I love an outdoor wedding and the powers that be have been with me this year as far as the weather goes. But, there is more to an outdoor wedding that makes for beautiful photography. Time of day is so important. Sometimes that is something I can advise couples on, and sometimes it is set before I can put in my two cents.

Whatever the case was with Jenna and Matt’s wedding, everything was perfect. The setting was spectacular, the weather was gorgeous, the time of day….perfect. They were married at Sundara which lends a particular meaning to this wedding. Matt’s grandfather was raised there as it was his old homeplace. It was important to them both to incorporate “the rocks” and the orchard into their portraits as they both had special significance to Matt, growing up here in Roanoke and spending time at his grandparent’s place which is right across the road.

But, beyond that, there were symbols everywhere of their lives lived thus far. Family heirlooms, special little things sometimes tucked away in the decoration.

Then there was the hookah tent! Jenna and Matt are world travelers and part of their travels have taken them to the Middle East where the hookah is an important and integral part of the social experience. It was a huge hit!

I don’t have my typical blog prepared for this wedding. I’m still trying to get the blog caught up, but weddings and albums come first. So, here is a little slideshow that I did which is kind of like a blog post.

To Jenna and Matt, may all your travels through life be safe and happy! Cheers!

What a beautiful weekend. I am amazed at how simply gorgeous it was, and to think it is not even peak yet! I passed by some Pumpkin Fest in Riner on my way to wedding #1 this weekend, and all I could think about was getting out of the car and running like mad through a corn maze, reveling in the feel and sound of corn stalk stubble crushing beneath my feet, the warm sun lighting up all of the colors just starting to peek out from summer greenery. Why can’t I be six again?

Another thought. Aren’t Pumpkin Fests and corn mazes kind of like a Charlie Brown Disney World? Doesn’t the Great Pumpkin live in one?

Wedding #2 was just as gorgeous a day. On the way, I passed by a horde of people crossing Rt 311 to start their hike up to McAfee Knob. I know that all of them were thinking how lucky they were to live in such a spectacular place. I can’t even imagine the views they were able to take in today.

I was lucky enough to have a few myself.

Here’s one of my many favorite images from this weekend.

Happy Fall everyone!

I first met Anna and Brad when I did their eSession at the Duck Pond and it turned out to be a beautiful fall day with bursts of color everywhere. You can have all the scenery you want, and the weather can be totally on your side. But, what makes for a beautiful portrait session is when you have couples so obviously in love that they really just become a part of the scene. It’s natural, and as uncomfortable as some may be in front of a camera for the first time, it all works out when it’s real. So, it really wasn’t surprising that their wedding day was no different. It was real, and these two are going to have an incredible life together with the support of a wonderful family and great friends everywhere.

The B&G are both graduates of VT School of Architecture so I thought this little ring proppage was a cool idea

Loved the groomswoman!

 This is one of my favorite real moment shots of the year. Just married!

 The first dance

This was something I’d never seen before and everyone had a great time with it. The bride and groom exchange one shoe. Then, the DJ asks a series of questions about things pertaining to the delegation of family duties and perhaps a few about personal habits that EVERYONE takes with them into a marriage. The couple is back to back and they answer the question by holding up the shoe of the person they think is going to fit the answer best. Let’s just say there was conflict and agreement!

One of the best parts of my job is getting to know families who live in my community. Of course, I take every opportunity to convince all of them to move here if they don’t live here. But, I didn’t have to with Lauren and Andrew as they were well on their way towards making Roanoke their home before I even got to them. When I look around, I see so many positive things going on in Roanoke, most of which depends on having young couples just like them make it their home. So, here’s to another coup for Roanoke. Lauren and Andrew, I look forward to many years of seeing you two live and grow together in our beautiful little city!

This is Jackson. Operations Supervisor and Chief Wedding Dog at the Inn at Riverbend. Of course ya gotta love him because he looks like my favorite dog in the whole world. Even the names are similar!

Here’s a few from an eSession I did a few weeks ago for a really fun couple that is getting married next year in Asheville. Don’t they look fantastic in sunflowers?

Ok, this one had me cracking up. I take only partial responsibility for the creative direction in this next series, Brian is responsible for the spontaneous deviation in shot #2.

Amanda and Brian, thanks for a fun evening of shooting. You make a fantastic couple and lots of good stuff ahead for you guys.

Word of Advice to Amanda: Make sure he washes his hands thoroughly and often.

Kids can be a rare invitee at many of today’s weddings, so when Kim and Brett got married it was kind of nice to have carte blanche to photograph kids. It wasn’t hard, cause they were everywhere and they were cute, cute, cute. I was forewarned that their two very own were going to be hard to resist, and were they ever. But it was nice to see all of the kids having a great time. All well behaved, taking their part in the day, and having a great time.

So, it was a family affair to be sure and celebration was the word. People came in from everywhere to join Kim and Brett in their beautiful service at Our Lady of Nazareth and a hopping reception downtown at Trio.

This little thing was a heart stealer…..to cute for words

…and her brother made a totally entertaining ring bearer

irresistable…

can’t get enough….

I love this one where Kim first gets a glimpse of her little man coming down the steps….

a nice little detail…..

the most patient grandfather I’ve ever seen….does he do Lifesaver commercials on the side??

 a litte stop over for some couple shots on the way to the reception

and the first dance..

and a second one….

and the guys from the nabe back home…

why do I feel like everyone is watching me???

of course Trio has a wine for every occasion…..

and one of my all time favorite reception dance shots…

much happiness always Kim and Brett. It was a blast!

Kemper

Gena and Matt live in Richmond but are getting married at the beautiful Rockwood Manor next April so we tripped out there for a little eSession a few weeks ago at about the same time of day they have their ceremony set for.

What a BEE-UUU-TEEE-FUL setting for a wedding at this gorgeous 130 year old historic mansion set in the rolling hills of Dublin, VA. This gem, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, not only has an accomodating interior, but has all kinds of little vignettes on the grounds that provide awesome backdrops for a wedding. Yum, yum.

So we had perfect weather, an awesome setting, and great conversation which always means you will have beautiful relaxed portraits for an eSession. Here’s a few. I let Gena pick them out which is something I don’t usually do. I have to say she did a great job, although I did throw in one of my faves.

See you guys in April! It’ll be a brand new world by then ;)

Kemper

I wish there were enough time to blog more these days, but with weddings and albums and seniors and eSessions and dogs….the summer has flown by. But I had to get a few of my favorites up from Jenni and Josh’s wedding. This was a couple who had one of the most beautiful eSessions I have ever done, right in the middle of a spectacular fall. We put together a gorgeous signing book for their wedding and it was a huge hit and certainly something they will cherish forever. Their wedding day was a little warmer than that!! But, we toughed it out and shot some fantastic images.

I have to say that the flowers and dress were beautiful, as was this gorgeous bride. But, one of my favorite parts of the wedding was Jenni’s dad’s uniform. Of course it was colorful and shiny, which immediately attracts me and forces me to become embarrassingly observant and curious. But, it really was more than that. Weddings are all about tradition, family, and love. They are about several relationships that are really just beginning, and they are about the relationships that are so familiar. So to me, that uniform, while a beautiful accoutrement that any bride would envy, was really a comforting symbol of the strength of family that Jenni probably remembers throughout her Life. And, I think if one were to observe this new family as the day unfolded, it would become abundantly clear that this uniform, while intimidating in presence, was all about love and acceptance. Josh, I think the coast is clear ;)

Jenni and Josh, here’s to a very bright future.. Much love and happiness to you both and to your wonderful families and thanks so much for letting me be a part of your special day!

Kemper

Living in Florida with friends and relatives spread out all over made Katie and Eric decide on a destination wedding somewhere in the middle to make it a little easier on everyone. So, when I got the inquiry from them about a wedding at Berry Hill, I was a little curious about this place way down in Southside. I’m not all that familiar with South Boston and Danville other than it was on the way to Buggs Island Lake where I used to go to visit my friends Pam and Stork for a little boating recreation in the summer. But from the web site, I was kind of digging those Federal style columns and deliciously expansive grounds. Yum, yum. So I was in.

I must say that when I arrived I was a little taken aback by how truly grand this old plantation home really is. The grounds are not only expansive, but speckled with remnants of old living quarters and closely guarded with undulating rock fences that meander over what seems like miles of gentle rolling hills. All of this greets you when you emerge from the tree lined promenade that serves as the entrance to this grand estate. The inside was stunning as well and I could have spend an entire day photographing the building a grounds alone.

But enough about the scenery for now. Katie and Eric, whom I had never met in person before, turned out to be the most fantastic couple to work with in every way. Photography was extremely important to them, and they did all the right things to make sure they captured every detail of their day. Everything went off without a hitch, and I had the most fun with this fantastic family who enthusiastically celebrated this very special day in a very special place.

A special thanks to John Thrift, Director of Catering and Special Events at Berry Hill, and all the wonderful staff who were a delight to work with as well. I can’t say enough about how well they treat strangers.

So here is the longest blog post in the history of this blog. Katie and Eric….thanks so much and Best Wishes for a wonderful Life together!

Kemper