John & Allison had a military wedding in the Chapel at Oceana, followed by a reception at the Officer’s Club in Virginia Beach. John’s a military man, and Allison is my cousin. It’s not often I shoot family weddings, as I like to enjoy the day as a guest. Since Allison and I grew up more like sisters, it seemed only fit that I would photograph her wedding. The cold and windy day prevented us from getting too much outside, but we were able to sneak away from the reception for a few late night pictures under the moon.
Archive: April, 2011
John + Allison {Married} l OBX / Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011Hilary + Larkin {Baby On The Way} l Outer Banks Maternity Portrait Photographer
Monday, April 25th, 2011Hilary is one of the first friends I met at college. We started college in a world before Facebook. What’s that? No Facebook. Yes kids, it’s true – there was life before Facebook. There is probably a good reason for that – because some photos should never see the light of day. While we both eventually ended up transferring to different schools, I’ll never forget some of the hilarious moments we had…..
Like the time she deicded to make me a “Cone Head” – and I actually went out in public looking like that! 
Now Hilary is all married, and she and her wonderful husband are expecting. I headed out of town to attend Hilary’s baby shower, and while out there we decided to do a maternity session. The weather God’s were not feelin’ it – because as I was pulling up to the shower it started pouring down rain. Not just any downpour, it was like a monsoon outside. I decided to wait it out in the car, and finally just gave up. I took off my heels, grabbed the bag, and ran inside. The rest of the shower went off without a hitch and Hilary & Larkin had so many wonderful and family friends there to share in this special day with them.
After the shower the rain had stopped and we jumped at the change to head outside and do Hilary’s maternity photos. She’s such a beautiful momma-to-be, and makes being pregnant look so easy. There aren’t many pregnant women who can pull off wedges! She’s on the home stretch now, and we’re all so excited to see what that little boy is going to look like!!
Rob + Catherine {Married} l Nags Head / Outer Banks Wedding Photographer
Monday, April 25th, 2011I’m actually blogging their photos a little backwards, and starting with the “Day After” session.
Rob & Catherine were, hands down, one of the sweetest couples I’ve ever worked with. Like many of my wedding couples, they booked me without ever meeting me in person. I headed over to their rental cottage after they got into town to say hello and check things out. They had their family with them, and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. You could tell they were so excited to here in Nags Head celebrating Rob & Catherine’s wedding. We were blessed with some beautiful Outer Banks weather, and aside from some wind, it was a great week.
Catherine is just one of those women you can instantly be friends with. It’s no secret my favorite part of a wedding are the bride and groom portraits. Well, my second favorite would have to be “getting ready”. I love the details, I love the chaos, and I love the sweet moments that happen in those last few minutes before a couple says ” I Do”. Just before the ceremony we shooed everyone out of the room for a few last minute photos of Catherine alone. She sat down to open her gift from Rob and it was probably one of the best moments I’ve gotten to be a part of at a wedding. Inside the wrapping was a picture frame that contained a photo of the two of them, and the receipt from the restaurant on their first date. To think, he’d saved it all this time. He must have known then this would be the girl for him! As she opened the second part of the gift it was a large book. Rob has designed it himself, and it was full of photos of the two of them over the years. Just watching Catherine look through that book, telling me where the different photos were taken – I was teary eyed. Then it happend. Catherine closed the book, took a deep breath, and exclaimed: “I love that man!”. And then the tears came – yes, I cried.
So now on to the good stuff. We met up a couple days later for a ”Day After” session. This time of year leaves us with windy weather, but luckily it wasn’t that cold and we were able to get some beautiful and relaxed images of the two of them.
Justin & Ashely {Day After} l Outer Banks Wedding Photographer l OBX Wedding Photography
Sunday, April 3rd, 2011Justin & Ashley were troopers as they watched the rain fall on their wedding day. They really wanted photos on the beach, and lucky for us the next day called for sun. They got dressed up again, and met me at Coquina Beach for some “Day After” photos. Bless them, because it was C.O.L.D. Ashley was so smart, and after getting out of the car lifted the hem of her dress to show the leggings she had put on to help stay warm. Smart girl! We started out at the beach, and then headed across the street to the Bodie Island Lighouse. The lighthouse itself is under scaffolding, but the grounds are great for photographing.
About five shots in, Justin realized that he’d lost his wedding ring. Not kidding. We piled in the car and drove back across to the beach to look. We were ALL over that beach during pictures, and honestly, I thought the odds of finding it were super slim. Needle in a haystack anyone? I was in serious shock when after about two minutes I look up to see Justin running down the beach…..low and behold there was his ring sitting on the hard packed sand. They were truly blessed! The whole time Ashley was as calm as could be, a true testament to the type of person she is. Most brides would have been in hysterics over a lost wedding ring – after only being married for 24 hours. Wedding ring in hand back we headed back over to the lighthouse we went to finish up the session.





































