It was a beautiful day to take bridal portraits! Sandra chose Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden for her bridal portraits, which just happens to be one of our favorite locations as wedding photographers.
We explored the entire garden, not missing out on any of the beautiful backgrounds: wooden bridges, graceful water elements, delicate flowers, and stately hedge pathways.
Sandra looked amazing in her whimsical wedding dress, light and airy. She paired her wedding dress with a charming flower crown that totally completed her look. It was as if she stepped out of an enchanted forest: gorgeous!
We love her bridal portraits and can’t want to share Sandra + Sam’s wedding photos from their Monroe, NC wedding day with you!
Hi AWESOME Brides & Grooms!
Thank you so much for checking out our blog!
We’re wedding photographers from small town Monroe, NC. As a team of husband-wife wedding photographers, we travel all over the Carolinas photographing lovely brides and grooms as they say their “I dos”.
If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Monroe, NC or anywhere in North Carolina or South Carolina, we’d love to hear from you!
Click the “check our availability today” button below now to see if we're available on your wedding day, find out more about our wedding photography packages, plus get your questions answered. We can’t wait to hear from you! Happy Wedding Planning!
We absolutely love Jessica and Michael’s wedding photos; their Monroe, NC wedding day was gorgeous!
As wedding photographers, we are always looking for beautiful, emotional candid moments. Jessica and Michael's wedding had so many treasured ones. From the prayer between Jessica and her bridesmaids right before walking down the aisle to the sweet kiss from the ring bearer to the bride. Some of our favorite candid moments came during the first dances. Those pictures still stir up so much joy and emotion as if it had just happened yesterday!
It was an absolute joy being Jessica & Michael's wedding photographers! Congrats Jessica and Michael on your marriage!!
Jessica's Love Note
You can check out Jessica's bridal portraits here and her review here.
Hi AWESOME Brides & Grooms!
Thank you so much for checking out our blog!
We’re wedding photographers from small town Monroe, NC. As a team of husband-wife wedding photographers, we travel all over the Carolinas photographing lovely brides and grooms as they say their “I dos”.
If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Monroe, Charlotte, Concord, Matthews, Fort Mill, or anywhere in NC or SC, we’d love to hear from you!
Email us directly at [email protected] or click below to start a conversation.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Abby & Ryan
Barbi and Travis, what an amazing couple! Barbi and Travis were friends for many, many years. Only years later did they actually start dating and the rest is history. And finally, the morning of their big day arrived! We meet up with the girls at the Blasted Blow Dry Bar in Greensboro, NC for their hair styling.
And then it was off to Christ United Methodist Church! Barbi put on her finishing touches including a very dear and sentimental diamond necklace; it was an emotional moment as Barbi's mom and Barbi's aunt put on the necklace right before she walked down the aisle.
Right before the ceremony, Barbi and her bridesmaids posed for a fun picture. Meanwhile, Travis and his groomsmen were putting on their final touches and taking photos in the church's courtyard.
Barbi and Travis met in the church's chapel right before their ceremony. No peeking! They held hands around the wall and shared a few blissfully quiet moments together before the ceremony.
We love this photo of Barbi and her dad walking down the aisle; it is both beautiful and epic.
Barbi and Travis arrive at the reception location and we LOVE those blue heels! Time for the reception and more outdoor bride and groom photos at the gorgeous Starmount Forest Country Club!
Starmount's reception hall looks amazing with the cool up-lighting. We adore how "Barbi & Travis" is lit up on the wall! We love their designer wedding cake with it's intricate designs and accent red roses making this cake sweet, classy, and just plain cool!
During the reception, Travis played the grand piano for his wife and their guests; truly, a beautiful candid moment that will be forever treasured!
Everyone had a blast dancing the night away. The very last photo is from the last dance and is one of our favorites! We absolutely loved Barbi and Travis' wedding and are honored be their wedding photographers! Congrats Barbi and Travis on your marriage!!
Barbi's Love Note
You can check out Barbi's review on Wedding Wire.
Hi AWESOME brides & grooms!
Thank you so much for checking out our blog!
We’re wedding photographers from small town Monroe, NC. As a team of husband-wife wedding photographers, we travel all over the Carolinas photographing lovely brides and grooms as they say their “I dos”.
If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Monroe, Charlotte, Concord, Matthews, Fort Mill, or anywhere in NC or SC, we’d love to hear from you!
Email us directly at [email protected] or click below to start a conversation.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Abby & Ryan
Camp LUCK Family Camp 2016 was AMAZING! It was a three fun-packed days of camp songs, entertainment, activities, a dance party, games, and most importantly awesome heart kids and their families! It was great to see the families letting loose and having a great time! Camp LUCK family camp is a wonderful camp for kids with congenital heart disease (CHD) and their families held at Camp Cherokee.
This years theme was Ignite...Be the Spark. It was all about inspiring the campers "to spread their "flame" and impact others in a positive way".
Day One:
The evening started with flagpole, opening ceremony, and a whole lot of rain. The opening ceremony was full of camp history, stories, and skits followed by a grooving dance party. This year, campers danced to luau inspired songs and did the Limbo.
Day Two:
The next morning, we got everyone together and took a big group photo, then one with just the heart kids and their siblings, and finally, one with the awesome staff and volunteers who make this wonderful camp possible!
Then it was time for breakout sessions with separate workshops for heart kid siblings and the parents plus fun time for the heart kids! The heart kids dabbled in arts and crafts followed by playing out on the basketball court.
Pow Wow time! Everyone got back together for the thought of the day and lots of fun, awesome camp songs.
Then a special treat courtesy of last night's rain: mud wrestling! It was hilarious and the kids and parents loved it!
Throughout the day, families enjoyed land and water activities such as archery, rock climbing, swimming, boating, athletics, and art.
In the evening, it was time for the evening activity... RAMBO! It was a game of kids vs. parents where they had to find and retrieve the other team's flag. And it rained so hard!! The game continued until the storm got too bad to stay outside. The kids had a blast running around in the rain and the parents, well, they were ready to dry off. In the final tally, the kids won the game, but some parents would challenge that!
The rain subsided and everyone headed down to the lake for campfire and s'mores. And just as it got dark, a boat carrying a large, lite-up heart circled around the lake. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Day Three:
It's 7 am, the water is literally freezing, and it is time for the Polar Bear Club. Yep, you guessed it! The brave campers and volunteers jumped into the very chilly waters of Lake York while executing some very impressive diving skills.
Back at central camp, it was time for the last flagpole. We had a blast at Camp Luck Family Camp this year and we can't wait until next year!
We're wedding photographers from Monroe, NC who volunteer and capture amazing moments during Camp Luck Family Camp every year, and we love it! To learn more about Camp LUCK, you can check out their website.
We met up with Sandra and Sam for their gorgeous e-session in Lake Lure, NC. The setting was amazing with it's picture perfect backgrounds of the calm waters of Lake Lure and the surrounding breath-taking mountain views.
Chimney Rock was right next door, so of course we had to go check it out! AND...it just so happens to be the exact spot almost to the very day where Sam proposed to Sandra. And that's exactly where we took a whole bunch of their engagement photos. Amazing mountain views plus THE SPOT where Sam proposed equals the perfect recipe for meaningful engagement photos!
We are super excited to be Sandra and Sam's wedding photographers for their summer Monroe, NC wedding!
Let's Chat!
We’re wedding photographers from small town Monroe, NC. As a team of husband-wife wedding photographers, we travel all over the Carolinas photographing lovely brides and grooms as they say their “I dos”.
If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Monroe, Charlotte, Concord, Matthews, Fort Mill, or anywhere in NC or SC then Aureola Spectrum Photography is a fabulous choice! =)
We would love to chat with you and your fiancé about your wedding plans and all of the awesome details!!
Email us directly at [email protected] to start a conversation or click below.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Abby & Ryan
Jessica's bridal portrait session was wonderful and the locations were amazing! We photographed at her charming wedding venue, a historical home in Monroe, NC. It was a lovely location to capture this beautiful bride's portraits; we love the images of her joyous laughs: a truly, candid moment.
Afterwards, we headed over to where our horse lives to wrap-up Jessica's bridal session just as the sun was setting. Our horse gave us a hand... actually, a hoof with Jessica's gorgeous sunset pictures. ;) Love it!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
There are three important "P" words to remember when looking for your wedding photographer. If you are looking for in-depth tips and must ask questions for wedding photographers before you hire, see our blog post here.
Portfolio - The first order of business is to check out the photographer's portfolio. Do you like the style of the images? How do they compare to your idea of what your wedding photos should look like? See if the portfolio represents all aspects of a wedding from ceremony preparation to the bride & groom exit and all of the important moments in-between: ceremony, portraits, reception, candid moments. While checking out the photographer's portfolio, take note if they are solely wedding photographers or if they dabble in all sorts of photography; you will want to steer your search to a professional who is dedicated to capturing weddings.
Packages - Find out what's included in the wedding packages. Do you see one that fits your needs. Think about the coverage hours you will need, whether or not the photographer gives you a full print release, what photo products are included, are there any extra sessions - engagement, bridal, or both? Packages can vary widely, but a typical package includes 8 hours of coverage. We highly recommend choosing a package with a full print release. You want to have the rights to your photos so you can make prints whenever you like.
Personality - You need to feel comfortable and at ease with your photographer; after all, this person will be with you constantly on your wedding day. Do they welcome your questions and ideas? Are they genuinely excited about your wedding day and making an effort to get to know you? If you are having a great time talking with your potential photographer then it's a sign of a good match.
So remember, look for a portfolio that reflects you, a package that fits your needs, and a photographer with a great personality that you get along with great. Follow the three "P's" and you are on your way to finding the photographer perfect for your wedding day.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Abby & Ryan
Brittany and Thomas said their "I Do's" at their beautiful Lake Lure, NC wedding. Their intimate wedding ceremony was held at The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa surrounded by breathtaking views of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock's mountains. Family and their closest friends gathered at their picturesque ceremony where Brittany and Thomas expressed their abounding love for one another in the letters they wrote and how the tears flowed at their loving words; a beautiful moment they will treasure forever.
Although the rainy weather was present that day, it didn’t keep us from capturing their gorgeous bride & groom portraits amongst the mist covered mountains and calm waters of Lake Lure. We even incorporated a cute umbrella for the couple's portraits. And how we love the beautiful detail photos of their wedding rings! :) Congratulations Brittany and Thomas on your marriage!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Today, more couples are incorporating a "first look" into their wedding day. So what is a first look and why do it?
What is a First Look?
A first look is an intimate moment between the bride & groom before their wedding ceremony where they see each other dressed in their wedding attire for the first time. The first look can be a few minutes or a few hours before the ceremony begins.
Why do it?
Couples opt for a first look to calm nerves before they say their "I Dos". After the activity of getting ready to walk down the aisle, the bride can share a few blissfully quiet moments with her husband-to-be before their ceremony begins.
Capture the big reveal with photographs of your beautiful candid moments.
After the first look is an excellent time to take formal portraits. By taking a majority of your Bride & Groom, Bridal Party, and Family Portraits before your ceremony, you will have more time after your ceremony for any remaining photos and can get to your reception sooner.
Alternative
Another option is to hold hands around a door or wall and talk to each other before the ceremony without loosing the tradition of the groom seeing his bride for the first time as she walks down the aisle.
Planning for a First Look
To successfully orchestrate a first look, put a family or bridal party member in charge of situating the groom in the selected location so that he can't see his bride until the big reveal moment.
Be sure to allow enough time for the first look. If you are having a first look immediately before your ceremony, 5-10 minutes should be plenty of time. However, if you are planning to take any formal portraits after the first look and before your ceremony, allow at least an hour or more depending on factors such as bridal party size.
So what do you think? Is a first look right for you?
Happy Wedding Planning!
Abby & Ryan
This year's Camp LUCK "Open Your Heart" silent auction was a success! It took place at Vapiano's in Uptown Charlotte and special guest Chubby, mascot of the Charlotte Checkers, was in attendance bringing lots of smiles. :) We had a great time capturing this event!
Camp LUCK is a medically supervised camp for children with heart disease. This annual silent auction contributes to the funding of the camp which is free of charge for all heart kids attending.
Be sure to check out some awesome moments we captured from this year's .
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We loved Stefanie and Adam’s wedding! The venue location, The Farm at Brusharbor in Concord, was beautiful; its massive barn served as the reception hall and was surrounded by a pond and wide stretching pastures. Stefanie and Adam love the outdoors, so this was perfect for them! Specifically, they enjoy riding bikes together; in fact, Adam proposed to Stefanie on a bike ride! This was a major theme on their wedding day from table centerpiece’s to their awesome cake! We love that they incorporated their shared hobby of bike riding on their wedding day.
A memorable moment for us came at the end of their reception when one of their guests happened upon a child’s riding toy tractor and took it for a spin around the dance floor; it was absolutely hilarious!
Congratulations Stefanie and Adam on your marriage!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We met Lesley and Cory on an early morning in Concord, NC for their bride and groom session. They chose a unique location with a historical past, gothic architecture, and a sense of mystery. The Stonewall Jackson Youth Development Center was opened in 1909 as the first juvenile detention center in North Carolina and once existed on over 290 acres. Today, the site is full of unknown, wonder, and unexplained paranormal activity. Even the natural landscaping is curious, as it possesses gigantic rocks throughout the property, which made for some pretty cool pictures as Lesley and Cory appeared as though they were standing on the edge of a cliff. We enjoyed exploring Stonewall Jackson with Lesley and Cory! Congrats Lesley and Cory on your marriage!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Hiring your wedding photographer is critical in planning your wedding day! These are your wedding memories after all! And since it isn’t every day you plan a wedding or an event of this size you may not be sure of your next steps. There are so many details that go into creating your dream wedding and it may seem overwhelming at times. That’s completely normal!
So here are tips & questions that will point you in the right direction for hiring your wedding photographer for your fabulous wedding day!
The Tips
Here are the 10 Must Ask Questions for Your Potential Wedding Photography Professionals Before Booking:
Number of Wedding Day Coverage Hours
Online Gallery
Editing or Retouching
Images on Digital Media
Prints/Canvases
Wedding Albums
Extra Sessions (Engagement and/or Bridal Portraits)
Full Print Release
Oh how we loved Lesley and Cory’s wedding day! The day’s events unfolded at their beautiful wedding venue, Piedmont Renaissance Center, in downtown Concord, NC. We loved the fact that we could capture their wedding ceremony from all angles: above, side, back, and front! Their love was represented in a sweet and simple ceremony officiated by Lesley’s brother-in-law. Throughout the evening, we captured so many raw, organic emotions, but some of our personal favorites are Lesley and Cory’s first dance images. You can just feel their love bring the in-the-moment photographs to life. This past weekend we captured Lesley and Cory's bride & groom portraits in a very cool location in Concord. Check back for a follow-up blog featuring their bride & groom photos!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
In Greensboro, N.C., we met up with Barbi and Travis for their engagement session and what an amazing time we had photographing this charming couple! The day was an exciting whirlwind of activity as we visited a variety of locations representing who they are as a couple. One stop on our list included Starmount Forest Country Club for their tennis themed photographs at Starmount’s indoor tennis courts; this is also where their wedding reception will be held in October! Afterwards, we headed over to Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden and Lake Brandt for nature-oriented photos. But one of our favorite locations was Lake Brandt! First, we captured beautiful silhouettes on the docks of Lake Brandt. Then, all dressed up in formal attire, Barbi and Travis took a running leap into the lake! And how we love those pictures! We can’t wait for their autumn wedding!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Elaine and Adam’s wedding day was full of love, beautiful memories, and a few surprises too! Elaine looked stunning as she walked down the aisle to meet her soon-to-be husband dressed in her white wedding gown and accented blue wedding boots. The couple wrote their own vows, a special touch to an already beautiful ceremony. After the ceremony, their adorable dog, Jessie, posed with her newly wed owners. Jessie was so well behaved as we tied a sign around her neck, balanced rings on her head, and picked up her paws. And then it was off to the reception! The reception was held at Dixie Dreams in Monroe, NC and began with the traditional dances. Elaine and Adam swept around the dance floor enjoying their first dance, but anticipating what was to come next. The guests were surprised when the DJ swapped songs and the entire bridal party joined the bride and groom to dance to Wobble. But the real surprise was still to come! Suddenly, bounding from a back hallway appeared Clemson University’s mascot, The Tiger, to join the dance. A real treat for Adam who is a graduate of Clemson University! As the sun was setting, we captured picturesque bride and groom photos of Elaine and Adam in a seemingly endless field of golden wheat. Congratulations Elaine and Adam on your marriage!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
In a historical, charming white church trimmed with vibrant red doors, Suzanne and Anthony tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony. Staying true to his heritage, Anthony opted to wear a plaid kilt instead of the traditional suit for their wedding day. At their reception, Snipes Farm Retreat in Chapel Hill, NC, we captured Suzanne and Anthony’s bride and groom photographs just as the sun was lowering in the sky incorporating the silo, pond, and large tree planted in the middle of the open field. The night concluded with sparkler writing photos; a wonderful ending to their beautiful wedding day! Congratulations Suzanne and Anthony on tying the knot!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We absolutely love Elaine’s bridal images! It was a gorgeous day for a bridal session and we photographed at two wonderful locations. We met Elaine and her mom, sister, and future mother-in-law at Shiloh Advent Christian Church, Elaine and Adam’s ceremony location. Here we captured the more traditional photos. For their second location, we headed to our friend’s farm in Monroe, NC. The red barn, pond, and lush green fields speckled with yellow buttercups was the perfect match for her country wedding theme. And the icing on the cake was when the resident feline, an orange tabby named Butterball, strolled into the pasture for his close up with the bride; cats have their own agenda and for a cat to want to pose looking up so sweetly at the bride was amazing! Be sure to check back in the next few weeks to see Elaine and Adam’s wedding photographs!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We had such a great time photographing Stefanie and Adam’s engagement session! In May, we met the outdoors loving couple at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC. This location was a perfect match for the pair since Adam proposed to Stefanie on a bike ride. After taking photos along the winding trails with their bikes, we headed to the quaint Belmont, NC. In Belmont, we loved that we could incorporate not just the typical train tracks, but an actual train too! As the sun began to set, we captured the brilliant sunrays dancing between the adorable couple. We are so excited for their big day and can’t wait to capture their “I Dos”.
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We had an amazing time at this year’s Camp LUCK family camp! Camp LUCK (Lucky Unlimited Cardiac Kids) is a program designed to educate and support kids with CHD (Congenital Heart Defect) and other heart related defects; this medically supervised camp is located at Camp Cherokee in Kings Mountain, SC.
This year’s theme was Be One Little Thing or simply, B.O.L.T. It taught the kids that taking one, small action can make a huge difference in others lives. B.O.L.T. was woven into the program throughout the weekend's activities. On Friday evening, the kids and their families let loose at the 80s glow party, dancing to hit tunes and just having fun. Saturday was packed full of camp activities including archery, horseback riding, rock climbing, zip line tours, canoeing, water activities, and much more! Sunday morning, we got up bright and early for the Polar Bear Club; kids, parents, volunteers, and camp directors took a running leap off the docks into the refreshing, cool lake.
Camp LUCK 2015 has come and gone, but we are looking forward to capturing special moments of these amazing kids at Camp LUCK 2016!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
To learn more about Camp LUCK and volunteering opportunities, please check out Camp LUCK.
When Danielle and Jameathan found out they were expecting, they reshuffled their wedding plans. Still keeping with their country theme, they lucked into the Griffin Hill Lodge, a remote venue providing its guests with nature’s finest and a peaceful ambiance. We photographed their bride and groom portraits along the lodge’s winding gravel drive and on the dock of the lake; simply beautiful and serene. As the guests joined in on the wedding celebration, everyone was excited for the big gender reveal…is it a boy or a girl? And… it’s a baby girl! We are so excited for Danielle and Jameathan! We can’t wait to meet their little girl in August when we capture her newborn photographs. Congrats Danielle and Jameathan on tying the knot AND on your upcoming addition to your family!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We met Suzanne and Anthony at their ceremony location: a historical church established in the late 1700s. Surrounding the church were long gravel driveways and large open fields, a perfect setting for an engagement session! After exploring the church, we headed over to Snipes Farm Retreat in Chapel Hill, NC. From the moment we set foot on the property, we could see why they choose this location for their reception venue! The reception barn was complete with a rustic silo surrounded by fields of green. After taking photos around the property, we took a moment to grab images of Suzanne’s engagement ring; we love ring pictures and absolutely love how these photos turned out! We ended their session with some laughs. We asked Suzanne and Anthony to try and blow bubbles at the same time with their pink bubble gum. Suzanne and Anthony had laughing fits as they attempted to do this and it made for great photos! We had an amazing time taking Suzanne and Anthony’s engagement photos and can’t wait until their wedding day!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We met Stephanie and Matthew at Montreat College Campus in Montreat, NC for their engagement session on a gorgeous spring afternoon. The campus had much to offer with its Lake Susan, stone structures, and scenic mountain backdrop. From here, we headed to downtown Asheville, NC; an amazing location to take engagement photos because of its beautiful architecture and cultural vibe. As we toured Asheville, this talented couple sprung a few dance moves for their photos, which turned out to be some of our favorite images! Our next stop was to an overlook near Asheville where Matthew proposed to Stephanie in the wee hours of the night last July. To reach the exact proposal spot, we hiked along a trail that snaked on the edge of a mountainside overlooking the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the top, we were rewarded with some amazing views! Our final stop was in Saluda, NC and we reached just in time to capture the setting sun with its beautiful golden sunrays. What an amazing day we had with Stephanie and Matthew! We are looking forward to their October wedding!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Kelly and Jonathan's Montreat, NC wedding was held at Montreat College’s Gaither Chapel. Their intimate wedding was surrounded by breathtaking mountains, which added to the romantic atmosphere. With the wedding taking place just two days after Christmas, the couple added holiday cheer to their reception by inviting guests to decorate Christmas tree ornaments with personalized messages of congratulations and joy. The wonderful evening came to a close with fairytale sparkler photos of the newlyweds under the brilliant night sky. What an amazing day for us to remember! Thank you Kelly and Jonathan for including us in your special day!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
These two lovebirds are not only our wonderful clients, but also our friends! Abby had double duty as both a photographer and a bridesmaid while Ryan captured all the of the day’s events. Their beautiful ceremony was held at the quaint Prospect United Methodist Church in Monroe, NC followed by the romantic first dance, candid moments, and of course the grand exit where family and friends showered the newly weds with birdseed. Two months prior, we photographed Ginger’s bridals at the beautiful Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; she looked stunning in her white bridal gown paired with ruby red heels. Not to mention, we discovered graceful flower blossoms just waiting to show off her engagement ring; however, the cactus heart has to be one of our top favorites!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
This autumn, Jennifer & Josiah had a beautiful and heartfelt wedding in Lancaster, SC. From their gorgeous ceremony to the newly weds' sparkler send off, there were so many beautiful moments to capture. One of our favorites was the big reveal which took place on a long white bridge that swept across the pond to the rolling fields beyond; another memorable location was the long tree lined drive, a romantic spot for their Bride and Groom photos. Every moment, every piece of their wedding, was wrapped in their joy and love for each other, absolutely beautiful! Thank you Jennifer & Josiah for including us in your wedding day!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Wedding Location: Coker Ranch; Lancaster, SC
Rehearsal Dinner Portraits:
Kirsta and Allen's engagement session was on a beautiful autumn afternoon. The session took place on Kirsta's family farm in Monroe, NC and what a beautiful farm it is! A red barn, a pond surrounded by pasture, stacks of hay bales, and a John Deere tractor made a perfect background for a country, nature oriented engagement session. What an enjoyable experience it was to take their photographs!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Heather and John’s wedding took place at the intimate “The Loft at 14th” nestled in the heart of downtown Concord, NC. As with their engagement session, we incorporated murals into their portraits and Concord had plenty to offer including a mural of a kissing couple. Heather and John shared their first dance with their adorable little girl; an unforgettable moment that will be treasured forever. And when it was time to “cut the cake”, Heather landed her share of the cake square in John’s face. We had a wonderful time capturing these romantic, emotional, and funny moments. Thank you Heather and John for including us in your wedding day!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Brittney and Chris had a lovely wedding day filled with love, excitement, and beautiful memories. Not to mention the couple had the most adorable ring bearer (their son!). Following the ceremony, guests lined the church sidewalks and blew bubbles as the newly married couple emerged from the church. It was a magical send off as hundreds of bubbles twirled around Brittney and Chris as they exchanged one more kiss before heading off to the reception. Their reception was a whirlwind of fun complete with a live band and a dance around the reception hall as guests joined "the wedding train". What an amazing day! Thank you Brittney and Chris for including us in your big day!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Bridal Portraits: Concord, NC
Ceremony: North Kannapolis United Methodist Church; Kannapolis, NC
Reception: Cabarrus Arena; Concord, NC
What a stunning wedding we experienced in Aiken, SC! Becca and Jarrod’s gorgeous ceremony was held at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church followed by their fun-filled reception at the equestrian stables: Stable View Farms. Their wedding day concluded with the sun setting over the vast green pastures creating the opportunity for capturing the sun's golden sun rays and a colorful horizon; a lovely romantic scene for their bride & groom photos. We had a wonderful time photographing Becca and Jarrod’s wedding day!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We met Danielle and Jameathan at Aw Shucks in Monroe, NC; a farm dedicated to ringing in the autumn days. We captured their engagement pictures amongst the cornfields and around the grounds filled with awesome props (pumpkins, hay bales, an antique truck to name a few). Afterwards, we headed over to Jameathan's fire station for firefighter themed photos, very cool! Not to mention they involved their children in the session to create very special photographs! We are looking forward to their October 2015 wedding!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We met up with Heather and John in Salisbury, NC for their evening engagement session this past week. Downtown Salisbury had a lot to offer with its train station, parks, and architecture. The awesome, old-fashioned advertisements for “Coca-Cola” and “Cheerwine” are among our favorites! Their love is ten years strong and we are looking forward to photographing their October wedding!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We met Becca and Jarrod for their engagement session in Aiken, SC and we had a blast! Their fun personality showed through in their photos as we took photographs along a beautiful tree-lined street, in a historical hotel, The Willcox, and at a horse farm. We are looking forward to their September wedding!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Sara and Andrew’s ceremony took place on the waterfront of Lake Wheeler in Raleigh, NC on a July evening. Following the ceremony, we captured their portraits on the docks just as the sun was setting. It was absolutely gorgeous as the setting sun gave a golden radiance to the photographs. Thank you Sara and Andrew for letting us be a part of your big day! Congratulations on your marriage!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Ceremony Location: Lake Wheeler; Raleigh, NC
We met Sara and Andrew at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC. The arboretum, run by NC State University, hosted a variety of gardens such as the Japanese Garden, Butterfly Garden, and Rose Garden. After spending time weaving about the gardens capturing their photographs, we headed over to Lake Wheeler for some fun photos at the lake. And fun we had! Andrew was dressed in formals complete with a purple tie; he sported his Superman attire hidden underneath his dress shirt. Surprise! It’s about time he told Sara about his superhuman identity.
We are looking forward to photographing their wedding in July!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Nicole and Kevin’s wedding was full of excitement as the lovely couple joined hands in marriage. We, along with their loved ones, witnessed a beautiful ceremony. To our surprise, the ceremony switched gears to a “We did it!” moment as Mr. & Mrs. Mims walked joyfully down the aisle to The Black Eyed Peas hit song “I Gotta Feeling” after saying their "I Dos". The guests joined in on the celebration and, at the reception, churned up the dance floor. Nicole and Kevin’s wedding was a beautiful reflection of their love. Congratulations Nicole and Kevin!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Wedding Location: South Park DoubleTree Suites by Hilton; Charlotte, NC
Brittany and Sean had stunning May wedding in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. The wedding venue, Highgrove on Laurel Lake, was a beautiful location allowing for an intimate setting to share their big day with their family and friends. The ceremony had a gorgeous natural backdrop of green-topped trees and a serene lake.
Weeks earlier, we met Brittany in Charleston, SC to capture her bridal portraits. We photographed her portraits along the famous Rainbow Row houses and the picturesque Battery Park winding up and down Charleston’s charming historical downtown.
Congratulations Brittany and Sean on your marriage!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Bridal Portraits: Charleston, South Carolina
Wedding Venue – Highgrove on Laurel Lake; Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
Camp LUCK(Lucky Unlimited Cardiac Kids) is a program designed to educate and support kids with CHD(Congenital Heart Defect) or other heart related defects and their families. It's mission statement is;- "To offer support for families and to provide a healthy worry-free (medically supervised) camp environment where children and their families have opportunities to reach their potential by building self-esteem, friendships and character through participating in activities that are focused on nurturing the development of Lucky Unlimited Cardiac Kids."
Camp LUCK, Lucky Unlimited Cardiac Kids, began when the passions of four people;- Jay “Bird” Thompson, René Herlong , Kim Jackson and her son, Jacob got together with the vision of creating a worry free environment for these kids and their parents.
They have a family camp and kids camp held at Camp Cherokee located at the Kings Mountain State Park hosting a variety of activities from archery to rock climbing to arts & crafts to just swimming in the lake.
For more information about Camp LUCK,the kids, volunteering and everything else please check out Camp LUCK.
Enjoy the images below that Ryan captured at this year's Camp LUCK!
Abby & Ryan
Our engagement session with Nicole and Kevin this past Sunday was on a beautiful spring day in Charlotte, NC. We began their session at the picturesque Freedom Park amidst the stone bridges, weeping willows, and serene lake capturing their natural pictures before traveling to Noda, a location on the opposite side of the spectrum. Noda, Charlotte’s hip art district, offered us countless opportunities to include its inventive graffiti, interesting architecture, and fun atmosphere inducing quite a creative spark! Our adventures came to a close in uptown Charlotte where we enjoyed a charming park, waterfalls, and Charlotte’s skyline. We enjoyed every minute of our engagement session with Nicole and Kevin and are looking forward to their wedding!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
This past weekend we met up with Brittany and Thomas for their engagement session in Wilmington, NC. The locations were gorgeous; we explored Wilmington’s River Walk, a beautiful park, and of course the beach! We had so much fun photographing their session and we are looking forward to their 2015 wedding!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
We love engagement sessions! And here are three reasons why you will too...
Its been almost a year since we have written our last blog and what a crazy, but memorable year! Happy New Years to everyone! May eternal blessings shine bright on you!
We take this time to reflect on the wedding of Hillary and David.
The story of Hillary and David is a touching one considering that Hillary almost lost her legs due to a bacterial infection. It all began on a casual trip to a popular NC beach. After spending sometime in the ocean, Hillary discovered that her feet hurt pretty bad. When the pain got worse and after a trip to the ER she discovered that she had a flesh eating bacterial infection.
Her father, Rob, refused the doctors recommendation to amputate her feet. Instead, he stepped in and replied "NO! My baby will dance again!". After months of painful physiotherapy, relearning to walk, and full recovery, Hillary shared this first dance with her father.
Love gives us strength. Let the story of Hillary remind us our love for one another and the willpower within us will help us overcome our struggles.
God Bless!
Trying to find a romantic, beautiful location for your wedding day? Well have no fear! "Belle Claire" is here!
We happened to come across this location when we photographed an October 2013 wedding and we were pleasantly surprised. Belle Clair is a hidden gem located on Lake Norman. This piece of heaven is available for your wedding day. Its spacious, green lawn, peaceful fountain, and lake view just melts the stress of planning a wedding. Belle Claire is not only elegant, but has a spectacular views of the lake. And friendly faces are always ready to greet you, making you feel welcome. The wedding venue is run by the husband and wife team, Ed and Sara Collins. Ed and Sara are very easy going and pleasant people to work with!
If you are interested in planning a wedding at Belle Claire, Ed and Sara can be reached at [email protected].
So last night, Abby was talking to an old friend of ours and we heard a heartbreaking story of how a bride got deceived into paying more for her wedding pictures. The bride was trying to help out an acquaintance start a wedding photography business and had a verbal agreement with the photographer. The wedding photographer ask if they could bring a second photographer and the bride happily agreed. A while after the wedding, the bride asked the photographers for her images. The photographers refused. They said that if the bride didn't cough up more money they would not give the bride her photographs. They even went to the extent of telling the bride that if she didn't pay them more money they would delete the pictures. This is indeed a very sad occurrence.
As a bride, how do you protect yourself from situations like this?
It is not uncommon for a bride or groom to get anxious, nervous or even get a panic attack before or during a wedding. Social anxiety is not uncommon and should be treated with care and respect for the individuals feelings. Here are a few tips on how to deal with panic attacks:
Panic attacks are not a joke and should not be treated lightly!
Relationships and Trust...
1. Establish a common ground with boundaries. Let them know ahead of time about what you are ok with and what you are not!
2. Any new relationship requires a leap of faith. Make sure that leap of faith is a small jump and not a dive of a cliff!
3. Be prepared for some sort of disappointment. This way if things do work out, you will be more happy with the results!
4. Trust does not end here. Continue to build on that relationship till it blossoms into a pretty flower!
5. Trust takes time and patience! So give it time and be patient!
6. Remember we are all human beings and are prone to make mistakes. Learn to forgive but never forget!
We were taking bridal portraits for a client along an avenue with foliage, a river and greenery as the background. I then saw this amazing Harley and thought it would be a great idea to use it in a few of the photographs. We introduced ourselves to the motorcycle's owner and asked him if we could use the Harley in the shoot! He Obliged!!! We got some great bridal photos that day on the Harley!
On the client's wedding day, we saw another Harley and asked the owner if we could use it in the shoot! He obliged too! We got more great photos of the Bride, the Groom and the Harley! And to top it all we all had fun!
Well, the moral of the story is it never hurts to ask!
...is a very good idea and here are the reasons why:
The most important thing a bride needs before her big day is sleep. Remember, the more sleep you get the fresher you are and the fresher you are the more natural your pictures will be.
If something is not in place before your big day, do not stress out about it (or at least try not too)!
Here are some tips on how you can get a good nights rest before your wedding day:
There are other ways to get sleep by taking Nyquil, Benadryl, or other sleep aids. However, sleep aids have side effects and can make you groggy!
All in all, a well rested bride is always a beautifully photographed bride!