One of the most popular trends this season is vintage mixed with modern. The Millenium Center in downtown Winston-Salem was the perfect backdrop to compliment the trend. Special thanks to Dawn’s Bridal of Lexington for providing the gorgeous wedding gowns.

Our model Beth’s first look is a beautiful 1/2 up & 1/2 down bouffant with loose waves complimented by a black floral headband and natural makeup with pink lips.

Beth’s second look incorporated a birdcage veil with floral accents in a loose-waved upstyle swept to the side. Love this one!

I love this vintage look of loose, romantic finger waves swept back to one side with a floral accent complimented by a bold lip color. And props to our model, Candice, who looks absolutely amazing for being 7 months pregnant!

Candice’s second look was a retro faux bob with loose waves accented by a black feather and bold lip color again. She looks so vintage-Hollywood-glam! Love it!

Sara’s first look had smokey eyes and neutral lips to compliment big, loose curls and a flapper-style headband with a feather.

Her second look is a beautiful 1/2 up & 1/2 down upstyle with lots of romantic, volumous curls, complimented by pink lips. (Special thanks to Sara’s fiance for standing in as our groom!)

When we were looking for models for this shoot, we immediately contacted our past bride Emily, who did an amazing job in front of the camera when we shot her bridals and wedding (part 1 & part 2) late last year.

Her first look was a bridal bouffant french twist with a modern touch complimented by a lace headband and neutral makeup.

Emily’s second look was fun & flirty with cascading curls and was very girly!

Brook & Joey’s maternity photography session at The Nissen Building in Winston-Salem kicked off our year. On the left is what I was shooting, and then I captured Higs sneaking up the steps to shoot from up above.

Catherine & Taylor’s wedding in February at The Proximity Hotel in Greensboro was one of our favorites of the year. Love that venue!

Higs is awefully serious about something…

Typically only one of us shoots a family session, but some of our clients asked that we bring Nolan along, so we had two cameras going during Natalie’s family shoot at Reynolda Gardens in April. On the left is me shooting and the right is my resulting image.

On the left is Higs shooting, and the right is his resulting image.

We also got to document Brody around his first birthday. The left is what I was shooting on the playground at Tanglewood, and on the right, Higs captured me in action.

I was shooting the image on the left, when I looked up and saw Higs pretending to get kicked in the face by Nolan on the swing!

Deirdre & Jordan’s beach wedding (part one and part two) gave us quite a few fun behind-the-scenes images. Here’s Higs coming up the steps of the beachhouse.

Me shooting a quick formal of Deirdre with her sister/MOH, Keren.

During the beach ceremony, one of Deirdre’s neices/flower girls decided to play ring-around-the-rosey on Higs’s leg!

We took Deirdre & Jordan to a set of train tracks for part of their Just Married session. Left is me shooting the image on the right.

Left is the resulting image that Higs got from that pose he’s doing on the right (which can’t be comfortable).

So, during the formals, Higs was trying to get a shot of Deirdre & Jordan with all of their neices and nephews looking at him and smiling. I couldn’t help but crack up when I noticed the army standing behind him, who were all singing, dancing and jumping around to get the kids’ attention! Resulting shot is on the right.

Loved the evening light we had with Deirdre & Jordan!

Higs saw this self-take and said, “I’ve got one, two, three, FOUR double-chins in this picture. That’s just great.”

I roll around on the ground a lot when I shoot kiddos, especially ones as active as Matthew & Charlie, who I photographed in Old Salem back in April. The entire time, Matthew kept asking if he could take a picture with my camera. I said ok, but that he had to wait until the end after I shot everything I needed.  I kept my promise and held the camera for him; the image on the right is Matthew’s resulting shot — nice job!

During Erin & Dave’s engaement session back in May, I maaaay have snuck into Higs’s shot (on the left) as I was shooting the image on the right.

Left is Higs working his magic to get the resulting image on the right.

We got to Elon University before Mary’s bridal session with plenty of time to spare, so what else do you do besides goof off and shoot each other?

Higs shooting on the left and his resulting image on the right.

I climb. I’m a climber. It’s what I do.

Ooops!

I did not let Higs get hit by that car. Promise.

We headed back to Elon University in June to shoot Mary& Chet’s wedding (part one and part two). Below on the left is me shooting on of my favorite images from their Just Married session (right).

Higs, some yummy evening light, and a gorgeous in-love couple!

Self-take!

Left is an image Higs got of me at the salon before Jackie & Zach’s wedding (part one & part two) at Graylyn.

Yes, I know I’m ridiculous.

Not only can Higs carry a bride’s purse during the Just Married session (and make it look good?), but he can also multi-task!

Saying ’hi!’ to Higs from the Atlantis Room of Graylyn before the reception started.

Me shooting the band on the left, and the resulting image on the right.

Higs ran up the stairs of Graylyn after a long night, and I, being the nice wife that I am, documented it. And then posted it on the Internet.

Scroll down for part two is up next!

Thanks guys! We had a blast with you! 

In January, she was coming out of a difficult relationship that just wasn’t working. Then, she got the news that her sister was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. She felt powerless and helpless. It was at that moment that she realized that she needed a change. She needed to do something to take care of herself, but also wanted it to be something that involved helping her sister. So, she signed to complete a triathlon, which is something she had always wanted to do. She selected one that raised money for cancer research through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

She began fundraising for the event and training with a group of people who are all there with the same vision and goal because they had all been affected, in one way or another, by cancer. Those people, her teammates, helped her realize how powerful it was to work towards something that has so much reason and emotion behind it.

Candace described the training as spiritual and healing. Every morning when she was up training at 5:00am, she was driven by the thought of her sister, as well as her own personal experiences she was having throughout the training process. She was amazed at what she was able to accomplish, which was so much more than she had ever thought possible. Candace began what she described as a “lovely” relationship with her body and wanted to treat it well by giving it enough rest, the proper food and the right amount of hydration because of all that it was accomplishing for her every single day.

By the time the triathlon came in June, Candace had raised $1,600 and could easily call her teammates her friends. Seeing her sister there, cheering her on as she crossed the finish line, was an amazing feeling.

Her sister’s health at the moment is steady. She’s participating in a clinical trial at Duke and so far, her monthly MRIs have shown no re-growth of the tumor.

Candace said that this experience taught her how to create a good life for herself in body and mind. The triathlon was out of her comfort zone, which was intimidating, but she pushed through and in return, gained so much confidence. It taught her how to get out there and go after something you want, and that it is possible to make a difference in your life and the lives of others.

When we talked on the phone, I was even more drawn to her story and her strength. Candace wanted do a portrait session to celebrate her life and spirit. She wanted to remember how she turned a dark time in life into something beautiful and to document the happiness and contentment she has with life and herself at this point in time.  When I met her for the first time, I felt like I had known her for years. She welcomed me with open arms and we chatted like we were old friends. Her spirit and happiness were not hard to capture because they simply radiated in every word she said.

Candace is currently training for the Olympic-distance Nation’s Triathlon which takes place in September in Washington, DC. She’s raised over $2,600 in preparation for the 1-mile swim, 25-mile bike ride and 10k run.

If you’re interested in learning more about Candace’s experience and fundraising efforts, please visit her personal site.

*Special thanks to Bradley & Jessica Allen (336.768.6195) for doing a beautiful job on Candace’s make-up and hair!

Higs shooting Jackie’s bridal photos at Elon University. That image he got on the right is one of my favorites of the year.

This is why we stay behind the camera.

Megan’s bridal photos at Tanglewood Park. The set-up on the left and the resulting shot on the right.

Megan & Jermey’s Tanglewood Park wedding.

Jackie & Jordan’s Alamance County wedding.

Their Alamance Country Club wedding reception was so much fun! Here’s Higs & I shooting each other at the same time.

Jessica & Michael’s Winston-Salem engagement photos. Left: what Higs saw. Right: what I saw.

A few random shots from Keren & Robbie’s wedding.

Standing on chairs = fun shots.

Renee’s bridal photos at The Captain White House in Graham were some of my favorite of the year.

At Renee & Jason’s Graham, NC wedding.

We document the whole day. This is Renee & Jason having a bite before they were announced into their reception.

I love Higs. And I’m sure he loves me for posting these awesomely-flattering images of him at their reception.

Ashley & TJ’s just because photos were kind of impromptu. They’re friends of ours and we ended up shooting them when we were hanging out one evening, so Nolan tagged along. He is such an awesome, laid-back kid!

Alon & Ira’s Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport wedding photos.

Left: We asked Higs to hold Ira’s glasses for a second while I took a quick shot and I turned around to find him trying them on.

Higs & I got to Danielle & Ray’s wedding a little early so we decided to scope the place out. I, being as graceful as I am, rolled my ankle and went sprawling on my hands and knees. I skinned my hand and ripped my favorite pants. I didin’t have a camera in hand so no equipment was harmed in this act of clumsiness. Whew.

We have a tendancy to put ourselves in awkward positions just to get a shot. Totally worth it.

I was shooting the image on the left of Danielle’s flower girl, and then I got a call from Higs to say he could see me in the window.

Left: what I was shooting. Right: my husband sneaking into my shot.

Left: Higs in action. Right: his resulting shot.

Left: Higs shooting Melissa & Ryan’s just because photos. Right: one of his resulting shots.

Higs got me (left) as I was shooting Melissa & Ryan (right)…

…then I got him shooting me.

We never invade our clients’ personal space. Ever.

Higs got me as I was shooting a series of Candice & Daniel in Charlotte.

And finally, just a wide shot as I made my way back from scoping out an area during the shoot with Candice & Daniel.