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Weddings

stephanie & patrick are married!

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before matt & i started this biz, i was in school and matt was working at a small ad agency in atlanta. we were engaged and excited and we knew nothing about weddings. we decided to get married in athens, where we met, and we chose our date: august 18th. with a good bit of help we pulled off the wedding and, as much as we know about weddings now, we still say that it was an awesome day of celebration and fun! BUT, it was over 100 degrees. you guys, i kid you not, the weather channel suggested everyone in athens stay inside that day! thankfully, all activities were indoors but looking back, i really wish we’d been able to sneak away with our photographer and explore our favorite little city on a beautifully sunny, 60 degree day like stephanie & patrick!

when we arrived in athens, we could not even believe that their december wedding was so balmy! the same time last year we were all preparing for a white christmas! needless to say, we took full advantage of some of our favorite nooks and crannies in athens and spent a relaxed half hour with stephanie & patrick, soaking up the most beautiful day in a city we all love. i was reminded of so many afternoons matt & i spent getting to know one another, walking the very same streets, lingering at some of the very same spots where we stopped to capture stephanie & patrick. we felt so blessed to return and capture the love of two people we like so much. stephanie & patrick are warm- their love radiates from their expressions, their movements and their care for others. i’m pretty sure that had their wedding dawned icy and overcast i would still look back on their day and see warmth and light- they are just that full of life and love! and so was their whole bridal party! the makings of one awesome day, for sure!

after a sweet few moments of disbelief at seeing one another in their wedding clothes and re-absorbing what the day would bring, stephanie & patrick exchanged gifts. patrick surprised steph with a pair of stunning diamond earrings while she surprised him with a seriously awesome watch. stephanie didn’t miss a beat- as soon as she could she removed the earrings she had purchased to wear on her wedding day with patrick’s gift- so sweet:

pops of red are perfect for a winter wedding- the trees are bare and the grasses are golden- and the red stands out so boldly and cheerfully. i love it:

has there ever been a happier bride!?

i love this next series- especially the detail of the blue strip of sky- matt’s just the best. :) i also like how stephanie & patrick leaned in for a kiss and managed to not fall off the skinny little cement barrier that divided the parking lot and the ‘flower bed,’ they’ve got skills!

we couldn’t help but embrace the beautiful sunlight- everything around us was dramatically lit and we had to reign in our inclination to stop every three feet or so to capture it- so, we stopped every 6 feet or so instead. ;) stephanie & patrick were so trusting and excited and even encouraging of us as we tried a couple of spots that seemed a little crazy! this couple rocks.

and so does their bridal party! [many of whom you’ve probably seen dancing on this blog before- it was a fun reunion for us!!]

stephanie and her close friends and family shared some sweet moments of encouragement and prayer before the ceremony:

and then it was time! patrick’s expressions are the best:

stephanie & patrick hosted a receiving line on the way out of the church to thank all of their guests for sharing the day with them and then it was on to the reception!!

i love this next image of stephanie & patrick’s parents as they watched their first dance:

patrick and his dad- in case you were wondering where patrick gets his endless energy and dancing skills! :)


stephanie & patrick, we hope you guys had a very merry christmas as a new family! thank you so much for having us at your wedding to capture your love and celebration. we wish you the very best!

jaimie & jonathan are married!

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i am currently hugely distracted by christmas. we have strings and strings of interior and exterior lights. i’ve closed all the blinds in the house so i can enjoy the warm glow of the tree and mantle even during the day. i’ve had eggnog three times in the last two weeks [ugh!]. so it means a lot for me to say that i haven’t even taken the time to turn the tree on today because i’m happily sitting in the office working as quickly as i can because i just can’t wait to share these images with you! i talked about the amazingness of jaimie & jonathan in their photobooth post and i am really excited for you to scroll down and learn more about these two and their sweet families and friends. there is just nothing better than capturing the wedding day of two people that are so obviously meant to be together. there is such a peace that comes with a wedding like jaimie & jonathan’s, such a trust and understanding and comfort at the base of all of the excitement and celebration. spending the day with these two, matt & i really felt like we were witnessing something very special. there is no denying that these two are madly in love with their best friend and i feel such joy to have been a small part in their celebration.

ok ok, let’s get started with the images! the first time jaimie caught a glimpse of herself just before going to meet jonathan:

her sweet friends were quick with the tissues and comfort:

jonathan, just before seeing his bride for the first time on their wedding day. the excitement and love is so clear:

jonathan couldn’t take his eyes off his lady. it made for sweet pictures. :)

these two LOVE to laugh together, a trait that i really appreciate! we laughed a lot with them:

each of their parents gave a toast and charge to the couple and encouraged them in their new life together- it was such a sweet gesture- i love this image of jaimie’s dad’s toast as he took a moment to compose himself:

and jonathan kissing his mom after her toast:


jaimie & jonathan, thank you for including us in your wedding celebration! we felt blessed to capture it all- best wishes to you!

atoya & sam are married!

By | Weddings | 7 Comments

november 11, 2011 dawned crisp and gusty- a lovely fall day in atlanta! matt & i walked stella, trying to stay in the warmth of the sunlight, and then made a big breakfast to prepare for the day. it was a calming and comforting way to begin atoya & sam’s wedding day- and from what i hear, their mornings started off just as relaxed and laid back as ours! atoya & sam are such incredible people- their wedding day was wonderful and overflowing with love and thoughtfulness- and seeing them together just warms my heart. they just speak so sweetly and honestly to one another- words straight from the heart are so rare and beautiful and communicating thoughts and emotions as clearly as they do is so refreshing to witness- i think it means their future as husband and wife is full of promise! matt and i arrived and began shooting about an hour before their first look and we felt so privileged to see some of the behind-the-scenes before the big reveal. atoya and her best friends and sweet family were full of life and happiness- capturing the getting ready moments was effortless- everywhere i turned there were smiles and laughter and hugs and tender moments. everyone seemed like one big family! i love this first image because of the story behind it- atoya had a rush of emotion hit her and in just one moment the room was FILLED with her bridesmaids- dancing, singing and calling out jokes- while the makeup artist fanned her to dry her eyes. it all happened so fast and none of us could help but dissolve into laughter once the tears were under control. what an amazing group of ladies.

atoya is playful and sweet while at the same time completely fabulous and fierce, i’d say this dress was the perfect fit:

after a little dance party in the room, it was time for atoya & sam to meet up for a quiet moment and some portraits:

love how he is looking at her- i love this couple!

after bridal party images, we all headed back inside to atoya’s suite to warm up! the ladies touched up their makeup and the guys enjoyed the snacks. i love this quiet image of atoya just after putting on her veil:

the ceremony began filling up and before we all knew it, it was time. the service was sweet and personal and we were all already grinning from ear to ear when sam took the microphone from the minister and surprised atoya by singing to her! everyone in attendance was glassy-eyed and lots of their guests jumped up to record the moment on phones and cameras. atoya just melted as soon as he started, i love the emotion in all of the shots around that moment:

then it was time for the room-flip! the guests were whisked away to cocktail hour while eliana made sure matt and i had a few moments to photograph the space. danny made atoya’s dreams come true, what a stunning reception:

atoya & sam were ready for the party to start! as soon as they entered, the room seemed to light up with energy and excitement. there was lots of cheering and celebrating and dj sixfive kept everyone dancing until the very end! a great way for atoya & sam to begin their new life together:

instead of a mother/son dance, sam opted to call his mom to the dance floor and thank her for all that she’s done for him. it was a really powerful gesture and it was clear to everyone what a wonderful relationship they share:

i love this next image of atoya and her sweet mom, faye:


atoya & sam, congratulations! we loved capturing your wedding day- every moment was beautiful! we wish you the best!