Scenes from September

September brought us a large variety of photography including senior portraits, pre-school portraits, soccer team and individual portraits, a beautiful wedding in Big Canoe, Ga. and a lovely wedding at Little Gardens in Lawrenceville, Ga. Here is an overview with scenes from September:










































Christy & Dan married at Big Canoe

Felicia & Kevin married at Little Gardens

It was a very hot summer here in Georgia, but fall is here now and the weather is ideal for outdoor portraits. If you can't remember when your family was last photographed, it is time to consider Randy Wilson Photography for a relaxed and fun experience. We have Christmas card specials going on now, so give us a call for more information and to set up your appoointment today!



Randy

Destination : Key Largo with Jessica & Brian

Jessica was the maid of honor at a wedding we photographed last year. We have stayed in contact with her throughout the year and she has sent us several commercial photography assignments. But I still remember the phone call asking us to photograph her wedding in Key Largo, Florida.

We have had the pleasure of photographing destination weddings in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Missouri/Kansas. I couldn't wait to tell Lisa about Key Largo in July! And after a few weeks of planning, everything was set for three nights at Marriott Key Largo Bay Beach Resort.

Thursday was a travel day but we were able to have a nice meeting with Jessica and her bridesmaids and family by the beach when we arrived that night. We were blessed with gorgeous sunsets each night.

On Friday afternoon, we were invited to a 4 hour snorkeling trip along the reefs. Lisa and I had never been snorkeling and we were so excited to be a part of the afternoon with 23 of the wedding party and guests. I picked up a few underwater disposable film cameras before we left. I also carried one of my Nikons for the boat shots. The underwater cameras worked well and Lisa performed her skills on the "Jesus of the Abyss" statue. It was a good thing, too, because all I was able to get were bubbles from the scuba divers.

We also provided photography coverage for the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner on Friday evening. On Saturday, Lisa went along with Jessica and her bridesmaids, Tiffany and Kelly, to the salon in Islamorada. I met with the guys for their "getting ready" shots. I feel bad sometimes because the spa is usually a 4-6 hour event and the guys take about 10 minutes to get dressed. Lisa does a wonderful job knowing when to step in and take the shot and when to stay back. When I have photographed the brides getting ready they usually have a "there's a man in the room" look on their faces.

When I went to the beach to photograph the guests arriving, I was surprised at the large crowd of family and friends that had made the trip. The skies were clear and the wedding of photographers' dreams was about to take place.

Lisa stayed with Jessica all afternoon. As she walked down the aisle, Lisa then found a nice balcony to shoot from while I roamed behind the guests.

Cocktails were served for the guests while Lisa and I photographed the formal group shots on the beach.

The reception soon followed at Upper Gus a few yards away where we all enjoyed a wonderful meal with ocean views from three sides. But it was the DJ, Larry of "Lawrence of Florida" Entertainment, who had all of the guests join Jessica and Brian on the dance floor only to sneak the couple outside where we could get the requested sunset photos all to ourselves...a brilliant move!

Larry and his assistant kept the crowd on the dance floor all night which made our job so much easier. It was a fun time for everyone!

We said our goodbyes and instead of our normal 1-2 hour drive home, we strolled a few steps to our comfortable room.

Jessica and Brian, we want to thank you again for letting us share this wonderful day with you. Thanks for all of the hospitality that you showed us!

Business is Good!

We have been blessed over the past few weeks. Four weddings, several engagement sessions, and several portrait sessions. Also we photographed the Vacation Bible School at our church.

We have met and worked with some wonderful people. Every wedding is different and every portrait session special.

The next few weeks are looking good also and we are thankful. Hopefully, I can post some of the images here to share.

Summer is here!
Randy

Congratulations, Frances & Tony!

The Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee was the beautiful setting for Frances and Tony's wedding on the lawn. We have been dreaming of this one for months now and it was better than we had expected. Sarah and her staff did an excellent job making it all work despite the week long rain forecast. Fortunately, all of the rain passed to the north of us leaving the nice clouds and sunshine.

Frances was such a lovely bride with her radiant smile. It was hard to catch her without her smile. Tony was smiling also since the rehearsal on Friday...we knew this was going to be fun!

The manicured lawn and courtyard of the resort set a beautiful stage for the ceremony.

Lisa has taught me that some of the most joyful photographs are just after the ceremony. A sigh of relief and excitement saying "We did it!" is captured.

Several meetings with Frances let us know that they loved being photographed as much as we love taking the photographs. We had visited the resort in February and had discussed many ideas with Frances for the newlywed photographs.

In the courtyard the guests enjoyed the reception dinner and dancing.

With a sparkler send off, their new life as husband and wife begins.

Congratulations, Frances and Tony! And thank you for allowing us to be a part of your family!Randy

A Frolic in the Pasture - Kristina and Steve's Engagement Session

We scheduled the engagement shoot on a Sunday, even though the weather report called for 60% chance of rain. Kristina and Steve had secured permission for us to photograph on a private residence in Newnan, Ga. But on Saturday the rain came and went leaving Sunday full of sunny skys mottled with white fluffy clouds. Before leaving the house, I noticed the wind blowing as if to say, "Take the kite." Not ignoring a strong notion like that, I placed the kite in the car. Lisa thought it was a great idea also.

We arrived amazed at the beautiful lake home lined with azaleas sloping down to the lake. A quick survey revealed a gazeboo covered dock, a swing by the lake, many stone walking trails, and a covered bridge. And to the left of the drive lay a rolling pasture complete with cattle!

The only question in our minds was where to begin. To break the ice, we started with the walking trails followed by the bridge. In minutes, they grasped our style of photographing and we connected.
















We used many of the areas around the lake and still I could not take my eyes off of the rollling pasture and the white clouds diffusing the sunlight. I looked at Lisa and said, "Kite!" Lisa then asked what they thought about flying a kite in the field. Steve was all over that suggestion and Kristina said, "Okay, but I didn't think I was going to frolic around the pasture in my new sandals!"

The kite has been a lot of fun with Riley and me in the park and now I realize that you don't have to be the one who is flying the kite to enjoy the fun. In fact, I found that it was even more fun photographing this loving couple and watching them laugh flying the kite.

We just had to get them walking in the field. I guess this stems from my childhood and playing in our cowpasture in the Carolinas. There is just something about the simplicity of nature.

We finished in the back area of the home with the two of them relaxing on a swing by the pool. This is one of the times when we could have shot for hours more. The property just lends itself to photos. Kristina and Steve were so relaxed and playful. And we could not have asked for better weather. With their wedding in a few weeks, we can't wait to continue this session! Thanks Kristina and Steve for a wonderful day at the office!
Randy

Congratulations Molly & Rial!

Fortson 4-H Center, located near the Atlanta Motor Speedway, was the setting for this week's wedding with Molly and Rial. I love an outdoor ceremony and the weather couldn't have been more pleasant.
























I had met with Molly's mom, Susie, a month ago to go over the plans at the Fortson Center. It was very chilly then and long before the trees had begun to blossom. So when we arrived on Friday for the rehearsal, we were amazed at the scenic beauty. We were also impressed at the plans that they all had made for this glorious occasion.





























One of Molly's photo requests was a shot of her dress hanging from a tree near the lake. All decided that the best time for this was just before she got dressed. Then it hit me and I felt something that I have never felt while shooting a wedding - anxiety. Let's see, a wedding dress that has never been worn, hanging from a tree, just three feet from the lake. Not to mention all of the yellow pollen blowing around. But Lisa brought the dress and I found a ladder and hung it on the sturdy limb. And then the wind began blowing! I quickly shot numerous frames and I was ready to take it down when Lisa said "Okay, now turn it around." Lisa was so calm as she composed and photographed.

























And the results from Lisa's creative mind.
























When the dress was back in the dressing room, I returned to my calm state and enjoying the wonderful job that I love! I would not have taken the risk of damaging the dress had it not been for Lisa's expertise.



From there the day flowed really well. We heard the great plans that had been made at the rehearsal and all involved seemed really relaxed. My kind of wedding!




The guests were seated under the shade of the trees, facing the serene lakeside ceremony.


















Molly and Rial performed a religious foot washing ceremony which we had never photographed at a wedding.


















At the rehearsal I could not discern if they were going to put their shoes back on at the end of the vows. So just in case, I knelt in the back with the low angle and I was rewarded with this shot.


















The Fortson 4-H Center offers many places to shoot. Molly and Rial were very accommodating as we moved around the grounds.

The reception was a held in the covered area adjacent to the lake as well as the dancing area.

As the night closed there was no big send off, just goodbye kisses and waves. But one thing I really liked was when Rial was thanking us and asked me in all sincerity, "Did you have fun, Randy?" I said, "Yes Rial, I did. I had lots of fun!" Thanks for choosing us to photograph your day and may God bless you both.

Randy