Ask & Learn Wednesday!

Hey guys! Just wanted to let Pictage photographers know that we'll be on the forums tonight for a live Ask & Learn chat starting at 7pm East Coast time!

Click here to say hi!

Let's Bring On the Mountaineers!!

The smoke from the tunnel was still dancing around the field in small, quickly disappearing swirls of clouds. Just then the sun broke through the overcast sky, and sent yellow lines of light streaking through the haze to the ground below. Sitting in row 2 of section 102, I was surrounded by an ocean of gold 60,000 strong. 

And I've never felt so big and yet so small in my whole life.

The crowd was roaring as kick off drew near. But I sat in silence. Staring up at the brand new score board of the Milan Puskar Stadium, I watched as the graphics heralded in a brand new era. A brand new era indeed. 

Just nine months ago, we were a team betrayed. Left days before a bowl game with no coach, no time, and according to 84% of the country, no chance at rising up to a win over Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. But as the gentleman's shirt next to me proclaimed...

"84% Wrong."

I watched the highlights from that bowl game with a rising pride in my chest and a lump in my throat. For that is the spirit of what it truly means to be a Mountaineer. And the further away I go from home in this life, the more important it is for me to be reminded of that. And often. 

Of integrity. Of rising up. Of doing the hard work to get the job done. No matter who doubts you. No matter who says that you can't.

I sat there in that stadium as the smoke danced toward the sun and stared out at an ocean of gold surrounding me. All of them. Standing there so full of hope, and so full of the promise that only a brand new season in a brand new era can offer. Just then the tears broke through behind my sunglasses and were sent streaking across the flying WV tattoo on my cheek below.

And I've never felt so big and yet so small.

Yea, there's no doubt about it. It was a damn good day to be a Mountaineer.

We're so excited we got to hang out with our awesome friends (and also past clients!) Erica & Matt!!

The view from our seats. Not bad, eh? :)

We like the football, we like the football, we like to play the football game!

Ok, so the score TOTALLY got cut off but as predicted we CRUSHED 'em 48 to 21.

"Yea OUR Sportscenter highlight goes like this."

Married: Melanie & Brett

She took a deep breath and looked up at the sapphire sky. "Do you believe the day we got?" Just then the phone rang and from the smile on her face, anyone could tell it was him. Telling her he loved her, telling her he couldn't wait to see her at the end of the aisle. The beginning of their long walk together.

Just before the doors opened, she took a deep breath and peeked through the window. "Do you believe it's here already?" Just then she caught a glimpse of something and from the smile on her face, anyone could tell it was him. Standing there loving her, anxiously waiting to see her. And ready to start their long walk. Together.

Married: Melanie & Brett

Last weekend, Justin and I drove "down the shore" in New Jersey to shoot the wedding of his cousin, Melanie, to her Brett. It was so cool for us because Justin's entire family was there and they finally got to see us in action, all ninja style and such! :) Check it out!

Melanie's GORGEOUS dress was actually jaw-dropping.

The flowers were all white and so elegant.

Shoes!

I LOVE this shot of all the hands that Justin got!

Her necklace was made from a recreation of one that Jackie Kennedy owned. How cool is that?

Heading to the ceremony

The beautiful Mellie!

The handsome Brett

Waiting to go down the aisle

Brett's first glimpse of Melanie

The guys!

The girls!

How cute is he? Cheek pinchin cute, that's how!

They gave out champagne and chocolate covered strawberries as their favors. Umm...yes please!

Check out that dress!

I grabbed this shot in the mirror of the girls helping Mellie with her bustle. I love how moody it came out!

Melanie & Brett, I hope you guys are having an AMAZING time in Cabo basking in the sunshine. Walking along the beach....together. We can't wait to see you when you get back!

Yep, it's that time of year again...

Justin walks into the office where I'm no doubt just finishing up some very important online shopping. He blows his imaginary whistle and throws one of our brand new Crate & Barrel dish towels on the floor.

I'm intrigued.

This BETTER be good if he's throwing my brand new Crate & Barrel Rococo Stripe dish towels on the floor, where they will no doubt come back completely covered in Cooper fur.

"Encroachment to neutral zone. Number 23 on the opposing team. 10 yard penalty. Repeat first down."

Uh huh.

I stare at him, head cocked to one side. I look down at my dish towel and back up again. Yep, still NO idea what he's talking about. So I ask: "What are you talking about?"

Apparently one of many facial scrubs and cleansers had somehow found its way out of the TWO SHELVES I COMMAND in our medicine cabinet and into his one, itty bitty, already overly crowded man space.

Like he said, encroachment into the neutral zone.

He was incensed. This was an injustice. And if there is one thing my Justin is all about it's justice. Now any other time he would have just hidden that bottle from me until I drove myself crazy trying to find it. Yea, that'd show me.

But now. Oh yes, now. Things. Are. Different.

For tomorrow we make our way ten hours south to my wild & wonderful home state of West Virginia to watch them CRUSH Villanova in the season opener. For those of you who are long time blog readers, you know all too well by now that we BLEED blue & gold, baby!

Yes, football season is once again upon us. Just knocking at the door.

And with it, it heralds in four glorious months of resolving our marital disputes & differences... with imaginary whistles and Crate & Barrel dish towels.

Married: Teryn & Brian in Stonington, CT

Nope, you're not reading that wrong! We had two, count em TWO, Teryn (Taren) & Brian's two weeks in a row! Seriously, what are the odds of that??

This Teryn & Brian actually live in Michigan, but they came to CT to have their yummy new englandy wedding at a private home in Stonington borough. First of all, let me just say that if you live in New England and you HAVEN'T been to Stonington yet, you must go now. Seriously, stop reading the blog and go get in your car right now! It is perhaps the most adorable town ever made. Don't believe me? Head on over to our girl Julia's blog (who was along to second shoot with us on this one) and check out some of her gorgeous shots all around town.

Now, on to the fun stuff!

Do you believe these walls?? Every single room in this house had a different amazing wallpaper like this. The three of us just wandered around drooling from room to room!

Teryn's mom was just beaming all day. She was so proud of her girl!

Teryn's girls helping her do the dive.

I love this moment! Teryn's sister Allie was actually half way up her dress helping her get her shorts off after she got the dress on. And they were both laughing so hard that all they could do was crack up every time she tried!

More of those gorgeous walls!

The handsome groom waiting for Teryn to get to the lighthouse in Stonington for their "first look" before the ceremony. These guys opted to do that so they could do all of their portraits first and then get right to the cocktail hour after the ceremony. It's a really cool way of doing things!

A close up of that awesome tie!

The moment when Brian turned around and saw Teryn for the first time. He was so cute and in awe of her and I have to admit that I had to walk off some tears that were welling up before I turned into a fanning mess!

Would you LOOK at how he looks at her?!?

Then we brought the bridal party in for some fun. Love the blue dresses that Teryn picked out for them.

The guys chillin on a wall

The beautiful flowers were done by Yumiko at Hana Floral Design who is INSANELY talented!

Brian's grandma just turned 97 and flew all the way here from California to see him get married. Is she not the cutest thing you've ever seen? I just wanted to pinch her cheeks all night long!

Ok, this would be the moment when I officially lost it. This was right before Teryn was about to walk down the aisle and the emotion of it all finally got to her dad who started to cry. And laugh. And then cry some more. There was no point in hiding it at that point. I just cried right along with him.

We actually weren't able to shoot in the church during the ceremony, so the next thing for us was to hit up the party at the cocktail hour. The signature Mango Mojitos that Gourmet Galley put together were INCREDIBLE!

Yea. Umm....THIS was the house. I know right!

Teryn & Brian grab a rare quiet moment together.

Brian's brother gave a CRAZY HILARIOUS and emotional toast! Since Teryn used to play tennis (umm at Wimbledon!) and now coaches at Michigan, the toast closed with "Remember, only in tennis can you lose with Love." How awesome is that?!?!

Ahhhh!!! These two! You're killing me! :)

The luminaries lining the dock at sunset

And the beautiful tent with that amazing house in the background. What an awesome night!

Teryn & Brian thank you so much for taking such good care of us and making us feel so welcome. We hope you're having a blast in Bora Bora. Enjoy every minute of each other and just soak it all in. So much love to you both!