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WEDDING | ASHLEY + SEAN

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Charleston SC Kiawah Island Wedding

I’m sitting here reminiscing on my top favorite couples and weddings of all times. I can’t help but think, I love my job as a Charleston wedding Photographer and beyond. This private Kiawah Island wedding was gorgeous! The Kiawah Island golf resort complete with spanish moss trees, bungalow suites and a beach bonfire makes for one memorable occasion.

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October, my favorite month of the year is such a beautiful wedding month. Ashley’s adorable pup, Lola was also part of Ashley and Sean’s beautiful union. Lola was all spiffed up ready to walk down the aisle. It was an adorable sight. Joining her were ten fun bridesmaids in blush pink, full of love and excitement.

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Her father-daughter moment was so special as she had a special embroidered napkin to give as a token of her love as a wedding gift. Having the couple vow their forevers in front of a large wooden cross was so sentimental and tells of the importance of their faith. It was a moment to remember. Having the gorgeous deep orange sunset setting on the golf course made for such romantic images. It was a perfect way to end the day and to start their new beginning as Mr. & Mrs..

Faith makes all things possible. Love makes all things easy. – Dwight Moody

Ashley is gorgeous inside & out and of course a stunning bride. It was my honor to be part of her special day. Sean, her handsome groom is such a delight. What a photogenic and cool couple! Just recently, Ashley tells me she “will never forget how sweet I was to her right before she walked down the aisle”. Be still my heart. I hope to not only capture those priceless moments as your wedding photographer, but to ease any pre wedding jitters as well. So thanks Ashley for reminding me why I love what I do.

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Catching up with the couple now, they have relocated to California for Sean’s new job and have a new baby girl, Emma. Cheers to a lifetime of memories and moments that are priceless and forever cherished! ♥

{FULL GALLERY HERE}

ENGAGEMENT | JESSICA + MICHAEL

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RALEIGH ENGAGEMENT

How I met this wonderful pair was at her friend Laura’s wedding where Jessica, was a bridesmaid. We hit it off right away. At the end of the night, during the reception, she tells me she’s engaged and she was impressed watching me work all day. She mentioned wanting me to photograph her wedding, the following year. It was an exciting moment and such a compliment.

We started out with a beautiful engagement session at the Historic Yates Mill. We felt like we had the place to ourselves as we enjoyed exploring the mill. Micheal and Jessica adored romantic time together in the fields of wheat and overlooking the lake. It was such a sweet time for me to witness the love and joy between these two lovebirds. Jessica is a teacher and a detailed planner. I was thrilled to make her vision come to light, with her beaming from her engagement session images. Along with their engagement, it’s been my pleasure to be part of many steps along the way. From designing the couples Save the Dates, custom envelopes, the wedding invitations and wedding programs.

Now here we are a month away from their big day! The celebration will be held at The Meadows at Walnut Cove in Walnut Cove, NC. This gem is tucked away just south of Hanging Rock NC State Park, surrounded by hundreds of acres of privately owned land.  The 32 acres of land creates the perfect backdrop for Jessica and Michael’s wedding images.

I will forever be there to laugh with you, to lift you up when you are down and to love you unconditionally through all of our adventures in life together.

Cheers to Jessica + Michael!

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WEDDING | KINDRA + ROGER

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NORTH CAROLINA FARM WEDDING

What a beautiful wedding day for Kindra + Roger! Arriving at the rustic and quite adorable Longstraw Farms in Ayden, NC was such a treat. Sandy, the owner of the farm is such a delight and made this the perfect venue. As soon as you walk up, you are welcomed by the hand calligraphy signs. The ceremony spot under the grandfather oaks are filled with restored vintage church pews. Walking in a bit further, is Roger’s very own classic 1973 Volkswagen Beetle. This vintage themed classic couple make me swoon. Even the bride wore pearls from her great grandmother, which were purchased in Japan by her great grandfather. I knew right away that this was going to be a day to remember.

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This sweet couple were a joy. Let’s take a look at their love story. Roger’s sister in law, was Kindra’s roommate in college, were they eventually met. They quickly became best friends from the start, where they were friends for a long time before deciding to date.  Kindra fell in love with Roger before she even realized it. It took her by sweet surprise. Roger asked Kindra to marry him at a Capital Cities/ Bear Hands concert . Yes! was her immediate answer of course. After over a year of being engaged they are now here at the beautiful farm to become husband & wife with a farm full of loving witnesses.

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This memorable day full of dancing, laughter and funny toasts made for such the celebration. Ending this perfect day was a firework exit and driving off into the sunset in the grooms classic Volkswagen. Enjoy the gallery where as they say, pictures are worth 1,000 words.

{FULL GALLERY HERE}

 

Venue: Longstraw Farms
Caterer: Thee Catering Company
Cake: The Sweet Couple Bakery
Florist: Terra Ceia Farms Pantego
DJ: BTA Entertainment
Shoes: Unique Vintage Shop
Dress: David’s Bridal

PHONE PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

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This article from US Today has great photography tips on how to take great photos using your smart phone. Even though it is ideal to have a camera on you at all times, realistically most people don’t. They do however almost never leave home without their phone (it’s 2016 after all). I hope this article will help you take those great memories that happen in a flash. After all, capturing a memory as it happens is so important no matter how you do it! So whether it’s taking a selfie or perfecting a beautiful skyline..snap away.
read full article here

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real wedding and bridesmaids taken in Charleston, SC

Selfie schooling! If you love taking selfies here are some great photography tips. The only thing is, taking a decent selfie is hard since you’re the person in front of and “behind” the camera! If you’d like to learn to take better pictures of yourself while looking totally fabulous, take note of these helpful tips on taking good selfies that you’ll be happy to show off!

First off, give yourself a once-over before you take the pic! Have you ever snapped a photo assuming your hair and makeup were on point only to find out that you have flyaways and smeared eyeliner? Of course you can always delete the pic and take another, but you might as well check yourself out first so you have lots of good selfies to pick from!

Always stand with your back against a window, if possible, for best light — Leah Marie

When you’re taking a selfie, or any photo for that matter, you have to have good lighting! You can’t show off your makeup,hair or new outfit in bad lighting because it’s distracting and unflattering! Sure, you can strategically hide a blemish with a shadow, but don’t choose lighting that’s too harsh or too dark. Even if you plan it that way, your vision might not translate well to the photo!

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ENGAGEMENT | DANI + MATT

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CHAPEL HILL ENGAGEMENT

The end of Summer has come way to soon but what a perfect way to end the season. This adorable duo made for the sweetest Chapel Hill Engagement fun! Dani + Matt inspired me to purchase a retro bike, props, handpick wildflowers and design personal mugs for this vintage dream. We had so much creative fun that our two hour session ended up running almost five hours! Time flies when you’re having fun!

This full day of adventure included many stops to the North Carolina Botanical Gardens, Jordan Lake and Downtown Chapel Hill. The gardens with original artwork of a maze made of twigs was awesomely creative. We had fun with that. We had so much variety and even stopped where they had their first date. Matt took Dani to Jordan Lake and found a nice private nook on the marsh filled lake.

Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite.

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This sweet pair met through mutual friends and hit it off right away. When spending time together they felt as if they’ve always known each other. Dani is a sweet boho girl that preferred to photograph barefoot. Matt is a sweet southern gentleman and was smashing in his vintage wear. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and works in North Hills district of Raleigh.  She is a teacher in the Clayton area and has a heart for children. Making a home in Chapel Hill will be the next step after getting married in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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Every image belongs in a magazine. Stunning, stunning, stunning. I had to hold back from posting all 600+ of these gems. I hope you enjoy this engagement as much as I do but now off to the good stuff!

Cheers to the lovebirds Dani + Matt! ♥

{FULL GALLERY HERE}

WEDDING | ASHLEY + ANDREW

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NORTH CAROLINA WEDDING

I am convinced that a Southern wedding is like none other. There was so much charm from the venue of this Chapel Hill wedding to the old Southern traditions. This North Carolina wedding at the cozy & private Bingham Inn made for such a romantic celebration. Southern tradition at it’s best complete with a party bus, pig pickin’, monogrammed corn hole and diggin’ the bourbon to name a few. The just married couple loaded up the wedding party in the fun Bridge Bus and headed over to the reception. Time to party!

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When the bride, Ashley tells me get ready for diggin’ up the bourbon, I was stumped. Come to find out it’s an old Southern tradition and I think this one falls under the heading of “crazy traditions,”. My research was inconclusive as to where this tradition began, though some sources said Virginia, and some Tennessee. Regardless of the location, Southern folklore says that if you bury a bottle of bourbon at the site where the bride and groom are to be married, then it won’t rain on their wedding day. According to many believers, this must be done exactly one month before the wedding, the bottle must be completely full and it must be buried upside down in order for it to keep the rain away. It must work because it kept the rain away and we had a day full of clear skies.

Sure as cornbread goes with greens, you’re the answer to my dreams. – Southern Saying

The night was complete with an emotional speech from maid of honor and sister and the night full of dancing and celebrating.

Traditional North Carolina Wedding at it’s finest.

Such an honor to have Huff Post feature the dreamy moment of Ashley & Andrew swinging from the magnificent grandfather oak. This was such a proud and gorgeous moment to capture. Thank you Huff Post!

Congratulations Ashley + Andrew! ♥

 

{FULL GALLERY HERE}

WEDDING | MARY CATES + JASON

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DOWNTOWN RALEIGH WEDDING

The historic Merrimon-Wynne House, built in 1876, in downtown Raleigh is such a beautiful piece of southern history. The mint colored walls and chandeliers make for the perfect backdrop! I don’t know who was more excited me or the bride, Mary Cates! I “ooh and ahhed” at every elegant detail.

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Mary Cates, is such a gorgeous southern belle and sweet to top it off. It was trult a delight to be part of her special day! Jason her handsome groom was also just as sweet and endearing. They make for such a perfect match.

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One of the highlights of the day included the officiant, stopping mid ceremony to remind the guests to shout”all in favor” for all to hear. He was a ball of laughs. Then there were those tender moments of the first dances with father & daughter, mother & son. I look forward to being part of capturing future memories. Mary Cates is already talking baby photos ha! I wish the wonderful newlyweds a lifetime of joy!

Congrats to the Beviers! ♥

{FULL GALLERY}

Venue: Merrimon-Wynne
Caterer: Donovan’s Dish
Event Coordinator: A Swanky Affair
Florist: Fresh Affairs
DJ: Brian Pate Enterprises
Videographer: Green Hope Productions
Makeup Artist: Makeup for your Day

PORTRAITS | OAKLEY FAMILY

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ARLINGTON VA MATERNITY

I absolutely love working with mamas-to-be and this maternity session is one of my favorite experiences! There is something so powerful in carrying another human and watching it grow from the inside.

Originally my friend (the couple’s cousin) and I went to just visit Miriam and Daniel and explore DC. However, after meeting this sweet couple who lives in Arlington and discovering she was almost 8 months pregnant, I had to ask. How about we do an adorable Arlington maternity session while I’m here?! Even though I had none of my equipment or was prepared, they had a feasible camera on hand.

The next day we took a drive to historic downtown Arlington near the docks and it was the perfect photo location. We all really enjoyed strolling downtown on this beautiful Sunday in May. This session came as perfect timing since mama is getting to the uncomfortable, feeling way too fat, no pictures stage. Unfortunately, mama’s to be usually hate the way they look when they are pregnant. So if I can make them feel beautiful, then I’ve done my job!

It is the most powerful creation to have life growing inside of you, there is no bigger gift.

Exploring the water docks & historic neighborhoods made our time such fun. We just took it all in stride with no expectations and enjoyed this spontaneous session. We even stopped for the usual ice cream craving.

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It came as such a sweet blessing to Miriam seeing as her mother passed just recently. Even as her family was mourning she discovered she became pregnant. Sometimes, in the midst of great loss comes great blessing. I wish them so much joy with their new addition on its way. I know this sweet pair will make great parents and I look forward to meeting baby girl in the near future.

{FULL GALLERY}

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ABOUT LEAH

Welcome to Leah Marie Photography + Stationery! You found a wedding Photographer that doesn't miss a thing. I capture it all: the laughter, the hand-squeezing, the killer dance moves, the heart-stopping portraits; and I do it from a place of wholehearted gratitude and passion.

I'm here to make your dreams come true by telling your beautiful love story, one that will last a lifetime.

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