~INSPIRATION MONDAY~

So here's yours inspiration for Monday now that the day is mostly over! Sorry, I've just been a little under the weather this week. These designs come from Wilmington's very own Salt Harbor Designs. I love the laid back country style that a lot of brides are going for these days. Simple but still romantic.

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~SNEAK PEAK: BROOKE'S BEACH SESSION~

Remember cute Brooke from her cake smash? Well this session is even better! Stay tuned....

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~HUMP DAY HELP (PLUS A FREEBIE)~

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I'm a huge fan of the site Etsy if you haven't learned yet. They posted a great article online about the Wedding Chicks. They are two girls who have started a website on trends and everything fun and funky for weddings. They've also designed and included a free download for wedding invitations for you to use which are so cool if you're looking for something different.

If you've never searched on Etsy for your weddings needs, I highly suggest you get to it! They have everything imaginable. Here are some Etsy items the Wedding Chicks have put together with a "crown" theme.

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~INSPIRATION MONDAY~

They only way I create and stay motivated is inspiration from other creators. You as a bride, planning a wedding, need to stay inspired too! I will be posting inspirational mood boards each Monday to help keep you chuggin' along! Hope you enjoy!

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~MATERNITY: ASHLEY & DANIEL~

I'm so excited for this couple! My husband and I have known them for a long time and now they're going to have a baby boy! I always think the best place for a maternity shoot is at the parents' home. There are so many personal things to use and it's fun to tell a story there through the photographs. My husband and I went to Mexico on a mission trip with Ashley and Daniel a few years ago and all 4 of us were single at the time. It's crazy to think now we're married and one of us is having a baby! Little Jameson is going to be so loved. Sampson, their dog, may have some competition now. He wanted to be near us so bad. He couldn't stand that we weren't paying attention to him. He better get used to it now! I love the shot I got of him in the foreground with Ashley and Daniel in the background- it shows his personality perfectly!

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I love her eyes. They're just beautiful!

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~HUMP DAY HELP~

I want this book! It sounds so inspirational! Etsy has done an article on Jacqueline Tobin, author of Wedding Photography Unveiled. She recently collaborated with the top 20 photographers around the country to write her first book (Wedding Photography Unveiled).

"It was important for me to write this book because the industry has changed so much over the years, going from staid and stoic poses to purely candid photojournalist shots to a current, and much sought after, mix of photographic styles and approaches, including fashion-forward looks, lifestyle and editorial feels, and fine-art touches. Wedding photography has never looked better!" - Jacqueline Tobin

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In the article she answers questions like:
1. When is a good time to start looking for a photographer?
2. Where does one look?
3. How is it possible to tell the caliber of a photographer? What should I ask to
see?
4. Is it my responsibility to do anything for the photographer while the
wedding/reception is taking place?
5. How long after the wedding does it typically take before I get my photos?
6. How do I go about breaking into the business?
7. How does wedding photography differ from other kinds of photography?
8. What are some of the tricks of the trade? Are there any special tools?
9. How can I prepare for the unexpected?

~SNEAK PEAK: ASHLEY & DANIEL~

Hope this teases the heck out of you!

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~I MADE IT IN A TREASURY!~

For those of you who don't know what a treasury is, they are collections that artists on Etsy (Etsians) create, usually with a theme, that Etsy Admin select from to feature on the front page of, of course, Etsy. Got it? Well I made it into a treasury! It's an honor to be selected for a treasury. This is only my second one. It's also an honor because only 300 or so treasuries exist at a time. In the words of the Etsy Blog:

"The Treasury is an ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery of handpicked items. Members can feature their favorite items, items selected on a theme or just whatever they like. The Treasury is not intended for self-promotion, but instead to acknowledge and share the many cool things for sale on Etsy. Etsy’s staff (“Admin”) often choose whole or partial exceptional Treasury lists to promote to the featured, handpicked items on Etsy’s home page. Treasury lists are temporary and limited in number, so there is some competition involved in creating a list of your own."

So have a look!




P.S. Do you know which one is mine?

~Wedding Cakes by Stephanie Lauf~

SO I love food, and especially cake! I wanted to tell you about my lovely friend Stephanie Lauf who makes wonderful wedding cakes, and any kind of cake you can think of. She has come up with some wonderful designs. You can contact her at sblauf@ec.rr.com. I mean, who doesn't like cake??

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~ENGAGEMENT: NICK & AMANDA~

Nick & Amanda were so much fun. Since they both did Theater in highschool they weren't shy in front of the camera at all and that just makes my job a whole lot easier. They wanted to do pictures at the beach and it can be hard to reinvent beach pictures and make them new and exciting but we managed to do it! Nick and Amanda took a huge leap of faith and moved from Ohio to Wilmington earlier this year. They didn't have a place to live or jobs but they knew this is where they wanted to live. God is so faithful and now they have a cute apartment, adorable dog, and jobs!

The clouds were amazing that night and we tried to go to as many spots as we could before the sun set so we could capture them. Stay tuned for Amanda's bridal shoot at Orton Plantation!

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~SNEAK PEAK: NICK & AMANDA~

Little something to tide you over....

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