Happy Holidays!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Holiday!
Thank you to all who helped make this year a great one!! A special thanks to all my little helpers. We are getting some much needed rest before the next big push. :) Santa had quite a busy day as well.





Thank you to all who came out to support the SPCA at this years Santa Paws.

Please come and see us at the upcoming Bridal Show at the Fairgrounds on Jan 3rd and 4th. Fantastic New Products,Specials and Prizes to win!!. We are going to have a lot of fun. Come join us. It is going to be AWESOME!!!

Family Portrait with Bailey and Maxwell

Want to get those family portraits done for the HOLIDAYS? Well, don't forget to include ALL family members on that Holiday Greeting Card!!

Another Fabulous Family and Pet Session with a GORGEOUS Fall Sunset. SOOOO MUCH FUN!

Kristi and Patrick

I had so much fun at my session with Kristi and Patrick. I cannot wait to photograph their wedding next May.

















How we met: Although we were friends for about a year, romance started to "brew" when Patrick began making weekly visits to see me at the Starbucks where I worked. He would read the paper until I got a break. I would serve him up a custom made drink and we'd sit and talk. Cozy Sundays by the fire at Starbucks, sipping our drinks, we'd discovered how much we had in common. After a few months of these visits, Patrick finally asked me out.

Our First Date: Dinner at The Point followed by a game of pool Date and Where or How he proposed: Patrick and I got engaged January 5th. After dinner we were downtown Raleigh walking through a park at nighttime. The stars were out and we were having fun swinging on the swings. We sat down on a bench underneath a huge oak tree and before I knew it he was down on one knee. It was really cute because he quoted a line from our mutually favorite movie, "So I Married an Axe Murderer."

Our favorite things to do or places to go: We enjoy watching funny movies, drinking Starbucks (of course), eating Chinese food, trips to Target, hanging out with our friends and weekend trips to Wilmington, NC.

Wedding Date: May 30, 2009
Location: Magnolia Manor Plantation in Warrenton, NC

Renee and Michael

Congratulations to Renee and Michael who are tying the knot December 7. Can't wait to shoot the wedding.














How We Met: Some friends and I formed a co-ed, sand volleyball team and joined a league-- and while we always had fun playing, we were terrible. One night, our team was short a guy. So one of the guys on the team offered to call up his buddy Mike as a sub. Mike shows up, saves every wayward ball, and leads us to victory! Afterwards, the team relaxed over some cocktails. I made sure to talk it up with the new MVP! Mike later became a permanent player on our team.

Our First Date: We discovered we both liked to play tennis, so a few weeks after that game, Mike made a court date with me. After playing a match (I believe he won!), he asked if I was hungry. I said yes and wondered where we should go to eat. He said, "How about my place?" And ended up fixing me an absolutely amazing steak dinner, grilled asparagus, mashed potatoes, and dessert. We stayed up talking all night.

How He Proposed: We were getting ready to go out for dinner for his birthday. Mike tells me I look beautiful, but that perhaps my outfit needs "a little something." He pulls out the most beautiful ring, starts saying the most beautiful things, and proceeds to get down on one knee and asks me to marry him. It was sweet, simple, and from the heart.

Favorite Things to Do: We enjoy cooking together, playing tennis, watching movies, having friends over for dinner and traveling. After nearly six years as a long-distance relationship, we just love being together.

It's getting HOT in here!!

Rainy and Cold...Zumba fans still Heatin' up the place. Yes, I left the cave tonight and got a little fresh air!! For those looking for more pics:


Visit http://www.blendingartandsoul.com/ and click on VIEW AND ORDER

Congratulations to Bearta on her PUBLISHED BOOK!!!

For those who did not get a chance to see or purchase it please visit:

http://www.beartapowell.com/

Angela and Chip

A couple that plays together, stays together.

I met Angela and Chip at a pool hall to shoot around and have a good time. They were such a fun couple to photograph.

How We Met: We were first introduced by a mutual friend at Blinco's (bar & restaurant) in Raleigh --- who says you can't meet someone nice at a bar?! We are constantly reminded of how we are indebted to our mutual friend whenever we see her ...

Our First Date: In my mind, it was the annual Blues Festival at the old Durham Bulls baseball park; however she seems to believe it was the night we went to see Bill Engvall (a comedian) at the NC State Fairgrounds. Since we were so casual about where we went together as friends, it is difficult to agree on what was officially our first date together.

How He proposed: July 4th, 2007 on the end of the dock at her parents lake house in Crystal, Michigan. I brought two rings, the real one and an imposter. During my proposal, I "accidentally" dropped the imposter ring into the water hoping for a little reaction --- she laughed uncontrollably, and pointed to the ring which was clearly visible in only 3 feet deep water. Oh well, a reaction I got, just not the one I had expected.

Our favorite things to do or places to go: We enjoy camping at music festivals, watching movies, playing pool and poker with friends. Trips together are always fun - as long as the destination is someplace where the climate is warm. Most of all, we enjoy being with each other and laughing together.

Wedding Date: October 25th, 20008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Sheraton in downtown Raleigh, NC.

Meredith and Brent

How We Met: Brent and Meredith met at a fraternity/sorority mixer at NC State in 2004. Their first date was at a local restaurant on campus.

How He Proposed: Three years later, Brent proposed. Taking a day off, he spoiled Meredith with a lunch at the same restaurant they ate at for their first date. After lunch they took a long walk through a local arboretum, and while sitting on a bench Brent popped the question! Their wedding day will be held at that same bench in the same arboretum where he proposed.

Favorite Things to Do:They love to cook together and play outdoors. Spending quiet nights together is also a must.

Wedding Date: They'll tie the knot November 8. Can't wait to be there!

-posted by Julia

Kelly and Shawn

This was one "Magical Hour" shared between soul mates!

How They Met: Since I was joining the flag football league not knowing anyone, I had signed up as a free agent. All the people who signed up as free agents were then put together on one team. Our team, the Intimidators, were not good at all. Our first game against the Mad Cow's, Shawn's team, gave us a good butt kicking. Two members of his team, Rick and Kristen, invited me out for drinks after the game. Shawn also went for drinks and after a little while we began talking. We discovered we both got invited to the same party, Mike Minotti's party, and it instantly gave us something to talk about. I provided Shawn with my email address and phone number to make sure that I had all the information needed to attend the party but Shawn never sent an email. The next day Shawn called. I already had a date planned that evening but we discussed meeting after my already scheduled "plans". So, I went on this date, which ended as soon as dinner was over and drove quickly over to the Crossroads 20 cinema where we watched the Da Vinci Code. After the movie, we spent over an hour talking in the parking lot under and umbrella. We just didn't want to end the night! We saw each other again the next day and the rest is history.

How He Proposed: We were on a cruise to the Bahamas with his family when he proposed. The day started off beautifully. We spent the day snorkeling and relaxing on the island CoCoCay. At the end of the day we went back to the boat and got ready for "Captain's Night". We went to the top deck of the boat and watched the sunset as we waited for our dinner seating. Just before we left to meet everyone for dinner, he popped the question. It was the perfect night to a perfect day.

Spending Time Together: We enjoy having friends over for dinner parties, watching NFL football and playing flag football (of course). Shawn is always a good sport when I want to try something new. For instance, we have a balloon ride with champagne planned 2 weeks before the wedding and we are in our 4th week of ballroom dancing. So, you will always catch us having new experiences and added to the things we enjoy to do together.

Tying the Knot: October 19, 2008 is right around the corner and we are very excited to "tie the knot" at the Barclay Villa in Angier, North Carolina. Our slogan is "Where Dreams Are Made".

They are 100% on the money!