Who knew there was such an awesome zoo so close to Cabarrus, Rowan and Mecklenburg counties!?!  I have definitely never shot a wedding at a zoo before, but after meeting Nick and Katy and hearing all about their vision for their big day, I was SO pumped that they wanted me to capture it!  Katy and Nick are the directors at an animal conservation and educational center out of Rockwell, NC called TigerWorld.  They really wanted to get married at the zoo since animals and their profession is such a special part, and really a calling, in their lives.  These two met in college where they were both learning to become animal trainers and zookeepers.  They have had some very interesting jobs, including being tiger wranglers at the MGM Grande in Las Vegas and working for National Geographic! I love it!  They are such fun and interesting people!  Some of the hardest working individuals I have ever met, they really saw their vision for their wedding come to completion!  Almost all of their guests flew in from out of town, so it was this sweet time of seeing old friends and family from far away.  Nick set himself to improving many areas of the zoo so that they were the perfect backdrop for the wedding.  I'm telling you, Nick can get some.stuff.done. On the wedding day, Katy was absolutely radiant...she is one of those gals who smiles just captures everyone she meets and it is totally contagious.  We also shot photo-fusion of this wedding, and I can't wait to show it once it is complete!  If you have a chance to go to the zoo, I highly recommend it.  There are so many fantastic and exotic animals to see- Tigers Galore (hence the name!), and many other animals that you don't want to miss.  It is also the perfect place for kids to go visit as well- I took Sharpe to check it out and he had an absolute blast....although after seeing some crazy awesome animals, his favorite animal was......drumroll please.....the snake!  We really gotta get this kid some culture;)  Have fun looking at this "jungle book wedding"!  Best to both of you guys...  Thanks for letting Joe and I be a part of your special day!

 
 

There are so many areas of my life that have come full circle since I started my photography business (people can definitely check it out here on the best business related advice)- and seeing old friends is one of the things I have loved most about this job.  Photography has allowed my to re-connect with so many amazing ladies that I have known throughout my life and from so many different stages and times.  Some of my brides I have known since high school, or they went to school with my sister/cousins, some from college, some from my days as a Young Life leader at ECU/Cabarrus County/Rowan County.  Each of these connections brings something so special to my relationships with my clients/friends.  Andrea I knew from the time she was a sophomore in high school.  I am reminded of football games, volleyball games and just a really sweet time with her and her group of girl friends that I came to know as a YL leader.  Seems like an eternity ago!  I love seeing all the successes Andrea has had since that time- and this HUGE success, finding a true love!  They are adorable.  Truly.  We had a blast on our shoot.  One thing I love about Andrea is that she really celebrates other people...when I would show her photos on the back of the camera...instead of picking herself apart, or being worried about her hair....she immediately just looked at Steven and was oohing and ahhing over him(as Steven dies at this memory going public;)).  But really, it was just perfectly sweet- and that really sums them up.  Here are some favs.  I went overboard, and was having a love affair with Black and Whites today, so threw lots of those in there, too.  Happy Thursday!\n\n

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  1. chelsea cote:

    these are so gorgeous! loving the striped socks!

We did it!  We survived our first wedding back from maternity leave! It was great to be "back at it", but boy I am definitely out of my "wedding shape".  Wedding Shape is when your back, shoulders and legs get used to carrying 20+ pounds of equipment and when your feet get used to standing/walking for 10+ hours.  Yea....not in wedding shape. at all.  Pain, so much pain the day after!  But so worth it!  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect couple to kick off our wedding season!  We have loved getting to know Samantha and Matt, and boy did they luck out on the day of their wedding.  In between FREEZING rain that we had a few days before their wedding to the FREEZING temperatures that happened a few days after- they managed this perfectly comfortable and beautiful day to celebrate outside with family and friends at the most perfect venue- The Farm at Brusharbor.  We really hope to get back out there soon!  Beautiful florals by Chelish Moore- as always, and great party compliments of Virtual Sounds.  We love getting to work with our industry friends on weddings.   Matt won't admit it;) but he was total mush when Sam came down the isle, and that was probably my most favorite moment of the day:)  These two are so great together!  Here  are some of my favorites- and be sure to check out the slideshow at the end.  Happy Monday!

  I had posted a screen shot of these cute guys on my instagram...The little guy on the left, Henry....the whole day I couldn't stop thinking that this is what Sharpe is going to look like when he is 7.  I feel like I stared at him all day because I think he looks so much like Sharpe!  and they were also 2 years apart, so I was definitely watching their cute little brotherly love hoping my two are as sweet as them:) adorable.

 Love Brusharbor's Reception Barn!

 
April 2, 2014
 

Sweet Payton

 
 

Seriously, how cute is Payton?!  We had a great time on our session, which was really a celebration of her turning 5! and QUICK before she loses her front teeth.  Which, true story, she lost one of her front teeth THE NEXT DAY!  Talk about just in time!  In the midst of crazy rain and cold temperatures about two weeks ago, we got an amazingly gorgeous spring day to play.  Enjoy just some of my favorites from our shoot together!  Happy Wednesday

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