ENGAGED // CAROLINE & SAM // BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA

This is not the sound of a new man or crispy realization //

It's the sound of the unlocking and the lift away //

Your love will be safe with me //

I just asked a friend of mine, "you know when you have something that's just so great, that you don't want to share it with anyone else?" -- that's how I feel about this session we shot back in July. I've been so careful about editing these just so, and taking the time to savor the creativity we shared in making them.

Caroline and Sam are two of the funniest, sweetest, down-to-earth, genuine people. I knew immediately when I got Caroline's email earlier in the year (and heard about her proposal from Sam - WHICH WAS AWESOME and included a dance party with friends afterwards) that we were destined to be working together and was so thankful and excited when we finally met and we decided that we'd be an awesome match. They're both so creative in different ways and I can't wait to see how their personalities melt together for their wedding day in October.

One of the most important things about my "job" is to express and capture who my couples are through their engagement pictures, and then ultimately through their wedding pictures. These two let me be creative and we had FUN together shooting these. Sam made me laugh so hard my sides hurt until I had to literally tell him to shut up. And she threw in a ton of her own ideas (smoke bombs were my idea, the glitter lake was hers!) But when it came down to it, they trusted me. They might have felt stupid doing some things (hopefully not) but they looked awesome and knew that I wouldn't lead them astray.

I'm so grateful for couples like you two. And I'm happy to now call you my friends :) ( ^^ Caroline, you are absolutely beautiful.) ( ^^ Sam.. what pretty eyes you have.)

ANNIVERSARY // CARLY & AL // CHARLOTTE, NC

You might recognize Carly from her bridal session last July, but I hadn't had the pleasure to take pictures of her sweet husband, Al until this past July! I always told the two of them that I was dying to make some pictures with them. They have undeniable chemistry and love each other so much it's ridiculous. They've often been referred to as a power couple, but their strength is a quiet one underneath their gentle, happy spirits.

That wish of mine came true when they came back home to NC (from CA) to hang out with their families and to celebrate their one year anniversary. Although our initial plans of a sunset shoot didn't work out because of a rainstorm, we woke up early the next day and found this awesome cornfield to do their portraits. Carly and I talked about really wanting to focus on the two of them, without any props or distractions.

The only thing that we incorporated into their shoot was my DON'T GIVE UP poster from the Parson's workshop back in early July. I asked them what they're going to commit to not give up on for their next year of marriage. Their answer? Patience. AL DECIDED TO SURPRISE CARLY WITH AN ADDITION TO HER BEAUTIFUL RING FOR THEIR ANNIVERSARY.. SHE HAD NO IDEA! 

Proof that I shoot things other than weddings...

Engage!13 Paper Cut Wedding Dress //

From Katie (the designer): "I had the incredible fortune to be asked to create a paper wedding dress forEngage!13 at the Biltmore Estate. It was to be inspired by Cornelia Vanderbilt, who's wedding reception was hosted at the Estate in the 1920's. The dress was on display for the grand Great Gatsby-esque Gala on the last night of a several day conference. Emily was wonderful enough to tag along and document the process and final installation of the dress!"

I'm lucky to know such talented people! Go check out Katie's awesome blog and see her designs. She's open for hire! 

MARRIED // MCCREA & TROY // DANIEL STOWE BOTANICAL GARDENS

There are not enough nice things in the world that I can say about these two people.I've known them for what feels like forever, and there's always something special about being asked to do a dear friend's wedding.

McCrea and I have always kind of come back to each other. We can not have talked for years, and then one of us will initiate conversation and it's just like we never stopped speaking. She's hilarious, beautiful, kind and has this amazingly random "thug" side to her that cracks me up. She just lights up around Troy and their chemistry is undeniable. And the same for Troy. He's absolutely adorable and such a good guy. He has a quiet sense of humor and listens intently. He loves McCrea so much and is so tender with her.

She trusted me completely on their wedding day, even when I (and Troy helped) pressured her into being late to the reception because the light for their bride & groom shots was so beautiful.

I hope that you two love the end product, you had such a beautiful day.

And I literally couldn't have done it without the sweet Erica Serrano accompanying me. She's such an awesome photographer and I'm so thankful to know her! Thanks for the killer individual shots & various ceremony/reception angles! You're an absolute angel. 

// Hair & Makeup by Lindsey Regan Thorne of Be Pretty. //