Doug and CheyAnne fell in love while in school for photojournalism at Western Kentucky University. It didn’t take them long to realize they had more than a shared interest in photography. They are very excited to be on the planning side of weddings right now, as their wedding will take place in the spring of 2012. Both are truly romantics at heart, and love documenting one of the happiest days in a couple’s life. They’ve realized on their own journey this year the importance of great photos that capture not just the event, but the emotion, so the memories can be felt and not just remembered.
Lori & Neal were married on January 28th at the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans. I didn’t meet Lori until just a few weeks ago, but I loved her as soon as I met her. She was referred by a previous bride – Casey Falgoust Marmande – that I also adored, so I knew Lori and I were going to hit it off.
She’s not crazy about a whole lot of posed photos, and really wanted a documentary approach. The plans for the wedding included a small intimate ceremony in the Ritz courtyard, followed by dinner with their immediate families. Once dinner was over, they would join other family members and friends that had come to congratulate them.
The afternoon started brilliantly. Lori and her mom seem like best friends, so right away I felt like I was capturing some great moments. Sometimes when I’m doing a shorter day with a couple I get worried that I won’t have enough time to capture everything the way I like to. This family was so warm and open though, I felt like I had known them forever, so I wasn’t afraid to jump right in with the journalistic coverage. I’m really excited about some of the shots that were captured during her prep and first look.
Neal was pretty relaxed, but excited to see Lori. We got most of their photos finished before the ceremony, and then they headed down the aisle to say I do.
Thanks for letting me share in your special day. It was a joy to work with you! Congratulations, enjoy!
I had the pleasure of spending the day with Megan & Eric on Jan 21, 2012 for their wedding. We did their engagement shoot a few months prior and while they seemed a bit nervous, they quickly got the hang of being in front of the camera, and Eric was even coming up with some looks for himself, which isn’t often the case for the guys! So when their wedding day came, the two of them were really looking forward to the pictures. They both got ready at English Turn, where their reception would later be held. The bridal prep all went very smooth and Megan was ready to greet her groom!
We did the first look right outside the house where she was getting ready and my assistant Titus captured the most beautiful and sweet moment of their hug which I absolutely love! We then had a little while to make a few beautiful portraits of them with the setting sun. Just as we were finishing up with the group portraits in the backyard of the house, I turned to see the sky turning an electric blue with some warm hues as the sun dipped beneath the horizon. I quickly got Megan & Eric to run to the other side of the yard so we could position them just right for a stunning back-lit piece of art!
Next it was off to Holy Name of Jesus for the ceremony and a little bit of unexpected excitement. One of Megan’s bridesmaids, Kristine Flynn, was about two weeks away from giving birth to her first child. Kristine is also the person responsible for the decor of our new studio and as part of her payment we were going to photograph her birth story. Well, Paxton (her son), didn’t feel like working with our schedule, so he decided to send her into labor just as she was getting out of the limo at the church! I didn’t know it until after the ceremony when were doing the entire bridal party and I realized we were one person short! I really do love the one photo I was able to capture as Megan’s father gave her away. Not only is it such a nice moment between her father and his future son-in-law, but I love the faces of his mom on the left and another family member on the right, as it looks like he’s wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. To me, these are the moments that weddings are all about!
Now it was back to English Turn to party with the band Louisiana Spice! The dance floor eventually filled to capacity, and Megan’s dad hung in there much longer than many of his younger counterparts. I hope to have his energy in the future Megan & Eric were such a joy to work with throughout the entire process, and I wish them many years of happiness and love!
Stephanie & Chris came in all the way from Boston to have their wedding in the heart of the French Quarter. Stephanie was just so easy-going the entire day and Chris’s personality complimented her’s perfectly. They couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful October day and I was so excited they allowed over an hour for the first look and pictures of the two of them and their bridal party, so we were really able to play around and get a good variety of looks and locations.
I always ask the bridal party while we’re doing photos earlier in the day what they anticipate the reception to be like…….lots of crazy dancing, more low-key and mingling, etc. Well, Stephanie and her girls said I should expect one really great party, and they certainly didn’t disappoint! But before the party could get started, Stephanie had her hair and make up done at the Bourbon Orleans before heading over to Pirate’s Alley for their first look. It was then on to the St. Louis Cathedral where they exchanged their vows. We then had quite a bit of time before the reception to wander around the Quarter with the two of them and their bridal party for some more candid photos before getting to the St. Louis Hotel courtyard for the big party. The interesting thing about the St. Louis Hotel was the entire hotel (minus the courtyard) was undergoing a major renovation so there were no guests at all staying there, which allowed DJ Quinn with Impulse Entertainment to crank things up as loud as they wanted! I thought that was especially cool since it was Quinn’s 1,000′th wedding! And of course, what better way to end a New Orleans wedding for a big crew from the Northeast than with a 2nd Line through the French Quarter! We all had a great time celebrating Stephanie & Chris’s wedding, and thanks much guys for inviting us to be a part of it all!
Erin and Chris were married January 21st at the St. Louis Cathedral. Erin and I met probably about a year ago, and she had several of the women in her family with her the day we met — mom, aunts, grandma I believe, and maybe a cousin too. It was cute — I remember they had gotten a little bit lost, so they were so excited when they finally got to the studio. Everyone was overjoyed about the wedding plans. It was so nice to see such unity over such a joyous occasion. Erin and I hit it off immediately — she claims I was pretty much just in her head, knowing exactly what she wanted. It was so sweet because since that first meeting she’s told me several times, “I just knew you were the type of person I wouldn’t mind having in my face all day!” I love it!
Needless to say, when I showed up to the hotel on the wedding day, I received a very warm welcome from the family. The day went super smooth and on-time for the most part. I was excited to meet Chris and see what he was like. And Erin’s dad was really cute too! Most of this group had traveled in from Texas — and as they say, everything’s bigger in Texas. Well, Chris is really tall, he had on great boots, and I could tell right away he’s just a really good guy. He seemed like he’d do anything for Erin. We had a great time with them during their First Look portion of the day. I believe we captured everything Erin was looking for during those special photos — but I suppose I’ll find out soon enough!
The couple thoroughly enjoyed themselves, but we’re definitely pooped at the end of the night. Until April 7th, I can only imagine the emotional exhaustion that must begin to set in by the end of such an amazing day. I’m so happy you both enjoyed yourselves — congratulations, and enjoy!
Anne and Bruisie were my last wedding of the year, and what a way to end 2011!! I was beyond honored to photograph this wedding. They hold such a near and dear place in my heart because a couple of years ago Doug and I actually photographed both of Bruisie’s sisters weddings. The Rodrigue family has somewhat adopted us, and I definitely have them in return. They’re such wonderful people that we love getting to spend time with over such joyous occasions. We always enjoy getting to work with a family more than once — so this time it was three times, plus some other family members weddings too, so hopefully we’ll be seeing them for even more weddings in the future. And we’ve also taken baby photos for them now as well. It’s a wonderful circle that just keeps on going.
I had the chance to meet Anne’s family at Sofia’s wedding in November, and I knew instantly that the families complemented each other perfectly, and that it would definitely be a wonderful day on December 29th. Her father was hilarious, constantly cutting up on the dance floor, and her mom is such a sweetheart! Of course when I met Anne some time ago, I could tell that she too was just a perfect fit for this family, so down-to-earth and real.
I immediately felt welcomed when I arrived to Anne’s room on the day of the wedding — I had already met half of the people in the room, and they all completely trusted me. You have no idea how much that relaxes me and gets my mind in a much more creative place to begin the day. The preparation part of the day went smoothly, and before we knew it it was time for Anne to go and meet Bruisie for the First Look. It was so cute because I could tell when we got outside and I told Bruisie hello that he was so anxious to see Anne. They shared their first few minutes together chatting with hugs and kisses thrown in too. We were then able to do some photos of them and finish up the family photos before heading to the church.
At the church Doug and I were both very conscious of an artsy rain photo we had captured at St. Joe’s Cathedral for Cassie’s wedding — Bruisie had ordered it as a wall portrait and it’s hanging in his bathroom! So we were on a mission to see if we could capture an awesome photo for him that he would love of St. Patrick’s. They’re here now, and he’s already mentioned that he liked a couple — so yay! Hopefully we succeeded.
After the ceremony the party started early on the party bus ride over to The Foundry. They don’t put a pole in there for people to hold onto folks! Always makes for interesting photos. The rest of the night was such a great party — filled with dancing, mingling, and singing. It went much too fast though. I was completely humbled to realize that I had SIX couples present that I had photographed their weddings. It was an amazing feeling to have all of these very special couples to me all in one place at one time.
The end of the evening wrapped up with a Lucky Dog stand providing hot dogs for everyone, a second line, and a sparkler carriage departure. A perfect ending to a perfect day. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you guys! We’ll be there every step of the way as friends and photographers! Thanks for letting us be a part of another momentous occasion in your lives. Enjoy!
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Megan & Eric were such a joy to work with throughout the entire process, and I wish them many years of happiness and love!
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