Photographic Expressions

Planning her wedding from Colorado, Cassidy and I quickly bonded over numerous emails back and forth over wedding details and life in general. The ceremony was set for her hometown of Ellijay and since my home base is set more in Jasper than Atlanta, it was a nice treat to have a wedding in my ‘backyard.’

Weeks and months passed, circumstances changed for Cassidy and Chris and the location was reset to none other than their own backyard. I have to admit that I am a bit jealous I didn’t know you 3.5 years ago for my own wedding! Complete with the Blue Ridge mountains, rock patio strung with lights (love!) and beautiful hand-made benches by the bride’s father, and oh, let’s not forget the stunning wildflowers everywhere. It was simply perfect.

Staying true to their original venue, we started out the day by headed out in the heat for a pre shoot in Turniptown to take advantage of the gorgeous valley and unique barn oddities. Jumping across ditches and battling spider webs and gnat clusters, Cassidy and Chris were truly up for anything.

C+C, it was truly wonderful spending the day with you. I was sad to leave knowing that you were leaving to go back to CO so soon. I know life has been a roller coaster this year but thankfully you have such great friends and family as your support and they love you. I wish your family the absolute best and I am so glad to have gotten to know you and them.

Wishing all of you my absolute best!
~C

Photographing weddings really allows me to build friendships with my couples and over the course of the wedding day, I get to become part of the family. It’s a huge compliment to me when siblings or friends of my couples contact me for their upcoming wedding.

Last year I photographed Sarah and Ben’s wedding in Dahlonega/Dawsonville and got to know both sides of their large families. (I’ve always wanted to be in a large family!) This year I was beyond thrilled when Therese called for her June wedding. Therese’s fiance, Peter’s family is not so small either, so it made for another great, family, filled wedding.

Therese and Peter, thank you for the fun day at Berry College and I’m so glad I was there to witness (and document) your day. Rome isn’t too far from Jasper, I do hope to see you again!

~C

I have now nicknamed Rising Fawn, ‘Georgia’s Bermuda Triangle.’ As a Georgia Native myself and one who loves to drive all over, I really thought I had seen all of my state, I was so wrong! When Allison first contacted me I had to run to Google, to find out where such a place could be. Nothing says Bermuda Triangle, than only being able to access this area by either driving up into Chattanooga, TN and back down or driving west into Alabama and turning back into Georgia. WEIRD!

Despite the logisitics of the location, WOW what a location! General Woods Inn does not disappoint with it’s military decor touches throughout the house and the most incredible views! Killer! Despite having both the bride and groom graduating just a few days prior to the wedding, both were cool, calm and excited to get the day started.

A&D, I wish you two the absolute best as you prepare to pack and move with your assignment. Many wishes and best of lucks in your future!

~C

Click here and check out a behind the scenes look at just what is Photographic Expressions and just who is behind that camera.

Filmed by the talented Three Ring Media

Always quick with a smile, Ashley radiated from head to toe that day. Heels were killer, hair was fabulous, makeup superb, gorgeous in general. The moment she stepped into the dress, everyone in the room was spellbound. As Ashley and her father walked down the aisle I’m pretty sure that Jeremy’s reaction wasn’t far from her bridesmaids.

So much laughter, dancing and fun filled the day. Mrs. Aura, oh my goodness, I’m coming to you for dance lessons! That was a rocking reception!

Ashley, I wish you much success as you start a new chapter at MCG. A&J, I wish you nothing but the absolute best!

~C

Click HERE for a summary slideshow

The forecast was spotted with torrential downpours days leading up to the wedding. Rehearsal was met with sheets of rain and the morning of started out overcast. Checking my iphone for the doppler just before meeting up there was not a green blob to be found on the screen. Prayers had been answered and as we drove over to Villa Christina, I had to dig for my long lost sunglasses. It was going to be a bright, bright, sun shiny day.

Christine and Mike, you are truly blessed in having found each other, having such a wonderful group of family and friends that traveled great distances to be with you on your special day, and the bright future that lays ahead.

Best wishes!

~C

Ashley and Jeremy are married!!

Images soon to come so in the meantime I have been dying to share with everyone Ashley’s bridal portraits from a few weeks ago. Trail runs for hair and makeup plus a photo shoot were scheduled weeks in advance with no clue that the heavens would be opening up that Saturday. Scrambling last minute we found the Georgian Terrace as a back up plan. Some back up plan! This Atlanta landmark is beyond words. I received a mini tour from the concierge and couldn’t stop drooling. I wish I owned a semi truck, I just wanted to throw all of their furniture I found in the lounge, restaurant, bar, dining room, everywhere in my car and run away. Fabulaous with a capital F! Insert gorgeous bride and a few hours to explore and you have yourself a fun afternoon! I could have spent hours more.

Ashley, you are just beyond beautiful, I am in love with your dress and I truly had so much fun with you that Saturday and today! I wish you only the best!!
Go Wesleyan!

~C

Slideshow of more images

Little back story. Randee and I were two parts of the three musketeers back in high school. Krista rounded us out and we were inseparable. The summer that we were 16 Randee and Krista were lifeguards and we spent the summer at the city pool (I stopped in for company) and we had our Movie Mondays and fun times riding in the truck or Krista’s convertible. That was probably my favorite summer. It has since been ten years since we’ve all been together and at least five since I had seen Randee when Facebook brought us together (gotta love that site). Fate had its way and Randee and Blake were in Savannah one weekend back in April, the same weekend Josh and I were down for a photo shoot. Meeting up was as if those years that separated us had never happened. It was so good to catch up and just click with your best friend that you spent long nights laughing with, eating Peanut Reese’s chips and Dr. Pepper.

Fast forward to November where Randee married the man that she met and fell in love with that shares her passion for the ocean, beach and all things on the water. With family that traveled from as far away as Ohio and as close as her next door neighbor, Randee and Blake planned a beautiful wedding celebration that spanned several days and that truly represented themselves and as a couple. I missed the first few days of celebrations but arrived at the Don Cesar in time to capture the rehearsal on the beach, spot dolphins off the dock at the rehearsal dinner and swap stories with loved ones on both sides of family.

Looking back I remember eating breakfast at the Greek diner with Josh on the wedding day. Driving back to the Don we both noted that it was indeed, the best day for a wedding. Picture perfect in every sense. The bluest of skies, a cool breeze just off the Gulf, and a brilliant sun. I met up with Randee as she headed out for a makeup appointment and later back for hair. Calm, laid back, quick with a smile followed by her laugh that I have known for so many years, it was an incredible experience to see my friend transform from beach babe to hot goddess. Ringlet curls, champagne flutes, flowy white dress, barefoot and  surrounded by her best friends and family; Randee was beautiful and stunning.

Details for the day fell into place and reflected Randee and Blake as a couple like nothing else could. Walking down the sandy aisle to the sounds of the water crashing to the beach, steel drum music in the air and the palm leaves blowing in the breeze Randee arrived to stand next to Blake. Exchanging vows under the sun, in front of close family and friends, barefoot on the beach was so in tune to who they are, what brought them together and where they are headed. Later after the impromptu sunset shoot (fabulous timing!) the newest Mr and Mrs headed back to the Reception perfectly held on the outside dock/patio, entertained by the steel drum band and the love of family and friends.

It has been an absolute honor and thrill to document first Krista’s wedding and now Randee’s. Even after all of these years, friends have a way of circling back having passed the test of time.

Much love to the both of you!! Josh and I definitely will be there when you plan that trip to the Keyes

~C