A Quick Life Update
In my last blog post, I mentioned how I was able to work on editing my images from the Black and White shoot from the Styled Shoots Across America Conference because I had my first snow day as an adult working in the medical field. Now that’s we’ve been social distancing for a month, I have had plenty of time to work on two more shoots from this conference, since I’ve had to cancel my spring shoots and bridal expo attendance. I’m not going to lie, it’s been very disappointing to suddenly have [too much] free time and not be able to do what I love the most – serving my clients.
I’ve had to learn to be creative in other ways, and so far that has looked different every day. I practiced some of the hand lettering I’ve learned from my friend Lucy + Fay in the beginning, and taught myself a very basic way to create double exposure images in Lightroom. I then went down a Sims rabbit hole for a weekend and designed a nice house for the Sim versions of my husband ad myself. I have been on Pinterest regularly getting inspiration for potential creative projects I have not actually manifested (Pinterest is great for my “I’ll save this for later” mindset), and worked for four straight days on an adorable cross stitch kit from my favorite small business in Harrisonburg, Va., The Lady Jane. There has been lots of tears and lots of stressed out naps that haven’t yielded any real rest.
I finally found a creative project that I am proud to be doing this past week, that I am calling Kindness Rx. I was inspired by another nurse on an online group for nurses I am part of who was having members of her Long Island community adopt a nurse. I had been looking for something more meaningful to be able to do from my couch, and I knew I wanted to do something similar, but take it farther. I bought the domain and threw up a quick website (it’s a little rough around the edges but it does the job for now). The purpose is to pair members of the community who volunteer to adopt a healthcare professional with a healthcare worker who has been nominated and send them a thank you in the form of a care package. I also have been having fun putting different blog post content up there that you wouldn’t normally get here (podcast recommendations, resources for continuing education, etc.), and changing up what I am writing about. It has been fun and meaningful and I have been getting immense joy from the outpouring of love and support I have received. P.S. if you want to participate you definitely should go to KindnessRx.com and volunteer and/or nominate someone.
What You Really Came Here For
Now to get back to what you really clicked on this post for – pretty wedding photos to inspire you while planning your big day and the type of content and quality you can expect from me as your photographer. So without further ado:
The Models
I decided to combine the photos from two of the shoots at the conference that utilized non-traditional pink/purple wedding gowns . I think non-traditional gowns are gorgeous, and both Liza (pictured in the purple gown) and Kyra (pictured in the pink gown) were wonderful to work with and such troopers in the cold weather. It was so cold, I couldn’t move my fingers, and I was dressed in a winter coat, not a strapless ballgown, so props to these ladies for killing it. So, for those brides who’s dream gown isn’t white but is worried it won’t look “bridal”, use these images as your inspiration that you absolutely can do that. You can still have that princess moment (if that is your jam) while also showing off your unique personality.
The Details
Every angle of The Olana is stunning. There are so many different perspectives, grand staircases, and well lit rooms, there is no shortage of places to shoot. All of the vendors who made these shoots possible are truly incredible and masters of curating gorgeous details. By having them at the helm, everything was color coordinated to a T. Hopefully these details will inspire you in your own wedding planning to play around with color and make it part of your big day.
The Vendors
- Host: Styled Shoots Across America
- Venue: The Olana
- Concept & Planning: Heather Benge Events
- Florist: Pool House – Southern Charm Car – CeCe Designs
- Vintage Vehicle: Amelia Classic Motorcar
- Stationary: West Bloom Paper Co
- Hair & Makeup: Sunkissed and Made Up
- Gowns: Weddings By Debbie
- Accessories: Etoile Fine Jewelry
- Linens: Nuage Designs Inc.
- Decor: Gold Dust Event Co.
- Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals
- Mobile Bar: Fetch Me Champagne
- Model: Pool House – Kyra Car – Liza