Rocky Mount, NC Maternity: Colby and Bryan
My favorite couple is having a baby! Colby told me she was pregnant by texting me and saying she’d need some maternity pictures done. I startled the person driving the car I was in when I screamed in happiness! I’ve loved documenting Colby and Bryan’s life together from their engagement to their wedding, and now the imminent arrival of their first child (who is sure to be gorgeous and photogenic just like they are).
We did this shoot at Battle Park in Rocky Mount, NC, but I loved that the fall foliage made it look like we could have been anywhere. The bridge was may favorite feature, and I will definitely be looking to shoot there again next time I visit.
I can’t wait to meet their little guy and love on him (and take his portraits of course), but until then, enjoy Colby and Bryan’s maternity photos!
Jessica and Zack: Fort Fisher, NC Engagement
Jessica and Zack have one of the coolest engagement stories I’ve heard. Zack told Jess he had planned a camping trip for the two of them over 4th of July weekend. He proposed while they were on a hike, and so excited, Jess told everyone they passed on the way back down. Crazily enough, one of the couples they ran into were photographers and did an impromptu proposal session for them. Then Zack led her back to a cabin filled with family and friends, including Jess’s mom from out of state, to celebrate the occasion with them! Amazing job Zack!
I am absolutely obsessed with this shoot. I had so much fun at Fort Fisher with these two, and loved the style and personality they brought to the session! It was so hard to pick favorites for this post, but here are some of them!
Jessica and Zack: Fort Fisher, NC engagement sneak peek
Jessica and Zack made a special day trip from Wake Forest for their engagement session. I had just shot at Fort Fisher a few weeks before and was so inspired by the location, so I was excited when they chose that spot, too. It’s fun shooting at the same location and trying to get different shots and angles than before. I am obsessed with this session and cannot wait to share more, but enjoy these two teasers for now!
Fort Fisher Engagement, Kure Beach, NC: Lauren and Adam
A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to shoot an engagement session at Fort Fisher for the first time. I shot a newborn session on the beach side in the spring, but when Adam, Lauren and I arrived at Fort Fisher for our e-session, there was a wedding going on! Luckily all wasn’t lost, and we found some amazing spots over on the sound side of the park. And we even got some sunset beach shots once the wedding was over! Lauren and Adam crack me up, and I had so much fun shooting their engagement photos and enjoying an awesome dinner at Ogden Tap Room afterward. Here are some of my favorite shots from that evening.
Fort Fisher Engagement: Lauren and Adam – Sneak Peek
Last weekend I had a blast with Lauren and Adam exploring the sound side of Fort Fisher State Park in Kure Beach, NC during their engagement session. I’d never been to that side of the park before, and it reminded me of the last time I shot at the Outer Banks. The light was beautiful, and I can’t wait to shoot at this location again. Having such a fun couple there with me didn’t hurt either 🙂 Lauren and Adam brought their sweet dogs along for the shoot, too! Enjoy this sneak, and check back soon for the full post!
Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts Wedding, Winston-Salem, NC – Ann Howell and Kevin
At the end of June, I was so happy to travel to Winston-Salem, NC to photograph Ann Howell and Kevin’s wedding. Ann Howell was in the 2011 Teach For America corps with me, and, chatting in the months leading up to her wedding made me wish I had known her better during our time in TFA. She is so cool and creative, and put her creativity into all of the lovely details of this wedding. The bride made the bouquets herself from farmer’s market flowers, and all of the reception decorations were her own inspiration and design! I loved the whimsical feel of all her handmade details! The ceremony was at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, the church Ann Howell grew up attending, and the reception followed at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. Here are some of my favorite shots from this awesome day!
I am usually not a big cupcake fan, or frosting fan in general, but let me tell you – these cupcakes were amazing!! And most impressively, the mother of the bride made the cake and frosting, so I will be asking for the recipe.
All these handmade details really spoke to the art teacher in me. The polaroid “photobooth” was particularly awesome as well!
I don’t know if it’s a southern thing, but ALL of these guests were amazing dancers! Even the kids and teenagers! I’ve never seen that at a wedding up north, and it was so fun to watch.
Thanks again Ann Howell and Kevin! I had a blast!
Ceremony Venue: St. Leo the Great Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts
Bride and Bridesmaids dresses: J. Crew
Hair: Molly at Cheveux Salon
Cake and cupcakes: Mother of the Bride
Music: Fessa John Hook
Sneak Peek :: Winston-Salem, NC Wedding – Ann Howell and Kevin
I’m having so much fun editing this wedding! I can’t wait to share more photos with you later in the week, but for now, here’s a sneak peek of Ann Howell and Kevin’s wedding reception at the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts in Winston-Salem.
Topsail Beach, NC Family Portraits – McSorley Family
A couple weeks ago I met up with the McSorley family while they were vacationing on Topsail Beach. You may remember Joren and Crista from when I photographed Joren’s homecoming here. Check out a few of my favorite shots from this family session!
Pendleton, NC Backyard Wedding: Kelsey and Ryan
When I was teaching with Teach For America, I was living in Roanoke Rapids, NC. I recently had the opportunity to go back to that neck of the woods and shoot Kelsey and Ryan’s beautiful “wedding in the woods” on Ryan’s family’s property in Pendleton, NC. It was so nice to be back in rural NC, traveling down all of the backroads past the open farmland, country houses, and, most importantly, no traffic! Kelsey and Ryan had so many wonderful details that transformed the wooded property into the perfect venue for a wedding. Thanks for including me in your special day, and congratulations Kelsey and Ryan!
Historic Downtown Wilmington Maternity: Joanna and Will
A few weeks ago, I spent a lovely evening in downtown Wilmington with my friends Joanna and Will, shooting their maternity session along the riverwalk. The weather was absolutely perfect, and since it is still spring, downtown hasn’t become too crowded with tourists yet. This was my first opportunity to shoot downtown, and the scenery, between the bridge, the riverwalk, the old buildings, and the battleship, is just beautiful. Joanna and Will’s excitement and love for their new family shows through the photos. We had our session pretty late in Joanna’s pregnancy, as you can probably tell, and the Richardsons have since welcomed baby William into the world! I’m so excited to meet him! You may see some photos of him on the blog one day, but for now, check out the rest of Joanna and Will’s maternity session
Wilmington Maternity Sneak Peek: Will and Joanna
Here is a sneak peek of Joanna and Will’s maternity session on the riverwalk in downtown Wilmington! Check back soon for the full post!
Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, NC Newborn Portraits: Durham Family
I had the pleasure of photographing the Durham family and their sweet new baby boy, Riley, at Fort Fisher in Kure Beach, NC. Not only was he cute, but he also has a great name 🙂 This was my first time shooting at Fort Fisher and I can’t wait to go back there. The trees were wicked cool and beautiful, plus the beach was right there. Just a beautiful location, and I’m glad I got to explore it with this wonderful new family!
Wrightsville Beach Child Portraits: Baby L
Guys, I think 1-year-old babies just may be my new favorite subject. A couple weeks ago, I photographed this sweet girl at Wrightsville Beach. I love it there early on a Saturday when all the crowds and tourists haven’t invaded yet. Baby L is in a discovery stage right now where everything is new and exciting. I had so much fun just letting her do her own thing and capturing every moment of it. And she sure does make the funniest little faces! I’m so excited to share her session with you!
She kept trying to eat the sand and the grass. But she looked cute doing it!
See? SERIOUSLY cute faces.
Rockport, MA Family Portraits
This is the third time I photographed my little cousins. Well, I guess I can’t say little anymore! They’re about to enter high school and I could not believe how big they have gotten when I picked them up for the shoot. We’ve done the beach and the park in the past, so I thought scenic Bearskin Neck in Rockport, MA would be a great place to do our third shoot (even if it was still a little chilly!) You can see their previous portrait sessions here and here to see just how much they have grown into young men!
And some hot chocolate to warm us up at the end of a chilly shoot! 🙂
Crista and Joren: Jacksonville, NC Homecoming Photography
I met Crista when we both started as new teachers at our school, about two weeks before her husband Joren deployed. For the next 7 months, I heard about how amazing Joren is and how much Crista missed him every day. I was thrilled when Crista asked me to photograph Joren’s homecoming so I could meet this guy I had heard so much about and see Crista’s deployment countdown finally come to an end! I am so happy my friend has her husband back and happy to share their homecoming story with all of you!
Sweet texts from Joren as he got closer and closer 🙂
Above is when the buses mistakenly came into the parking lot an hour and a half early and then drove away again because they still had to drop some stuff off. And I thought Crista was going to have a heart attack.
Lots of waiting!
Finally here and actually getting off this time!
Which one is he they all look the same?!
Welcome home, Joren!
Meadow Brook Hall Wedding, Rochester, MI: Colby and Bryan
On July 19th, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the wedding of my good friends Colby and Bryan. I met Colby while working with Teach For America in Eastern North Carolina, when she became my Manager, Teacher Leadership Development. I am really lucky to have had an MTLD who became a friend, and especially grateful that she and Bryan chose me to document such an important time in their lives: their engagement, wedding, and hopefully babies and other milestones in the future!
I traveled to Michigan a few days before their Friday wedding and got to spend some quality time with Colby’s family and some of the bridesmaids and groomsmen (which made the wedding even more fun having gotten to know everyone!). I was hoping to escape Boston’s heat wave, but it was just as hot all week in Michigan, and we were watching the forecasts closely hoping the chance of thunderstorms for Friday would go down. The outdoor ceremony was postponed during a brief shower, but in a wedding miracle, we got all the photos done outside! The Meadow Brook grounds are so beautiful, it would have been a shame to be limited to indoor shots. The bride and groom looked stunning, and their families and the bridal party made for a really fun celebration. Thank you all for being so welcoming! I’m so glad to have been a part of such a special day!
Love when brides have unique shoes!
Annnnd here’s a bonus shot of the groomsmen giving me their best “blue steel”
Stunning!!
Bryan’s expression as he sees Colby for the first time is so sweet!
First stolen moment as husband and wife
The bridal party certainly had some fun entering the tent!
Thank you again to Colby and Bryan and their families! I had so much fun in Michigan with all of you!
Vendors that helped make this such a beautiful day:
Venue: Meadow Brook Hall, Rochester, MI
Dress:Â Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor
Hair:Â Glitz Salon
Makeup:Â Bella Blush
Flowers: Bill Hamilton Designs
Ceremony Music: Ryan James (cousin of the groom)
Meadow Brook Hall Wedding Sneak: Colby and Bryan
A little over a week ago I had an amazing time shooting the wedding of my good friends Colby and Bryan in Rochester, MI. All I’ve wanted to do since the wedding is get working on their photos, but I’m also in the process of moving into a new apartment in Wilmington, NC. Then my new place was having electrical issues in the room where my desk is, and I couldn’t turn on my computer without tripping the surge (or whatever the correct term is – it’s just wasn’t working!). So while I was waiting for the maintenance guy to come back and fix it, I had my desktop computer on the floor of my new living room, which was not very comfortable. But, I just couldn’t wait to look through the photos and share at least one! More will come soon now that they have thankfully figured out the problem, replaced some outlets, and I can finally work at my desk. So anyway, here is the sneak you came to see!
This is in the Matilda Room at Meadow Brook Hall. Is Colby not the most flawless bride??
When I wrote in their engagement post that Colby and Bryan could be models, I wasn’t kidding! More photos from this gorgeous wedding will be coming soon!
Historic Halifax Engagement: Beth and Scott
A couple weeks ago I shot Beth and Scott’s engagement session in Historic Halifax, NC. Halifax is another area that you can tell must have been awesome back when it was flourishing, but is now all but abandoned, except for a couple businesses.
Beth is a fellow Teach For America Corps Member, and was actually one of the first people I met in TFA, since we were roommates at Induction. So it was nice to be able to kind of come full circle and do her engagement shoot at the end of our 2-year commitment. Here are  a few of my favorite shots!
Kyle and Mackenzie: Outer Banks Engagement
Kyle is a friend of mine who is also a TFA teacher in ENC. When I found out he got engaged around Christmas, my first thought was “I HOPE he asks me to do his engagement pictures!” And sure enough, he called me a few weeks later, and I was thrilled! Not only because Kyle is both handsome and hilarious and I was sure he and his new fiance would be fun to photograph, but also because he said they wanted to shoot on the Outer Banks! I had only been to Kill Devil Hills for a teacher conference last year, and it rained the whole weekend so we didn’t get to see much. So, having lived in NC for a year and a half and never having explored the beauty of the Outer Banks, I was so excited to take some photos there!
A couple weekends ago we did just that. North Carolina has been unseasonably cold this year, and it was even colder by the ocean. While I was bundled up in a sweatshirt and Northface with my hood up, Kyle and Mackenzie braved the cold in their outfits like absolute pros! It was all worth it though, because they couldn’t have picked a more beautiful location. I felt like I was taking promo shots for a new Nicholas Sparks movie. This is the kind of North Carolina I moved here for!!
Anyway, here are some of my favorite shots! (And after a full day of shooting, it was very hard to choose!)
Did I forget to mention how awesome Mackenzie is? I was so happy I got to meet her!
They were just workin’ it in front of this lighthouse!
I just love how adoringly Kyle looks at Mackenzie in this shot below!
Nicholas Sparks, if you need inspiration for your next book, I’ll just leave this righttttt here.
Thank you, iPhone 4s for your panorama feature.
Thanks for a great day, Mackenzie and Kyle! I had so much fun with both of you!
Sneak Peek: Kyle and Mackenzie
It’s days like yesterday that completely reaffirm my passion for photography, and my knowledge that I definitely don’t want to be a teacher much longer. While I should have been lesson planning and/or grading, I couldn’t help look through yesterday’s shoot and share just a couple of shots with you. Thank you Kyle and Mackenzie for such a great day on the Outer Banks yesterday! So many more of my favorites to come later!
Medoc Mountain Engagement Session: Colby and Bryan
The week before Christmas I had the pleasure to shoot Colby and Bryan’s engagement session at Medoc Mountain State Park in Hollister, NC. (I LOVE that it’s warm enough to shoot outside in late December!) It was my first time to the park, which is about half an hour away from where we live in Roanoke Rapids, and I will definitely be going back to hike more of the trails and enjoy the scenery! Colby is my Manager, Teacher Leadership Development in Teach for America, and Bryan is a Roanoke Rapids police officer. But they didn’t meet here in NC. They started dating three years ago in Michigan, meeting through Colby’s little sister and Bryan’s little brother, who were dating at the time. Bryan proposed just a couple weeks ago back in Michigan, and they’ll be married there this summer. They were such a fun couple to photograph! Bryan kept Colby (and me) laughing through the whole session, and that, combined with their obvious love for each other, created such natural photographs. The fact that they could both quit their day jobs and become models didn’t hurt either 😉
I had SUCH a hard time narrowing down my favorites from this shoot, but here are a few!
Thanks to the iPhone panorama feature!
Colby and Bryan Engagement: Sneak Peek
I had the pleasure of shooting Colby and Bryan’s engagement photos at Medoc Mountain State Park in Hollister, NC. They are such a gorgeous couple, and I just couldn’t resist posting a sneak peek of their session! Look for the full post coming soon!
Lance and Johanna: Weldon, NC Engagement Portraits
I’ve been neglecting this blog recently. A friend of a friend I met yesterday who is a second year high school music teacher summed up the second year of teaching perfectly. Your first year you can get by measuring success just by whether you are surviving or not. Second year, since you know what you’re doing, you really have to hold yourself and your students more accountable for your goals and start accomplishing them. So, even though my second year has been so much easier in many ways, I find myself working a lot harder and pushing myself and my students much further than I did last year.
Unfortunately that has meant neglecting posting here. But that stops now, because I have two engagement sessions to share with you all. The session I’m posting now was shot in October (see what I mean about how shamefully I’ve been neglecting this blog!), and the other I shot just the other day and will be shared soon.
Anyway, Jo is a 2012 Corps Member in the ENC TFA corps with me, and she and Lance moved to Roanoke Rapids so Jo could teach middle school in Weldon. They are also the proud parents of the cutest Corgi puppy, Fox, who you’ll see in a couple of the photos. Lance and Johanna are getting married right here in Weldon, which I think is so so cool, at an old mill. So it was very fitting that we did their engagement portraits in and around downtown historic Weldon. Take a look at some of my favorite shots.
California 2012
In June, I went to California to visit my best friend from last summer’s TFA Institute. It was my first time ever traveling west of Arkansas, so first time on the West Coast and seeing/stepping in the Pacific Ocean! (It was also my first time being on a plane for more than an hour and a half – this trip was 5 hours – and yet surprisingly I didn’t have a panic attack at the airport before boarding like I usually do haha.) The scenery was absolutely beautiful there. We drove about 4-5 hours down Highway 1 from San Jose to San Luis Obispo, with breathtaking views of the Pacific the whole way. San Luis Obispo was what I always imagined would be the quintessential coastal California town with cute little shops in the downtown, beaches, organic food, and great outdoor activities. I think I’ll always be an East Coast girl at heart, but I’d definitely love to go back and see more of the West Coast!
I wasn’t focusing so much on stills during this trip, because for the first time I was focusing on video (low-tech with the iPhone). I took short video clips documenting whatever we were doing and recently finished making it into a short, 3 1/2 min movie. I’m not going to post it here, but check it out on my Facebook if we’re friends. Most of the photos here were taken with the iPhone too, some Instagram.
Emily owns a horse named Scribbles. I’m riding him in the Instagram photo below!
Driving down Highway 1.
First time in the Pacific Ocean!
Sweet potato waffles…SO GOOD
Playing around on the sand dunes in SLO
The California version of sledding. Just as hard to walk back up a hill of sand as it is snow!
Gorgeous view from the top of the sand dunes
Path to the beach. Still can’t get over that it was the Pacific, not Atlantic haha
Hiking Bishop’s Peak!
Yummy cafe after hiking…I couldn’t help myself and got waffles again 🙂
Like I said, I was more focused on video than stills this trip, so check my facebook to see my first trip to Cali in video form!
Riley Woods Photography 