A quick reminder to celebrate

If you have lived in this country for long, you've surely heard trite offhand comments about how 'freedom isn't free' and other references to personal sacrifices that seem like they must have happened hundreds of years ago. And that is true...from before our country was actually a country, there were people fighting for her. BUT many people overlook the fact that every generation from America's beginning has made it's own sacrifices. It is the same way today, and it'll be the same way tomorrow.  Memorial day is about real people, with real hopes and real dreams, and even real fears - who for one reason or another put those things aside and choose to fight for us in spite of all that.  That is real bravery. 

These heroes fight wars overseas away from their families; they come to our rescue in natural disasters when we are unable to help ourselves; they secure our coasts and our borders preventing invasion; they are the police who defend our cities and homes.   They all do these things without regard for their own safety.  They do it for you, because they would want someone to do it for their families if they couldn't.  

So take this three day weekend with your family and let it be a celebration of what you have been given. Enjoy the grilled burgers, hot dogs and shopping but please remember to take a minute and savor the fact that by the grace of God and the bravery of our soldiers you are free to do so.

God Bless.
Kristin

A very special accessory for Casey's wedding

Casey.  The girl is good with accessories.   If you remember her engagement session with Scott, you already know about her talent with accessories.  It's safe to go ahead and tell you that her bridal session did not disappoint! On what was quite possibly the MOST perfect day in May, we met Casey to shoot her bridal session.  It was big fluffy clouds and everything in bloom kind of perfect, and she looked great. 

Normally I post individual shots from the bridal session, but I have something a little different for you today.  (Allow me to explain) When we met with Casey and her mom to select prints to be displayed on the wedding day, they came up with the idea of having a bridal album to display at the reception. It was a huge hit.
We absolutely loved this idea, and it turned out to be something really special for her guests as well (I mean, how often have you been to the wedding where you get to see almost all of the Bridal photos? Exactly.).  We even had guests come to us and tell us they how much it meant to them to get to share that with her.  It was pretty cool.

You can see below what it looks like, but what makes it really impressive is how heavy and finely made it is.  That and you can't smell the leather in the photos...you'll have to just imagine that part.

SO...What I'm going to share today are the spreads from Casey's bridal album.  That's right folks...the whole album.  This album in particular was a panoramic, so photos could span two pages with no problem. All the photos you see below that are horizontal are actually a two page spread (my blog space just isn't large enough to show you how huge they really are!).

Now with no further ado, please sit back and enjoy a bridal session with the beautiful Mrs. Payne.

 

I hope this post inspires you to take something like this - as simple as an album - and use it to make a special connection with your wedding guests!  That's all I have for today folks, but I'll be back next week with a bridal session from long ago (some of you Facebook-ers have already seen some sneak peeks!)

Until next time!
Kristin