Photographic Expressions

So for the past twelve years my best friend Krista and I have been dreaming of Z71 pickup trucks, eating pickles with braces on and singing at the top of our lungs in the car together. She stood by my side when I got married last year and this past weekend I was honored to stand by her side as she got married.

Thankfully the rain gods were on our side as the overcast sky and thunderstorms cleared up to allow an outdoor wedding at one of Macon’s most historic homes, The Woodruff House. Overlooking downtown Macon, this landmark is regal, oozes with Southern charm, and is one of the most beautiful wedding locations I’ve ever been to.

So what does a wedding photographer do when she is asked to be the Matron of Honor when cloning isn’t an option? Well fortunately with my VIP status, I armed myself with my camera and photographed the most gorgeous bride when I wasn’t fluffing her dress, rebobby pinning a loose curl, giving a speech at the reception, packing up her dress at the end of the night and all those other funtastic MOH duties.

Before the bride and groom rode off into the night in their fancy smancy limo, we all danced the night away with Laura Starling herself!! The one and only diva of WDEN radio. It was so amazing to met her and imagine, she’s a Wesleyan grad too! I knew I always liked her.

How many brides do you know wore Timberland boots to try on wedding dresses? Our love for blue jeans is mutual.

CONGRATULATIONS you two!!!

I realized that my ‘About Us’ page doesn’t really let you get to ‘know me’ so I stumbled upon these questions that aren’t your run of the mill ‘My hair is brown’ type questions. So, enjoy reading and feel free to respond with your own answers, I would love to read them.

Add-libbing # 11. What do you continuously abuse despite the fact that you have a degree in English? Commas are my kryptonite! I just don’t seem to place them where they are suppose to go, rather where I think they should go. I do apologize for the comma splices that I have already committed and will commit in the future!

10. Share one food item that best describes the last year of your life. Stouffers. With all of my traveling and taking pictures, in addition to my full time job, trying to spend time with my husband, puppy, family and friends, I have no time (or interest) in cooking. Pop a Stouffer’s meal in the microwave and you have a pretty, darn good casserole at your fingertips : )

9. What one item in the kitchen best describes you and your personality? Microwave! (I can’t live without this invention) It’s always there ready when you are, press a few buttons and gets hot pretty fast. : P

8. What’s your favorite concert you’ve ever attended? Well Keith Urban gives the absolute best concert but I have to support my Macon, GA boy, Jason Aldean who is really rocking up the country charts. Wooo Hooo!

7. What cartoon character best describes you?
But my absolute favorite comic strip ever is: This comic isn’t published in our Sunday paper, so I have to find it online. I love this website where you can search for your favorite comic and get updates, daily! www.comics.com

6. If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be? Alaska! I’ve had the privilege of traveling Europe but now I want to explore more of the United States and what better place to see so much beauty than Alaska? I probably wouldn’t know what to photograph first but Yes, I would definitely want to live in Alaska (the idea of living in that type of cold weather doesn’t penetrate my dream but it would definitely be a wake up call)

5. Complete the statement “I recommend…” going after your dream and not settling for anything less! I have the best husband in the world and though he hasn’t turned a blind eye to my credit card balance, he has been more than supportive as I hit the ground running this year to really embark on my photography career. My dad always said to find something you love and try to make money at it. Well, I found what I love and it truly makes me happy plus I have found I have more patience with photographing a subject than I have in any area of my life. That has to count for something, right?

4. If you knew could you try anything and not fail (and money was no object), what dream would you attempt? I would probably be Editor in Chief of Glamour magazine, in addition to being a world renowned photographer, all the while raising um….5 kids?..with my hubby.

3. What super-power would you most like to have, and why? Funny story. When I was a kid, I wanted the superhuman power to change outfits whenever I did a toe touch. (you know the cheerleader type toe touch). Yep, not the power to heal or fly or anything, I wanted to be able to change outfits with one toe touch. How crazy was that? Think the show Heroes would consider it and put my character on tv? : )

2. If you had $5 million to spend in 5 days, but couldn’t spend any of it on yourself or your family, what would you do with it? I would give it to charities that supported the following: Endangered Animals, research for all disease preventions and cures, research to find alternative sources of fuel, Children’s Aid, Firefighter and all public service funds, and Education.

1. “2 Truths And a Lie” – I have an obsession with black olives, I took ballet classes as a kid, and when I was younger I broke my leg and had a purple cast.

I have lost count how many times my dad said that phrase when I was growing up. It could have been referencing a new outfit, our hairdo, just anything but it would always make me laugh. Well the hubby and I got a ‘furbaby,’ if you will, right around our first anniversary. In fact it was our anniversary present to each other. Despite the fact that it was technically his dog, because I don’t do little dogs, I fell in love, hard.
You take a look into Levi’s blue, green, hazel (whichever they are that day) eyes and tell me that he isn’t ‘cuter than a speckled bird dog pup.’

Dalmatians are over-rated. Just get a Fire Dog like Levi and throw ‘em in your boots and go!

Well the countdown has begun, three weeks to the wedding!

Few months ago I was able to catch up with Krista and Joel in Myrtle Beach and had some fun. It was a beautiful day and the wind was cold and fierce but Joel and Krista were such troopers and laughed the entire time.

We were all a bit new to the city so we cruised ‘the infamous strip’ to see what it had to offer. The beach was a must but the boardwalk was a fabulous find and they didn’t even flinch when I suggested we go to new heights. In between the shivering and their infectious laughing you could really see the connection that these two have.

Thanks so much for the fabulous afternoon and braving the cold, I had a blast with y’all!

~C

And I just had to include a shot of my assistant, Stephanie and I channeling a bit of America’s Next Top Model as the fierce wind picked up. Steph later took this picture and add a bit of magazine ‘fun.’ Still cracks me up looking at it.

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to capture five generations of family with ages ranging from two weeks to 85 years. Wow, what an amazing family. Thank you for welcoming me into your home and getting to know you all.

Ms. Annabelle is very much a happy little one and was very cooperative for her close up. To say that she is loved by her big brother and sister, is an understatement, as they loved to give her kisses and hold her hand.

So excited to see you all again. It was wonderful to meet Ms. Annabelle and to see everyone again as always. Congrats Tarrant Family, best of luck as you transition to North Carolina.
~C

I just love this moment of great-great grandmother holding her new great-great granddaughter. Wow.

I was so honored to be asked to photograph the wedding of the new Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds.

It was an amazing day filled with love, laughs, a bit of fishing, and dancing, but fortunately no rain. The ceremony started in the evening at Lakeshore Manor and though I was apprehensive of the light, Juli was positive about it, and you know what? The sun popped out right in the middle of the ceremony and it was as if it was all for Curtis and Juli. The food was great as it was prepared by an old friend Anne Marie Watson, yes I snuck a bite or two, and the music kept everyone on their feet. Who doesn’t love a bit of YMCA? It turned out to be a wonderful celebration of two wonderful people united together in front of so many loved ones with a bit of dancing to top it off.

C & J, you are such awesome people and I wish you two the very best in life and love.

Congratulations!
~C