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New Blog!

2010-01-06T13:25:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited to announce that we have a new blog. Please visit us at www.carisacheeblog.com to keep up with the latest from Carisa Chee Photography!

Tara and Nathan at JH Adams Inn

2009-12-14T13:24:00.004-05:00

Last Saturday, I drove to High Point to photograph Tara and Nathan's wedding at the JH Adams Inn. It was a beautiful and intimate event, with only very close friends and family, and I was honored to be there to photograph it. The evening was truly a celebration of their friendship and love for one another.

Thank you both for inviting me to be a part of your day. I have loved spending time with you both!

Tara and Tommy in Raleigh, NC

2009-12-08T21:46:00.004-05:00

Over the weekend I met Tara and Tommy in Raleigh on a cold but beautiful day for their engagement session. They made it clear from the beginning that they were willing to do whatever it took to get great images, which I always love to hear. I had such a blast with them, and I hope they did, too. Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Thank you both for a fabulous afternoon. I can't wait to hear what you think of your photos!

Jennifer and John at UNC Chapel Hill

2009-12-04T17:25:00.006-05:00

Earlier this week Jennifer and John met me at the UNC Chapel Hill campus to photograph their engagement session. We took full advantage of the sunny skies and had a fabulous time. Here are a few of my favorites from our afternoon together.

Thank you both for being such awesome models. I can't wait until your wedding!

Sarah and Tripp

2009-11-30T14:01:00.004-05:00

Last week, Sarah and Tripp met me at Old Salem to photograph their engagement session. It was a beautiful day, and we were fortunate enough to catch the last of the fall colors. Here are a few of my favorite images from our afternoon together.

Lauren and Brad

2009-11-25T22:02:00.004-05:00

Lauren, Brad and I have been trying to get together to photograph their engagement session for weeks now. And every time we planned to meet, something happened and we were forced to reschedule. So last week I was elated to see them at Bicentennial Gardens on the most gorgeous fall day. And let me tell you, we had a blast. They arrived ready to do whatever it took to get great images, and I'm so excited to share a few of my favorites from the day.

Tara and Nathan

2009-11-23T18:06:00.003-05:00

Last week, I met Tara and Nathan at Reynolda Gardens to photograph their engagement session. It was a gorgeous day, and these two were up for anything. And this is just one of the many perks of my job - I get to spend my days in beautiful locations with wonderful new friends. Here are a few of my favorite images from our afternoon together.

Thank you both for the fabulous afternoon! I can't wait to photograph your wedding in December.

Doug and Vinnie

2009-11-17T17:07:00.004-05:00

A good friend of mine, Doug, asked me to come by his home last week to take some portraits with Vinnie, his dalmatian and best friend. I absolutely love animals, and Vinnie is a natural charmer, so I had a fantastic time with these two. Here are a few of my favorite images from our afternoon together.

Thank you both for inviting me into your home for the afternoon. I had so much fun with you both!

Courtney and Ryan

2009-11-06T22:57:00.003-05:00

This week Courtney and Ryan met me at Bicentennial Gardens for their engagement session. It was a cloudy, gray day and water was everywhere, but they were willing to do whatever it took to get great photos. I was especially impressed when I asked if they would sit in puddles to get some images with the leaves, and they didn't hesitate for one moment. I had a fantastic time with them, and I'm so happy to share a few of the ab fabs from the day.

Thank you both for such a fun afternoon! I can't wait to design your guest book!

Meredith and Adam at Chapel Hill

2009-10-29T19:17:00.005-04:00

Last weekend, I met Meredith and Adam in Chapel Hill to photograph their engagement session. We walked all over campus, and they were even willing to lay down in the leaves at one point. I couldn't wait to share a few of my favorite images from our day together.

Thank you both for a fun afternoon. I'm really looking forward to your wedding!

More of Chelsea

2009-10-27T13:07:00.003-04:00

Chelsea and I got together once again to take a few more senior photos last week, and I just had to post a few images from the day.

Laura and Luke at Wrightsville Beach

2009-10-20T12:28:00.005-04:00

Last weekend, Elise and I had a fantastic few days at Wrightsville Beach while photographing Laura and Luke's wedding. The sun came out for just that one day, and what a beautiful day it was. I just couldn't wait to share a few of my favorite images.

Thank you both for inviting me to be a part of such a wonderful day. I have been so honored to get to know you and your families.

Dana and Jacob

2009-10-14T20:38:00.006-04:00

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing Dana and Jacob's wedding at her grandmother's house in Madison, North Carolina. It was a beautiful day, and Dana was a gorgeous bride. Here are a few of my favorite images from the day.

Thank you both for inviting me to be a part of such an amazing day!

Chelsea's Senior Session

2009-10-05T23:53:00.004-04:00

On Friday, I had the pleasure of once again photographing Chelsea, this time for her senior portraits. Now Chelsea is the ideal model because she's up for anything I ask of her, she brings a closet of possible outfits, and she's so gorgeous, she makes any portrait session a breeze. Here are just a few of my favorite images from our day together.

We had so much fun on Friday that we've decided to extend Chelsea's senior portraits to next week. To be continued. . .

Tiffany and TJ

2009-09-28T23:18:00.007-04:00

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing Tiffany and TJ in Central Park in New York City. They were ready to go anywhere and do anything I suggested, and I absolutely loved having two such easy-going (not to mention good-looking) models. Here are a few of my favorite images from the day.

Saks Fifth Avenue, where TJ proposed.

Thank you both for such a fun morning. I'm so excited to photograph your wedding!

Kellam and Allister

2009-09-07T19:49:00.007-04:00

Over the weekend, I had the honor of photographing Kellam and Allister's wedding in Thomasville. Since they live in California, I didn't have the chance to spend much time with them before their wedding. But they are so welcoming to every new friend that I feel like one of the family by now. I have loved every minute I've spent with these two and their families, and I just couldn't wait to share a few of their photos.

Thank you both and to your families for inviting me to be part of such an amazing day!

Erika and Tory at A&T University

2009-08-24T22:15:00.006-04:00

I have had so much fun getting to know Erika and Tory. We had a fantastic time at their engagement session, and I just couldn't wait until their big day. As expected, their wedding was an amazing event, and Elise and I were so honored to be asked to be a part of it.

This is one of my favorite groom's cakes I've ever seen.

Thank you both for inviting me to share such a special day with you and your families!

Morgan and Eric

2009-08-10T20:08:00.006-04:00

Last weekend, Elise and I drove to Eden to photograph Eric and Morgan's wedding at her parents' home. It was a beautiful day, and a truly memorable occasion. This is one couple who know what a wedding should be about. The day was a celebration of family, fun, and their love for each other. Here are few of my favorite images from the day.

Thank you both for inviting me to be part of such a fun evening. I hope to see you both again soon!

Ashley and Justin at Bermuda Run Country Club

2009-08-03T19:15:00.005-04:00

Last weekend, Renee and I drove to Clemmons to photograph Ashely and Justin's wedding. It was a gorgeous day, and a fabulous wedding. I'm so excited to share a few of my favorite images from the day!

The bouquet got tossed into the chandelier. . .

But that didn't slow down this group of cheerleaders for even a moment. They had that bouquet out in the blink of an eye!

Thank you both for inviting me to be part of such an incredible evening! I hope you have a fantastic honeymoon, and I'll see you when you get home.

Pam and Anthony

2009-07-28T18:36:00.006-04:00

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing Pam and Anthony's wedding at Oak Ridge Bed and Breakfast, and what a day it was! Everyone had a fantastic time, and even my cheeks were hurting by the end of the night from laughing so much. Here are a few of my favorite images from the day.

Everyone's wishes for the couple.

Their first dance, which surprised everyone by being interrupted by several songs . . .

. . . including "Thriller"

The men decided to serenade Pam near the end of the evening.

. . . as did Anthony.

Thank you both for inviting me to be a part of such a wonderful day. I had such a fun time!

Stephanie and Kenneth

2009-07-13T22:51:00.006-04:00

Last weekend, we drove to Cary to photograph Stephanie and Kenneth's wedding, and what an event it was! These two definitely have an eye for detail, and from ceremony to reception, their's was a day to remember. I just couldn't wait to share a few images from such an amazing afternoon.

The cake they cut . . .

. . . and the miniature cake that each guest was served.

Thank you both for asking us to be a part of your day. I have truly loved getting to know you both, as well as your families!

Deana and Nelido at Belmont Estates

2009-07-10T23:52:00.004-04:00

When Deana and Nelido were married at Belmont Estates over the weekend, I had the opportunity to witness a truly beautiful event. Their wedding was about two families becoming one. It was a perfect afternoon, and I feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of it. I'd like to share a few images from the day.

Now that they're married, I can share a few of my favorite images from Deana's bridal session. The portraits were a gift to her future husband. She went to great lengths to secure Nelido's favorite car for the occasion.

What a gorgeous bride, and what a wonderful couple. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of such a special day. I hope you have an amazing time in Brazil!

Emily and Slade at Carrigan Farms

2009-06-29T22:37:00.005-04:00

Last Saturday, Elise and I drove down to Carrigan Farms, near Charlotte, to photograph Emily and Slade's wedding. I'm not exaggerating when I say they could not have picked a more beautiful location to be married. This place was amazing. And these two people are just the sweetest, most fun couple. I've spent the last year getting to know them, and I just cannot say enough about how much I've enjoyed their friendship. And, of course, they're such a gorgeous couple that it's impossible to get a bad photograph of them!

A surprise for Slade: Emily sang to him at their reception.

Still dancing at the end of the night.

Thank you both for a fabulous evening!

Jenn and Rob's Wedding

2009-06-23T16:57:00.007-04:00

Over the weekend, Elise and I traveled to Oak Ridge Bed and Breakfast to photograph Jenn and Rob's wedding. I've so enjoyed getting to know this couple, and I just love hanging out with them, so I knew their day was going to be a blast. Here are a few of my favorite images from the evening.

Dancing with Rob's daughter, Madisyn.

Thank you both for a fabulous evening and a wonderful friendship. I can't wait to show you the rest of your photos!

Stephanie and Kenneth at Duke Gardens

2009-06-20T11:04:00.005-04:00

A few days ago, I met Stephanie and Kenneth at Duke Gardens for their engagement session. What a beautiful space, and what a fun couple! We hiked all over those gardens, and Stephanie didn't complain about those heels once! I would have been barefoot after ten minutes. I truly enjoyed getting to know these two, and I wanted to share a few images from our afternoon together.

Leigh Ellen's Bridal at Childress Vineyards

2009-06-19T21:03:00.008-04:00

Since Leigh Ellen and Derek are now married, I can share a few of my favorite images from her bridal session! We drove out to Childress Vineyards and spent an afternoon walking the grounds and taking photos. We had a fantastic time, and she was a fabulous model!

Ashley and Justin at Tanglewood Park

2009-06-15T16:00:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, Ashley and Justin met me at Tanglewood Park to photograph their engagement portraits. They were up for anything, and I had a wonderful afternoon with these two. There were even a few fountain photos that I love love love, but didn't post, just in case it might embarrass them. Suffice it to say, this couple is not afraid of being silly.

Thank you both for a fun afternoon at the park! I'm looking forward to seeing you Emily and Slade's wedding in a few weeks.

Leigh Ellen and Derek

2009-06-08T16:56:00.007-04:00

Last Saturday, Elise and I photographed Leigh Ellen and Derek's wedding on the football field of West Forsyth High School. It was a gorgeous day, and such a fun wedding! I just couldn't wait to share a few of my favorite photos from their day.

Thank you both for a fantastic evening! I have truly enjoyed getting to know you both. I can't wait to post your bridal pics next week, Leigh Ellen!

Laura and Trent

2009-05-28T20:10:00.005-04:00

For Laura and Trent's engagement session, they asked if I would mind driving to a few places that meant a lot to them. I love photographing in new locations, and I couldn't have asked for more beautiful scenes. We started at his family's farm, then headed down to Lake Norman to catch the sunset. And what a sunset it was! I had so much fun hanging out with these two that I wanted to share a few of my favorite images from the day.

Thank you both for an awesome afternoon! I can't wait to photograph your wedding.

Amanda and Jerry

2009-05-25T17:11:00.011-04:00

Last weekend, Elise and I drove to Winston Salem to photograph Amanda and Jerry's wedding. I've known this couple for almost a year now, and I have truly enjoyed getting to know them both. They are a such a sweet, loving, generous couple, not only with each other, but also with their friends; and I've loved every minute of my time with them. Their day was nothing short of spectacular, and Amanda was an amazingly gorgeous bride.

Davis Chapel, at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.

A few moments alone on the way to the reception.

One last dance.

The getaway.

Thank you both for allowing us to be a part of your day. We are truly honored.

Jenn and Rob

2009-05-22T15:07:00.008-04:00

Yesterday, Jenn and Rob came out to Bicentennial Gardens with me for their engagement session. After spending the afternoon goofing around and having fun, we all headed downtown for a few more pics and some much needed food. They're such a beautiful couple, they made my job easy, and I had a great time photographing them. Here are a few of my favorite images from the day.

Thank you both for a fabulous day. I can't wait until your wedding!

Professional Photographers of America Magazine

2009-05-11T22:25:00.005-04:00

I have incredibly exciting news. The Professional Photographers of America chose my website as one of five to feature in this month's magazine! For those of you who don't know, the Professional Photographers of America, or PPA, is the world's largest nonprofit association for professional photographers, with more than 20,000 members in 54 countries. I am unspeakably honored to be recognized by my peers, and I'd like to share the article with all of you.

Chelsea's Prom Portraits

2009-05-02T21:37:00.006-04:00

Earlier today, Chelsea and I headed over to Bicentennial Gardens to photograph her prom portraits. She looked amazing, and I had a fantastic time photographing her. I had to post a few images so everyone could see just how gorgeous she is!

I had so much fun with you today, Chelsea. I hope you have a fabulous time tonight!

Tanya and Jeff at Lake Norman

2009-04-27T22:09:00.005-04:00

Last Saturday, we drove to Lake Norman to photograph Tanya and Jeff's wedding. The day couldn't have been more beautiful, and the bride couldn't have looked more gorgeous. Tanya and Jeff were always ready for anything I had in mind, and I had a fantastic time photographing their wedding. But what I enjoyed most about the day was getting to see once again just how in love with each other they are.

Thank you both for allowing us to be a part of such a wonderful day. We are truly honored.

Catalina and Paul in Los Angeles

2009-04-21T21:47:00.009-04:00

Last weekend, Catalina and Paul were married in Los Angeles, California, and we flew out to be a part of the fun. And what an event it was! One day after another of beautiful California weather, followed by dancing into the wee hours of the night. Now, I usually try to limit the number of photos I share here, but I did the best I could. The evening was just too fabulous!

Formals at the Huntington Gardens before the ceremony.

The parasols were a wedding gift, and we made good use of them.

What good sports!

A good omen was waiting in the bride's chambers. . .

The butterfly release.

What a gorgeous venue! This was only one of three rooms reserved for the evening.

And, of course, my favorite part of the evening, the crazy hats. They're used to revive the party late at night, and these certainly did the job.

Thank you both for inviting us to photograph such an amazing evening. We are truly honored to have been a part of your day.

Charlee and Josh's Wedding

2009-04-13T21:24:00.008-04:00

Last Saturday, Charlee and Josh were married at the Pine Brook Country Club in Winston Salem, and we were honored to photograph the day for them. They couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day, or a more lovely ceremony.

The gorgeous bride. . .

And the handsome groom.

Thank you both for allowing us to be a part of your day!

Erika and Tory's Engagement Session

2009-04-10T22:57:00.004-04:00

Earlier this week, I headed downtown with Erika and Tory to photograph their engagement session. I took advantage of the fact that Erika wore comfy shoes, and we spent the afternoon traversing the streets. And let me tell you, this couple is not afraid to have a little fun. They were up for anything, and I had a fabulous time with them!

What a gorgeous couple!

Shhh. . . it's the library bus.

Thank you both for an awesome afternoon. I can't wait for your wedding!

Rosemarie and Matt's Wedding

2009-03-28T17:36:00.009-04:00

Last weekend, Elise and I drove to Charlotte to photograph Rosemarie and Matt's wedding. It was a beautiful day, a gorgeous wedding, and a loving couple. Elise and I had so much fun photographing them, and I feel incredibly honored to have been part of their day.

I was invited to ride along with the couple in style.

Their first dance as a married couple, with much more dancing to follow throughout the evening.

Hmm. He's definitely considering it, but they were both nice.

The last dance of the evening. . .

Thank you both so much for inviting us to be a part of your wedding! We had a wonderful time.

Dana and Jacob

2009-03-24T10:56:00.004-04:00

Recently, I spent a late afternoon with Dana and Jacob at Autumn Creek Vineyards. We walked the grounds, tried the wine, and sat on some very rusted machinery that had been retired some time ago. Dana and Jacob were up for just about anything I suggested, and I had a fantastic time photographing their engagement session.

Thanks to both of you for the fabulous afternoon at the vineyard! I so look forward to your wedding.

Charlee and Josh

2009-03-23T21:27:00.005-04:00

Last week, I had the pleasure of photographing Charlee and Josh's engagement session. We ended up hiking all over Reynolda Village, but it was worth it! Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon, you two. I'll see you both soon!

Rosemarie and Matt

2009-03-04T22:00:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, I drove down to Charlotte to photograph Rosemarie and Matt's engagement session. Snow was still on the ground, and it was just below freezing, but that didn't keep up from enjoying the sunny day. Here are a few of my favorite images from the afternoon.

Thanks to you both! I had so much fun getting to know you both better, and I can't wait for your wedding in a couple of weeks!

Bride's Choice Awards

2009-02-03T09:28:00.006-05:00

I've just received some very exciting news. Carisa Chee Photography has been chosen to receive the 2009 Bride's Choice Award from Wedding Wire. This award recognizes vendors who demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, and professionalism. The recipients of this award are determined exclusively by past clients through surveys and reviews. Thank you to all of my couples who reviewed Carisa Chee Photography. I treasure the friendships I've developed with each of you!

Chihuly in Arizona

2009-02-02T17:52:00.006-05:00

While in Arizona, we were told that we absolutely had to see the Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens. I'm so glad we listened, because it was one of the most gorgeous things I've ever seen. We spent the evening photographing as much as we could, and I'd like to share a few of my images here. When we asked if we were allowed to post our images from the day, we were told that the artist has graciously allowing photographers to post their images as long as they didn't sell them. Without further ado, here's my humble attempt to share Chihuly's amazing work. No flash has been used so that his art pieces may be appreciated as they appear in person.

This one is my favorite from the day.

Sedona

2009-01-21T10:40:00.007-05:00

While in Phoenix, Becki, Elise, and I took a day to drive to Sedona and photograph the area around the town. We had a fantastic time, and even stayed to see the moon rise over the red rocks.

Sedona seems to be the capital of psychic energies. There are aura readers, and vortex scouts - you name, they've got it. We found these rock formations near a trail where guides will take tourists on energy vortex tours. We guessed the two were connected.

This is Snoopy Rock at sunset.

Moon rise.

Nevada

2009-01-13T19:13:00.004-05:00

This week was the annual Professional Photographers of America convention, and this year it was held in Phoenix, Arizona. Becki, Elise, and I headed out there for some sun and some new photography knowledge. We had an awesome time, and we learned a lot. Before flying to Arizona, I decided to take a little detour to visit my aunt and uncle in Boulder City, Nevada. While I was there, my aunt was nice enough to take me hiking around some of the slot canyons in the area. I was blown away by the beauty of these places, and I wanted to share a few of my images with you all.

Photos of Phoenix coming soon!

Christmas with the Family

2009-01-02T16:15:00.006-05:00

For Christmas, my husband and I flew to Kansas to be with my family for a week. I promise not to bore you with all 300 of the photos I took that week, but I wanted to share a few of my very favorites from our time there.

My sister and I were raised with two other families, who aren't strictly related to us, but are family none the less. These are the kids and their spouses, or soon to be spouses in a few cases.

And these are the people responsible for us. . .

My beautiful sister, Stacey, and my perfect niece, Amelia Wren.

Amelia with her great-grandmother on Christmas day.

Deciding whether she prefers Jake's present to her own.

Amelia and my mother.

. . . and with my father.

One last photo of mom and dad on Christmas day.

Emily and Slade

2008-12-08T14:31:00.005-05:00

Last weekend, I drove down to Georgia to photograph Emily and Slade's engagement session. We had an awesome time in the Atlanta aquarium, and by the end of the day, I felt as though we were old friends. Here are a few of my favorites from the day. This is Slade and Emily at the helm of the pirate ship in the center of the kid's play area. (We were having way more fun than the kids.)

Petting the sharks and sting-rays.

Under the world's largest tank.

One last shot as the sun sets on the Atlanta sky-line.

Thank you, Emily and Slade, for showing me around Atlanta last weekend. I had a fabulous time with you both, and I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Lily's Quinceańera

2008-12-02T18:24:00.006-05:00

Elise and I drove to Durham over the weekend to photograph Lily's quinceańera, and man was it a fun night. Those fifteen year-olds knew how to party, dancing the night away. Here are a few of my favorite images from the night.

Lily and her girlfriends in front of their stylin' stretch hummer.

Dancing with her father, Hector.

And dancing with her brother, Michael.

Dancing in her second dress of the evening.

Opening presents.

Blowing out the candles on her beautiful cake.

What an amazing evening. Thank you all for allowing Elise and I to be a part of it. We are truly honored.

Lily

2008-11-13T17:35:00.005-05:00

Earlier this week, Lily and I went up to Kitty Hawk to take a few photographs before her quinceañera. It's an extremely important day for her, and I'm honored to be her photographer. She was an awesome model, and we had a fabulous time. Here are my favorites from the day.

Pam and Anthony

2008-11-10T18:59:00.007-05:00

Last week, I had so much fun photographing Pam and Anthony's engagement session. They brought along Bruno, who did his best to be the very picture of an obedient dog. We traveled all over Greensboro, and they were up for anything. Here are a few images from the day.

A family portrait. . .

He can walk himself, thank you very much.

I had a great time, and I was so happy to meet Bruno. Thank you both for spending the day with me!

Leigh Ellen and Derek

2008-11-03T16:00:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, Leigh Ellen and Derek met me at Tanglewood Park for their engagement session. They were willing to walk anywhere and do just about anything I asked of them, as long as it wasn't too close to the horses. I had a fantastic time, and I hope they did, too.

Tanya and Jeff

2008-10-29T21:50:00.008-04:00

Today I had the pleasure of trekking around Greensboro with Tanya and Jeff to photograph their engagement session. There's not anywhere they wouldn't go, which is pretty impressive if you saw the heels Tanya was wearing. I had a lot of fun, and I hope they did too. Here are a few images from the day.

Gretchen's Bridal

2008-10-27T15:46:00.007-04:00

At the end of the summer, Gretchen and I headed to the University of North Carolina campus in Chapel Hill to photograph her bridal session. Now that she's married, I can post a few of my favorite images from the day.

Gretchen and Robbie

2008-10-21T18:18:00.007-04:00

Last weekend, Gretchen and Robbie were married on the most beautiful fall day, and I was there to photograph their wedding.

They entered the room accompanied by the UNC fight song.

She looks like she might not trust him . . .

. . . and with good reason, too!

Their first dance.

One last photo before the night ends.

What a beautiful evening, and what a wonderful couple. Thank you, Gretchen and Robbie, for inviting me to be a part of your day. I am truly honored.

Lauren and Cory

2008-10-12T19:14:00.007-04:00

I drove up to the North Carolina mountains yesterday to photograph the wedding of Lauren and Cory. They couldn't have chosen a more beautiful day or setting. And with such a great looking couple, my job was made easy.

Lauren's bouquet.

Her grandmother's brooch.

Cory sees Lauren for the first time as she walks down the aisle.

Their first dance.

Cory sweeps Lauren off her feet once again.

Lauren and Cory spent the day surrounded by the people who love them most, and it was a perfect day. Thank you both for inviting me to celebrate with you. I had a wonderful time.

Rebecca and Jim

2008-09-30T09:03:00.013-04:00

Last weekend, Becki and I had the honor of photographing Rebecca and Jim's wedding at Lake Norman. Fortunately, the rain stopped just in time, and it was a beautiful day.

Their first dance as husband and wife. . .

. . . and many, many dances to follow.

Rebecca and Jim are anything but boring. And they love fun surprises, so they had a little surprise for their guests who assumed they would be leaving in a bridal gown and tuxedo.

It was an amazing evening that no one will forget anytime soon. Thank you, Rebecca and Jim, for allowing us to be there to celebrate with you!

Amanda and Jerry

2008-09-22T19:27:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, I headed out to Old Salem to photograph Amanda and Jerry's engagement session. They're such a beautiful couple, they made my job easy. We had a fabulous time, and I cannot wait to photograph their wedding. Here are a few of my favorite shots.

Rachel and Marshall

2008-08-20T22:19:00.015-04:00

Over the weekend, Elise and I were in Washington D.C. to photograph Rachel and Marshall's wedding at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. It was GORGEOUS, and we had a fabulous time documenting their day. Here are a few of my favorite images.

Rachel's beautiful bouquet.

The reminder on Marshall's iPhone.

The ladies. . .

. . . and the guys.

Their guests sat and stood in a circle around the couple as they were married.

My favorite shot of the day.

Their first dance.

The live band kept almost everyone on the floor for the entire evening.

Marshall was so happy to be married to Rachel, and it showed!

It was an wonderful evening, and everyone had a great time. Thank you, Rachel and Marshall, for allowing us to be part of your day.

D.C., Baby!

2008-08-16T11:50:00.014-04:00

Elise and I are in Washington D.C. this weekend to photograph the wedding of Rachel and Marshall. We spent yesterday walking around seeing the monuments and generally having a great time. Here are a few of my photos from the day.

Here are Elise and I in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

This is the World War II Monument, which is amazing. There are two sets of columns, one on each side of a gorgeous fountain. Each column has a name of a state or territory engraved on it.

And here is Cinnamon, who was with her owners at the Lincoln Memorial. She apparently had her hair done for the occasion. I'm not sure how you would go about dying a dog's hair, or even if you should, but she was working that color!

Jessica and Justin

2008-07-19T17:14:00.023-04:00

Earlier this week, I drove over the to UNC campus to photograph Jessica and Justin's engagement portraits. We had a great day, and we got some great shots of the two of them. Of course, it's not difficult to make this couple look good. Here are a few of my favorite images from the day.

The Big 3-0

2008-07-13T08:45:00.010-04:00

Last weekend, my parents came out to North Carolina to celebrate my birthday with my husband and me. We drove to Beaufort, where we ate at one of my favorite restaurants, The Spouter Inn. We spent the next day traveling up the Outer Banks, where we stopped to see a few of the lighthouses. Since we were on vacation, we only brought our little point-and-shoot camera, but I think it did a great job. Here we are with my parents in Cape Hatteras.

We spent the following few days in Kitty Hawk, where we did nothing but eat seafood and relax. We stayed at the loveliest bed and breakfast, the Cypress Moon Inn, which is located on the sound side, and offers peace and quiet all day long. Greg and Linda are the owners, and we really enjoyed getting to know them during our stay.

On our last day on the Outer Banks, I fulfilled one of my life-long dreams of hang gliding. A little biplane pulled myself and my knowledgeable instructor, Johnny, a mile into the air before releasing us into the wind. Here we are getting strapped into the glider.

And here's the plane that took us up.

My husband was nice enough to take a few photos from the ground while I was in the air.

There was also a camera attached to the wing of the glider, so that I could have a few pics by which to remember my adventure. Here we are a mile above the ground, and I'm steering! Johnny told me I did an excellent job.

One last photo before Johnny lands us safely on the ground.

It was the perfect birthday, spent with the people who mean the most to me. Thank you to my mom, dad, and husband for making my birthday so wonderful!

More of Malorie's Photos

2008-06-17T20:49:00.006-04:00

I had so much fun photographing Malorie, and she's such an amazing model, that I just had to post more photos from our session together. Here are three more of my favorites.

The CW Channel's Newest Star

2008-06-16T18:28:00.009-04:00

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph the CW channel's newest addition, Malorie Holloway. She is gorgeous, both inside and out, and they are lucky to have her. Here are a few of my favorites. More to be posted tomorrow. Congratulations on the new job, Malorie!

Little Heartbreaker

2008-06-10T09:52:00.011-04:00

Last April, I went to Oregon to visit my sister and brother-in-law, and to meet my new niece, Amelia Wren. I may be slightly biased, but that little girl is THE sweetest baby who ever existed. Now, those of you who know me well know that I am not a baby person. But she broke my heart every time she sighed, which is often, because she's an incredibly vocal four-month old. Here she is with my beautiful sister, Stacey.

What a sweet little face!

Every night, I would sit on the couch while little Amelia Wren slept on my chest. It was my favorite part of the day. I've never felt so content in all of my life as I did during those evenings. What a wonderful gift. My mom took this picture of the two of us.

One last shot of the gorgeous Oregon coastline before returning to North Carolina.

Arts on Sunday

2008-05-18T17:19:00.009-04:00

This Sunday, I went to downtown Winston Salem to see the arts fair. There was live music, and even belly dancers, to entertain the crowd. The band was Aura3, and they can be found at www.Aura3.net. They are a female acoustic trio, and they were fantastic. The belly dancers were from Three Graces Entertainment, and can be found at www.ThreeGracesEntertainment.com. Thank you ladies, for allowing me to photograph your amazing performances.

Free Ice Cream!

2008-04-29T21:17:00.008-04:00

Today was Ben and Jerry's annual free ice cream cone day, which benefits Habitat for Humanity. Of course, I went to Friendly Center with a friend to try one of their new flavors. We weren't the only ones with this idea. In fact, there were bands and at least two children's groups there to entertain the hundreds of people who came out today. It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time.

This is one of the children's groups, the Jazzy Jumpers. They jumped rope to music, and performed quite a few tricks for the audience. We were all very impressed with how talented they were.

A Relaxing Evening at Home

2008-04-15T16:27:00.010-04:00

My husband and I love a good campfire, especially when we have a good bottle of wine with which to enjoy it. In fact, when we first bought our house, we bought a patio set with a fire pit in the middle of the table so that we could sit in front of the fire together whenever we liked. We took advantage of the break in the rain over the weekend to sit outside and savor a quiet night at home.

Jayhawks are national champions!

2008-04-08T11:06:00.004-04:00

For those of you who don't know this about me, I am a Jayhawk. That's right, I went to the University of Kansas, where basketball is a religion. And last night, for the first time in twenty years, we won the national championship. I was watching the game downtown with a group of friends, and that last three-pointer that put us into overtime was a beautiful sight. I'm sure Lawrence was an amazing place to be last night, and I'm sorry I missed it. But not to worry, we celebrated as best we could here in Greensboro, North Carolina.

I'd just like to say to Jayhawks everywhere, ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK, KU!

Blue Ridge Hiking

2008-03-27T21:24:00.009-04:00

A friend of mine and I went hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday to get some fresh air and have a little fun with our cameras. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day.

And one final shot of the sun beginning to set as we started home.

My Honey and Me

2008-03-13T18:15:00.012-04:00

Our good friend, Jonathan McCardell, was nice enough to take a few photos of my husband, Phil, and me a few days ago. Here's my favorite from the bunch. I'm not trying to be superficial, but I gotta say, I have a handsome husband!

Featured Photographer Interview

2008-03-06T16:59:00.009-05:00

I have fun news. Drum roll, please. I am the featured photographer this month on the Photoidentities website. To see my interview, please click on the post title, or this link - Photoidentities.com, and you'll be directed right to it.

By the way, if anyone has questions about my experience with Photoidentities, I would be happy to recommend them to anyone. I have never received such amazing customer service with any other company. I never have a website issue that isn't resolved immediately. In fact, I have often sent them an e-mail asking a question, and received a phone call within minutes to make sure that I understand the answer. I could gush about them for days.

Under the Sea

2008-02-27T11:58:00.010-05:00

Becki and I spent our last day in Atlanta at the amazing aquarium. We had more fun than most of the kids there, I think. And, yes, there were LOTS of children there. Becki took this one of me petting a shark, which was very soft.

This guy was one of my early favorites, and man did he like to have his picture taken. He posed for me for several minutes.

This photo was taken while walking through the tunnel that leads under the world's largest tank.

This guy was kind of eerie. Maybe he thought we were all there for his amusement. Well, what else is he going to do all day?

Of course, it wasn't long before I became more interested in the people than the fish.

And finally, Becki and I felt that we needed a photo of ourselves that fit the theme of the day.

New Friends

2008-02-26T17:03:00.005-05:00

Another photographer and a good friend of mine, Becki Dickinson, drove down to Atlanta with me over the weekend for a business seminar. We made some great new friends, including Melissa, a photographer from West Virginia. That's me on the left, Becki in the middle, and Melissa on the right.

We hated to say goodbye to Melissa at the end of the weekend, but Becki and I are planning a road trip to West Virginia this fall so she can show us around the state and we can all photograph the beautiful fall foliage.

While out to lunch one day, we ran into a group of performers making a videotape to submit to America's Got Talent. I'm not sure what their talent is, but they seemed to be having a good time regardless.

And, of course, what good is a road trip if you don't risk being arrested by being photographed on some kind of abstract art? This lion sculpture was one of two outside a business in downtown Atlanta. Stuart Hill, another photographer in our seminar, was nice enough to take this photo of Becki and I.

Before driving home, we stopped off at the Atlanta Aquarium, which was great fun. Photos from that adventure coming tomorrow.

Snow Day!

2008-02-15T11:02:00.021-05:00

Two nights ago, there was the most gorgeous snow storm in Greensboro, North Carolina. I'm from the midwest, and I have never seen such a storm. The snowflakes were huge, and they swirled around my yard in such a way that I felt like I was in the middle of a snow globe. It was incredibly beautiful, and I couldn't wait to get outside the next morning to take a few photos. Here are two of my favorites.

Hello and Welcome

2008-02-10T09:07:00.000-05:00

Hi, and welcome to my new website and blog. I am so excited to share my work and my life with you, and I hope that you'll check back often to see what I'm up to. I'd like to use this first blog entry to acknowledge some of the amazing people in my life. You see, this has been an incredible year of growth, and with that growth came a few growing pains. Now, I don't get all mushy too often, but this time I have to make an exception. If it's all just a little too sappy for you, then I'll spare you the details by telling you the gist right now: I am the luckiest person I know, and I am constantly awed and humbled by how loved and supported I am.

First and foremost, I need to thank my amazing husband, Phil. This is a man who, when I told him years ago that I wanted to be a photographer, told me that I needed to quit my job immediately and follow this dream. Mind you, we didn't have much money, and the prospect of quitting my job was terrifying. But he was so sure that I would succeed, I felt I couldn't fail. And his support of me hasn't waned once in all of this time. Whenever I begin to doubt myself, he encourages me and convinces me that I can do anything. I have never felt so loved or so supported, and I am forever grateful that this extraordinary person is in my life.

Okay, stick with me if you can, and I promise to keep the rest of this as short as possible. I am grateful for my parents, who are always just a phone call away to tell me that I am loved. I am continually amazed by the wonderful friendship of Renee and Jonathan McCardell, of McCardell Photography, who have been the truest of friends. I cannot thank Cyana enough for taking the time to teach me when I had no experience as a photographer, and for cheering me on to this day, years later. Thank you to Becki, who is the very definition of a natural artist, and who continually challenges me to see things in a new way. I feel blessed to count Jarvis as a friend, someone who picks me up when I stumble. Thank you to Elise, for a friendship that I continually appreciate. And finally, thank you to everyone who gave me permission to use my photographs of you on my new site. I loved working with every one of you, and I cherish the friendships I have with you.