Love and Lilies

Erin and I were in the same first grade class.
We played softball together, where of course, I cried.
Her mom was my third grade teacher.
We were penpals (from the far, far seven minute drive we lived from one another) where Erin decorated her envelopes with thumbprints to make a caterpillar.
We went to high school together and now are in college together, living life together.
I can't even express how much this woman means to me, how she is truly one of my best friends and how we can be weird around each other and we can desire simplicity together instead of being forced into it. I've had some of the most raw conversations with this friend and share my visions as a photographer with her and only her because she too, is an artist in so many different ways.
And now Erin is getting married.
I treat Adam like he's Erin because they're so similar. He wants to know about me, who I am as a person, not as the friend of his future wife. And his heart and perseverance for the Lord is something I truly have never experienced in a person at this young of an age. As his bride says, Adam makes Erin feel like she can be something other than the (her) color yellow. I've been thinking about marriage and relationships a lot lately and Mumford & Sons puts it right for this season.

"And there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair."

We pulled over to a field on the side of the road and spent our time there. The bugs were absolutely awful. So awful that we're going to have a second shoot when its colder, but for the circumstances...we did well. REALLY well.





























I spent last night on Erin's porch eating pizza and ranch, wrapped up in a blanket. She told me how she believes God tells us to create because He first created.
As artists, we're doing something right. We're revealing the fact that it is okay to be a creator and invent something that wasn't here yesterday. I am so thankful for the impact their story has had on me.
This is why I do what I do.

As Erin would say-
love and lilies,

ro

Doug and Lisa-Charleston, SC

The more and more I photograph weddings in Charleston, the more I begin to appreciate where I've gotten to grow up and live. Example: I only live three blocks away where Lisa and Doug got married a couple weekends back. Unfortunately, I don't make it down to White Point Gardens that often because it doesn't provide me with coffee, which seems to be the only place I spend any extra time. But man oh man is this place beautiful. These trees are so towering and beautiful that I think I might want to go and live under them for a day or two.
I want to make it a point to note that I'm so appreciative of couples that work with me and all my many errors and mistakes that come along with me. Doug and Lisa and their entire wedding party were a true testament to the couple you want to work with: calm, relaxed and understanding. Thanks for letting me be part of your day!





























I love when guests ask for a group shot of all their guests. Just as formals with the bridal party and family are important, I think its so neat to be able to look back at who you chose to celebrate your marriage with.




All the guests headed to 82 Queen after the ceremony to be welcomed by a wonderfully set private area just for the wedding.










Congrats you two!

Mary Jo and Georgi

While growing into the artist I want to become, I've learned to photograph through stories and to tell the stories of those who are strong and beautiful and aren't afraid to be real and raw. Meet Mary Jo and Georgi. Mary Jo is a full time momma and full time student, trying to get through all the prerequisites for nursing school just like I am...and let's just say that Mary Jo is better at it even while I'm not a mother and have less to do. That just seems to be how I work though! I had been promising Mary Jo that we'd make some photos for a while now and I think the timing of it ended up working out perfectly. We met at the pumpkin patch and ended in a field right beside the pumpkins with sweaty backs and sticky little baby hairs. Mary Jo had so many adorable outfits for Georgi and I don't think I've ever worked with a parent so persistent on getting their child's attention to laugh and look and focus, it was so helpful!
Oh, and did I mention how the lighting was just delicious? Go gobble it all up.

























I love when babies can be your little dolls and let you dress them up all the while they don't care


This is proof of Mary Jo's commitment toward 'getting the photo'










I love when I become friends with those who I photograph, its so wonderful when we can connect through our stories. We ended the evening by being kicked out of the pumpkin patch and agreeing that we should have just vandalized all their pumpkins instead. Anyone else in?