RENATE & BRAIN

Married on June 5th! (wow, it’s been that long… eeekk!)

If you don’t remember Renate and Brian, check out their engagement photos… they were awesome! Despite the rain… We made it happen! AND, not to forget her bridals!! Sigh. Love, love, love them! She is the reason I can’t stand bridals! They turn out so great… yet ‘you’ cannot post them until AFTER the wedding! Ugh… the beauty of secrets right?

Renate and Brian’s wedding day started out with no parking at the hotel, wind that made your hair a whirlwind and humidity that that made you question if it was sweat or not. Ahem, It was a wonderful day to get married… ON THE BEACH! But let me just say… Renate and Brain… YOU ROCKED IT!  They were amazing. And let me drag them EVERYWHERE to get that extra shot… or as I call it, the ‘One more’ shot!

Take a look at their wedding photos. Let us know what you think!

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{Stage 1} engaged.

I got engaged in August of 2007. I had seen Tomme’s work before hand and set her website aside for when I become engaged. Photography was the only thing I wanted to spend money on. It is my most important feature of my life. Not as a skill. No No… That, I am still learning. But more because of the moment each photograph holds. Photographs are irreplaceable.  And I LOVE to look back on moments and remember that ‘special day’.

I met Tomme and knew right away that I wanted to sign her. I didn’t even have to meet with any other photographer… just her. So, I signed with her and Tomme did my engagement photos that November.

{Stage 2} bridals.

I had thoroughly analyzed her work before I chose her… knowing she would produce wonderful unique images. BUT, in order for them to be as AWESOME as I wanted… I knew I had to get dirty… And I did.

For my bridals, I was in a field with grass, crickets, spiders (yuck) and mesquites (i think i ended up with 14 bites)… then I rolled around in the middle of a road… Dont worry ladies… the dirt comes out!

{Stage 3} the wedding.

Once your wedding day arrives, there is nothing to do but put your faith in your photographer. It is ALL in their hands. Because THEY ARE THE REASON YOU REMEMBER YOUR WEDDING.

{Stage 4} maternity.

My husband and I found out shortly after our wedding that we were expecting. SURPRISE to us! And of course the first thing I did was contact Tomme. DUH! Its another big moment in my life. You think I dont want me captured when I am 30+ lbs over weight! Many think not… but to be honest… Tomme made me feel like a SEXY pregnant woman. Let’s just say I walked away from this shoot feeling more confident than I did the entire pregnancy! Come on, any woman who gains 30+ lbs doesn’t feel ‘sexy’ or ‘pretty’… EVEN IF THEY ARE PREGNANT! I walked away feeling like a MODEL!

{Stage 5} baby.

And then came baby… HOUSTON! A couple weeks ago Tomme and I scheduled for her to come and shoot my baby, Houston‘s newborn photos. Sigh. Didn’t work as planned. Let’s just say Newborn photography has a different skill… PATIENCE! and more PATIENCE! and then waiting. This was our first attempt at ‘Newborn’ photography. And well… ahem, yea.

Although, I wouldn’t say it was a complete failure. Our first mistake was trying to shoot his photos during the main time Matt and I keep him awake… Oh well… But, as always, Tomme still got some great shots in between the crying…

Tomme and I called it a night. So the next day I started thinking… since I had started shooting with Tomme in October (2009), my confidence was not quite up there… I still get a little jittery before I shoot. So, I knew I had to grow a pair of… you know… and try to shoot on my own. SO, I tackled this shoot myself. AHHH. Dont worry, I did good! So good, I impressed myself! And Tomme!

{Stage 6} Family

My family (entire family) is having a photos session with Tomme this spring! So, I will be sure to post them soon!

Thanks for staying with me and reading my chronicles of life. I think its very important to develop a relationship with your photographer. Because, they are the ones that help you remember the important moments in your life. Before I was Tomme’s assistant, I told myself I would use her for every important moment in my life. Because the first time I met her, she was not just a photographer, she became a friend.

I feel the need to tell you about something that makes me smile  —   I have a WONDERFUL collection of koozies thanks to my couples, thank you for allowing our beverages to stay cool.  We prob have about 50 different koozie couples. 

I also don’t know if you know this, but  I keep a small photo collection of my couples, if we do an e sesh (or a bridal) I put one on my fridge… sometimes couples will send me ‘Save the date’ magnet , so I have the majority of my couples greet me at the fridge every morning – I will have to take a pic and show you, a collage of all my friends that just so happened to hire me to take great images for them. All these smiling lovebirds that make me happy b/c I’ve taken photos of them, being in love with each other, ME – doing what I love. Yeah, I adore those pics! There are a couple things that I like to do to get my day started on the right track & you guys being on my fridge, reminding me of what I love every day.. sets that pace for me. 

Well, I got to shoot Robin Wright-Penn and Orlando Bloom recently. Ok, not exactly BUT that’s who Megan and Ian look like to me.  Jim says that Ian looks like Charlie Sheen, but I don’t see that. I think he’s much more Orlando.

What I DO know is how photogenic they are. I spent lots of time with them and felt like I got to know them tremendously. And, as fortunate as I end up…..I’d love to hang out with them again at another time.  They are just that like-able. 

Megan is going to school to get her MD. And I’m so touched by her gentle soft nature and how SWEET she is.  I have a background in medicine, and MOST female dr’s were a little harsh.. So I’m really enamoured that Megan is going to be such a great Dr. with such a FABULOUS bedside manner… her patients will love her.

Ian is finishing up his PhD and they have moved to Lexington, KY.. which is where some of my family is from. I’m jealous they will get to sip mint juleps and go to the Derby. Kentucky really is an undiscovered beauty.. Lexington is actually a pretty nice area.. with BLUEgrasses and rolling hills, and horses that run full speed for miles and miles…….also the fans of UK there are pretty committed to their teams. I have pictures of myself when I was 13 – I have a UK Wildcats tank top on.. with HAIR WINGS, lots of aqua net and pin striped pants. I could also find that for you and you would prob never want to hire me, but my love for UK started long ago.. so guys, don’t forget to invite me sometime.

Ok, pics already…………

I had some really cool lenses and I love how just the sequin part of this dress is focused and the other is soft and dreamy. Love that. 

Her bouquet was bright and brilliant and really stood out.

Orlando’s debut.

Pretty darn photogenic, huh?

Her expression coming down the aisle.

and HIS expression seeing her come down the aisle. This is classic.

Man, I loved this fountain.

We chased them in our car and caught up to the limo!

I’m trying to decide if this my favorite shot of the night. So many ….

Megan with her pops.  I so loved how her dress would just cascade thru the air like that. I don’t always get dresses that have so much movement so I think I really tried to capitalize on how hers moved. 

And this was the ‘vette that Ian was really excited to rush Megan off to the hotel!! I am not sure if he was excited about driving that vette or just getting to the hotel, wink wink

Well, that’s all for tonight. I will catch up with you again next week! xoxo

Flowers are by Bloom . And I thought they did a fabulous job with the flower arrangements. Cake is from Publix. And once again. I didn’t get to taste it. It was beautiful.   Catering was furnished by Carolina Caterers.

Magnolia has a Bridal Cottage that is newly renovated and really warm and cozy. I usually don’t prefer shooting indoors b/c of all the distractions, but this one and only time.. the room was an accessory and not a distraction! Hallelujah. Most bridal dressing rooms aren’t so great. So I have to give props, this was def the BEST I’ve ever seen.

The mirrors were all around for added light and kept getting great shots everywhere I turned. 

Tom getting his GQ on.

And Wendi getting hers on. Ok, so I will be HONEST here. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her hair piece which were delicate white flowers. I don’t know what kind of flowers, but they were simply pristine. AND, I’m a fan of her gown, it is cut so beautifully on her and on a personal level I really love classic designs and her gown is very classic. Good pick, Wendi. Looked amazing on you. 

I got to spend some extra time w the boys and I love doing groom and groomal party shots. The guys are there to party. And they bring the entertainment every time!

They both are super good looking and photograph so well. Oh, lucky me!!

Tom and Wendi met ahead of time to conserve time and I love when I get to be that up close and personal to their reactions to each other. That really is an emotional moment to witness. My heart always smiles really big although I’m clicking away!

And I can’t ever get over grandparents getting down and shaking loose. I love how much fun she is having.. look at her face. I happen to love my older folks and love getting the pictures of them having the time of their life. 

That’s how photojournalism works. You make great animated expressions. I catch them. 

I’m always trying to use the ring for as many variables as I can. I love her reflection.

Jim is an official hand model. Or thumb model. 

And nothing beats good old cigars for the boys. I love the smokyness and how it holds the light around it. Pretty cool. Well, I could go on and on, as I got lots of good images from the day. Tom and Wendi, best of luck to you. I feel damn lucky to know and to have met you and I hope we continue to stay in touch. Have fun in Cancun and I’m sorry we weren’t able to stuff me in the suitcase like we planned. Next time.

Until next week’s humpdates.

Here’s some images from a bridal session with Crystal. Her and Josh will be getting married at Wentworth Mansion in September. The camera LOVED her. Well, look how hot she is. The great thing about Crystal is she was up for EVERYTHING. That’s really the key in great  photos. I see it. You do it. If you are reluctant and don’t want to do some adventurous stuff, then the photos will just be that.  She had a great attitude about it all and was so excited to be there modeling, looking gorgeous. She is funny and smart and I’m so excited to be working with her.

Here goes……

I couldn’t resist. I saw this book in the hotel room and was just calling out to me. I’m cheesey and very random with some things that just hit me. Sometimes, Ok most times there is no rhyme nor reason to my madness.

We actually got so many great shots that it’s so hard to pick what to put on here. I’m tellin’ ya- if you are willing, the photos will be fun. I do get some resistance at times and the photos turn out as good as you are willing. For instance, at first Crystal thought I was nuts to ask her to sit on this table- as you can tell it had just rained…. the table was a bit unstable and it was somewhat wet. But, I said to trust me and she would be safe. She did and this is what I got.

She looked very fashionable to me so we emphasized that. She was small and beautiful and it didn’t take hardly ANY coaching to draw out from her what I needed. It came really natural for her.

I also got some great light that I thought looked AMAZING.. I’m a sucker for these sorts of things.

And we saw a black cab that had a european flair- and this just kind of happened.

The hotel itself was really fab. It was where Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillipe stayed on their honeymoon when they married here on Sullivan’s Island.

This is a stair case that I loved. The shape of it alone is so interesting. It draws you into the photo.

And one more, the row of trees and symmetry are something I love to emphasize as well.

Can’t wait for the wedding! See you in September for more fun, Crystal.

Brooke Lauer said for me to wake up and blog with pictures, this is no monologue. Gotta laugh. OK! Jeez already!

So I’m behind in my editing and postings, but remember I said I would frequent my blog at least by humpday of any given week, Brooke……but I guess she is going to keep me on my toes!

After my well rested vacation Natasha was my first shoot back. Every time we have shot, we have encountered rain……so we did what we could do, and think we did really well.  We were at the Governor’s mansion in Columbia. It was really a nice location and now that I know it’s there- will be shooting there more often.

I have been chastized for using photoshop. Because those cynics feel that photography isn’t photography anymore and created therefore in photoshop. I can understand some folks unwilling to bend and change with the ages, and some people dig it and others don’t. I have to stay true to my self and I love the mood that photoshop can give a humdrum image. It happens to be where I feel like a photograph becomes an art piece. It’s where the masterpiece takes shape. It’s always rewarding when I happen to have my clients that hire me because of that look. Most of my clients hire me because they feel the same. I hope that is how it stays. My clients are UBER cool and love the same things I do. That is essential- to hire that photographer that fits. And for us photographers it’s bliss when our clients share the same visions and trust our work.

Natasha and AJ will be getting married in October. AJ is a super nice guy and always seems to shine a smile whenever I see him. I can’t wait until they get married. My job is alot of work,  but sharing the happiest and most fun day of someone’s life with them is a gift that I can’t even begin to share with you how much I love doing.

Well Brooke, I hope this soothes the savage beast. I will post more along the way, and I promise to have something by Humpday……a humpdate I should say, of each week. Sometimes it will be monologue b/c a blog doesn’t have to just be photos but can just be thoughts. My website and flickr site are more for photos and the blog will be a fusion of both. If you don’t already know the flickr site, check it out. Lots of stuffs on it. ( www.flickr.com/photos/tommehilton/ )

Ciao for now.