Stuart + Meghan

Okay, I'm just going to come out and say it... engagement sessions can be a bit awkward. And having done one myself, I know this for a fact. Wedding days are a different story - you've spent months preparing the details, you spend hours getting ready and you know that everyone will be looking at you because, let's face it, you're radiant. Your happiness is literally pouring out of your pores. And you're prepared to embrace the attention since you're getting married and excited to celebrate it. Engagement sessions are bit of a different story.  I remember kind of feeling exposed when I did mine. You're wearing regular clothes, you're looking great, but it's not the same... it's just you and the one you love, oh, and the 3rd wheel - the photographer. I get it. The first 10 minutes of an e-session are usually the goofy moments, when you're painfully aware that I'm there and I'm photographing you embracing, kissing, snuggling and putting all your intimate moments out there for the world to see - AH! I know... this is why it's awkward. But, it gets better. Gradually you forget I'm there. The "posing" stops and the camera captures the reason why you're getting married. The love. The laughter. Why you're a perfect fit.

Fall? Is that you?

Love!

Stuart & Meghan - Y'all are a GORGEOUS couple.

Thank you so much for spending your morning with me.

Thomas + Katie: Raleigh, Wedding

I've started writing and rewritten the introduction for Katie and Thomas' wedding blog post quite a few times. When you're writing about your close friends, you want to word it just right. Especially when your writing about such a huge milestone in their lives. What their friendship means to Phillip and me is hard to capture. They're the kind of friends who will cook an unexpected dinner for you when they know you've gone through a rough week. They introduce you to their friends and invite you to parties when you've moved to a new city or back to a city that you haven't lived in for a while. They'll play boardgames and drink wine with you into the wee hours of the morning. They'll make you laugh so hard your sides hurt. In other words, they're good people. I'm so thankful to have them in my life and I'm ecstatic that they have found each other.

And I could not wait for their wedding day. Katie is a planner and definitely has a gift for details as you'll see below. And the day could have not been more perfect - the air that morning was crisp and you could tell that it was going to be a true fall day - finally! It was the kind of day you hope for as your wedding day. And Katie and Thomas, with help from their family and friends, rejoiced in it.

Even though I was just a guest (her photographer, Marisa Sertic, did an amazing job with her bridal portraits which you can glimpse below), I had a fabulous time capturing a few details here and there - but don't worry, I partied too, as a good guest should.

 

 

Thomas runs an amazing Barbeque catering business, so this is a very appropriate groom's cake...

 Pete, their dog, made an appearance in cake form as well.

One of my favorite moments of the day was when I overheard Anna the flower girl plead with her dad to be allowed to return to the altar because she wanted to see the princess. I think my heart melted right then and there.

Prom pose! Sometimes you just need to do the cheesy pose...

 

but the tender ones are nice too...

 It all rushes by so fast, and soon it's time for sparklers.

 

Congrats Badger & Bird!

xoxo,

Flamingo