Caleb & Kayla Wilkes

Our friends, Caleb & Kayla wanted to take some pictures for their Christmas card before Caleb left for basic training for flight school (Oct. 7). They have been married a little over a year and they are an absolutely precious couple! Some of these pictures aren't necessarily Christmas card material, but I decided to treat this as a "couples session."  I am so excited because I get to design their Christmas card:)...Enjoy!

I love this shot of Kayla! 





Please contact me if you are interested in a Christmas card session!

Not as we Planned...

My husband and I went to Charleston this weekend for our 1 year wedding anniversary, which is today. We made reservations at a nice restaurant and had several fun things planned. Wellllll... we had a great time despite the fact that I had the FLU, it RAINED cats and dogs the whole time, and we almost MISSED our dinner reservations because we both fell asleep at the hotel and woke up late. 

We actually had an awesome time, believe it or not. On Saturday we did a little shopping at the outlets, ate at Wild Wing and watched the Gamecocks BEAT Kentucky, and then we went to the aquarium. On Sunday, we slept in and decided to check out and go home early because I started feeling worse and we spent the rest of the day relaxing at home and playing Yahtzee (courtesy of wes's sweet family). Wes and I always have fun together. He is my best friend and God has given me the greatest blessing by placing him in my life. I am so thankful for him and the love he shows me every minute of every day...no matter what. He amazes me every day...just by being HIM. I couldn't ask for a better man to be my husband! I love you, Wes! Happy Anniversary with many, many more to come!!!!

The Brunson Family-B&W

So I decided to do something a little different for this post. One of my friends from work wanted me to photograph her family. She loves black & white pictures...soooo I am featuring her family in all B&W! What a beautiful family...and SO much fun to shoot! I made them climb all over slippery rocks and such...thanks for being troopers, you guys!

Jenna LOVES her big brothers

JENNA
JACOB
JEREMY
JOSH
A cute candid between posed shots

Mama's Girl
Jenna absolutely ADORES Josh (the oldest)

She was so thirsty! I guess I was workin' them too hard ;)
Josh's girlfriend Brittney came along for some shots at the end of the session with Josh. They are such a cute little couple! I almost wish I could post one in color so you could see the color of her BRIGHT blue eyes...but I am sticking to my guns...JUST B&W!

Gabriel + Ruth Gallimore/ Wedding

Gabriel and Ruth got married September 20th in Sumter, SC. This wedding was a lot of fun. I have always thought it was a lot of fun to learn the traditions of different cultures (read on).


Before the wedding, I shot some bridal portraits. She looked beautiful!!










The groom's proud father. This is such a sweet candid. By the way, he is looking at his son :)
Coming down the isle to meet her groom!
Ruth's brother walked her down the aisle...

This is a shot of the couple kneeling in prayer after the "presentation of the lasso." This is a Mexican wedding tradition. It is a long rosary that is placed around the shoulders of the bride and groom in a figure 8 after the exchange of vows by a special person (in this case, her aunt and uncle). The loop is meant to symbolize their eternal love and bond as one. At the end of the ceremony, the rosary is given to the bride as a memento of her becoming the woman of her groom's heart and home.






Ruth is very close with all her brothers...they are all so sweet to her!

They had two sets of rings!! One set is to wear to work (right) and the other set to wear any other time. I joked and told my husband that we need talk....;)

Of course, an American wedding tradition.
There was also a presentation of watches for both the bride and groom. These were presented by two of the bride's brothers. I am not sure whether or not this is a Mexican tradition, but it was very sentimental.
Another Mexican tradition...Ruth explained this to me, so I'll try to get it right. The bride stands on a chair and the groom holds her train above his head while her family lines up to pass under the dress. They dance and sing in a long line around the room, passing several times under the dress. This is meant to be for good luck in the marriage. I love Ruth's expression in the this one!



Before the couple left for the honeymoon, the bride's family and the newlyweds held hands in a circle and prayed.
The most beautiful & important gift you can receive...