So normally this time of the year I’m all about sunflowers, but this year I got a hydrangea bush and I’ve never had one before. So, I’ve been pretty impressed by how long the blooms actually last on a hydrangea bush. It’s amazing that these big, huge beautiful flowers last weeks and in living color the whole time. My bush currently blooms from pink to lavender-blue, and I’m hoping the pH where I planted it is going to be able to keep the color same cause I think they are just about the perfect. Here’s one of the shot I liked most.

I’ve already booked one wedding for next year at The Patrick Henry Ballroom and after seeing the completed renovations today I’m pretty stoked about the potential this venue has for some stunning photography. Little vignettes for couple portraiture all within the building itself and beautiful details everywhere. The ballroom is the PERFECT color to lend atmosphere to any wedding or reception and will make everything glow. The architecture within is exceptional with palladium windows, crystal chandeliers, a gorgeous fireplace, and beautiful floors ready for the first dance. The bridal suite (at least that’s what I’m calling it) has gorgeous light and room for even the largest wedding party. And here’s the added bonus, it’s right downtown within a block or two of all the other shooting locations that make for a great backdrop on your wedding day. It is a key part of the continuing downtown Roanoke renaissance and it’s a job well done by people who care all the way around.

Here’s a few shots I snapped today. Of course, nothing is decked out quite yet and it still looks amazing.

What do you do when you’re in the middle of wedding season and it’s hot outside? You blog a wedding from cool and colorful October. This was a fantastic wedding and we are finalizing their album so I’m loving their images all over again. I’m missing 60 degree days, too!

Here was a beautiful wedding at Braeloch on a perfect day in late April. Everyone happy, everyone on time, great food, great band, and beautiful flowers. Best of all, the bride and groom are moving from Richmond to Roanoke because Roanoke is the best place of all to live!

Wedding season is upon us and it is HOT and heavy. Especially HOT!

Here are a few more from the Liz and Matt’s eSession back in cooler times.

So, I went to Fairystone State Park for a weekend of camping with friends and we went on this short tour looking for the rare mineral formations called staurolites that the park is named after. There are a few different kinds, the most famous taking on the form of a cross. I didn’t find any of those but I did find a few of the most common type and this was one of them. I still thought it was interesting so I plopped it up onto a moss covered root and took a shot of it with my 85 1.4.

After a bodacious storm the other night which crashed our little eSession party, the skies parted and a spring day commenced. This shot makes me happy when I look at it.

Update: I just found out that Duke is only being fostered. So if you’re in the market for a truly fantastic dog….this is your chance. $ 100 and he’s yours and he comes with a free portrait!

Oh man, I have a grandpuppy and he’s so cute I can’t hardly stand it! My daughter Ashley got him from the pound and he is living proof that pound pups are awesome doggies.

Ok, one more cause I can’t help myself..

Alex and Bryan are going to be married at Silver Hearth Lodge in June, but for their engagement session they had me come down to Elon University where they have lots of memories over the past several years. I love to travel to new places for eSessions and you really can’t beat a college campus for atmosphere and backdrops. There’s always an old building, nice grounds, and I’ve seen only a few that didn’t have a duck or a goose somewhere. Elon was beautiful and we had a great session. So now, the signing book is done and we’re just waiting for the big day. Here’s a few from their session. Some of their faves and some of mine.

I love The Signing Book and at Saturday’s wedding I was reminded several times why they’re so special.

Earlier in the day I had asked the groom what he thought of it as only the bride and her mom came by the studio to pick it up and take a first peek. His comment….. “It was way beyond what I expected”. I get that kind of comment a lot from my clients. They’ve seen my sample albums and signing books. They’ve looked at a proof of their own before it goes to press. But, to see a finished album or book and hold it in their hands is something special. They thumb through the pages and see a portrait of their life,  a “forever” piece that captures a very, very special time.

It made me think of wedding albums, too. I feel sorry for today’s couples who forego the album for a “disc of images and copyrights please”.  They miss the real “art” of their day, the final piece that keeps it fresh forever. Sometimes it amazes me that they will drive around in a $ 25,000 car that will be a bedraggled heap of rust in 50 years. But, the wedding album which would have been loved by them, their parents, their children and their children’s children, never was. It just doesn’t make sense. It’s such a small investment in comparison.

Anyhoo, back to the Signing Book. It was the end of the day and the bride and groom had been sent off by all their family and friends. I wandered back up to the reception venue and to the table where the signing book had been for the evening. I thumbed through it and, despite the fact that I knew it intimately, the last time I had seen it it hadn’t been loved yet, at least not thoroughly loved. As I went from page to page, I noticed it was completely full. Not just signatures with “Best Wishes”, but messages of love, affirmation, encouragement, remembrance and  reflection.

So, there it was. The flowers were stunning and made for a spectacular day. But, soon they were to be no more. The food was amazing and everyone raved about it as they enjoyed the evening, but now there were only empty plates, balled up napkins, and ice melting in the glasses. The band was awesome and everyone danced the night away. Now they were packing it up to head home as the party was over. Yet, over in the corner the Signing Book was still there, better than ever; filled with beautiful photos, memories, and words that will last forever. And in my bag with used up batteries, sweat soaked napkins, lens caps strewn galore, were the photos that will be crafted into the story of their day. The beautiful custom wedding album awaits the rest of their life.

So worth it :)

Kemper