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The Twelve Days of Christmas Giving is just hours away!

Starting tomorrow – and for the next 12 days — I’ll be giving away all sorts of goodies here on the blog! Because….well,…because it’s Christmas. And I love Christmas. It makes me happy. And I want to make you happy during the holidays, too! (I’m really nice like that.)

So just call me Santa’s best helper. But without the pointy ears. And with way cuter shoes!!

Here’s how it works:

  1. Each day, I’ll post that day’s gift here on the blog, on my Facebook page and send it out in my email newsletter.
  2. For your chance to win, repost the contest link on your Facebook page, on your twitter page, on messageboards you visit, etc. – basically if it’s online, you can post it there.
  3. Then, leave a comment on that day’s post on my blog with the link back to where you posted it. You’ll automatically be entered.
  4. Each evening, one person will randomly be selected from those who leave comments/links (I’ll be using the random number generator that can be found on random.org to select the comment).
  5. Winner will be announced on the blog by the following morning and contacted by email.

As with anything, there are a few simple rules:

  1. You must leave your comment/link on my blog (not on my Facebook page).
  2. You must provide the link back to where you posted it.
  3. Comments and links must be in the comment section by 9:00 p.m. EST each day.
  4. You may enter multiple times each day but you must have a different post with each comment you leave here on the blog (i.e. you may post multiple times each day on the same site or post on Facebook, Twitter, messageboards, etc. — but each posting must be linked in a blog comment for it to be an official entry).
  5. You do not have to be a current or previous client to play! It’s open to everyone, so feel free to share it with all of your friends!

That’s it. So watch the blog tomorrow and get ready to play!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Business

Well, Thanksgiving is over…..which means Christmas. is. ON!! It also means that today is BLACK FRIDAY. And that means sales. Lots of them. Everywhere you look. Including here.

To help you get a jump start on your holiday shopping, here are some great Black Friday sales. Just for you. Because you rock my world!

 

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS

15% off all prints!
I’ve reactivated all 2010 and 2011 photo galleries online, so be sure to check out your photos again. Just go to my Homepage and click on the CLIENT tab on the menu. If you’ve forgotten your password, just email me and I’ll resend that right out to you. Print and portrait orders are 15% off from now until December 9. Use code HOLIDAY2011 when checking out to receive your discount. Discounts may not be combined with other special discounts and offers.

20% off all Canvas Gallery Wraps!
If you’ve been meaning to order a large wall canvas from your images but haven’t gotten around to it yet, NOW is the time to do it! This is the only time that I will put canvas on sale this year. If you miss this sale, you’ll have to wait until this time next year for another one. Canvas gallery wraps sizes 16×20 and larger are now 20% off through December 2. Click HERE to download the order form. Discounts may not be combined with other special discounts and offers.

 

Custom Holiday Photo Cards
Share your fondest memories with friends and family this holiday season. Send a custom holiday card with your favorite photo from your wedding or portrait session. Click HERE to see this year’s cool designs and HERE to download an order form.

 

Looking for a Great Gift Idea? Photography is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give, so order a gift certificate for your friends and family this year. Or, put it on the top of your holiday list for Santa! Gift certificates may be applied toward portrait sessions as well as prints, books, album upgrades and other products. I’m happy to put together a gift box filled with fun theme items as well. Contact me today to discuss your needs and place your order.

 

Stay tuned for the 12 Days of Christmas Special Giveaways beginning December 1!


 

 


Personal

…because – well because I have SO, so much to be thankful for.

There always seems to be so much going on that sometimes I forget that. I forget to live in the moment and relish life’s simple pleasures. So today, I stop. And I think. And I remember. Because I have so much to be thankful for.

An amazing husband. Wonderful family and friends. Incredible clients willing to share themselves and their families with me. Wolfpack football. 1500-count sheets and down pillows. Our Southern drawl. Our soldiers who keep us free and safe. Reading with Cody curled up on my feet. Warm days. Fall leaves [though I know Jeff disagrees with this one!]. My niece’s laughter. Raspberry lemonade. Cupcakes. A clean house. Working for myself. Pearls. Good health. La Crema Chardonnay [and restaurants that serve it]. Raleigh – the best place to live. A great pedicure and red toes! Oh how happy you all make me!

Yes, indeed. I have much to be thankful for. I am so blessed.

A big, big thank you to my dear friend Elizabeth with Sweet Life Photography for our new photos. I’m super excited to share this sneak peek she posted before heading off for Thanksgiving with Mickey.

 

Weddings

Some of my most favorite weddings have been the smallest, most intimate ones. Especially Trula and Vince’s downtownWilmington Rivrefront wedding. Trula didn’t really want a lot of pomp and circumstance and she wasn’t looking for the fairytale wedding. She just wanted to marry Vince and live happily ever after. And on that day, to have a celebration. And that’s just what they had. A celebration that may have been small in size, but large in love. Their love. And the love of those there to celebrate with them.

Vince and their closest friends and family gathered on the steps of the Alton Lennon Federal Courthouse on the Wilmington Riverfront as the horse-drawn carriage clip clopped down the cobblestone street with the bride. Vince shifted his weight from side to side in nervous anticipation as he waited for Trula to step out of the carriage and walk up the steps to him. But as soon as he saw her, his nerves gave way to the biggest and brightest of smiles (and maybe even the smallest of tears). She took her place next to him at the top of the steps and as he wrapped his hands around hers, the guests surrounded them, enveloping them in love. And on that day, in that spot, happily ever after began.

Trula and Vince…your love for one another amazes me and I am so happy I was there to witness the beginning of your “forever.” May your “happily ever after” be a long one! Much love…OXOX Renee

 

Trula’s day began with a little pampering at JSR Creations. Props to the staff there for doing such a beautiful job with her hair and makeup and for making her look like a princess!


I always encourage my brides to have the most special people in their lives help them into their gowns and with all the final details of getting ready. Trula fittingly chose to have her daughter there to help her.
A beautiful gown for a beautiful bride….

What a hot tamale you are, Trula!

I took a few portraits of the handsome groom to keep him occupied and ward off the nerves while he waited for Trula to meet him for their first look.
I love when couples see each other before the ceremony as it’s such a great way for them to spend some quality time and relax together!
Y’all are just fierce! Love this! The Wilmington Riverfront is such a romantic area and the perfect place for a first look. 

 

Trula, could you possibly be any more stunning?
Why actually, maybe you can! Every bride should be this happy on her wedding day!
After spending some quality time down by the riverside, we walked over to the Kenan Fountain.


One of my favorites of the day…just the right mix of fun and romance!

I just love the richness of Trula’s bouquet….especially when paired with Vince’s hat….the perfect Southern combination! After Vince left, Trula and I spent a little more time in the historic area…such a Southern beauty…
The ceremony was held in front of the fountain at the Alton Lennon Federal Courthouse overlooking the Cape Fear River…such a romantic setting.
Wilmington jazz saxophonist Benny Hill provided amazing music for the ceremony… including Train’s “Marry Me” which was the processional song for the bride’s entrance…
Both Vince and Trula had to fight back the tears during their moving ceremony… Trula and Vince weren’t the only ones tearing up during the ceremony. In fact, there weren’t many dry eyes at all. The formalities are all finished…with the exception of one…
and now it’s officially sealed with a kiss!
I just love petal tosses at the end of the ceremony…

After the guests left for the cocktail party and reception, we took a few more portraits of the happy couple and Trula’s beautiful daughter.

Is this a happy family or what?

Beautiful details greeted the guests at the reception site including this gorgeous cake created by Imaginary Friends Bakery.

The reception was a private affair — a dinner held at Ruth’s Chris – and was the perfect ending to a perfect day…a great opportunity for Trula and Vince to say thank you and celebrate with their friends and family.


Photography, Seniors

I’m excited for you to meet Melanie, a senior at Middle Creek High School. Melanie has been assisting me a good bit since the summer, so some of you have probably already met her. For those of you who have not had the pleasure yet, you’re in for a real treat when you finally do!

Melanie is spunky, funny and just a bit quirky. And she is passionate about photography. Up to this point, photography has been a hobby for her, but she’s adamant about making it her career as well. She says her dream job is to travel the world as a photographer, and plans to get a jump-start on that by majoring in photography at Appalachian State University. She says she would most like to meet “Nigel Barker because he has my dream job!” [mine too, Melanie!]

Melanie has other interests and talents besides photography, though. She’s athletic [and plays on her school’s lacrosse team], talented [she sings in the Middle Creek Chorus] and smart [she’s in the National Honor Society]. She also participates in her church youth group, enjoys traveling and has a secret desire to learn to play the piano. She says she can’t live without her phone [named Drew], her car, her family and Colby, her cat.

Here are some of Melanie’s favorite things:

Color: Orange

TV shows: Hawaii Five-O and The Big Bang Theory

Movie: Tangled!

Food: anything italian. or mexican. or american.

Genre of Music: Alternative

Song: That changes daily

Website:  Tumblr!

Book: Nancy Drew books

Magazine: Seventeen, Elle, Bazaar

Look for Melanie at your photo session or wedding – she’s a great sidekick/assistant. I’m thrilled that she’s part of my team and am looking forward to seeing where her photography takes her over the next few years!

 

I had a blast photographing Melanie a few weeks ago. We went to the State Fair for part one of her session and I’m thrilled to share a few of the images with you now. Part two will come later this fall.

I [heart] these!!

This is a fave! Mel, you are beautiful!
We had fun on one of the ferris wheels — a tight spot to photograph, but fun, for sure!

Melanie wanted to go to the garden area for some colorful, floral shots…I didn’t even know this part of the fair existed! Love the rich colors! So pretty! Another fave!
Then we went back to the midway for more rides!

LoveloveLOVE these!

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