Another Year Comes to An End…| Northwest Arkansas Portrait Photographer

Posted on December 31, 2011

It’s that time again.
The end of one year
and
the beginning of another.

A small look back at what happened with RLP this year.
I did a lot of boudoir this year, too, but can’t really show all that hotness. ;)

And I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to all my dear clients. You guys are the reason for all these beautiful photos. You guys are amazing.

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Yes, it has been a pretty great year.
I’ve said hello to some new babies,
celebrated  with couples getting married,
and spent time with some fabulous families.

But it has also been a bitter sweet year.
Emilie, the amazing mom in the above photo, lost her fight with a brain tumor this year.
I want to spend 2012 living the legacy she left behind.
“We should all be so in love with each day.”
Don’t think that is a beautiful way to live?
I do.

See you in 2012, my friends!!

Giving is Fun | Northwest Arkansas Family Photographer

Posted on November 30, 2011

Roughly once a year,
I like to give the gift of photography.
It’s fun.
It’s a great feeling.
And it is so appreciated.

This year, a friend and fellow photographer, the talented Stacy of  Focus Photography, posted
about an amazing give away that she is doing.
You nominate someone that you adore and love and think deserves a free session.
The fun thing is if that person wins, the one who nominated receives a free session, too!
Awesome, right?

Well, I was thinking (after talking with her, of course) about how I could do something similar.

But I want to kick it up a notch.

I’m not just giving away a free session.

I’m giving away a free wedding.

Say what??

Yes, that’s right.
One gift of wedding photography.
Six hours of coverage, a complimentary engagement session, and a disc of the wedding day images.

AND the person who nominates the winning couple will get a complimentary portrait session as well!
Just call me Cherronaclaus!!
(Yeah, that was a little lame, but I totally laughed!!)

Okay, time for the details!!

If you know of a wonderful couple that you think deserves a nomination, simply email a snapshot
and a little letter to me explaining
why you think they would be perfect for a wedding giveaway!
Are they the type that is always there for their friends, even if that means
helping them move in 105 degree weather up three flights of stairs?
Are they always hosting the get-togethers for the big game?
Are they just the nicest people ever?
I wanna know!

Nominations can be sent in between now and December 10th at 11:59pm.
I will announce the winner of December 12th, which is my wedding anniversary.
Awwwwww.
:)

Fine Print:

Prizes are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable
Wedding must place take place in 2012 in NWA unless all travel expenses are paid
Complimentary session must take place by the end of May, 2012

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Erin and Daniel say I Do | Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Posted on May 31, 2011

I’m so excited for this blog post!  I wanted to blog it sooner but my entire work time line was a bit behind because of the crazy storms.

Erin and Daniel were married at the very unique and fun East Square Plaza in downtown Fayetteville.  I adored how  close, relaxed, and fun-loving both of these families were!  It seemed like every one was out on the dance floor, having a blast, and celebrating the happy couple.

I had, as always, such a hard time picking out which images I wanted to share.

That’s Bo, Erin’s awesome make-up artist.

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I loved this belt. It was a serious, getting down to business belt!!

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Gorgeous shoes, right?!

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And these bridesmaid’s shoes?? Amazing.

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It was so hilarious getting into the dress.  Erin’s expressions were priceless.

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I love, love, love this image!!!

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The bridal bouquet was off by itself, chilling in a water bottle, as Erin got ready.

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I can not stress enough how much I love doing First Looks.  It’s such a great idea

and a chance to spend a few moments together without all the eyes of the wedding guests.

I just adore the look of anticipation Daniel is wearing.

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See the girl in the green off to the left?  That’s Erin’s sister and her reactions to the First Look made me giggle.

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Giving away his baby!

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Husband and wife!!

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Sheets, plates, and glasses.  Who would have thought that they would make

the perfect table cloths and dessert holders?

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Pies and cupcakes instead of cake.  Love this idea!  It’s so fun and so casual but oh so cute.

The little heart crust pieces are my favorites.

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Can’t you feel the love?

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Thank you so much, you two, for allowing me to be part of your special day!!

 

DJ: DJ Beat Bachs—Bo Counts
Catering: Whole Hog
Florist: Fayetteville Farmer’s Market
Hair and/or make-up: Bo Senesomxay

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Arissa and Davey say I Do | Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Posted on May 11, 2011

I love how much in love this couple is with each other.  It’s really stinkin’ adorable.  I love how calm and cool Arissa was up until the last minute even in the face of the day running a bit behind.  I love that Davey was super nervous the closer it got to go time.  Most of all, I love the way they both light up when the other enters the room.  It’s so sweet.

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I see something old…

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and some pretty sparkly things.

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Her flowers were so, so gorgeous!  I loved all the different textures, colors, and shapes to the them.

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The guys were hanging out in the chapel after what I hear were some intense games of ping pong.

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This is about the time she was starting to get nervous.  :)
I’m sort of jealous.  Doesn’t that look so relaxing?  I want someone to do my make-up and put on my lotion.  Even if I’m just hanging out at the house.  Actually, I just need someone who does make-up this well because  the girls like to put lotion on my legs, do my hair, and put on my make-up all the time!  It just never quite looks the same…. ;)

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The pearls around her neck were her gift from Davey.  I think they add such an elegant touch!

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Waiting in the wings before the ceremony.  :)

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I love, love, love how happy and excited she looks!!

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Husband and wife!!

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Stunning couple, yes?

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I cracked up at the little doe and buck.

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And they lived happily ever after.  :)

 

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DJ or Band: Century Sounds
Catering:  Leslie Catering
Florist: Jackie at Floral Icing
Hair and make-up:  Gaines McNeese

 

 

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Shandi and Kevin | Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photography

Posted on October 21, 2010

I had the pleasure of shooting a gorgeous wedding on Sunday at Creekwood Gardens. The place looked amazing. Crystal chandeliers hung from the trees, every table was adorned with a variety of yellow pretties, and the cake looked delicious. Shandi and Kevin are such a cute couple. And the way he looks at her is so amazing. It’s very sweet. I adored every minute of my time with them as they moved through one of the most important days of their life together.

Here are a few moments that I’d like to share.

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Congratulations, Shandi and Kevin!

Lovely Day for a Wedding | Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Posted on June 15, 2010

Staci and Corey were married on a gorgeous Saturday at the lovely Greek Theater at the University of Arkansas.  There were beautiful clouds in the sky, gorgeous light, and lots of heat.   I probably scared some people with how red my face became out there shooting, but hey, what can I say?  That’s what happens when I get hot.  And it was all worth it. The wedding was lovely, Staci looked stunning, and Corey was a very proud husband.

Here are a few of my favorites. I hope you enjoy!!

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They did a first look before the ceremony. It was so fun.

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The wedding colors went with my logo colors! :)

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See the string of photos in the bottom right? Staci is quite handy with the camera herself and took most (Corey took one or two, I think) of these photos. Then they had the great idea to print them out, hang them, and let wedding guests pick out one as a gift! Isn’t that awesome? I thought so. Staci also has a lot of her photography decorating the walls of her house. It made me want to do some more up for my house!

Staci and Corey, it was a pleasure to photograph your wedding and I wish the two of you a long lifetime of happiness together!

Good-bye, 2009! Hello, 2010! | Northwest Arkansas Lifestyle Photographer

Posted on January 1, 2010

2010.  It is finally here.  It brings soo many changes in my life, both personally and with Raining Light Photography.  This will be the year my daughter starts kindergarten.   Can she really already be at that point?  My son will turn 12!!  I can vividly remember twelve being a turning point in my life in so many ways and so I look to this milestone of his with bittersweet anticipations.  Our sweet Paeton will turn three!  She is so independent and headstrong now.  I can only imagine what she’ll bring to my plate this year.  Even though tiny Aryah is but seven weeks old at the moment, I know that soon I will planning to prepare for the first birthday of my last child.  I’m so glad I have many months before that one!  I’ll hit the big three oh this year.  As of right now, I’m okay with that.  My life is pretty sweet.  You may, however, be hearing screams from me around May because I’m not sure how calm I’ll be about it as the date gets closer.  ;)   Seriously, though, I think I’ll be fine with thirty.  It’ll be thirty-five that will most likely be scary for me.

Be on the look out for some changes for Raining Light, too.  I’m restructuring my pricing, completely revamping the boudoir line-up (and will be moving that aspect of the business to its very own site in the near future!), and implementing some new ideas into the wedding side of things as well.  There will be some new products, new packages with emphasis on digital, and a more streamlined process all the way around.  2009 was a great learning year and I hope that I can really make 2010 better!   I also hope to blog at least once a week and show more sides of Cherron as a person.  I realized this year that some of the greatest inspirational blogs from my favorite photographers, the ones that I can’t wait to check in the mornings to see who posted something new, were the ones that showed glimpses of their personal lives as well as the photography side.  I’ve decided that I need to do that as well.   I want my clients to feel like they know me well before the first click of the shutter during a session.   There is no reason why I can’t make my business the type that I WANT to run and not the type that I think people feel it should be.

So, yes, 2009 was great even though it was a slow year because of my pregnancy.  I learned a lot, developed a more solid idea of where I want to be in the future, and grew so much as a photographer and as  a person.  I’m so ready for 2010 to be even better!  I’d like to thank all of my clients in 2009 for such a fantastic year.  You were all an absolute pleasure to work with!!

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I hope that 2010 is a beautiful and healthy year for all of you as well!

xoxo

Cherron

Nikki + Jeremy Say I Do | Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Posted on September 30, 2009

Nikki and Jeremy became husband and wife on September 19th at Long’s Old Orchard and Farm.  I adore all of the twinkling little fairy lights that are every where in the barns.  They are so charming!  What started out as a clear, gorgeous day turned into a gorgeous yet drizzling day right at the time we were supposed to be taking photos before the ceremony.  Well, the boys braved the misty rain with me and it cleared up in time for the girls, but since the ground was wet, we didn’t get to do as much since we did not want Nikki’s beautiful dress to get dirty.  I think that we did a fantastic job despite the wet circumstances!

Everything was so laid back and relaxed, including the ceremony.  The ceremony was actually the FASTEST ceremony I’ve ever attended.  Seriously, from the time the first person started to walk down the aisle up until Jeremy and Nikki exited the building as husband and wife, only eight minutes passed.  Eight minutes!!

As with my last post, I’m trying out a new display method for wedding posts on the blog just like I’m doing for portrait posts.  :)

Nikki’s hair and tiara reminded me of an old Hollywood, Breakfast at Tiffany’s feel for some reason. I loved it.

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A few details of the day. My 2nd shooter, Allison, captured the fun cake shot while I was finishing up with the girls’ photos. It seems that the weather was making the cakes sort of melt with all the quick changes we experienced that day so Allison came to the rescue to make sure that there were photos of non-leaning cakes! Yay!

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Handsome guys and beautiful girls!

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This top photo of the two of them together is one of my favorite photos I’ve taken this year. I looove it!

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Isn’t their little daughter just adorable? She was so good the entire day, too.

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I think it is great that the weather cleared and allowed them to dance outside. It was so beautiful. Check out the sweet father/daughter shot captured by Allison!

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This wedding was so wonderful. Everyone in attendance were so close and fun-loving. I felt like part of the family because, well, in a way, I am! My husband has been friends with members of Nikki’s family since they were teenagers. I’ve known this tight knit family for about eight years now, so it was an extra special treat to photograph this wedding. It was the first day that I met Jeremy, but I have to say that I was so charmed by the way he adores Nikki. It is evident in so many ways. I kept grinning as we were taking their photos right after the ceremony because he kept pausing to look at her and tell her how gorgeous she looked in the dress. It was so very sweet.

Nikki and Jeremy, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your special day. I had a ton of fun! You guys are so fantastic and I wish you all the best in your new life together!!

Michele + Will = I Do | Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Posted on September 17, 2009

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I was in love with these trees. I’m rather clueless when it comes to fruit bearing trees, but someone said they were crab apples? Whatever they were, I adored them.

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Soooo pretty!!

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Hah. I’m not sure if Will knows that I took this photo of him getting ready. :)

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A kiss good luck as he gives her away.

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You may kiss your bride!

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Just might be my fave photo of the day.  :)

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I had the pleasure of photographing the marriage of Michele and Will this weekend at the Shrimpman’s Yacht Club.  It was such a fun day.  Despite a threat of rain, the weather was perfect and everything went so well.

Congratulations, you guys, and I wish you the best of luck in your new life together!  :)

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All photographs property of Cherron McDonald and Raining Light Photography