S. Carter Studios

When Tim and Samantha contacted me about their session which we scheduled for the beginning of December I knew the perfect place to take them. They mentioned loving the outdoors and animals and really wanted greenery incorporated in their photos. If you’re familiar with my blog you know this isn’t generally a problem, however, at the beginning of December it was a no brainer. The only place with greenery that I could think of was Green Needles Christmas Tree Farm. It’s owned by some very wonderful friends of ours who were more than happy to host us as we tromped around in the freezing cold weather. Tim and Samantha were flexible and excited, it helps that they are very much in love and comfortable around each other. Enjoy some shots from their engagement session as they look forward to their wedding tihs May!

I couldn’t get over how natural and simply beautiful Samantha was. She wasn’t aware of it but I think Tim is!

Evidence that Tim was…

It’s very clear that she’s fond of him too.

I’d like to introduce you to Kyle and Kristin. Well, you probably already know Kyle, he’s oh so famous. Yes, his face and sweet drum moves graced the jumbo screens at Liberty for several years. Really, I like to give him a hard time. We went to Brasil together, I know, there were 18 of us, you’re bound to read about many more of our teammates, just like you have about Julie, Naomi, Collin, and Travis. Kyle, Collin and I shared a few special memories when Kyle severly sprained both ankles and Collin and I carried/dragged him half a mile in the Brasil heat. As you’ll be able to tell from this post, he’s recovered well and God’s given him a beautiful wife-to-be in Kristin. She’s wonderful and a great match for him. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as we did taking them!

I wracked my brain over and over trying to think of something special to do with these guys. I was thrilled to find exactly what I needed just an hour before the shoot was scheduled to begin: two 1970’s Samsonite suitcases, his and hers, delivered to the DAV just one day before. Perfect! We got some crazy looks as we hauled them around but I’ve got to say that they were worth it! Also, please note their matching shoes!

I love when a shot you have in your mind comes out exactly as you hoped it would!

We did not haul them everywhere, I promise.

A short cameo for Kristin’s ring which a friend aptly described as a bracelet for her finger. It’s big, beautiful and sparkly, aka every girls dream! She said it was a perfect combination of all three ring types she’d looked for. I’d say, “well done Kyle.”

Another fun fact about Kyle and Kristin is that they are getting married on mine and Josh’s 1st anniversary. March 13 is a lovely day to tie the knot!

Yes, it’s time to continue catching you up on the things you’ve missed while I’ve been finishing out the 2009 year! It was busy at the end but I’m glad to get to have things to share during our down time as well! This post is about the Davies. You’re probably familiar, if you’ve been reading a while, with the Carol and Jordan’s precious baby boy Brinley who I’ve photographed before. They scheduled one of our Fall mini sessions to provide some Christmas gifts and I’m happy to finally be able to share them with you! Enjoy!

It’s been so hard to hold onto photos until after Christmas! I took these photos of Cole and Lydia, both of whom I had the pleasure of seeing shortly after their debut into the world. Yes, they’re the Parks kids, the most photographed family in my life. But hey, I’m okay with that. If you knew them, you’d understand! Enjoy these photos of their super crazy session.

Cole was about 2 months old when we took these photos. I’ve got to tell you, he’s quite a charmer. I was greatly distracted by his smiles and big blue eyes today in church!

Lydia is a force to be reckoned with! During the shoot she tried to climb the retaining wall and made a cozy seat in someone’s water run off.

The goal was to get some of the two of them together and I’d say we more or less accomplished that!

There may have been some bribing with marshmallows and chocolate chips.

This is one of my favorites.

I love this look on his face as Lydia leans forward to touch him. The hesitant and slightly scared face of a younger brother. Classic.

We’ll polish off this post with a look at the smile Cole flashes his mom. I am pretty sure I’d be toast if I had him hanging around all the time. I’d be content just to sit and stare.

Jake and Christy made me nervous. Christy had called with the challenge of finding very original locations in Lynchburg. For those of you who don’t know, Lynchburg is super saturated with very talented and curious photographers. Finding places inside Lynchburg that aren’t on at least four other photography blogs is a pretty tall order. So, I thought, okay, this is an opportunity to grow and to push myself. They were the perfect couple for this adventure! I picked four locations (much more than usual, but like I said, I was nervous) that I had always thought about shooting at but had never made it to and we set off! I couldn’t have asked for a better couple to be challenged by. They were fun, energetic, sweet and just the right amount of nervous too. We had a great time and came up with a lot of great images. I’m happy to say they were very pleased with the locations! Enjoy a few from their engagement session as they look forward to their April wedding in Connecticut!

I think this one is my favorite. Probably because I had my reception in the building behind them!

Being around Sam is like being around family. She has this great way of making everyone around her feel comfortable. I think she gets it from her family who treated me the same as I met many of them who I’d heard about so many years before. God brought her a match who cares about family just as much as she does. Jonathan adores her and everyone knows it. Their wedding was a simple affair to celebrate their commitment and their friends and family. They pulled it off perfectly!

I love her expression in this picture. He was so nervous and she was cool as a cucumber…until he started to cry and then it was over for her too.

I have to stop for a minute and brag on my husband Josh for taking the next four pictures. He’s really talented, don’t you think?

He does such a great job with the guys!

Now, about this reception. It took place on a river bank in the backyard of a little log cabin looking structure. It was a beautiful venue and allowed for great photos!

Hellllloo contrast! My pose with Josh’s shot Winning combination!

I love this photo below which made the one after possible. A quick flick

to the dress and then the spinning could commence.

At their engagement session, Sam described the reception to me as a family reunion style get together. They really nailed it! Nobody was in a rush to leave this reception! There was something for everyone including trips out on the river in canoes the bride and groom provided!

The bridesmaids and other guests changed into custom t-shirts printed for the event!

Nope, your eyes do not deceive you. That’s the bride teaching people how to pick crabs, while in her wedding dress!

This is a series of photos taken as the DJ shared their love story with the guests. They filled out questionnaires before the event and he wove them together. It was great to hear about their engagement which included a scavenger hunt around the city they met in.

Almost nothing sweeter than a dad singing to his daughter during their dance.

Several games of spades broke out with the decks of cards Jonathan and Sam had made as favors for their guests.

Just a few awesome detail shots on the way out!

You pulled it off guys! What a fantastic, relaxing wedding to be a part of! Thank you!

Amy and Adriel aren’t from South Carolina but Amy’s family has been going to Myrtle Beach every summer for as long as most of them can remember. She’s the youngest of four with three older brothers and wanted a wedding that was uniquely hers. As her nieces told me, “This is a very Aunt Amy wedding.” And boy does she have a few nieces, God has blessed their family with 6 wonderful little girls and one little boy! The wedding was a family affair and it was a great adventure to be a part of.

Amy and Adriel had a rich history of friendship, having known each other since they were in high school youth group and all parents and friends involved were glad when they began “dating” and got engaged just a few months later. I loved the trip to Myrtle Beach and many thanks to Amy who took such great care of me, even providing me with an escort for the weekend! I know you’re probably thinking, South Carolina in August? We prayed for a breeze the night after we sweated through the rehearsal and God responded with a gusty breeze courtesy of Hurricane Bill which amazingly didn’t result in rain. Don’t get me wrong, it was HOT but the outside ceremony went off without a hitch at the beautiful Cooper House. Enjoy some photos from their wedding!

I love this picture of Amy, especially since she was so nervous before seeing her groom. As soon as she saw him, the anxiety began to melt away. His hugs and kisses were enough to calm her nerves and the rest of the day went by with an easy, happy smile on her face.

Just had to sneak in this picture of Adriel’s mom pinning his boutonniere. She has a smile that lights up the room!

I was thrilled when Amy and Adriel opted for a First Look. It allowed for such a great vantage point at the top of the steps.

I think this could be my favorite shot from the day. It’s just so South Carolina.

Amy made sure to let me know that there would be children involved in the bridal party and I couldn’t have been happier with how wonderful they were! They didn’t know me but did a fantastic job of listening and staying still, looking at the camera. I would happily photograph them any day!

So many cute kids it was hard to resist!

I like the fuziness of this shot for some reason. It just makes the tree seem old and wise as it looks down on the ceremony. Or maybe, I’m just feeling a little “artsy.”

A few detail shots before we wrap things up!

Their reception was at the same location in an old building that used to be a general store. Very unique and it matched the wedding perfectly!

I was referred to Amy by Jen of Matt and Jen and can’t wait to travel to Connecticut with Josh for their wedding in less than 50 days! The newlyweds passed on the garter and bouquet to them instead of a traditional toss.

They signed the marriage certificates and were off to St. Lucia! Hope you have a great time. See you in October!

You know that feeling when you’re strolling around the boardwalk of a beach and you see an older couple ahead of you holding hands? It’s the feeling in the air of a deep, gentle love that is less about how fun and fantastic things can be and more about the joy of sharing your life with someone else. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to take pictures at a wedding where it was that kind of love the bride and groom shared. I know what you’re thinking, wait, how is that possible when the bride and groom are in their twenties? I thought that too but it’s undeniable. The way he held her hand. The way she glanced at him. Their serious, contemplative faces as they said their vows and the relief in their shoulders after they had been pronounced husband and wife. God has given them a sweet, weathered kind of love that most couples take decades to develop. Congratulations Dan and Michelle!

i know what you’re probably thinking. The shot below is a very traditional shot. It doesn’t seem very S. Carter Studios but it is perfectly Dan and Michelle. Simple, beautiful and timeless.

Dan was so nervous as the ceremony grew near. I hope you can catch a glimpse of his intensity in this photo, it wasn’t marrying Michelle that made him nervous but the anticipation was hard to bear!

I love seeing my couples incorporate their engagement photos into their wedding!

The ceremony and reception took place at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, MD. It was a breathtaking location. I think I could have shot there all day!

I love summer weddings and how they somehow usually involve water!

A glimpse of Michelle looking over her shoulder at her husband of just a few hours!

They danced their first dance to a song that Dan wrote for them! It was absolutely lovely.

A note about their cake: it was made by bridesmaid Carrie and groomsman Ben. It was absolutely beautiful and very unique!

I have to share this picture of my little protégé. I’m not talking about Jenny (our intern who you’ll hear more about soon) but Dan’s nephew who followed me around for half an hour with his disposable camera taking pictures when I took pictures. It was very flattering!

If Josh thought our wedding had paparazzi, he should have seen theirs!

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding!

The final wedding of the summer, number six of six weekends in a row, took me to Rockwall, TX. I had never been out of an airport in Texas and really enjoyed the beauty of a new place! The Dowlings were married at the Hilton Bella Harbor which was an exquisite location. I loved being able to represent my family who wished they could have attended. Wayne and Lacey were wonderful to be around and made me feel like an important part of their special day!