When an art teacher gets married you know it's going to be amazing! Every detail and color was perfect and complimentary. I love how the yellow popped against the tropical Miami green and how every elements had gorgeous flowers from their cake, to her nails, to her photo booth backdrop, to signs, to the seating cards. One of my favorite decor ideas was she had bistro lights strung inside to make the indoor reception feel magical! F+D are truly the perfect compliment and balance! They are so much fun and equally as thoughtful and caring about others and their community. They are advocates and I am inspired by both their hearts and their work! I'm so grateful after 3 reschedules that this deserving pair could feel loved and celebrated!  It was a joy to capture this stunning day with an amazing team of vendors! 

Ashley and Paula's Ebell Club wedding in Long Beach, California, right outside LA, was beyond perfect. Their colorful and whimsical flowers were inspired by the Spirit World in Avatar The Last Airbender which made the Ebell club feel so magical, their outfits were custom made to reflect their family heritages, and their love is radiant and joy contagious. Drew and I have been talking with A+P since we lived in NZ, and I knew Ashley at UNC through athletics! We were so excited to bring along our incredible friend and talented videographer, Mel, to help document their day. I loved their getting ready outfits, how they were both watching Harry Potter without knowing while putting on finishing make up touches, their wedding party who were all so happy, helpful, and supportive. I loved their emotional vows, how they created everything with intention, Paula's epic family performances, their tea ceremony, their money dance, how every single guest come up and give them massive hugs. A+P are those kind of people, they give and serve others, and it was an honor to celebrate them and return the love they unconditionally share with all. 

Venue: Ebell Club of Long Beach
Flowers: Inessa Nicole Design
Coordinator: Orange Blossom Special Events
Video: Mels Films
​DJ: DJ Tessa
H&MUA: Girl Meets Bongga

Jockeys Ridge State Park has the most gorgeous sand dunes! I was SO excited when Chelsea wanted to make the drive to this epic location in Nags Head, on the NC coast. I've been lucky enough to travel to Little Sahara Sand Dunes for an elopement and Great Sand Dunes National Park for fun with Drew on a CO road trip, so I was stoked to see what Jockey's Ridge had in store for us! 

They rented the cutest Airbnb and we first took photos with their adorable pup! Then, we made our way to the Sand Dunes! We both love the neutral look of the sand dunes and I'm obsessed with their all black annd their sunset white outfits! We had the best time playing music, running up and down the massive dunes, embracing the wind, talking about life, wedding planning, and everything in between. Truly a dream come true with these two!  

If you're looking for an adventure, look no further than our own state! 

Nora, Drew, and I all went to high school together! She's one of our very closest and oldest friends who's kind, spontaneous, and goofy! So of course we were ecstatic when we first met Emma! So loving, adventurous, and just oh so cool. These two are the perfect match, balance, and compliment to each other. We were beyond honored and humbled when they asked us to photograph their backyard wedding at their in Nashville home and also be guests at their intimate celebration. Due to historic rain and flooding we had to move the wedding into their cozy living room for their morning ceremony. Drew and I loved that N+E got ready together, spent the morning together, and fully took in each moment of the day as a couple. They exchanged vows, had family read poems, and there wasn't a dry eye in the room. After they said "we do" a three-piece folk band called Howlin Brothers joined the party. Nora and Emma have been hearing this band play around Nashville for years and it was so much fun to dance with everyone, with doors open to their neighborhood, sharing all the love and joy they embody. Thank you thank you for letting us be a part of your life, your day, and your family!  

The Whistler
________________________
Mary Oliver
All of a sudden she began to whistle. By all of a sudden
I mean that for more than thirty years she had not
whistled. It was thrilling. At first I wondered, who was
in the house, what stranger? I was upstairs reading, and
she was downstairs. As from the throat of a wild and
cheerful bird, not caught but visiting, the sounds war-
bled and slid and doubled back and larked and soared.
Finally I said, Is that you? Is that you whistling? Yes, she
said. I used to whistle, a long time ago. Now I see I can
still whistle. And cadence after cadence she strolled
through the house, whistling.
I know her so well, I think. I thought. Elbow and ankle-
Mood and desire. Anguish and frolic. Anger too.
And the devotions. And for all that, do we even begin
to know each other? Who is this I’ve been living with
for thirty years?
This clear, dark, lovely whistler?

If a lake engagement looks awesome to you I'd love to talk more about your vision and how we can make it awesome and unique to you two! Floaties, SUP, Kayak, Canoe, beach picnic, boat ride, I'm ready for another adventure! Reach out and say hi by clicking below! 

Thank you!! Excited!!

Carolina Beach in North Carolina is just a few minutes drive past Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. I was so excited when Emily + Zach wanted engagement photos doing what they love - boating and enjoying their beach and favorite island! We took pictures on their boat, I used my drone for some epic shots, and then we docked at an island and chased the sun! We ended the adventurous day with champagne and jumping off the dock! These are some of my all time favorites! Emily + Zach were so kind, generous, and fun! We played music, talked about their upcoming destination wedding, and had the best time taking photos! My favorite quote of the day was from Zach, "I love these kinds of photos, I just get to kiss my beautiful fiancé!" When you're in your natural element it's so much easier to feel like yourself which results in these beautifully effortless and candid moments! Thank you E+Z! 

Are you and your partner interested in pictures at the beach? We love adventurous couples! Rent a sailboat or let's break out the stand up paddle boards! We love all beaches all over the world! 

Sunrise engagement photos at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC is beyond magical. The grounds are empty except for a few runners, it's not too hot yet, and the sun peaks perfectly right out over the trees. I actually spent many summers growing up in DC visiting my family and as a photographer, this has been a bucket list location. So of course I was stoked when Miami couple M+C wanted to photograph in their new city! I brought the music and they brought the moves! We had Latin tunes on blast, the only way to start your morning. They picked a classic blue and red outfit to pop against the white background of the Lincoln Monumnet. We then walked around the reflecting pool and through the park! We even had one lady who walked by as M was on C's shoulders say, "I've seen countless engagement pictures here but that's a first!". Heck yes for creativity, endless joy, and all the love!!!  It was the perfect day to celebrate their love!! 

I have 2 favorite locations at the Eno River in Durham, NC! One, features gorgeous trees, big rocks, and small hike down to the iconic swinging bridge. The other, the river and trees open up and it's the perfect area to splash around! I love taking engagement pictures at the Eno River with adventurous couples and exploring the forest! Chelsea and Ryan were so much fun and we talked about how they met in college, about how Ryan and I both played lacrosse in college, and their incredible Costa Rica wedding coming up! Hope you love these, especially the fun gif of Ryan's twirl ;) 

Cloverleaf Farm is one of the most beautiful wedding venues Drew and I have ever photographed. The gorgeous fields, farm house, barn, courtyards, trees, and details make Cloverleaf Farm so magical! But what truly makes a wedding is the couple. I first met Sarah + Patrick in Miami, Florida! Drew and I were living in Miami when they got in touch with me and we took their engagement photos at sunrise on the beach! Drew and I then moved back home to NC and we were over the moon when they asked if we could travel to their wedding. Drew has always wanted to visit Athens, GA! We loved town and visiting campus and of course the football stadium. But wedding day was just so special. Sarah + Patrick are so kind, thoughtful, easy going, caring, fun, and unconditionally loving. They've been together forever so it was a giant party of friends and family celebrating this radiant chapter in their love story. Everything was perfect on Cloverleaf Farm and Drew and I consider ourselves lucky to call them friends! 

Horseshoe Bend is the most incredible and perfect place for a wedding and to celebrate two incredible people. Horseshoe Bend gets its namesake from the iconic and now Instagram famous horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona, United States. It is also referred to as the "east rim of the Grand Canyon or Glen Canyon.

I love that Marci + Dulce wanted to get married at this awe-inspiring location with their friends and family!

Dulce & Marci's met while working at a local college, and their first date was to a Marlin's Baseball game in Miami, Florida. They talked for hours from the drive down, at the game, and back home. Dulce had never been to a game before but she was excited to try something new, and that adventurous spirit is one of many reasons why M+D are perfect. They took several trips together while dating and their relationship only grew deeper as they hiked mountains, explored Horseshoe Bend, and created life long memories.

“I remember going on a trip to Tennessee just as friends and thinking to myself, ‘she is absolutely perfect, she is paradise and home all in one,’” recalls Marci. “I knew then I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.”

M+D spend their lives helping, loving, and serving others. Dulce is a nurse and Marci is a multi-tour veteran who now works in security with a side hustle in photography. 

I met Marci at a photography workshop and we clicked! We kept up with each other even from across the state (because that's the kind of caring and thoughtful person Marci is) and one day I got the call to help her plan her proposal.

We convinced Dulce to dress up and model for me because I needed Tiktok content, so I had my phone filming moments. The location was picked out, the spot was perfect, and I handed Marci the ring, and Dulce spun around with surprise and joy. You can read about it more on my blog HERE!

Their Horseshoe Bend elopement was postponed due to Covid, but the wait was worth it! Drew and I were over the moon to be asked to document their day. We felt like family! They had several family and friends there to celebrate with them and witness their emotional ceremony on the cliffs of the Colorado River. 

They got ready at the Hyatt Hotel and exchanged the most meaningful gifts. Then we had their first look on the banks of Lake Powell. Antelope Canyon is sadly closed due to the pandemic but we tried our best to get some cool slot canyon pictures! We then drove to the National Park where family and friends and amazing officiate awaited. 

The sun dipped behind the clouds, the wind died down, it was heavenly as they declared their forever love. They fit, they challenge each other, lift each other up, laugh, cry, dance, adventure together as they support each other as they make the world a better place

Thank you, thank you for letting us be a part of your perfect day at Horseshoe Bend!