Travis Dew Photography

Happy 2nd Birthday to these cute little munchkins.  I met them about this time last year and it is SO FUN to see how much they’ve grown….who is chatty, bossy, funny or quiet.  Mama and Daddy are rock stars and juggle their little sippy cups and snacks with finesse  – and even commented that perhaps having three 2-year olds was easier than having one….um, wow.  You are definitely my heroes.  Here’s your sneak peek….

Years ago….before I got crazy with children…I was a paralegal.  I loved it – it was hard, stressful work with lots of deadlines and satisfactory completions.  One of the lawyer’s wives and I were pregnant at the same time….she was due before me….but went into labor a month early.  I, too, went into labor a month early – similar scenarios…..and I’ll never forget our burst of laughter after she said to me jokingly – but in a serious tone – “Copy Cat” – Not sure whether it was her tone…or the fact that I had nothing to do with my water breaking…but funny none the less.

I worked with her husband….but I played cards once a month with her and we enjoyed ourselves some laughter.  Time went on and next thing you know…..we’ve got teenagers and I’ve got a completely new profession…SO GREAT to see you guys the other day.  I know, I know – “L” and “W”….it wasn’t exactly where you wanted to be or what you wanted to do…..but it hopefully scored you a Smoothie King visit!  Here’s your sneak peek.

This sweet couple…..came to me by another sweet couple (who will be up here soon….I promise…) but they called me in order to capture their boys at ONE and THREE.  I arrived at our agreed upon spot…..and luckily was a little early…..only to see a big, yellow school bus pull up and unload about 35-40 students….so we promptly changed our plans.  Turns out our new location was super fun and the boys were plenty happy….we even ended the play date with….CUPCAKES!  Happy birthday sweet guy….here’s your sneak peek.

Anyone out there automatically saying, “Wha’ chu talkin’ bout Willis?” when you see this?

It’s such a small world….when this sweet bride first contacted me – she said she was going to be in town on a certain date and I asked her to meet me at my church because I was there doing some work.  She asked where to meet…..and it turns out she used to be involved as a Youth Leader there.  Crazy.  So fast forward to time for her bridal portrait…..and the weather couldn’t have been more ‘FALL’…..cool, crisp breeze…..falling leaves…..and her dress, bouquet, hair, shoes and necklace – just right.  We did the shoot at her grandparents’ house….and I got a kick out of her ‘joking’ grandfather who said, “Why are you dressed like that!?”.  Sneak peek of a GREAT October wedding to come…..thanks for having me!

Well…..wow.  So this is the calm, cool and collected bride……with the calm, cool and collected parents, bridal party, groom’s party, grandparents, guests, etc.  Couldn’t have been a more stress-free event.  The ceremony was in a quaint, little Episcopal church about an hour and a half away from Charleston.  Most of the guests….arrived by Durham SCHOOL BUSSES.  Now that’s how you provide a designated driver for your guests….Right on.  The reception was under a grand tent at the beautiful Oaks Plantation and everything was perfect.  The placement of food, seating, bar, dance floor….everything was free flowing and comfortable.

Everyone….and I mean EVERYONE…..had a blast.  I have such an interesting vantage point….because I’m all over the party from the beginning to the end…able to watch the personality of the party turn from “I Luuuv Beach Music” to “Whoooo Let the Dogs Out?…..Whooh Whooh Whooh!”  How many weddings do you go to….that include yellow Durham transportation, Rice-Crispy treat wedding cake, a joke-telling bridesmaid, biscuit bar, a buried bottle of bourbon, flower laden dog collars, and hoola hoopin’ on the dance floor?  Yep – not many.  Not one guest was sitting on the sidelines…..everyone was dancing, laughing, and carrying on…FABULOUS.  Congratulations John and Laughing Lee……it was the BEST!  Here’s a sneak peek…

Oh….”Bury the Bourbon” is a tradition that insures good weather on your wedding day!  One month before the wedding – you bury a bottle of bourbon at the site of the reception …..while enjoying your good weather – dig ‘er up and enjoy that too!

CATERING – Cru Catering 843-5342433

FLOWERS/DECORATING/DAY-OF SERVICES – Out of Hand – 843-856-3585

BAND – Intensity – 800-922-2057

TRANSPORTATION – Charleston Style Limo

HAIR – Salon 101 – 843-793-2437

MAKE-UP – Stella Nova

 

Before my husband and I had children….I was always intrigued about the thought of having more than one child and seeing how different they would be.  I now know how crazy it is how three people can come from the same parents, same household….and each be their own little individual selves.  I can only imagine how much fun it is with twins.  These two had many similar thoughts….but would go about the ideas in much different ways.  Enjoyed our Fall morning together….here’s your sneak peek!

This is sweet, happy-go-lucky, laughing LEE.  I hope that I don’t jinx myself by saying this…..but in the years I’ve been shooting weddings…..I’ve never had a Bridezilla….not even close.  So I have to go on t.v. shows and imagination…but Lee is like the Anti-Bridezilla.  Laid back…..smiling…..she and her mother on the same page……awesome.  Here are some from her bridal portrait…a sneak peek of the FABULOUS wedding to come later.

I can’t even start this post…..because after looking through a couple of these photos….well, let me back up.  Sweet K.D. contacted me to shoot her senior pictures – and I suggested she pull together some friends…..the idea being to get the ‘posed’ senior shots – while documenting some fun with lifelong friends.  So….I think to myself after looking at these super CUTE girls….”Heeeyyy, I’m gonna check out my senior yearbook.”  And GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY……who bought those clothes for me?  Who punched me in the eyes because there is blue and black stuff all over them….was I cutting my own hair?  There are so many questions….from ‘where are all these people that “love me” and told me to “have a great summer”…’ to ‘why was I always a base in cheerleading?’ Ohhhh…..because I still had that (as my husband calls it) subcutaneous layer…all over.  There are about 7 pictures of me in an awful, over-sized purple sweater that could have been out of Notorious B.I.G.’s closet.  One small but fun tidbit about my yearbook….it has Phaedra Parks in it.  Yep, the “southern” Atlanta Bravo housewife.  She giggled with a scrunched up nose back then too!

Okay – moving forward – thank goodness…..here’s a sneak peek of some fun in the park – with some seniors who carry it a WHOLE lot better than we did….back in the day.  Check out how straight and LOW their hair is…..no White Rain mousse for these girls.  (Remember how it used to make your hair smell?  Phew!)

I’m sure you recognize this sweet angel…..I have been fortunate to shoot him every 3-6 months since he was a newborn.  He’s always been engaging….and ready to play with me…..but the P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L-I-T-Y has arrived.  He is full on, stick-carrying, dirt-throwin’, sign punchin’ BOY.  We played hard Saturday afternoon…..and right in the middle of the tree climbing and dust – as all sweet, little boys do….he showed his soft side and picked his Mama a flower.  Too sweet.  So great to see you guys….

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….