Feb - April FAVORITES 2019

It’s been quite a busy and blessed year so far. Here are some of my favorite shots from 2019 so far - starting with my first ever Hindu wedding ceremony on Jekyll Island with Island Sound. This couple was so excited to marry each-other twice in one day.

 
 
 

I got together with one of my besties to get some promotional shots for Valentine’s Day. The perfect time for boudoir!

 
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My next wedding of the year was Lindsay and Matthew’s at Epworth by the Sea beautiful Lovely Lane Chapel on St. Simons Island.

 

On February 22nd Julia and Daniel came all the way from Colorado to elope under Georgia’s beautiful oak trees at Gascoigne Bluff.

 

Island Sound sent me down to Casa Marina to film Kate and Will’s ceremony. I fell so in love with this beachy, Spanish inspired venue! Here is a little spinet.

 
 

Blair and Blake’s March 9th wedding was my first time shooting a wedding at The Vine’s gorgeous Greenhouse. All my floral and white backdrop dreams come true.

 

I was SO HAPPY that the azaleas were in bloom for Megan’s maternity session! These gorgeous colors are only here for a short time in the spring and oh, doesn’t she look beautiful with them!?

 

Megan and her daughter Reagan were the winners of my most recent Instagram giveaway. Get these girls modeling agents!

Eveline celebrated her 60th birthday with a family trip to St. Simons Island!

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Laney Jean at just two weeks in her perfectly pink nursery.

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The Albuquerques celebrate their anniversary on the beach!

The bugs were terrible on the beach this day, but this happy family did not let that dampen their smiles!

This must have been the windiest day Hilton Head has ever seen, but just look at these good sports!

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Can’t handle how stinking cute this family is!!

A family vacation and anniversary celebration at St. Simon’s Island Lodge!

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Sometimes stormy skies can create the most beautiful backdrops!

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Hope and Tesh celebrating their 10 year anniversary with their son on St. Simons Island! Love that they brought the umbrella from their wedding.

Family days in the sun…

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Can’t believe Finn is already 6 months old!

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What a beautiful family! All the family from Nebraska, mom and daughter came to celebrate dad’s graduation from FLETC!

 
 

After shooting Tiffany’s maternity session, I was SO excited to meet baby Joanna!

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Then there’s this sweet little man who just wanted to make every stick a fishing pole!

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Here’s a little peak into Stephanie and Ben’s lovely, lovely, lovely Jekyll Island wedding. The ceremony was at Faith Chapel and reception at the Westin.

Jessi + Luke | Burge Plantation Wedding | Athens, Ga

Every detail of Jessi and Luke's wedding held sentimental sweetness - right down to the flower choice. This beautiful Athens celebration started with one of the most tender First Looks and ended with a magical Bubble Exit! Thank you for letting me capture such a joyful day!

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What was your color scheme for the wedding? 

I knew I had to have sunflowers and daisies - I've always loved both flowers and Daisy was my grandma's name. We went with navy with burlap/rustic-colored accents to go with the flowers. 

What led you to choose your wedding venue? 

It is simple, beautiful, and out in nature, which is where we love to be the most.

Do you have any advice for other couples?

Early in our relationship, we had to go through some of the hardest things couples have to go through and we couldn't have made it without absolute love and support from each other. Life is hard, but sometimes all your partner needs is just to know you care for and support them no matter what storms come your way.

Jessi + Luke's Engagement Session

Dress/ Veil : Dress- David's Bridal; Veil- re-crafted by my mom from her veil

Hair/Makeup: Kayla.Walters.Hair

Groom attire: Perno's Formal Wear in Athens, GA

Shoes : David's Bridal

Jewelry : My ring and wedding band from Thornton's Fine Jewelry in Athens, GA

Food : Burge Plantation

Cake : Jessicakes Bakery & Deli in Covington, GA

Invitations : David's BridalCoordinator: Dawn Genese Leonetti
Suits: Perno's Formal Wear
Flowers: Supplied by Davis Wholesale Florist, Inc, Arranged by Linda Goreand Carol Gore Gordon
Boutonnières: Town & Country Florist, Hoschton, GA

Violinist: Cortney Whiting
Music/DJ: Zach Cagle
Officiant: Jon Messarra
Doors/signs/lawn games: Made by my dad, Painted by my mom & me SarahandMark Whiting

Katie + Ward | St. Simons Island Wedding | McKinnon Airport Reception

My prayer is that my business presence and images reflect the personality of the couple I am working with and the joy of their wedding day - giving attention to all the hard work and detail that went into making their day memorable - to make sure that the bride and groom's story is told like the grand romance it is. My job is made pretty easy and fun when I have couple's like Katie and Ward whose love for each other, God, their families, and St. Simons Island is so evident. Show them so love below and enjoy their wedding story. 

The prayers of these women are strong, true and representative the Father's heart, bringing peace on what could be a jittery time. Only joy was present. 

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There's a photo album from the bride to the groom on the swing? The swing she played on as a kid? And she's gonna sneak up behind him as he's reading it. Oh, that's ROMANTIC as ALL GET OUT.  And just when you thought it couldn't get any more romantic...Ward surprised her with a live painter for their reception. Ahhhwwww.

Some of the cutest shots from Katie and Ward's engagement session was also on a swing!

Katie's vision for the wedding was everything enchanting, exciting and southern with muted neutrals.  Pretty sure she pulled it off.

Amongst the marshes of Glynn, Katie and Ward married.  Big, beautiful storm clouds rolled in just before the ceremony. Katie was patient, waited out the rain, and after all of the sweet guests pitched in drying the chairs, married her soul mate under the storm clouds. It couldn't have been more lovely. 

I about jumped out of my car when I pulled up to the reception. Look at that sunset. Every photographers' golden dream. 

Katie grew up around the McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport and what a beautiful backdrop it made for their sunset portraits!

This was the first event held in this hanger and boy, did they do a fabulous job. My favorite parts were probably the hanging greenery and the working SWING! 

Katie and I got to reconnect and recreate some photos with our GP girls that we mentored the summer we worked together. I even jumped in for a photo!

The night ended with a grand sparkler exit where the couple boarded a plane and flew off to their happy ever after.  

Katie and Ward, thank you a million times over for being so incredible. I hope this

new adventure together gets better each and every day. Your joy is contagious and I

absolutely loved being surrounded by it on your wedding day.

Engagement Session

Hair : Alana Becky at Uberzoot Hair Co.

Makeup : Judy Crouch

Dress:  Bridals by Lori and mother's veil

Shoes : The Pampered Foot

Florals :  The Vine and Randy Cribb

Ceremony Program: Bess Ratsimbaharison

Ceremony Music : Charlie Judd

Violinist: Morgan Stokes

Entertainment : Loose Chain

Live Painter: Elaine Burge Art

Food : Tasteful Temptations

Cake : Erin Scoggins

Invitations : Home made by Aimee Otte

Tables : Amelia Events

Coordinator : Allyson Moline

Videographer : Joshua Gellerstedt

Second Photographer : Laura Angela Photography

 

 

Katie + Ward Engagement | The Stables at Frederica

I loved shooting this engagement session at the Stables at Frederica on St. Simons Island at sunrise and then at Katie's childhood swing.

Katiebug is a ray of sunshine everywhere she goes. I was so blessed to work with her at The Gathering Place a few summers ago and see her share her sunshine with others. Now, she has found her sweet other half, Ward. Ya'll, they are so fun. 

THE CUTEST. 

 

I'm a sucker for spring colors, ponies and soft sunlight falling over the tips of the trees.

A perfect shoot.

 

You are never too old for your favorite swing. 

CAN'T WAIT for Katie and Ward's August wedding!

 
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Lauren + John Bridals - Crane Cottage, Jekyll Island

Hurricane Matthew rolled into the Golden Isles during Lauren and John's wedding day. Fortunately, they were still able to have a great ceremony elsewhere.

They still wanted to celebrate their marriage on the beautiful island where they had originally planned to. Crane Cottage is also where her parents got married! Oh, I love sweet family traditions. I was so glad to recreate their day and in such beautiful weather.

Every detail down to the groom's boutonniere was beautifully recreated thanks to The Vine. I can't get over those sassy flower girls. 

The only day that both the bride and groom's families were all together to retake photos was THANKSGIVING! It's not the first time I've worked on a holiday and it will certainly not be the last because I love being there for my clients. I am so happy to do what I can to make their photo experience easy and wonderful. And it's not work when you love what you do, right? <3

Mr. + Mrs. Tindol - St. Simons Island Wedding

Katie and Luke are the most lovely and humble people. It was an honor to document their love story. The settings they chose only enhanced just how delightful they are. 

The bridal party got ready at St. Simons Community Church. It's always a fun time hiding the bride and groom from each other. I love when they each have love letters for each other. 

 What a powerful scene to see the parents get up and pray with their children under this handmade cross. You also can't beat that the marshy backdrop. 

The live oaks of this island never disappoint for some beautiful formals. At the Avenue of the Oaks we were able to recreate images that Katie's m\mom at taken on her wedding day. 

Good home cookin' was on the menu at one of the island's best restaurants. After carving into the personalized cake, the couple danced the night away. 

Thank you Katie + Luke for letting me be a part of this beautiful day!

Second Shooter: Hannah Kicklighter

Wedding planning: Callie Fendig

Reception venue: Bennie's Red Barn

Gown: Bride Beautiful

Hair & Makeup: Devyn Miller

Florals: Cottage Flowers

Cake: Cathy Dart

Invitations & Paper goods: Taylor Weldon

Cross: Jimmy Kay 

 

 

Hannah + Alex - Driftwood Beach Wedding

These two have so much love to give. Hannah and Alex, continue to pour light into this world. So happy for you. Your good hearts will only grow stronger in marriage. Congratulations! 

Getting ready...

...in a shared room with five sisters and a mama is one big accomplishment. Good thing the Westin Hotel has those relaxing views of the ocean. 

 

The Ceremony on Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island 

What a beautiful sight Hannah was riding in on a Clydesdale horse. 

 

The beautiful couple...

 

The Reception at the Westin..

Bridal Session - Taylor Grady House, Athens

 I've been wanting to put together a styled bridal shoot for a while and I'm pretty dern happy with the results. The shoot features the lovely Lauren Teknipp, a fitness blogger and model. I followed Lauren through her social media after seeing her play (like a boss) at UGA volleyball. She's been my secret girl crush ever since. So, when I needed a model, I knew who to ask. Thankfully she was thrilled to help out!

 Check out Lauren's awesome stuff at Saturated Fit. You won't regret it! She is one dedicated beauty with a heart of gold. It was such a pleasure to work with her. 

I have a lot of people to thank for helping put this shoot together. First, Lydia Phillips with Mintwood Photo Co. for being my Athens mentor and guiding me through this process. Thank you to Jeni for her dynamite makeup skills. I love the hint of purple eyeshadow. Make sure to follow @makeupbyjeni. Everyone at I Do, I Do Bridal Boutique for providing these stunning dresses and accessories. A big, big thanks to Flowerland for proving such a lovely bouquet so last minute. I nearly teared up when I saw it. Those ladies are awesome. Thanks, Taylor Grady House for being oh, so beautiful. It was an honor to shoot an Athens national historic landmark. 

Finally, thank you, Walmart for selling $8 engagement rings.  Enjoy the photos. Keep scrolling for more.

Getting ready. Thanks Jeni!