Jennifer and Jamie

October was full of awesome locations and even awesomer ( is that a word?) couples. Jennifer and Jamie enjoyed the open spaces of Lake Eden for thier October wedding. As with most of October this year it was a bit soupy and overcast but we never got rained on and once again we were treated to a really cool sunset.

The ceremony was certainly a special one as Jamie's sister officiated with the colorful Black Mountain range behind them. Aaron Morrell provided his magic touch as 2nd photographer and captured some great shots of the guys getting suited up and making their way to the ceremony. Our session after the ceremony was tons of fun, exploring the fields and lakes and then sneaking off to the wooden bridge for some really cool shots. Because the leaves were so golden and colorful it really made the images look even sunny at times.

After our portrait session it was time for the party to begin and the stage was set with a 10 peice band The Professors of Soul, they were just awesome. Jen and Jamie both love to dance and they are really good. It looks like fun maybe I'll try it someday. At the end Aaron and Aaron were certainly tired but really happy to be a part of this awesome wedding day. When you have a large amount of guests, a 10 peice band from South Carolina, and tons of different vendors and schedules someone behind the scenes is to be thanked and for this one it was wedding planner extraordinaire Kiersa Holy owner of Events by Kiersa. Kiersa kept everything glued together very nicely and always with a smile!

Best Wishes again to Jennifer and Jamie!!

Justin and Amanda

A few years ago, I was photographing Jake and Linda's wedding on the shores of Lake Hartwell near Clemson when before the ceremony I saw this nice couple obviously in love and sporting some cool shades and I was able to grab the above image. Turns out when they got engaged I was honored to be their photographer too.

So back in Oct, Aaron Morrell and myself loaded up the ole Passat and made our way through the mountain back roads to Chattanooga TN. ( you can actually see this here http://www.vimeo.com/8629835 ) Anyway Justin and Amanda selected a site that held a lot of memories for them, the top of Lookout Mt, which is actually in GA but overlooks Chattanooga TN. The wedding day brought a pretty soupy mix of fog and rain so the ceremony was held inside at the elegant Grandview Lodge. After the ceremony there was just enough of a break to get some nice shots outside on the edge of the cliff. Then we came back for some really touching yet often humorous toasts and the first dance. Just at sunset the clouds suddenly broke and we were all treated to a constantly changing sunset. It ended up being the best sunset I have ever seen at a wedding. Aaron Morrell did a fantastic job and ended up with some really epic shots to add to the collection. To see the highlights set to some music all you have to do is click right here: http://aaronimaging.com/chatt/ Enjoy!!!

Snow Angel

Kendra came up from Dallas and braved the cold to have her bridal portraits at the Biltmore Estate. Having done bridals in the snow with Amanda Hobby a few years ago, gave me helpful expereince, but I think the real heroes in these types of sessions are the brides who ignore the goosebumps and who keep having fun until the end when they are reduced to a popcicle state.

Kendra is getting married at a beach in Mexico and I am very bummed to be booked on her date, but this is a good point for those who call and find I am not available on your wedding date, we can still do other sessions. I want to extend a very special thank you to Becky, Kendra's mom who was key in arranging and helping with the session and also to the ever trusty Aaron Morrell for assisting.

Above are just a few of the many images from the session. You can see more here www.aaronimaging.com/becky

Snow

All this snow talk made me go dig up a photo of Ericka the 1st year we were married in Montana. This is at a rest stop at a pass, the tunnel lead to the restrooms. This is not a drift, it is actual snowfall as can be seen in the layers. While it is not typical is also is not too rare in certain spots out there.

Enjoying Moonshine with Holly and Roger

Talk about timing, Holly and Roger ( and Charlie) and I hiked up to Black Balsam for some e-session shots and it turns out we stuble across a once in a few years occurence, when a full moon is rising just as the sun sets. This made for some really wild lighting as one horizon had cool moonlight and the other warm sunlight. It was really neat to see that. Holly and Roger will be hosting an ecco- themed wedding at Claxton Farm in May. Seems like I heard rumor that Charlie may join us.

E-sessions Heather and Brent

Heather and Brent came up from Florida with their puppies along too! We had a great time in my backyard over here in Transylvania County for their e-session. We were able to find a cool field and get some river shots and of course how could you come to Translyvania and not see a waterfall or two? I will be joining these two at The Fields at Blackberry Cove for their 2010 wedding. This will be my first wedding there, so I am really looking forward to sharing that with a wonderful couple that I get along with so well!

Cameron and Grant and The Claxton Farm

Well over a year before the wedding Cameron and Grant began to assemble their "dream team" of vendors to compliment their October wedding at Claxton Farm. I met up with the gals at the Dragonfly Salon in downtown Asheville while A.M. joined up with the guys at the Crowne Plaza.

At the farm Cameron waited by the lake while Grant made his way down the road for their 1st glimpse of each other. This was a really sweet moment as they had a beautiful spot away from guests to just enjoy each other. A.M. and I photographed from a distance and of course the background is awesome at every angle up there.

The ceremony was officiated by Howard Hanger who added a touch a warmth and humor like only he can. The rain held off and even though it was chilly, we were able to have some fun with more portraits and group shots. Then we made our way to the old barn , where we enjoyed the super decor from Aria Florist. Cameron and Grant enjoyed their 1st dance in the barn as well as some tear jerking toasts from dear friends. Then everyone warmed up the chilly night by dancing outside and finally sending Cameron and Grant off to the honeymoon by way of Sparklers. See more here !!

Just a little over a week later we lost the 100 yr old barn to fire. I am glad I have good memories of my last time there seeing Grant and Cameron dancing and enjoying themselves there. For those that don't know work is under way as I type to cut trees right from the farm and rebuild a barn that will be ready for more wedding fun by the spring of 2010.

Caroline and Chad

I sure do hate to have to go the awesome NC coast and photograph great couples, but someone has to! So A.M. and myself loaded up the Passat and made our way to the Morehead City/Atlantic Beach area for Caroline and Chad's Sept wedding. I had got to know them a bit when we did their e-session in Raleigh and then we had a great time doing Caroline's bridal shots, many of them right in her childhood neighborhood, then at the beach. It is really cool that Caroline spent many years as one of the busiest wedding photographers in Raleigh before moving on to Interior Design. We had a lot of fun with her sporting her red Christian Louboutins. Being a bit of a shoe connoisseur myself, I was very impressed.

The wedding day was a perfect early fall day with clear skies. We were treated to a ride in an old double decker English bus from the ceremony to the Ocean front Dunes Club, where we enjoyed a festive reception with a killer live band, TFC. Caroline came up with an incredible color scheme for the wedding. Perhaps the most impressive display of the colors was at the "candy bar". It looked so perfect I did not want to see it disturbed. It was truly one of a kind.

You can see more of the wedding story by clicking HERE!!! Enjoy!

Heather and Nick ROCK the Castle

A. Morrell

A. Morrell

Nick and Heather came down from Minnesota to rock Castle Ladyhawke with their October wedding. Aaron Morrell and myself had shot at the Castle Ladyhawke for their website but this was our first wedding. We had a fantastic time. If their is a more elagant bridal room in the area I would like to see it, the Castle is incredible. I normally do not rate one wedding against others but I have to say that this was the most dancing-est wedding I have ever had, and that says allot. Dylan Skidmore was bringing the heat from his DJ post. There were some gals there that are likely still dancing, like the energizer bunny, non stop. It was much fun and we drove through our 1st snow of the season on the way home. You can see more photos from the day HERE.

Aleece and Nathan's anniversary session

Nothing makes us happier than hearing from our couples who are still in love and enjoying life, so Ericka and I were happy that Nathan and Aleece were back in Brevard for a few days and took time for quick and I do mean quick anniversary session, but I thought we did real well and had a great time. Nathan is a Cowboys fan but we still like him. They now reside in Kentucky. If you scroll back far enough you can see some of their shots from the Porter Center here in Brevard Town. Congrats and may you have many, many more!