Tony & McGee :: In Love :: Atlanta, GA :: Piedmont Park

I hope you are prepared for awesomeness!!

Seriously, this couple was so amazing. I offered my services to the bride for her wedding but she had already hired a wedding photographer. . . 

Fast forward several months later and I got an e-mail from her asking how crazy it would be if she hired me to do to take "after the wedding" pictures. Of course, I responded that it wouldn't be crazy at ALL and that I would love to. 

When they traveled to Atlanta from New York we got together and headed to Atlanta's Piedmont Park for some fun times. 

Even though I have been to Piedmont Park on several occasions for fun, I actually had never shot there before. I knew exactly where I wanted to go, though. I have a thing for ivy-covered walls.

McGee is one of those people that if you didn't love her so darn much, you could just as easily hate her because she's a living Barbie doll. If she looked half as stunning on her wedding day as she did the day of our photo session. . .well, you get the point.

One of my favorite things is light. Light and emotion are something I endeavor to capture in every photo session. This one had an abundance of both as you can see below.

I love the way he looks at her. You can see the love in his eyes.

{{SIGH}}

I don't know if any of you have heard of the Beloved Movement with Jesh de Rox but I happen to think it is a truly remarkable way to capture true emotions between two people. Whereas most of my photo sessions are fairly typical, I love to throw in what Jesh calls "invites". These are basically inviting the couple to forget you are there to take their picture and just be in the moment for each other. The genuineness that you can get from this is beyond amazing.

Couples that laugh openly and freely together are the best.

She was just the cutest. This little thing with her nose was something she kept doing throughout the session and I just had to capture it as part of what makes her, her.

Sometimes when things are not the most focused, they turn out the best. I love the dreaminess of them in the background of this shot.

Light. . .check!

. . .emotion. . .Check!

A friend of hers made the brocade belt so I wanted to make sure I got a good detail shot for her.

For the first part of the session, the bride was being very serious and it wasn't until later in the session that I realized how incredibly goofy these two were as a couple. I definitely took advantage of that.

See? Goofy as the day is long!

She had made this sign herself  and transported it from New York.

I also had them write and "illustrate" these themselves. It was funny to see how much they put into their individual signs.

Another invite I did with them with a little twist let to the most adorable chase.

One of McGee's favorite hangout spots in Atlanta was this very Starbucks. As we arrived, the staff was incredibly friendly and happy to let us take over for a little bit.

Here we have McGee showing off her fish face capabilities.

A little sugar to end the evening.

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The Theft

Okay, I just had to share this. 

It was one of the highlights of my weekend. I can't say I blame him at all for wanting it. 

Cutest little monster!

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Atlanta Bridal Portraits

I am definitely one of those people that are too critical of their work. I've been that way for as long as I can remember. I used to draw and paint a lot and no work of mine was ever complete because I would keep coming back to it to make "improvements" as time went on. Same with my poetry. I can always see ways to make it better. I guess that can be a good thing as it helps me strive to always be better and not become complacent.

These next series of images, I took at a little photographer's gathering at the beginning of the year as you may recall. In 20 degree weather, no less. As I looked through my images from the shoot, I beat myself up and wasn't happy with them so I put them aside since they were only taken for my personal benefit, for the most part.

Late one night when I couldn't sleep, these pictures came into my head and I resolved to take another look at them. I am so very glad that I did because there are some definite favorites I overlooked with my too-critical eye the first time around.

We had three models that day. Michele was the "bride" for bridal portraits and Angela and Chad were our "bride and groom."

Michele had the most amazing eyes as you will continue to see throughout these images.

We started out at the Starlight Six Drive-In Theater off of Moreland Avenue in Atlanta. That place was full of personality. Spencer and I keep talking so much about going there one day to see a movie that one day maybe we actually will.

See what I mean about the eyes?

LOVE these two. Also, do you notice that as gorgeous as her eyes are in color,

they do not fail to dazzle even in black and white?

We had all of the photographers split into two groups in an effort to keep the confusion and crowding down while photographing. I love the grouping of these two shots.

Emulating James Dean.

I have no problem with shots that are posed but there's something about catching the candid

moments that thrills and challenges me. Maybe it's something like catching a person truly being

themselves and proving to them that they can be beautiful just as they are. . .

. . .or something like that. ;)

Another semi-candid moment.

Something a little more dramatic.

This one is one of my favorites for some odd reason. Not really sure why. But could you guess that pictures as pretty as these could have been taken in front of a place like. . .

. . .this?

At this point, we had moved locations to an old abandoned prison farm. It was a VERY interesting location.

Have I mentioned how jealous I am of her red hair? Hmmm.....

I really had the most difficult time narrowing down the pictures in this particular set. The light was so pretty and her expressions varied so much that it was quite the challenge.

THIS one is most definitely a favorite.

AHA!

I actually got her to smile! I really don't remember what it was that I said but it resulted in not only a smile but laughter as well. Shot on the right, another fave. YAY for being funny!. . .sometimes.

I tried to leave this one out. Truly I did but it said, "NO! I have a rainbow in my corner.

You just can't leave me out. It makes you think of things ethereal and lovely!"

I swear it said that to me.

More of those lovely unguarded moments. We were wrapping up at this point and I don't think they thought anyone else was shooting. Mwahhhaaaahaha! (sorry, that just slipped out)

ACTION SHOTS!!

To your left is Chris Bartelski, one half of the fabulous duo that makes up the *reason* unconsciously striking a pose with the light stand. To your right, you will see some of the paparazzi for the day. My favorite part of the image is that of Kelly LaBruyere of True Expressions and Katrina Wheeler of Katrina Wheeler Photography sharing a laugh.

To boldly go where not many dare to go! My dear husband and Amanda Lindley of Lindleys Photography venturing forth to explore further reaches of the prison. NOT my cup of tea.

So the point of this lesson, my dear friends. I can not necessarily be trusted to judge my own work as I am my own worst critic. ;)

I would love for you to get in touch with me or come view more of my work online. . .