Snow Day

In honor of the epic (from a Southerner’s perspective) amount of snow that is currently falling on us here in North Carolina, I thought I’d share a few photos Tim and I took yesterday while exploring the winter wonderland that is our backyard. I know, I KNOW, some of you are so tired of snow and cold weather – and I don’t blame you! I’d be tired of negative temperatures too! But here in NC we just can’t get enough of it right now (until the power goes out, that is). For now, we’re soaking up this day, the beautiful fluffy flakes falling out of the sky, and cozying up with our coffee and some delicious donuts I whipped up this morning. All the while working on a few wedding films we’ve got headed your way – cannot wait to share them!

I hope ya’ll are taking advantage of this day, wherever you might be! Take a moment to appreciate the beauty around you – snow, rain, or sun – just breathe and be grateful.

2013: In Review

2013 was chock full of all kinds of goodness. We’ve had the privilege of capturing so many beautiful stories this past year and we’re grateful for each and every person who has trusted us behind the camera. Just over a year ago we started offering videography alongside our photography services. As we’ve grown in our shooting and editing skills, our videography work has been incredibly well-received. For that we could not be more grateful. We absolutely love capturing still images through our photographs, but capturing moving, breathing images had a whole different depth to it. We love being able to offer photography and videography together to our couples – it allows us to share their stories more fully, and in a cohesive and beautiful way across both platforms of photography and videography.

We’re currently booking for 2014 and 2015 wedding stories – don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like to know more! We’re looking for couples who are passionate about photography and videography – couples who want to share their story with us, let us into their lives, and trust us to do what we love doing.

We look forward to getting to know you and telling your story through our work!

Lucas + Ellen // A Nashville Wedding Film

Lucas and Ellen – what an honor it was to capture this day for you. And a privilege for Tim to stand beside you as a groomsman. Your day was beautiful, relaxed, and full of so many family and friends who traveled from as far away as Germany to be with you. That’s how much you are loved.

We are so excited for you two and we know God has big things in store for the both of you. Thank you for inviting us in to capture these moments – the excitement, the joy, the celebration of your day. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched your film over the last several weeks as Tim edited it, but I tear up every. single. time. Especially during your first look. It doesn’t matter that I was there in person. The love you two have for one another absolutely radiates from you, and I’m not sure what other words to use to let you know how much of an honor it was to be there. So “thank you” will have to suffice. We love you two so so much!

If you haven’t already seen Lucas and Ellen’s epic first dance, you should watch that here!

Vendors:

Venue: The Historic Cragfont Mansion

Coordinators: Rachel Smith and Emily Miller

Hair/Makeup: Amelia Ponter (Groom’s Sister)

Flowers: Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods

Officiant: Lane Young

Ceremony Musicians: Jordan Newhouse, Avery Bright, and Scott and Marissa Cunningham

Catering: Kathy’s Sugar and Spice Catering

Cake: Laura Tebbe (Bride’s Sister)

DJ: Blair from Nashville Party Authority

Photography: The fabulous ladies over at Roselle Photography and Leah Barry Photography. See their gorgeous photos of the day here and here.

Videography: Grain & Compass

Maggie + Jonny // A Lake O’ the Woods Plantation Wedding

How do we put into words the depth and profound beauty of a wedding day like Maggie and Jonny’s? It was one of those days we walked away from feeling so very blessed because we were reminded of all the reasons why we love what we do.

Each moment of Maggie and Jonny’s day was saturated with pure joy. We saw it in the sweet happy tears of Maggie’s bridesmaids as she slipped into her wedding dress. We saw it in the smiles and laughter and long hugs between Maggie and her adoring father. It was in Maggie’s squeal of delight when she spied Jonny out the window while she was getting ready. It was exchanged in gentle hand squeezes and adoring looks. Joy and gratitude filled each of the prayers of Jonny and Maggie’s family members and bridal party as they prayed over them throughout the day. It was in the words of their pastor as he took time with Maggie and her bridesmaids and Jonny and his groomsmen before the ceremony – time to remind them to focus on the beauty and meaning of the day and their commitment to one another. It was all over Maggie’s face, alongside eager anticipation, as she gifted Jonny a red leather journal she had kept since 2007. She started it before she even knew Jonny, and filled it with words and prayers for her future husband. She had kept it a secret from him, even after they got engaged. Jonny took the journal and read a few pages, joy and recognition spreading across his face as the magnitude of Maggie’s gift dawned on him.  Joy was in the smile of Maggie’s brother as he presented them with their first family Bible which would later be filled with words of encouragement by Jonny and Maggie’s guests. It was in Jonny’s tears as he watched his bride walk up the aisle toward him – they’d spent over an hour together before the ceremony, but that didn’t change how special it was to see Maggie walking toward him, ready to be given away. It was abounding in every hug Jonny and Maggie’s friends and family bestowed upon them after the ceremony. As Jonny’s best man – his father – shared his toast during the reception, joy filled his words as he shared how influential Jonny had been in strengthening his own faith and relationship with the Lord. Joy was on the faces of everyone who savored one of Maggie’s chocolate chip cookies that she made as Jonny’s “groom’s cake.” And joy was all over that dance floor as everyone celebrated Jonny and Maggie at the end of the night!

Take a few minutes of your day to truly savor these moments of joy, seen through our cameras.

Venue: Lake O’ The Woods Plantation

Hair/Makeup: Megan Guess

Coordinator: Lisa Scott

Flowers: Always-N-Bloom

Officiant: Tanner Griffith from Vintage Church

Ceremony Musician: Bethany McGehee

Invitation Suite: Wedding Paper Divas

Catering: Simply Delicious

Cake: Julie’s Cakery

Reception Musician: Chris Overstreet

Videography: John Krouse – check out his beautiful film of their day HERE!

Photography: Grain & Compass

Happy Friday

Sometimes you just need to play. You need to get out and do something for fun. Whether you work a 9-5, are in school, are in-between jobs, or home with the kids, sometimes you need to take a break from the norm and do something else. This is not a revolutionary thought, but if you’re anything like me, sometimes you forget that this is necessary. Recently Tim and I have been in a black hole of editing. It’s sort of a funny thing really, because we love our job. “Busy” for us is fun. We enjoy going from one shoot or wedding to the next, coming home with full memory cards to empty like it’s Christmas day, finding our favorite images, working through them, and delivering them to our clients with all sorts of fun goodies. But sometimes we have to take a break too. (Hilarious that I’m writing this at 10 at night. Oh the irony.)

Two of our dear friends recently got married in Charleston on consecutive weekends (not to each other obviously.) Tim’s college roommate Cameron got married, and the following weekend my college roommate Taylor tied the knot. I was lucky enough to get to stick around in Charleston the week after Cam’s wedding to help Taylor out with last minute errands, making decorations, and moving out of her apartment before her wedding. Both weddings were beautiful and SO wonderful to be a part of – more on that soon – we did Taylor’s videography and MAN OH MAN was she a gorgeous bride.

After Taylor’s wedding Tim and I had a whole long weekend stretched out ahead of us as Monday was Veteran’s Day. So what to do? Play of course. All around Charleston. We were total nerds and went to see The Hunley (think Civil War history – it was the first submarine to sink an enemy warship), the U.S.S. Yorktown (WWII era aircraft carrier), and we even did one of those super-touristy carriage rides about the city. I’m pretty sure it was exactly what our weary souls needed. We’ve had a whole-lotta life transitions lately and were ready for some downtime. Thanks to some amazing suggestions (and an awesome rehearsal dinner) we enjoyed lots of great food while we were there. A few favorites – Poe’s Tavern, Five Loaves, The Gin Joint, Hominy Grill, and Fish. You know, just in case you’re ever down that way.

Just for kicks, Tim and I always take photos of one another when we’re traveling. New backdrops and scenery and the like. It’s always fun, despite our awkwardness on the other side of the camera.

So here you go. A few photos of us. And Charleston. And Tim’s beard.