Jessica & Josh

Jessica and Josh just bought a beautiful house in the country, the flowers were blooming, the sun was shining, and the bugs were on the attack haha...but we had a great time in spite of their obvious desire to give an extra bite or two in the name of lovebugs everywhere.

Jessica was the lucky winner of our give-a-way at the Blue Ridge Bridal Show a couple of months back. She's a photographer herself and was so excited to have an engagement session where she got to be the model.


Josh was adorable, always doting on her, and so attentive. He tried to pretend he didn't know what he was doing in front of the camera, but before long he was ready for a magazine spread.


I love to create moments to capture for a couple don't get me wrong, but it's even better to watch two people who suddenly forget you're there and create those moments naturally on their own.

What to wear!!

We are always getting asked what our clients should wear to their session. So we thought we'd give some tips, and tricks along with some great places to shop for clothing.

When choosing your clothing for a photo session most people think "matching", which isn't always the best way to go. Don't get me wrong the black/white shirt with jean/khaki theme isn't the ultimate sin (close), it can look classy but we've all seen it a million times. The last thing I want is to see my face change through the years and my outfit stay the same. That said, it's better to concentrate more on coordinating than matching.

When your having your portrait taken whether it's a family/infant/personal/couple etc...you want to take your look a little further creatively than you would in your everyday wear. You don't have to be a fashion designer to pull off a great look for a photo shoot, some funky accessories like cool jewelry or hats can pull it all together. The most important thing to remember is to express yourself as an individual or as a family. You should feel comfortable and confident in what you wear so that's what we see in the photo's. Think about your setting for the shoot and what works in that environment.

We suggest bright colors, rich textures, fun accessories, and if you're not sure bring a trunk with some options and we'll play dress up!!

I love etsy as a place to shop for all things creative and could literally spend a fortune there, it's a great place to support the arts too since most of their stuff is handmade.

What to look for in a Photographer

When choosing your photographer for your wedding day or personal portraits there are a few things that can help you weed out the phony who just bought a fancy looking camera and wants to make some "easy" money, and the professional who makes it their living to take the great shots with creativity and experience not luck.

With the price of digital camera's dropping and the once really pricey technical features being thrown in with the base models, everyone can have a camera that takes great pictures. But taking great pictures isn't the camera's job, it's the photographers. I'm not just talking about it from the standpoint of the fancy pants photographer who stands around complaining that people don't understand the art of it. It's not always about technical precision and sometimes a 12 year old can have the eye for the artistic.

There's a slew of new photographers out there who have gotten into the business because they think the have a good camera and it would be an easy business to break into. I feel sorry for them I really do. A wedding is a beast unlike any they've ever met before, unless you really know what you're doing and having a system and a keen sense of timing the best photographer can drown in the chaos of the day. The instant portrait photographer has no easier time. You've got kids who are dressed up and know they're supposed to act right...so they don't. Then there's the posing, or getting them to at least play in a stationary way long enough to not get 50 shots of their child as a blur. Sure they offer a CD, and you pay them.....but for what exactly? For what most 12 years olds with a camera could show up and do.

Now I'm not against the blossoming photographer trying to break into their dream job, but you need to know what to look for so you can hire accordingly. A professional has the ability to use their technical knowledge to overcome issues like a pastor not allowing photography during the ceremony in a gothic church with no windows. They have the experience necessary to get along with your family, and keep the kids happy. They have the business sense to ensure your images are protected for the shoot and long term. They can offer you all the high quality extras like wall art and leather albums, that the retail chains have never quite gotten right. Most of all they know how to orchestrate a shoot so that it's quick, painless, fun, and you get some amazing photographs... not because of the camera and the great environment but most often in spite of all the uncontrollable issues that pop up, and trust me they do.

Newbie/Hobbyist Photographer tip offs:
Offering only a CD
Very low prices (at what cost?)
Few portfolio shots
Post editing (the fancy effects on the images) that are out of control and over the top
Not asking many questions about your family, you as a couple or what your are looking for
Telling you all about their gear and what they can do with it
Not signing a contract (this protects you too!)

Professional Photographer tip offs:
Offering a wide selection of products, not to sell you to death but offering things you really want
Competitive prices (highest priced doesn't always mean best...but cheap usually means cheap)
A large portfolio presented in a classy way
Post editing that shows creativity, put to good use in the right picture
Asking a lot of questions about who you are and what you want out of the experience and your shots
Telling you about what they've done in shoots in the past that were really cool to give ideas
A good presence on the web and involvement in professional photographic organizations
Offering referrals from past clients

Disclaimer: The following photograher is in another category altogether...we call this the skeezy photography (just because I like the way skeezy sounds when said aloud, go ahead try it out).

Skeezy photographer tip off:
Wont freely list or give their prices (if it's a secret it's not good, or fair)
Offers a billion products and decides to pressure sell them to you during the consultation (great pictures sell products, not photographers)
Has the attitude that they are doing you a favor by being available when you want them
Tries to bully you into booking right now
Offers a bunch of confusing packages that requires a calculator to break down
Expects you to bend over backwards for your shoot with what they need to work with
Has no friends
Tells you how fabulous they are without showing you much work

Not every photographer out there is right for every person, there needs to be a cosmic click for the matchup to happen. You'll know when you find the one who fits you, but with these tips you'll have a better idea of what you don't want!

So many pictures...so little time

Photography is often the first item of importance listed by Brides when planning their wedding. With the whirlwind of planning a wedding and then the sheer joy of the day, the only memories that won't fade are the photographs. Ok, I still get sappy about them...moving on.

It's your photographers job to take a billion shots of you (any less don't book them), the wedding party, the details, the venue, the rings, the family, the friends, the alcohol induced blackmail shots etc. Throughout all this the most important part is that you enjoy your day. Your photographer should make sure that you have a great time and be skilled at walking that fine line between directing the shoot and fading into the background.

One of the most voiced fears of the couple is that their guests will have to wait a horribly long time while they get their pictures taken after the ceremony. The right photographer can make sure this isn't a problem but there's a lot the couple can decide before the wedding day to really help cut down on that time.

Tip#1: For Brides and Grooms who still want a traditional first look while the Bride walks down the aisle. You can get a lot of photo's out of the way before the ceremony even while not seeing each other. Brides and Bridesmaids, Brides and Groomsmen, Bride and Family...Bride is escorted into hiding...Groom and Groomsmen, Groom and Bridesmaids, Groom and Family.

Tip#2: For Brides and Grooms that want a private moment with a first look in a secluded place before the ceremony. Makes for some beautiful photo's, and there's the chance to talk and get mushy before the ceremony and everyone swarms afterward. The couple and individual shots are done before and the others from tip#1 as well.

Tip#3: Suggest that friends and family refrain from taking pictures while the photographer is posing or getting key shots. If someone is jumping in between takes and the photographer has to wait the time adds up. Not to mention competing flashes, and risking your professional shots for cousin Larry's.

Tip#4: Have a family member that reeeally wants to help (you know the one), round up all the family and friends that need to stay after the ceremony so no one has to go running looking for someone who's left for the reception by accident.

Tip#5: Hire a photographer that can be firm in directing people and organizing the shoot, but can have fun with your family and friends while they're doing it.

The experience of having your photo's taken should be a great one, with lots of laughs and people your love. One thing it shouldn't be is memorable, your wedding should take center stage not your photographer. The memories are best left up to the photographs.

Welcome to the new blog!

So we finally decided it was time to enter the world of blogging. After becoming a little obsessive about all the other fantastic blogs out there, we realized hey we had some great things to share too. So here goes nothin', this is for all our fans, clients, fellow photographers, hobbyists, and all the rest who enjoy taking, making, or being in great photographs.

We'll be posting some great tips for taking professional photo's, planning your wedding, and updating our adventures from time to time. I love giving back so we'll be having lots of great give-a-ways and discounts for our loyal friends and frequently highlighting vendors for your wedding planning or upcoming shoot.



As a launch celebration we're giving away a portrait session, a $150 value to one lucky winner. To enter just become a fan ("like" us...whatever facebook) on our facebook page and leave a post here saying you are now a fan, if you are already a fan you are still entered just leave us a post saying so. The contest will end May 08 at midnight. Good luck!!!