My original shoot date with Sandra was rainy and freezing and overall icky (what’s up with that, May?), but the following weekend was PERFECTION, so I’m glad we rescheduled!
I’m so lucky to meet and work with women like Sandra: women who inspire me, teach me, encourage me, and remind me of all the reasons I love photography!
I’ve worked with Bess a couple of times — she’s been my contact for a few of the political campaign shoots I’ve worked on — but I’d never met her until today, when I showed up to make a few portraits for her. I’m not sure what I expected, but I was so happy to arrive and meet this beautiful, thoughtful woman.
These first three images are my test images. Sometimes I’m lucky, and in that moment after I say, “Oh, you can relax, I’m just testing my light,” my subject does just that: she relaxes, and does something completely lovely and photo-worthy.
She was just as gorgeous in the more intentional photos…
Bess, thank you so much for asking me to make your headshots! OXO
Baby Ava was one of the calmest, sweetest babies I’ve ever photographed! Not only did she have the most adorable little head full of hair, but she also modeled like a champ!
I got to meet Ava because I photographed her parents wedding several years ago. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: documenting the life stages of a family is such a wonderful honor for me!
Only one week old, and Ava smiled over and over again during our shoot!
I love Ava’s purple nursery!
Sometimes you can trick ‘em with a finger…
…but it never lasts for very long!
This is after she got a REAL meal.
Brent wanted a photo of Ava in front of their flag. We all agreed that this was too hilarious to pass up:
My Minishoots days have gotten so full I have to host two of them each spring and fall! Here are a few of my favorite images from day two; you can see day one HERE.
Noah was happy. Until he wasn’t.
This little guy just needed some warming up!
But THIS kiddo was all energy and grins from the moment her family got there!
I photographed Allison’s wedding, and now get to photograph her sweet twins every year! It may be cruel, but to get Harper to look into the camera, I told her there was a little man inside who jumped every time I took a picture, and that she had to look really closely to see him. (Sorry, kid.)
This was my first time photographing Tiffany & Ashley. SO glad they brought their sweet furbabies!
I also shot Jess & Ed’s wedding, and I LOVE watching their little girl grow up!
This family snagged a last-minute spot that opened up due to a cancellation, and I’m SO happy we were able to make it work! Their little boy was so darn dapper in his little seersucker jacket!
Kim was a bridesmaid in a wedding I shot several years ago. It was fun to re-meet her, this time with her husband and baby girl!
I grew up with these boys’ mama, so I sorta feel like they’re my nephews. I love hanging out with kids who obviously spend 80% of their time outside! They were totally fearless in this tree!
Dad couldn’t make it, so Sunday was all-girl photos for this little family!
So much happy!
I can’t believe Tomi and Michelle have TWO of their own adorable babies now! I feel like I just shot their wedding last year!
Robby, telling me about the teeth he’s lost, and the front tooth he’s going to lose. “The tooth fair brings me money, like $20 or a quarter,” he told me. Close enough!
Precious!
Sisters…
Another “look-close-and-see-the-little-man” picture. Creepy, yet effective!
Adorableness!
Mason swore he could, in fact, see the little man in my camera.
This family is so crazy-gorgeous and TOTALLY sweet. Robby is a lucky little kid!
I love it when babies stare off into the sky like this! Their eyes look so bright!
Despite feeling like this family is MY family, this was the first time I’d ever met miss Lillian! I loved her Cindy Lou Who hairdo!
Last but not least… OXO
As soon as Lena told me she and George were getting married, I knew I WANTED to photograph her wedding. Had I known their theme would be, “Louis Caroll Meets Hunter S. Thompson & They Go To the Circus, aka Mad Hatter On Acid” I would’ve INSISTED. Thankfully I didn’t have to insist. Lena did that for me. And on Sunday, I celebrated with two beautiful people at one of the most joyful, colorful, WONDERFUL weddings I’ve ever attended!
Lena, I love you dearly! I’m glad we’ve stayed connected since those old-school days in choir together. I’m so happy for you and George, and so honored that you invited me to be part of this truly incredible day! OXO
I’ve only shot one other wedding where the bride didn’t wear white. And you know what? I kinda love it…
Lena’s friend opened her little apartment at The Goat Farm for getting ready…
Lena’s son Render came in, saw all the ladies, and immediately hid behind his Toy Story bookbag.
The groom.
I’ve never seen a kid take to a hat quite like Render!
Lena’s grandparents, smoking and drinking their pre-ceremony CocaColas.
Lena’s friend Alexis helped her dress…
Just minutes before the ceremony was to begin, George waited outside to see Lena…
Ann C. shots lots of great photos, but I extra-love this capture of Render. He’s a kid always on the move, so I immediately loved this fuzzy shot of him.
In very un-Render-like fashion, Ren ran to Lena and George and posed.
It was so precious to open the program (which double as an activity booklet for the guests!) and see my name listed in the back. OXO
Neither of Lena’s parents are living. Her grandparents are incredibly important to her, and her grandfather walked her down the aisle.
A Goat Farm artist watching the ceremony from his window…
Lena and George incorporated a ring warming ceremony, passing their wedding rings around to each guest for a blessing.
Lena and George’s friends and family worked together to knit this extra-long scarf, which Render helped to wrap around their hands for a handfasting ritual.
Each guest’s place was marked with a ribbon tide around their gift of a vintage record. This is probably my favorite wedding favor idea EVER. Each place setting was complete with a unique piece of china, and a miniature Mason jar for pour-your-own cocktails.
A little nod to Doctor Who. In her vows, Lena promised that if a man in a blue box ever came to whisk her away to other worlds, she would insist that he bring George, too.
Carnival games!
Instead of a piece of vinyl, Render’s place was marked with a brand new Bert puppet.
George’s wedding gift to Lena…
Low country boil, family style:
Contrary to appearances, I was NOT getting in trouble. Lena was just making me promise to eat!
Below and to the right: the man responsible for the amazing wedding arch and the strongman carnival game!
In remembrance…
The official end of the evening was marked with the release of dozens of fire lanterns…
The “guestbook” was two coloring pages from a Lena, George, & Render comic book!
Ceremony & Reception: The Goat Farm, Atlanta, Georgia
Lena’s Dress: custom made by Gillian Gussack with fabric from Gail K.
Lena’s Earrings: Aranwen’s Jewelry
Lena’s Necklace: M Stevenson Designs
Lena’s Ring: Gothic Glitter
Lena’s Shoes: ModCloth
Lena’s Tights: Leg Avenue
Lena’s Hair & Makeup: Amy & Kristen from Salon Red in Candler Park (respectively)
George’s Ring: Kinekt
George’s Shoes: Macy’s
George’s Belt Buckle: Decembermoon Design
George’s Jacket: The Lees Shop
Ties: Cyber Optix
Hats: Purchased from Village Hat Shop, embellished by Lena
Invitations & Guestbook Artwork: Adam Thas with Wedding Lantern
Skull Flasks: Diamond, Star, Halo
Vintage China Place Settings: Set the Table Vintage
Antique Books: from Lena’s book collection, inherited from her mother
Vintage Records: Full Moon Records
Cake & Cupcakes: Highland Bakery
Ceremony Music: Villain Family
Band: Good Golly Svengali
Other Music: Till Someone Loses An Eye
Fire Spinner: Myron with The Imperial Opa
My lovely assistant and associate photographer: Ann Parks
I shot Britni & Josh’s engagement photos in the afternoon, after I’d wrapped up a daytime wedding. They were so open to anything I suggested; Britni probably walked a mile in her heels before she admitted that, no, they weren’t at all comfortable! I loved ending a beautiful wedding day with a couple who is about to celebrate their own wedding. Even better: Britni & Josh are friends-of-friends, meaning I can easily adopt them into my own little social circle without any effort whatsoever.
Thanks, Britni & Josh, for welcoming spring with me! I’m so excited to be part of your lives! OXO
Copyright © 2012 Anne Almasy. All rights reserved
