Specializing in fine art painted portraits and classic photographic portraiture for families and children. Serving Raleigh, Wilmington, Greensboro, Charlotte, and the Southeastern US. »

Carolina Inn Bridal portraits | Valerie

06.16.14

Carolina Inn bridal When discussing her vision for her bridal session, Valerie said she was hoping for some iconic Carolina Inn bridal portraits. Timeless, elegant and classic. Which was easy – those are the same words that describe Valerie herself. Pair this stunning beauty up with the gorgeous surroundings at the Carolina Inn, and you definitely get timeless, elegant and classic! (And tell me if you don’t think she favors Jackie O in some of these!) Enjoy a few of my favorites from her bridal session earlier this spring!

And, if you missed her gorgeous wedding to Matt earlier, check it out here.

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There are certain times when I think Valerie really looks like Jackie O — these especially! Beautiful. Timeless. Elegant. Classic. PERFECTION!

Haw River Ballroom Wedding | Alli + Carter

06.16.14

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FUN. That was the theme of Alli and Carter’s Haw River Ballroom wedding last month. Every detail was designed and every minute was planned with intention: to invoke a sense of who Alli and Carter are – as individuals and as a couple, to celebrate family, and, above all, to have fun!

It was a day filled with warm embraces, joyous laughter and hearty shouts of congratulations: in short, a reflection of their love – for each other and for those celebrating with them.

Alli and Carter…You definitely got it right. I can’t think of a more perfect wedding day for the two of you, and I am honored to have documented all of your memories of the day. I wish for you a lifetime of love and happiness, and hope that your marriage is always be filled with family, friends and fun!

THE CREATIVE TEAM:  Wedding Planner: SARAH MACKIEWICX // Venue: HAW RIVER BALLROOM // Catering: SAXAPAHAW CATERING COMPANY // Floral Designs: UNIVERSITY FLORIST // Wedding Pies: JORDAN STREET CAFE // Band: WHISKEY RIVER // Wedding Gown: BRIDE’S MOTHER/BROOKE PRIDDY

I just LOVE this idea. Alli had her mother’s wedding dress redesigned for her own wedding – but made sure to save a piece of the lace which she had made into a pendant for her mom. So very sweet and sentimental!
That moment when she gave mom the pendant…
Alli and Carter opted for a “first look” before the ceremony. I love when couples choose to see each other – it always seem to calm nerves and allows for some quiet “alone” time on their wedding day.

Love this custom plaque that served as their guest “book”….

The guy in the photo on the left just makes me laugh. No one seemed to mind that he and his wife totally crashed the wedding…

Brier Creek Country Club wedding | Tyra + Dan

05.27.14

They always say you find love when you’re not looking for it. And Tyra and Dan are living proof. She wasn’t looking to meet, let alone date, anyone else in Raleigh. In fact, Tyra put her Raleigh house on the market and was planning to move back to her native Maryland…when she went to a friend’s birthday party and was introduced to Dan. He asked her out but – because of her impending move – she declined. Dan is nothing short of persistent, so he asked again. And again. Tyra finally gave in and well….that persistence paid off. Shortly, Tyra’s house went OFF the market and Dan moved into it. And now, well….here we are and I’m posting pictures from the sweetest, most gorgeous spring wedding you could have imagined.

The only thing Tyra really wanted was for their day to be beautiful and romantic and fun. And that it would be shared with their closest family and friends. Well…their Brier Creek Country Club wedding was all of that. And more. The sun was shining. The birds were singing. And as she stepped out toward Dan, he was all smiles, his happiness bursting through. And so it was….just as Tyra had hoped. Beautiful. And romantic. With all of their closest friends and family members watching on with delight as they promised to spend forever together. And as “I Feel Good” rang out when they walked back down the aisle as husband and wife, the fun – of the wedding and their life together – had just begun.

Tyra and Dan….What can I say? I just adore you two! You’re so full of life and love and you make everyone around you happy. Thank you for making me feel like part of your family and for allowing me to document the beginning of your forever. I am honored to have been part of your day. I wish you all the love and joy and happiness that life has to offer and hope that you always have fun and “feel good” together. Much love! OXOX ~ R

THE CREATIVE TEAM:  Venue: BRIER CREEK COUNTRY CLUB // Floral Designs: FRESH AFFAIRS // Wedding Cake: CINDA’S CREATIVE CAKES // DJ: ISLAND SOUND DJs // Wedding Gown: DAVID’S BRIDAL // Groom’s Attire: VIP FORMALWEAR // Hair & Makeup: MAKEUP FOR YOUR DAY

Sapphire blue Kate Spades? Oh yes, please

Tyra and Dan opted to do a first look, which calmed nerves and just made the day that much better for both of them.

You can always count on Fresh Affairs’ florals to be swoon worthy! Tyra had to change into some more appropriate “dancing shoes” for the reception. I love this sweet picture of Tyra and Dan dancing with her parents in the background.

The Sutherland wedding | Ashley and Marcus

05.15.14

Perfection. That’s how I would describe everything about Ashley and Marcus’ wedding. It was simple. It was gorgeous. It was honest. It was raw. It was real. It was beautiful. Just like Ashley and Marcus. Just like the love they share. Yes, perfection. With a capital P!

Their gorgeous Sutherland wedding was eight years in the making, and every single moment of their wedding day was a true and perfect depiction of their love. Amidst tears of joy and hope and love, they committed themselves and promised to love each other forever. Wholly. Honestly. Unconditionally. Perfectly.

Ashley and Marcus – It’s not often that I find myself without words, but here I am. Or maybe I just have too many words to fit in this one post. So let me just sum it all up by saying “I love you!” And “thank you.” Thank you for being you. Thank you for being real. Thank you for sharing your love and allowing me to document it. Thank you for making me feel like part of your family. And mostly, thank you for the friendship that we now share. I’m a firm believer that God puts certain people in our lives at just the right times. Sometimes it’s for a reason. Sometimes it’s for a season. And sometimes it’s for a lifetime. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you. I love you both so much! OXOX ~ R

THE CREATIVE TEAM:  Venue: THE SUTHERLAND // Floral Designs: SIMPLY ELEGANT FLORAL DESIGNS // Cupcakes: THE CUPCAKE SHOPPE // Caterer: UNFORGETTABLE FOOD AFFAIRS// Invitations and Paper Suite: MINTED.COM // DJ: Cortland Williams – JOE BUNN DJ COMPANY // Wedding Gown: Designed/Made by BRIDE’S MOTHER // Wedding Veil: TRADITIONS BY ANNA // Groom’s Attire: MEN’S WEAR HOUSE // Hair & Makeup: TANAS HAIR DESIGNS & DAY SPA // Photography Assistant: TANYA ODOM

How else would you expect a former NC State quarterback to toss a garter???

Wow. Just. Wow.

A fun gift for all of the boys…

I just love that Pastor Matt gathered Ashley and Marcus and their respective parents for a prayer and then a moment of quiet togetherness.

Such a sweet expression. Marcus was so overcome with emotion before Ashley even walked out the door.

Many thanks to my dear friend, Tanya, for photographing this wedding with me! You totally rock! Love you!

Cotton Room Wedding | Kacy & Kevin

05.05.14

I‘m a firm believer that with all things “you know it when you see it” — whether it’s the right dress, the right shoes, the right house….or in Kacy’s case… the right man! Out of all of the people on Match.com….Kacy met Kevin. Intrigued by his profile, she agreed to a date. Thinking he was incredibly intelligent, personable and quite handsome, Kacy was smitten. She even went so far as to tell me it was “love at first sight” and that she remembered thinking the weekend after their first date that “we are going to be together for a long time!”

So fast forward a couple of years. On a brisk November evening they stood before all of the people nearest and dearest to their hearts and pledged their love and their lives to one another …. for forever. After witnessing them over the course of their engagement and at their beautiful Cotton Room wedding, I’ll agree with Kacy. I think they’re going to be together for a long time too!

Kacy and Kevin….I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I’ve had with you and how honored I am to have documented the beginning of your life together. I’m excited for your future and know there are wonderful things in store for you. I wish you a long life filled with happiness and that you continue to find laughter in all things. Much love…. OXOX ~ R

THE CREATIVE TEAM:  Venue: THE COTTON ROOM // Floral Designs: FLAIR // Cake: AMBROSIA CAKE CREATIONS // Invitations and Paper Suite: INDIGO ENVELOPE // DJ: STEVE STOWE WITH DJ JOE BUNN COMPANY // Bride’s Attire: BELLA VISTA BRIDAL // Groom’s Attire: JOS A. BANK // Hair: CAROLINA JONES // Makeup: IMAGES BY DENISE // Assistant Photographer: JESSICA LOBDELL // Planner: TIA JONES-NUSNAUM WITH ERIN MCLEAN EVENTS //

Everything about Kacy’s wedding trousseau was pure perfection… Shoe bling? Oh yes, please!!!!

One of the most fun wedding parties. Ever. Work it girls….!

Lookin’ sharp, boys! Now…I’m not sure exactly what I asked them to do here….but I’m pretty sure it had nothing to do with the Beyonce finger wag NOR with dancing like a Jet from “West Side Story…” They had me in stitches all day, too! Such a sweet moment…. Kacy’s mom walked her down the aisle to meet her dad, who gave her away. I don’t think Kevin stopped smiling the entire day! The new Mr. & Mrs. …. sealed with a kiss!
LoveloveL-O-V-E this wedding party! Love all the little touches Kacy thought of to make the day comfortable and special for their guests…. – and I love that they can re-use them in their new home, too! Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Whyte… You rock these glasses like no other! I “heart” this!! Breakin’ it W-A-Y-D-O-W-N on the dance floor…with DJ Steve…

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Carolina Inn Bridal portraits | Valerie

Haw River Ballroom Wedding | Alli + Carter

Brier Creek Country Club wedding | Tyra + Dan

The Sutherland wedding | Ashley and Marcus

Cotton Room Wedding | Kacy & Kevin