Congratulations Holly & David

It's hard to believe that it has been a year since Holly and David first contacted me to photograph their wedding. It's been a fun year getting to know them.

We did their engagement portraits way back in March of 2008. We had a blast, making use of the colorful walls of NoDa and even got "lucky" with a serious downpour at the end of our session.

For her bridal portraits, Holly chose an old burned-down church. The old stone ruins were a perfect complement to her retro-style dress. We also took her inside the studio for a shot in our leather booth, also playing on that retro style. Kym McClean of Who's the Fairest once again did an amazing job with her styling.






Then we also headed down to the tracks to catch a train...

Here it comes...





Here's a few of my favorites from wedding day:



I have never seen a bride call an audible with her hairstyle just a few hours from the Ceremony. But, Holly is not your average bride and went with a different look at the last minute. That's impressive! And she totally pulled it off and looked absolutely amazing. Hat's off to the team at All About You for improvising along with the bride.

Here she is thinking about it...



Happy with her choice, they put on the veil. No turning back now!



Here's Kym doing the final touches...

Congratulations Amy and Jonathan!

Okay, it is a bit late to post your blog, but better late than never!

Here are a few shots from their engagement session. Amy preferred studio work for all her images, but wanted an upbeat style, not traditional portraiture. Jonathan likes what she likes (good man). So, the goal was high-energy and fun versus traditional portraiture.

Amy also wanted studio portraits for her bridal session. She had her heart set on B&W images. It's not something my brides are usually after, so it was a welcome change of pace! Amy makes such an extraordinarily beautiful bride and because she wanted more traditional portraiture, I chose dramatic and hard lighting to really make sure her images stood out.

Here's some "Hollywood style" lighting and film grain...





One of my favorite smiles from the bride:





I like this pose because it showcases her figure and the back of her dress:





And now some shots from the big day:








I love this picture of the girls clowning around before the Ceremony. They were a cool group!



Father and daughter share a kiss before the Ceremony begins:



A little practice run down the aisle before guests arrived:



And now for the real thing:



Jonathan anxiously awaits the arrival of his bride:



The church does not allow photography from the Santuary, so I had to grab the shot over the bride's shoulder of Jonathan watching Amy come down the aisle, then quickly run upstairs to the balcony to catch her father give her away...whew, there was no time to spare.













Their reception was held at The Mint Museum of Charlotte.

Merry Christmas!!!

From Darren, Jennifer & Bella Cassese



Thanks to fellow photographer Troy Tomlinson of Flaming Chicken Studio for taking this image of our family for us.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

I'm so excited to read this book in March 2009. Please check out this author's website and watch the trailer for the book. It promises to be a fun read.

I provided all the photographs of the author, Carrie Ryan.

-Darren

http://www.carrieryan.com/

Bride Returns to Childhood Home for Romantic Wedding

As the old saying goes...Good things come to those who wait. And so it was with Kristin and Jeff. Kristin waited 40 years to find her soul mate. It also gave her plenty of time to plan the perfect wedding at her family home in Kiawah Island, SC.

What an amazing setting for a wedding of extraordinary families. It was a pleasure to witness the union of these two wonderful people.

Congratulations, Kristin and Jeff! I look forward to working with you on your album!

I also thought I would share some of the wonderful comments that Kristin & Jeff's family and friends have made about their wedding collection. Thanks for all the kind words, everyone! It was my pleasure!

*Your photographs are absolutely lovely. The photographers were worth every penny--the best wedding photos I have ever seen! They captured the heart and spirit of your beautiful day. I was so surprised of how many different places and emotions were caught on film. I love, love, love the photos of you and Jeff on the golf course during the day and at sunset. I see that one framed in his office (a definite plus given his profession). My next favorite was the one when you were coming down the stairs and the look in your dad's eyes--breathtaking! Of course there are the quirky ones with your school friends--what the heck were you all doing? When did you do all that? How funny! Thanks so much for sharing you day with us and reminding us of the important things in life.

*I'm speechless. Those are the most exquisite wedding photos I've ever seen. However much you paid them, it was worth it! I looked at the highlight reel. Haven't gone through the other one yet, and I thought the highlight pics were just wonderful. The lighting is so good and the subjects, well, just gorgeous!!, of course. I love the one of you and your Dad hugging at the bottom of the stairs in the hotel and the one of Jeff looking lovingly at you coming down the stairs. That's some tricky lighting there - indoors with those super high ceilings, and the photographers did a great job. You all have such nice expressions.
I also really like the outdoor one of you alone on the lawn from the waist up (I think) with your veil blowing a bit in front of you. Great shot. You look like a movie star. And your dress was dynamite!!
There are several dozen other pics I just loved, but those struck me most. I like all the ones of your mom for sentimental reasons. I smile when I see those. I enjoyed so much that first trip to Kiawah when your folks were there. I feel in love with them immediately. They were wonderful to us. You are really blessed to have them. I know they are so proud of you. Your wedding was a beautiful day for us all. And it was a fun time, to boot. I enjoyed it so much. Thanks for including me in your special day.

*Kristin, Let me say one thing.....I have no idea what you paid your photographers, but a penny less wouldn't have been enough!!!!!!!!!! Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous!!!!!! I'm not saying this just because you're my friend, but these are some of the most beautiful pictures I've ever seen. I'm sure you had a hand in some of the pictures, ha ha, but you should be very proud of your team. Some of the pictures are honestly breathtaking! I can't wait to get home tonight and show them to Josh. I guess the scenery and pretty people probably helped out in taking good pictures as well, ha ha!

*Wow, what beautiful pictures! You and Jeff look fabulous, as does everything else. The photographer captured the event so well that I feel like I was there. I can tell it was definitely a magical and joyous day for you guys. I am sure it is going to be difficult to pick out your favorite ones for an album. Thanks so much for sharing. I wish you and Jeff a lifetime filled with happiness, health and magical moments similar to those created on your special day!
*Dear Kristin, I so enjoyed seeing your wedding pictures. They were so beautiful. I think the photographers captured the the wonder of the special day. How great to have those memories.
*Kristin, your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! Your photographer did a wonderful job. They are some of the nicest wedding pictures I've ever seen. You were just beautiful. I love your dress. Everything looked so elegant. You look just like your mom! It looked like you had perfect weather and Jeff is sooo handsome! You did good girl! HA

*Dear Kristin, The pictures are spectacular. Thank you so much for sharing. I have been able to relive your magical day several times.
*Absolutely beautiful pictures!! You look amazing, beautiful family and wedding!!
*Great pictures, Kristin (of course)!

Bella

It's a little late but Bella wanted to say Happy Halloween! It's never too late for a picture of a baby in a pumpkin suit, don't you think?

What does a photographer do on his day off?

I have lots of client blogging to catch up on...but before I do, I thought I would share some personal images as well. Plus, I haven't done a Bella update in awhile. Jennifer and I had a little mini vacation recently. And what do we do on vacation? Take pictures, of course!

It's fun to get out the point and shoot. Well, a point and shoot for me is a cheap lens on an older camera that covers a wide range of 18-200mm and automatic shooting mode so I don't have to think.

Jennifer and I took a day away from Bella (wasn't easy) and headed up to Asheville for my first-ever trip to Biltmore. Our first stop was the winery.

Biltmore wine isn't tops on my list of wines, but the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir did hit the spot.



After finishing the bottle, Jennifer got friendly with a local:



We tried some self-portraits putting the camera on my camera bag.



Then asked for a little help from a fellow tourist. She did a nice job with this shot, I think.



I like taking pictures of Jennifer. She's a lot prettier in pictures than I am.




She also likes to be goofy, which I enjoy:



By the way, does anyone know what the heck this thing is?



And last but not least, my only shot of the whole house, with Jennifer in the foreground. I guess we were too busy goofing off the whole time to really take good pictures of the grounds. Oh well!