Amy Martin Photography

Shannon & Justin: Wedding

2008-08-13T20:12:00.003-05:00

She has an amazing smile. Big, beautiful and genuine, it lights up her entire face. And an entire room. On the day of her wedding, she left no room in the dark. She was, afterall, marrying the man of her dreams.

With a wonderfully random iPod mix providing the soundtrack for the day, Shannon and her bridesmaids spent the pre-ceremony hours sharing stories, hairspray and bites of cheesecake. As the sounds of Britney Spears and Warren G danced in the air, Shannon prepared amidst a sea of smiles and laughter and love.

Large, dome-shaped chandeliers provided a warm glow to the Hilton Arlington ballroom as the wedding guests gathered to witness Shannon and Justin pledge their lives to each other. On the arm of her father, Shannon began her walk down the aisle and when she spotted Justin waiting for her, she smiled. And it lit up the entire room. She was, afterall, about to marry the man of her dreams.

Shannon and Justin- it was a pleasure and honor to photograph your wedding. You're both awesome individuals and I know your future together will be nothing short of amazing! I wish you all the best!

Putting on the finishing touches:

Shannon and Justin decided to have a First Look, which always makes me happy:

We found this fun wall and Shannon and Justin worked it:

And Shannon worked it solo! :)

Such a fun wedding party!

The ceremony and reception were held at the Hilton Arlington and it made for a very intimate venue:

Married!

Like any good Virginia Tech graduate, I have a special place in my heart for Metallica's Enter Sandman. Also like any good Virginia Tech graduate, I instinctively start jumping up and down when I hear it. I can't help it- it's in my Hokie blood. Luckily, this time, I kept my feet on the ground and was able to take a photo!

Shannon and her dad were so sweet...

...and the guests were FUN!

Last dance of the night:

A special thanks to Susan Solo for shooting with me! I had a great time and I hope we can do it again! :)

Occupational Hazards

2008-07-28T19:57:00.002-05:00

Firemen have fires. Cops have gun-wielding criminals. Nine-to-fivers have carpel tunnel. Every occupation has its hazards and photography is no exception. But here in the south, photographers have a couple of extra things to look out for.

Like twelve foot alligators:

Fortunately, Ruth and I were out of harm's way when this guy came trotting along the golf course. Due to rain, the ceremony location was changed from the golf course to a covered porch. Whew.

Happy Monday! :)

Nikki: Bridal

2008-06-16T23:53:00.003-05:00

Last week, I made the trip to Asheville to photograph Nikki's bridals. Despite the ninety eight degree temperature, we had a great time wandering the grounds of the Biltmore. If you've never been, the Biltmore is amazing, and we had no shortage of fabulous spots at our disposal. I can't wait to return for the wedding in August!

Nikki will be wearing two dresses during the wedding day and wanted to be photographed in both. So, we decided to start down at the conservatory in dress #1 (the reception dress):

Um, stunning!!!

My favorite images, though, were at the very end of our session. I saw this field and was smitten!

Not my normal editing style, but I kind of like it:

Thanks for a fun time Nikki!

Terran & Andrew: Wedding

2008-06-11T13:59:00.003-05:00

They started early and they never left. They were there through it all- through the getting ready, the ceremony, the reception, and everywhere in between. They were everywhere, all day. And by "they," I mean Smile and a Smile's first cousin, Laughter.

If the old adage is true, and laughter really is the best medicine, then Terran and Andrew could easily start their own pharmacy. It's extremely refreshing to see a couple so genuinely happy- with themselves, with life, with each other. It's contagious and just darn fun to be around!

Terran is one of the most organized brides I've ever worked with and she worked hard making sure all the details of the day came together seamlessly. She paid such attention to detail and added tons of personal touches, which resulted in day filled with warmth, joy, love and of course, laughter.

Terran and Andrew- you guys are contagious. It was a joy to work with you and to take part in your amazing day. I wish you lifetimes of love and laughter!

Thanks to my great friend, Mary Beth Tyson, for coming to shoot with me. I'm glad your Florida blood could handle the Baltimore temperatures. ;)

The satisfaction of having the veil in place:

Isn't this smile contagious?

Great groomsman gift alert! Andrew gave his groomsman (and himself!) cufflinks that represented where they went to college. I'm a big fan of cool cufflinks for guys because, seriously, how many flasks and money clips does one guy need? ;)

Terran and Andrew did not see each other before the ceremony, but they allowed for plenty of time afterwards to ensure that we got some great images of the two of them as a newly married couple. I had SO many favorites, but here are a few.

We almost got taken out by a bus trying to get these next shots:

Terran and I were in the same sorority and red and green are our colors. So, naturally, I had to take advantage!

Any bride and groom that make their Grand Entrance to Guns N' Roses are ok in my book! My hubby and I entered to Sweet Child of Mine, Terran and Andrew chose Welcome to the Jungle.

Sweet first dance with lots of laughs:

This was the last dance of the night. I love the look on Terran's face and the crazy groomsmen in the background:

Any Guesses?

2008-05-28T21:19:00.002-05:00

I've been out of town for a little bit doing some cool things! Any guesses as to what I'm doing?

Here's a hint:

Kim & Nick : Wedding

2008-05-13T15:08:00.008-05:00

The tiny salon on St. Simon’s Island was aflutter as Kim and her bridesmaids arrived for their hair and makeup appointments. The combination of tight quarters, one bride, twelve bridesmaids (yes, twelve), one mother, and two photographers made for the most intimate of getting ready locations. With the exception of repeatedly stepping on each other’s toes, the small space had its perks. It provided the perfect atmosphere for Kim to be surrounded by the most important women in her life as her wedding day began.

Later, as the ceremony time drew close, Kim was again surrounded by her twelve bridesmaids... or rather, her twelve "Somethings Blue." They talked excitedly while they helped Kim with the finishing touches and wondered what Nick's reaction would be at the first sight of his flawless bride. As Kim made the long walk down the aisle, it was evident that Nick was simply in awe. And, as evidenced by the ear to ear smile Kim was wearing as she approached her soon-to-be husband, I have no doubt that she felt the same.

When I shot Kim and Nick's engagement session, we hit it off and I've been so looking forward to their wedding ever since. I knew their wedding at the Jekyll Island Club was going to be amazing and I was not let down! Ashley Lavallee and her assistant with Events by Caroline did a fabulous job making sure the day went seamlessly!

Kim and Nick- I can't thank you enough for being such amazing clients. Thank you for making photography a priority and for allowing me to document your beautiful day. Thank you for never questioning any of my ideas. And thank you for being you!

Thanks also to Ruth Rackley for coming to shoot with me! :)

I LOVED Kim's ring:

Kim's Priscilla of Boston dress was gorgeous:

Kim's bouquet provided by Tracey Inglesby with Freshcuts:

Let's not forget Nick:

It was really, really windy:

Kim is so expressive... which I, of course, love:

Kim and Nick had some fun reception details. Here's a few:

We had a PERFECT sunset despite the clouds we had all day:

A sweet first dance:

They had some awesome fireworks!!! Both literally and figuratively ;)

To see more of Kim and Nick's awesome wedding, CLICK HERE!

Melissa & Danny: Wedding

2008-05-06T08:29:00.005-05:00

The hotel room, with its panoramic view, did little to shield us from the reality of a less than perfect forecast. As raindrops adhered to the large hotel room windows, Melissa sat on the couch surrounded by her close friends and bridesmaids. I didn't think I was going to be this nervous, Melissa said as she waited her turn in the makeup chair. Her nerves may have been unexpected but they were no match for her small army of friends- each seemingly armed with a Ph.D. in Massage Therapy. They surrounded Melissa, taking posts at her shoulders, feet and hands in hopes of easing those pre-wedding nerves.

Rain and nerves were both present pre-ceremony, but they were a distant memory by the time the reception rolled around. Perched high within the Charlotte city skyline, Bentley's on 27 provided the perfect setting to celebrate Melissa and Danny and their love.

The toasting portion of the reception was a true testament of the love Melissa and Danny have for each other, as well as the love they are surrounded by. Friends, sisters, brothers and parents lined up to toast (and roast!) the new husband and wife in an entertaining display of wit, humor, sentiment and adoration. During his toast to the couple, Melissa's Dad spoke proudly of his daughter and the man she chose to spend her life with. When Melissa has a friend, she has a friend for life, her dad beamed. I have no doubt that Melissa has found her forever friend- and love- in Danny.

Melissa and Danny- Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your beautiful day! I hope your (three week!!!) Hawaiian vacation was simply amazing!

Thanks to my good friend Ruth Rackley for making the drive to Charlotte to help me! :)

Here are some of my favorites from the day:

The beautiful flowers by Carolyn Shepard:

You can always count on mom to get you out of any situation ;)

To see more of Melissa and Danny's wedding day, CLICK HERE!

Have a little fun!

2008-04-28T11:02:00.003-05:00

I always try to remain professional and composed during my events, but every now and then my inner child gets the best of me.

This past weekend, I was in Baltimore for Terran and Andrew's awesome wedding. Because they were using the mother of all sparklers for their grand exit, I couldn't help having a little fun.

Evidence that I am, indeed, a fun photographer and don't take myself too seriously:

A special thanks to Mary Beth Tyson for those killer images. ;)

Happy Monday! :)

Melissa & Danny: Engagement

2008-04-23T22:52:00.000-05:00

You are what you wear. If ever this statement applies, it's to Melissa and Danny.

Melissa and Danny are casual, comfortable and laid-back, both individually and as a couple. So, it was only fitting when they met me for their session wearing fashion's definition of casual, comfortable and laid-back: jeans and flip-flops. :)

Quite some time had passed since I first met with Melissa and Danny, so we had a great time reconnecting, laughing, and chatting about their wedding day. Due to some scheduling conflicts, uncooperative weather, and a car accident, Melissa and Danny's engagement session was actually only a few days before their wedding. It was great practice because when Saturday rolled around, they were pros in front of the camera! ;)

Here are some favorites:

Melissa and Danny wanted to include their (big) baby in a couple of shots. ;)

Back from the Dominican Republic!

2008-04-22T22:16:00.002-05:00

I'm beginning to think it's me.

I've been traveling quite a bit lately and while I'd love to say that my travels have been smooth sailing, to do so would be a lie. I anticipate and accept that there are some things that can go awry and really mess with one's travel equilibrium. Things like getting put in a window seat when you have a slight case of claustrophobia. Things like your room key not working and having to go all the way back to the front desk to get a new key. Things like your room's electricity not working once you actually get a working key. Yes, all of the above happened on my most recent trip to the Dominican Republic and while not ideal, they didn't ruin my day.

However, not having my luggage for the second time in a month tends to bring out the Debbie Downer in me. After a flight, the first thing I want to see is my perpetually overweight-yes, I always seem to pack ten pairs of shoes I never wear- bright orange suitcase come around the baggage carousel. But, as Mick Jagger said so eloquently, you can't always get what you want.

Luckily, my awesome friend Mary Beth Tyson was with me and let me have dibs on pretty much anything in her suitcase. Even more luckily, she packed an extra bathing suit, so I didn't have to succumb to the $100 seashell and sequin adorned thong bikinis which were readily available in the hotel gift shop. ;)

In light of all the mishaps in getting to my most recent destination, the rest of the week was fabulous. Mary Beth and I photographed a great wedding and spent the rest of our time soaking up the sun on a beautiful beach. All in all, I really can't complain! Except to Delta. ;)

Because a post isn't a post without pictures, here's a quick shot I took with my iPhone on the way to DR:

And one Mary Beth took on the way home:

More "real" photos coming soon!

Nikki & Keith: Engagement

2008-04-14T16:23:00.004-05:00

The local forecast threatened rain and cold weather. Not exactly a perfect scenario for a springtime engagement session.

Instead of fretting about the gloomy forecast or attempting to reschedule our session, Nikki chose the when-life-hands-you-lemons-make-lemonade approach. I have a really cute raincoat I've been wanting to wear! If I needed further proof that we would get along fabulously, that was it!

As I made my way to Raleigh for Nikki and Keith's engagement session, dark clouds loomed overhead and there was indeed a cold bite in the air. As we began the session, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, as if to remind us of its presence. The rain decided to hold off and we were able to spend the late afternoon walking the grounds of the North Carolina Museum of Art unaffected by Mother Nature's elements. As we meandered through fields and pathways, Nikki and Keith walked hand in hand, occasionally snuggling up to one another to provide some warmth against the chill in the air.

In addition to being business owners, Nikki and Keith flip houses, so as we walked, they told me a bit about a couple of their recent joint ventures. While I'm sure house flipping is exciting, I'm positive their marriage will be their most exciting joint venture to date. And I'm quite honored that they chose me to document the start of it. :)

Nikki and Keith- it was a pleasure hanging out with you and exploring a little bit of Raleigh. I can't wait for your wedding! See you in August! :)

CLICK HERE for a slideshow!

Carrie & Ed: Just Because

2008-03-27T16:22:00.003-05:00

Sometimes things don't go as planned... and it works out beautifully.

We had originally planned to start Carrie and Ed's session at one end of the Las Vegas strip and work our way down, stopping at various locations along the way. When I arrived at our pre-selected meeting point, I immediately knew we should go elsewhere. The combination of harsh sunlight, noisy rush hour traffic and thousands of other photographers roaming the streets was not inspiring, to say the least.

When Carrie and Ed showed up, they were willing to relocate to another part of town and I couldn't have been more pleased with their flexibility. So, we packed up, headed away from the strip and had a great time exploring the streets of downtown Las Vegas together. And- in my opinion- those streets were the perfect setting for such a fun, vibrant couple. As I said, it worked out beautifully.

Carrie and Ed- I had a wonderful time getting to know you and your city... I hope I did it justice! Good luck on your move and I wish you all the best!

Before we packed our bags, we caught this cool shot of Carrie:

Viva Las Vegas!

Hi, I'm Amy... I swear I'm still alive.

2008-02-26T19:23:00.003-05:00

Hi friends!

First and foremost, I want to thank all of you that continually check this blog, even through my (ahem, extended) absences. I apologize for being a tad MIA on the blog lately, but I've been working hard behind the scenes on some cool new things. Hopefully, I'll be able to share them with you soon!

I finally made it to Las Vegas for the Superbowl of photography- aka WPPI. After a delayed flight, missed connections, a night spent in Chicago and a sketchy flight the next morning, I'm here! It's going to be a whirlwind of a week, full of inspiration, learning, socializing, and probably a little bit of gambling. I do love some poker! :) I've also got an engagement session scheduled, so there will be lots of fun material for the blog coming up!

I cannot wait to get there and see all my photographer friends in one place and to make new photographer friends! If you're in Vegas and see me roaming around, please say hi!

Kim & Nick: Engagement

2008-01-11T15:12:00.001-05:00

We dated each others' friends in high school. We had secret crushes on each other, but neither of us knew! Isn't that crazy?! Kim recalled how she and Nick knew each other in high school, but spent those years dating other people. High school came and went and it wasn't until later, at a college football game, that they reconnected. Turns out, that's all they needed, as they've been inseparable ever since. While Kim and Nick may not have been a couple from the beginning, love has a way of unweaving a tangled web to put us beside the person we're supposed to be with forever. What started as a secret crush is now a real love, evident for anyone to see.

I was so excited to meet Kim and Nick for their engagement session. They live in Georgia and though we had talked via phone and email, this was our first face to face meeting. We spent an unseasonably warm (but much welcomed!) afternoon in Charlotte, wandering through nearby fields and exploring old buildings. Kim and Nick are both so warm and fun and it was a treat getting to know them and seeing their love first hand! They're planning a fabulous April wedding at the Jekyll Island Club and I can't wait to be a part of it!

Kim and Nick- I hope you enjoy your images and I will see you soon! :)

Ayden's 1st Birthday

2008-01-04T23:31:00.000-05:00

It amazes me how a twenty pound child can turn grown adults- myself included- into babbling, baby-voiced baffoons (say that three times fast!).

My nephew, Ayden, turned one a couple days before Christmas. So, to celebrate his first year of life, everyone got together for a little birthday party. As Ayden was passed around the room like a hot potato, I watched grandmas, grandpas, uncles, aunts, and cousins morph into Elmo impersonators, make-shift airplane simulators, and well, basically the most exciteable and animated versions of themselves. It's fun to see how the little guy melts everyone's hearts and brings out the kid in us all. :)

Happy Birthday, Ayden! I love you!

I didn't take too many photos, but I did get some of Ayden enjoying his cake.

He got a mini cake of his own. He needed a little help at first, but he certainly figured out what to do with it. I'm certainly glad I'm not the one who had to clean him up. ;)

My favorite Ayden face:

A couple of the cousins. Camden:

And McKenna:

"Thanks for coming out. It's been real."

And one more of the birthday boy, as I was telling him bye:

A Revolution

2007-12-20T19:55:00.000-05:00

A couple of months ago, in October, I had the wonderful opportunity to go to New York City for the Revolution workshop, led by Chris + Lynn, Jason Groupp and TJ Cameron.

Back in June, when I photographed Blake and Diane's wedding with Jason Groupp, we chatted about a potential workshop that he was planning. My interest peaked when Jason told me that his friends (and my personal favorite photographers) Chris + Lynn would be joining in to lead the workshop. I told him right then that if the workshop ever came to fruition, I would be there. I mean, a photography workshop led by some amazing photographers... in the fall... in New York City... it was a no-brainer. So when Revolution was officially announced, I signed up. And I'm SO glad I did.

Revolution was such an amazing experience. My passion for photography was renewed, my creative juices flowed abundantly, I made some awesome new friends, and walked away with some great images. It was a win-win-win-win situation. :)

Here are just a few of my favorite images from the workshop. FYI- I'm posting from a different computer, so if my color looks a bit wonky... well, that's why ;)

I figure I'll address this before it comes up. I DID NOT photoshop these random phrases and words. They were a part of the storefront window.

A totally random moment that I was lucky to catch. :)

Annie & Matt

2007-12-10T23:59:00.000-05:00

To say that Annie and Matt had a backyard wedding with a tented reception would be a gross understatement.

As I pulled into Annie's parent's Bluffton, SC estate and saw the scene before me, I knew this was no ordinary backyard wedding and tented reception. A small army was in place, making sure the major, minor, and miniscule elements of the day flowed together seamlessly. Workers were busy putting finishing touches inside the enormous clear tent that was to serve as the reception site. Caterers were busy preparing the delicious meal and setting up various bars on the grounds. A gospel choir warmed up for the ceremony and a bluegrass band waited in the wings, as they were the musical guests during coctail hour. Across the lawn, another band set up their equipment and practiced some simple choreography while waiting for their turn to entertain during the reception.

The event unfolded flawlessly and I was honored to help the wonderful Leigh Webber capture Annie and Matt's amazing day. Below is just a taste of what I saw.

I know of some people, who occassionally like to judge a wedding by the bride's shoes. As a shoe fanatic, I also like to play this game. When I walked in and saw these lovely ladies, I knew I was in for a treat. :)

Hello, Manolo:

Annie's Lela Rose dress was stunning. It was like a piece of art.

A really touching moment between Annie and her dad just before the ceremony started:

Sharing a laugh with the wedding party:

A gospel choir sang as Annie walked down the aisle. They also escorted everyone to the reception.

The details were impeccable. Everything had a very organic, fall feel.

Like the photo below, Annie and Matt's wedding was southern, classic and timeless. And it was sprinkled with just enough quirkiness and boldness to make a statement. I think this sums up the feel of the day perfectly. :)

Peyton

2007-11-28T19:46:00.000-05:00

Leaves and acorns crunched underneath my feet as I walked my family's land. Burnt orange, red and gold leaves fell gently from the enormous trees that cover the farm. The late afternoon sky was cloudless and blue and gave way to the sun which cast a golden hue on everything it touched.

It was the kind of day that just smelled like fall. As if every time I took a breath, autumn itself permeated my nostrils.

I was home for Thanksgiving and had no plans for me and my trusty camera, but the postcard-perfect fall day prompted me to rethink those plans to take advantage of the crisp autumn scenery. The solution: my cousin Peyton.

Peyton's sweet and gentle nature are the benchmarks of her personality. She's quiet and shy (nothing like me when I was that age!) and has such a beautiful spirit... which I was thrilled to capture on such a beautiful day.

Here are a few of my favorites:

I told Peyton she looked gangsta in this photo....

...which resulted in this photo. And I love them both. :)

Lucy

2007-11-20T16:49:00.000-05:00

Meet Lucy. Last week, I met up with Lucy and her mom for a fun session. While our original plans were a little sidetracked due to parking issues, we were able to get to the park while there was still a little bit of light left. Here are a few for Lucy's mom while I finish editing the rest. :)

I couldn't resist sharing this one:

Lucy is turning one soon, so a birthday hat was appropriate:

I just love when kids are themselves:

jennifer & dean

2007-10-30T17:06:00.000-05:00

Jennifer and Dean were married at the gorgeous La Bastide winery. Here are a few of my favorites. (Sorry for the cop-out intro. I had a whole little diddy written and it was erased in blogger land.)

So many details to document:

The bouquet with her grandmother's bluebird pin:

A bridesmaid bouquet. I just really loved this chair!

Just before walking down the aisle, Jennifer was trying to sneak a peak at Dean:

Jennifer and Dean had three of the most adorable flower girls. They certainly kept me on my toes:

This thing smelled SO good and I don't even really like chocolate!

The closeness Dean shared with his mom was so sweet. A shot during their dance:

Going for the garter is serious business these days:

And because I love fun guests-

There's nothing like a little Van Halen to make you whip out the air guitar:

Congrats Jennifer and Dean!

Happy Tuesday!

2007-10-02T16:51:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday everyone!

I was making a few arrangements for my upcoming trip to New York City, so I thought I'd share a random image from my last trip back in May. I'm so stoked to be going to back soon! New York City in the fall... it makes me all warm and toasty just thinking about it. ;)

natalie & ryan

2007-09-21T16:53:00.000-05:00

As the hot September sun started to fade behind the mountains, Natalie and Ryan stood in the middle of an open field, surrounded by their friends and family, and pledged their love to one another. Though the daylight hours were coming to an end, Ryan and Natalie's life as husband and wife was just beginning.

The day progressed beautifully and seamlessly, and I was delighted to be a part of it. Natalie and Ryan elected to see each other before the ceremony on the campus of that other school, where they were engaged. We then headed over to the breathtaking and picturesque King Family Vineyards near Charlottesville, Virginia for the ceremony and reception.

I had so many images of Natalie and Ryan that I loved and wanted to share, so I apologize for the lack of "other stuff." Here are a few of my favorites:

Some getting ready action:

The rings, of course (and major props go out to Ryan who designed Natalie's ring... I've never seen anything like it):

The gorgeous, vibrant bouquet:

A few images before the ceremony:

I loved this ceremony moment, right as they were pronounced:

And a few after the ceremony, to take advantage of the yummy light:

:) I love this one:

The big exit:

have no fear, i'm still here!

2007-09-20T13:18:00.000-05:00

"You have not updated your blog since August 22nd and I am in withdrawal! Give me some new pictures please!!!!"

These are the sort of emails I receive when I don't update my blog regularly. The above is from an email I received yesterday (thanks Sharon!) and it made me realize that yes, I am a tad overdue in the blogging department. Hey, I never said I was the world's best blogger. I do, however, have plans to be more consistent in my blogging.

The lack of blogging is not because I'm lacking things to blog (like that circular reasoning?). Rather, my lack of blogging is due to an overwhelming abundance of things to blog! I don't even know where to start. I've been very busy with weddings, photo field trips, kids, babies, kids, more babies, twins, births... the list goes on.

Have no fear dear blog readers! I'll have plenty of photo yummies up soon.

nichole & steve

2007-08-22T16:23:00.001-05:00

What happens when you combine college sweethearts, fraternities, sororities and fun families together? You get Nichole and Steve's wedding! Nichole and Steve have been dating for quite a while and many wedding guests expressed the same sentiment towards their recent nuptuals: it's about time!

Here are a few of my favorites from their wedding. I hope you guys had a blast in Hawaii! xoxo.

Getting ready:

I can't even tell you how tiny Nichole's fingers are. She wears a 2 1/2, but her ring couldn't be sized down that small, so she has to wear a size 3! Her ring wouldn't even fit my pinky and I have "normal" sized fingers.

Since we did so many bridals with Nichole, I had to get a few shots of Steve:

Ceremony time. I love this shot I got of Nichole and her matron of honor just before they walked down the aisle:

I liked their reflection on the floor.

Married!!!

We went around campus to take some fun photos...

Some Virginia Tech fun:

Their mode of transportation:

Fun table decor:

First dance:

Love Nichole's expression. During a toast:

They opted for a small cake with lots of cupcakes. Yummy yummy.

Yep, Livin' on a Prayer. If I had a dollar for every fun shot I've taken while this song has played, I'd be rich! :)

You can find her in da club... yes, even Grandma was gettin' down to 50 Cent:

Fun guests:

Thanks Nichole and Steve for inviting me to capture you day. Lots of love to you!

TAGGED!!!

2007-08-17T21:48:00.001-05:00

Ok, so I've gotten tagged by two of my wonderful photographer friends Bobbi and Lauren. This tagging business means I get to share 8 little known facts about myself with all of you people out there in cyber land.

Here goes!

1) Sometime circa 1990-1992 my friends used to tease me and say I looked like Penny Pester from the movie Ladybugs. It really used to hurt my feelings because she was the ugly duckling. But in the movie, she did become sort of a swan. And the fact that I was chunky with glasses-oh, and braces- did not help. Now, thankfully, my celebrity comparisons are much, much nicer... (random side note: wasn't Jonathan Brandis just so dreamy?)

2) When I was in elementary school, I used to practice shaving when I would take a bath. I would spread a washcloth flat over the edge of the tub, lather it up with bar soap, take my mom's razor and "shave" it. Sometimes the washcloths survived, sometimes they didn't.

3) My favorite song of all time is Sweet Child of Mine by Guns 'N Roses. It puts me in Myrtle Beach, age 7, sporting a brand new airbrushed t-shirt showcasing my name and a unicorn... good times.

4) I was thisclose to taking a job as an EFF BEE EYE (come on, you can figure it out) Agent, but passed on it. Yeah, I know... a big difference from being a photographer.

5) Most recently, I worked for a major bank in a job that was NOT a good fit for me. I will be a happy, happy girl if I never hear the words "interest rate derivative" or "hedge agreement" again (or anything having to do with corporate and investment banking, for that matter)!

6) I sucked my thumb until I was 10. Ridiculous.

7) I can never finish the last sip of any drink from a can or bottle.

8) I have an uncanny knack for remembering song lyrics and commercial jingles. Hearing something one or two times is about all I need and it's imprinted in my brain for life. :)

So there you have it! Don't you all feel enlightened now? ;) Apprently, I'm supposed to tag some people, so here's my tag list of some of my photo friends that I'd like to know 8 things about:

Jill Higgins
Ruth Rackley
Scarlett Lillian
Kate Benson
Liana Lehman
Jenna Walker

enter sandman

2007-08-14T10:31:00.000-05:00

In light of photographing Nichole and Steve's wedding at Virginia Tech this past weekend and in light of the fact that they used Metallica's Enter Sandman for their reception entrance (no Frank Sinatra for them!), I wanted to post this little gem of a video.

Watching this gives me chills every single time. Ah, I can't wait for football season!!!

And yes, we have THE SICKEST entrance in all of college football. Period. ;)

nichole- bridals

2007-08-14T09:39:00.000-05:00

Now that Nichole and Steve are officially married, I can share a few images from her bridal session! Nichole was such a good sport, gallavanting all over the Virginia Tech campus in a wedding dress and heels. One good thing about photographing at Virginia Tech is that I know all the good spots since I spent four lovely years there. :) Thanks also goes out to two of Nichole's bridesmaids, Lauren and Colin, for all their help and for keeping us entertained! Here are a few of my favorites:

california

2007-08-10T12:00:00.001-05:00

In case you haven't noticed, I've been slacking big time on my blog. I've been trying to play catch up over the past couple of weeks, so please forgive the lack of posts.

Don't worry, I've got lots of things to blog about and lots of photos to share. Thank you to the hundreds of you who continue to check my blog every day despite me not posting for a few weeks. You rock!

Seeing as how it's Friday (and well, Fridays make me happy), I'm posting a song that makes me happy. Hence, the title of this post. Most of you who know me have probably heard me say at least once, "I really want to move to California" and my family is probably sick of hearing me talk about it. In the words of my father (who will always let you know what he really thinks), "who in their right mind would want to move to California?" I think that attitude is a southern thing, but I don't buy into it. ;)

Anyways, this song makes me want to get in my car right now and head straight across the country. I, however, will be getting in my car and head straight for Virginia to photograph Nichole and Steve's wedding at Virginia Tech. Stay tuned for pics and have a great weekend everyone!

*Attention**

2007-07-30T09:34:00.001-05:00

If you are a current, future or potential client (or anyone else!) that has sent me an email and I have not responded, PLEASE RESEND YOUR EMAIL OR INQUIRY AGAIN. My email and site have been experiencing some technology issues over the past three or four weeks and it seems lots of email has slipped through the cracks. All email is currently being routed through to another email account, so I should receive everything. Also, if you are having troubles viewing my site, please let me know! We're working to fix things and get everything back to normal! Thanks :)

jenny & jason

2007-07-18T16:49:00.000-05:00

I apologize for the lack of recent blogging! I've been having some SERIOUS technology issues and trying to get them resolved has been like pulling teeth!

Moving on. Jenny and Jason got married on 07-07-07, supposedly the biggest wedding day in history. I drove down to Savannah, GA to help my friend Scarlett photograph Jenny and Jason's wedding at the amazingly chic Mansion on Forsyth Park. Seriously- this is my absolute favorite hotel. The decor is amazing and ecclectic. It's like Andy Warhol's version of shabby chic, if that makes sense to anyone. Regardless, the hotel and the decor are oh-so stylish and they make for amazing photos!

Here are just a few of my favorites.

My favorite:

katherine & joe

2007-07-05T21:25:00.000-05:00

How great is our God? Just before Katherine and Joe's beautiful ceremony concluded, the entire wedding party and congregation sang this praise and worship song. The words of the song echoed through large sanctuary and seemed to hang heavily in the air. With everyone's voices lifted in unison, it was hard not to feel the significance of that moment in time.

Katherine and Joe's wedding was filled with emotion and joy and I was blessed to be a part of it. I don't generally cry at weddings, but this wedding was different; I cried twice. I think Katherine and her father shared the most tender, emotional father/daughter dance I've ever witnessed. Katherine's dad said to me, "it's been an emotional couple of weeks" and as he danced with his daughter, no emotion was held back. He was proud, happy, and sad all at once and it was beautiful to see such an obvious bond that existed between a father and his daughter.

The rest of the reception was nothing but F-U-N. Katherine told me earlier in the day that their guests liked to dance. What a HUGE understatement. The dance floor was standing room only. It is the only wedding I've ever been to where just about every single person in attendance was tearing up the dance floor. And of course, I was right in the middle of it all. :)

Katherine and Joe- thank you for allowing me to capture your day. Many blessings to you! Good luck at that other Virginia school! :) A huge thank you to my friend Brooke who made the trip to Knoxville with me! Thanks girl!

Getting ready:

Some details:

First dance:

Katherine with her dad:

Like I said, they had some amazing dancers in attendace. There were even a couple of dance offs.

Can your pastor do the robot?:

These guys didn't stop all night:

LOVE fun guests:

One last shot of the TONS of chinese lanterns that decorated the tent. They provided some amazing ambiance throughout the night:

anna & ben

2007-06-28T11:03:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I had back to back weddings in Knoxville, TN (more on that later) and Asheville, NC. Since I go right through Ashville on my way back from Knoxville, I stopped to help shoot Ben and Anna's wedding with my new friend Dana.

Ben and Anna's wedding was simple and understated, which allowed me to focus on the emotion of the day (and there was plenty!). When it comes to weddings, sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in all the planning and the details that people lose sight of what the wedding is all about- a marriage and joining of two families. I was blessed to spend both Saturday and Sunday photographing events where the focus was on the marriage, not on the wedding.

Here are a few from Anna and Ben's day.

They were married in Anna's historic home church.

The church had some amazing stained glass windows that I had to take advantage of. Love the subtle lines of the pews here, too:

The gorgeous Anna:

And the handsome Ben:

I had a lot of fun with the ring shots.

It was SO hot outside, a couple of makeup reapplications were in order:

The girls had a quick prayer before heading down the aisle:

Ben was literally beaming all day. Notice the tear under his eye, too. This was during the ceremony as Anna had walked down the aisle:

Emotions were everywhere:

Their reception was at Claxton Farms:

Anna's grandmother plays the dolcimer and she sang them a special song. This is their reaction when she started singing and playing "Hound Dog" by Elvis. Classic!

The maid of honor giving her toast:

Oh, and who are these guys? Why, it's Chris and Katie from 6 of Four Creations, in Atlanta! Chris and Katie were both in the bridal party, as Katie is the groom's sister. :)

brittany

2007-06-27T22:24:00.001-05:00

A couple weeks ago, I had a fun senior session with Brittany, who just recently graduated high school. I've been swamped with weddings, but I wanted to post my favorite shot of Brittany. This looks killer in B&W too, but her eyes were so pretty, I had to post in color :)

diane & blake

2007-06-10T20:29:00.001-05:00

Full of life. Determined. Energetic. Dedicated. Always smiling. Positive. Amazing. Friends and family used these words countless times last weekend to describe Blake and Diane. And after spending some time with them, I have to agree. I mean, what other bride and groom wake up the morning of their wedding and run 5 & 10Ks? Now that's dedication.

Blake and Diane's wedding represented a lot of firsts for me. First NYC wedding. First Jewish wedding. First black tie wedding. First time at Tavern on the Green. First time shooting at the amazingly posh Rainbow Room. First time that the bride's getting-ready room had an unobstructed view of the Empire State Building. First time getting elbowed in the face during the Hora. You know, all those things that seem standard for New York City wedding photographers.

Bottom line: all these firsts equated to one fabulous wedding weekend.

***WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES!!!***

Talk about a getting-ready room with a view:

Mother of the bride getting coiffed:

Beautiful!

I like to call this one "The Clark Kent":

So handsome:

On her way to meet her man:

Blake and Diane saw each other before their ceremony. I cannot stress enough how much I prefer brides and grooms to see each other before the ceremony!!! Case in point, you get shots like these:

I love "almost kisses":

Yes, that's Central Park in the background:

The ceremony and reception was in the Rainbow Room, which was amazing. The decor was impeccable and the lighting was so dramatic throughout the evening.

Blake went to the US Naval Academy and was in the Marines, so a couple fellow Marines were a part of the ceremony exit:

Reception time!

The cake. By Ron Ben-Israel:

First dance. I love the dramatic shadows:

Diane's dad was the best! He was so cute:

A cute moment during a toast:

Diane came with her dancing shoes on:

"Oooooooooooooooohh, we're halfway there...." Gotta love Bon Jovi!

Last one:

Ok, I know that was a lot of photos, but it was an incredible time! Thanks again to Jason Groupp for having me shoot with him! Congrats Blake and Diane!!

whirlwind of a weekend

2007-06-10T19:26:00.000-05:00

Wow. Amazing. Weekend.

I just got back from NYC and I'm not quite sure how to sum up how awesome (and exhausting!) this weekend was. I was there to shoot Blake and Diane's wedding with Jason Groupp, the fastest shooting photographer in all the land, and my friend Scarlett Williams, who was the videographer for this wedding.

I knew it was going to be an interesting weekend when someone on the previous flight left this behind in my seat (how fitting):

I leave you with a shot that Jason took of Scarlett and I spinning around in Times Square (where Blake and Diane had some ad space celebrating their nuptuals, of course). This photo sums up the weekend for me- a whirlwind and fun times with friends, old and new!

macy & clay

2007-05-31T14:55:00.000-05:00

My colors are blush and bashful.

Your colors are pink and pink.

Ok, so Macy's colors weren't blush and bashful. They were more like fuschia and green. Nonetheless, Macy and Clay's wedding was entirely reminiscent of one of my favorite movies, Steel Magnolias. I went down to Georgia last weekend to shoot Macy and Clay's wedding with Ruth Rackley and what an awesome day it was! From the southern drawls heard throughout the day to the sweet tea served at the reception, this Georgia wedding was as southern as it gets. Macy even walked down the aisle to music from Gone with the Wind, in true Scarlett O'Hara fashion.

It was another beautiful day with beautiful people and I had a blast. I especially enjoyed the groom's cake which was red velvet (my favorite and apparently Clay's favorite too!). It was the best red velvet I think I've EVER had. Yum!

There were so many favorites, so I had a tough time narrowing it down. But here are a few.

You can imagine my excitement when I saw Macy come out with a traditional birdcage style veil. LOVE IT! Here she is looking ridiculously flawless:

I think my favorite from the day:

And Clay looking handsome:

Love this one too:

Some fun reception shots:

ashley & dan

2007-05-31T09:34:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic with Liana for Ashley and Dan's destination wedding. Liana and I had an interesting time actually getting to the resort. Between flight delays, switching planes unexpectedly, and traversing across the entire island (from Santiago to Punta Cana), it was quite the travel excursion. But the tradeoff was that we did get to see the Dominican Republic in its entirety and experience some of the culture along the way- including the random, roadside gas station restrooms. Not recommended!!!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Some details:

I loved this:

The bridal party... I loved the sky here:

And a whole bunch of Ashley and Dan:

These two were some of my favorites:

Before Liana and I left, we snuck back to get some shots in this entryway, which was oh-so dramatic:

Congrats to Ashley and Dan! Liana- I had an amazing time... let's do it again! :)

the month of may

2007-05-29T14:48:00.000-05:00

Wow, May has been an incredibly busy and awesome month! My first exhibit ended and it was a success! I just wanted to thank all those who purchased my prints. Your support speaks volumes! It's also neat to see what other people are drawn to. I have my own favorite images, so it's always interesting to see what other people like and purchase. It's definately satisfying to know that my fine art images are gracing walls out there somewhere. I've also gotten a few inquiries about displaying them here in Charlotte, so more to come on that.

Aside from that, I feel like I've been splitting my time amongst my car and the airport. This month, I've been to the Dominican Republic, NYC, South Carolina and just this past weekend, I was in Georgia for a wedding. I have LOTS of images to blog from these weddings, so be prepared!

I think my blog posts are so boring without pictures, so here's another one from my most recent trip to New York:

i heart nyc

2007-05-22T15:00:00.000-05:00

I just got back from NYC last night and it's back to work, but I wanted to post a little recap of the last week.

I've always had this strange fascination with the Big Apple. It's a city that excites me, inspires me, and intrigues me. When I get off the airplane and plant my feet on the ground, I immediately get this rush of energy. The city is just so full of life.

I've visited NYC on a couple other occasions and I knocked out most of the major "tourist" stuff during those visits, so this time I wanted to spend the week meandering through the various neighborhoods doing what I do best- exploring. By default, I've always been an explorer. I have no problem spending an entire day walking with no real destination, or purposefully taking a wrong turn just to see where the road goes. Just call me Dora the Explorer.

I must have walked about 100 miles while I was there, but now I can say that I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and back and that I've walked the entire perimeter of Central Park. And along the way, I saw Ashton Kutcher, Charlie Gibson and Jessie Spano (ok, Elizabeth Berkeley). I also tried to meet up with the lovely Opinionistas, but, unfortunately, we couldn't coordinate our schedules. She was the catalyst and inspiration behind me leaving my awful corporate/legal job to pursue something I'm passionate about, so I really wanted to meet her. Maybe next time!

Of course, I snapped a few photos during my visit...

I hit up the most important things first:

Then, I got a little cultured in Chinatown and Little Italy:

Quite possibly my favorite street in the entire world:

If I lived in New York, it would be here:

These next few are for my friend Candace, who can crochet like a mad woman! She has a fondness for this store in Soho named Purl, so I went and took a couple pics for her. The door:

The Purl dog, who just looks thrilled with his doorman duties:

Yarn in all sorts of colors and textures... rainbows of yarn!

A few random textures and such:

And finally, the Rainbow Room, where I'll be shooting a wedding with Jason Groupp and my girl Scarlett in a couple weeks!

I'm already excited to go back!

jess & dave

2007-05-03T21:05:00.000-05:00

Jess and Dave were married last weekend in Cancun and it was a total blast! This was one of the best trips I've been on in a long time. When we arrived, we immediately hit the beach and bonded with the couple, their friends and their family. From there on out, we sunned, swam, ate and drank together as a big group. Their friends and family couldn't have been any cooler or more laid back. Dave and Jess were up for anything which was a blessing since the Riu Hotel was stunning and had all sorts of cool places to shoot. All in all it was a fabulous time spent with fabulous friends for a fabulous occassion! Ok, on with more fabulousness.

Of course a few detail shots:

Jess looking radiant:

Upon seeing Dave waiting for her in the gazebo:

A sweet moment right after the ceremony:

Oh how I love Spanish tile:

Some flowers against the ocean backdrop:

Sassy Jess:

The boys toasting to the day:

I love blue skies:

A serious group shot? Yeah, right.

The couple around the hotel (so many amazing locations in the hotel):

Jess and Dave headed over to the Discotheque for some late-night fun:

Michael Jackson comes on and Dave does his thing:

Love this one:

Sorry for the gazillion photos, but I had SO many I loved. Thanks Dave and Jess for having me!

dominican bound

2007-04-30T19:14:00.000-05:00

I'm here at the airport waiting for flight (which, of course, is delayed). I'm headed to the Domincan Republic with Liana for the week! I have no idea if I'll have access to email and/or internet, but I will be back on Saturday and will respond to everyone when I get back! Have a great week!

jessi & daniel

2007-04-26T22:03:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago I went down to Jacksonville, FL to help my friend Scarlett with Jessi and Daniel's wedding. It was a beautiful day and these two were such troopers. They were up for anything, including rolling around in the sand and the waves... in front of many spectators, no less! Here are some of my favorites from the day.

The lovely venue:

Sometimes I have a tough time deciding which detail shots I like the best. Case in point, the ring and the dress:

Their beautiful daughters:

The boys:

Lots of Jessi and Daniel:

Quite possibly my favorite image of the day. Oh so steamy:

my first exhibit!

2007-04-24T20:11:00.001-05:00

This has been about 2 years in the making, but I'm proud to say that some of my fine art is being displayed at Magnolia Foods in Lynchburg, VA- my hometown. Magnolia features artwork from local and regional artists and a LONG time ago, I was added to the exhibit list. My work was originally supposed to be displayed this past October-December and after waiting almost a year for that spot, they realized they had accidentally double booked two artists for the same slot. So, long story short- I played the waiting game again. But all is well with the world and 18 of my fine art prints are now hanging on the walls!

I've always been slightly obsessed with junk: old abandoned buildings, dilapidated sheds and structures, rusty old cars, nuts, bolts, locks, rust... the stuff most people dismiss as an eyesore. I, however, live for this kind of "junk." A lot of my early photography revolved around old cars and locks. Then I added in old buildings, doors and most recently, I began documenting rust patterns. Yes, I said rust. When you photograph rust textures extremely close, they rock! Well, at least I think they rock. Anyways, here are a few of the prints that are on display at Magnolia.

We are Virginia Tech

2007-04-19T00:18:00.000-05:00

It's taken me a few days to write this post because my mind still can't comprehend what happened on Monday. More than that, I can't comprehend that it happened at the place where I spent four of the best years of my life. I am a Virginia Tech Hokie through and through and it saddens me that the school I'm so proud of may now be best known for such a negative act of violence. My heart breaks for my fellow Hokie professors, students and families, but I know the strength of my school and its people and we will stand strong in the face of all that's happened.
We are Virginia Tech. The Hokie Nation embraces our own with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds. We are strong and brave and innocent and unafraid. We are better than we think, not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imagination and the possibility we will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears, through all this sadness. We are the Hokies. We will prevail, we will prevail. We are Virginia Tech.
-Nikki Giovanni

Anne Ruthmann wrote a blog post that sums up everything else I wanted to say. I encourage you to read it and take it to heart, as I have.

christine & aj

2007-04-10T22:37:00.000-05:00

Christine and AJ were married a couple weeks ago here in Charlotte. I've been a bad blogger, but alas, I have time to post a few images from their day. Christine and AJ are the coolest couple and they had a fun, intimate ceremony and reception with their family and friends. I'll let the images tell the story...

The beautiful ring:

Some more great details:

Bride as art:

I love catching moments like these:

She was GORGEOUS:

Married!:

Christine's veil got caught on the pew (I think) and even I was laughing hysterically:

I'll take a wink whenever I can get one! Future ladies' man:

The wedding party (and me!) were taken to the reception in pedicabs- essentially carts attached to a bike. Christine and AJ's "driver" even got dressed up for the occasion:

This is where Christine's maid of honor called her a "Swiss Army Knife." Apparently, she fixes lots of things and was a plumber in another lifetime.

I love this:

They had quite the first dance; a little salsa, a little nod to Pulp Fiction. It was awesome!

Congrats Christine & AJ!

jaime & jay

2007-03-27T14:43:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I went down to Charleston again to shoot Jaime and Jay's wedding with Jill. What a difference a week can make: last weekend, it was about 40 degrees and windy; this weekend was somewhere around 80. Crazy weather!

This wedding was as southern as sweet tea. The ceremony and reception were on the grounds of the beautiful Boone Hall Plantation. The ceremony was overlooking the water, and the reception- which was a short walk away- was at the cotton dock (which sort of resembled an old barn on the water). So cool!

And in true Charleston fashion, there was plenty of shag dancing going on! Always a treat to watch young couples who really know how to dance!

Ok, on with the pictures! Warning: there's lots of 'em.

This necklace was Jay's wedding gift to Jaime. It was made from diamonds that belonged to her grandmother, who couldn't be at the wedding. Such a perfect gift.

This could possibly be the largest wedding party ever...

I was a super ninja shooting through the trees. I liked this one:

Congrats to Jaime and Jay!

kim & chris

2007-03-19T19:59:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I headed down to Charleston, SC for Kim & Chris's wedding. It was bright and clear, but geez, it was windy! I had a great time shooting with the lovely Jill Higgins... despite our numb fingers :) Here are just a few of my favorites from the day:

Some details:

Loved this ring shot:

The lovely bride:

The handsome groom:

One of the super fun girls:

I love this shot:

Congrats Kim and Chris!

thomas

2007-03-13T23:16:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I got to photograph this adorable little man! Mr. Thomas had some beautiful eyes and had such a handsome little face. Thomas has some great, fun parents and his dad was a fellow VT Hokie- even better! Here's a couple to tide the parents over until I'm finished proofing his session:

This face!

I have such a soft spot for thumb suckers:

jackson

2007-03-03T18:50:00.000-05:00

Gosh, I love this little guy. Yesterday, I got to photograph Mr. Jackson at 6 months. I photographed him at 3 months, so I was excited to see him again! It's amazing how quickly babies grow! Jackson is SUCH a doll... he has so much personality and so many expressions. He is officially the baby of 100 faces. He also has the most amazing blue eyes I think I've ever seen. Seriously, they're unbelievable! Plus, Jackson has really cool parents and a cool grandma, so that makes my job even better. I can't wait to photograph him again in a few more months! Here is one of him from 3 months ago:

And here are a just a few from yesterday:

no place like home

2007-02-23T00:13:00.000-05:00

I'm taking off this weekend to go to home. Although I live in Charlotte now, Lynchburg, Virginia will always be "home" for me. I need to recharge, refresh and decompress and there's no place better than home!

I grew up on a farm, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. My childhood consisted of playing in the creeks, building forts in the woods and torturing my big brother by being his perma-shadow. While I definately have my girlie girl side, I will forever be a tomboy at heart.

Lynchburg always reminds me to "keep it real." Whenever I need that reminder, I get in my car, make the three hour drive and I'm back to my roots. There's always something so nice about the familiar...

I'll hopefully be back with some photos and you can experience good ole Lynchburg with me!

let's talk trash

2007-02-12T00:02:00.000-05:00

How many girls out there can say they trashed their wedding dress? Probably not very many. While it may sound a tad crazy (because after all, you probably spent a lot of money on THE DRESS), why not send your dress out in style instead of stuffing it in a closet for eternity?

This weekend, I headed down to Savannah, GA on a mission: to trash some dresses without remorse. Besides being an awesome city, Savannah has it all. Beach, river, fountains, woods, swamps... it's all there. In other words- plenty of places to get down and dirty. I also worked with some amazing girls- a blonde, a brunette and a redhead! A little variety never hurts. Check out some shots from this weekend. If you're interested in having fun in your dress one last time, let me know!

ps- all of these shots are not going to be "trashy" shots. We ease into these kind of things!

Savannah

2007-02-08T18:23:00.000-05:00

I am packing up and heading out to Savannah, GA this weekend for what I'm expecting to be a crazy, fun time! I'll be doing an awesome bridal shoot... I'll share the details later, but it should be smokin' hot!

Plus, I've never been to Savannah, so I'm excited to have this experience. I'll post more on Sunday when I return! Have a great weekend everyone!

Finally Up and Running

2007-02-06T23:43:00.000-05:00

So, Amy Martin Photography has FINALLY gotten a blog up and running. It's still a work in progress, so keep checking back!