Sean + Kristy's Romantic Enchanted Barn Wedding // 5.29.15

It felt fabulous getting back to The Enchanted Barn again. Sometimes I feel like part of the family there,  Loren and I had a discussion this time and he said "Do you ever get tired of shooting here"? and I said "No way! Every day is different, every wedding, every couple, it never gets old to me".  Which is the truth after 5+ years of working there I have never grew tired and now I know my way there without a GPS! 

Sean and Kristy's wedding was my first of the 2015 season, although it rained all day long, this couple still braved the weather for lots of photos, thankfully! Kristy was a stunning bride, her dress is already a favorite of mine this season and her smile made sunshine on a rainy day. I loved the colors and details of this wedding. I kept betting it would lighten up (it usually does) but I was wrong (around 8pm it finally did) but I am so glad we were able to do all photos beforehand. Their friends, wedding party and family were troopers too! Inside the barn is so cozy and intimate the rain never stopped the party. Even though rain is not ideal on a wedding day, I think there is something romantic about it raining at the barn while the bride and groom are saying their vows on the stage and you can hear the rain falling.  I am posting a longer than normal preview here because I miss blogging weddings and thankfully had a willing couple to hangout with me in the rain. 

Enjoy! 

Friday Frames // Show me the light

Well here we are, almost Memorial Weekend, let the  chaos commence up in here. I have been chatting with lots of brides about either their upcoming wedding or their upcoming engagement session and try to make it easy for them. I have done this hundreds of times but I know they haven't so it's important we have these talks. One big thing I talk about is light. While the couple is worried about location, I say "I will look for the best light".  Lighting is important for how your photos turn out, there will definitely be days where it's not sunny and perfect but that doesn't mean your photos won't be. It just means you won't get that warm sunny glow.  I always book sessions in the later afternoon/evening and steal away the couple after dinner to get a few glimpses of said light.  I have even shot a wedding in pouring rain and was ready to leave until the light appeared and I stayed 30 minutes longer to get the bride and groom in that yummy light.  So since wedding season is here (next week for me) and has already started for some I wanted to share some good lighting tips for your engagement photos or wedding day. 

#1 Get ready somewhere with a lot of natural light, think white or light walls, big windows, a clean open room. 

#2 If your having an outdoor wedding, think of where the light will be at the time of your ceremony. Will it be 4pm and your facing the sun so it's beating on your face? if so, turn around. Flip flop your ceremony so the sun is to your backs. 

#3 Schedule later afternoon/ evening photo sessions. That pretty light will be magical. 

#4 I know your dad/mom/grandma/ sister /friend found a perfect backdrop or thinks those flowers are really beautiful but follow your photographers instincts on where to shoot the photos if outdoors. 

#5 Look at the BIG picture. Wide open spaces are always gorgeous for lighting. 

#6 Make time for dusk photos in your day, not only is the light great but you can get away from everyone and smooch your groom.

#7 Reception photos- Turn off the crazy DJ lights and put up some cafe lights (not christmas lights) Your first dance will look dreamy. 

#8 You do not have to do family portraits inside the church, you can go outside they will be even better, promise. Church lighting is rarely good. 

#9 If the sun is low and strong, it takes time to get those great photos, so snuggle in and take your time while your photographer gets the light juuuuuust right.

#10 Most importantly, hire someone whose lighting/exposure you love and make sure it fits your day. If you hire me and say you love my natural light look but are getting married in a basement covered with dark wood panels, your ordering Mexican Food at a Chinese restaurant. 

Hopefully you can put some of these tips to use! Have a great weekend everyone!!

Friday Frames // Dear Moms

Dear Moms,

I never thought I wanted to be one of you. Your job is hard, messy and not at all glamorous. I was young, immature, way to cool for kids until I met my husband and got married, we wanted to start a family. I was so scared. What if we weren't "us" anymore?  Having my son Teag (like League) was this immeasurable experience. Everything that was once important stops cold.  Your priorities shift. You live life for a whole new reason, that little human. Becoming a mom made my life complete, whole, worthy. It's everything I ever wanted but never knew it. Then I got pregnant with my second son, Cooper, I was even more scared. "It won't be just the three of us anymore".  I laugh at my old self now. I am nothing if I am not a mom to these boys. I have never been so challenged, so pushed, so full of love. They make me remember how to be silly, how to be lazy, how to build forts and watch cartoons in bed until 10 am. Everyday is a new adventure, (tonights adventure was hot lava carpet and your only safe to stand on pillows! ) They make me the adult which was new to me. They need me 110% of the time, so "me time" has a whole new meaning. Being a mom has cut me down to size,  made me humble, worried, paranoid and even crazy at times.  Dear moms, how do we do it? How do we not do it?  I have had the pleasure to meet many many extraordinary moms in this job. I see the way the look at their children I think "I know exactly how she feels".  Every mother / son dance I let the tears roll, "that will be me someday" I think to myself. I think the best lesson I learned from being a mom is how to be Thankful. Thankful for every single sunrise. Thankful those boys wake up in the morning. Thankful they are healthy and can run and play and fight. Thankful they make piles of laundry and dishes. Thankful for all the toys, the whining and the hugs. Being a mom has taught me to be Thankful for every single day that I get to wake up to them. Everything else falls to the way side. That's a pretty big lesson I learned and It has changed the way I look at life.  Dear Moms, Thank you for allowing me into your club. You are all amazing. You are all glamorous. 

Dear boys, If I know what love is, it is because of you.