Kiesha and Justin’s Engagement Shoot

I just realized I had forgotten to post any pics from Kiesha and Justin’s engagement session on the 31st of July! Anyway, I had a really great time with this because the location and date were very special to me. July 31st was my 5 year wedding anniversary, and we ate at James at the Mill the evening of our wedding. By the way, I had a 10:30 a.m. wedding – not something I would recommend unless you are really a morning person! All you brides out there can do the math on how early the bridal party had to be at the salon (who opened early). Anyway, when Kiesha called and wanted to set up a portrait shoot for the 31st at the Mill, my husband and I decided to make a date out of it. We met at the restaurant early enough to have a nice dinner before Kiesha and Justin arrived, then strolled outside to do the portraits – it was really nice! We had not eaten there in five years, so it was really a treat. Kiesha and Justin are a very sweet couple and I look forward to covering their wedding on the 4th of September.

The Inn at the Mill is a great place for portraits. There are so many nice settings in a small space.

Often the best ideas for pictures come from the subjects themselves, and this cute imgae is no exception.

Kay and Joe’s Wedding

Kay and Joe were married on August 1st at the first Baptist Church in Prairie Grove, AR. The reception was at a Fare to Remember at Drake Field in Fayetteville. I am an army brat and really enjoy being around people in the military and their families,  so it was quite a treat for me to do this wedding. The family members involved were really friendly, and I was invited to sit down and eat supper with everyone! As a rule, I don’t eat the party food unless someone says its ok – after all, when they are counting guests, they are not counting me and I am there to work. On the other hand, I usually don’t take a whole lot of pictures while everyone is actually eating because I have an aversion to the typical party pics of people chewing or with a fork halfway to their mouths as these are very unflattering (and who would want them in their wedding album?). It’s better to wait a bit for that point where people switch from eating  to chatting again.

My typical Monday-after-the-wedding post did not happen, and for that I appologize! I had events Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and got a little behind on the blog updates. But here are a few sneak-peek images while I work on sorting through the pictures:

Usually I use the boquet as the background for the ring picture, but I really wanted bring out the military aspect of the wedding.

This was one of those quick candid shots I like to find at weddings. The wedding party had lined up, and the bride peeks out the dressing room door at the end of the hall to see if its her turn yet.

This was the "sand ceremony" something I had not seen at a wedding before. Each member of the soon-to-be-blended family pours in sand of a different color to make a unique pattern.

If there was any doubt as to who was the real princess up on stage, the flower girl started waving and blowing kisses during the ceremony. So cute!

A sweet little moment with the bride and her son during the portrait session.

Circle of Life Housewarming party

Whew! What a weekend this has been! I have been one busy photo-bee! Lots to catch up on now, lets start with the housewarming party for Circle of Life Hospice Thursday night. I volunteer my services for anything they want me to come take pictures of – mostly event coverage, with the occasional portrait work for families staying there (it’s hard taking those portraits, but it means so much to the families). The housewarming party was for the new wing they have added on with more beds and office space. It will be officially dedicated on August 21.

What a good looking group of volunteers! Volunteers are really important to making Circle of Life work as well as it does.

Look at that pile of housewarming gifts! The turnout was really good and people were excited to donate items that give the place a "homey" feel.

The new reading room. Family members are encoraged to make themselves at home. This reading room, the beautiful atrium lobby, and the kids playhouse all help with that.