Published in TALK Magazine | Kristin & Colin's Wedding | A Greenville, SC Wedding Photographer

Last month was a HUGE month for DiPrima Photography! I had the honor of being published in the November issue of Greenville's TALK Magazine! This is the first time I've ever seen my work published in print, and it was an amazing blessing and encouragement! It was made even better by the fact that Colin and Kristen were SUCH a sweet and wonderful couple who are so worth celebrating! In fact, if you'll remember, Kristen and Colin's wedding took place the weekend of the hurricane in South Carolina. They had to move their outdoor reception indoors and we had to work around a hurricane and major wind and rain their whole wedding day. In spite of all of that, Colin and Kristen had great attitudes and were so full of joy on their wedding day and guess what? Their pictures of some of my favorite that I've ever taken! And they were published in a magazine! It just goes to show that if you are happy and choose not to worry and stress on your wedding day, everything will be alright! And what really, truly matters is that at the end of the day, you'll be married! Future brides: my encouragement to you is to choose JOY even when unexpected or difficult things happen on your wedding day (and it seems like something unexpected always happens every wedding day)!

You can read the full story in TALK Magazine here. You can also see Kristen and Colin's wedding blog post here and Kristen's bridal portraits here.

Girls Weekend in Hendersonville, NC

I will be forever grateful for the friends that I made while doing Generation LINK at Crosspoint. I had the privilege of living with six girls several years ago who were all doing Generation LINK and it was one of the best and most fun years of my life! We're all spread out in different cities doing different things now but I'm so thankful that when we do have a chance to get back together, it feels like we can just pick up where we left off! 

Here's a picture from our girls weekend back in 2012:

Caroline, Natalia, Leslie, Krystal, Savannah, Lauren (and I was taking the picture)

One of my goals for 2016 (a blog post with more goals is coming soon!) is to take more personal pictures. I used to take so many pictures of my travels and of friends and family and I have severely neglected that this year! Its hard to take pictures for yourself when you are constantly taking pictures for your job! This weekend was the perfect opportunity to take pictures of some of my closest friends. We were able to have a girls weekend again in Hendersonville and Caroline's parents graciously let us stay at their mountain house in Saluda, NC. Unfortunately not everyone was able to make it, but I'm glad that me, Lauren, Caroline, and Krystal could be there! I had SO much fun hanging out in the mountain house and talking, eating meals together, playing LOTS of dutch blitz and hand and foot, and walking around Hendersonville. I think I appreciate weekends like this and friends who I have such a long history with more than I ever have now that we all live in different places. It really is a true blessing to have friends who know you SO well and who you don't have to explain yourself to! Here's a few pictures of us:

The Cotton Room | Marcus & Christy's Wedding | A Durham, NC Wedding Photographer

Marcus and Christy's winter wedding at the Cotton Room in Durham, NC was absolutely beautiful! It was my last wedding of the season and it was definitely a great way to end! Marcus and Christy are such a sweet couple and their love for one another and friendship is so evident! Their families were also wonderful and so warm and kind! Their vendors were also amazing and everything came together so gorgeously...I loved everything! The pastel blue/silver Christmas theme, the venue, the florals, and all the decorations! 

Coordinator: RedBird Events
Venue/Catering: The Cotton Room
Photography: DiPrima Photography
Cake: Cakes by Chloe
DJ: Anything Music DJ's
Florist: Teacup Floral
Officiant: Triangle Custom Ceremonies
Hair & Makeup: Melissa Franks & Michelle Clark
Transportation: Ecostyle

Styled Living Room Pictures for "Nothing But Neutral" Blog | A Durham, NC Interior Design Photographer

Today I've got something a little different to share with you! A few weeks ago, Beth with "Nothing But Neutral" contacted me and explained that she's a virtual interior designer who wanted professional pictures of a living room she styled in Durham. I had never heard of virtual interior design but I was intrigued because I love design! Beth explained that she does over the phone consultations and provides her clients with design boards and shopping lists...how fun! You can read more about her services here and view more pictures of the living room I photographed on Nothing But Neutral. 

I really enjoyed this project and I love doing styled/editorial shoots! Please contact me if you're interested in working with me on branding photos for your business, product photography, or editorial work. I especially love helping creative small business owners like Beth!!

My Favorite Beauty Products

With the holidays coming up, I thought it might be helpful to share some of my favorite beauty products (these make great Christmas gifts for the women in your life). I also love reading what beauty products other women love and I usually thoroughly research products before I spend a lot of money on higher end makeup. I have found over the years that, depending on what you're buying, it is often worth it to invest a little more money in nicer beauty products. They typically work much better and last much longer. 

Here's a few of my favorite products I've found:

Primer: I didn't use primer for years and then one day I tried it and I realized what I'd been missing all those years! Now I think primer is an essential first step. Primer smooths out your skin, reduces oil, and your makeup stays on MUCH longer with primer.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer ($36)
This stuff is absolutely amazing! 

elf Primer ($6)
This is a GREAT alternative to Smashbox's primer. This is what I use now because it's so similar and so much cheaper.

Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Eye Primer ($20)
I've tried a lot of different eye primers and this one is my favorite because it's non-greasy and your eye shadow lasts forever!

Foundation: I've learned the hard way that foundation just doesn't seem to be one of those things you can go cheap on (let me know if you've found a great inexpensive foundation that doesn't rub off on things, looks natural, and lasts all day!). 

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation ($39)
This is my all time favorite foundation! It is full coverage but it doesn't look cakey or fake, it lasts all day, and it doesn't rub off on things. It's also offered in a ton of different shades so you should be able to find the perfect shade for you!

jouer Matte Moisture Tint ($40)
This foundation is wonderful! It's a little lighter than tarte's and feels more like a tinted moisturizer. It looks very natural and stays on all day!

Concealer: I've struggled to find a concealer I really, really love so let me know if you have a favorite!

Mary Kay Concealer ($12)
This is the best stuff I've found! It definitely stays put all day.

NYX Concealer Stick ($2.49)
This concealer works pretty well (especially for the price). 

Eyeshadow: 

Urban Decay Naked Palette ($54)
You really can't beat this palette! Yes, it's expensive but mine has lasted me for 1-2+ years! The shadows are highly pigmented and you don't have to use much to get a lot of color. I recently purchased the Naked 3 Palette because my first one ran out and I like it a lot, but I have to say that I think the original is the best! If you have a cooler skin tone, the second one may be best for you.

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette ($29)
This is a GREAT matte palette! it works really well for daytime looks or for an evening smokey eye.

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow ($20)
I LOOOOVE this stuff! This is usually what I swipe on when I'm in a rush (which seems to be most weekday mornings!) and it stays put all day. The color I use is "No Pressure!"

Blush: 

Benetint Cheek and Lip Stain ($30)
This stuff is so easy to use and it lasts forever! It looks bright red in the bottle but it actually just gives you a very natural looking flush and it takes 2 seconds to put on.

elf Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder ($3)
This blush isn't as a good as some of the higher end ones but the color is great! I use "St. Lucia." Its supposedly a great dupe for NARS cult classic blush.

Eyeliner: 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($20)
This is my favorite eye liner! It goes on really easily and stays put all day. Right now you can get this eyeliner & UD mascara at Ulta for $24...great deal!

cargo Swimmables Eye Pencil ($18)
I found this half off at Ulta once and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. It stays put all day!

Julep When Pencil Met Gel ($16)
I recently got this for free from a promotion Julep was doing and I really like this pencil! I use the "Smoky Taupe Shimmer" shade and it's a great, lighter alternative to a dark black pencil.

Mascara: 

Benefit They're Real! Lengthening Mascara ($24)
This is my all time favorite mascara! It's amazing! It seems to separate and lengthen every individual lash so well.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($23)
I got this with a gift as a sample and I absolutely loved it! It doesn't do as good of a job as Benefit's mascara and separating each lash but it does add a lot of volume!

L'Oreal Butterfly Intenza Mascara ($8.99)
This mascara is a great drug store alternative and is somewhat similar to "They're Real!" mascara. You can definitely tell a difference but it's a great option if you want to save money. 

Powder: 

elf High Definition Powder ($6)
I haven't tried a ton of different powders because I love this stuff and its so cheap! I use the "sheer" powder and it does a great job locking my makeup in all day!

Lips: 

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lip Gloss ($18)
I have this lip gloss in "Maverick" and I LOVE it! It's a beautiful, darker color (but it's not too dark) and it stays on for a long time without being sticky.

Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick ($22)
My mom got me this lipstick and it is amazing! It's a great mix between lip gloss, lip balm, and lip stick. It's super hydrating and yet it's also full of color and stays on for a long time. I love it!

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Creme ($24)
This stuff is wonderful! It has a pepperminty smell and it's super moisturizing and the color is beautiful.

Revlon Super Lustrious Lipstick ($7.99)
This lipstick is great for the cost! I have a few shades but one of my favorites is "Wine with Everything." It's a great classic red that's not too bold and bright.

Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter ($8.49)
I love this stuff! It's really moisturizing and is kind of a mix between lip stick and lip balm. I have the color "Sweet Tart" and wear it all the time. It looks super bright pink in the bottle but it looks lovely (and not too bright) on.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick- Kate Moss Collection ($5.49)
I love the colors in this lipstick line! I have 15 and it's a great, versatile mauve color.

Nails: I love the colors of Essie nail polish! They're a little pricey but you can often find them half off at TJ Maxx. Here's a few of my favorite colors for fall:

Essie "Penny Talk" ($8.50)
This is a very unique and beautiful rose gold color.

Essie "Recessionista" ($8.50)

Essie "Devils Advocate" ($8.50)

Essie "Gel Setter Top Coat" ($9.99)
This is a great top coat that adds protection and shine to your nails!

Essie "Chinchilly" ($8.50)
This is a staple for me. I've worn it over and over gain in the fall/winter for the past several years.

Revlon Nail Enamel in "Elegant" ($5.99)
I've been a longtime fan of revlon's nail enamel. I love the colors and you can't beat the price! I love this neutral and versatile shade nude shade!

Dry Shampoo: Batiste (this stuff works great and is fairly inexpensive...look for it 1/2 off at TJ Maxx), Merle Norman (I got this stuff in a Birchbox one year and LOVED the volume it gave my hair...it is pretty pricey so I don't buy it now)

Serge Normant Dry Shampoo ($25)
I got this stuff from Birchbox a while back and LOVED it but I haven't it bought it for a while because it's so pricey. This stuff adds great volume and texture to your hair.

Batiste Dry Shampoo ($7.99)
This is a wonderful dry shampoo at a great price! I use this stuff every other day on the days I don't wash my hair. It absorbs oil but doesn't leave sticky residue in your hair.

For more tips, a few of my favorite beauty blogs to follow are The Small Things Blog and Beauty Department. Another great way to learn about beauty products and to save money is by signing up for Birchbox. I used to receive a Birchbox each month and I LOVED it! It gave me a chance to try beauty products I wouldn't have otherwise known about and it gave me samples of (and sometimes full sized!) high end products each month which helped me cut down on the over-all amount I was spending on products. Birchbox also makes a great gift to give to someone. One other great resource that I love is Allure's Best of Beauty 2015. This gives you a very comprehensive list with reviews of many different products.

>>>I'd love to hear from you! What are some of your favorite beauty products? Leave your comments below.