A year ago, the Outer Banks community lost someone very dear to all our hearts, Greg Bennett, a man who will always be remembered for his hilarious antics and warm charm. This past Saturday, the Bennett family and friends held a paddle out ceremony honoring him at Bennett St. in Kitty Hawk, NC.

Before those with surf boards headed out to the water, we all had a moment of silence and thought of our favorite Mr. Greg memories, which from what I heard were mostly silly times filled with lots of laughter. Once in the water, flowers and ashes were spread after the surfers joined in a prayer circle and held hands. Lots of love goes out to the entire Bennett family, and may Mr. Greg’s warm spirit continue to live on through his memory.

Sarah, or “Ms. Neal,” as I always knew her, was my newspaper adviser my senior year in high school! In her first year teaching and me as editor of the paper, we shared a special bond from the start! So when she got engaged to Davis, I was more than excited to be a part of her wedding- I knew it would be fabulous and fun, just like her! Congratulations to you and your hubby, Mrs. Pritchard!

I’ve been waiting to present these photos in a really epic way, and yesterday it hit me to stop and just let the images shine on their own! They are again of my good friend and aspiring model, Rhianna Avery. Out of all of our shoots, this is our most favorite! We shot at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC pretty much on a whim–Rhianna even made the dress! (She’s got skills, clearly). I am way too excited about the fact that we’re both heading to New York City next weekend – you know what that means…. more dazzling images on the way!

Here it is: The fourth and final part of Winna & Neil’s decadent wedding in Washington, DC! They had their reception (and ceremony) at The Field School, where Neil works, and they were able to completely transform a high school gymnasium into a total Bollywood bash! Enjoy the rest of the images, and get excited for a bunch of beautiful weddings coming up on the blog very soon!

After years of devoted friendship, countless sister-like fights and perpetual fun, I present Summer Lovin’: An Ode to Rhianna! Today is my dear friend Rhianna’s birthday, so I wanted to honor her talents and congratulate her on a recent HUGE accomplishment by doing a fun post with photos we’ve taken this summer! As Rhianna moves on to her next career venture with a new modeling contract, I look back on how far we’ve come… Remember the name RHIANNA AVERY … cuz this girl’s about to blow up! Love you guh!

I’m excited to present the third part of Winna and Neil’s wedding!  After the ceremony, Winna and Neil took photos in their traditional Indian garb before changing into Western clothing, with Winna in her cocktail dress and Neil in his suit and tie. If you’re wondering what the red powder on Winna’s forehead is, it’s kumkum powder (also known as sindoor or vermillion), which Neil smudged into Winna’s hairline during the ceremony. This tradition marks the bride as a married woman and symbolizes good luck and power! The final installment of their wedding, the energetic and colorful reception, is up next!

Here is part two of Winna & Neil’s wedding, from the getting ready shots before the ceremony and the actual wedding ceremony itself! As you can tell from the photos, everything was very elaborate and detail-oriented. The visual aspect was simply stunning.  The ceremony included traditional Hindu practices such as the Ganthibandhan, where the bride and groom are together by a knot, Agnji Puja, the creation of a holy fire, and Shilarohana, where the bride and groom step together on stones. In case you missed Part One, check out the direct link here.

After seeing their friends Seun & Toyin’s engagement photos, Mimi & Benyam contacted me to do a romantic early summer shoot at Duke Gardens. I love the variety of images we were able to get with their outfit changes! They were both so fun to work with, and I can’t wait to see the photographs from their fall DC wedding! Congrats to you both!

After more than 15,000 images and 47 total participants, I am proud to show off some of the finished images from my graduation special! Below you will see one photo of each person who I photographed, and I want to take this moment to thank each and every one of you (and to all who contacted me) for your continued support! I know that many of you could have turned to another photographer and received your photos more quickly, or even more inexpensively. To know that you all chose me for this important time in your lives means the world to me! A huge CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU to the graduating class of 2010!

Hi everyone! I’m excited to show some wedding images that I’ve been dying to post from the spring! First off – Winna’s DC wedding! I traveled to our nation’s capitol for the first time in April. Winna and I attended the same high school and college, even working at the same summer journalism program in Chapel Hill. Neil and Winna’s wedding was a blending of cultures and families that was a blast to experience! Thanks for having me

Here is Part 1, the actual night before the wedding, where Winna & Neil participated in a traditional Haldi Ceremony. They were rubbed with a mixed tumeric paste thought to purify the bride & groom before their big day. Later that night, guests arrived and decorated their skin with mehndi (henna tattoos) and enjoyed DELICIOUS food! Enjoy!