Travis Dew Photography

So….I roll up on these two little firecrackers and they had already started the morning by jumping on the furniture….~giggle giggle giggle~ life couldn’t have been any better.  Sometimes a photo shoot has to “warm up”…..but we were ON from the get-go because all I got was smiles, giggles and chitter chatter.  “C” was enjoying playing dress-up in my necklace and her grandmother’s earrings…while “A” got his own camera out to document his fun, Fall vacation at his grandparent’s house.  A perfect October morning, indeed.  My favorite part…might have been…overhearing “C” say to “A” – “Give me that, ACORN!”  Mama said that was her ‘curse’ word for her brother.  Fantastic…and ironic that he brought me an acorn during the shoot.  I so enjoyed my morning – here’s your sneak peek….

 

I realize and understand the ‘craziness’ that brides, and families surrounding, can experience during the weeks leading up to the big “day.”  It’s nice to see when that frenzy escapes the scene and happiness takes over. Sunday afternoon, all worries of details, planning and doing… vaporized with the onset of make-up, hair, flowers and dresses.  Even the little drizzles of rain didn’t get Anna ruffled.  She took off – through the rain – in her gown and boots and marched right down a dirt road to the ceremony without waiting on an umbrella or ride.  She had one mission….and worrying about keeping her dress clean wasn’t it.

I am always impressed with the Jewish, ceremonial traditions.  At the beginning of the service – just after Mom and Dad escort down the isle, the bride circles the groom seven times ….the number paralleling the original number of days of creation.  The Chuppah is an open structure under which the couple stands and exchanges their vows.  Its openness is a reminder to keep their new home and minds open.  Fantastic.  The breaking of a glass by the groom – a reminder that even during joyous times…life is not perfect.

Another FABULOUS tradition – known specifically to this Foxy family….jumping rope using tablecloths tied together.  Awesome.  How can that NOT be fun? Anna’s parents did it at their wedding years ago….

One more thing…Coolest. Wedding cake.  Ever.  Part naval ship cake….part traditional cake.  Right on.

 

Just returned from shooting Cam and Anna’s wedding………so here are a couple of shots from her bridal portrait – sneak peek of wedding….FUN wedding…later.

Saturday night’s wedding between Deborah and Terry was filled with good moods, sentimental tokens and happiness throughout.  Deborah was relaxed and looked BEAUTIFUL.  Terry was laid back and couldn’t have been any more handsome.  The bride was in her mother’s dress (which was also a (bridesmaid) cousin’s mother’s dress….so there was some sweet emotion going on in the dressing room.)  The groom’s daughter “L” was a lovely, little flower girl and turned out to be a big helper for me!

The reception was not too big and not too small…good live music, delicious food and wedding cake accessorized with her parent’s cake topper.  The room was chocked full of fun-loving family and friends with lots of laughter and great conversation – you could just feel it.  Fabulous.

By the way….is there anything better than a toast from the groom to his new bride humbly saying, “Now….I’ve got a best friend for life.”

Just makes you wanna smile.

My apologies to my bride and groom last weekend for not getting a sneak peek up quite yet…….I got detoured and took a quick trip up to Nashville to capture a pretty special moment.  Darius Rucker played the Grand Ole Opry last night (note the circle in the floor….that’s an inlaid piece of the original floor of the Ryman Theater where the Grand Ole Opry was for years and years)…..and after one of his songs…..there was a “question and answer” session from people in the audience.  On the third question, the spotlight went to a guy in the crowd….and Brad Paisley pops up (who is known for being a huge jokester…..and I later learned that Darius thought ‘what prank is he about to pull?’) whose question was in two parts.  First he wanted to know if Darius still stunk at playing cards…..and second, if he’d like to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry?

The emotion ran high and the crowd went crazy…..Darius was completely surprised and must have said, “Wow! Wow!…..Wow!” a million times….just after saying, “Are you serious? Are you serious?”…..

Bear hugs for the man who just asked the question every country star wants to be asked….

Taking the moment in……

…and full of emotion.  Love it.

Then he rocked out “Wagon Wheel” with a new and excited energy.  Congratulations…..great night for a great person.

 

 

“C” is arguably one of the cutest, sweetest little fellows around.  Great disposition….into everything boys would be into…..and just happy-go-lucky.  Loves to kiss on Mama and Daddy – who, by the way, couldn’t be any nicer themselves.  Mama is having “C”‘s baby brother in October and he seems eager to meet him.  He didn’t hesitate to give Mama’s belly lots of kisses.

I love seeing you grow….it seems like yesterday when you were born and you change so much each time I get to see you….except for one little thing…the “cheesy” (as Mama and Daddy call it) you give the camera…LOVE it.  I think this captures it below.  See you next month!

I came home the other afternoon and found my 4th grader and asked….”Guess who I saw today?”  His response was typical to a 9-year old boy who could give a rat’s tail about what I’ve been up to.  “W” was my reply to his shoulder shrug….and a HUGE grin came across his sweet, rugrat face.  “W” is his ‘best friend from preschool.’

I used to LOVE to carpool these boys when they were younger.  You know how men exaggerate the size of the fish they caught?….Well it was ON every time they were in the back of the car….testosterone a’flowin’….”My dad built that ship over there.”  “Cool, my dad built this bridge.”  They weren’t being ugly with one another…they were simply sharing how great their daddies were.  When I would meet up with his Mama, we would exchange stories about all of the unknown awesomeness of our husbands and laugh!

Enjoyed my afternoon with the boys and catching up with you, Mama.  Also love getting some sibling “goodness” between the two of them….a little bite and pinch never hurt no’one.

My husband and I had our little girl on his birthday.  I remember one of the doctors coming in to do a post-delivery check on me and saying, “Oh brother, I can see the writing on the wall….she’s going to be spoiled rotten.”  Well, that was okay by me on that day because I thought it was a super, cool gift for him.  But….she’s anything but spoiled.  I wondered if sharing the birthday would stink for either of them down the line….but they love it.  Truth is, he probably gets shafted in the attention department on this day – but he gets plenty on the other 364…and he’s just fine with it.  I love it when he says, “I was thinking, maybe Burgie and I could get “x” for our birthday.”  How stinkin’ special and cute?!

Tommy, I raise a glass of champagne Metamucil to God… in honor and thanks for you….and our marriage….and our little family we’ve created.  We are a team…T-n-T…Dy-no-mite.  I love you for your unwavering support for me and my business and the way you get excited for me.  It makes me smile that you’ll fish with the children, help coach a team or buy new clothes for them…. I appreciate the help with the laundry, dinner or carpooling without complaint.  I am happy for you that 2 of your college buddies live in our neighborhood and you golf nightly….not-so-happy when you come in bragging wanting a standing ovation from the family.  Dude, it’s like putt-putt out there.  And yes, I call you “Dude”.  (Once when we were dating – I called him “Dude” and he said with a perplexed, scrunched up face, “Don’t call me dude.”)

Burgie….sometimes I just sit and think what a cool, little chick you are…. Quick to socialize, cook, create an adventure….play with the neighbors, read a book or take a bike ride….you love the tradition of coffee cake on Father’s Day, country ham on Christmas morning and lamb on Easter….you choose your brother’s football game over a fun event, don’t get your feelings hurt easily and are quick to laugh.  I love that I get prank phone calls from you…and that you ding-dong ditch….and that you pray for others.  I’m excited for you when you wear new earrings….decorate your locker….or coordinate your outfits.  I’m ~sort of~ glad you have the guts to ~eat a live minnow (Yuck!)~….go camping for 3 days….or want me to french braid your hair.  You take in every second of your dance classes….love the adventure of volleyball….and can swing a golf club in flip flops.  You can be found fishing on the dock….sorting through fingernail polishes….or measuring out chocolate chips.  What a fun ride it has been so far….and I look forward to the future with you….my little Burgilicious.  And…I especially love….that our little tradition created while you were in diapers and a crib….we still do to this day.  May we continue for a lifetime.  xo

One thing I learned for SURE this weekend is…..put a bunch of teenagers in a room…DJ crankin’ in the corner….and it is ON people!  I was fortunate enough to shoot the Bat Mitvah for a sweet girl whose family I met about three and a half years ago when I shot her older brother’s Bar Mitzvah.  Party started at 5:00….all shoes were off by 5:25…..and the dancing NEVER stopped until 10:00.  M&M’s were tossed into mouths…soul train dancing…photo booth poppin’…hair swingin and laughter throughout!  Even a creepy man cleaning a boat got in a picture (background.) FABULOUS.  At one point, a man came up and asked if he should hold my cameras because I looked like I needed to dance….yes, that is my kind of party.  Congratulations, Hannah…..you looked beautiful – your party was a blast – and you were surrounded by family and friends.  Enjoy!

 

I met up with this sweet family on a playground out at Kiawah….it was hot, muggy and buggy….but the mood was right on.  I explained that we may want to knock out the family photo first in case we had any little ones that decided to melt down at any point….Daddy’s response, “Not a chance.”  He wasn’t kidding – I spent a good amount of time with these cute people and the moods couldn’t have been happier.  “C” and I became quick friends and “N” was ready-to-go…we went swinging, swimming and found horseshoe crabs.  They introduced me to their baby cousin “E” who wasn’t quite sure what to make of me or my camera.  Thanks so much for having me out ….I could ‘feel’ your vacation mood!  (Note the Hide-N-Seek anxious excitement…can you see Mama?!)