Are you going to Prom? | Northwest Arkansas Portrait Photographer

Posted on March 26, 2009

I love Prom. I love seeing all of the amazing dresses, everyone dressed up so well, and the personality of young adults shining. I was wanting to offer prom portrait sessions this year, but I am already booked on Prom weekend. That doesn’t dampen my spirits for Prom, however. I want to do some high fashion, urban type sessions with prom dresses! Why only dress up once when you can do it again for some fun, unique portraits? I’ve done this with wedding dresses before and think it will be so much fun to put a high school twist on it.

If anyone is interested, please email me at raininglightphotography@yahoo.com!

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Joe and Beth are in Love | Northwest Arkansas Engagement Photographer

Posted on March 22, 2009

This session has been a long time coming! Beth and I met back in November when she was looking for a photographer for their April wedding. I thought she would make a stunning bride and was so happy when they decided to book me for their wedding. Since they live in Dallas, we knew that we would have to schedule the engagement session for the future and only have the one shot at perfection. So, we picked out a day and prayed for the last few months that it would be a nice, sunny, gorgeous day. And guess what? It was! Yay. We really could not have had better luck, especially since the next day was a rainy one.

I really, really had a hard time narrowing down all of these great photos. I just can’t seem to part with anymore, so it might make for an interesting proof gallery! I had to limit myself on the sneak peek or I am afraid the post would go on forever. They were just so fun and the camera loved them. See for yourself!

Well, hello there, Gorgeous! As you can see, Beth’s soon to be husband is quite the looker as well.

Awwww, look at the sweet and fuzzy moment between two people in love! Actually, she was sweetly telling him that he had a bug in his ear. I’m lucky I got this shot because I was laughing so hard.

I simply can not lie. I adore this one.

Ok. Seriously. I’ll stop. All I can say, is if the wedding is even a fraction as fun as what the engagement session was, we are going to have a grand time! Such a stunning couple.

Thank you so much, Beth and Joe, for a great time. I’ll see you next month!

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Winner of the Wedding Photography Giveaway 2009!! | Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Posted on March 19, 2009

I am so delighted to be able to make this post. It makes my heart happy, which is really the best feeling in the entire world! I got a small group of friends and family together to go through the nominations and select the winner. I needed to not be a part of this process or else I would end up giving everyone free wedding photography because the stories were just so great. I can be a bit of a sap like that. ; )

After some deliberation, my little panel picked a winner. Allow me to introduce the winners of my 2009 Wedding Photography Giveaway, Kassie and Doug! Aren’t they cute?

Here is the sweet letter that Kassie’s sister Allie sent in for the nomination. (Allie asked me to edit a couple of sentences to protect someone’s identity. I’m a sneaky snake!)

Good afternoon!

I would like to nominate my older sister (Kassie) and my future brother-in-law (Doug) for your photography giveaway. They have been together six years this March. They are so sweet and laid back; they role with the punches… and there have been a lot of punches lately. They take care of everything for everyone. Anytime anyone has a problem, they are the go-to-guys. On a regular basis they receive phone calls for computer support from various members of the family, Doug is building a great website for our older brother’s business, and Kassie plans every event our family encounters. Lately though they’ve had to deal with more than normal. I’ll give you a run down of just the big events of the last six months. We have a family member who has gone through a difficult financial situation, and Kassie and Doug made sure that no one in that family lacked anything during this time.

Around the same time I found out I was unexpectedly pregnant. They were the first to jump on board and get excited for me. Kassie is throwing my baby shower and they have made certain I have or will have everything a baby needs by my due date.

They completely took care of Christmas this year. They bought presents for everyone, including aunts, uncles, and friends, and put all of our names on the gifts so no one felt badly.

Two days after Christmas they found out one of their dogs (Meeka) was sick with a horrible cancer-like disease. They tried everything to save her; blood transfusions, expensive medications, weekly (and sometimes two or three times weekly) vet visits. They weren’t able to save her but after a month and a half they had used a large part of their wedding savings.

I don’t know the whole story of Doug’s family, but in August his sister died in an accident and just before Christmas his mother (who he’s always been close to) had to move home to England for health reasons leaving Doug the only member of his family still in America.

On top of all this they are both Graduate students with full coursework and research schedules and despite all the bumps in the road they haven’t fallen off track with their graduation deadlines.

They are so supportive of each other and I know neither of them would have made it through without help from the other. Together they are a rock. I can’t think of anyone else who deserves this more…they’ve been through so much together and their love hasn’t faltered.

The picture I am including is a couple of years old, but it is my favorite because it is very them. Like I said…they are so laid back!

Thanks for your time!

Allie

Isn’t that the best nomination letter ever? Allie was so sweet to nominate her sister. And to keep the secret! In fact, when I got in touch with Kassie to tell her that she had won, she had no idea and was very shocked that her sister was able to keep the secret for so long.

I had wanted to be able to call to announce the news while on speakerphone and being filmed on my webcam and then post it all to the blog, but I just wasn’t able to make that happen and didn’t want to delay the announcement a moment longer. Kassie was completely caught off guard and it was so sweet. You could hear the excitement in her voice. I wish I could have recorded it! Wouldn’t that have been cool? Oh, well. I still have warm fuzzies from it. I just love that I am able to give such a great gift to a deserving couple.

Soon we shall set a date for the engagement photos, which I just can’t wait to do. The wedding is in December, so I suggested doing the engagements earlier while we have beautiful weather and so we wouldn’t have such a long wait before we could have some fun with the camera! I can’t wait!!

Thank you so much, Allie, for nominating your sister. Kassie and Doug, I look forward to working with you.

As for all of the other nominations, I’ve extended offers for engagement sessions as consolation prizes. Thank you all for participating in my first Wedding Photography Giveaway contest. I hope to make this an annual thing because it is just a great feeling to give back.

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It’s spring!! | Northwest Arkansas Lifestyle Photographer

Posted on March 13, 2009

Spring is in the air. Buds are starting to poke their little heads every where. The days are warmer and are brighter for longer. It makes me so happy. This time of year always makes me think of spring cleaning and starting everything fresh. So, to get in the spirit, I’m wanting to spruce up the portfolio. For a limited amount of sessions, I’m going to offer a Spring Cleaning Portfolio Building Special! This will be $200 for ten images on disk with printing rights with 5×7 reference prints. What can you expect from a portfolio building special session? In depth conversations with me concerning what to wear as I will have a specific look in mind. There will be fresh, new locations. It will be a fun experience for everyone and great images will be made. What more could you ask for?

Since I don’t like to post without photos, here are two from a past session. I love these two kids almost as much as I love my own. SO adorable.

Have you noticed the new logo and the changes to the blog? This is just the tip of the iceberg. I’m currently trying to get some things set up that will really change the feel of the blogsite. I’m very excited, but am having to go slowly since I’m entering brand new territory and am learning as I go. Hopefully soon I’ll be able to unveil everything!!

Remember, there are only a limited amount of Spring Cleaning Portfolio Building sessions, so book yours today!

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Snow Wedding Teaser | Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Posted on March 6, 2009

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of shooting a gorgeous wedding that just happened to take place in the snow. It was freezing cold, but oh so worth it. The bride just could NOT have been happier that it snowed on her wedding day. She was simply glowing the entire day. I know that she is very anxious to see some of her photos, so I told her I would give her a little teaser.

You can see all the little snow flakes swirling around in these photos. I love it.

A quick shot of the bride alone. See? Glowing.

This hand belongs to the best man as he was passing out the rings.

A sweet moment between the new husband and wife. And the snow.

I hope this is enough to hold you over until the rest are ready!

And speaking of weddings, this is the last day to get in nominations for the Wedding Giveaway!

Filed Under wedding | 9 Comments