I met Chrissy at the Duke Mansion in Charlotte last week for her bridal portrait (you may recognize her from her engagement session here), and I knew that these were going to be stunning because she is such a gorgeous girl... but once she stepped into her dress... even I was blown away. Since Chrissy used to be a dancer there is such a refined, delicate quality about the way she moves and even holds her body. Her friend Erin (who came along to help out and just so happens to also be fabulous) and I just could not stop raving... seriously. The more we raved, the more Chrissy just worked it in her dress and looked nothing short of legendary. We "may" have even channeled Rachel Zoe momentarily and uttered "I die" a couple times. Yes, it was THAT fabulous.
There are just a few short weeks to go before the BIG day and I can't wait to see everything come together. Let the countdown begin!
Reagan co-launched the oh-so-deliciously-southern company called Southern Proper. This is a brand that is truly reflection of her heart and her style so I really wanted to capture that vibe during our session together. Here is a blurb about her from their site, and I think that it so perfectly captures her dynamic personality that I must share it here too...
"With a twist of pearls and a twang of spirit, Reagan is all sass and shag. Her eclectic wardrobe is silky and strawberry, with a little bit of posh tucked in the corners of her closet. Raised in Kinston, North Carolina, Reagan spent most of her time on the front porches of the Carolina Coast. Her graceful and extravagant style is best for walking after midnight, and if you meet her on the path, you realize she might still have a little sand in her too-high heels."
I mean, who wouldn't want to photograph this girl! Reagan, you are a gorgeous bride and I can't wait for your special day! Enjoy the preview.
Great Job, as always- Amy!
Lookin' good Reags! Can't wait for the big day!! :)
(10.08.09 @ 02:09 PM)These are beautiful! I was so glad to be a part of picture day!
(10.09.09 @ 10:31 AM)amy, these are so beautiful! can't believe i didn't get to see your face last night :(
(10.09.09 @ 01:59 PM)I've fallen love with these images as I've poured over them and edited them. The three words that keep rolling through my head are... alluring.... stunning... elegant. Well, sprinkle in a little sass, because you can see that too in the twinkle of her eyes. Kelly - you rock.
**hair and makeup by Kymm of Who's The Fairest in Charlotte, NC
GORGEOUS - way to capture her sass! :)
(09.15.09 @ 09:01 AM)seriously these are super amazing. amazing bride + amazing photographer = wayyyy over the top bridal pictures!
(09.15.09 @ 10:02 AM)Amy, these are beautiful! I especially love your close-up portraits of Kelly. Not an easy task to get such a beautiful and relaxed looks the way you have here!
(09.22.09 @ 12:47 PM)
Oh yes, and the other part of what made my day was spending several hours at Amelies (oh how I've missed you in Fayetteville) drinking earl gray tea and having a rasberry croissant twist. I highly recommend going and sitting in that delightfully charming place with a friend. It is quite simply... lovely.
your photos are always so beautiful and you can see the joy in them all! i wanted you to know that i follow your blog and really appreciate all the heart you put into it, you are an amazing photographer! (also wanted to say I LOVE AMELIES! i was there on friday!!)
(09.10.09 @ 10:45 AM)"As of right now I think we're planning on spending this Saturday with you in Fayetteville and I'm under the impression that we'll be doing a cool photo shoot with you.... One thing about it that I wanted to run past you first. Since I trust your judgment on where we would be doing the shoot and the fact that the photos would turn out gorgeous, I was wondering if you think that moment would be a good opportunity for me to ask Lauren to marry me :)"
Which of course I replied with a HUUUUGE squeal of excitement and and overwhelming, "HECK yes!" So then, it started sinking in that I was going to get to document, frame by frame, this life changing moment for them and I started getting a wee bit nervous. Deep breath. What a sublime surprise for Lauren!!!!! I wanted it to be perfect for them and out-of-this-world in my camera too, and I must say that I believe it ended up being both.
So here it started out as just a perfectly adorable shoot. See, I told you they were hot.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Seriously?!?!
So from there, they were pretty much floating on cloud 9, and I just followed them around and tried my best to capture their giddy excitement and crazy love for each other. The sun was setting just right and they seemed to have a glow of their own (oh gosh, that sounds cheesy, but I'm sorry... it is TRUE!).
Told you.
Absolute gorgeous. You caught the genuine MOMENTS in the proposal and that is priceless... fabulous job, Amy. I know Lauren and Matt are thrilled to have these.
(09.06.09 @ 08:25 PM)WOW Amy!!! WOW!!! I am crying just from the emotion in these!! I'm blown away!!
(09.06.09 @ 09:03 PM)Congrats Matt and Lauren!
(09.06.09 @ 09:16 PM)unreal YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! love, love, love. so happy for these two lovebirds and amy, you are unreal amazing. these pictures are seriously gorgeous!!!
(09.06.09 @ 10:11 PM)Unbelievable photos! Congrats to the brand-new couple!
(09.06.09 @ 10:19 PM)AMY!!! I have goosebumps all over...you can feel YOUR love and excitement for these two in the amazing, gorgeous photos you got of the whole thing. And WHAT A FREAKING ADORABLE COUPLE!!! :) It's a good thing they're getting married because they are too cute not to. ;)
(09.07.09 @ 12:10 AM)why am i crying? this is just beautiful Amy...and how special that YOU, her best buddy, got to be a part of it. YOU definitely did this shoot amazing JUSTICE!
(09.07.09 @ 08:56 AM)how AWESOME - love this amy. the couple is freaking GORGEOUS!
(09.07.09 @ 11:39 AM)Hi Amy - This is Matt's mother thanking you for the most amazing photographs. I have looked at them time and time again and of course, have cried each time. Are they not the most GORGEOUS couple? You captured love, beauty and emtions at such a level that is speechless. These are picutres that will be remembered for a lifetime. Thank you for such a fabulous job. I am sure that as Lauren's friend, it was so special to be a part of this. Again, thank you for sharing that love and talent with everyone.
Frankie Costner
Amy. This is Matt's mom thanking you for the amazing photos you took. Are they not the most gorgeous couple? Ihave looked at the pictures time and time again and of course, have cried each time. I can tell that you are a true friend and had the most wonderful experience of capturing one of your friend's most special moments. Thank you for taking such beautiful photos. You have captured the love, excitement and emotion of these two on that most special day. Thank you for sharing these.
Frankie Costner
Amy, This is Matt's Dad and all I can say is WOW, what an excellent job of capturing a moment in both Matt and Lauren's lives that will be cherished by them and all who love them. They are a beautiful couple and great people. I am both happy and proud. My boy did it right, and Lauren is just beautiful.
(09.07.09 @ 02:57 PM)Crazy!! What an absolutely amazing shoot!!- tell Lauren CONGRATULATIONS!!
(09.07.09 @ 05:23 PM)oh, amy free, how you make my heart do leaps. love them.
(09.07.09 @ 07:25 PM)seriously...could this have gotten any cuter/sweeter/precious!? such an amazing idea, and hottt couple! these look so greattt!
(09.07.09 @ 08:43 PM)these are amazing Amy!!! i am so excited for you lauren!! gorgeous gorgeous!!!!!!!!
(09.07.09 @ 08:57 PM)No way!!!! how precious. i feel tears in my eyes. this is the cutest story every & you captured it just perfect!!!! :)
(09.07.09 @ 09:00 PM)Amy - Love this shoot. So very cool that you were able to capture this moment for your friend and her hubby-to-be. Too sweet. xo Em Garvey
(09.08.09 @ 12:47 PM)Ames - I can't express the gratitude for your help in this. You capturing the moment so that I can share it with my friends and family is PRICELESS. You & Ross preparing your home, a champagne toast, and dinner afterwards is PRICELESS... and you being my friend is extra PRICELESS. can't wait to celebrate with wedding photos galore!!!!!!! hugs & kisses, The Future Mrs. Jackson!
(09.08.09 @ 02:09 PM)A wonderful job, Amy...these are just beautiful and how amazingly creative too ! what a treasure to have "proposal pictures" to cherish and enjoy - our hearts are filled with gratitude that Matt & Lauren found each other..........blessings, the Kisers >
(09.08.09 @ 02:26 PM)Congratulations to not only a gorgeous looking couple but 2 genuinely nice people. Best wishes to the both of you. How exciting and what a romantic idea you had there Matt. Way to go..... Nevada & Hollis Brannon
(09.08.09 @ 09:36 PM)LK, OMG soooo amazing!!! I love it!!! He is adorable!!! Can't wait to catch up!!! Wish I had these taken of me while proposed to!!! Miss you! love you
(09.09.09 @ 03:03 PM)WOW! I have chill bumps and tears! Amy, these pictures are so so amazing and I know they will cherish them forever! I would love to have pictures of the moment my hubby popped the question! Seriously, these images are nothing short of amazing!
(09.09.09 @ 07:07 PM)Amy, Thank you for being a great host, an awesome photographer, and an amazing friend. I'm so happy that I had the opportunity to ask the girl I love to marry me with you there capturing the moment. We will cherish these moments forever. Again, thank you!!!!
(09.10.09 @ 08:35 AM)Is this not every girls dream? These are absolutely incredible.
(09.10.09 @ 09:00 PM)I just died over this. Seriously, I don't know these people and I am in tears. What an awesome proposal and shoot for you!
(09.11.09 @ 03:02 PM)OH MY GOSH! That is one of, if not the best, proposals I have ever heard! And the best part is that is was all documented through beautiful photos! Amazing! Love it!
(09.17.09 @ 12:12 PM)we chicks could not be happier for lauren and matt! she is so very sweet and deserves someone thoughtful (and hot!) like him!!!
the photo shoot was awesome! good job!
Oh my goodness this is the first shoot in a loooong time that has brought uncontrollable tears of joy and unexpected emotion. This is perfect. How crazy ridiculous special!?!?!
(09.24.09 @ 02:57 PM)Oh my goodness this is the first shoot in a loooong time that has brought uncontrollable tears of joy and unexpected emotion. This is perfect. How crazy ridiculous special!?!?!
(09.24.09 @ 02:58 PM)Oh my goodness this is the first shoot in a loooong time that has brought uncontrollable tears of joy and unexpected emotion. This is perfect. How crazy ridiculous special!?!?!
(09.24.09 @ 02:58 PM)Oh my goodness this is the first shoot in a loooong time that has brought uncontrollable tears of joy and unexpected emotion. This is perfect. How crazy ridiculous special!?!?!
(09.24.09 @ 03:00 PM)Amy, I don't know these people from Adam's house cat and I am in tears! Wonderful, sweet, intimate...special. Thanks for letting us share their joyful moment. I wish them love and a lovely life together!!
(10.10.09 @ 03:19 PM)I was in a car hearing about this after being at the Getty in LA today and looking at Photos. Amy, awesome work. Honored to say I know you. Your talent is really really solid. Great use of colors, textures and angles. Awesome. Congrats on the surprises and the steady hand to make it all happen. Well chronicled and with great balance bw documentary and art. Cool.
(10.17.09 @ 09:32 PM)
These are among the most BEAUTIFUL bridal pictures I have ever seen. Absolutely stunning!
(10.15.09 @ 07:59 PM)that black & white floor is phenomenal! love the one of her looking over her shoulder. timeless!
(10.17.09 @ 01:54 PM)