Dobson, NC Engagement | Carol and Joe

I love it when my couples are one in the same. Carol and Joe are like two peas in a pod and their happiness is contagious! Carol and Joe plan to tie the knot later this upcoming fall at the beautiful and lustrous Cody Creek in Dobson, NC and I can not wait to see them say their "I do's!"  If their wedding is anything like their engagement session, it will surely be a sweet one. I love that this year I have had the chance to document weddings all across the state, especially weddings in western Carolina.

I am particularly fond of their session as it was shot purely on film, and it pulls at my heart strings with their cuteness. The best thing I could ever do for my couples is to make sure I give them intimate moments; gestures people normally don't notice, or genuine laughs that are never captured. It's the little things that people remember and hold close. I am glad to give that to them.

Cheers!

Film Scans by Richard Photo Labs

Urban Downtown Durham Engagement Session | Fullsteam Brewery

When your couple tells you that in their travels they make it so that they visit ALL of the breweries together and collect the cute beer mugs from each of them--then you kind of have to give them an awesome engagement session! Marina and Dustin are tieing the knot next October at the beautiful Mayton Inn in Cary, NC, which I think would be perfect for their personalities! Have you been to the hotel?! It's a beauty and has a charm that no other venue can resemble.

Most of our engagement session took place in various areas of downtown Durham, like the Durham Hotel, Alley 26, and even 21C Hotel. We timed our photography session perfectly as we headed to the parking lot that overlooks downtown Durham and the sun set just over the horizon--how lucky were we?!

The kicker? These images were shot on film and I about screamed once my images were developed; I was so happy and I know you will understand why in a few brief seconds. There is something so dreamy about film, the colors are just so true to life and just plain magical. It was amazing to see Marina and Dustin's personalities shine through with each and every image. I had to give them something unique and totally them; after all, their favorite band is Blink 182 and they are pretty much my dream couple right about now, so yeah, there's that.

All film images were processed by Richard Photo Labs.

Color Palette for Your Home

Ever since I was a young girl I have always had this infatuation with color. I remember being drawn to art and just basking in the plethora of color at my fingertips. I loved learning which colors meshed really well, along with what colors don't actually go that well together. I learned the rules, and then I would break the rules, and that would give me some really solid pieces of work, and sometimes not so much. Even in my photography, I am gravitated towards the color, the tones, and really strive to give a solid true to color portrait.

Color does some funny things, or, maybe our eyes do some funny things? As I get older and deeper into my profession I realize how much color plays a role in our day to day life, our businesses, and homes. What makes us gravitate toward a specific image or video? Is it the content? Or do certain colors grab us first? Jason and I are just now starting to decorate our home (newlyweds, hello), and I am adamant about a color scheme--things have to flow. This is what happens when you marry someone who is OCD. The best part about designing is coming up with a color palette; and to be honest, this is really fun to do with Jason, and it beats just sitting on the couch watching reruns on Netflix.

I am learning more and more things about us, one of those being that we love all things vintage. The color scheme that we are looking at is from the first photo shown below taken at the beautiful Kings Daughters Inn in Durham, NC. This was in their sun-room and the colors scream boldness and the tints and tones mesh so well, especially paired with a gorgeous bride in an ivory dress placed in the middle. It's an analogous match that uses both cold and warm colors, a "no-no" in color theory, but again who likes sticking with the rules?

What are your thoughts on the color palettes below and would this be something you would use to decorate your home or office with?