Enter stage left, the 101 in 1,001 goal list.  I was writing them and suddenly “Watch all of the Star Wars” movies just appeared on the page.  ”How did that get there?”, I thought.  Apparently my subconscious wanted to see them.  So, I left it on the list thinking “That’ll be an easy one to knock out.”  And then I mentioned it to Chris who said something along the lines of “Alright!  When do we get started!”  So, I procrastinated.  And then Episode 1 came out in 3D in the movie theatre.  I said, “Let’s go see that, it’s part of my 101 in 1,001 goals.”  And Chris said, “No.  You have to see 4-6 first.”  Then the debate began.  I said order didn’t matter and Chris polled every Star Wars fan he knew to prove to me that I had to see 4-6 first.  Lucky us, we own them all on DVD.  So, I saw them in the “correct” order.

Here’s my quick synopsis (my apologies to all Star Wars fans out there):
Episode 4: Luke is a whiney hiney.  But I think my life would be complete with my very own Chewbaca & R2-D2.
Episode 5: “Luke, I am your father.”  Yoda is cool.
Episode 6:  I need an Ewok.
Episode 1: How many hats does the Princess have?
Episode 2: Yoda kicks butt.
Episode 3: Yoda kicks butt, again.

In the end, I enjoyed the story, but I’m more of a Star Trek fan.  I think the computers and gadgets are what draws me into science fiction, not the weird creatures and unbelievable plots.  Luke was my least favorite character, and tied for my most favorite were probably Chewbaca & R2-D2.  We’ll be going to a Star Wars themed halloween party this year, so the only real question left is “Who should I be?”  Check and mark – goal #63 is complete!

The River’s Edge Bar & Grill at USNWC is one of my favorites in Charlotte because they have so many great veggie options.  I’m baffled though, by the number of appetizers on the menu.  I mean, really, does anybody order anything other than the fried pickles?  Are those other apps just listed to take up space?

Shel & Tim…
Me & Chris!  The matchy matchy Gamecock attire was pure coincidence, I have no idea what happened there.
Chris says that “Only in the South is Mac & Cheese considered a vegetable.”  Whatever, I’m from the south and it’s easily in my top 3!
In addition to my mac & cheese (which is a meal by itself), I also had the apple walnut salad – Yum!
The Rock Hounds were great!
After an awesome meal we ordered the cobbler.  AMAZING!  What a perfect night out with friends!

Most female wedding photographers are on a constant hunt for good shoes to shoot in.  Now I’m not talking “good”, I’m talking “GOOD.”  Like, OMG I can’t live without them good.  We want to be supported and stylish all at the same time and that’s really a hard list of needs for a simple shoe.  Recently I was discussing my lower back pain with my doctor and he said “You need to get new shoes.”  I heard that as “I’m prescribing shoe shopping for your lower back pain.  Spend enough money to make the pain go away.”  Those might not have been his exact words, but I’m sure my interpretation is very close to what he had in mind.

I researched, posted on photographer forums and picked the brains of anyone that might own a pair of supportive shoes and what I found was that there are very specific brands designed for this type of abuse.  The #1 recommendation I got was Dansko.  Dansko is huge in the medical field, and a lot of nurses wear their clogs religiously.  I tried on several pair (main goal being to find something cute), and it really was amazing.  What seems like a really hard sole made my back pain disappear.  The shoe salesman said that if a shoe is molded to your foot correctly, firm support is the answer to any pain you’re feeling.  Amazing.  Pain vanished.

I wore these shoes for the first time at my wedding last weekend and I have to say, I’m totally in love.  In fact, I packed a pair of tennis shoes to change into for the reception but these things were so comfortable I wore them all night!  So here you have it, the best shoes ever.  Achey feet everywhere may now rejoice.

As I mentioned in Melissa’s NoDa Bridal Portraits, she wanted a vintage wedding, and I was blown away by her details.  She and I share a love for all things Etsy, and she did an awesome job finding some really talented folks to help with the details.  Let’s start with one of the coolest bouquets I’ve ever seen.

Make up for Melissa and all of the bridesmaids was by Candace of Colour by Candace and she did a fabulous job!
HUGE Thank You to Dana Mackay Photography for shooting with me on Saturday.  We shoot together frequently and I’m always blown away by her talent.  She started out the day by helping me with the guys while I stayed with the girls.
LOVE the shoes Nick!

Trading in the Future Mrs. t-shirt for the Future Mrs. dress!

Even a 5 minute limo drive isn’t complete without a little champagne!
More awesome details from Etsy!  These bouquets for the bridesmaids are made from sheet music.  Each bridesmaid got to pick what song their bouquet was made from and there were some excellent choices – everything from True Companion to Let’s Get it On!  Of course, these are also from Etsy.  The guy’s boutonnieres were made the same way, but the only one with a specific song was Nick – his was “Sweet Melissa.”
Melissa & Nick wanted to do a first look and there’s a PERFECT spot for it at Asbury Park Grove.  I was totally in love with the light (and the smiles).
And here’s a great example of why you want two photographers at your wedding.  Most folks think you only need 2 photographers if you have a huge wedding or if you’re getting ready in totally separate locations.  Not the case – the goal of the 2nd photographer is to fill in the gaps when we’re not together and to get the “next best shot” when we are together.  For example – the guys went down to a general store in the limo for photos while Melissa was changing into her dress.  With only one photographer that means either you don’t get photos at the general store or you totally miss the bride putting on her dress.  During the first look I said to Dana “I’m going wide here.”  Because she and I shoot together regularly, she immediately went in tight.  Here’s my view….
And here’s hers….  I’m in love with both (and with these two lovebirds)!
I LOVE these streamers that were hanging on the end of each row during the ceremony.  This is the 2nd wedding I’ve shot where they had the “exit” as they were coming back down the aisle instead of at the end of the reception and I think it makes so much sense.  Excellent idea!
Another detail I loved – the “Here comes the Bride” sign.  :-)  And another reason you need 2 photographers – Dana caught this great reaction from Nick while I was shooting folks coming down the aisle.

One of my most favorite things about shooting weddings is when couples laugh during the ceremony.  Relaxed and happy bride & grooms are my favorite.

More AMAZING details, and an awesome candy table!

Yummy cupcakes from Polka Dot Bake Shop…
More laughing during the first dance.
The cake cutting quickly went from this….
To this.  He’s still smiling, so I think he took it well!
I think this sign says it all!  HUGE Thank you to Melissa & Nick for asking me to be a part of your wedding day.  I had an amazing time!  Best wishes on a long and happy life (and many, many, wonderful St. Patrick’s Days together).
To order photos from Melissa & Nick’s wedding click here, and check out the slideshow below!

I’ll update some of these with specific vendors when Melissa & Nick get back from their honeymoon.
Bouquet: Etsy
Boutonnieres & Bridesmaids Bouquets:  Etsy
Dress:  Hayden Olivia
Suits: Men’s Wearhouse
Cupcakes: Polka Dot Bake Shop
Venue: Asbury Park Grove
Hair/Makeup: Colour by Candace 

Walking through NoDa on a Saturday night with a beautiful bride is sure to draw attention, and we had the usual whistles and congratulations from folks on the sidewalk.  But I think Melissa officially wins the award for going along with the strangest request I’ve ever seen during a bridal session – a lady waiting for dinner at Cabo walked up to Melissa and asked her to pose for a photo with a Gnome.  You read that correctly, a Gnome.  Like, a little statue of a man wearing a pointy hat.  I knew it was going to be a great session when I saw Melissa take the Gnome and happily smile for the woman. My brides are so awesome!

We started off at my favorite wall in NoDa and quite possibly the dirtiest stairs in all of Charlotte – huge thanks to Mom & Dad for making sure the dress went unharmed as we climbed stairs, sat on train tracks and walked through grass.

LOVE the shoes!
Towards the end of the session we stepped over into a grassy field for a little change of scenery and we were totally attacked by inch worms hanging from the trees!  I wish I could say that I managed myself with professional composure, but in reality, I screamed like a girl and Melissa’s Dad had to pat me down as I completely freaked out.  It was totally worth though it because I LOVE how these turned out!
Dandelions!

Hair and makeup by: Candace at Colour by Candace
Accessories & Bouquet from: Etsy
Dress from: Hayden Olivia Bridal

Everything this lady is wearing is from Zara, and the guy is wearing all Old Navy.  I think cute brown leather flip flops would look great on these two, and they’d be awesome in a cute, older downtown area like downtown Fort Mill or downtown Rock Hill.  Of course, they’d also be great for a wonderful engagement session in a field or a local park.

For ladies – get your hair & makeup done, I promise you won’t regret it.  And if manicures and pedicures make you feel beautiful, do that too!  You want to be your best self in your engagement portraits.

For guys – comfort is key.  If you aren’t comfortable in a sportcoat or dress shoes, don’t wear them.  You can be dressy and comfortable, so find something that works for you!

If you’re thinking about being a little bit dressy for your engagement session, here’s a great example of what to wear.  Ladies dress is from Anthropologie, Men’s jeans, shirt and blazer are from JCPenney.  I think this couple would look great for an engagement session in uptown Charlotte or on campus at a local university.  They might also look really cute for a styled engagement session in a grassy field.

About a month ago a friend of mine that is planning her wedding told me about a custom illustration she got on Etsy from a store called Rabbit & Red. I immediately fell in love which meant I had to have one for myself.  Or better yet, I had to have one of my favorite 4 year old to give to his Mom for her birthday!  I was so blown away by how it turned out that I’ve decided to offer a custom watercolor illustration by Rabbit & Red as my first ever blog giveaway!

Here are the details – the winner will receive an 8×10 custom watercolor illustration by Rabbit & Red as well as a digital version of the image that you can use for whatever you’d like.  The illustration is for up to 4 folks, so it can be your favorite kids, your family of 4 or you and your dog – whatever you’d like, it’s your illustration and AshleyRose at Rabbit & Red is so easy to work with!

Three ways to enter – leave a comment on the blog telling me who you’d have Rabbit & Red illustrate, like Red K Photography on Facebook, or sign up for my e-newsletter!  The more you do, the more entries you get.  And don’t worry, I only send out my e-newsletter once a month so your inbox won’t blow up.

Contest starts today (4/26) and ends at midnight on Sunday, 4/29, so let’s get this party started!

We started off on the floor – my favorite place to start sessions with any baby under 10 months old.  Some like their tummy, some like their back, but for whatever reason, they all love to play on the floor.  Look at those baby blues!

How much do you love his hair?!!
I love to do detail shots of little ones, and there’s always a feature that stands out to me.  With Daniel (other than the beautiful eyes and adorable hair) I noticed his eyelashes right away and I couldn’t resist this shot.  Eyes that awesome deserve equally amazing eyelashes!
I love this shot with Mom.  And I think I’m going to start keeping one of these things in the fridge for myself, he just made it look so awesome.
Dad said that he and Daniel love to read books and I think I could’ve taken photos of them reading all day.  It was one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen.  Daniel was so comfy in Dad’s lap, and he watched and listened so attentively to each page.  Daniel says “Thanks” to Sydney for the baseball book – great party favor!
This is definitely one of my top 3 favorite images from the session.  Love the light, love the moment.
And then we had a little play time on the floor with Daniel sitting!  He’s not quite a pro at it yet, but he certainly gave it a good try to play with this toy.
And who doesn’t love a few minutes in the bouncer?  I love shooting kids in their bouncer because they’re surrounded with so much color!
Daniel was a little fussy from getting shots the day before so we took him outside for a few minutes to see if that would cheer him up. How awesome are his socks?
Outside wore him out so we took a short little nap and got some good sleepy-time pics.  Precious!
He woke up in a great mood so we got some awesome cuddle-time pics!
I think this is my #1 favorite from the session.  So precious.
HUGE thanks to Jessica & Craig for asking me to help with Daniel’s 6 months photos!  I had a wonderful time and really enjoyed spending the morning with y’all!