Jordyn and Joseph | Northwest Arkansas Engagement Photographer

Posted on August 22, 2010

Thursday afternoon and Friday morning both predicted rain for Friday evening.  I fretted over this for hours because I had an engagement session on Friday.  And not just any session, a session for a couple who was only in the area for one more day before they drove the ridiculous drive (something like sixteen hours) back to their Texas home.  Their wedding will be in a cozy little town nearby, but for now the distance has made it a little tricky to schedule the engagement session.  Since they were going to be in Arkansas for a brief period of time before classes began again, we decided to do the engagement session now.  I was prepared for the heat that we’ve been having, but rain?  Rain made me nervous.  What kind of rain would it be?  A few innocent sprinkles?  A soft rain we could work around?  Or would it be a dark, thundering, pouring rain that would steal our light and threaten equipment?  Not to mention make-up and hair?  I finally found a place where I felt confident enough to do an engagement session if we were forced to face a thunderstorm, but as it turns out, I didn’t need it!  Typical Arkansas weather, the rain decided to go away and we had a gorgeous evening to play!

Yay! I worked really hard yesterday in order to get a sneak peek up for them to see first thing when they arrive at their house. Which should be any moment now. :)

I can’t wait for the wedding!

NC Workshop/Business Retreat Part 1 | Northwest Arkansas Lifestyle Photographer

Posted on August 15, 2010

Last week I had the time of my life. Sure, there are other moments that are placed higher on the scale of Best Times Ever, like getting married and having my kiddos, but man o’ man did last weekend score high.

You see, some of my closest, dearest, best friends were met online. We came together in a photography forum many years ago and have grown together. Shared together. Discussed ideas, critiqued work, told stories, grown into a family. These girls are so special to me, they know more about me than some of my ‘real life’ friends, and the closest one is five hours away. Last year we decided that we were going to get together for a weekend of shooting, talking, bonding, and discussing business. Two condos were rented a gorgeous beach in North Carolina. A handful of us had meet before last weekend, but the majority had not. You know those friendships that can pick up right where you left off no matter the time span? That’s how it was for us. It was like we had always been able to talk face to face instead of through forums, texts, emails, IMs, and facebook. And now it doesn’t seem fair that we have to wait until next year to see each other in person again. It’ll be well worth the wait.

Our host, the fabulous Dana Jackson, managed to schedule four different time slots of sessions with multiple subjects while we were there. We did maternity, a hot couple, newborns, families, siblings, and seniors. It was simply amazing. There was little sleep, lots of learning, and so much talk.

Here are a few of the images from the ‘hot couple’ session. Amanda and I lead the majority of this session since we do more couples than some of the other girls. The couple’s goal was to have ‘something hot for the bedroom’ and I think we got it!! :)

They are such a gorgeous couple.

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Now, since they said they wanted something hot, and we were on the beach, what else could we do but get them on the waterline? :)

Um, meow. These next two are totally hot.

It’s been really interesting to look through my friends’ versions of all the sessions that we did. I love being able to see the same scene through their eyes. I wish it could happen every day!

Part 2? Seniors!

Staci and Corey | Northwest Arkansas Engagement Photographer

Posted on March 28, 2010

I know that they’ve been patiently waiting for this sneak peek.  And I’m so excited to share it!  They are such an adorable couple and the light was just perfect this night.  I’m sure Corey thinks I’m the BIGGEST nut he’s ever met, but I do think it was worth it, right?  ;)

I want to say more, but I’m running out the door. I’ll come back and edit this when I get back! Got to go and pick up John! :)

ETA: This couple is so sweet. Staci admitted that she was nervous for these photos, but it doesn’t look like it at all, does it? She’s gorgeous and the camera loves her. And poor Corey. I don’t think he thought he would be dancing in fields or laying on the ground when he came along for this session. Well, that’s what happened! And I’m so glad that they did because I’m in love with these photos.

See? Aren’t they gorgeous? And you guys should see her wedding dress. It fits perfectly with their venue. I can’t wait for this wedding!!

All photographs property of Cherron McDonald and Raining Light Photography