Saturday – The Big Day

The wedding day of an Indian bride begins much earlier than you may imagine. We (the talented videographer, David Whitlow) and I arrived at 6am to begin capturing the day. The moon was still out, over Jasmin’s family’s home, and dawn was just breaking as we strolled in with coffee in hand. Jasmin had already been up for hours at that point, with her makeup completely done and her hair halfway done as well. I knew she would be beautiful, but I don’t know if there’s any way to prepare for just HOW beautiful she would be. As she continued to add more and more beauty to her wedding attire as the morning went on, I continued to find myself breathless. Be prepared to be blown away by just how gorgeous Jasmin and Chan’s wedding day was.

On to the ceremony …

The Rolls Royce …

Giving the bride away …

Portrait session by a lake …

Getting ready for the evening … (yes, this is still all in the same day!)

Another portrait session …

And … reception!

Here’s a little snippet of some of Friday’s events. Talk about beautiful! … And fun!

A little glimpse of the evening fun.

Jasmin and Chan’s Chicago Indian wedding was a full, beautiful three day event … and we couldn’t have been any more honored to have been there to capture it! These are a few favorite images from some of Thursday’s festivities. More coming soon!

I absolutely adore this cute little family. They are some of the easiest, most whimsical kids I ever get to photograph which is why it seems even more appropriate to begin with this little fun animation of our attempt at creating a fun, happy shot on the blanket in the grass. Ericka is a family photographer herself, and she’s full of tricks and tips, but even the best of us have crazy sessions with the unpredictable things kids can do. So, if you’ve ever felt like, “there’s no way my kids will cooperate” just know that you’re normal and that we (portrait photographers) don’t expect that at all.

Now, on to the beautiful, whimsical imagery that came out of the session in between the fun, crazy moments …

Every chance I have to document the love between two individuals I find myself privileged and grateful. Life itself is a gift (which I’ve been acutely aware of recently), but love? … Love seems like an exponentially greater gift that not all of us are able to know. Finding a person among the millions of individuals that exist on this earth with whom you are compatible, attracted to, and willing to love no matter how great the risk seems like a mere impossibility. Left to chance encounters, I sometimes find myself wondering how it would ever happen, and instead marveling at the rarity of two souls choosing love, life together, and risk.

Lydia is one of those people in my life who’s love I find myself having a whole different kind of celebration for. I lived with Lydia for about three years, and have known her much before that even. She is one of the kindest, sweetest souls I’ve known. She’s very matter of fact (she’s a nurse and is so good at it), but also fun and incredibly easy to be around. One of my favorite memories of her is how our third roommate, Samantha, and I would hear her running through the house. We’d start giggling and ask, “What in the world is going on?!” to which Lydia would respond, “Sometimes it’s just more fun to run from room to room … it gets you there faster, burns some calories, and is just plain FUN!”

Needless to say, we had lots of laughter in that house, and I will forever remember that season as one that was very easy. I have been very fortunate to have some incredible, amazing roommates in my lifetime. Lydia and Champ, I could not be more happy for you two. You have no idea how much it warms my heart to see the love you two have found. My hope and my prayer for you is that you would choose to risk your hearts daily for the sake of loving one another …  that you would be quick to forgive and slow to anger … that even in the midst of all the hectic wedding planning you would find yourselves overwhelmed by the beautiful gift that sits beside you … that you would learn to love one another well.

I had the privilege of capturing sweet baby Lila as an infant (see pics here), and now again at 15 months. She’s absolutely precious, and her family is so kind and joy-filled. Here are just a few favorites from our time in Charlotte together at one of my favorite parks.

With my best friend losing her dad unexpectedly last week and some friends here in Indiana losing their baby at 33 1/2 weeks pregnant, I find myself wanting to spend some extra time just being with my husband, kissing my pup on his head, and cherishing the little things … even though I’m swimming in a sea of editing. There’s nothing like a rude awakening to the reality that life is short to help you make time to celebrate the love you have. Stop and hold the ones you love, wrap your arms around their necks, kiss their sweet lips, and enjoy their embrace. Life is a beautiful gift.

Here’s one of my sweet loves …

Thanks for your patience, too, as I try to navigate finding the balance in all of this.

I just adore these two, and cannot wait for their upcoming Asheville NC wedding!

This gorgeous couple works at SAS in Raleigh and wanted to us the beautiful facility and amazing artwork as a backdrop for part of their engagement session …

… and of course we had to incorporate part of their alma mater, NC State, where they met in a calculus class!

This new little life growing with Natalie brings a new level of gratitude for me. I have been so fortunate to get to know Natalie through capturing her sister’s wedding a few years ago. These two beautiful women, Natalie and Lauren, are not only the easiest people to be around, but also some of the kindest, most genuine souls you’ll ever meet. Knowing them has caused me to love my job even more, and I couldn’t be more excited for this new stage of life that Natalie is walking into. Introducing a new little life into the world soon bring much anticipation and celebration.

Natalie, Chad, and Lauren, thank you for allowing me to be a very small part of this beautiful season of your lives!

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