Photographic Expressions

I created a two part post to follow our two day engagement session. We embarked on the shores of Tybee Island, back to where the new chapter in their lives started on Sunday morning. The morning started out thick with fog and the cool pinks and purples were painted in the sky, to say the least it was pretty early.

Floundering a bit in the sand as it has been awhile since I walked on a beach anywhere, I looked up to see that Jay and Melissa seemed to glide with ease as they made their way to the pier, hands held, gazed locked on each other.

The early morning sunlight lent its golden color and washed them in its glory, I was getting goosebumps at the beauty of it all. Later we made our way to the small patch of rocky shore and that’s when Melissa brought her fierceness. She was smoking on the beach of Tybee and I’m so glad she decided to go with the fabulous dress. So Hawt!

Y’all, you make my job so easy and it was an absolute joy to spend the weekend with you two.

Much love!!

~C

Her eyes sparkle. They sparkle like the ocean water highlighted by the sunlight when she looks at him. His smile comes easily as he wraps her in his arms with the warmest embrace. Their love is evident and creates a beautiful aura around them as they walk the cobblestone streets of Savannah, their second home, the city they love.

The city is one that envelops love in a slow and Southern embrace, creating the perfect place for Jay to secretly propose to Melissa. One afternoon on a leisurely walk along the beach of Tybee Island Jay stumbled upon a glass filled jar full of seashells. Hidden inside was a stunning, diamond solitaire ring, just the kind of ring that flashes with brilliance on Melissa’s left hand. That evening they celebrated a new chapter in their whirlwind love riding in a horse drawn carriage through the streets in the city they love.

Savannah is truly a dream with its beautiful architecture, inviting staircases and unique textures. They gave us a walking tour of the historic district and filled us in with historic tidbits the whole way.

Melissa and Jay absolutely rocked this shoot. Love Jay’s strong presence and the ultra chic that Melissa brought.

M & J, we had an absolutely wonderful time with you this weekend. We can not thank you enough for sharing your city with us and the genuine and warm friendship you offer. I can not wait until September to capture your beautiful moments at your wedding!

Best wishes with your planning and see you soon!

~C

Just a teaser from this weekend’s fabulous engagement shoot in Savannah with an equally fabulous couple. 

More to come!

~C

Amongst all the hustle and bustle of florists, cake decorators, tables and chairs being set up on the main level, Kathryn was hidden away upstairs of the Federated Garden club and cool as a cucumber. Quick with a laugh and smile, she felt at home lounging on the shag carpet colored pink, as if in homage to the pink touches throughout her wedding. 

In a house full of history and rich architecture, Kathryn and Chris breathed life into the house on Saturday, April 18th as they came together and shared their vows among close family and friends. 

I wish you the absolute best and hope that every day you find more reasons to laugh and love. 

~C

Just a sneak peek at the fabulous wedding at the Federated Garden Club in Macon. The bride was so full of life and laughter and her fabulous pink shoes were only the start! 

More to come later. 

~C

I wasn’t going to fall for him. I wasn’t going to fall for the tall, dark and handsome man that I met at a bar (a bar for goodness sake!). I had had my heart broken, squashed and stomped on for far too long and needed some recovery time. I was ready to face the world alone for a bit, enjoy my singleness and hang out with my girls. 

But that one random night that my girlfriend begged me to join her at a bar after a long dinner shift at the restaurant, I gave in and tagged along. Note that I was not going out to entice any attention, meaning I was far from trying to appear attractive, even decent. Let’s just say that a ponytail and an orange Polo shirt, does not attractive make. But when I met him, despite how God awful I looked, there was something about him that was intriguing. Later that night as we parted ways, me to bed and him to the fire academy, he would beg for my number until I finally relented and gave in.

Days later I jet setted out to Yosemite for my Ansel Adams class that I had been coveting and found myself yearning for cell phone coverage out in the blasted mountain valley just so I could place a call and hear his voice. It was that tall, dark and handsome man that met me at the airport when I was returning home and we have been inseperable ever since.So though the bar may not be the place that I admit to when asked how I met my husband, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Honey, thank you for your patience, your understanding when I come to you with crazy notions that the entire house has to be painted and soon, that I wanted to embark on my dream and start my photography company, that we needed a dog, then needed a second dog, that moving back home to Macon was a great idea, and for agreeing to it. For being my foundation and keeping me grounded, for killing all the spiders I encounter, for eating my leftovers, heck-for eating anything I manage to cook, for being my cheerleader and keeping me laughing. 

I do love you and I can’t wait for more anniversaries to come. Happy 2nd Anniversary, April 14, 2007.

Photos courtesy of Marc Pierre Photography and Marcus Sandelowsky

~C

It came full circle. Two years ago on campus, Jessica was fresh out the doors of the business hall with a diploma in hand and ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ playing in the background when she happened upon Chad. Right there on campus amongst at the brick buildings with their ornate and infamous columns, it happened. 

Now two years later this fiery, red head in the sweetheart neckline dress was back at her GC&SU campus to say I Do to her friend and partner in crime for the last two years. Chairs laid out on the front campus, the reception tent atop the center of the college seal, sun in the sky, flowers blooming to their fullest; everything was just right. 

Jessica and Chad, I had an absolute blast hanging out with you guys and photographing your wedding. I was so touched but all the thought and energy that you put into every detail of your wedding and fell a little more in love with the both of you upon hearing your First Dance song.

I wish you two the absolute best and maybe I’ll see you around Perrydise!!!!

(I picked that term up from Elizabeth)

see slideshow below

~C

Location: Georgia College & State University

Flowers: Lawrence Flower Shop 

Chad and Jessica’s slideshow

Sometimes prints were just meant to be….well, BIG! As an admirer of Ansel Adams for so many years I loved the large format cameras that landscape photographers use. Underneath the cover and looking at the glass the details would pop like you wouldn’t believe. The negatives were big, the camera was huge and the weight of the whole darn thing, well it’s heavy enough to make you second guess trekking across a mountain with it. (but that didn’t stop Ansel)

Years ago I attended a Nature Photography Convention, NANPA, and met some of my idols in the industry but stopped in my tracks when I spotted the master of large prints, Clyde Butcher. Claimed the ‘Ansel Adams of the swamps’ Butcher treks out in the thick of the swamps with his large format cameras (read: heavy) and captures the most beautiful and breathtaking images. What instantly impressed me was the size of his prints. We are talking 4×7 FEET and definitely bigger! Now that is how photographs should be printed  : )  

So I have always longed for the large images that command your attention when walking in a room. I have been putting off ordering large prints and canvases for some time so in preparation for a gallery showing I ordered three images to be enlarged, printed on canvas, and then stretched over the wooden frame. I love canvas in that it’s solely the image, no frames to match the household furniture, just the image printed on canvas that is smooth as ‘butta.’ I squealed with excitement, I think I scared the FedEx gal, when I got my box and promptly tore into into it. With a bit more care I slowly unwrapped each package and held my breath as I took it all in. You can not stand directly in front of a large, canvas print; there is too much beauty to take in at one. So I placed them all around the room and sat on the couch with my dogs and danced with giddy joy over the fantastic outcome. 

I highly recommend ordering canvas prints, the quality is amazing but I suggest if you are going to do it, go large. The impact is too jaw dropping to pass up. Plus it’s smooth as ‘butta.’

~C

Just a sneak peak to wet your appetite of the fun that was had this past weekend on the front campus of Georgia College & State University. 

~C

Florida Gators scoring a touchdown, unexpected surprises and birthdays are always fun and exciting. So what happens when you mix two together? You get an early birthday present named Ella Shoshanah! Miss Ella was a bit early and unexpected but a welcome surprise on the eve of her mother’s birthday. Born March 21, this little one was only 13 days old when I stopped by to photograph her. From her tiny feet to her dark hair, she is absolutely beautiful.  

It was so great to see you again Shelly and Tom. Congrats on your new little Gator! 

~C