S. Carter Studios

So, remember that weekend when we got 20+ inches of snow? Well, right at about an inch and a half, Josh and I took off for our great winter migration to the South. We drove through snow and ice for 6 hours and stopped just short of the turn off the highway for Ryan and Kristina’s wedding. The craziest part of the whole thing was that when we got to their ceremony site, 20 minutes form our hotel, you couldn’t even tell there had been a storm! Don’t get me wrong it was FREEEEZING but their awesome bridal party hardly whimpered as we took them outside for photos. I think Ryan and Kristina would tell you that it was all worth it! Enjoy photos from the last wedding of 2009!

PS. I must take a moment and brag on my seriously handsome and talented husband: Josh Deal. A lot of these photos came from him as my second shooter. I really did hit the jackpot with this one! Just to prove it to you I’m going to post a J.D. after each image in this post that belongs to him.

Yes, I’ve mentioned it before but I’m in love with Kristina’s big, beautiful eyes and lashes. I mean really, look at them!

their flower girls were JUST adorable.

Here’s part of the J.D. love fest

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J.D. {It is good to note that I had gotten the “talkin to” by the church lady and was dutifully hiding behind a large column no further forward than the first row of guests and not encroaching on the stage AT ALL. So Josh got the job of getting these fun shots}

J.D.

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A brief pause in this tribute to show an image of mine!

and back to the action

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The chapel had beautiful natural lighting flowing through the windows.

Just trying something new.

Absolutely classic as we took picture outside, Josh turned around and got THIS.

J.D.

Gotta say this is a favorite from and old S. Carter Studios standard.

and back inside to warm up again.

I’m convinced their kids will have great eyelashes too, lol.

aaaand back out.

They had their reception in the lobby of the pharmacy school Ryan graduated from at Campbell University. They even brought in a gorgeous Christmas tree for guests to put gifts under. It was covered in ornaments which served as favors!

Reasons to get a 2nd shooter. I get this while Josh gets the one below

I love the way he sees things!

They had stations around their reception with their favorite desserts and the stories behind them. Everything was soo tasty.

Beautiful Christmas themed decorations made it a cozy holiday celebration.

As quicky as it started, their celebration was over and they headed off. But not without some mischief first.

J.D.

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I had no idea but was thankful for this shot!

A note: Many of these photos from Ryan and Kristina’s wedding were available on Facebook shortly after the event. I wait to blog them until after I’ve completed editing so the blog readers can get a full selection but if you’re itching to see the work as soon as it’s available then by all means, join 843 of my closest friends and become a Fan on facebook. New content and updates as soon as it’s loaded as well as special Facebook contests and prizes to be announced! Just for the heck of it you should follow me on twitter too!

I’d been searching for a way to send some special first Christmas love to all of my wedding clients for about three months. I was browsing around and decided an ornament for their first Christmas tree would be a fun surprise! I searched and searched and searched until I found Kristi Gerbes on Etsy. She had these great custom ornaments and was fantastic to work with. I highly recommend her and can vouch for the great care and quality she put into my order. The packages have all gone out and been received so I’m happy to share with you some images (taken by Kristi) of the ornaments that dawn the trees of all 21 of my S. Carter Studios brides & their grooms from 2009!

Just to share a bit of the wonderful feedback, Carrie wrote: You read my mind! I have been looking ALL over for an ornament that said, “Our First Christmas.” It was PERFECT!

I love being able to continue being a part of the memories and traditions of my clients! Hope you’re all having a very Merry Christmas!

It’s been almost Christmas for what seems like months and for me this season is usually accompanied by excitement, giddiness about lights and true appreciation for the gifts I’ve been given. This post is dedicated to the 14 couples who invited me to be a part of their lives this year. I can’t believe how small the number fourteen can seem but when I realize that those fourteen weddings were once in a lifetime events for 28 people, it doesn’t seem quite so small anymore. It doesn’t seem as small when I remember that I was editing photos between papers and exams and rejoicing each time I sent a contract to be signed because it meant another opportunity to serve families and rejoice in the celebration of God’s beautiful gift of love. This post is meant to thank and celebrate the newlyweds of 2008!

Ryan and Laura Johnson, January 2008, Northern Virginia, they were such a great couple to start the new year with! Their wedding was precious and I truly felt appreciated by both them and their families.

Eric and Traci Tesenair, March 2008 (the same weekend Josh and I will be married next year!), Lynchburg, VA. Eric and Traci were such a rock star couple and who were up for anything, including stopping traffic, to get a good picture!

Josiah and Sarah Gifford, March 2008, Lynchburg, VA. It was so much fun to be able to moonlight with Sarah because she, several of the members of the bridal party, and I lived together on the same hall (33-4) during our time at Liberty. Congratulations to them as they were blessed with Luke Daniel this year as well!

Nicholas and Heather Diede, March 2008, Richmond, VA. Nick and Heather got married at Maymont Park in downtown Roanoke and it was so beautiful. I mean, who doesn’t want to shoot a wedding that takes place in front of a waterfall!

Kahlib and Megan Fischer, June 2008, Lynchburg, VA, Kahlib and Megan got married on the hottest day of the summer. I don’t think either of them even noticed the weather because it was obvious to everyone that God had provided them with the perfect match. Congratulations to the Fischers who are expecting an addition to the family next year!

Dayton and Rebekah Hartman, June 2008, North Carolina. Dayton and Rebekah had the best combination of wedding and celebration I had seen! They had the reception outdoors at her parents house and it was full of great treats including bowling ball sized suckers for the kids and ice cream cones for the adults!

Daniel and Ruthanne Bradley, June 2008, Madison Heights, VA. I was very thankful to be a part of the Bradley’s wedding as I knew that it was truly a family celebration of their long awaited marriage. I actually got to meet the teacher that sat them next to each other in her classroom all those years ago!

Nathan and Rebekah Taylor, June 2008, Lake Martin, Alabama. I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful location and more wonderful people to spend an entire weekend with. This was the longest I’d spent traveling to a wedding and I loved every minute of this relaxing and wonderful weekend. Congratulations to Nathan and Rebekah who became Aunt and Uncle for the first time by way of Nate’s sister Laura having twin boys!!

Mackenzie and Courtney Stephens, July 2008, Ohio. Their wedding was the most unique and personalized wedding I’d ever been a part of. I couldn’t have even dreamed of five pastors, table seating, a late cake, 286 balloons, sparklers and two dresses. I loved it and know that I will forever hold a special place in my heart for the friendship I built with Courtney through that time!

Wayne and Lacey Dowling, July 2008, Texas. What a privilege to be at the wedding of these two. Wayne lived with my family while he played baseball for the Luray Wranglers. Like anyone who has lived with the Carters, Wayne had a special relationship with our family, which prompted my parents to provide my transportation to the wedding as a gift for the newlyweds. It was hot there, in Texas, in July, but we had a beautiful time!

Mark and Maria Weisz, October 2008, Charlottesville, VA. I don’t like to brag, but Mark, Maria and I have GREAT chemistry. With our powers combined….mine being spunk God’s blessing, Mark’s being a school boy like affection for making Maria smile on top of the ability to love her with a fiery passion and Maria’s powers completing us with ownership of her sassy-ness as well as a superb taste in hair accessories and excitement about being Mark’s bride…we are quite a force to be reckoned with. I loved their engagement pictures and I LOVED their wedding!

PS. Maria please know and smile that I didn’t inadvertently add an H to your name at any point in this post!

John and Stacia Wilson, October 2008. Lynchburg, VA. I had never been to a wedding where cowboy hats were involved but the Wilson’s wedding was certainly exciting!

Zach and Crystal Beams, October 2008, Lynchburg, VA. Zach and Crystal warned me that their wedding would be intense but if you ask me, it was the right kind of intensity. It was the kind built off the best wishes from both families, the flavor of Italian family members and the beautiful October weather that perfectly blew her veil for one of my favorite shots!

Andrew and Melanie Williams, December 2008, Martinsville, VA. The final wedding of 2008 was a beautiful note to end on. Andrew, training to be a chaplain, and Melanie, having completed her nursing degree just days before the wedding, were absolutely relaxed and a pleasure to work with. Stay tuned for more images from this wedding!

Thank you my new friends. Thank you for trusting me with your memories and encouraging me as my business continues to grow! I loved every crazy minute!

PS. I was able to attend two weddings as a guest: Andy & Emily Earl as well as Zach and Amy Foster. Congrats to these newly weds as well!

There are cute kids…and then there is Lydia in a Christmas dress. Really…I mean…look at her! Jay and Jackie are going to have their hands FULL with this one. We took a few pictures to celebrate the festive attire and hopefully give Jackie something to frame…haha. I love this face!