Charlotte NC Wedding Photographer. Lindsey Lee Hartsell

Where to start with this post!  If you know me, I'm not often speechless.  Really, never.  But this family loves like none other, and it leaves me lost for words.  When sister Olivia got married, I so hoped when the day came we would get to shoot Carley's wedding…and our dream came true!  There wasn't a more proud mom and dad than Mike and Page watching Carley meet Jon on the front steps of their home and saying I do. and I will. for forever. to the man of her dreams.  Jon and Carley found each other, and after a little bit of a whirlwind romance, the two of them along with their closest family and friends celebrated on a May day their love…but more than that, it was a celebration of God's promise that He will never abandon his children. Never.  The wedding was beautiful, that's for sure.  The sun shone down, in more ways than one…and Jon and Carley were absolutely smitten with one another and it was quite simply The Best.

We always feel like part of the family here.  Really.  And shooting this wedding was one of the highlights of our year.  Joe and I pray that we can be the type of family that the Aman's are- welcoming everyone they meet, knowing no strangers, giving their hearts away, and staying true to The One who provides for them.

Enjoy some beautiful moments from the wedding!  And since we couldn't' get our schedules together between Carley living in Florida, having finals, my wedding schedule and all the other chaos that life brings for Carley's bridal shoot…I may or may not have went overboard on bridal shots.  It was just so fun! Carley and Jon, ALLLL the best! Happy Wednesday!

Don't forget to watch the slideshow at the end for more photos….all to the original song Jon wrote Carley for their first dance!

This "blue room" is just the best!  We duplicated some shots we did for Olivia here.

What an amazing prayer….and even more amazing "first touch".  

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Jewelry from two grandmothers. and a cake topper made by her brother!

it is always such fun to look at Joe's shots when I am editing a wedding.  Especially shots that happened when I wasn't around.  Wow.  When I saw these I just thought how special!    Olivia getting Carley ready to walk down the isle and a private moment(except Joe was there;)) with her dad right before she went down the isle.

Why yes we hiked through a field for these shots.  I would say it was worth it.

Loving  this sweet STRIPED wedding!  I loved getting to work with and know Cathryne and Kevin.  Their day was just magical- perfect weather, perfect backlighting(super happy photog!) and perfect friends and family surrounding them with love.  I gotta give it to this girl for taking the chance on the striped bridesmaids dress...Cathryne really knows her personal style and it showed PERFECTLY in these sweet stripes! It was a risk that totally paid off in cuteness! How adorable! Love the interest they add to her photos:)  Gold and stripes.....look for copycats to pop up everywhere, Cat!  Take some time to view some of my favorites and don't forget to watch these slideshow at the end.  This was such a fun wedding to be a part of- thanks for trusting us.  Happy Monday!

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!

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!

A fews year ago I shot Natasha's wedding....and that is when I absolutely fell in love with this family!  Micalea, Tom, and their whole family are some of the most loving and giving people we have ever gotten the privilege to work with.  We feel like one of the family when we walk in the door- even all the way from Charlotte up to Portsmouth, VA!  We are so grateful for clients like these.

After shooting Natasha's wedding, we secretly hoped we would get to shoot Micaela's...so I was SO pumped to get an email from Micaela telling me that she and Tom were engaged!  This wedding was one for the record books- Micaela left no detail unturned.  A fabulous venue, amazing florals and design...and lots of little surprises all day long.  We loved getting to see everyone again and be a part of their special day!  One moment I will always remember from this wedding was that during their first dance- they had written notes to each other that played over the track in their own voices...in alll of the weddings we have shot, this was a crazy amazing moment.  The music, what they wrote...chilling and so incredibly romantic.  Hardly a dry eye in the place.  I will never forget it!  Check out some of my favorites.  Gosh, hard to believe this was in the fall- feels like 5 minutes ago!  Happy First Day of Spring everyone!