Smiles – big, genuine, heartfelt smiles. It’s what you’ll notice throughout the photos. Tim & Betsy are completely in love, completely happy. It was obvious at our engagement shoot at Biltmore Estates earlier this year (Which will be blogged soon) and it was obvious on their wedding day.

In addition to the expected moments of the wedding day itself, we had a fantastic sunrise session on the sands of Rehoboth Beach, DE. We had planned this out ahead of time, with the idea of what would it be like if your wedding continued on well into the wee hours of the morning, and you found yourself at the sands of the beach, as the sun is rising.

If I recall, we met around 5:30am, still dark, and still very tired. Oddly enough, I saw multiple people with cameras and tripods. One of them asked me “So, are you here for the photo shoot?” – “Ummm..yeah, and how did you know about it? And who are you??” Turns out it was something like “international take a photo day” or something – funny :). Tim & Betsy impressed after the shoot by doing  the coolest thing ever – they got back in the car, drove home to Baltimore, and went to a Ravens game – in their tux & wedding dress. Seriously – rock on, that’s just hardcore cool.

In the getting ready portion of the photos, take note of the sexy shoes and the ring photos. You never know where good locations will be, and in this case, the bathroom. The shoes are sitting on the shower ledge, which, when combined with the backlight and window panes, makes for a great shot. The ring photo, which I don’t usually do, was also interesting, primarily because of the cool light circles which are raining down on the ring. In this case, the ring is on the tub and the light circles are water droplets on the clear shower door behind the ring. I’m also very fond of the B&W photo of Betsy getting ready where you see her framed by a bridesmaid holding up a mirror to look at herself. That framing, along with the angle and the chair do a nice job of compressing Betsy into the corner of the frame, without feeling like she’s boxed in.

I am also very fond of the shot of the second shot of Tim getting ready. Shot from the end of the hallway, the different layers of light, combined with the angles and the reflection on the left, create a very nice portrait of him preparing for the big day.

First looks are becoming quite popular and they’re always a lot of fun. In this case, Betsy has a long walk from the clubhouse and Tim has a great long moment of anticipation. The huge smiles are just such an awesome indication of how good first looks can be. Take note of the photo with the chairs. It’s my favorite of this first look series, as it really sets the scene. The angle of the shot is balanced nicely by the slight curve of the row of chairs, which lead the eye directly to Tim & Betsy in a beautiful embrace. Everything is accentuated perfectly with the clouds and color of the sky.

I would like to draw attention to the photo of Betsy and her dad walking to the ceremony. Perhaps my new favorite shot of a bride and her father walking in. It was a conscious decision to abandon the so called “safe” shot of staying low on the ground to get the close up of their faces as they walk in; but rather to run up the balcony to get this grand shot. In my opinion, it’s the only choice.

Moving to the reception we have a fantastic set of shots with some great first dance photos and so much energy in the reception photos. Tim & Betsy also had a first for me at a reception – dueling pianos. Wow, it was SO good. These guys really brought down the house, and were SO popular. If you want something different, this is definitely the way to go. Check out the shot of Betsy behind the pianoman – he had her holding the harmonica for him during a song. Awesome stuff!

We close it all out with 8 photos from the Sunrise Session. For me, it’s all about the second one. That’s the dream. Who doesn’t look at that, pause, and think, “Wow, can you imagine that’s how you start the first morning together with your new husband/wife?” (Tim, Betsy, this is begging to be printed & framed large, and hung in your bedroom – email me!).

What a wedding weekend. Fantastic. Great new friends (I had a good time talking smack with Tim’s brothers), I was able to spend some time with former awesome couple Jenny & Terry (congrats again guys on the yet to arrive new member of the family), Tim & Betsy were kind enough to have my wife Debbie join them as a guest of the wedding, and I  worked with the super cool Brad & Kent of Artifice Films. Check out the movie trailer of their wedding here

Thank you guys, and cheers!

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