Fashion Friday: Olive Shirtdress

DRESS: Old Navy (similar here, here, & here); SHOES: J Crew (similar here & here); PURSE: Rebecca Minkoff; EARRINGS: Gorjana; LIPS: MAC Lipstick in "Twig"

I'm a huge fan of anything olive colored this season. Olive is a great, flattering neutral color! I'm also a HUGE fan of shirt dresses! They're so comfy and flattering and I love that they can be dressed up or dressed down. I got the dress I'm wearing at Old Navy last spring, but there's lots of great olive shirt dress options out there this fall. During cooler weather, you could pair this dress with tights and boots or booties.

Thanks to Sammi Evans Photography for these pictures (and for bearing with the heat to capture these)!

Crosspoint Church | Jenna & Daniel's Wedding | A Clemson, SC Wedding Photographer

I met Jenna the beginning of her freshman year at Clemson and I quickly became impressed with her maturity and wisdom. As I got to know her better, my respect for her only grow over time. I was delighted when Daniel and Jenna started dated and was so encouraged to see their God-honoring relationship. Jenna and Daniel are such a great fit for one another and their fun personalities, love for the Lord, and love for other people overflow from their relationship. 

Their wedding day was absolutely beautiful! A few of my favorite moments were: Jenna and Daniel's first look (Daniel is the first groom I've seen turn and show his bride his suit after she showed him her dress...haha!), Jenna's flower girl (I mean, is she not the cutest EVER?!), Jenna's prayer with her bridesmaids before the ceremony, Daniel's reaction as Jenna walked down the aisle (and really their whole ceremony), and their fun reception. It was a joy and pleasure to capture Jenna and Daniel's day and to get to spend time with their wonderful friends and family! I can't wait to see how Jenna and Daniel glorify the Lord in their marriage!

The Vendors Who Made this Day Possible:
Catering/Cake- Buttercream Bakehouse & Andrea Pate
Videography- Tony Schwering
Dress- David's Bridal
Flowers- Katelin Domanski & Lisa Walton
Ceremony/Reception- Crosspoint Church
DJ- DJ Enosh
Bridesmaid attire- Target
Groomsmen attire- Mens Wearhouse

Fall Mini Sessions Available for a Limited Time!

I'm very excited to announce fall mini sessions! I only offer mini sessions 1-2 times per year and these sessions give you the chance to have your pictures done at over 50% less than the cost of my normal portrait sessions! Fall mini sessions are the perfect time to have pictures done for Christmas cards while the leaves are changing. These mini sessions would be great for families, couples, seniors and more!

Here's all the details:

• Fall mini sessions are $125 (+ tax) and include: One 15 minute session, 8 edited digital images in an online gallery, and a print release.
• Fall mini-sessions will all be on 9/3 from 4:30-7:30pm at an old plantation from the 1700's in Westminster, SC and on 9/15 from 4-7:15pm at Merry Hill (also a gorgeous old plantation home and my favorite wedding venue!).
• The total cost of the session is due within 48 hours of booking and is non-refundable. In the event of rain, a rain date will be rescheduled and you will be given the option of getting a refund if you are not able to make the rain date.
• In order to book your session, you must sign an electronic contract and pay your invoice.

If you are interested, please email me ASAP (these will book quickly!) at diprimaphotography@gmail.com with the date, location, and time you're interested in doing your session.

South Carolina sessions will take place at the "Berry Retreat" in Westminster, SC:

North Carolina sessions will take place at Merry Hill in Mebane, NC:

Ready to book? Contact me today to reserve your session while there's still spots available!

Fashion Friday: Fall Transitional Outfit

TOP: Lush (I wear this tunic a ton!); SHORTS: Old Navy (similar here); BOOTIES: Sam Edelman (I wear these booties constantly...I also love these in the #NSALE); PURSE: Rebecca Minkoff (same bag in different color $100 off in the #NSALE); EARRINGS: H&M (similar here); BRACELET: J Crew; LIPSTICK: Mac Lipstick in "Twig"

It's hard to believe that fall is already just around the corner! I'm excited for boots and scarves, but I am sad about summer ending. I love the long days of summer, grilling out, and relaxing by the pool.

One of my favorite ways to transition an outfit from summer to fall is to wear a warmer piece with a cooler piece. I love booties with shorts and dresses, tank tops with jeans, and long sleeved shirts/sweaters with shorts. Also, I just got this Rebecca Minkoff bag and I'm pretty obsessed. I've been saving up for a new bag and having been eyeing the Regan satchel FOREVER. I'm very picky about handbags and Rebecca Minkoff is my favorite designer, I LOVE how unique and high quality her bags are.

Nordstrom is having their yearly Anniversary Sale (#NSALE) on new fall items. I shared all of my favorites here. A lot has sold out, but several items in my outfit above are still in the sale! Prices go up August 8th so be sure to shop the discounted prices while you still can.

10 Things Your Photographer Wants You to Know (Part Three): Sparklers Aren't the Only Way to Exit

Don't get me wrong, I love sparklers just as much as the next girl. Sparklers look beautiful in pictures and are a great way to exit your wedding! However, you may be wanting to do a different type of exit or your venue may not let you use sparklers. If that's the case, there's SO many creative and fun ways to exit your reception! Also, sparklers can be dangerous (think open bar and fire...not always a good mix). 

I do recommend that if you're exciting after the sun goes down, that if you're not using sparklers or some kind of lighted object (like glow sticks or lanterns), you try to exit somewhere that has some additional lighting. It can be very difficult to capture confetti or streamers when you're exiting at night and there's no additional lighting surrounding you.

Here's a few creative exits I've had the joy of photographing: 

1. Bubbles

2. Streamers (note the glow stick ball in the corner...my favorite part of this picture, haha!!)

3. Glow Sticks

4. Confetti

5. Bells

6. Lavender (bonus: it smells delightful! Just be prepared for it to get all over your dress!)

7. No Exit
Ok I know this one is anti-climatic after listing all of those other options. But you don't HAVE to do a grand exit or have it photographed. I've had several couples on a budget wanting to cut down on the cost of their photography, and one of the best ways to do that is to end your coverage time during your reception. I tell people in this boat that they can either do a "mock" exit (that's what the couple in the above photo did. This is actually a picture of them exiting their ceremony) or you can not have your exit photographed at all. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE exit pictures. One of my favorite pictures from my own wedding day is a picture of my husband and I kissing as we're leaving our wedding. But if you are trying to cut costs or you just don't love the idea of having a big exit, forget the tradition and choose not to do one! 

What are some creative wedding exit ideas you've seen?