I don't often get the luxury of clients that are laid back, gorgeous, trusting, and allow me to just be creative. I love it. What a beautiful bride! Thank you Ashely!
Hey it's me!
Adam and Ashley | Grand Marquise Ballroom /
Each wedding at Grand Marquise Ballroom looks like this-- the space is just perfectly elegant. But the personalities I've worked with at the venue have all been so unique! This is, in fact, the only wedding I've had here or anywhere with a Duck's Donut Cake.
The couple wasn't really into portraits.. but loved donuts, so here we are. Ha! Just kidding, we did do a few inside, but this is my favorite and I think shows their personalities best.
Also I felt I wasn't totally at my best for a little bit.. I may have knocked something loose.. but that's ok when it turns out fun. So, confession time.. worst on the job accident I've had to date! See that photo of the bride and her maid of honor squinting at me in horror inside the limo? Well, I had just picked myself up after I TRIPPED on the wheel well climbing inside. I then face planted into the stereo because of course I wasn't going to drop my camera stuff. It was really quite painful and makes me completely wonder at how resilient I am. I had a bit of a scratch on my forehead, and was a tiny bit shook up. After a few awkward pictures in the limo and trying to find a replacement photographer for about 5 minutes, the show had to go on! In the end it all turned out ok, and I am determined to never do that particular injury again. ;)
Brickhouse and me! Selfie portraits are hard! What. an amazing live band!
You may notice below... they were extremely receptive to the idea of letting the guests and bride and groom play on their instruments. The kids loved it! I was impressed :)
And yeah, that was a food truck at the wedding! Dayum! Yeah, it was pretty good ;) Check out Cousins Maine Lobster truck next time you see it.
Concert Photography | Father John Misty and Jenny Lewis /
Even I, one who loves rain like nothing else, had to be grateful for a reprieve as forecasted storms receded into clear blue skies with thin smoke clouds, which, too, gave way to a sea of stars.
And in the left over humidity, oh how we danced, and swayed, a happy crowd of compatriots. I had the most fun, out of everyone, I am entirely convinced. If you were there, I was the chick in the 50s flowered dress dancing and prancing everywhere. Life is for loving and living!
My personal favorite image.. why do we raise limbs and voices, turn our noses to the skies and call with long syllables overlapping and do things collaboratively?
Sometimes, mid-dance, I'd bend with my camera just so and shoot, and man, did I have fun! I'm pretty sure Mr. Tillman saw me, and he didn't tell me to put my camera away, so I think we're good.
Boring crowd shot, but tells a story. But I couldn't put it at the top. Sorry. This should be the first picture!
Jenny Lewis. Happy.. So happy...
In the core of chaos
soft wind meets wet limbs and cheeks stretched
grinning with praise, inventing dimples
the whirring thunder of voices, the echo of breaths expelled
we step away, a bit, seeing high and illuminated
pleased at our streaming, appeased at an encore
each ride the best we will ever be
I love photographing events! If you need a photographer or have interest in purchasing these images, please contact.
LinkedIn Couples Portraits | Chapel Hill, NC /
This guy asked for LinkedIn Portraits the other day, for he and his girlfriend. They attend UNC and just finished their first year of undergrad. I'm so proud-- of course I said yes. This is my son :)
And this is his girlfriend. They met when they were like 9, but took a few years to grow up before they became a "thing".
And this is the two of them together. We had a lot of fun, I think! Another photographer was nearby at Centennial Park and loaned us her bug spray-- thank you, whoever you were!
They are near and dear to my heart! I had a ton of fun and we knocked out about 50 usable images in 30 mins. Message me if you need some portraits for LinkedIn or other social media headshots.
Gina + John | Wedding Photography at The Longhouse /
many daughters, much love, so wow! This spontaneous moment had such a Little Women vibe, this got my tear ducts touched right away. Ugh, I'm such a sap.
This is one of those weddings. The kind where everyone was feeling feelings. I, myself, got misty eyed. Darnnit! It's true. Frequently teary at weddings, admiring everyone loving and being in loved.
It's official. I love flowers. Also Lambsear is my favorite ornamental. Also all the other ones. :) I am trying to think what I don't like.. um, pinestraw? That would be weird. But inexpensive. ;)
Groomsmen putting his multi-tool to work. Ha! I love my job. People are so funny
Such pretty light! <3
Funny story. Probably no on reads these things and I need to vent.. so I made a new friend recently. We decided to meet for dinner and we're sitting there and she goes, so people still pay for photography? And I'm staring at her with my mouth open and she goes on, picking up her phone, I mean, everyone has these now.
And here is where I really wanted to say, oh you're a therapist? Don't people just read Psychologytoday.com? Why do they need to talk to you? But I didn't say that because just then my mojito arrived, thank goodness. Worth staying for.
To be honest, YES! Our phones are awesome these days. And to be honest-- above that-- lots and lots of people are into photography and own gear. However, I promise you that a/ never mix business with pleasure (or love or family or friends). And b/ not everyone is trained to get the same things-- I'd venture to say every photographer has a different eye. I'm eyeing for unexpected moments, great light, ability to be creative. Your phone does not give one the capability to control light (not as quickly as I can anyway, with my DSLR) and your guests probably aren't going to be watching the moments as much as being in them.
OK, lecture over. Ha! She's a cool chick, by the way, glad I made a new friend. :)
Shot from above, first dance! Love it.
Guys are so fun. I think that's his crying face.
Oh! This couple was so fun. They met later in life, but felt that they were made specifically for one another. It seemed everyone was in agreeance.. and I heard one was a better dancer and one was a better singer, but I could not personally tell which was which. They complimented one another so well!
My favorite bit was a story where the groom was pranked by one his step daughters over a haunted house bit where she hid and moved things. Just too funny because no one let the cat out of the bag until the reception!
And if you are wondering about the Longhouse, I'd recommend! They were very accommodating with lovely grounds to move around on. Loved it! I hope to be back soon.
Serena and Omar | Middle Eastern Marriage Reception | Renaissance /
Serena and Omar's Middle Eastern celebration included acrobats, dancers, musicians, a parade of children, a Coldstone Creamery Ice-cream bar, middle eastern snacks and desserts, an amazing cake, gorgeous family members, glittery backdrops, blue up lights.. and of course lots of love and fun.
Ellen & Ian | Glass Box and Stockroom at 230 /
her expression is so precious. <3
Adorable expression, Ellen!
I'm always looking for the moments after the portraits you asked for. Ha!
Unfortunately, over the last few years I switched domains and through a technical glitch lost all my blog posts. I had an inquiry the other day for a venue I've worked a few times, The Stockroom at 230, and thought what a shame it was not to show some of my work there. These are a few of my favorites.
So, Ian and Ellen are now about 2 years past their honeymoon, but I'm still going to go ahead and share this wedding because the Stockroom at 230 is a great venue, and the lighting and view at the Glassbox is spectacular. Recommend! Hope you enjoyed the images, world <3 Oh, and my selfie at the event.. ~Lacey
Morgan and Chris | Private Residence | Selma NC Photography /
Sometimes I think it's best to let the photography do the talking. In this case, I can tell you that the couple was sweet-- they met as children in church and their love was one of those that you could feel and see between them. The bride was ethereal as a fairy-- see for yourself! Her bridesmaids were, as far as I could tell, all cheerleaders and obviously amazing dancers, and great supportive friends. The country vibe was continuous on the private property where bride and groom will now also live. A very real fairy tale, is how I'd describe it! So thankful I was there to document the moments and create beautiful photographs for everyone!
This is the sort of thing I live for... I absolutely adore this photo.
Honestly. When they want to run away, I believe in letting them do it. LOL
Want a happy photographer? Let them take their odd photos.
While I'm talking about me, I'm really sad I don't have a selfie of this one. I keep telling myself to start showing myself more at "work" but I forget. I get really caught up in your moments! So instead, let me tell you what it's like to be me on a wedding day. I left my house with an extra hour because YOU NEVER KNOW, and I parked for a while behind a realty place to close my eyes and chill because YOU CANT SHOW UP EARLY AT A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. When I arrive somewhere, it's always overwhelming. I try to hide it-- I act like I know where I"m going while smiling and totally taking it all in and scoping out where the perfect light is currently, then I cannot wait to hug the bride and check the vibe! The house in this case had loads of pretty spaces to work in, so I shot the details and took photos of the bridesmaids in these super cute mix of plaids and shorts and boots, then on to the bride dressing and details and portraits.. man the sun was killer, so I made sure the bride had an iced cloth for staying cool outside-- but in the end I think I was the only one that needed it. Ha! I wore a black dress that was chic and seasonable (in my opinion) but soon realized I should just change into the black pants and top because the dress was catching on me when I bent down (oops-- not even a first). The rest of the day is a blur-- I think you can see the results. When the day starts you're looking down a hallway of fireworks at the end, but you don't know what's behind the doors and in this case I was SO HAPPY-- the details, the couple, the moments-- this is why I do this! Do you know what Christmas Poppers are? That's what weddings feel like to me-- I know what's in them but I don't know which specific things I will be getting (and yeah, it feels like a present to me).
So, I hope the photos speak for me, that the moments are loud and clear. I didn't include here the family portraits, the grooms portraits, the getaway vehicle (a tractor) post wedding, surprise fireworks after the wedding, dance photos during the wedding.. so many things! What a beautiful (and hot!) (but totally beautiful!) day! THANK YOU for including me, and for the other many vendors I worked with that day, including:
Flowers and décor by Donald Bailey
Cake by Karen's Kitchen in Smithfield
Dj and photobooth with Epix Melody Entertainment
Videography by Brittany for 3Sixty Vision Events