Natalya & Brent - Harrisburg Wedding Photography

It's funny as I look back on my blog posts and see that I really am getting around the country this year for weddings! Last weekend's wedding took me to Harrisburg, PA, a town I'm familiar with only from driving through to see miscellaneous relatives in the Lancaster area. I have a new appreciation for it now.

Natalya found me on TheKnot.com, and booked me without us ever even speaking on the phone! When I showed up the day of the wedding and introduced myself, she told me she felt like she already knew me, and I have to say I thought the same thing! Between the multiple emails and facebook messages we exchanged prior to the big day, I felt like I had a good grasp on what she was looking for in her photographer and her photos, and I hope I delivered!

I think I've said this about every wedding I've shot recently, but seriously, this one was unbelievably gorgeous!! Brent and Natalya's ceremony was in the State Capitol building, and wow, what a location. I could have shot there for hours. (Side note: I'm also pretty sure every person in the wedding party could have been a model.)

The thing that stands out to me about this wedding how hard I laughed during the reception. Brent had planned an entire "act" (for lack of a better word) for his much-anticipated garter removal, including a hilarious dance and pulling out a mousetrap from underneath Natalya's dress. Sooo funny! You can see the whole show here on YouTube. Oh, and let's not forget the groomsman who pulled off a backflip during introductions. Impressive.

A special shout-out goes to Stephen Elliot of Mud Productions for helping me out as a second photographer. I think ALL of his images from the wedding are awesome - I'm going to have so much trouble narrowing them down. I included a few at the end of this post.

A few of Stephen's photos from the day: 

Brielle & Lincoln - Barren Ridge Vineyards Wedding Photography

Wow, this wedding was GORGEOUS! Beautiful people, amazing decorations, and a unbelievable setting. I visited Barren Ridge Vineyards once before, but didn't really see it as a wedding venue until Brielle and Lincoln's wedding. It was perfect, so much so I actually contemplated getting married there myself (if or when that day ever comes - not rushing it!). The winery sits atop a hill overlooking green vineyards and miles of Virginia countryside (conveniently right where the sun sets too.) Kim Moody from Texture Design Studios did an awesome job making Brielle's vision become a reality. The colorful chinese lanterns were stunning and I've never in my life seen them so big! It didn't hurt that Brielle and Lincoln are so good-looking too. They were super nice and cooperative, and I don't think I heard them complain once about the 100 degree weather (or maybe I was complaining enough for all of us, ha!). 

I had Alyssa Ashdown as an assistant/second photographer at this wedding, and she did a great job! Her positive attitude and willingness to experiment with me got us some really great shots. Having a second person meant I got to play around more with some off-camera lighting (which I love to use).

Oh, and I know I talk about food all the time in my blog, but seriously, the dinner at this wedding was pretty much the best I've eaten to date. 

Katie & Matt - A Hike in the Woods

When Katie and Matt suggested we go to the spot where they got engaged, I thought it was a great idea. But when their directions sent me to the back of an apartment complex and we started trekking along dirt paths through the woods, I wasn't sure what to expect! (Mostly I was thinking I should NOT have worn flip flops.) We climbed over fallen trees, stumbled down rocky hills, and fended off bugs in the field for these photos, and I have to say I think it was worth it! I took home three mosquito bites and some dog slobber on my camera bag, but also a slew of great photos. :) The setting was perfect for Katie and Matt, and bringing their dog along only added to the fun! (Make sure you check out the dog's jumping shot.) 

Katie and Matt have such fun-loving spirits, and I could tell they really enjoy each other's company. I'm hoping to be lucky enough to photograph their wedding in January!

Blog Makeover (Again)

Just in case you're wondering if you're in the right spot, I thought I'd offer an explanation for my blog makeover (the second one in less than a year!) In an effort to continually improve my presentation and product, I've adjusted my blog to now better match my website and also offer my audience larger photos for viewing (finally!) Bigger is better, right? :) Thanks for your patience as I fine-tune everything.

Janaye & Brady - Woodville, TX Wedding Photography

As always, I love a wedding I get to travel for! Janaye and Brady's was especially fun because I got to see a few friends from way back when AND I also returned to the great state of Texas (which, if you know me, you know I love.) Admittedly, my love of Texas derives not only from the sense of nostalgia it brings (I grew up there) but more importantly, the FOOD! Driving the two hours from the Houston airport to the small town of Woodville, I stopped at an exit with a Whataburger AND a Taco Cabana. Ah! Decisions, decisions!

But anyway, back to the wedding.... Janaye and Brady are so freakin' cute together it's crazy. They share something special I don't see in just every couple, and their excitement for the day was contagious! Did I mention easy to photograph? They pretty much just posed themselves - everything was very natural, and I hope that shows in the photos.

I was nervous about shooting this wedding, because Janaye is the sister of my friend and fellow professional photographer Stacie Tatum - she does really AWESOME work so I felt like I had a lot of expectations to meet (especially after seeing Janaye and Brady's engagement photos she shot).

Nerves aside, the wedding was lot of fun because it was the second Danley wedding for me. I also photographed Janaye's sister Lera three years ago in Idaho. (If you've seen my wedding party jumping shot against the blue sky, then that's the wedding I'm talking about.) I felt a little like the "family photographer" which was pretty cool, because people remembered me and I remembered them.

Janaye and Brady were such great sports - they even climbed up a ladder to sit at the top of a barn for photos. And that makes for a good wedding. What else can I say?

Matt & Kyle - EnGAYgement

The "fun factor" of this session did not disappoint. These guys told me they would be my guinea pigs and were up for anything, and I have to say I definitely took advantage of that statement! Since they didn't have any locations around here with any particular special meaning, I suggested we go to Sykesville, MD. I'd driven through Sykesville earlier in the month and was simultaneously intrigued and charmed by the town. I scouted online for few locations prior to the session, and even made a new Flickr friend who helped me with some ideas and directions.

I guess you could call this the session gone wrong, but in the end, it all worked out beautifully.

For starters, we almost rescheduled because it was raining on and off all week, but decided to just go for it, clouds and all.

Driving there, I had a blowout and ended up on the side of the highway with a flatter-than-flat tire. (You should have seen the size of the hole in that thing!) I called Matt and Kyle and they very generously offered to drive back - they were 10 miles ahead of me - and help me change it.

(Side note here so I don't seem like a completely wimpy girl: I know how to change a tire, I was just physically unable to get the lug nuts off.)

At this point, a very nice man stopped to help me (if I knew your name I would write you a thank-you note!) and I was on my way again in under 15 minutes. Matt and Kyle kindly followed me the remaining distance, which was a laborious process since I couldn't drive over 50 mph on my spare.

So we got a little bit of a late start, and I was a little dirty, but none the worse for the wear. Sykesville has this super-cool old abandoned blue caboose on the tracks behind the train station and it was awesome for texture and color! We started there and then walked a little farther down the tracks to see what we would find.

Turns out it was a snake.

I've never seen anyone move quite as fast as Matt did to avoid that snake. Ha! I only wish I had been quick enough to snap a photo of that. (In my defense, I'm not sure they make shutter speeds that fast.)

Aside from the minor setbacks and strange looks from the townspeople, we had a great time and I think the photos really reflect that. I'm really looking forward to shooting Matt and Kyle's wedding in September!