Gina+Pete+Elliott // Family Session.

Two things here.

First – Imma let you finish, but Elliott is the happiest baby OF ALL TIME. I know you might think you have a happy baby and you are like sure, sure, but then I dare you to look through these pictures and see what you think by the end of it. Your kid probably looks mega depressed now, doesn’t he? He is so ridiculously happy that I was afraid he might explode with joy, but much to our delight, he successfully stayed in one piece for the duration of the shoot. It’s possible that he’s not normally that happy, but rather that I don’t know the strength of my own charm and charisma. But, seeing as how no other babies, children, grown adults, nor pets have reacted this way, I can only assume it’s just Elliott. Perhaps he’s an alien (happiest best alien EVER!) or perhaps we just had a really great nap. Either way, we love him. He’s very charming.

Second – he is also the tallest baby ever. He’s 8 months old, but definitely is as tall as some toddlers I know, and basically half my height already. He’s going to be great at basketball.

Elliott, while stealing the majority of the spotlight, is accompanied by his parents Gina and Pete. They dressed him in striped footie pajamas that paid tribute to Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, who had died just before our session. Much respect. Gina and Pete are really cool and the most handy people we’ve ever encountered. Almost everything in their house has been built or sanded/stained or wired by Pete. He casually threw out there that he’s even made all the lamps and picture frames. They have an apple orchard they just planted! They have a backsplash they just tiled! They are crafty and cute and we like them too. Also in the adorable accessory department are Jethro (hound mix) and Cosima (German Shepherd) who are VERY GOOD boys and girls. Lots of sitting, lots of staying, lots of casually and cutely glancing at the camera. Fairly certain that Cosima has some sort of secret modeling pact with Elliott to land a high-profile baby food commercial together, and I don’t have a baby, but I’d still order whatever they were selling anyway.

Melissa+Jackson // 214 Martin Street Wedding

Melissa and Jackson are two rain proof kids in both mind and spirit. The forecast was unusually cold for March, but also called for an epic downpour to start riiiiight at the time of their first look. Geoff and I were optimistic – rain almost always get pushed back, and all we needed was for it to hold off an hour. But, because this is how the weather seems to be rolling so far in 2018, the rain started right at the first look, and continued on through their pictures. Then I promised Melissa that there was an alley nearby that had a fish mural. But… the city had painted over it to be a plain yellow. Then they got excited about the weird fruit and vegetable and strange faces mural behind it, but there were cars in every. single. spot. in front of the wall. But then! Thennn!

Because Melissa and Jackson are so badass, they stayed super positive and super wonderful and super friendly despite all of this! And so did their bridal party! And it was cold! And wet! And YET WE MARCHED ON. Equipped with nothing but clear umbrellas and a will of steel, we blocked traffic in City Market and did what we came there to do. We took pictures in that plain yellow alley that used to have the fish! BOOM! Then a car moved and we were able to shoot in front of the weird veggie faces wall! BAM! And Melissa’s dress was absolutely soaked afterward and so were her shoes, so we called in a favor to the wonderful ladies we just photographed at the Design Gallery Salon just recently, and they were so kind as to throw Melissa’s Toms in a dryer for a few minutes while they used several blow dryers on the bottom of her dress. :) TA-DA!

It was a good, good day with good, good people who also like cats. These guys are moving back to North Carolina from Ohio later this year and we’re glad to repopulate the city with more happy-go-lucky people like them. PLUS LOOK HOW CUTE THEY ARE.

– Date: March 24, 2018
– Ceremony + Reception Venue: 214 Martin Street // Raleigh, NC
– First Dance Song: “Carolina in My Mind ” – James Taylor
– Occupations: PhD students, soon to be postdocs
– How You Met: In a math class at UNC
– Interesting Fact: We’re brewery fans. Our favorite thing to do in a new city is check out local beer.
– Honeymoon: Austria

Officiant: Terri Hollingsworth, family friend
DJ: Al Sibille, Epic DJ Entertainment
Florist: Eucca on Etsy
Cake: Groovy Duck Bakery
Caterer: 214 Martin Street
Hair/Makeup: Junction Salon

Maternity+Doggo Session.