the seat not taken.

a simple stroll.

Matt and Amanda, Virginia.

Greetings.

Earlier last week I had an amazing opportunity to work beside a good friend of mine, Mr. Joel Coleman.  Joel asked me to second shoot Matt and Amanda’s wedding and I could not have been more excited.

Matt and Amanda, one of the most super chill couples I have ever met, were so fun to work with.  Their wedding expressed humility in every sense and truly reflected their love for each other, and their friends.  I was so honored to not only work beside Joel, but to have the opportunity to photograph Matt and Amanda on their beautiful day.

I used a lot of film that day and I have so much more to scan, but for now I hope you enjoy this small teaser.  I hope your day is blessed.

the backyard.

Backyards are a part of everyone’s past time whether mud pies, playing with the dog, swing sets, gardening, trimming the grass; regardless every home has a backyard.

I had a few frames left on my film camera and decided to take a stroll through my backyard – nothing fancy, but I am interested in exploring further now.

The backyard is only the beginning.

Film used – Fuji Reala.

on a personal note.

In July, I will have lived in Lynchburg for a complete year – one complete year since the moment I said, “I do” to my amazing bride.  I have seen the beauty of this fine state and I have witnessed numerous accounts of inspiring cultures.  I have no regrets of my decision to leave North Carolina and I have no doubt that God has specifically placed my life here, but lately it seems as if I sit at my desk and just stare out the office window wondering.  I feel a sense of something missing.

On the way to work through what felt like a fall morning, I heard a song filled with a powerful reminder to us all about simply going through the motions – read the lyrics of Matthew West’s “the motions.”

I don’t wanna go through the motions,
I don’t wanna go one more day without Your all-consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking, “What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?”

The words were literally stamped onto my heart and I find myself asking, “what I have ignored or missed out on by simply going through the motions?”  I came to Lynchburg because I felt called to start a new adventure, a new chapter, not with just my wife but for myself.  The decision to leave a place where I had literally spent every bit of my time for nine years developing relationships that would last a lifetime and achieving certain goals to succeed did not come easy.  Numerous prayers and discussions were sought and following the proposal to my adoring wife, I remember driving to her apartment at the time and asked her, “what if I moved to Lynchburg?”  The inspiring notion about that statement was revealed without my heart even realizing it; my assurance was made complete immediately upon seeing the brightest smile of my dearest love.

So, why do I feel is if I am simply going through the motions if I felt called to relocate and be with my bride?  Because, I have lost sight of another love – my love for photography.

I came to Lynchburg with determination to spread my love for all types of photography – weddings, fine art, nature, portrait – and now one year later what do I have to show for it?  To be brutally honest, not a whole lot.  Don’t get me wrong I have had some amazing opportunities working with some very true and talented photographers to which I am eternally grateful; Adam Barnes, Rob Towner-Jones, Joel Coleman, to name a few.  But, where’s the evidence supporting my heart’s desire?

Last week I received an e-mail with the words striking a chord within my soul…

You have a gift that comes from God, mind you. Please continue using it. Let’s see some updates on your blog, or your website or something. Even just an email that says you’re spending your free time taking photographs would be good for my soul.

This message was sent on Wednesday, May 13 – thank you, Rob.

After that message last week and after this past Saturday, having the opportunity to work alongside again with my friend Mr. Joel Coleman, I believe the Lord above is truly attempting to remind me that I have a passion for photography.  Whether it is for freelance work or for personal fun – I have a passion for photography, more so film photography.

Starting today, my friends, my family, a wave of urgent understanding that I need to constantly keep the firm grip of a camera body in my hands and more importantly remove all barriers of “I’ll photograph something later” has engulfed my lack of effort.

My determination these next few weeks is to have a complete revision to this blog, my website, and an updated portfolio book, as well as begin my goal to photograph something 365 days straight to successfully complete my first one year of shooting book – name is of course subject to change.

My friends and family, I thank you for your never-ending support and encouragement.

“Let’s go to work…” Angel, series finale, 2004.

Anazao @ Confluence.

Greetings.  Granted it has been some time since my last blog, okay, quite a while since my last post – what can I say, working at the Law School keeps me busy.  Needless to say I am still out there shooting, just not posting as much.  I need to work on that.  Regardless, I would like to post some film shots of my best friend, Josh, and his band Anazao.  

Anazao recently performed live at an amazing coffee house venue in Winston-Salem, NC, and let me just say this coffee venue is something Winston needs – big time.   If you’re ever in that part of North Carolina be sure to check out Confluence Coffee House.  One of the most original coffee house designs featuring internet accessibility, a lounge area, a performing stage, Hershey’s Ice Cream, a full sandwich menu, and the really cool part – an indoor playground for kids; totally awesome.  Check them out.  

Back to Anazao (which means to be restored, revived) – these guys are dynamic with their message of hope in Christ. I believe that their experiences and stories about grace seriously move the heart and the story of how each of the band members came together is truly God-engineered.  Live music is definitely an outlet they use to share their message.

 Kudos to them and my good friend Josh, miss you buddy.

 Until next time…whenever that might be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brooke and Jay, Virginia.

Greetings and Merry Christmas!

I feel so incredibly blessed to have photographed this couple’s wedding ceremony and reception. I met Brooke, and her husband Jay, through my wife at Liberty. If you remember, Brooke was previously featured on my blog as the “Lady in Waiting” written by my wife and this past November her wedding ceremony was held in a beautiful Catholic sanctuary in downtown Lynchburg. The ceremony was at night which really offered some beautiful images. Their reception was filled with warmth and wonder, which truly gave a sense of peace and love.

It was such a joy to document their night and I hope you enjoy some of these featured photographs captured that evening.

Blessings to you and Merry Christmas!

Amber and Brandon, California

Merry Christmas! I’ve been a little behind posting up to date material, I guess that happens when you start a full time position at an incredible university. Nonetheless, I wanted to share some of my favorite images from a wedding I photographed back in late October.

I met this amazing couple through my wife and I am so blessed to call them my friends. Amber and Brandon got married in the heart of Monterey, California, and it was a wedding filled with laughter and memories and love all around. The people are what I will remember most about this wedding. Their family and friends traveled from all over to join in their special day and I totally felt included in the family, instead of the hired photographer.

On a side note, that is what I really love most about photographing weddings; getting to know the invited guests and becoming part of the family.

There were so many truly touching memories captured and it was quite a task to narrow some down to my absolute favorites. I hope you enjoy these images. It was my complete joy to document their beautiful day filled with love and family.

Blessings.

Dedicated and with Loving Memory to Uncle Joe –

Chris and Whitney.

Greetings.

All I can say is, “God is good.  All the time.”  Even in our darkest hour and our loneliest times, God is always at work.  The key to experiencing His foreshadowed blessing is patience.   

Although, this updated post is about a truly beautiful couple, I would like to dedicate some of my finest wedding photography work to Liberty University School of Law, my new brothers and sisters in Christ.  “My friends, I thank you.” 

Not to long ago, I had the most privileged and humbling opportunity to work, again, alongside Adam Barnes of Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography, Inc.  My friends I am blessed to know this man.  His heart and passion for his work, and love for his clients, makes him in my book a man who is radically changing the Fine Art Wedding Photography industry. 

Adam and I traveled to Pennsylvania and were able to document Chris and Whitney, the most beautiful and precious couple I have ever met.  The love and valued appreciation for their family was so evident.  The joy of their union was truly a reflection of their heart’s desires.  Their friends and family came from all over and it was one of the few times I have ever seen such love for two people joining together.

Although, I was mainly a second pair of eyes for Adam, I would like to share with you all some of my most valued work of Chris and Whitney. 

“May the Lord truly bless you both, my dear new friends.  I was truly honored to be there on your beautiful day.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John and Mary

It feels like an eternity since I have last posted.  I have been so busy lately it seems and I have so much to post.  In a way I need to play catch-up.  I had such an amazing experience a few weeks back to work with Lynchburg’s very own, Adam Barnes, a truly gifted fine art wedding photographer.  I was able to accompany him to West Manor Bed and Breakfast where we spent the day with John and Mary.  I would like to share a few of my favorites from that day.  That day was a true blessing for me, to not only photograph a beautiful couple, but also more importantly to work with Adam. 

 “It was a humbling experience for me and I thank you, Adam.”