the wedding. She recently asked me to stop by the Old Courthouse on the Square to document this Decatur-themed wedding decor. Each table contained a varied design of bright pink gerber daisies and white mums in a different clear glass vessel. The tables were named after streets in Decatur, and the dessert table featured mini-cupcakes with tiny green mums placed as accents. I was very taken by the carved figurine, in my active imagination it seems like a token from a fairy tale story of two lovers together forever. Which I'm sure is exactly what the bride and groom hope for!

Atlanta :: Urban Garden

2010-09-01T11:13:00.007-04:00

These are images of my community urban garden on a quiet morning recently when I was not working. That is pretty rare. :) Something I love about the process of photography is the discovery that comes with examining and clicking. As I walked by the garden many times I thought about a picture or two I might take, but it was not until I actually had camera in hand that I could begin to see the other images that were possible. Of course, I was joined by Doc Holiday (who was a very good boy, sitting patiently and watching passers by) and his friend next door, Sammy. I hope you enjoy these images, which are, as a matter of fact, unimportant. I just stopped to notice.

Nothing edible was harmed in the making of this photograph...

Katie & Billy :: St. Brigid Wedding

2010-08-23T21:15:00.007-04:00

Katie and Billy invited their friends and family to join them for a wedding mass at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Alpharetta. If you've followed our work for any length of time, you may have noticed we visit St. Brigid often. It has become a trail of one happy couple then another telling their friends about us and sharing photos. Thanks everyone! Enjoy these selected moments from Katie & Billy's wedding day, they were wonderful to work with and so relaxed together. I love Katie's visible emotion throughout the day...

Mandy's photos of Billy:

By Mandy-

Mandy's image-

Great unexpected image by Mandy-

By Mandy on the left and me on the right-

By Mandy-

My favorite two images by Mandy, such a sweet moment captured-

By Mandy-

This image is a shutter speed of 1/10 of a second- believe it or not, that fraction of a second is very slow by photography standards! I balanced my arms on the railing to ensure the stationery portions of the image would be in focus. The full exposure value is ISO 800, 1/10 second, f2.0, no flash.

Next three images by Mandy-

So happy Mandy go this great parting shot- and I think it's one of Katie's favorites, too!

Thanks Katie & Billy for letting us spend a wonderful romantic day with you!

Allison & Ryan :: Roswell Mill Engagement Photos

2010-08-20T19:28:00.005-04:00

Allison and Ryan invited their dogs Reagan and Cappie to their engagement session! Even though it's tougher to be photographed with jumping, excited dogs, I think it's great to include them- as any dog parent knows, they are a part of the family after all. I don't think it's possible to take a bad photo of Allison, she has a smile that lights up her face and I love how Ryan looks so loving towards her in these images. Check out the results of our afternoon at the Mill below!

Like I said, no bad pictures of Allison...

I love Ryan's scrunched up getting-kissed face in this image on the right-

As anyone who knows me is aware, I am not an advocate of tilting the camera, but as I was shooting while lying on my side the ground, this is what I got. And I like it, just this once.

One of the advantages of having a strong fiancé!

Nickole & Mark :: Auburn University Engagement Photos

2010-08-14T16:40:00.008-04:00

I wanted to title this post "Hey Good Lookin'" but that is not so Google-friendly! Nickole and Mark have such a classic flirty cuteness it seems appropriate. These two meet when they were neighbors and attending school at Auburn. They have the sweetest engagement story, which you can read about on their wedding web site here. It made me laugh and cry a little. Nickole was a design student and Mark studied finance, and I was happy that Nickole loved my idea to incorporate these elements into their shoot. The vintage Eames chair is from my personal collection, and it traveled in the passenger seat of my convertible for the trip to AU campus. Quite a funny sight I'm sure, but I've carried Christmas trees, rugs, and a beach cruiser bicycle inside that convertible. Have fun getting to know Nickole & Mark through these images!

I love this simple image in front of the ticket window because I have a feeling that as the years pass, Nickole and Mark will be visiting this spot many times, and one day perhaps with little Auburn fans in tow!

"Hi, my name is Mark and I'm a very sweet and lucky guy!"

Interesting technical detail about these three photos: I was unhappy with my flash even bounced off my white reflector and pointed at N&M, so I swiveled the flash toward the light colored wall to the right and loved the soft, directional result. It illuminates Nickole and creates a shadow on Mark's face.

An old pink Ford I noticed as I rolled into town!

I actually shot these images before the pink Ford photos, but because my exposure settings were for silhouette these look later int he evening so I placed them at the end of the slideshow. Watch it if you want by clicking here!

Primrose Cottage :: Summer Design Showcase

2010-08-12T15:26:00.002-04:00

Twice yearly the team at Primrose Cottage creates a design showcase, putting their boldest and most imaginative ideas on display. I greatly enjoyed participating this summer and in between meeting a lot of excited couples and laughing with my clients who were in attendance, I had the chance to photograph just a little of what made the showcase special. Congrats Teri, Patti, and supporting staff on a great event!

Carla & Mike :: Georgian Terrace Engagement Photos

2010-08-01T11:28:00.005-04:00

Occasionally there are photo shoots that are rescheduled due to rain... Carla & Mike waited patiently through two sessions planned for outdoors around midtown, and finally we decided the gorgeous Georgian Terrace Hotel would make for the ideal location for shooting whatever the weather might be. Of course, it rained that day too! But the sun shone as well in that way it only can after a storm. Meanwhile, Carla and Mike looked oh-so-good together. Enjoy the photos and their slideshow!

Laura & Jim :: Primrose Cottage Roswell Wedding

2010-07-28T15:02:00.005-04:00

Laura & Jim are recent graduates of the fine art school at FSU. When I met with them this summer just before the wedding, they waltzed in looking fabulous together and extra hip in retro Ray-Bans. Following their wedding at Primrose Cottage in Historic Roswell, they moved to Illinois to begin their graduate studies together at UI. I have a feeling they are going to shake things up!

Mandy spent some time with Jim and his father as they were getting ready together:

Timeless bridal portrait by Mandy:

Mandy's Image:

More gorgeous ceremony images by Mandy:

A couple of mischievous groomsmen teasing Jim:

Mandy's Image:

I love these last images of Laura & Jim and their parents spendign a few intimate moments together...

Congrats Laura & Jim! To view their complete slideshow, click here.

Christine & Mark :: Atlanta Engagement Photos

2010-07-26T11:41:00.006-04:00

Christine and Mark flew in from Boston to have their engagement photos done here in Atlanta where their wedding will be this fall. We had a great time wandering around this industrial complex that happens to have sunflowers nearby!

Bethany & Scott :: Magnolia Hall Wedding

2010-07-26T11:05:00.009-04:00

Bethany and Scott's wedding was held at the always classic Atlanta location Magnolia Hall at Piedmont Park. Mandy and I met up with them at the W Hotel Midtown for their getting-ready photos.

Bethany told me she picked out her gold Coach flats three years before the wedding- I can completely relate.

Bethany's father's antique watch was incorporated into her bouquet stem. Of all the thoughtful design elements she selected, this was the most meaningful.

Bethany and Scott planned for time to take their wedding portraits around Piedmont Park, which as always I greatly appreciated.

My two favorite images from the day:

My two favorite images from the day:

At the suggestion of their wedding coordinator Britanny Van Rensburg from For the Love of Brides, Bethany and Scott stepped into the beer cooler before their first dance for a blast of potent AC.

This was one of the last photos I took. To me it represented the fleeting nature of the wedding day celebration, but also a sense of moving on- Bethany and Scott aren't here drinking champagne, they must be out in the world living their lives together.

Meredith & John :: Nashville Engagement Photos

2010-07-09T15:33:00.006-04:00

Um, yeah. It was just as much fun as it looks to shoot these photos with Meredith + John in Nashville. Meredith has had her precious cat Louise for many years, so it was important to her to incorporate some time with him into the photo session. At the kitchen table, because as any cat owner knows, there is no space off limits to kitties! Then we were off and running to all of M+J's favorite spots around town and among the trees... the aged and beautiful trees. Mandy and I left town with an abiding appreciation of this couple and how their values shine through in the way treat each other and other people. Congrats Meredith + John, you are simply awesome!

Mandy's Photo:

Mandy's Photo:

Mandy's Photo:

Mandy's Photo:

Mandy's Photo:

Flowers John planted for Meredith:

Click here to watch the slideshow.

Lindsey & Omar :: Barnsley Gardens Engagement Photos

2010-07-05T19:56:00.005-04:00

Lindsey & Omar carefully considered locations for their engagement photos and decided on the historic ruins at Barnsley Gardens. They brought a lot of energy to the session and I'm excited for their wedding at Montaluce later this year!

Ashley & Z :: Primrose Cottage Wedding

2010-07-04T14:59:00.005-04:00

Ashley & Z's (short for Alexander) wedding was held at Primrose Cottage in Historic Roswell, GA. I've heard several clients comment that they chose Primrose for their wedding because it wasn't an option to get married at their home, and Primrose was the closest alternative- a home away from home. I've been shooting there for years and it definitely feels like my working home! I love looking for new details at a place I have visited often. Ashley and Z did something I thought was remarkable- they opted not to drink more than for the champagne toast so they would remember their wedding day as clearly as possible. A wise choice I think because it was a beautiful occasion!

Emerge Photo Contest :: First Place Winner

2010-06-22T15:57:00.008-04:00

We are honored to announce a first place win in the Emerge photo contest in the category of best wedding story that prominently features the wedding venue.

Emerge offered photographers a unique opportunity to showcase story-telling skills by requiring that a series of images be entered. Building our own liveBooks website was also part of the competition; you can visit our site to view the ten winning from Becca & Brent's at Montaluce as well as our selections for the other categories.

Other sponsors of Emerge include ShootQ, Think Tank, Sony DSLR Cameras, and Asuka Books.

One of the most meaningful aspects to me personally of placing in the contest was that it was judged by Rebecca Curmley, much-loved photo editor of The Knot magazine, and one of my favorite photographers, Joe Buissink. I heard Joe speak last year and gained so much inspiration from his presentation. His words were sincere and full of emotion, many people present were moved to tears and I was no exception. Joe has worked with celebrities from Steven Speilberg to Christina Aguliera, but in the few moments I spoke with him he was completely humble and gave me his full attention, making me feel important. In short, Joe is the kind or person I hope I can be more like in the way that he treats others, and the bold risks he takes in his own work. I'll share the two things I remember best that Joe said:

"You are the pictures you take," in other words who I am shapes my photos. For me this also means the more comfortable and confident I am, the more of my heart I can put into my images, the more authentic and memorable the images become.

"Look for the moment between moments," or anticipate what might happen before or after the thing I think I am photographing, such as a father giving away his daughter at the altar. The expected moment is the giving away, but the real story might be that Dad wipes away a tear as he retreats.

Congrats also to my friend Georgi Anastasov in Philadelphia, who placed first in The Kiss category! I was lucky enough to have Georgi shoot with me for Shannon and Steve's wedding in NJ last fall.

Thanks as always to everyone who believes in us- your support does not go unnoticed!

Features :: Atlanta Occasions Blog

2010-06-22T14:00:00.004-04:00

I was excited to hear from Occasions magazine editor Heather Vreeland recently that she planned to use two sets of images from us on the Atlanta Occasions blog. You may remember it wasn't so long ago I mentioned here how much I admire Heather's ambition and drive- since then she has completed a new issue of Occasions, this one promises to be even more amazing than the last, and launched a new blog. I'm sure she's done A LOT of other things I haven't even heard about yet!

Click the images below to view these articles on the Occasions blog. This first set of images features party decor by Event Design Group at the Piedmont Driving Club. Definitely an example of me doing something I love, getting lost in the details...

If you happen to be a fan of vampires and/or werewolves and want to see Eclipse before anyone else, read closely for details on the pre-screening of the third Twilight installment on July 29 at Atlantic Station.

Here Comes Trouble :: Dog Portraits

2010-06-21T22:42:00.010-04:00

This is our little family of dogs. They are great to practice new photography techniques on- I will let the pictures speak for themselves!

Bambi, aka Bambi da Boo:

Doc "Rivers" Holiday, aka Moo:

Bayou, aka Boo Boo Head because she is just that goofy and clueless. As you can see she is a little worried in this first image!

This is the image I am proudest of...

Thanks for checking out my first post here on the Artstar blog- after five years I finally got all the blogging notes from Laura!

-Mandy

Tayiba & Javier :: The Solarium, Decatur Wedding

2010-06-17T21:31:00.007-04:00

Tayiba & Javier's wedding at the Solarium in Decatur was pure fun while also showing off lots of thoughtful, elegant touches. Every direction I turned I felt like Tayiba had carefully considered each detail.

Here she is looking thoughtful and elegant herself...

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed the bright urban colors along the street and set my sights on groups portraits there. Part of my process is to question why I do what I do, and I've recognized lately that I tailor my style just a bit according to my clients. The weddings Mandy and I shoot range from classic to trendy, and while I believe it's important (crucial) to produce consistent results, the images shouldn't be shot the same way every time.

Stellar shot by Mandy below. I'm a little jealous of it. During these portraits Tayiba's bridesmaids were telling her how she looked like a princess. Agreed!

The floral design by Cathy Brim at Bloom was simple, vibrant, and most importantly, unique.

Then this happened (not really, but that is groomsman Ben's sense of humor).

Two ceremony images by Mandy-

By Mandy-

One of my favorite images- it wouldn't be the same without the open truck door and boots for authenticity.

Succulents were incorporated into the centerpieces at Tayiba's request.

Harvard groom's cake. Enough Said.

Delicious, fresh food by Baddabing Catering.

Javier has a very quirky sense of humor, and he seems to divide people into two categories- those who think he is funny and those whom he will eventually convince that he is funny. I happily fall into the former category.

By Mandy- she loves this image!

Congrats Tayiba & Javier!

Feautred :: Event Design Group

2010-06-16T18:55:00.004-04:00

The bloggers at Event Design Group recently asked me for a few words on what I appreciate about their work. Click the image to read the brief article on their blog. To Lois, Deb, Kate, Chris, and Myrna- thanks for the opportunity to photograph your designs!

Brittany & Andrew :: Carlyle House Reception

2010-06-16T17:27:00.008-04:00

Brittany and Andrew's wedding took place at John's Creek Baptist Church with reception following at the Carlyle House in Norcross. As you can see, Brittany made my job easier!

Cameos are very dear to me and I love to see brides incorporate their family heirlooms. One of the first pieces of jewelry I owned (at the age of 8? 10?) was from my great-grandmother.

I love the downtown area for portraits- it offers photo ops with everything from train tracks to rows of storefronts and my personal favorite, patches of wild grass and honeysuckle.

Anyone whose photo I have ever taken may remember a moment when I said, "Ok, that's a wrap," only to change my mind mere seconds later when something wonderful catches my eye. That is exactly what happened after Brittany and Andrew walked out of the tall grass and passed by this honeysuckle- how could I resist the image? At the risk of looking a little indecisive slash crazy in front of my clients, I'll hold onto my enthusiasm for the unexpected, and that one... extra... picture... !

Floral designs by Abby Saccamanno...

Brittany and her family at the end of the night. I loved the opportunity to show how close they are. Even though they are posing for a snapshot, I thought the warm light suggested the warmth of their family. : ) Congrats Brittany and Andrew on a wonderful day.

Thanks Debbie and Mandy for shooting with me!

Lauren & Mark :: Barnsley Gardens Engagement Photos

2010-06-07T00:48:00.008-04:00

It's always interesting to me when I meet clients for the first time at their engagement session. I love to be greeted by smiling, excited faces, and Lauren and Mark were no exception. We laughed a lot during our tour of Barnsley Gardens, where their wedding will take place this October. Here are some of my favorites from their engagement session.

Angela & Jason :: Ivy Hall Reception

2010-05-25T01:57:00.004-04:00

Angela & Jason's wedding was at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Roswell. I had never been there before but both Mandy and I were impressed with the quality of ambient light inside. Angela was so excited to see Jason, but when one of her bridesmaid's suggested she could actually see him before the ceremony, Angela immediately exclaimed, "No!" Instead she spent her time getting beautiful, as you can see below.

Mandy's photos of Jason getting ready

Mandy's photo

More of Mandy's photos of the ceremony

Mandy's photo

Following the ceremony, Angela and Jason joined their friends and family at Ivy Hall for a rockin' party.

Ashley & Michael :: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

2010-05-25T01:55:00.008-04:00

Ashley and Michael's wedding was held at at one of Atlanta's oldest churches, Central Presbyterian. The church was spared from Sherman's fire and is a gem of Atlanta history, among only a few buildings 200 years or older in the city. For Ashley, it is also her home church. From there, they celebrated into the night at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center with friends and family.

There is so much to say about this wonderful couple- Ashley demeanor is both extremely sweet and purely fun, while Michael is a true gentleman and an incredibly intelligent and hard working neurologist.

Photographing their wedding I cherished all the impeccable details that Ashley and her mother planned, from Ashley's Lazaro gown that fit perfectly to Stuart Weitzman shoes (much oohing and aahing from the ladies over these!) and florals by Foxgloves and Ivy.

I hope you enjoy the images of Ashley & Michael's fairy-tale-esque day; to view their complete slideshow click here.

Charles & Sophia :: Newborn Twins

2010-05-25T01:49:00.002-04:00

Photographing a couple's wedding is an amazing window into who they are as individuals, their values, and how they plan to support one another throughout life. When babies arrive, everything takes on new meaning! The bond seems palpably stronger and deeper, and no wonder.

Suzanne and Chuck were surprised to find out they were having twins, the handsome Charles Jr. and beautiful Sophia. I'm so happy to have stayed in touch with Suzanne & Chuck over the years and to have the opportunity to photograph this new chapter in their family history... Click here for the slideshow of this portrait session.

Claudia and the Professor :: Married

2010-05-12T23:25:00.004-04:00

Wedding eye candy for you to enjoy from Claudia and Tom's ceremony at Flint Hill in Norcross. It never occurred to me before I saw her on the wedding day, but Claudia is my blonde Audrey Hepburn (yes, I consider my clients officially "mine"!). Theirs was a classic wedding featuring first and foremost a wonderful couple, visibly in love with one another.

So much light at Flint Hill...

Gratuitous beauty-

Thanks to one of my talented friend Renee for shooting with me and capturing this image:

One of my faves-

Image by Renee- Tom appears to be trying so hard to stay in control of his emotions!

By Renee:

By Renee:

Tom drinks martinis because he is cool like that.

By Renee:

Believe this image because she loves him, and he loves her...

Save the Dates :: Kathryn & James

2010-05-04T10:07:00.005-04:00

Kathryn and James' wedding is going to be featured in the PA lifestyle magazine Susquehanna Style, and I snapped a few images of her creative Save the Date announcements for the article. Kathryn's location choice for engagement photos in Inman Park among the old brick buildings and concrete sculpture installation complimented her reception location at the Carlisle Ribbon Mill. Kathryn selected three images to print on miniature cards, with practical info for guests or a fun announcement on the back. The trio of mini photo cards were thoughtfully tied with a ribbon and mailed in a clear envelope with the larger champagne, not-to-be-missed Save the Date request.

Tayiba & Javier :: Serenbe Engagement Portraits

2010-04-30T13:05:00.001-04:00

What can I even say? Everyone I know who has been to Serenbe Farms or the Inn at Serenbe loves the place. I was thrilled when Tayiba suggested the Inn and outlying areas for her engagement photos with Javier. Their wedding is just a few weeks away at the Solarium in Decatur, I have a feeling it's going to be very fun!

Life at Serenbe Farms

2010-04-29T21:35:00.003-04:00

I've noticed there is a saying, "The best thing about Serenbe is life at Serenbe," and I imagine these happy goats agree. The images here are from Tayiba & Javier's engagement session at the Serenbe Inn.

Amy & Rob :: Savannah Wedding

2010-04-25T15:09:00.007-04:00

Amy and Rob were lucky enough to have not one but two weddings, the second being in Savannah. It was my first opportunity to photograph a wedding in this well-loved GA city, and I am already looking forward to going back- the architecture and weathered old-world ambiance have me permanently charmed.

Mandy's images of Rob getting ready:

Also by Mandy:

What a tender hug from Amy's dad...

Amy looks effortlessly amazing in a parking deck-

It was quite chilly but how fabulous does Amy's long dark hair look blowing wildly in the breeze?

Totally love this moment- I imagine Amy's dad may have wanted to stop time for just a second, but it marches on.

Mandy's image:

Mandy's image:

Ceremony images by Mandy:

All I can say about this photo op is, how lucky am I? The delapidated building looks like something designed for a movie set.

All images by Mandy in Forsyth Park:

Amy and Rob left in his father's vintage Mercedes, purchased off the showroom floor in 1965 for $4500. Sweet.

Mandy's image of the fiery cigar:

You know there's a slideshow! Click here to see.

Featured :: Atlanta Occasions Blog

2010-04-22T08:22:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite Atlanta magazine editors is Heather Vreeland, publisher of Atlanta Occasions. Her ambition and work ethic are nothing short of inspiring. AO as it's known, is just what the title says- local occasions ranging from weddings to grand fêtes, swanky birthday parties, and back. I'm excited to see our images from NACE Event Design Trends winning low country tablescape- truly an environment brought to life by the talented creatives at Event Design Group- featured on the AO blog.

Wedding Inspiration

2010-04-20T22:07:00.006-04:00

Who doesn't love a good blog these days? One of my faves is Snippet and Ink, a wedding inspiration source written by the creative Kathryn Storke out of Austin, TX. Her color palettes take thoughtful to a new level. This one surprised me with it's monochrome, and the telegram especially caught my eye. My maternal grandmother met my grandfather Jack while she worked at Western Union in the 1940's, and when he went off to war he sent her messages of love and even poetry via the telegram. My mother has a few of these framed; it feels like such an important part of my family history. To my extra surprise this telegram is for a wedding at Serenbe, a place that quickly grown close to my heart. You'll see why soon. ; )

My other favorite element of this collage is the how'd-they-do-that bride and groom kissing through the photo frames. That image is by Elizabeth Messina (whose web site opens to a pair of shoes, God bless her). Check out Kathryn's original post for credits on all the images here.

The Red Photo

2010-04-18T10:44:00.007-04:00

This image is from Angela & Jason's wedding yesterday at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Roswell. I regularly ask myself which type of images are most important to me; this helps me know my identity as a photographer and be consistent in the way I create images. Emotion and drama are the elements that ring truest for me- emotion because I believe the images that portray it, and drama for the opposite of realism, for its fantasy and amazement.

A Girl and Her Dog

2010-04-16T14:50:00.007-04:00

My friend Renee recently asked me to photograph her with her beloved teddy bear of a dog, Scout. She picked the location and one of her favorite outfits from one of her favorite boutiques, Anthropologie. We shot these images in just a few minutes while the light was perfect.

Amy & Rob :: Virginia Highlands Wedding

2010-04-12T22:35:00.005-04:00

Amy and Rob celebrated at their home in the Virginia Highlands surrounded by their closest friends and family. It was a sweet, intimate wedding that felt very true to who they are. I appreciated the many thoughtful details Amy planned, with a little inspiration from Snippet & Ink.

Watch their complete slideshow by clicking here.

Jezebel Scene: Weddings

2010-04-07T00:42:00.003-04:00

As usual, I plucked Jezebel off the newsstand shelf...

And to my surprise, the entire Scene: Weddings page is graced by my clients!

I love seeing these snippets of their wedding day stories altogether in print. From top left Jacquelynne & Donnie, Sari & Erik, Kathryn & James, Lauren & Ben, Shannon & Steve.

Courtney & Brian :: UGA, Athens Engagement Photos

2010-03-30T12:59:00.003-04:00

This was a fun shoot, to say the least! It was also a weird trip down memory lane for me, since a span of my formative years were spent at UGA. My friend Chon, who is studying photography with me, came along and was forced to hear me say things like: "I photographed that liquor store covered in raindrops," and, "I took an eight second exposure of a lady waiting at that mechanic's shop." Just like revisiting my childhood stomping grounds, everything seemed oddly smaller... Going back seemed to serve as a reminder of just how much my perspective has changed.

Courtney and Brian were so easy to work with and comfortable together, and they even did some homework to find the best places to shoot on campus. I'm definitely looking forward to their wedding in St. Augustine later this year!

The College Ave parking deck. Courtney and Brian love their new Porsche Boxster, perfect for summer and being stylish, of course!

The light through these branches is... ultimately undefinable. The kind of thing photographers wish for and dream about and want to pull out of dreams into real life.

Some of the best light to shoot in, the ten minutes before night falls.

Postcards from the Sunshine State

2010-03-25T17:58:00.006-04:00

Interesting thing about Florida- it is vibrant, loud, and as tacky as you'd ever want in places, but ashen gray in others. Mandy and I spent spring break learning to scuba and in between trying to control my body underwater while wearing heavy flippers, I took these photos of the most notably lovely things. Except Mandy took the photos of me, of course. Incidentally, the air there this time of year feels like a fresh cupcake tastes. I was happy just to sit and feel it in the mornings. It was the week I did almost nothing.

Bambi's electric hair-

One of two Bingo parlors in town.

Little does the runaway know he is heading right for the gator swamp...

My favorite photo- I love the muted gold and blue.

I shot this one on Program mode, which is a step above the green box on your camera dial. I didn't have time to set a Manual exposure. Don't tell anyone.

Here the wind was fiercely blowing the orange branches into a circular dance, and ants were not so gently telling me to be on my way back home.

Rachel & Scott :: The Favorites

2010-03-18T18:07:00.007-04:00

A wedding photography collection is only as strong as its weakest image. That's why we build slideshows, to present the entire spectrum of the wedding day experience. While Mandy and I are shooting, we know that every moment is as important as the last and we can't miss a thing. I think these photos, and the full slideshow I posted before, make a great example of how the pieces should come together. I hope the images are memorable to you; as my painting instructor admonished me during my teenage years- "The best art is memorable."

Mandy's photos of Scott and the guys:

Impromptu pyramid building...

Reasons to love a Georgia winter: bare shoulders and stark branches.

Mandy's photo:

Mandy's photo:

If you've followed my blog for very long, you know I love an occasional blurry picture. I love the way the soft shape of something suggests its essence. I'm also a bit abstract in my thinking, and intrigued by symbols. I've found a tool to make this interest to the next level, using a tilt-shift lens to create images that have localized focus. It is a punctuation mark, to be used sparingly, but striking nonetheless.

Mandy's photos through the kiss:

This one makes my heart melt a little.

Rachel and Scott held their reception at the Payne-Corley House, famous for its cottage with double red doors.

Another tilt-shift image. That I love.

Rachel and Scott placed cards with famous movie quotes at the bar so guests could guess the film while waiting for a drink. This is from the classic Good Will Hunting.

The Payne-Corley House at dusk.

The YMCA is serious business.

Exiting in comfortable clothes!

Rachel & Scott :: Slideshow

2010-03-17T03:56:00.004-04:00

Whew! It's been a long night ladies and gentleman! I've just finished this slideshow, and as usual when a presentation is complete I am feeling puffed up with pride over all the beauty we were privy to. Rachel and Scott planned a vibrant winter ceremony full of color and thoughtful details. Not to mention I felt a genuine, secret twinge of excitement over the light that day; it seemed to have a teasing personality all its own, like winter knows it is saying goodbye for a while.

Click to play.

Hello from the Sunshine State

2010-03-09T00:23:00.004-05:00

I think this may be my first blog post via iPhone- I am deep enough into the orange groves, Spanish moss, and lurking aligators that there is no wifi to be had. What the countryside lacks in connectivity it more than makes up for in climate. My agenda for the rest of the week includes taking photos, scuba practice, being a little lazy, throwing sticks for my dogs to chase, and I'm really not sure what else, which is just how I want it! I promise I will stop on the side of the road to document every interesting scene.

Fresh Roots Farm

2010-03-04T11:28:00.007-05:00

My friend Renee and I were out scouting photo locations one day and wandered upon the Fresh Roots Farm, where we met Mark DiNatale, expert in all things agricultural and urban. The farm is in West Midtown, after all. I was thrilled to see so many happy chickens with plenty of room to posture and preen. Mark was incredibly gracious in letting us take photos to our hearts content and answering the questions we peppered him with about everything daily operations to names of each of the chickens. Since our visit, Fresh Roots is now home to a lovely pig named Olivia. You can check her out on their blog here.

My favorite chicken was the Chinese Silkie:

Love this photo Renee took of Mark:

I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.... People think pleasing God is all God care about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to please us back. ~Alice Walker, The Color Purple

Renee's clever photo:

A very happy visiting dog, as photographed by Renee:

And her shot of the festive lights hanging over the garden and chicken coop:

Renee and I were, of course, not in appropriate farm footwear. Her feet against the gravel:

Renee's parting shot of Mark:

Thanks for showing us the farm, Mark! We love it and hope to see you again soon.

Thank You...

2010-03-02T14:24:00.013-05:00

I am an advocate of these two things: give yourself credit for what you have done exceedingly well, and never, never cease the chase for better. Sometimes, people are kind enough to send a little credit your way...

I was taken aback that in the whirlwind of life and their first year of marriage, my client John Dean and his wife Kelly would stop to say thanks, again, more than a year later. Here is an excerpt of their message:

Laura,

Kelly and I have done a lot of entertaining with family and friends this year and have had a great time sharing our wedding album with people and re-living our wedding day. It made us think of you and how happy we are with how you captured the spirit and emotion of our wedding...you have a true gift and we're extremely happy that we'll always have the album and slideshow to look back on..looking at them makes us feel like our wedding was yesterday. Just thought we'd share that with you.

John & Kelly

John & Kelly, thank you! I am so fortunate, and you have reminded me how much.

Event Design Group :: St. Regis Decor

2010-03-01T14:47:00.002-05:00

Lovely lavender adorns the St. Regis Astor Ballroom. Concept and execution by the team at Event Design Group.

Pretty Little Secrets...

2010-02-28T11:37:00.005-05:00

The cat's out of the proverbial bag- it's true I fall prey to random inspiration. These images are from a day when I needed to stop, sit, reflect and be recharged. As I approached my nook in the sunshine prepared to relax, I saw it- the curling steam rising out of my favorite china cup. Camera! Pictures taken, I sat with my blackberries (sprinkled with raw sugar that bore the remains of someone thinking the sugar dish was the salt dish) and practiced keeping my dogs at bay with commands that are only partially enforced. Doc wasn't sure he wanted the blackberry, but neither did he want Bayou to have it!

Happy Sunday. Thanks for humoring me. Love...