Kelly's Maternity Session

Yesterday Kelly and Andy stopped by for Kelly's maternity session. She doesn't look like she's gained an ounce with her pregnancy - she is definitely all baby!!!! We started out with both of them - they are the cutest couple!
I was very proud that Andy was able to keep a serious face for this one!
Kelly is having a boy so we needed to incorporate some blue!!!

I like both versions.

Andy and Kelly are both Clemson fans and brought along these cute booties!
I love the warmness of the light on this one...Kelly is gorgeous!
Just a little more fun with the light - I love this shot!
Before she left I wanted to spell Cohen's name with the blocks. I love the colors against her white shirt. Too cute!!!!
Kelly - it was so good to see you and Andy! I hope you have a very easy delivery when Cohen decides it is time for everyone to meet him!!!!! Congratulations!!!!

Autumn's Bridal Portraits

Now that their big day has come and gone, I can show you some of my favorites from Autumn's bridal portrait session. Here they are....
Autumn you made a very beautiful bride!!!!

Autumn & Chris ("Jollie")

Yesterday kicked off wedding season for us this year. Although the weather was rainy to start with it cleared up enough to let Autumn and Jollie have their outdoor ceremony as planned. Now, I'm not sure whether I should refer to the groom as Chris or as Jollie. Although his real name is Chris, most everyone knows him and refers to him as Jollie....except his mom as I was told! So, mom, I'm sorry, but I've always heard Autumn refer to him as Jollie, so I'm sticking with that!

This was my first time visiting Creekside Plantation and I was very impressed. I love old houses and the inside of this one was beautiful. I was able to hang out upstairs with the girls for a little while as they were getting ready. Here's Autumn's gorgeous dress...
And stunning shoes.....that I must say perfectly matched her even more stunning jewelry.
While Autumn was getting her hair done, I took the guys out back to the barn for some shots. I love the red barn!
When I went back up to the girls, they were passing one of Autumn's shoes around signing the bottom of it. This one was new to me....apparently at the end of the day, the name that is left most legible will be the next to get married.
Autumn and her aunt as she looks at the finished product!

The staff at Creekside waited until the last minute to put the chairs out where the ceremony was being held just to make sure the rain didn't return. The girls enjoyed watching the guests arriving and being seated while they waited.
Now as many of you know, Marty and I shoot together at weddings. Why? Well, not only is he there to help me with all our equipment, but there's certain shots he can get that I can't. Here's a very good example. While I am shooting this shot of Autumn's brother escorting her down the aisle.....

....Marty is capturing Jollie and his reaction to seeing his bride for the first time. I must say I had no clue that he was crying until I got home and looked at what Marty shot. Awww - I love it when the men shed some tears!!!!The tears didn't last long....the couple was all smiles before within minutes!
I love watching the bridesmaids and their emotions during a ceremony. Oh, and I loved the flowers - they were gorgeous!
Since last year's wedding season, we have invested in some new equipment. I love my new lens - it really helps me get in close without being close and capture some great shots!
Now, one on-going joke of the day was Jollie's pink hat someone brought him. It matched the roses and his tie perfectly. As I was taking the newlyweds back up to the barn for some quick portraits, we had to have a few laughs! Sorry Jollie - I couldn't resist!!!!!
Now, on to a serious one!

Okay, one more with the hat!!!!
Then it was time for the bridal party to be introduced at the reception and the bride and groom to have their first dance. I'm not sure what was said between Autumn and Chris' mom, but I think it was funny!
I love this look - Chris' mom looks so proud to have a new daughter!!!!
Tasteful Elegance did a great job on the cake - it was gorgeous and very delicious!

I'm usually not much of a rhinestone person, but I really liked Autumn's cake topper - it was too cute! I think it's funny when you hear all the guys in the background cheering on the groom and urging him to smash cake in the bride's face. Autumn was being very careful not to let it happen to her!
Can't leave out the bling!
I think all the guests had a great time dancing....from the youngest ones......
...to the youngest at heart!!!!
I think the YMCA was the most popular song of the night!

Autumn chose to do chocolate covered caramel apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - very unique!
I loved this shot of everyone watching as Jollie takes the garter off!
After a little more fun.....
...it was time to send the couple off.
Although it was a little chilly, the rain stayed away and left us with a perfect and beautiful wedding day! I hope you two have a great time in Jamaica on your honeymoon!!!!!

Vendors:

Location - Creekside Plantation

Florist - Floral Designs Limited

Harpist - Joyce Frankhauser

Cake - Tasteful Elegance

DJ - Jeff Harbin

Dresses - Magnolia Bride

Tuxes - Gregory Formal Wear

Videography - Image East Video Productions

Dayna's Bridal Portrait

Yesterday Marty and I drove to Clemson with Dayna, Dustin and their mom for Dayna's bridal portrait at the Botanical Gardens. The weather was perfect....warm and sunny! We got some beautiful shots of Dayna in her gorgeous dress - I wish I could share some with you but can't until May!!!!!!

However, you do get two sneak peeks today - one from me of her rock....
And one from Marty!
We had a great time with Dayna and her family! I can't wait for you to see what we shot. One day we'll have to take Andy to Mac's for a cheeseburger steak too!!!!! YUM!!!!!

Beth Anderson Bridal Portraits

Yesterday I met Beth along with her mom and sister out at Furman for her bridal portrait. Beth looked very pretty in her dress and her hair was beautiful - unfortunately it was a little chilly outside and she was just a little cold!!!! But, she toughed it out and we got some amazing shots of her near the chapel on the campus. I can't wait for her to see them - but for now, here's the only sneak peek I can post until her big day in May!!!!!

Kaye Painter grandkids

Kaye Painter called me wanting to do pictures of her grandkids so I met them out at the Rock Quary yesterday to do just that! After fighting the crowds of people on Friday and Saturday it was nice for us to have the place to ourselves. We started off with a few on the rocks.
I have to say that I scare myself sometimes - I'm used to working with smaller kids a lot so when I have older kids who know how to look at me and smile it almost makes things seem too easy for me!

Anna Katherine and Mary Beth are two sisters who didn't act like they wanted to be too close to each other - especially when I asked them to put their arms around one another!!!
Then we decided to do a few in the grass. Although we couldn't have asked for better sun, the temperature was a little chilly!
Caz, Kenzley and Adam did a great job!!!!!
Except I thought they were going to kill me when I had their cousins laying on top of them!!!
The kids wanted to do some shots in the bamboo so across the creek we went!

I had to get one more of Anna Katherine and Mary Beth together - they are too cute!
And another of the older three too!
Next - a funny shot they said!!!!!
We left the Rock Quarry to find another location to take some pics of Caz and his truck. When I was asked if it was okay if they brought his truck along and I could take some pics of him and his truck I said sure - not a problem. Well, I have to admit...I didn't realize at the time they were talking about a full-size truck!!!!! In my mind I'm thinking grandchild and truck.....toy truck is what came to mind, but honestly I'm glad to say I had a blast with everyone trying to find somewhere to take these pics. Caz first wanted to go to this rock he knew of. Well, after splashing through many mud puddles we ended up being blocked by some big steal beams and had to turn around. However, we did find another location and the sun was perfect. So, here's Caz and his non-toy truck!

He wanted to change into some clothes that were more his style!!! I love this shot and the flare from the sun!
Poor thing - it only looks all nice and warm!!!!
It was about the time the sun started going down and the wind was picking up that my own fingers were getting numb. Can you tell they were a little chilly?

Kaye - I really enjoyed having the opportunity to photograph your grandkids. They were so much fun!!!! If only you had gotten to go through the mud with us!!!!