As I was writing a blog post with tips for planning weddings a while back, one of my suggestions was to have a bridal emergency kit with you on the day of. As a photographer, this is something I always carry with me, and it has come in handy more than a few times! So I decided to expand upon that post and create this one outlining some important things to put in your bridal emergency kit. (This would also make a fantastic bridal shower or Christmas gift for a future bride!)
Read MoreIn today's digital age, it is easier than ever to snap a photo and share it instantly with the world. However, there is something special about holding a physical print of your cherished photographs, or better yet, framing and displaying your precious memories. While home printers and one-hour photo labs offer convenience, there are several compelling reasons why you should consider leaving photography printing to the professionals. Let’s explore the advantages of entrusting your printing needs to the experts!
Read MoreIt’s no secret that I love color. When my children or students ask me what my favorite color is, I have a hard time answering, because I love them all! Canaan & Kyle’s Dugaren Vineyard wedding was so full of color, I could not help but feature it. Just a little over an hour away from my home, Dugaren has a beautifully crafted building with both indoor and covered outdoor areas, a big open vineyard surrounded by beautiful trees, and the most amazing bridal AND groom suites! And on June 8, the weather was warm, but not too hot, and sunny…a perfect summer day.
Read MoreAt a recent family session, I started thinking about how educating families on what to expect at their family photo sessions would be helpful as well, so I decided to put together some tips for the whole family AND family photographers to help create as stress-free of a family portrait session as possible. And like any good teacher, I love an acronym to make things easier to remember! So, I am going to teach you how to PLAY at your family sessions.
Read MoreYou’re heading into your senior year, and it’s time for that rite of passage: senior photos! But where do you even begin? Read on for some ideas that will help you and your photographer plan the best senior portrait session to reflect your personality!
Read MoreBabies change so much in the first year, and those first several weeks are often a blur…so document those sweet newborn moments, from the scrunchy stretches, yawns, little fingers and toes, and even the little pouty faces! While some families prefer more posed portraits that can be captured in a studio, others prefer in-home newborn sessions, also called lifestyle newborn sessions. These are best for providing a more relaxed and intimate setting, allowing photographers to capture genuine moments that reflect the love and joy of your growing family in your own, comfortable space. To ensure that your session is a success, here are some tips to help you prepare…
Read MoreIf 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 MoreSo you’ve just gotten engaged and are in the beginning phases of planning your wedding…congratulations! What an exciting time! After that initial excitement, however, it can become overwhelming when you start thinking about all the vendors you will need and all the choices and decisions you will have to make. At the top of your list should be your photographer, because after all, your photographer will be tasked with capturing all the beauty and special moments of your big day. You want to make sure you pick one with the skills, vision, and style who will document your memories perfectly. So take a deep breath… and let me share some steps that might help you find the perfect wedding photographer!
Read MoreLoray Mills is an exquisite venue with multiple spaces, and their ceremony was held in a beautifully lit space just adjacent to their reception hall, which was decorated to the nines! As Amanda and David read their vows to each other, both laughter and happy tears ensued, and when they were pronounced husband and wife, they literally jumped into the air and didn’t come down from the clouds for the rest of the day! They leaped into their reception with such energy, danced and sang their way through the first dance, and then continued the celebration with their friends and family until their exit—during a summer thunderstorm! All their dancing and energy in the clouds had to be released in some way!
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 MorePhotography gear and equipment can YEARS to acquire—it can be incredibly expensive, and sometimes you might not know where to start. So, I decided to create a blog post with some of my favorite accessories that have made my life as a photographer so much easier! Some are fairly inexpensive, and some you may already have in your home! And if you think it’s completely random, read the little blurb about how I use it. You might learn something new!
Read MoreEstablishing a strong working relationship between a wedding photographer and a second shooter is one of the most important parts of capturing a seamless story of a wedding day. I consider my seconds as a part of my “team” on the wedding day, and keeping that “team” mindset is why I think I have established such good relationships with my seconds! Keep reading for some suggestions to help the lead and second create a successful working relationship.
Read MorePlanning a wedding can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to organizing the timeline of events leading up to your big day! A well-planned timeline is crucial to ensure that everything runs smoothly AND that all of the important moments are captured. I am not a wedding planner, but I have been a wedding photographer for 11+ years, and many of my clients have been DIY brides without a planner, so I end up being their go-to when planning their timelines! My first piece of advice is this: If you can, hire a planner. They are there to help make your day run as smoothly as possible! But if you can’t hire a planner, or even if you have one and you’re working out the details of your timeline, here are some tips to make sure you create the best opportunities for good photos… (continue reading)
Read MoreFocal length, aperture, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm...prime, fixed, zoom....what does it all mean?!? I recently started a YouTube Channel for photography education, and one of the first requests I had from 2 different viewers was to share about different lenses and what they are for. So I recorded a video and wrote this blog post about just that! If you are trying to understand lenses, what all the numbers mean, and what they are used for, keep reading!
Read More…One of the most exciting things I am embarking on this summer is a YouTube channel, blending my love of photography and teaching. I have thought about trying this for a couple of years, but honestly, the logistics behind it seemed so daunting. And then I thought—how many lessons did I record for my students during the pandemic? How many students did I teach online during the Spring of 2020 and in dual-modality during the 2020-2021 school year? It can’t be much harder than that! Plus, my almost 10-year-old son wants to start a YouTube channel for gaming, so I thought this might be a way to help him figure it out and give both of us a little experience. So, drumroll please….here it is! My first YouTube video, a 20-ish minute tutorial on the three things you really need to understand to master manual mode on your camera, also known as the exposure triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
Read MoreUnintentionally insulting people happens to the best of us. It’s not like we set out to hurt someone’s feelings or tick someone off…sometimes it’s because we genuinely don’t understand something. So, to help you avoid unintentionally insulting your photographer, I have compiled a list of ten things you should probably avoid saying to them!
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 MoreAs I teach my middle school students every year, mistakes are good…they help you learn! And like I tell my own children, LISTEN TO WISDOM—It’s easier to learn from other people’s mistakes than making them yourself. So here are a few words of wisdom about mistakes I have made as a photographer so that you can keep from repeating them!
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