I just returned from shooting our first wedding of the year in the Bahamas, and my mind is still swimming in palm trees, crystal blue water & 80 degree weather. Its tough to come home to the realization that we still have a month of winter left in NC. That little taste of summer was just what I needed to feel recharged & ready for wedding season to begin. 2011 is full of incredible couples & beautiful locations…I can hardly wait.

This session was the last I shot before leaving the US, and while I had hoped to blog it while I was in Treasure Cay, the internet situation there was slightly…challenging. I’m so used to running everything wirelessly that when the hotel handed me an ethernet cable, it took about 10 minutes for me to figure out how to hook it up…hey, don’t judge :) Lucky for me, Lindsay & Tyler are 2 of the sweetest, most laid-back people you’ll ever meet. They were referred to me by my lovely twitter friend Erica, and after meeting these two I have to say..I owe her a latte or two. The sun never showed up for Lindsay & Tyler’s shoot, but with them in front of the lens…who needs sun? They lit up every frame & I can’t wait to meet their little man ( who they’ve nicknamed “the nugget” ) next month. I’ll be documenting the first year of the nugget’s life ( I have the scoop on his name, but they’re keeping it hush-hush until his debut ).. so you’ll be seeing lots more of Lindsay & Tyler soon.

Happy Friday! xo

Remember baby Fisher? Well, he’s back & cute as ever. If you’re a longtime reader of this blog, you’ve had a birds eye view of Michelle & Ryan’s transition from love, to marriage….to welcoming this little bean. Its pretty incredible to document this kind of love. I could photograph these 3 all day everyday & twice on Sunday. Fisher is the happiest baby & Michelle and Ryan have fallen so naturally into parenthood. All the crazy wind, cold & mud we encountered during this shoot couldn’t stop the magic that exists between them. You’ll be seeing more of them soon….Fisher turns 1 in July & I have something special planned for his birthday session :)

Michelle & Ryan..thanks for being you. xo

I used to think there was a secret to life-long marriages. Every time I saw a gray haired couple walking together, holding hands I couldn’t help but wonder what their trick was. Lucky for me ( and them ) I figured it out before actually tapping one of them on the shoulder to ask.. ;)

The truth is, there is no secret. No trick. And I have Jenny & Brett to thank for the answer to this question. How does a newlywed couple have the answer to a lifelong marriage, you ask? Watch the slideshow below & tell me if they look like most couples you know that have been together for 13 ( yes, THIRTEEN ) years. They put each other first, they live in the moment & they aren’t afraid to just love. These two are like peanut butter & jelly…really great on their own, but nothing short of magic when you put them together. There’s no doubt in my mind that they’ll eventually join the ranks of those happy gray-haired couples…

Until then, I hope to be able to document this family as they grow from 2 to 3 ( which has already happened thanks to a cute black lab named Echo ) and 3 to… 4 :) After watching them with Jenny’s niece & nephew, Zoe & Rowan..its pretty obvious they’ll make amazing parents. There wasn’t a single moment of their wedding day that I didn’t love, but if I had to choose a favorite..it would be their first-look ( see below ).

Jenny & Brett..thanks for allowing us to end 2010 on a major high. Lots of love to you both..

Dress- Jim Hjelm
Fur stole- Nordstrom
Shoes- Nina
Flowers- University Florist
Hair & Makeup- SalonBlu
Transportation- Old South Trolley Co.
Cake- Caketacular
DJ- Greg Ramsey with Joe Bunn & Co.

Two favorites taken by Ben, who also happens to be my little ( can you call 24 little? ) brother.. I love the way he sees the world through his lens:

To see the rest of Jenny & Brett’s day, click below. Song courtesy of Joshua Radin: