Micah & Cali - {Engagement}

It's time to hear from my esteemed colleague, Jess Hawn again!

The Rain Didn't Stop Him!

You always hear people say, "Those two are perfect for each other."  Well,  it couldn't be more true with these two.  It takes a special girl to handle my brother-in-law, Micah. Cali sure has her hands full with this one!  She doesn't seem to mind...

Micah grew up on the farm and spends a lot of time there with his family. What better place to propose to Cali? So in November among the cows, hay, mud and, yes, rain (does that mean twice the good luck?) Micah asked Cali to join his family. 

They are planning for a "10-4" wedding date.  I'm looking forward to lots of laughter, love and black diesel smoke.....

Welcome to the family Cali and bravo Micah!!!

Jess Hawn

www.oakcityphotographync.com

Drew and Kathleen - {Wedded Bliss}

It all starts with a ring and a promise 

Jess and I were thrilled to witness the recent union of two great people, Kathleen and Drew. We've enjoyed getting to know these two as they took the steps into a life together. They were fantastic at their engagement session and equally awesome for their wedding; I've never met a pair so calm and collected. 

Kathleen was the epitome of classic Hollywood elegance in her daringly tall heels and her classic dress. 

I loved the simple beauty about her outfit. 

And I have to say, out of all the weddings I've been to or had the pleasure of working, this wedding party and family were the easiest to organize and most cooperative! They were also very tough. It was not warm by this lake. 

Kathleen and Drew, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to capture your beautiful wedding. We had a great time with you all and I hope to work with you again!

Daww this picture melts my heart! 

Liz DiNatale

www.oakcityphotographync.com

Kara & Pipper - Pet Photography

For my second installment of holiday photos I present to you something completely different: Pet Photography!

A few weekends ago, the day following an epic wedding (teasers coming soon), I enjoyed meeting Kara and her pup, Pipper. It was such a nice photoshoot to have after such a hectic day. We simply took a stroll along the Tobacco Trail and snapped a few photos when we came upon something neat. 

Pipper was such a lovable pup!

It was a great afternoon! Thanks Kara and Pipper for going on a walk with me! It was a pleasure working with you both!

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Liz DiNatale

www.oakcityphotographync.com

Cubbage Family Photos 2013

A few weekends ago my husband and I had the pleasure of visiting our friends in Lynchburg, VA where a few escaped NC State alums are hiding. I met Laurissa at my first engineering internship at Hazen and Sawyer and we've been friends since. She had already graduated from Environmental Engineering and was a great example for a rising female engineer. There's not a whole lot of us after all! Since I started SOR, I've been capturing her family as it's grown, it's been so much fun. 

That's why I was thrilled when she asked us to visit this year and to bring my camera! This was the first chance to snag some photos of her newest son, Everett, and I couldn't wait. 

We took a drive up the blue ridge parkway for about an hour and found some beautiful colors. I do love fall!

I've never had a baby so corporative! 

I'm excited to watch these boys grow up. 

Laurissa & Doug Cubbage Family 2013! 

Liz DiNatale

www.oakcityphotographync.com

Photo Friday: Lonesome

Happy Friday!!! 

It's been a hell of an October for me so far. I found myself in Breckenridge Colorado at the beginning of the month for a 2 week long class on streams. Miraculously, I broke away the Sunday before last and hiked up to see some old mining relics and a couple lakes called the Mohawk Lakes. If you're ever in Breck, when there's not 5 feet of snow, I'd highly recommend that hike. It's absolutely beautiful. 

The trail it's pretty direct and before you know it you're out of the thick trees and on the rocks. That's when you start seeing these old tiny cabins. The first one you come to has no roof and a fallen tree has collapsed most of it. But if you keep going you find this gem right next to some glorious falls. I can only imagine how lonely a night would be up on the mountain alone in this cabin with  nothing but the falls to listen to. 

I've got a busy schedule of family photo shoots this month. I'm looking forward to sharing them all with you! 

Thanks for reading and enjoy your weekend!

Liz DiNatale

www.shadesofredphotography.com

Ashley Mitchell - Bridals Full Edition

Last Saturday Ashley said those solemn vows and became Mrs. Ashley Mitchell. We all applauded as the new couple walked hand in hand back down the aisle and we spent the rest of the evening celebrating their blessed union. Everything was lovely and I'm very excited to see the photos her photographers produce. I came there as a friend and not a photographer, so as odd as it felt, I left my camera at home. 

We had a great time and stayed until they turned on the lights and ushered us out. And now because their day has come and gone, I can finally, with great pleasure, do a full blog post of Ashley's bridal portraits! I'm friggin giddy. I've wanted to show these off for weeks now!

No more yammering, onto the photos!

The State Club on NC Sate's Centennial Campus has a huge grand ballroom with very shiny marble floors. They complimented Ashley's beautiful white dress wonderfully. 

Remember her teaser post featuring that huge chandelier and a silhouette of Ashley? Here's the other side of that photo series. 

These next few are some of my favorites. 

I love how you can see every delicate fold of her beautiful dress in these. 

This one...this is my favorite. Gotta love the cathedral veil. 

This is a close second. She looks so happy and genuine in this photo. 

Alright, I'll leave it at that. I'd post them all but I think that would be overkill. I had so much fun doing these photos with Ashley and her mom. Thanks again ladies, you were wonderful!

Liz DiNatale

www.oakcityphotographync.com

Off topic: DC

The weekend before last I took a short road trip with a friend to the north. Since I was heading all the way to NY and it's quite the drive, I convinced my friend to tag along for half the trip and gave her a reason to visit friends in DC. 

I was pretty excited about my layover in DC. I hadn't visited the city since I was a little girl. The bits and pieces I remember about that trip involved mostly Star Trek and matching family shirts. Yes...we were that family. Considering my incredible improvement in photography equipment since that time (I had no camera) I decided to take advantage of my time in DC and photograph some of my favorite monuments. 

So after an awesome night of local brew-pubs, subway systems and air mattress sleeping, I awoke early to beat all the tourists. I had no idea that by doing so I'd run right into the prime "run around the monuments" time. It was an event for sure. I managed to capture several people sweating in running shorts, oh well.

Here are some of my favorites from my early morning saunter around DC. 

The Lincoln Memorial has always been one of my favorites. 

This was a bunch of Navy guys out doing their PT

The Washington Monument reflected in the Vietnam War Monument. 

I never appreciated these monuments when I was a kid. But being out there alone on a cool Saturday morning with just my thoughts and my camera to keep me company...they meant a whole lot more. I'm very glad that we have them. 

Now's the time to think about family photos for holidays cards! This week alone I booked 3 new photoshoots. Stay tuned for lots of awesome smiling faces!

Liz DiNatale

www.oakcityphotographync.com