Let's get married on the beach!-Destination wedding photography-Virginia Beach

When my friend Brandie asked me to photograph her wedding I was happy for many different reasons.  I was ecstatic that her long time boyfriend had proposed. I was also thrilled when she told me the wedding would be on the beach.  Yeah!  So, we all travelled to Virginia Beach to see Brandie and Gaylon get married.  They were married on the same beach where he proposed one year before surrounded by friends and family.  Family is very important to the couple.  One of my favorite moments in the wedding was when Brandie's three brothers walked her down the aisle.  It was so special to see each brother take his turn escorting her-a gorgeous symbol of their bond. After the beautiful ceremony on the beach, a trolley took all the guests to the Hilton to celebrate with a live band that kept everyone on their feet.  Brandie and Gaylon have such a strong relationship. They both love life and love sharing it with each other. It was great to see this love celebrated in such a memorable way. 

Debbie's Club Book Launch

The Debbie's Club Oath:

I promise to celebrate MyTrueBeauty from the inside out. I promise to never make fun of or bully others. I promise to extend kindness to others to help make the world a better place.

I am so excited and honored to be a part of this project along with The President of the Charles Penzone Salons, Debra Penzone.  Debra has a heart for young girls.  She wrote this book to help pre-teen and teen girls discover who they are and what makes them "beautifully unique".  I spent a few days photographing a beautiful group of girls ranging in age from 12-16 as they shared their experiences with Debra and each other.  Go Here to see the images and learn all about the book and how to get a copy for a girl you love.  In an age where there are so many reports of the tragic affects of bullying, this book is sends a simple yet powerful message that aims to empower young girls to be be confident and kind.  

Rachel and Matt 7-2-11-Delaware, Ohio-Wedding Photography

Rachel and Matt have been dating since high school.  Couples like this always amaze me. They basically grow up together.  They transform from kids to adults and still through the evolution that comes with experience they are in love with each other. I love the images of Rachel and Matt's "first look".  These images show how excited they truly were to be share the experience of a wedding together.  Many couples that have been together for a long time really want to stick to tradition and not see each other. But I think these images show how intimate and special a private moment before the wedding can mean to a couple.  They are usually some of my favorite images because there is no way to stage the emotions that the bride and groom feel when they see each other with no one (except me far enough away to give them a little privacy) around.  Rachel and Matt's ceremony and reception were held at Brookshire on a warm July evening.  They happened to pick the perfect time of day for gorgeous light, so the already stunning couple had amazing light for their photos as well.  It was so much fun to be a part of their wedding day!