Courtney and Scott tie the knot at Historic Wakefield Barn in NC. Documentary Photography by Lacey Renae Gadwill.
Read MoreSeniors | Alyssa in Raleigh and Apex, NC /
Working with Alyssa for her senior pics was so much fun! I really cannot wait to do more soon. There's something about the open timing (compared to weddings and other work I do), the aspect of creating with a recent graduate, celebrating her current life.
And it was only a little hot that day, like 95. But who can tell by looking at Alyssa? We worked for two hours, two locations, and four outfits!
Congratulations to Alyssa and all 2018 grads!
Jean and Wes | Omni Grove Park | Asheville, NC /
Gorgeous-- the couple, the weather, the view, and that dress--wow! These are my personal favorites from the session. Can't wait for the fall wedding!
PROJECTS | The Woods /
I stopped shooting for most of the winter. Sometimes, I think, we are much like caterpillar's, so much goo in a chrysalis, and I have been as much, and as languid, for sure. The spring, as always, pulls me back to life; the light, the life, the new reality. All the things I want, now.
ONE | Family at Duke Gardens, Durham, North Carolina /
I love this image-- everyone is having fun, the colors were popping, there's some action! More to come, dear Wanda and family <3
ONE | First dance /
Over the years, I have often shared ONE first favorite image soon after the event, while the couple waits for the hundreds of other images they'll receive.
I thought I'd resurrect that, just because.
I only have ONE more wedding this year!
Tonya and Adam, I hope you love this first ONE from your first dance!
Ana & Brian | Romantic Tindered Beach Wedding /
Tindered.. as in Tinder. The dating app. Yes, that one, that's the one that began this amazing cross-continental romance. Brian said the ultimate-- he was in love with this woman in a tinder photo, her head tossed back with a broad laugh written all over her. We should all want to be loved so purely from one unposed moment of us being ourselves. I was smitten with Ana as soon as I met her, too. Maybe it was the dress. I see so many beautiful white gowns.. and usually they are brides who are hot as Hades. But Ana was hot and she was wearing a two piece vintage creation in lace and coral, cream and tan sort of thing. I teased I was in love, to which she said, oh well, I'm not married yet.
Which is super cute, but the truth was she was already married. When Ana and Brian began chatting, she lived in Brazil, while Brian was somewhere around here in the good ol' USA. I forget what Brian does, but Ana was working for an airline, and as such they were both really, really busy. Too busy for a typical first meeting. A case like that means you sometimes are forced to do the unthinkable-- meet between connecting flights in the same airport!
It was kismet. Somehow they found time for one another after that and a couple years later, a first wedding in Brazil, followed by a civil ceremony in the states and then-- lucky me!-- a gorgeous wedding on the Wrightsville beach!
I loved a lot about this wedding, not the least was when Brian said, during his thank you speech, that they planned the beach wedding much like he has lived his life, evaluating what he stood to lose by not taking a chance more than the loss if played safe. Might it rain? Oh, but, they said to each other, might the sun shine down on us as we giggle close, the ocean whispering back our vows to us-- gulls, shells, the heat of sand-- all mirroring and echoing at amazing chances in this world.
Like the chance that love exists.
After the beach wedding, we did beach family portraits. The breeze was sweet and the sun was fierce, and me.. well, maybe I am a bit devious but I was happy when the waves crashed into the sibling picture, and all laughed and fought to stay dry. There's nothing sweeter than shaking up the posing people do-- how rare it is in wedding photography to see true character emerge, and often it takes something like the ocean to free us from ourselves.
Now.. the reception was just a dancing frenzy all night. From choreographed to tango to tossing people in the air to MJ, etc.. The groom threw a fancy whisky over his shoulder to the gents and the bride did a ring pull for all the singles, and I have to tell you all that these things were WAY more crowd pleasing then tossing flowers and garters. Turns out, lots of people don't even want to get married these days (I don't believe it but that's how they act, not even trying to catch!) but you offer whiskey and real jewelry, suddenly everyone's an athlete.
There was another interesting moment... when someone encouraged two children to have their faces smashed into the cake. I was about to die inside, because cake is My Thing, you know.. eating it. When it was decided they WOULD smash their faces in the cake (our darling bride was on a table demanding it at that point) I had the wherewithal to tell the coordinator to move the décor off it's top. Thank goodness! No one lost an eyeball, so... after a few other people decided to nibble on the part that wasn't smushed to hades, I did too. It was a damn fine cake.
My existential moments aside, I had a long drive home to ponder this wonderful, rich wedding. I regret never knowing the rest of the story, and as this couple doesn't live near me, I guess I won't have the luxury of knowing how many gorgeous children they have, or where their travels take them, or what happens in lives with love like that. And maybe that's ok, because I can still dream.
Congratulations Ana and Brian, and please keep in touch!
Lindsay & Daniel | Lake Gaston Wedding Photography /
A couple months ago (can it be that long now? time flies so fast, ya'll) I had such fun photographing this wedding at a private Lake Gaston residence. From the homemade decorations to the amazing pasta to the rain pouring down just after the toast about how great the weather was-- spoke too soon!-- to the way everyone quickly moved everything and continued the party under the deck until it cleared and just as quickly swabbed the dance floor. That may be the longest sentence I ever wrote.. anyway, it was just a fantastic night with a fun, loving (and fun-loving, come to think of it) bunch.
The happy couple!
edge of the stage decor
Not sure this worked like I thought it would but still. I try!
Emotion is my favorite! Also black and white. They kind of go together.
I like Lindsay's shadow here while Mom helps with shoes.
Teary bridesmaids during the father-daughter First look. I absolutely adored that Lindsay told the bridesmaids any dresses they wanted in pink tones. The variety worked really well together!
Guys arriving via boat.
Daniel, the ecstatic groom, waiting for his beautiful bride.
From the balcony!
Lindsay's father stepped inwhile the couple performed a knot tying ceremony.
Super cute families make my job easy. Even the flower girl cooperated! #winning!
I admit it.. if I get to laughing too much, it's pretty hard to keep a shot in focus. I was dying while these ladies tried to hold Daniel.
First dance on a realllllly small dance floor.. but check out the cool view the brides parents had!
The toast that seemed to call the rain..
The bridesmaids gave the couple this super cute gift-- wine bottles prelabled with what they might need them for. You know, like, first night married, and first fight.. that sort of thing. <3
Would you believe me if I told you that the dance floor was still a teensy bit wet and this chick slid into first to catch the bouquet? It was awesome!
This post is getting long.. it was 8 hours long so there are like, a thousand images. Oops. A goodbye photo!
It is amazing fulfilling to have the job I have-- taking beautiful wedding photographs for people, all over the state. Thank you, and best wishes to the happy couple.