Celebrating Sydnee

I had a nice walk around JC Arboretum in Raleigh this past Sunday with Sydnee and her parents. Little Miss Sydnee has just turned 1! She was so interested in everything in the arboretum. We'd set her down and immediately she'd start playing with the grass or perhaps a leaf within her reach. Her mind was going a mile a minute. 

As a method of catching her attention I had bought her a Fourth of July pinwheel. What kid doesn't love a pinwheel? I love pinwheels.... Anywho, this is what happens when you dangle a pinwheel in front of a 1 year old. 

  I believe you can translate this look to "Want!" 

I'm ashamed that I've never been to the arboretum before this photoshoot. It was always right down the road from me while I was attending State and I never stopped in. I'm glad I finally went at least. It was quite the garden. I recommend it to anyone who wants to be jealous over other peoples' green thumbs. Oh and I need to grow an artichoke plant now. That thing was epic. 

Back to the topic at hand though. It was nice meeting Sydnee and her parents and capturing this moment for them. Happy Birthday Sydnee! 

I call this one "The Squish". hahaha

Thanks for reading!!

Liz DiNatale

www.oakcityphotographync.com

A Garner Wedding

For my final installment of last weekend, I'm happy to share the teasers for Jen and Will's wedding. Jess and I had a great time laughing with all the guests and wedding party alike. They were all very welcoming and were in great spirits.

After a lovely ceremony they started off the reception with an awesome dance.

Jen was stunning.

And Will didn't look so bad himself. 

Her details were fantastic. 

And it took us all day but at the end of the evening we finally stole a picture of this little lady. She was so tuckered out.  

Congrats to Jen and Will! SOR wishes you many happy years to come!

Thanks for reading!!

Liz DiNatale

www.oakcityphotographync.com

The Darden's: Table for 4!

The cofounder of Shades of Red Photography and my good friend Chrissy, is expecting her second little bundle of joy. I had the honor of photographing her growing belly the last time she was cookin and I'm glad to say I was able to again for baby number two. 

Last Sunday, the Dardens met me at Yates Mill Pond Park before my appointment with the Leckie family and we wandered around looking for snakes and sneaking photos of Mara's outrageous "cheese" face. 

I was told this wasn't her usual "cheese" face. 

In any case, she hammed it up and we all enjoyed the photo shoot. 

Aww, they're gonna be great parents....again. They're looking forward to a baby boy any day now! Mara's a ball of energy by herself, I wonder what a baby BOY Darden will be like!

"Wha??" Hehehe, oh Mara. 

Congrats to the growing family. I can't wait to meet the new addition!

Thus ends my series of photos at Yates Mill Pond. Comining up: A Dunn's wedding!!

Thanks for reading!

-Liz DiNatale

www.oakcityphotographync.com

Busy at Yates Mill Pond!

Talk about a busy, busy weekend! After returning from a week on the road I promptly attended a wedding rehearsal on Friday followed by the actual wedding on Saturday followed by 2 photo shoots at Yates Mill Pond on Sunday! 

Phew, I need a vacation. Good thing I'm going on one next week! *insert evil laugh*

Out of the 3 sets of photos I gathered last weekend I've hammered through one, the Leckie family! The Leckie family is a recent transplant from Winston Salem to Knightdale and contacted me for a family photo shoot. I was glad to be able to sneak them in before my big trip next week. It was great chatting with Kim, Jeff and their kids as we walked around Yates Mill Pond Park. Their son, Brice was super interested in all the things around him except for me and my camera! This is him screaming, "Let. Me. Go. Explore!"

I'm a sneaky one with the camera though and managed to nab a few without him noticing. 

In contrast his sister was all about the camera and was willing to help me out as much as she could. I eventually noticed the occasional reminder from Kim about a "special treat" if she behaved for the photos. Bribery, it works so well. 

I picked up on the idea after a little while of struggling to keep Brice's attention and asked for a toy or something to catch his eye. I was handed a bag of gummies and they worked like a charm! Look at that eye contact!

Haha, I (the gummies) win. 

The Leckie family was so great and I really enjoyed their photo shoot. They listened to my yammering like champs and never questioned the occasional "odd" photo!

Thanks for letting me get to know you behind the lens!

On an unrelated note, CONGRATS to Kate and Robert Stone for welcoming their daughter, Elin, into the world! It's been quite the year for them already and I believe they have a great future to look forward to!

Thanks for reading, the other two groups of photos are to come!

Liz DiNatale

www.oakcityphotographync.com