Jessica & Jessie {married}

The Wedding of Jessica & Jessie

The Wedding Gown: Jordan Bridal

The Rings: Blue Nile

The Maid of Honor Dress: Jessica Simpson

The Guy's Ties & Ringbearer's Shirts: J. Crew

The Ceremony & Reception Venue: Elk Park, NC

The Florist: Mom & Grandma

The Band: The Moon & You

The Caterer: Woodlands BBQ

The Cake: Sticky Boy Bread Company 

This wedding was special for me in so many ways. I am beyond honored that my brother and his new wife wanted me to capture their Wedding Day. They were married by our Grandma at a destination that is very close and special to our family. The details of this day were thoughtfully put together by Jessica. Both our families pitched in their time and talent for this beautiful affair. 

The weather was reminiscent of fall. There was just a hint of coolness in the air with clear skies and a gorgeous mountain view. When Jessica told me she wanted to do a First Look, I was screaming & jumping up and down inside, then calmly responded with, "Oh, great! That'll be so romantic." IT WAS! I am a huge supporter/ advocate of the First Look! The emotions and sentiments that are exchanged during a First Look are irreplaceable. You just can't stage true raw emotion. I LOVED their First Look. 

{It was my 1st First Look too!}

The event went very smoothly thanks to Kaylen, our sister, who was the event coordinator. She itemized the timeline and directed the Bridal Party during the ceremony. It was so cool to work with her. Let's talk about the band, The Moon & You. Love the idea of having a band in lieu of a DJ. They did such a great job of serenading the witnesses of this whole event from ceremony to reception. Loved the band. 

There were lots of man hands helping move chairs and tables to ready the reception area right after the ceremony. They did such a pro-job at transitioning you hardly realized they did it. There are many details all over the place. I could not fit them all on one post. But I do hope you get a feel for this beautiful day. 

Now, I'll let you view the images. Enjoy!

{Above Details: Thumb print tree as the Guest Book, a mossy initial hung on the tree, a basket for cards, and  BBQ rub in corked bottles for the guests to take home.}

The First Look. Swoon!

Charleigh, the cutest little flower pup. 

Gorgeous Bridal Party! I love these people :)

The Ring-monkeys...uh,errr, bearers. They're mine :)

The Kiss!

{Above Details: Flowers by Mom & Grandma, Homemade Granola made by Jessica as seating arrangements, assorted sizes of wine bottles hold cold drinking water for the guests. Cake - Strawberry & almond cake topped with fresh strawberry icing...it was GOOD!}

They look so happy :) A lovely first dance! 

No one would ever guess I shot this with John-John on my left hip :)

BIG shout-out to Uncle Mike for helping me with the boys so that I could shoot this wedding. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 Love, love, love the sparkler line. The perfect exit!

Photography Idol: Chic Critique Forum

I've entered to be a competitor for the "Photography Idol" at the Chic Critique Forum

I chose a portrait style Senior image that I took over the summer with one of my Senior Reps, Abbey. Isn't she beautiful! I am very excited about the possibility of winning. It would be a great opportunity for me to grow. Please stay tuned because I will need your help with voting if my image of Abbey gets chosen as one of the finalists. Thanks so much for your love & support. Love you all!

{Look below: these are the awesome prizes!}

Motivation for Monday: I missed it!

Sorry I missed Motivation for Monday yesterday. We were busy with our first day of kindergarten. I am so proud of Julian. He just went right into the school day eager to learn and to know what this year's homeschool experience was going to be like with Mom {me}. Last year we used the Letter of the Week and some of the K-4 curriculum from Confessions of a Homeschooler. I still plan to implement the World's Greatest Artists and the Roadtrip USA, so that Julian gets to work on some really cool projects. I want learning to be fun for him. This year we are using the kindergarten curriculum from My Father's World. I was very excited about the literature list. I love to read! I feel at home surrounded by stacks of books. I want my boys to love to read as well. 

I plan to make a picture like this for each year the boys are in school, or as long as they'll let me do it. The best thing I did this summer was paint that wall with chalkboard paint. The old nursery is now our school room. It's not perfect, but it's ours. Here's to a successful school year, no matter if you're homeschooling or sending your little ones to school. Let it be a wonderful school year!

Senior {Guy} Lifestyle Session

Hey Senior Guys! Are you ready for your close up? Senior Lifestyle Sessions are not just for the ladies, you know. You guys can rock them out too! I've put this really cool simple collage for you to get inspired. The Senior Lifestyle Session is totally relaxed. You pick the location. Pick out some threads that represent your style, your interests, or whatever you'd like to include. If you play a musical instrument, bring it! If you're a sportsman, let's shoot at the playing field of your high school. The most important thing is to be yourself. If you're most comfortable in a flannel with your hound dog by your side, let's make it happen. Have your mama call me to schedule your Senior Lifestyle Session. Hope to hear from you soon...

Wednesday's Printable Words: Keep Calm

I know. I know. It's purple. Well, if you know me, purple is my favorite color....so :)

Enjoy it anyway!

Print it. It's FREE!
1. right click the image
2. save image as
3. save the printable where you can find it
4. click on the image in the folder
5. print to size 8x10
6. frame it.
7. share it

Motivation for Monday: {Carrie} Guest Blogger

Meet Carrie! She is the Children's Pastor at our church. She is such a sweet person. Carrie's love for children is so evident when you talk with her. She does an amazing job with the children's program at church. I have asked Carrie to be a guest blogger for Motivation for Monday. Scroll down to see what she has written...

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..." -Jeremiah 1:5a

We forget that we are important sometimes. We think how can God have time for me when there are so many other people in the world. Storms are hitting places, children are dying because they don't have food, women are even being sold, why would God have time for my problems? It is wonderful to know that before we were even born God not only knew us, but set us apart to live the life we have for him. He promises us he will never leave us. We will go through things in life we don't understand, but we must remember that we are His children and he loves us like not other!

Fashion Friday: Senior Lifestyle Session

The Senior Session!


'Tis the season for Senior Portrait Sessions. I love meeting rising Seniors during the summer. In my opinion, Summer & Fall are both really good times to start planning and schedule your Senior Session. So, what on earth do you have to plan???

1. Your Photographer: I highly encourage you to research the photographers in your area. Take a look at their portfolio. Does their style of photographing people and posing people jive with your style? It's really important to choose a photographer that will best represent you in pictures. After all, Senior Portraits are an investment.

2. Organize: That is, organize your ideas about what you want your Senior Session to look like. Make a list of ideal locations. Make a list of items that you want to bring that represent you (see #4). Talk about these things with your photographer too!

3. Go Shopping: You don't have to purchase anything new, but it is nice to don some new threads. Look through your closet and set a side a few things that you love. Look through your friend's closet (if you & your friends borrow each other's clothes). Don't forget the accessories. 

4. Accessorize: jewelry, shoes, purse, musical instrument, poms, books, hats, or anything that represents you :)

5. Schedule: Summer & Fall are usually pretty busy for photographers and families alike. With family vacations in the summer, and Back to School shopping and starting school in the fall, it leaves little time for much else. Schedule your Senior Session as soon as you have a block of time available. 

The Senior Session is all about you. Make sure to have fun. Your Senior year is a great time in your life, but it goes so fast!

Happy Friday!

Wednesday's Printable Words: Guest Blogger

Introducing Jacquelyn of Photography by Jacquelyn. She is my very first photographer guest blogger. Jacquelyn has provided her own printable words and encouragement to you today. Enjoy!

First of all, I want to say how honored I am to be asked by Karrie to be her guest blogger this week as well as her first photographer guest blogger! What a privilege! I met Karrie at a photography retreat we both attended. She has such a kind spirit and truly enjoyed out time together at this retreat. It was awesome to be able to learn more about photography together and practice our art.

Blogging is not something I am very faithful at doing in my own photography but not only has this inspired me to do just that, it has also given me a push to learn something new. I love seeing quotes/verses around my house on a daily basis and have my own prints framed in my house with various verses and quotes on them. In my recent Bible studies, I have been contemplating how, as Christians, we as a people tend to get caught up in the "do's & don'ts" instead of the gift we were given as a follower of Christ. When Jesus died on the cross as a sacrafice for our sins, the old covenant laws were nullified. The laws were hard to uphold and when Jesus came and died for us, he replaced the law with grace. We can be free, knowing that Jesus took care of the hard stuff and all we have to do is let him be the director of our lives! So, this printable is based in 2 Corinthians 3:17. I encourage you to read it and experience that freedom that only comes through HIM! With that said, here is Wednesday's 8x10 printable!

Print it. It's FREE!
1. right click the image
2. save image as
3. save the printable where you can find it
4. click on the image in the folder
5. print to size 8x10
6. frame it.
7. share it

Motivation for Monday: Meet My Beau

I am honored to be the first ever guest blogger for Karrie Drake Photography! I am extremely proud of my wife for successfully juggling 3 jobs all at once as a Wife, Mother, and a business owner!  She asked me to write the Motivation for Monday I assume because of my profession being that of a football coach, it should be a natural fit for me to say something inspiring right? Well one thing I have learned in life is that sometimes we who inspire, also need inspiring! Those who lift others up also need lifting up too!  Just yesterday I was feeling very drained and worried about various things in life.  However last night I learned something from watching the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.  (Yes for those of you who do not know me I am a football fanatic and can't get enough of it even though I do it for a living.  I mean how many Doctors watch Grey's Anatomy or I wonder if lawyers watch reruns of Law and Order?)  Anyway all the players being inducted had one thing in common throughout their speeches.  Each of them had at least one or several people in their lives who inspired them, who transformed their lives, gave them hope, or blessed them with encouragement.  It allowed me to realize that often our greatest work of inspiring others is during routine encounters, which we make a positive comment/compliment,  encourage someone who is down, or just give a smile or hug to someone needing it.  People remember those things and it takes such little effort to give those types of blessings to others who are hurting.  Watching this I realized that while I may never go into any Halls of Fame myself, and though I may never attain the dream of coaching my beloved Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl, I do have the ability to impact lives everyday while I am on this earth.  And it would be a shame and a waste of talent to not live everyday trying to inspire, encourage, and bless others!   William Shakespear once said "the pen is mightier than the sword."  Well I would have to disagree a little, cause I believe the tongue is mightier than the pen or the sword, as spoken words can heal or cut leaving a lasting impression to all those who receive them! Therefore I challenge everyone this week to make an effort to bless, inspire, and encourage at least one other person. You never know what kind of greatness will sprout from it! 

Wednesday's Printable Words: I Love You

Good Morning! Today's printable is very special. This printable has dual duty. It looks pretty in a frame AND you can write on it with dry erase markers. Above, you'll see my little set up I have in my kitchen.
I first saw this idea on Pinterest, so I can not take credit for it. (Click the link to find other ideas for marriage.)

I met with a sweet friend last week who encouraged me to find ways to show my husband that I love him. She reminded me that a man's ego is fragile and needs to be boosted by his beloved. If I am persistent with this, then he will begin to notice and reciprocate. I was very excited about this relationship assignment. So much so that I came home that day and created the above "I Love you today because...".
I printed it out, placed it in a framed, and wrote my first message. Beau noticed immediately and followed suit. It has been a marriage revival. It's so easy to get in a relationship rut when life gets busy, to forget to nurture the love that preceded the love of our children. So, what are you waiting for? Print it. It's free!

1. Right click the printable image.
2. Save image as
3. Save it to a place that will be easy to find.
4. Print as (8x10)
5. Trim the edges.
6. Frame it.
7. Write a message to Honey! (Make sure to use dry erase markers.)