{ the magnus family. wilmington, nc }

I was so excited when Dr. Magnus asked me to do their family pictures again this year. 1. Not only because she was my favorite professor in school and 2. I couldn't wait to see how her family had grown since the last shoot we did with her little girl, Coralee. And grow it did! The family of 2 is now 3. We ended up doing this session in the morning and I'm so glad we did. This was the best light I had shot in in a while and the park looked so beautiful at this time of year. It was the first taste of fall weather I'd had this year! You'll really get to see the fall fun I've had next with our anniversary trip to Asheboro, yippee!

{ inspiration monday: 10.31.11 }

{ sneak peak: the magnus family. wilmington, nc }

Enjoy the little things in life...for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things.

- Robert  Brault

{ 4 years ago today... }

It had been raining for 3 straights days and here was the day of our wedding, I woke up and it was still raining. Thankfully, about an hour before the ceremony was supposed to begin, the rain ceased. I made the call to keep everything outside, praying that it wouldn't rain! Happily, I was able to walk down the aisle and meet him at the end. As we were saying our vows, I saw teeny tiny raindrops fall on his face.  It was as if God was saying, "I could open up the skies right now, but I'm not going to. Just know that." It ended up being the most beautiful ceremony ever. I was elated to finally call this man my husband!

Babes, I love you with everything I have and I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to meet me at the end of that aisle 4 years ago today. You support me like no one else could and I'm excited to spend the rest of our lives together and grow old, sitting in rocking chairs on a porch somewhere. Happy Anniversary, my love!

photos by Tracy Turpen

Love you, Babes!

{ giveaway winner announced! }

And the winner of the Southern Weddings V4 Magazine is..........Laura! Congratulations! Your personal edition is in the mail!

{ inspiration monday: 10.24.11 }

{ inspiration monday: 10.17.11 }

{ giveaway day: SWV4 style! }

The giveaway is now closed.

What up? It's Friday, I'm ready for a vacation, and the weather is supposed to be B-E-A-utiful this weekend. And it's put me in such a good mood that I'm going to give you something today! Out of the goodness of my heart. I think everyone should own the new V4 of Southern Weddings magazine! That's right. The biggest, bestest version ever is coming out on October 25th but you can win a chance to get it first here before anyone else! I mean have you seen the yummy goodness that SW has produced in the past? It's the best weddings the South has to offer! Not to mention the oodles of DIY ideas.

Did I mention I got to meet the great Lara Casey? The brains behind this operation. No, really, like spent the whole day with her, met her. She is full of inspiration so I can't imagine what V4 is going to hold this time.

If you would like your very own copy of V4 SWM, leave a comment below telling me what your plans are for this weekend. Are you going to the beach? Are you going to the mountains? Are you laying low and doing nothing? Are you wedding planning?

I personally am going to a wedding out of town (and yes, as a guest) and hopefully trecking over to the state fair. It's that time of year for fried food! AND helping my friend opening up her Etsy shop so stay tuned for the big announcement!

Other ways to collect entries, in case you're just dying to win this magazine:
(leave a comment letting me know each thing you did)

1. Like Dana Laymon Photography on Facebook.
2. Follow me on Twitter
3. Follow me on Pinterest.

Contest ends next Friday, October 21st and the winner will be announced Friday afternoon.

Happy Friday!

{ inspiration monday 10.10.11 }

{ my first love: surfing. wilmington, nc }

As soon as I got out of the car, I felt a huge sigh of relief come over me. Why had I stopped doing this? This thing that got me obsessed with photography to begin with? I was mixing my two favorite things at the time, surfing and photography. I got to be at the beach all day with a camera. What can be better than that? From the first day I ever stepped foot on a beach in Wilmington, I was capturing surfing. I had a much better lens for it back then. Then I had to trade it in for a more "wedding" lens since you can't really make money taking pictures of surfer dudes. Michael and I rode all the way there with the windows down and the dog riding in the back of the truck. It was finally a cool evening in September and the sunset was perfect. I was like a giddy child. I need to do this more often. Shoot for the love of it. Not because it's "work". Michael ran around on the beach with the dog as I stood and watched friends out in the water. It was so peaceful. I will make more time for this. I must make more time for this. It's good for the soul.

The next generation...