Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Wedding: Jessica & Michael


Jessica and Michael were married on Saturday, September 27th. It was a gorgeous day...perfect weather, beautiful service, wonderful people.







The ring. (and the fabulous shoes!)



I cry a little bit at all of my weddings. I do - I can't help it. I'm a romantic, and I'm super emotional. Plus, I still remember all the emotion of my own wedding day, and I kinda relive a little of that at every ceremony I attend, whether as a guest or a photographer. Now normally, it's just a tear or two a few different times during the ceremony...but this one...there was one point where I couldn't even see through my viewfinder because my eyes were so thick with tears. I'm not sure why this ceremony got me so much - perhaps it was because I've worked with Jessica so much over the past several months (she was a bridesmaid in another wedding I did, then we did several different sessions that were wedding-related...plus, she's the best bank teller a girl could ever have :wink:). Not to mention, she's been to my house, so now everytime I tell my son that mommy's going to take pictures at a wedding, he says, "Are you going to see your bribe Ms. Jessca???" Or perhaps it was that the ceremony itself was so touching - Father McKenna's message was not only to Jessica and Michael as they start their lives as one, but to all of us, and when he spoke on growing together as a couple, it really spoke to me about my own marriage. My guess is that it was a mixture of both.

*okay* Ramble over, back to the pictures. :)





This is Jessica's sister, Colleen, doing her duty as Maid of Honor.

An excerpt from her toast: I remember right after they met we went on a family outing to EastChase, and Michael had gone with us. On the way back, we stopped at a red light, and Jessica turned to me and said, "Colleen - I'm going to marry him some day." And I said, "Yeah, you are."


Now let me just tell you - there were some dancin' fools at this wedding! Never in my life have I seen such a wide variety of people storm the dance floor! It was wonderful - I loved it! And I was so wanting to go out there and join them...especially when Thriller came on, and some of the ladies started dancing a bit of the choreography from the video.








The traditional Luchner YMCA!


Jessica's Mom and Grandmom cuttin a rug!



Before the big get away, I snagged Jessica and Michael for a few newlywed pictures.






I hope you guys are having a blast at Disneyworld! Give Mickey a hug for me!

Friday, September 26, 2008



Looking for a quick and easy way to get wonderful family portraits, just in time for those Christmas Cards? Give me a call or send me an email, and let's set up a Picture Party!

Wedding: Leigh Ann & Chris

I pulled up to The Beach Club in Fort Morgan, and told the guard I was there to photograph a wedding. He waved me on through and I went off looking for the Doral building. I called Leigh Ann from the lobby and she told me to come on up to her sister's room, where she was getting ready. I got there, and couldn't have been more pleased with the scene I walked in on. Leigh Ann, her sister Erin and Erin's girls were all getting ready, while Erin's husband had some mood music groovin (Ants Marching, Dave Mathews Band...really, does it get any better?)

After hanging out for a while, we went on down to The Club House, where the ceremony was to be held, and where Leigh Ann was getting dressed. There was a debate about where to position the flower in Leigh Ann's hair, and "in the back" won. Here's Erin pinning in the flower:


Leigh Ann, showing off her sassy shoes:


Lipstick time!



The Ceremony was absolutely stunning...on the Terrace of The Beach Club, overlooking the Gulf.


After the ceremony, Leigh Ann, Chris and I went down on the beach for a few newlywed photos. I had a hard time choosing just one or two to share with y'all, so I decided to just share several.

Chris had a suprise for Leigh Ann, an addition to her bridal set. Gorgeous!






The reception was wonderful. The DJ was super, the music was awesome, the guests kept the dance floor busy...but some of my favorite moments came in the form of the younger guests...they really rocked the dance floor! (By the way, the beauty in the middle is Grayson, the groom's daughter.)


The Bride and Groom left to sparklers, and they were a big hit with the guests. Even after the departure, adults and children alike played with the sparklers.


I hope you two are having an amazing Honeymoon! I'm honored to have shared your day with you.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Work meets Play: Orange Beach

This past weekend, I had the privilege of shooting Chris & Leigh Ann Raper's wedding in Fort Morgan. Lee and I decided - why not make a mini family vacation out of it? :)



We went down Friday to Orange Beach, and came back on Sunday. We stayed at the best little condo - Emerald Skye. It was small, but suited our needs perfectly. Saturday we played on the beach most of the day, then Saturday afternoon and evening, I was with Mr. and Mrs. Raper as they exchanged vows and celebrated with friends and family (pictures coming soon!) Before heading home Sunday, we hit The Track in Gulf Shores.

The Woody: a 3-story wooden go cart track. This, my friends, is the entire reason we went to The Track. :) My husband just couldn't pass up the chance.

Cori and her friend Nicole:


Lee and Cole on the outside, with Cori next to them, and then Nicole:


Cori driving me on another track. I've chosen not to show you the picture where my mouth is wide open, screaming in horror. :0 You will however, notice the death grip I have on the side of the go cart.


Luke on his first ever all-by-himself ride. :sigh: They really do grow too fast.


Cole was too concerned with Luke to look at me for a picture. "Lukey! Don't fall out!"


Neither one of my boys knew what to think about the mini-ferris wheel. They just kinda sat there, stunned looking, for the whole ride.


After this, the girls and Cole rode The Woody one more time, and then it was due north for the The Drummonds. Mercifully, Cole and Luke slept the whole way home. :)

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Caleb & Coby

Meet Caleb & Coby, their mom Tonya, and their dad Reco.



I met Tonya 6 years ago when she was expecting Caleb. In fact, I stayed up until 2am the night before her baby shower cross-stitching a turtle and his name onto a onesie for him. :)



Then, about a year later, I took Caleb's name off the onesie, and stitched Coby's name onto it. ;)











My favorite thing to have kids do for pictures? RUN!







I'll see you guys soon!