Brittany + Sean are now hitched!!!

As promised!  Here are some images that caught my eye when skimming through all the yummy images for Brittany & Sean.

I met these guys for their engagement session last summer.  We stopped at an empty lot someone had dumped an old couch at for our first shots.  We'd hardly met when I had them climbing onto this awful nasty couch to jump off holding hands.  They were troopers and I knew right there we would get along very well.  Brittany makes me smile whenever we talk.

These images are definitely worth looking at all of them for those blog skimmers out there!

One of my favorite things about Brittany is her absolute open self when she is comfortable with you and in a small group, but how absolutely shy she is as the center of attention.   As a bride, you just can't escape everyone looking at you.  :-)  I have quite a few shots of them with her head tucked down just a bit down & to the side with lowered eyes and a great smile.  In this shot, they were doing their grand entrance into the reception.


It's all the little details that help tell the story. Brides hire a photographer specifically for our ability to connect with the bride, tell her story & the love of the photographers photographic style. Brittany & Sean definitely took great care to incorporate Sean's Irish heritage with all the little details.  Brittany loved the sparkly detail in her veil.


Rings with a Celtic design.


An awesome bagpipe player who has been learning his craft since the age of 18!

Beautiful flowers and a cake styled with the color in her dress.

All the girls had a great time helping Brittany get into her dress.  Everyone was giggling by the time her dress was zipped up.

Sean was looking for his bride with full intent.




Brittany looked up just for a moment to see him as she made her way down the isle.

Married!


There is always something so special about mom and daughter shots.  The love always shows.










Love this shot!!!


And love the satisfaction in Brittany's face as they are showing off the rings.


My favorite spot around her grandmothers house.  The trees and grass were perfect.


Then we found the grape vines.  It's such a delightfully romantic spot.


And where you can have fun with no prying eyes.  Well, as long as you don't count the camera with the bossy girl behind it...  ;-)





So happy together.



OK.  This has GOT to be the best bouquet toss ever!!  No, really.  Do you see all the people.  Look at how is moving their hands to go catch.  Now, look over the the right at the cane.  Got it?


Here it comes!  There are two main contenders from what I can see.  Do you think it's going to be a fight?  They both look pretty determined.


Yep.


Notice she isn't taking her hand off even though grandma is definitely giving her the eye letting her know she will be holding onto it!


OK.  Lets just hug & laugh.  Grandma definitely kept a hold of it.  She is also quite the flirt.


The reception was great with even the smallest guests enjoying the socializing, food, dancing and spectating.


One of Guy's great shots of the day!  He is sneaky with his shots when no one thinks he is taking images.   Great candids and great artistic stuff.


One of my faves!  Brittany may be shy in large groups, but she is a feisty fun girl.  Sean picked a clear winner in her.  She also picked a clear winner in him!

Sneak Peaks from 4 recent sessions

I am almost caught up to a normal pace after doing six sessions in one week a month ago.  Since every week after that week had a full or a little over full schedule of new sessions it has been tough.  I have managed to stick to my policy of getting the proofs ready within three weeks on all sessions.    This is mostly due to my fabulous husband & wonderful friends.  My husband because he is all about watching our kids.  My friends because they haven't gotten mad at me for completely mostly ignoring them.

Creating these wonderful images for my family, friends & clients is a privilege.  I am grateful every day for the abilities Heavenly Father has given me along with my determination to learn and grow.  There really is nothing better then walking into a house to find images I have taken displayed so lovingly in their home.  What has happened in the last few years with Facebook is just as cool.  It is like a trip down memory lane for me to relive and enjoy the time I've spent with people when I see the images from our session used as their profile picture.

Blogging takes a long time to prepare and publish...  For example, this post has taken me a couple of hours tonight since the images had to be edited, prepared for web, uploaded & the text prepared.  I contemplated going to a Facebook only posting since most people are now on Facebook, but I do think this blog is important.  So, I will most likely be blogging once a week from now on with some comments and a sneak peak.  I will also be posting a feature on a business I love and recommend about once every two weeks.  Definitely become a fan of Lifelong Impressions on Facebook.  I am updating so much there as well as showing off loads of images from my recent shoots.

Speaking of my Feature Businesses, I am so excited to be sharing my favorite realtors of all time with you very soon.  Having worked in the real estate industry and done my fair share of real estate transactions I know a great realtor when I see one.  You will not be disappointed.  If you cannot wait for my feature, because you need a realtor right away, in the Raleigh metro area, please comment or email me so I can give you the information.

Now onto the sneak peaks!

{This text and sneak peak removed}

A maternity session with one of the coolest green settings I've been to in a while. We went to a nursery nearby. It was lush green all around with many interesting textures and ponds everywhere. Little Kayla has amazing coloring with both an amazing smile and an amazing serious look.

You'll never guess what's in the next belly!  Hmmmm, yeah, you probably got it.  TWINS!!  Boy/girl twins no less.  I think having twins as your first children is way cool.  You don't know what it is like to have only one, and you also aren't usually in a hurry to have the next one.  For those like me who have an unhealthy fear of being an only child, it takes all the stress away.  Anyway, I got off track.  We went to Lake Benson park on a chilly evening when the trees were all full of flowery blooms.  After the session we got to gabbing for at least 30 minutes.  I think Melissa went home completely exhausted from standing so long.

And now, for a really cool bridal shot.  We found some great locations out driving around for a nice varied look to her shoot.  I even have a shot I'll share later.  Brittany was cringing, yelping & shielding herself from one of the enormous pesky bugs out that evening at twilight.  Luckily they were only at a couple of the 10 spots we used at the three locations.    This is one of my favorite shots from the day.  I love the rustic location, her sitting on tires, the pose & especially the little hint of a smile as she contemplates her upcoming big event.  We are going to have a great time on May 22nd.  

Regina & Bryant - Wedding - Sneak Peak

We had a fabulous time with Regina & Bryant last Saturday in Virginia Beach, VA. Bryant pulled a fast one on us all by letting us know two hours before the photos were to begin he did not want to see Regina prior to the ceremony. Luckily they had a cocktail hour planned for us to grab a few quick shots of everyone, the families and some couple shots. Bryant was cracking me up with his joking & nervousness just prior to the wedding. He handled the nerves well though. Regina graced everyone with her beautiful smile & made sure to do special things throughout the day.