Oh So Candid Family Shoot with the Hardmans: A Sneak

Candid moments are great.

They are the things that let us know the human condition still remains.

They are not hallow social media selfies.  They are real. They are beautiful. They never go out of style.

They are my specialty.

The great thing about  shooting close family friends is that they trust your ability to accurately use creative license: in other words, you can be yourself. You can use your specialty.

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It was weird to see someone you had known since they were a teenager be so grown up. My first thought was "he has kids and EVERYTHING." My next thought was "gosh, you're such an old bird now."

  Although we aren't really that far apart in age, I have always thought of Randy as my little brother (he kinda is since he is the younger brother of my very best friend). But, to see him grow into such a mature, responsible father of two in awe inspiring.  I now look at his family and think "wow, they were always there, just not there yet." It's surreal.

This weekend, he and his kids ventured a few hundred miles back in to NC territory for Easter Weekend and I made good on my promise to retake their pictures.  I'm so happy it worked out because I got to capture so many great moments in this beautiful little family.  These kids could not ask for a better father and he couldn't ask for better more joyous kids. They all got to be themselves. They let me be myself.  Couldn't have asked for a better photo session.

Wedding Trend: Great America Carolina Malt

Rustic Wedding. Check. Burlap and Lace. Check. Mason jars filled with glorious alcohol. Check and Check. Yeah..you heard it right; alcohol filled mason jars to complete the whole look.  That's where Great America  Malt comes in.

Shopping in the wine section at Wal-Mart, I found these two babies stacked high right across from the refrigerated beer.  There were flavors such as Apple Pie and Clear (this one).  What attracted me to this? Well, the mason jars of course.  There's nothing like the feeling of sitting on my front porch and throwing back what feels to be moonshine but tastes more like a clean and clear mead.

This would be a great talking piece for any backwoods rustic wedding. There's nothing like "Great America's Apple Pie Malt Substitute Beer! Brewed and bottled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains here in North Carolina." Nothing more rustic than that!

Candace + Gary Wedding at St Mark's Lutheran Church and Trump National Golf Club

They met when they were 13. They married in their 60s with children and grandchildren between them.  This family was a force of love and acceptance. No butterflies. No tension. No crazy wedding trends.  They just wanted to be married and marriage is what they got.  Take a look through my beautiful lens.

Hello Tulsa!

I'm coming. I'm shooting. I'm having a righteous reunion.  Get ready to get on my calender.

I'm coming for you Tulsans. I'm coming for you.

Baby Shower: A Party and a Reunion

Pleasantries and great fun from the 40th birthday and Baby Shower of my dear dear friend who I had not seen in over 10 years. Such a joyous reunion and amazing occasion.

"Mini" Mini Family Photo Shoot

As many of you guys know, I have taken a step back from doing so many family portraits to focus my business on wedding, engagement, and couple clientele.  This is not to say that I dislike photographing families, kids, etc.  I absolutely LOVE photographing families.  It's just not something that I can devote as much time to now that my business has begun changing.  With that being said, this weekend, I got the opportunity to do a "Mini" mini Family Shoot: five shots to ten shots, five minutes, five or less people.  Needless to say, it was an awesome time.

BTS ( Behind the Scenes) of the "Styled Vintage Bride" Shoot

Lindsay + David : Couple's Shoot

What are the odds that you shoot a wedding and you meet someone who went to your rival high school that happens to be located over 1000 miles away? Well, if you're me, they are HIGH.  I attended three high schools during my teenage "tenure." One of those high schools were Marshall High located in San Antonio, TX; connection made.  It turns out that David went to MY rival high school in San Antonio!  What a small world it is sometimes.

Now to the couple:  Lindsay and David were an incredible couple to shoot.  Our meeting was quite unique.  I was at a wedding and they asked me if I could do a quick shoot for them because they "never dress up."  I was more than happy to oblige as they were a darn good looking couple!  Lindsay described herself as "the skater" and David "the drummer."  Pretty cool if you ask me! Well, enough of this small talk. Lets get right down to the pictures.

Styled Shoot Sneak Peek

Brides, Bouquets, Flowers, Sunlight, STYLED SHOOT.  I'd write more about this, but I'm saving it for some upcoming blog love about the shoot and Behind the Scenes (BTS)  Stay tuned!

First Official Wedding of the Season: Greg and Candace

Years ago in the state of Michigan, two young kids met and became lifelong friends.  Thirteen is a tender age to meet the love of your life.  But that's exactly happened with Greg and Candace! They met at 13 and married 50 years later! I guess that saying is true that that "true love never dies!" Here is a sneak peep from their wedding I shot yesterday.  More images to come. Great family to work with.  Hope to work with them again!