​I was so excited to be able to photograph at a brand new venue, Ivy Rose Farm in Rocky Mount, Virginia. It's a luxury white barn venue complete with a greenhouse, mountain views, honey bee farm, and wild flower fields. It's a magical place that's a blank canvas for a high end celebration! This was an editorial to show off the incredible potential of Ivy Rose Barn and Farm. It was still under construction and now there are even more locations for your wedding ceremony, reception, and pictures! Drew and I would absolutely love to come back! I'm so lucky to be able to work with so many amazing vendors! 

Host: @styledshootsacrossameria
Concept & Planning: @heatherbengeofficial
Venue: @theivyrosebarn
Florals: @blomstfloraldesign
Hair: @bohobraids_byivy
Makeup: @madexdejamua
Stationery: @papier.handmade
Cake: @blushbakingco
Linens: @nuagedesignsinc
Gown Salon: @studioidobridalsroanoke
Menswear: @studioidobridals

I had the joy of photographing Brittney & David in Joshua Tree National Park! They had a skater, rocker, boho orange theme and it worked perfectly against the massive boulders, dessert sand, and warm sky at sunset! I wanted to focus on movement and candid moments and so we did a lot of running, lifting, spinning, and laughing! The camper photo booth with hot chocolate was the perfect boho touch for the cold fall night! Drew and I would LOVE to come back to Joshua Tree National Park for a wedding or an elopement! We know several amazing hidden gem locations! Keep an eye out for a "How To Elope In Joshua Tree National Park" guide! Thank you to all the California vendors who participated!   

HOST: @theshootoutsociety
PLANNER: @terracottaeventco
FLORIST: @whimsybloomsdesign
HAIR: @tressesandtwine
MAKEUP: @vansylkbeauty
BRIDE: @brittney.caroline
GROOM: @da_kekoa
CAKE + MACARONS: @heritagedesserts
​PAPER GOODS: @summersagecreative
BRIDAL GOWN: @dreamersandlovers_
SUIT: @friartux
RENTALS: @lapinataparty
TABLETOP RENTALS: @hostesshaven
TRAILER: @cannedcloseup
NAPKIN RINGS: @knotandhome

When your best friend from college just also happens to be a gorgeous model, you go on a trip together and take pictures! Drew and I had a wedding in Los Angeles, California and I flew out early to spend time with Marisa who is an absolutely incredible, talented, goofy, beautiful, so super fun, selfless front line super hero travel ICU covid unit nurse in LA. I wanted to visit the Palm Springs Windmills and I'm so stoked she agreed to model for me!! Back in 2014 ish she was on the of first people I took photos of during her nursing school graduation, and since then she has been nonstop encouraging and supporting me, my business, and my art. She got to pick out the wedding dress to rent and I found a bunch of cute items on Amazon! She even had roller blades packed in her car and of course we had to break them out! It actually rained the sunset we were supposed to photograph so she was incredible, as always, and woke up before sunrise to get ready, drive us from Joshua Tree, and brave hurricane winds in a gown. I was so stressed and wanted everything to be perfect because I waned it to be perfect for her. We ran around the sand, danced to salsa music, tried new things, it was perfect. I am SO grateful we got to have fun, get creative, and explore California together. She is my hero and I'm so blessed over 13 years later she's in Drew and I's lives! We love you Maris! 

Here are a few Amazon Associate Links:
Veil
Glasses
Earrings 
Hat
Roller skates

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!!