Prom + Mom

As a photographer and a mom, sometimes I tend to neglect photographing my children.  I'm not talking about big moments, iPhone snapshots, I mean portrait sessions for my children.  Sometimes it's because I put it off, sometimes because they are like "oh Mom...really?".  But my oldest son had his Junior Prom this year and I was so excited to set aside time to photograph his portraits.  He attended the prom with his best friend...aren't they beautiful!  Special thanks to her family for use of their lovely property.  

To see more of Alex & Katherina's Prom Session, please visit my Facebook Page here.

WPPI, Discovering Me

This is not easy to write.  I feel like I am exposing myself & putting myself under a microscope.  I am.  I am so that I will hold myself accountable for what I discovered & so that just maybe one other person will benefit.

I have put myself in the position that the more I learn & study the sooner I will evolve-personally and professionally.

Discovery #1:  I have discovered that there are women, dear friends, successful business women, awesome photographers who have fears.  Fears of making the wrong decisions, fears of failing, fears of what others think of them.  I have fear.

I have sat in many, many classes, webinars, read books, blogs, posts, seeking and searching for the clear defined path I should take to be successful in my business.  Everywhere I looked and studied I gained nuggets of knowledge...but no defined answer.

At WPPI, I talked to friends I respect who have known me the last year. They wanted to know if I have figured out what I've been seeking.  "No, not really." Seemed to be what I kept saying.  I love photography.  I love photographing weddings, though I do not want to do it every weekend.  I love photographing newborns, families, seniors.  I love photographing people, but felt like I had to "narrow it down".  After hearing so many professionals say to focus or specialize, I have felt like that is what I was supposed to do.  Someone finally told me that it is ok to not "specialize".  (Thanks Amanda!)

Discovery #2:  I am a Portrait & Wedding Photographer because I love photographing people and I love being part of my clients lives-not just single moments.

On the last full day, I met my friend Jaelene in the lobby of the hotel.  I was heading to a class, then planned to play tourist and see the gorgeous hotels-after class of course.  She said to me "You have attended enough classes, you have enough in your brain, take that badge off and go be a tourist."  She then said something so powerful to me that I will never know how to thank her.  She said "You have everything you need.  You have something very special and don't even know it."  Those who know me know I am never speechless.  I was speechless, but finally found a way to utter the words "What?  What do I have?"

She then gave me the most wonderful gift.  Jaelene told me that I have something inside of me that makes people want to be around me, that I make people happy.  No one in my life has ever told me anything like this.  I am not sure what I said, but my mind was trying to wrap around it, trying to believe it. More was said and I am so thankful for her telling me what others see in me that I could never see in myself.

Discovery #3:  Me.  I love smiling, laughing, having fun.  I love making people happy and I'm good at it!

So I found myself in Las Vegas, at the age of 40.  I am afraid & I can admit that I have fears.  If I can admit them, I can overcome them.  I am thrilled to be a Portrait & Wedding Photographer and do not want to give up parts of my clients lives by "specializing".  I specialize in giving my clients a happy, fun, photography experience with some great images, products,  & memories of not only the photos but of the time we spend creating them.

Love & Laughter makes the world a better place-wishing you both, Stephanie

PS, I did not go to the last class, I took my friend's advice and played tourist...

paris

venetian

palazzo

bellagio

caesar's palace with my talented, smart, beautiful friends
(Me, Amanda Reed, Martha Dameron, Elise Ellis, Jaelene Bryan, and Danielle Williams)

Amanda + Kevin ~Married

I love when I get to be part of a journey...  I met Amanda & Kevin almost a year before their wedding day.  I first got to know a little about their relationship during their Engagement Session where we visited places in Downtown Hickory that were meaningful in their relationship, like the Carolina Theatre, LR College, and the Tap Room.  They love to laugh and have a great time together!

amanda + kevin ~ engaged!

Amanda knew just what she wanted in her dream gown.  So she headed to NYC to get it!  Does "Say Yes to the Dress" mean anything to you?  Well it should as she found her beautiful gown and one of the loveliest veils I've ever laid eyes upon at Kleinfeld's.  Isn't she gorgeous!

Then it was not too long until...Wedding Day.  Every attention to detail was perfect...the flowers were a mixture of breathtaking beauty by Tara B's, owned & operated by Tara Bland.  Tara also coordinated the wedding & made everything run smooth like a well tuned clock.

 Family heirlooms, childhood photos, and meaningful personal items graced the entry tables.

The band played for everyone to dance the night away at the Lake Hickory Country Club, where the staff saw to everything so efficiently, served delicious food, and were always friendly!

Happy Wedding Day Amanda & Kevin.  Keep laughter alive & be blessed!  Thank you for letting me take part in your journey!  Stephanie

Andrea + Matthew ~Married~

I met Andrea during her family's portrait session last summer.  A few weeks later she asked me to photograph her wedding which was nearly a year away.  In one conversation with her and her mom I discovered she loves the movie "Pride and Prejudice" so when thinking about her wedding photos and what I knew of Andrea and what she had told me about Matthew-inspiration hit.  I wanted to give them some images that reflected a few of the beautiful scenes in the movie.  When I told Andrea what we were going to do she was thrilled!  And I love how the images turned out!  One of the sweetest couples I've met...meet Andrea and Matthew.  

Swoooon!

Andrea & Matthew's Favorite...

Her flowers were perfect!

Love, Love, Love her dress!

Congratulations Andrea & Matthew! 

Amanda + Anthony ~Married~

Amanda & Anthony's Wedding was a day of complete & total joy!  
Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your day! 
Here are a few of my favorite images.  
(You have NO idea how hard it was to narrow it down to just these!)  
We definitely stepped it up a notch by creating these awesome images!


~Father & Daughter~

Beautiful Rock Barn Country Club

Brooke, our Golf Cart Chauffeur and Daughter of Amanda...look at those eyes!

Remember the Superman Cufflinks from their First Look?

April 14, 2012...The day Amanda married her Superman!

Why I'm a fan of Black & White Images...

Love This!

Ohhh the light! 

Quite possibly my favorite of all!

Amanda + Anthony ~First Look~

First Look.  Amanda + Anthony.

When Amanda & Anthony agreed to do a first look I was so excited...probably more than them.  Living in rural North Carolina many couples are traditional.  Not that it is a bad thing, but I really believe in the First Look for couples.  It is a private time for the Bride & Groom to spend a few minutes together before the ceremony to create beautiful images & beautiful memories.  

Amanda & Anthony's reception was held at the gorgeous Rock Barn Country Club so we decided to do the first look there as well and what a great idea!

ooooohh beautiful!

 Amanda had a surprise for Anthony!

 Guess who is a big Superman Fan??

The new family...

 Mother & Daughter-both so lovely!

Love, Love, Love this one!

I can't wait to show you the Wedding Images from 

Amanda & Anthony's April Wedding!

Tammy + Mark ~ The Wedding~

Tammy & Mark~Married 

When you meet them you know immediately what is important to them both.

God & Family.

Down to earth & easygoing are words that come to mind.  And when the dark clouds rolled in and the rain poured down on their Wedding Day.  It did not matter.  They both had smiles on their faces & their positive outlook never left.  They knew the only thing that mattered was uniting their families through their love & their marriage.  

Congratulations Mark & Tammy!

Their beautiful custom Keepsake Box filled with their images 

from their Wedding Day!