If you’re a couple who has recently gotten engaged and begun planning your wedding, you know that one of the most important things is finding your venue, which will also dictate your date and other vendors! There are so many things to consider when choosing a venue: your vision, the size of your wedding and the number of guests, whether or not you’re set on getting married in a church, whether or not you want an all-inclusive venue, and of course, your budget. Luckily, if you are in the Charlotte, NC/York County, SC area, you have a plethora of wedding and event venues that suit every wedding vision imaginable to choose from!
Read MoreAnd then venue…oh, this venue! When I visited Castle Ladyhawke the first time for Olivia’s bridal portrait session, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are so many rooms and nooks and crannies for amazing photos, including a library, 3-room bridal suite, knights’ chambers for the groom, grand staircase, carriage house, garden shed, and a hidden room behind a bookcase just for vendors! We had so much fun creating Olivia’s portraits, and I could not wait to get back up there for the wedding!
Read MoreI grew up in Beaufort, SC, so anytime I have an opportunity to go back there, I do. There’s just something magical about the sea breeze, the ebb and flow of the tides, the scent of pluff mud, and the Spanish moss draping from the Live Oaks. Even though I moved away just before middle school, my ties to the area keep pulling me back: family, friends, the Chocolate Tree, the deer at Fripp. One of my friends who has become an integral part of my photography life is Blakely Fowler, who owns his own photography business, Blakely Clayton Photography. When Blakely and Jordan got engaged and asked me to be their wedding photographer, I was so honored and absolutely excited! Their wedding was planned for late October—and it was going to be a “Hallowedding.”
Read MoreAs a photographer, creating the perfect portrait for you is my priority, whether it be for a wedding portrait, family portrait, or senior portrait. One factor that plays a crucial role in the quality of your portrait is the time of day that you schedule your session. Different times of the day bring different lighting conditions that can affect the mood, color, and overall feel of your photos. Read for advice for helping you choose the best time of day for your portraits!
Read MoreWhen planning out your wedding photography, one of the sessions usually offered and included in wedding packages is a bridal portrait session. During this session, the bride gets to dress up in her wedding dress and have professional photos taken in a more relaxed setting. Read more for reasons why a bridal portrait session can make a huge difference in your photography experience and for your actual wedding day, as well as some tips to make it a fantastic experience!
Read MoreOne of the first questions I ask my clients while we are in the planning process for portrait sessions is if they have any ideas for locations. A few of my clients know exactly where they want their photos taken, but most do not have a clue where they would like to go! There are so many unique ideas for photo locations: open landscapes, greenhouses, botanical gardens, parks, parking garages, coffee shops, playgrounds, bookstores, beaches, lakes, bridges, downtown areas, campgrounds, riversides, hiking trails, alleyways, painted murals, abandoned buildings, sports fields, museums, restaurants, favorite stores, docks, your own neighborhood, yard, or home, etc. I definitely have my favorite spots, but I also love exploring new locations!
Read MoreSarah and Austin chose Winthrop University (Tuttle and McBryde Halls) as their venue, and it was absolutely gorgeous on the day of their wedding. The natural light and space in both locations is a photographer’s dream! The Fresh Blossom created exquisite floral arrangements and bouquets, and Sarah even arranged a special kids’ table at the reception, complete with custom coloring book, crayons, card games, and treats for the children in attendance. The weather was sunny yet not too miserably hot, especially during mid-summer in the Deep South!
Read MoreJasmine and Brandon chose the Rock Springs Center in Greenville, NC as their venue, a beautiful event center with multiple ballrooms in the middle of sprawling fields with a pond, gazebo, and the most beautiful Crepe Myrtle trees lining their drive, which were in full bloom in mid-July! I don’t usually travel so far to photograph a wedding, but Greenville, NC is actually where I was born, so I thought it might be neat to go back to my birthplace. And I am so glad I did! Jasmine and Brandon’s families and friends were a joy to be around. They laughed, cried happy tears, hugged, and DANCED!
Read MoreAfter 10+ years shooting weddings, I’ve learned a lot about the flow of the day and things that can make or break a wedding. It’s such an important day, and your photographs will be cherished memories, so you want to make sure you plan for them! Here is a list of many tips I have learned through the years for all my future brides as they prepare for their big days.
Read More“It truly was the best day ever!”
That’s how Savannah described her wedding day, and I would have to agree! From the subtle nods to Disney, the four ADORABLE flower girls, and the beautiful, historic White Home in Rock Hill, it truly was one for the books!
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