Father of the Bride Wedding

May 23, 2013

I can't tell you how much Arthur and Chelsea's wedding reminded me of the one in the movie Father of the Bride. Everyone was getting ready at Chelsea's home and the reception was held there, too. Chelsea's dad was running around making sure everything was in the right place and I couldn't help but think of Steve Martin getting ready for his daughter's wedding. I had been to the Ferguson's home for Arthur and Chelsea's engagement session, and since then Chelsea's parents had built a patio/dance floor, planted beautiful flowers all around and had everything ready for a gorgeous home wedding. The morning of the wedding day it was raining (nooooooo!) and plans quickly changed to include tents and to move the reception inside the Ferguson's home. I don't know how they pulled it off so well but it was amazing. Much thanks to the wedding coordinator and friend Ms. Dale for making this happen! And yet as it turns out, the rain stopped and we got a beautiful outdoor reception and dancing with the most amazing greenery backdrop and farm animals and even a few moments of sunshine.

It was so meaningful to see Chelsea getting ready and walking in the hallway between her parent's room and her bedroom, filled with everything from her childhood. The hallway walls were decked with pictures of Chelsea and her sister, from their beanie baby phase to high school proms and pageants. I got a quick shot of Chelsea walking down the hall with childhood portraits next to her:)

One of Chelsea's bridesmaids had the best idea of how to protect Chelsea's dress from getting dirty from the wet ground- cutting a hole in a fitted sheet! Chelsea's mom got a fitted sheet and the bridesmaids had a hole cut in the middle and Chelsea walked around with her feet through the sheet, holding the dress inside the sheet until we took pictures and hid it under her dress. By far the best idea I have seen yet for ways to get pictures outdoors while not getting her dress messed up! Check out this fabulous sheet picture below:)

Chelsea and Arthur got to ride in not one but two amazing cars- one from the church to the reception and one that they rode off on their honeymoon in. The first was an incredible Bel-Air in perfect condition, and the second was a orange (in honor of Auburn) convertible Corvette. These cars were so fun to photograph!

Arthur and Chelsea included both Jewish and Christian customs into their wedding ceremony. The Chuppah is the canopy they stood under, and is meant to represent the home the couple will build together. One really neat thing I read about the Chuppah is that this "home" doesn't have furniture in it as a reminder that the basis of a home is the people in it and not the possessions inside of it. Also the canopy is meant to represent the presence of God over the covenant of marriage. How beautiful is that!!

Arthur and Chelsea were sent off with streamers and a police escort, including flashing lights and sirens so everyone in LaGrange would know there was a celebration. This was such a beautiful and meaningful wedding- I am so glad I got to be a part of it. Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman!

Consider The Lilies Paper Co.//Custom Handpainted Invitations

May 17, 2013

One of my favorite weddings to photograph was back in September for AJ + Jamie Fernandez (their wedding post was called "LoveFest 2012" and I still think I should make them a t-shirt that says that:). They had so so many beautiful and personalized details in their day, including the invitations made by AJ's talented sister Abby. I realized in talking with her that she designed and hand painted the invitation! I was so so impressed- the invitation really looked like a work of art. Clearly other people loved her work and asked her to make their invitations, and thus Consider The Lilies Paper Co. was started. Abby and her husband, Julian, live in Los Angeles but her work (which includes stationary, invitations, and other paper goods) can be purchased from her shop on Etsy. Her watercolor paintings are awesome- I think a custom painting would make an awesome wedding gift!

Here is Abby's story on how she began her business:

"Consider The Lilies Paper Co. sprung from a love for art, color and making people happy. In 2011 when I was searching for my own wedding invitations I discovered some beautiful hand painted invitations, that of course, were way out of my budget. I knew if I was going to have the kind of invitations I wanted I was going to have to do them myself! And so it started... I designed my invitation suite and it ended up being featured on the Martha Stewart Weddings Blog! I was beside myself. A year later my now sister-in-law (Who's wedding was photographed by the lovely Kaitie Bryant!) asked me to create her invitations as well. After that, people would make mention sometimes that I should start a business...and 8 months later Consider the Lilies Paper Co. was born (which I often refer to as CTL Paper, because it's quite a mouthful). Currently I have greeting cards, 8x10 original art prints, invitations and other wedding stationary in my Etsy shop. I do offer some template style invitations, but my favorite is custom pieces. For each client I start from scratch with their colors, theme and vision and come up with a one of a kind piece just for them. Since I am well aware of the costs involved in weddings, I try to keep my prices affordable for those who, like me, want custom hand painted invitations without completely breaking the budget.

This Save the Date is such a great idea!

And this watercolor map? Love this big time.

Check out Abby's Esty shop to see more!!

Baby Woods//Stronger than Oak

May 14, 2013

I met Lauren and Matt through the NotWedding in Atlanta, and it turned out we had lots of mutual friends so I knew I'd like them. Matt and Lauren are super creative, owning their own custom letterpress company, Studio Four Three, in addition to Lauren being a photographer, too! Matt designed Woods' birth announcement (picture above) including the family crest from his namesake. When I met up with them for a NotWedding event, Lauren was pregnant and she asked me to take photos of their baby boy once he was born. I had to tell her that I'm not really a baby photographer and make sure she would still want me to do it. I have friends who specialize in baby photography, and I can appreciate all the work and knowledge that goes into getting those images (i.e. how do they get the newborn to put both hands under their chin while the baby stays asleep?). My particular style is much more geared toward story telling, so any family pictures I take usually are in the context of an event or doing something. Lauren assured me she did want me to take them, and I'm so glad I did.

Judah Woods Robinson was born on April 1st. Lauren had a healthy and normal pregnancy, so it was a huge surprise to find out when Woods was born that he had some health problems and a chromosomal abnormality. Lauren and Matt had to leave their precious baby son at the hospital for 28 days and drive back and forth between their home and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. It was heartbreaking to read their updates on how they just wanted to take their son home to be with them. Woods had to undergo surgery for some stomach issues, and he was having seizures which are now under control with medication. He has been on a feeding tube but is making progress feeding on his own. I walked into Lauren and Matt's home last week to take their pictures and just hugged Lauren. I watched Matt hold his precious son and play music to help him sleep from an iPhone in his shirt pocket. I saw the way they looked at Woods, and how they told me he was a gift and the most special baby.

Matt and Lauren were given lots of different scenarios about Woods' health, but when I saw him he was doing well and strong. He is around 5 weeks old and can already roll over (a huge feat for an infant!). Lauren and Matt are believing in God's goodness towards them and their baby. They are fighting for him in every way. Lauren told me how hard the past weeks have been and how long the days have felt in the hospital. Lauren and Matt value life so much, and this little life the most. They dote on him, the post pictures of him on Facebook with all his expressions, and have given themselves to him to be the parents he needs every hour. Lauren, you are a beautiful mom, and your fierce love for your child is amazing. Matt, you are a loving dad who I've seen dream big dreams for your little boy and fight for him. I hope you had a great mother's day, Lauren. You are exactly what this precious boy needs.

Thanks you guys for inviting me into your home to document the new life in your world. Children are a gift from God, but they are a weighty gift. Being a mom requires you to sacrifice your body, your heart, your time, your nights and perfectly demonstrates the principal of death being at work in us but life at work in you (2 Corinthians 4:12). Lauren you are a beautiful mother who is making all of those sacrifices to be a mom, and Matt besides the carrying the baby and body part your sacrificial love is just as evident. And baby Woods is the benefactor of all these sacrifices, and I'm sure ironically he is the one blessing all those who come in contact with him and his story. I was so thankful to hold him and photograph him because it reminded me how sacred life is, how deep a mother and father's love can go, and how we need to love and encourage each other through trying times. Truly baby Woods is stronger than oak.

welcome

INSTA-Jammin'