S. Carter Studios

If all your photographer friends were honest they would admit that there are certain couples they wait on the edge of their seats for in hope will call as soon as they are engaged. For me, River & Collin were definitely one of those couples. Not only are they RIDICULOUSLY good looking but they have genuine hearts filled with love for each other, for their families, compassion & devotion to the Lord. Add it all up and it’s a knock out combination! Josh & I hung out with them several times over their engagement and got to know them well. Their engagement session was one for our record books, I mean a couple who is up for field photos, water balloons and high class downtown pics all in the same few hours, truly awesome! I knew their wedding would be an incredible event and I was right. They flew me to Indiana and as soon as I got there I knew I was part of the family. For starters, one of the bridesmaids was waiting outside with my name scribbled on the back of a pack of eyeliner to indicate the Town and Country was here for me. We arrived just in time for the rehearsal where nervous giggles and many, “I can’t believe it’s finally here”‘ statements were heard. River herself picked me up the day of the wedding, nervous, excited and happy to take me to grab some McDonalds for breakfast. It was wonderful to watch her undergo the transformation from bride to be to BRIDE! She looked absolutely breathtaking, with a dress to die for & a smile to match.

They opted for a first look and it was wonderful to be there as she shared a journal with him that she’d been writing in during their year long engagement, I melted my heart a little when she shared that it was inspired by my gift to Josh on our wedding day.

I gave them some privacy and took a few detail shots.

A note: the rocks below were handed out to the guests as they entered the ceremony. The pastor led the group in a prayer and asked them to silently pray for the new Mr and Mrs. The rocks were collected at the end of the ceremony and are displayed in their home!

While we waited for the ceremony to start, the guys  were pacing back and forth in a room listening to the US men’s world cup game (which we sadly lost) praying for a history making victory!

Don’t they look great as newlyweds!

After a joyous exit, we traveled to a property about half a mile down the road and I hit the photography jackpot! A private residence that we had complete access to and around every corner it got better and better! I could have literally shot there for HOURS.

I was IN LOVE with her gown. Beautiful on, in motion, laying still & easy to “poof”, just ask her Maid of Honor.

One of my absolute favorite all time wedding photos EVER taken.

and after they tore me away from that gorgeous place we had a great reception. These glasses were the same used at Collin’s parent’s wedding!

Happy to end this post with this: gorgeous, suave, classy & not afraid to get a little messy! Thank you so much my friends, Josh and I wish you the very best and can’t wait to make more memories with you!

Julie and I met in college while we were training to go on a trip to Brasil! You may remember several other people on this blog who went on the trip with us like Travis, Collin, and Naomi! During Julie and Stephen’s session we ran through the list and of 17 of us over half are married or engaged! We’re pretty sure there is something special about that black Amazon water! I was so happy to celebrate with her when she got engaged and can’t wait for their September wedding! Really, it’s going to be a great wedding filled with rich details and bold colors. I wouldn’t expect anything less from this gator hunting girl! I hope you enjoy a few photos from their engagement session!

One year and two months ago we were swaying back and forth in our hammocks as our boat traveled down a river in Amazon River basin. We slept next to each other in hammocks, and with about 18 other people including Travis and Collin, as we traveled and put on children’s programs, assisted in medical clinics and even pulled teeth! Look, I have proof! I was already engaged and planning my wedding and we shared silly details while she told me about her boyfriend Matt. Several months later, Matt asked Naomi to be his wife! We celebrated and laughed as the number of single people on our team dwindled! In March, Naomi and Matt, along with several other team members celebrated with Josh and me at our wedding!

It’s wonderful how God brings people together. I was so excited when Naomi contacted me about being a part of her wedding by being her photographer. The ceremony was just perfect. Naomi’s father gave a challenge to them individually and the one he gave Naomi struck my heart and challenged me to be a better wife! They had planned on a simple, nature themed wedding and pulled it off beautifully. The reception site was perfect, the food was great, the dancing was spirited and the joy their friends and family had for them was contagious. Thank you so much for letting me share this with you guys!

I couldn’t get over how stunning she was.

I love this picture because of the out of focus man on the right who looks as though she truly took his breath away!

Matt built this arbor as well as everything that was used to decorate the ceremony site.

…and just like that, they were husband and wife.

The music for their first dance was provided my some friends and couldn’t have been more perfect for them.

So many wonderful details!

Tables 11 & 12 brought the action on the dance floor!

A quick picture together before they made their grand exit!

Congratulations my friends. May God bless you as you serve him together!

The Coplins are a very special part of my small group family. Matt has a passion for the Word of God and ministering to others that is complimented by Sara’s quiet whit. I love the combination! Hanging out with them is like Christmas because it’s when you spend quality time with them that you get to see the funny and silly side. I enjoyed taking a few minutes to take pictures of them and the opportuinty to meet Sara’s parents. Some of you might know that God has put a great passion for Brazil in my heart. Sara’s parents ministered there and that’s where she grew up. It was so sweet to meet them!

I couldn’t leave this one out! It’s too funny.