Sarah Warden Photography: Blog

The Guidetti Family // In Home Photography Session

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 12:36:42 GMT

The Guidetti family was gifted a photo session by thoughtful grandparents who were also able to be in town on the day of the shoot. I think it's great to have grandparents around to help out with the kids and sneak into a few photos as well! I love capturing relationships with grandparents or other special family members as those memories are so important to me personally. Consider including a little time in your session for those people that mean so much to you and your kids!

At the time of our shoot their daughter, June, was learning to walk so we let her practice and explore a little, which was so fun to watch! I’m sure by now she’s walking all over the place!

This fun, casual, shoes-off kind of session was right up my alley! Enjoy some of my favorites below! :)

Family Photography in the Home

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 14:58:06 GMT

After adding a precious baby girl to their family, this beautiful couple chose to have updated family photos taken at their new home in Winston-Salem, NC. I've said it before and I'll say it again, family photos in your own home is one of my absolute favorites! I get so excited for the little ones to have photos of themselves and their family in their childhood home. It's crazy how quickly our memory fades, so having photographs of your home as a child is such a precious gift. I love looking back at photos my parents took of us as kids and seeing the family dynamic, remembering weird quirks about our house and even seeing childhood pets that are no longer around. I cherish the images that show off everyone's personality and the wild and free feeling of childhood. I try to capture all of that in a session, no matter where you choose to do it, but for me, home is just a little extra special.

Family Beach Vacation 2018

Sat, 30 Jun 2018 00:52:29 GMT

One of my favorite times of the year is going to Emerald Isle with my family. I usually start counting down the days about a month in advance and this year was no different! Before we left the forecast was showing thunder storms for EVERY SINGLE DAY we were going to be there, but somehow only one storm came through the entire week! Apart from a little stomach bug that spread through the house and the bird's nest in a vent outside that woke us up every morning, our time together was glorious! I took my film camera, a couple rolls of film and tried to be selective in my shooting so I could enjoy being with my family more than just taking pictures of my family. I think we were all in our happy place on the beach together and having a film camera in my hand added a little something extra special. These photographs fill me with joy and the process of shooting them was just as rewarding. I love these people and I love shooting film...but you probably already know that by now! Enjoy. :)

Our Trip to Oregon

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 01:01:12 GMT

My husband, Nate, recently flew out to Portland, Oregon on a work trip and I decided to tag along! We had never been to the West Coast and Nate had never flown commercially so this was an adventure for sure! Let's just say...we don't have a desire to be on another plane any time soon, but we did enjoy our time exploring a new city and taking a day trip to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time! I always try to document our trips with photos and this time I really wanted a challenge, so I only brought my film camera, a roll of black and white film...and my iPhone. This was an incredible way to set up boundaries and limitations to stretch my creativity. Doing so led me to me see my surroundings a little differently and appreciate each photograph a little more than having an infinite number of frames on a digital camera. My short exploration with film photography has allowed me to slow down, take in a scene and think twice before pressing the shutter. Here are some of the photographs from our trip and a list of places we enjoyed while in Oregon. :)

The view from our room. The white peak that's just barely visible in this first image is Mt. Hood.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Deschutes Brewery and Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Canon Beach...our favorite!

It was crazy to us, being from the East Coast, that as you drive beside the ocean you're also in the mountains!

If you're ever in the Portland, Oregon or Canon Beach area be sure to check out some of the places we discovered!

Deschutes Brewery

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Kiosko Coffee

Salt & Straw Ice Cream

Mothers Bistro

Sleepy Monk Coffee

Tillamook Cheese Factory

Newborn Photography // Baby Sophie

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 14:21:06 GMT

I'm still catching up on blog posts from sessions in 2017. So, here is the MacInnes family after they welcomed their new baby girl, Sophie, into the world! We decided to do an in-home newborn session to keep everything relaxed and easier on Mom and baby. Big sister, Addie, was very excited and still a bit curious about her new baby sister during our photo shoot. After a few portraits in their backyard, Addie got some excitement and energy out with a little bed-jumping, which is one of my absolute favorite things to photograph! Sophie wasn’t too happy about leaving Mom’s side that day, so most of our time was spent with the two of them together. This made for some sweet Mom & daughter photos which I hope will help them remember those exhausting, yet beautiful and quickly-vanishing newborn days! This Mama went through a lot with both of her little ones and has such a strong, encouraging testimony of God working through those difficult days. It was such an honor to photograph this sweet family and I'm excited to share a few of my favorite images from their session. One more thing…this Mama is also a home decor genius! Check out the cute "S" above Sophie's crib that she made out of artificial flowers!

Film Photography Workshop 2018

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:14:36 GMT

Ya'll, I am so excited about this post! I recently had an amazing opportunity to learn more about shooting film with Amanda Castle & Lauren Jolly. These two ladies are film photographers in the Winston-Salem area and were kind enough to share their knowledge with me through an all-day mentorship. Their passion for photography and specifically shooting film is contagious! I walked away with a desire to continue to learn, grow and find my niche.

We spent our morning at Liberty Arts Coffee House where they shared a generous amount of knowledge and graciously let me pick their brains on all things film. We then had lunch at Crafted, a yummy taco shop in downtown Winston-Salem. From there we braved the bitter cold for a few headshots and journeyed on to our photo shoot with the lovely Marla Lawson. Marla is a talented wedding and event planner/designer and was kindly volunteered her sweet family for our session. Amanda & Lauren walked me through shooting in various lighting situations and photographing fast moving kiddos on film. They patiently answered ALL of my questions and calmed my fears as I tried to implement everything I had learned earlier in the day.

I still have a long way to go with film, but I love the medium and want to continue learning as much as I can! I will still be shooting digital, for now, at all of my photo shoots, but am excited to see where this film journey takes me! Thank you so much again to Amanda Castle Photography & Lauren Jolly Photography for all your hard work in putting this together and pouring your hearts into my mentorship! If you haven't already checked them out, please do, they are amazing! :)

NC Family Photography // Shotwells

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 01:36:39 GMT

The Shotwell family is near and dear to my heart. I've known them for many years and have watched their kids grow into teenagers right in front of my eyes...which happens to make me feel just a little bit old! For their documentary photo session this past Fall, I photographed them enjoying some of their favorite family activities like playing games at Camel City BBQ and watching TV together on their big comfy couch at home with their pups. We also ventured out in the rain for a few minutes and I was able to capture a few fun portraits! These types of sessions are the best, ya'll – exactly what I want to be doing long-term! Check out the highlights below and lets connect if you would enjoy photos like these of your own!

Turner & Sarah's Wedding Day // Highland Presbyterian and Tanglewood Park

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 21:57:02 GMT

It happens every year. January rolls around, photo sessions slowly fade and winter starts to rear its cold, ugly head. I begin to have more time to work on the business of photography and realize once again that I have not kept up with this blog very well. I don't think it's a secret anymore that I am a TERRIBLE blogger. This is just me being honest and real. However, I do want to share some of the fun adventures I had and the amazing people I worked with in 2017 as they deserve a little shout out. So, I'm on a mission to update this blog over the next 2 months. Stay tuned to see how it goes! :)

Up first is Turner and Sarah's beautiful wedding at Highland Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, NC & reception at The Tanglewood Manor House in Clemmons, NC. Every little detail was just perfect and Sarah had a huge part in the beauty of the day, like creating the stunning bouquets! Turner and Sarah's adorable Labrador Retriever hung out with us that morning as Sarah and her girls got ready, and of course I wanted to take him home with me. Following their sweet ceremony, was their reception at The Manor House, topped off with a ribbon exit and vintage car. This couple made my day easy and enjoyable and were definitely a highlight from 2017.

Vendors that made the day so special:

Katherine Mann Wedding & Event Planning

The Manor House B&B

Highland Presbyterian Church

Katy Abbott of Katy's Cakery

Live Reception Music from Mike Bustin

Peppermoon Catering

Flowers provided by Bloominous

Tents, Chairs, Linens & Tables provided by Hauser Rental

Family Vacation Photography in Virginia

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 00:49:35 GMT

Sunshine, water, boat rides, water skiing and tubing with the ones you love...who could ask for more? Ya'll, I had THE BEST time with the Ledford's and Maye's this summer! I spent a day with them at their lake house in Virginia and had the privilege of documenting their fun time together! I even went for a little tube ride myself and although it was lots of fun, I will admit that I may have also been screaming the entire time. Here are some of my favorite moments from the day! :)

Emerald Isle Beach Trip on Film

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 00:46:17 GMT

How do I begin to describe how much I love the photos below? To be honest, it has taken me about a week to write this because I wanted everything to be perfect. I wanted my words to reflect just how much these photographs mean to me, but I found that putting my emotions into words is a much more difficult task than expected. I was at a place I love, with people I love, documenting our time together on a medium I love. As my sister-in-law's Dad would say, "It doesn't get much better than this." There's a nostalgic feeling that washes over me when I look at these photographs. Growing up, we would visit my grandparents' beach house every year around my birthday. This was until the tragic Hurricane Fran swept it all away. Buried in my parents' albums are photographs of those family trips that I cherish dearly. They bring back the faint memories I have of our time together at Topsail Island. I wish I could bring all of those summer days back, relive them and soak everything up; but the photos, stories, and young little Sarah-memories are all I have left. I've recently been searching through those albums to find a photograph of my Granddaddy and me when I was little, but have yet to find one. Archiving moments through photographs is a weighty, yet rewarding task. I want to be sure that all the little ones around now not only know they are greatly loved, but have photographs to prove it! And so I will continue to document our days.

Winston-Salem, NC Newborn Photographer // Baby Eliza

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 01:04:47 GMT

Meeting this family and observing a proud new Mom and Dad swoon over their precious baby girl was such a sweet joy to my heart. We spent our time inside their home in Lewisville, NC where Rachelle and Ethan have decorated their home beautifully! Eliza's nursery features some adorable calligraphy by Rachelle herself! She does beautiful work, you can check out her Facebook page here or her Instagram page here!

I love shooting in-home sessions as they tell your unique story so well! Everything is personalized and meaningful to you and your family. There is flexibility and comfort with a session in your home as we can easily take breaks and there's no added stress of forgetting anything, or needing to find a restroom or grab a quick snack to refuel.

So the next time you're deciding where to have your family photos taken, consider your home, it may just be the perfect location.

Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer // John & Hannah-Marie

Fri, 17 Mar 2017 16:56:46 GMT

John and Hannah-Marie were such a joy to work with this past year. They have such a kind and giving spirit and I felt nothing but welcome when around them. Their beautiful rehearsal dinner was at the Graylyn Estate and they were married at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, NC. Before their ceremony we had a chance to take some portraits outside around their venue and even take a fun little pitstop by the play ground. I always love personal touches at weddings and one of my favorites from their day was their cake toppers...handmade wooden Jenga pieces by John's father. John & Hannah-Marie both drew a picture of each other on a Jenga piece, and that became their bride and groom cake toppers! There were so many sweet memories made that day, but here are a few of my favorite moments...enjoy!

Documentary Family Photographer // Clemmons, NC

Fri, 17 Feb 2017 22:08:50 GMT

Storytelling is a vital part of our lives and our history. Where would we be without all of the stories passed down from generation to generation? As a photographer, I want to tell your story and I want to share in your story, if only for a moment. I want to capture a piece of your life, and help you remember...the smell of your Grandma's cookies fresh out of the oven, the sound of your Mother's laugh, the playfulness of your childhood puppy, or the bond between your children. Your life is precious and deserves to be photographed, remembered and shared. Here is a peak into one family's life on a cloudy January day at their new home in Clemmons, NC.

You may remember these 3 lovely ladies from a shoot we did together a couple years ago, you can revisit those photos here!

Medaloni Cellars Photography in Lewisville, NC // Surprise Birthday Party

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 01:26:31 GMT

It's hard to beat a surprise 50th Birthday Party at Medaloni Cellars and dinner from Camel City Grill with your favorite people by your side. Dari pulled all of that off for her husband, Jon, over the summer and even thought to include Star Wars props for pictures with friends! As if the party wasn't awesome enough, a little cake smashing craziness rolled out before I left and that always makes a party fun!

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Graylyn Estate Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 01:14:43 GMT

Graylyn Estate is one of those places you dream about, that you see in fairytales and wish would come true for you. John and Hannah-Marie are that sweet couple in the story you can’t help but love from the very start! Seriously though, this rehearsal dinner was magical! This couple is the sweetest and their kindness overflows to everyone around them. To top it all off, Hannah-Marie handmade her beautiful flowy skirt, that perfectly compliments this Graylyn-style fairytale! Stay tuned for photos from John & Hannah-Marie's wedding, coming soon.

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Advance, NC Wedding // Danny & Susanna

Mon, 16 Jan 2017 00:44:32 GMT

Danny & Susanna were married on a bright and beautiful August day at Susanna's parent's home in Advance, NC. It was such a wonderful wedding day with lots of loved ones around and was extra special being at such a cozy and inviting home! Their engagement photos were taken around her parent's home too, you can take a look back at those here, and Susanna's bridal portraits were taken here as well. Everything about their wedding day was so unique to them and all the little personal touches made it that much more special!

NC Family Photographer // The Plunketts

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 01:00:00 GMT

The short amount of time I got to spend with the Plunkett family was so much fun! Their two little ones are precious and full of life...and lots of energy! I definitely got a workout trying to keep up with those two! It was so worth it though to capture those sweet little smiles, curly hair, and snuggles with Mom and Dad.

*Side Note* July in North Carolina is not just hot, but very very humid, and this evening was no exception! I was so incredibly tempted to jump right on in their pool by the end of the shoot!

NC Lifestyle Child Photographer

Sunrise Engagement Shoot in Advance, NC // Danny & Susanna

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 00:19:04 GMT

Danny and Susanna are such a great couple and we had so much fun at our photo shoot around Susanna's parents' home in Advance, NC. Our first stop was the Marchmont Airpark down the street from the house, which had the most amazing view! Susanna had the brilliant idea to take these photos at sunrise, and while we may have been out there shooting before most people's alarm went off, it was well worth it! It was a beautiful morning, with a light fog down in the valley where the sun rose at the end of the runway...we're talking a "romantic movie, perfect sunrise" here people! :) Susanna showed off her mad skills on her unicycle, and I'm not sure what image you get in your mind when you think of a uni-cycler, but she made it about as feminine and classy as you can get! We then went back to the house for a few photos on the front porch with their sweet chihuahua pup and called it a day. Two sweet people in love, a beautiful sunrise, a unicycle, and a cute pooch...now that's one great morning! Excited for August, when we'll be back at the house for a sweet, intimate wedding! :)

Salisbury, NC Engagement Shoot // Nathan and Sarah

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 01:00:00 GMT

Nathan and Sarah's engagement photos were taken in downtown Salisbury and just down the road at Hurley Park. They met and started their relationship while working at the Salisbury Post, and wanted to incorporate that into these photographs. We had lots of fun walking around and celebrating their engagement, while reminiscing a little on the way too! Nathan & Sarah are incredibly sweet and I'm excited for their wedding this Fall!

*Thank you guys for introducing me to Salisbury, there are so many neat places around...who knew?! I'm for sure putting it on my list of places to go back and visit! :)

In Home Family Photography // The Huffmans

Mon, 13 Jun 2016 23:14:34 GMT

I spent half a day with the Huffman family documenting their morning together, and absolutely loved my time with them! Nicole and Zack have three beautiful children, Caroline, Roman, and Nora. Throughout our morning I kept finding out all of these neat facts about the Huffmans, like how they have pet bunny rabbits they put on a leash and walk around, or how Caroline helped make the homemade jam they were eating at breakfast...this family is awesome, ya'll! I hope these photographs display just a little of the love, fun, and personality in this family. It was such a pleasure getting to know them and documenting their morning; I could have happily stayed the entire day! I hope you enjoy this little peak into the Huffman's life!

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Family Photo Session at Dunkin Donuts // Clemmons, NC

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 12:31:25 GMT

The Chaput family was kind enough to invite me along to photograph one of their typical Saturday morning visits to Dunkin Donuts in Clemmons, NC. This is a special activity they do quite often together and I'm glad to have been able to document this fun tradition for them. Even though I only spent a short amount of time with them, it's obvious that this is one tight family!

Now, all that's left for you to do is go grab a donut and a cup of coffee and enjoy a few photographs of this sweet family!

NC Family Photographer: The Walkers and Spencers

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 12:00:00 GMT

This family is so much fun and full of life! I know Josh and Candace from second shooting with them for their Wedding Photography business, Lotus Creative Studios. They just had their sweet new baby boy, Odin, and he is absolutely precious! We met up at Candace's parent's gorgeous home in Yadkinville, NC and spent the afternoon baking cookies and playing games. I'll have to say it was pretty epic watching these guys battle it out.

Enjoy a peak into their fun afternoon together!

NC Family Photography: The Skinners

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 01:03:41 GMT

The Skinner family was kind enough to welcome me into their home a few weeks ago to document their children's bedtime routine. They have three adorable kids who are all almost three years old! (Yes, they're triplets!) They were all so wonderful to be around and immediately made me feel welcome and comfortable in their beautiful home. I hoped to capture a small part of their daily life that seems so normal, so mundane, and create beautiful and honest photographs to remind these sweet parents of all their hard work and all the precious moments that happen during this one hour every evening. Real life is beautiful and it is worth documenting!

Family Photography in Bethania, NC

Fri, 19 Feb 2016 00:57:13 GMT

Fall and the setting sun are a wonderful combination, but add in two cute kids and it's really hard to beat! Our snow day this week got me looking back at sessions from 2015, and I realized I never posted more than just a few photos from this one. Allison wanted a cute Fall session of her kids, and of course I was all in! We decided to keep it pretty low-stress and just let the kids have fun around their house. We played in the leaves in their yard and walked down the road to a neighbor's little farm. I can't leave out the amazing Mimi who came along to wrangle the kiddos, hold hands, tend to boo boos and mend hurt feelings. All around it was a pretty awesome time, check out the proof below!

The Stockroom at 230 Wedding in Raleigh, NC // Kavin & Jessica

Wed, 20 Jan 2016 02:00:00 GMT

I know Kavin from college (go wolfpack!) and I was so excited to hear from him after several years, and even more excited to hear he was getting married and that he and Jessica wanted me to photograph their wedding! It was such an honor to document their gorgeous wedding day. Everything from the venue at The Stockroom in Raleigh, plus the girls getting ready in The Glass Box (which is a big open room with floor to ceiling windows & an incredible view of the city-what!?), to the dress and shoes, and all the special details for the ceremony and reception, including a Thai Water Pouring Ceremony, and a crazy-awesome dance party, delicious food, and wonderful company! Kavin and Jessica were surrounded by loved ones on their wedding day and it was such a joy to see everyone's love and support poured out on them from beginning to end.

*Thank you guys so much for letting Nate and I shoot your wedding and be a part of this special time in your life! You two are wonderful!*

And to all the other vendors that helped make this day amazing:

Venue: The Stockroom at 230

Event Coordination/decor: Sarah Morris for ThemeWorks

Caterer: Donovan's Dish

Cake & Baked Goods: Edible Art

Florist: Every Bloomin Thing

DJ: DJ Rang

Rentals: CE Rentals

Documentary Family Photo Shoot with the Randells

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 01:55:11 GMT

Each year of our lives is different and I love being able to preserve special memories for families through photographs.

I had the joy of photographing this sweet family about a month ago while they decorated their Christmas tree and hung out together in their home. For them, this was the year of plastic ornaments, and eventually, a top-half decorated and bottom-half empty Christmas tree...because what little one can resist all those shiny, sparkly, ornaments and lights? Thank you, Randell family, for welcoming me into your home to capture precious moments between each of you; you are all such a blessing!

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory." -Dr. Seuss

Miller Park Photo Shoot with Miles in Winston-Salem, NC

Mon, 04 Jan 2016 18:23:12 GMT

Now that I've finally caught up on all my editing for a little while (yay!), it's time to start blogging some of the wonderful photo sessions I've had over the past couple of months. This one was super fun with little Miles at Miller Park. He turned three this Fall and we celebrated with some photos! His pup, Ruby, joined in some of the fun too, and we all had a blast playing in the leaves and exploring the park together!

Kids Photo Shoot at Miller Park in Winston Salem

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 03:50:52 GMT

I had so much fun photographing these two sweet kids at Miller Park a few weeks ago! Kaleb was celebrating his 6th Birthday and his sister was happy to be right there with him for the photo shoot! Our time together included everything from running around the park, playing in the leaves, writing with sticks in the dirt, and singing silly songs. I'd call that a pretty good afternoon! Happy Birthday, Kaleb!

Chad & Sydney's Wedding at Preston Woodall House in Benson, NC

Fri, 06 Nov 2015 16:19:04 GMT

My husband and I had the opportunity to photograph Chad & Sydney's engagement photos in the spring, which you can see here. We were then honored to shoot their wedding at the gorgeous Preston Woodall House in October. This beautiful venue is tucked away in Benson, NC and is filled with unique furniture, wallpaper, and various other historic decorations. It was the perfect place for this sweet couple to be married, and the rain even held off for them to keep the ceremony outside! Sydney wore her mother's wedding dress and looked absolutely stunning, her brother walked her down the aisle to her beaming groom, the reception was filled with great music, food, laughter, hugs, and many hilarious stories about the couple...it was a pretty great day! We are so glad to have been a part of Chad & Sydney's wedding day, and hope you all enjoy the short photo story below!

Awesome vendors that helped everything go so smoothly and look and sound amazing:

Venue: Preston Woodall House

Director: Joel Hurley

DJ: 1st Choice

Band: The Floorboards

Florist: Linda Wallace at Garner Florist

Baker: Edible Art

Catering: Preston Woodall House

Michelle's Bridal Portraits at Hagan Stone Park

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 18:34:18 GMT

I met Michelle and her then-fiance, Stephen, back at the beginning of the year to chat about wedding photography. It was such a pleasure meeting them both and learning about their sweet story. I'm excited to share their wedding photos, but first, Michelle and I met up at Hagan Stone Park in the Greensboro area for her Bridal Portraits and that's what I'd like to finally show! It was hard for me not to share some of these photos with you all before her wedding day, so I'm excited to do so now! Michelle is such a beautiful woman with a truly sweet and tender heart. I hope these photos do her justice.

*Thank you, Michelle, for allowing me into your life and wedding day, to capture all the exciting moments that occurred.*

Lee & Erin's Engagement Photos at Tanglewood Park

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 15:06:48 GMT

Lee and Erin are such a sweet couple and we are blessed to call them friends. We've known Lee for several years now through our church. He has been in medical school, with a crazy schedule, since we first met him. We are so glad that God brought Erin along, who is also in the medical field, to walk through life with Lee. They are one incredibly intelligent, caring couple and we are grateful to have them in our lives. They were kind enough to allow Nate and I to take their engagement photos, and we had a great time together at Tanglewood Park one evening this summer. These two needed little to no instruction...they were just themselves and it was perfect! *Congratulations on your marriage, Lee & Erin, we wish you all the best!

Sarah's Bridal Portraits at Tanglewood Park

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 15:50:32 GMT

I had the pleasure of photographing this lovely lady's bridal portraits at Tanglewood Park back in July. It was a pretty hot afternoon, but she was a trooper in that gorgeous fluffy lace dress! There were beautiful flowers in the gardens and amazing golden light that were a perfect backdrop for her. She brought a close friend with her to the shoot who graciously held bags and flowers and blankets and things, and more importantly, brought out a smile in Sarah during the shoot as we walked around in the gardens. Thank you, Sarah, for allowing me to capture this exciting time in your life!

(I'll be posting some photos from her wedding soon, so be on the look out for those as well!)

Pinnacle, NC Engagement Photos, Chad & Sydney

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 19:43:27 GMT

Chad & Sydney are a beautiful couple who have been together for several years now. They have experienced lots of joy and pain in life side by side. I was truly honored when Sydney asked me to take their engagement photos and knew it would be a special session for them when she told me she wanted them taken on her Dad's land. It ended up being a gorgeous evening, at a perfect and meaningful location, with two great people. Chad & Sydney opened up to Nate and I and shared fun memories and lots of laughter with us. Thank you guys so much for sharing a bit of your life with us and allowing us to capture your love for one another and fun personalities through photographs! Excited for your wedding in a few months!

Enjoy :)

Lewisville, NC Family Photographer-Brandon Girls

Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:00:00 GMT

As I continue to catch up on blog posts of photo shoots I've had over the past few months, I wanted to share this one of a Mom and her two daughters. The entire shoot was constant smiles and fun. Her youngest daughter is a jokester, continually cracking the group up and making things even more fun and goofy! These ladies so thoroughly enjoy spending time with one another, and are the best of friends. It is so sweet to watch them interact and now being able to look back at these photographs brings me great joy! They truly have a special bond and it is a pleasure knowing them all. I hope you enjoy the photos of our little outing together at the Lewisville Coffee Mill and Jack Warren Park. Thank you to all three beautiful ladies for just being so darn awesome!

Winston-Salem, NC Wedding-Steven & Heather

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:19:23 GMT

Wow, so I'm a little behind on blog posts right now. I'm going to try to catch up, but life has been pretty busy lately. I've decided I will just share some of my favorites from shoots I've had over the past few months.

This one is Steven & Heather's lovely wedding in the Winston-Salem area. They were so fun to work with and so sweet around each other. I loved being a part of their day and celebrating with them along with their friends and family. It was a sunny, yet VERY chilly wedding day and we braved the cold for some beautiful portraits outside. There was only one tree blooming at the time and we made the best of it for a few photos. Steven and Heather, thank you for letting me take part in your day by documenting it through photographs! It was a pleasure. :)

Ryan & Jennifer's Stoneville, NC Wedding

Thu, 12 Feb 2015 20:53:20 GMT

I had the pleasure of photographing my first wedding of 2015 in Stoneville, NC with a sweet couple, a beautiful January day, and police...parking cars! :)
Jennifer is my sister-in-law's cousin, so I've kinda known her for a long time, but only met Ryan at our pre-wedding meeting a while back. They told me about how they met through teaching, the cute football-themed proposal story and I was hooked! Jennifer wanted to use the original Stoneville 1st Baptist church building to be married in, complete with hard-wood floors and beautiful natural light, needless to say, I was thrilled! She also chose to honor my sister-in-law's mother (a beautiful, courageous, godly woman) by wearing her veil.
It was a joy to document their wedding day and be a part of the celebration with their family and friends. I hope you enjoy this short story of their day through photographs.

Of course another thank-you to my incredibly helpful and encouraging husband for assisting and second shooting.

Melissa & Thomas' Maternity Photos in Rural Hall, NC

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 20:43:19 GMT

First photo session of 2015 was spent with my friends Thomas & Melissa, excitedly awaiting the arrival of their sweet baby Adalyn. Of course their tiny little pup, Wrigley, made it into a few shots as well...he's too cute! Since it's January, and getting quite cold out, we had decided early on to do most of the photos in their home. I loved doing this; it made everything feel a bit more personal. We also took a quick visit to Old Salem for a few shots under the Moravian Star-filled bridge. Thankfully, other than a little rain, the weather was really nice for January.

Such an exciting time for these two, and I'm ready to celebrate with them as Adalyn makes her debut in a couple of months!

Winston-Salem Maternity Photographer Baby BumpRural Hall Maternity Photos Rural Hall, NC Family Photographer

Documentary/Lifestyle Photography: My Vision

Thu, 01 Jan 2015 19:42:10 GMT

doc·u·men·ta·ry (adj.)

Using pictures or interviews with people involved in real events to provide a factual record or report

life·style (noun)

The way in which a person or group lives

Through photography I strive to serve people by documenting real life, real moments, and real memories. The photographs I make tell your unique story at this specific time in life that can be shared and passed on to future generations to enjoy. I want to bring out real emotion and personality between you and your family members by just letting you be you. No posing or matching outfits, no stressing over little Johnny not smiling for the camera. You worry about loving and interacting with your family, and I’ll take care of the rest. Your life is beautiful, and it’s worth documenting...even if it’s messy sometimes!

Some ideas to let me capture your family’s true character and interaction can include:

a normal day at home with all of your normal daily routines, fun family traditions, vacations, birthday parties, a trip to the zoo, a snow day, baking cookies, or playing games together. But remember, it’s really not about what you’re doing together, it’s just simply that you’re together.

To see my documentary session portfolio click here.

Morse Family Dinner, a Documentary

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 15:54:57 GMT

This is the Morse Family. You may recognize a few from this group from some photos I took over the summer (you can see them here). This big family came from all over the country to spend Thanksgiving week together at Todd & Lisa's home in Pinnacle, which just happens to be a beautiful Bed & Breakfast. The family decided to have me document their time together over a special spaghetti dinner, instead of the traditional Thanksgiving feast. This recipe is a famous family favorite, so of course I was thrilled to be able to photograph the preparation and enjoyment of this yummy meal with wonderful company.

Morgan Kids Photos in Pfafftown, NC

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 15:06:58 GMT

Meet Max (the horse), Josie, Ella, and Mason. We all got together at Cross Creek Equestrian Center to take some Christmas photos and celebrate the fun of owning their new horse! Max is one of the most calm and laid back horses I've ever met, and he fits wonderfully with these 3 sweet kids! A couple years ago I took photos of Josie with one of her favorite horses, and had such a fun time! It was crazy to see how much Josie has grown since that photo shoot. It seems she has also shared her love for horses with her siblings!

Here are a few shots from our little outing together! :)

Fragile Film

Thu, 04 Dec 2014 20:50:13 GMT

I love film, but unfortunately it's more of a luxury these days. It's also quite fragile and testy. Let me just tell you a little story...

So there I was, anxiously rewinding the film in my little toy camera. My heart was fluttering with excitement as I was finally going to get this film developed. Well, my little anxious heart got ahead of my little flustered brain and I ended up ruining the film as I opened up the back of the camera only to find the film staring right back at me. Boom! Light doesn't waste time. Those babies were gone. I was devastated. Yes, I could have tried to close it back and try again, perhaps salvaging some of the exposures...but that's just too simple folks. I just watched it all go sour in front of me as I rolled it up in the light. Don't ask me what I was thinking...I clearly was not. I suppose I was just so incredibly perturbed that I didn't even want to try saving anything and didn't think of it in my moment of horror.

...learning from my mistakes and moving forward...

Thankfully, I had another roll of film ready to go in my AE1. I was, of course, determined not to let these darling little photos go and die on me. I put on my renewed mind and went to work. Miraculously, the film rolled up quite nicely, so I sent her off to be developed that evening...ahhh, I could breathe again.

So there ya have it folks...
Film: Sensitive and fragile, but with a little care she produces brilliance.

As for now, I'll leave you with some of the shots from the AE1. (Most of them from almost a year ago).

Leeza's High School Senior Portraits at Tanglewood Park

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 19:45:45 GMT

As soon as I met Leeza, I knew we were going to have a great photo shoot! She walked over with a huge glowing smile and was so friendly! I had a blast photographing her and learning a little about her at the same time. This girl is going to do great things in the future! Oh, and not to mention, she wants to go to NC State, so that automatically gives her like 10 awesome points. :)

Leeza- Hope the rest of your Senior year is better than expected and a pre-congratulations on graduating!

Adams Family Photos at Tanger Bicentennial Gardens in Greensboro, NC

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:23:39 GMT

My husband and I had the opportunity to spend a morning with this lovely family at the Bicentennial Gardens in Greensboro a few weeks back. They were all so full of fun, and the kids, of course, full of energy! I loved being able to document their family at this unique time in their lives. They remind me of my family a little actually...lots of fun and lots of love! :) I'm so grateful to have a job that allows me to serve an entire family by documenting their lives through photographs that they can keep and cherish and share for generations to come...so neat!

Horizons Park Styled Photo Shoot

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 14:44:34 GMT

The Winston Photo Group that I am involved with met up to hang out and practice posing and shooting a little at Horizons Park. Our lovely models were super awesome and braved it out in the crispy cold fall weather! Here are a few of my favorites from our outing.

Callahan Documentary Family Photos: Corn Maze at Clodbuster Farms

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 21:17:40 GMT

Well folks, here you have it, another documentary family session. This time, an hour shoot of my other brother's family on their adventure through Clodbuster Farm's Corn Maze. Chasing around two boys on a hot afternoon through a corn field was definitely a test on my photography skills and my physical fitness skills! After a few slight cheats cutting out our own path to the finish line, several stops to throw corn and find weird bugs, we somehow made our way out of that maze!

So here's a little peak into the fun.

Randle Family Photos at Old Salem

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:14:23 GMT

The Randles have been in my life for a few years now and I am so grateful for that! We met at our Sunday morning worship service, and I also had the pleasure of babysitting their son, Rhodes, for almost a year. I have had the opportunity and joy of taking photos of their family several times as well. Let me just tell you, this is one sweet family! Kindness, love, and grace are stamped all over them, and I will miss them greatly when they move next year. :/

For now, here are some shots of our lovely Fall outing at Old Salem…enjoy.

Welborn Family Photos at Tanglewood Park

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 14:16:25 GMT

This family is full of fun and character for sure! I knew Chasity and Reggie when I was in Middle and High School…they somehow put up with me as I went through those embarrassing, awkward years. Seeing their family now, as I had previously only met their 2 oldest sons, was such a pleasure! I loved spending a little time with them and photographing the older boys doing one of their favorite things-fishing! We also spent some time running around the playground, which was an added bonus! Hope you enjoy the photographs of this lovely family of 8. :)

A Day with the Hatfields, A Documentary

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 22:46:12 GMT

I promised more on documentary family photography, and here ya go! I spent almost an entire day with Josh and Allison and their two precious children. This family is also very special to me, as Allison is my sister. So, I may be a little biased on how cute I think her kiddos are, but let's be real…they're pretty stinkin cute! :) This was such a great opportunity for me to spend the day with Allison and the kids, as Josh went off to work as he normally would on any given week day. I carried my camera around with me all day, not taking photos every single second, but as I was just being a part of their day I would set my camera down on occasion to play with Emma Grace or talk to Allison in that 15 minute (if that) time span both of her kids were sleeping. I wanted to capture their family at this very unique and specific place in life, because, not to be a Debbie-downer, but there won't be "this exact place in life" for very long. Oh and did I mention that they moved into a different house just a few weeks after this photo shoot? These are some of the last photos they'll have of being in their first home together. These photos will tell a story, show emotion and bring out personality that wouldn't normally come from a typical posed family photo shoot. Again, I'm not trying to push people away from those shoots, but I want to show how special it is to just be in your own home on a normal day. If not in your own home, then maybe a special event that your family is going to attend together where I can capture real moments between real people…that would be wonderful too.

Even more on this later…for now I'll stop my talking and you can start enjoying the photographs :)

Rosa Lee Manor Wedding: Jason & Bekah

Mon, 13 Oct 2014 20:06:48 GMT

Jason and Bekah had such a sweet wedding day at the beautiful Rosa Lee Manor near Pilot Mountain. The wedding party rocked Chuck Taylors, the girls in purple and the guys in black… it was a wonderful thing! The weather was perfect, and we even got to shoot a little when the sun was going down creating a nice golden glow. Thank you guys for allowing me to capture your day through photographs; it was a pleasure!
And thanks to my awesome husband for 2nd shooting :)

Documentary Family Photography: The Callahans

Wed, 08 Oct 2014 15:18:34 GMT

It's been a while since I've blogged anything and I think this is the perfect post to get me back into the swing of things. I have recently been enthralled by the idea of documenting a family's day-to-day life. The idea of telling a story of exactly where you are in life with your family is so sweet to me. To be able to capture your family in your own home, just being yourself, not worrying about posing for the camera, looking perfect or having your kids behave perfectly-that's what draws me in to this style of photography. It frees your family up to be completely who you are and frees me up to just capture the true emotion, character, love, laughter, and interaction that will naturally unfold between everyone. That is beautiful. It's not that I don't want to do posed family photos anymore, or think they aren't worth your time, it's just a new idea to offer. I will go into more detail on this whole idea later, so stayed tuned for more on these documentary-style photo sessions.

This family is actually part of my family and are very precious to me. I spent half the day photographing a normal rainy day with the Callahans and loved every minute of it.

Here is their short story.

Brock & Michelle's Wedding in Winston-Salem, NC

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 23:37:53 GMT

Brock and Michelle…what can I say? It has been a true joy being friends with these two and watching their relationship grow and move towards marriage. To be able to photograph their engagement and wedding was an added bonus! Nate and I had a wonderful time photographing them, their friends, and their family on their wedding day! They were married at Olivet Moravian Church and had their reception at New Hope Presbyterian. Michelle (and her dress) was absolutely gorgeous, and all the deep purple details of the day were just lovely! I won't claim to be a great writer, and I can't explain well in words everything about their special day, so I'll encourage you to simply go enjoy the photographs below to see how everything unfolded! It was beautiful. :)

2nd Shooter/Assistant: Nate Warden, my sweet hubby

Videography: Alexandra Plitt Productions and Photography

Makeup and Hair for the bride: Abigail Plitt of "Makeup by Abby"

Williams Family Photos in Pilot Mountain, NC

Tue, 15 Jul 2014 13:11:16 GMT

My husband and I met up with the Williams family at their lovely home in the Pinnacle/Pilot Mountain area a couple weeks ago. We've had the pleasure of knowing this family for several years now, and of course only a little time knowing the precious addition to their family, Abrielle. (How pretty is that name, by the way!?) After a fun little photo shoot in their front yard, including lots of grass and leaf eating, and a re-make of Mike's childhood photo on a furry blanket (that picture your Mom pulls out when you're a teenager, oh yea!), Mike and Cora were kind enough to invite us into their home for dinner and homemade ice cream! :) We also had a surprise visit from Cora's brother after we watched him valiantly herd some cattle (I guess that's the correct terminology lol). Their parents own a beautiful Bed and Breakfast and farm, right across the road. (Visit their website at www.ourchosenheritage.com). Thank you, Williams', for welcoming us into your home and letting us capture your sweet, sweet family through photographs.

Charlie & Kristen's Winston-Salem, NC Wedding

Sun, 13 Jul 2014 22:45:32 GMT

I had the honor of shooting my friends' wedding a few weeks back, and it was such a joy to have that opportunity! Charlie and Kristen are such a sweet, Christ-centered couple and their wedding ceremony definitely reflected that. All of the friends and family that attended think so much of them, and I can't disagree! I met Kristen a few years back and we became pretty good friends. She always had great things to say about Charlie, and their relationship was such an encouragement to me. Their commitment to keeping Jesus at the center was something I hoped for in a relationship one day. Oh, and she and I would occasionally talk about this guy named Nate, who I would eventually end up marrying! :) All that to say...it has been a blessing having these two in my life, and though we are separated by a little distance now, I am so glad I had the opportunity to spend time with them on their wedding day and capture those beautiful memories for them. I will be honest here...I kinda teared up putting this blog together! :) Love you guys; congratulations!

Also, thank you to Becky from Becca's Pics for assisting/2nd shooting!

Tim & Casey's Rosa Lee Manor Wedding

Wed, 09 Jul 2014 15:53:42 GMT

I had the pleasure of photographing Tim & Casey's wedding at the beautiful Rosa Lee Manor in Pilot Mountain. I met up with these two way back in December, and didn't see them again until the rehearsal. Their jobs have them out in California, but with ties to North Carolina, they decided to head back this way for their wedding! Great choice of location for their day; we enjoyed nice weather, a wonderful view of the mountain, and great people to be around. Congratulations you guys! Wish you all the best out in California! Oh, and a little shout out to Tim, Casey and the bridal party who totally rocked the lip syncing contest! Also, special thanks to Becca's Pics for assisting/2nd shooting! …enjoy :)

Brock and Michelle: Engagement Photos in The Mouth of Wilson, VA

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 17:54:22 GMT

These two are pretty special to me. I guess I met Michelle at church when we were really little and we've been friends ever since!
I met Brock more recently, but as soon as Michelle started talking about him, I knew I'd like the guy! :) They are such a sweet, fun, godly couple and my husband (Nate) and I love spending time with them. This trip to Michelle's grandparents' Mountain House in VA was so special, and Nate and I enjoyed every minute there. Here are a few of my favorites from our photo shoot along the New River. Enjoy!

Emerald Isle Beach Trip 2014

Thu, 15 May 2014 16:49:16 GMT

Here's a little peak into our much needed vacation to the beach a few weeks ago. My family has been going to Emerald Isle for the past several summers, and we decided to take our trip a little early this year. We beat the crowds, got some nice cool weather, and just had a chance relax before the business of life set back in.

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that as many photos as Nate and I take, we're really not the best at having our own photo taken together. These are the only 2 we got…and they are, well, not the best effort in the world! But at least we got something!

Good ol Joshy, striking a pose!

Papa and Emma Grace…2 peas in a pod

Waiting on our food at the Ruddy Duck…so yummy!

Emma Grace did NOT like her Daddy's Coke...

Just a little fish we passed...

And the best part of renting a house on the sound…the dock.

And the gorgeous view we had all week...

Maye Family Photos in Bethania, NC

Wed, 07 May 2014 18:50:54 GMT

Well, I had the wonderful opportunity to spend an evening with another beautiful family a couple weeks ago. We met at Bethania and walked down a gorgeous trail in the woods, and then wandered around the cute little garden area by the Visitor's Center. I've driven through this part of town dozens of times, but have never done a photo shoot here…until now! Yay! It was such a perfect spot for this cute family of three. Their adorable daughter just turned one not too long ago and they wanted to celebrate with a photo shoot! I hope you guys enjoy these as much as I do! Thank you for being such an awesome family to be around; you guys rock! :)

Oh and a special shout out to my hubby for coming along to the past couple shoots; hanging out, helping, AND shooting! :)

Tyler Family Photos in Pilot Mountain, NC

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 18:23:45 GMT

Hello all! My husband and I had the opportunity to hang out with the Tyler's last weekend. They are a beautiful family of 7 who are such a joy to be around. We first shared a yummy meal together in their home (the girls made the bread, I might add), then went out to see their chickens, took some fun photos together, and ended the evening with some homemade chocolate pudding! (We even got sent home with some eggs from their chickens and homemade apple butter…such generosity and kindness, thank you guys!) So here you are…meet the Tyler family!

Hello Spring!

Sun, 23 Mar 2014 23:28:04 GMT

Hi everybody!! Welcome to my blog! I am so excited to share photos and such with you here! Spring has sprung, finally! …And they're calling for snow again! This has been a crazy winter, and it's seeping into Spring! All will be ok though, I know it will be warm for good soon! Here are a couple photos I snapped on the first couple days of spring, out with Mollie Moo, checking out the blooms! …enjoy :)

Oh and a big shout out to Becky Emilson of Becca's Pics for all the help and mentoring she has provided me! She has played an extremely important part in my growth as a photographer and has been so open and willing to share her knowledge with me! Please go check her work out at www.beccaspics.com, she's awesome, you'll love her!