Woodward + Rick Photographers | Asheville wedding photographers

Our new wedding jounal is live!

2011-06-03T16:47:00.004-04:00

Out with the old and in with the new! Please visit our new wedding journal (blog)!

Junebug Weddings - Best of 2010!!

2011-01-06T10:17:00.007-05:00

Thank you Junebug Weddings for choosing our "Vivaldi" image as one of the Best Wedding Images of 2010! What an honor to be included with all of the amazingly talented image makers from across the country!

Image taken by Gry Karen Rick, at the Stanley-Ray wedding, 2010 at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.

Post production by Brian Woodward using Adobe Lightroom, WRP's "antique goodness" preset and minimal burning and dodging.

Happy 2011!!

xoxo,
brian & gry

Biltmore Estate weddings

2010-12-18T11:37:00.000-05:00

Biltmore Estate Weddings | Woodward & Rick Photographers

lauren + chad | the biltmore estate

2010-09-28T14:01:00.005-04:00

engagement to wedding day!

the engagement session - oct. 2009

lauren's bridal portraits - a sampling - july 2010

"You guys are just THE BEST. Photographers and Individuals. You make everything fun and still do incredible work. And even just the thoughtfulness of sending this email...what can I say? I still thank my lucky stars everyday that we found you. I've only seen you twice yet you feel like life-long friends or family. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
LOVE YA!"
Pat

Patricia A. London, DDS

the wedding day - september 2010

shoe shot by Gry! window light and a little burning and dodging.

Blush by Wendy Ballance - amazing makeup artist!

Lauren and the ladies playing on the front lawn

"the ladies" at the Biltmore House

"the men" having a refreshment before the ceremony:)

flowers by Stacey Brown - The Bloom Room Asheville

The Bloom Room Asheville!

Weddings with Tara & The Bloom Room!

dr. pat london, lauren's fabulous mom!!

the ceremony

married!

yep! really!

lauren was stunning - makeup by Blush by Wendy Ballance!

first dance - the moms looking on.

the dip! nice shot Gry!!

the band

why i'm on the other side of the camera!

exit under a tunnel of baseball bats!

"I think we need a teaser before we leave for our honeymoon?!?! Thank you all so much for everything. Best night of our lives, love you guys so much.

I can't imagine my life without you. Don't lose touch, please!!!

xoxoxo and thank you again for everything!"

Love,
Lauren & Chad

Have we ever mentioned that we have the best clients in the whole world?! Thank you Lauren, Chad, Pat and all of your family and friends! Hope to see you again soon!!

xoxo,

brian + gry

VENDOR LIST:

WHEN: September 25th, 2010
WHERE: The Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC
PHOTOGRAPHER: Guess who?! (Brian + Gry)
PLANNER: Weddings with Tara - Tara Jordan
FLORIST: The Bloom Room - Stacey Brown
MAKEUP: Blush by Wendy Ballance

catherine + andrew | biltmore estate | lioncrest

2010-09-13T15:28:00.003-04:00

Catherine Stanley + Andrew Ray were married at Lioncrest on the Biltmore Estate last month! This was an extra special wedding for us since we photographed Jason Ray's (Andrew's older brother) wedding 7 years ago!

Here are a few images from the day!

scott thompson | makeup artist

the bloom room flowers

mr. stanley before the ceremony

image by gry karen rick (she rocks!)

biltmore-lioncrest ceremony

the walled garden

the walled garden 2

bride: Catherine Stanley
groom: Andrew Ray
location: Lioncrest on the Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC
florist: stacey brown - the bloom room asheville
makeup: e. scott thompson
videographer: elysium productions

Thanks to the Stanley and Ray families for allowing us to be a part of your weekend!
xoxo,
brian + gry

laura + joe | biltmore estate

2010-09-13T14:11:00.006-04:00

Here are a few images from Laura + Joe's beautiful wedding held August 7th at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville! Vendor details below!

makeup by Anna with E. Scott Thompson

laura & her dad

practicing their first dance!

and. . .the first dance, mom + dad seem to approve!

bride: laura calabria
groom: joe maxim
date: august 7th, 2010
place: the biltmore estate, asheville, nc
planner: maggie schlubach
officiant: howard hanger!
makeup: anna - e. scott thompson
florist: charlene scharf
dj: premier sound & light

Thanks Laura + Joe for sharing your day with us!!
xoxo,
brian + gry

catherine + ted | june 19th, 2010 | asheville, nc

2010-07-14T14:39:00.006-04:00

love the shoes:)

asheville street shooting - appropriate sign!

street portrait

we love alleys!!

we love alleys, part deux!

dog people rule!

beautiful decor by verge events + blossoms at biltmore park

catherine's mom in the background, think they had fun!

vintage desoto getaway car

the venue - downtown asheville - nice space!

thanks catherine + ted for allowing us to be a part of your day!!

who: catherine dupre + ted fleming
when: june 19th, 2010
where: the venue, asheville, nc
photographers: duh! (well, just in case www.woodwardandrick.com )
planner: jennifer king, verge events
flowers: blossoms at biltmore park

love the vintage flair that catherine brought to her wedding! what do you think of her dress?! we loved it!!

which is your favorite image??

more to come soon from Highlands and the Biltmore Estate!

xoxo,

brian + gry

Lindsey + Wilson - wedding in Highlands, NC

2010-06-14T10:30:00.004-04:00

Lindsey + Wilson were married in Highlands, NC on May 15th, 2010. Undeterred by storms in the area, (we actually ran in to a HAIL storm on the way to Highlands!)their beautiful wedding and reception went on as scheduled thanks to the world-class staff at the Farm at Old Edwards Inn and Highlands wedding planner Ann Tate - weddingbells4u@verizon.net.

friday before the rehearsal dinner at The Farm

best man - wilson's dad

lindsey + wilson's first dance

Thank you Lindsey, Wilson, Dr. and Mr. Glander, and Mr. and Mrs. Freeze for allowing us to be a part of your wedding weekend in Highlands!

xoxo,

brian, gry + cory

Our clients, our friends!

2010-03-14T15:40:00.006-04:00

Our friends and former clients, Alex + Jeremy, stopped by the studio last week for lunch on their way back to Nashville. One of our favorite couples of all time, we love when our brides + grooms stay in touch and pay us a visit from time to time, or send us birth announcements, or just drop a line to say hi!

Here's a link to a couple of images from their visit last year and from their wedding in 2007! Alex and Jeremy

Here's Gry, Alex and J with our "de Kooning?".

And with moi!

Thanks you guys, we had a blast seeing you again!!

xoxo,

brian + gry

Marcy + Jason - The Cliffs at Glassy Chapel

2010-02-19T10:25:00.002-05:00

Marcy + Jason were married at The Cliffs Chapel in South Carolina last October 31st (Halloween!) and it wasn't scary at all! In fact, the Chapel was surrounded by Fall color and light fog (appropriate for Halloween right?) that gave a gorgeous light and ambiance to their wedding day.

Tara Jordan, owner of Weddings with Tara, once again did a fabulous job. Truly one of the best in the biz we love working with Tara! There will be more images on her blog soon! Stacey Brown, owner of the Bloom Room in Asheville, did her awesome flower magic and Paul Jackson, owner of Four Seasons Films, did his usual great video coverage for Marcy + Jason.

A great couple + a great vendor team = a fabulous wedding!

Here's a couple of images from the day:

not really sure about this! (he did great!)

Marcy's gorgeous "vintage" wedding dress (previously posted in "year end wrap-up")

Jason just before the ceremony

Marcy's beautiful bouquet by the bloom room

the bloom room. . .again!

Thanks Marcy + Jason!

xoxo,

brian + gry

Lauren + Chad's e-session at the Biltmore Estate

2010-02-02T15:19:00.003-05:00

Since Gry grabbed the spotlight earlier this week I thought I'd post a couple of images from Lauren + Chad's e-session that I shot. . .well OK, so did Gry! Their wedding will be this September at the Biltmore Estate with Tara Jordan, owner of Weddings with Tara, planning all the details for them.

BTW, Tara and her husband Jonathan just had a beautiful baby girl, Pherson. There are some sweet images of Pherson and the three of them by created Libby Brady on Tara's blog.

Can't wait to see Lauren + Chad again on September 25th!

Have a great week!

xoxo,

brian + gry

E-session at Lake Eden

2010-01-27T10:50:00.003-05:00

With a lucky break in the arctic weather we're been having, Gry did a fun e-session with Melissa + Walter at Lake Eden a couple of weeks ago. Gry even surprised them with a tandem bike to complement their wedding theme! Here's a couple of images from the session!

a little fun with color and shadow:)

we hope everyone is well!

xoxo,
brian + gry

Year end wrap-up - better late than never!

2010-01-08T17:14:00.006-05:00

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and that your New Year is off to a great start! We wanted to have this up before the New Year but with Christmas and Sara's 10th birthday in the same week. . .well, we needed a breather!

Brides!! 2010 is off to a great start and choice May, June and October dates are booking fast! Give us a ring and we will design the perfect photography collection for you and your families!

Here are a few of our fav images from the end of 2009 (and the beginning), more to come soon!!

sara + sam | biltmore estate | shay brown events

kathleen + brian | cliffs chapel - wyche pavillion | weddings with tara

yvette + lou | biltmore house front lawn | weddings with tara

grace + micajah | grace with her dad | shay brown events

grace + micajah | october wedding at the Biltmore Estate

marcy's bridal session | cliffs chapel

julie + brian | october Biltmore Estate wedding

Have a great 2010!!!

xoxo,
brian + gry

Yvette + Lou part deux!

2009-10-10T15:36:00.005-04:00

Here are a few more images from Yvette + Lou's gorgeous August Biltmore Estate wedding that Tara Jordan, owner of Weddings with Tara in Asheville, and our friends at the Biltmore Estate produced! Check the amazing arbor and ceremony flowers by The Purple Iris in Asheville! Wow!

You can find more on the Weddings with Tara blog soon!

Yvette's beautiful mother, Mira, owner of Mira Couture in Chicago.

Rev. Tim Lolley

Happy Fall!!
xoxoxo,
brian + gry

Yvette + Lou sneak peek!

2009-08-22T16:08:00.005-04:00

Just last week we had the honor of being a part of Yvette Contorno + Lou Klobuchar's wedding weekend at the Biltmore Estate. Yvette + Lou are from the Chicago area and, joined by about 40 close friends and family from around the country, were married at the Biltmore House front lawn. Lou is the retired President of E Trade Financial Services and Yvette along with her mother, Mira, oversee Mira Couture in Chicago. Yvette designed and made her wedding dress and yes, it was absolutely gorgeous. . .brides in Chicago take note!!

Once again, the amazing Tara Jordan, owner of Weddings with Tara in Asheville, was the event planner for their weekend. Purple Iris, also form Asheville, did a fabulous job with all of the floral arrangements. The center pieces at the reception dinner in the Italian Garden were just beautiful. . .nice job ladies!! Tim Lolley did a wonderful job, as always!, as the officiant and the professional staff at the Biltmore Estate once again provided a world class experience for all!

Thank you Yvette + Lou for sharing your day with us! You and your family and guests were so gracious and fun. . .we had a great time with you!!

Dinner Friday night at the Conservatory on the Biltmore Estate.

Kathleen + Brian - The Cliffs Chapel + Wyche Pavilion!

2009-08-22T13:45:00.004-04:00

Last month we had the pleasure of photographing the beautiful wedding of Kathleen Kuhnert + Brian Vieira, from Atlanta, at the Cliffs Chapel followed by a great reception at the Wyche Pavilion in Greenville, SC. Tara Jordan, owner of Weddings with Tara in Asheville, did her usual amazing job coordinating the day's events. Tara is one of the best event planners in the area, her events always go so smoothly! She is just a wonderful person, always with a beautiful smile for everyone! Stacey Brown, owner of the Bloom Room in Asheville, once again did a fabulous job with the florals. Brides take note!!

After the ceremony we all drove down to downtown Greenville, SC for the reception at the very cool Wyche Pavilion! An old mill, the Pavilion is an open air, brick structure right on the river. Really a nice break from opulent ballrooms and country clubs!

Here's a few images from their day!

Flowers by The Bloom Room, Asheville

Thanks Kathleen + Brian!!

xoxoxo,

brian + gry

We love our jobs. . .

2009-07-30T08:40:00.005-04:00

. . .and this is why,

"Brian and Gry,

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the absolutely breathtaking photography!! Your work is so beautiful - so natural, yet so magical!!

It's amazing to us that you were able to capture every single moment of our special day without being obtrusive! You are absolutely right with the quote you wrote on Twitter the other day - there really are things nobody would see if you didn't photograph them. (Quote by Diane Arbus)

As we go through the photos, we're able to relive that day over and over again and perfectly capture the emotions we had that day forever - thank you for giving us that gift! It's absolutely priceless and we can't wait to order our photos. It will be VERY difficult to narrow them down!

You both are such wonderful people and we were so lucky to have you document our special day. We wish you the best of luck in everything you do in the future and hope to run into you again someday..."

Warmest wishes,
Brooke and Christian Heim

Here's the details!

Bride + Groom: Brooke McCracken + Christian Heim
Date: June 20th, 2009
Location: The Ballantyne Resort, Charlotte, NC (world-class staff!!)
Wedding Planners: Rogers & Gala Creative Partners (fabulous!!)
Flowers: The Blossom Shop on Park (equally fabulous!)

Here's a few images from the day, enjoy!

Brooke's bridal portraits at Ballantyne

Chris

Flowers by The Blossom Shop on Park, Charlotte, NC

Decor + details by the amazing Rogers & Gala!

First dance, low light image by the amazing Nikon D3!

Make it a great day!
xoxoxo,
brian + gry

One time we loved seeing the dentist(s)!!

2009-06-25T16:39:00.008-04:00

On May 30th we were honored to photograph Cat + Andrew's wedding at the Crest Center in Asheville, NC. Shay Brown of Shay Brown Events in Asheville did her usual great job organizing the day of activities. Aria Floral really transformed the Crest Center Pavillion and did a beautiful job! And, as always, the crew at the Crest Center did a great job and the food was outstanding!

Everyone had a great time and I have never seen so many people dance so much! I lost 5 pounds just watching! They are a great, fun couple and we enjoyed spending time with them since last February (remember the cold, slightly wet engagement shoot guys!) and getting to know them and their friends. If you ever need a dentist in Philly, call them!!

Here's a couple of teaser images from the day:

Cat + Andrew - streets of Asheville - Gry Karen Rick

So, did Cat like the images?? Check the e-mail message we got from her yesterday:

"I'm totally speechless. truly- i can't think of any words that are adequate enough to express how much I love these. you are both so amazing! thank you so much. These photos have perfectly captured every moment of the best day of my life exactly as i remember it. there just aren't enough words....can't wait to show them to Andrew!

THANK YOU!!!!!!

A great big hug and kiss from us both!!!!"

-cat and andrew, 6/25/09

xoxoxo,
brian + gry

Bigger is not always better;)

2009-05-15T11:10:00.005-04:00

We've photographed some huge, multi-day wedding celebrations over the years and yes, they were absolutely gorgeous. But some of the nicest, most meaningful weddings have been small, intimate gatherings. This wedding is a prime example. Esther and Jason, who are from the same area in Florida that Brian used to live, were married last October at the Biltmore Estate in a small, cozy ceremony with about 35 friends and family. Shay Brown, owner of Shay Brown Events and Palettes of Perfection in Asheville planned the day for Esther and as always, did a fabulous job! Stacey Brown, owner of The Bloom Room in Asheville, worked her magic with the flowers. . .check out the bride's bouquet and attendant's bouquet, just awesome!

The ceremony was at the Vista at the Inn on Biltmore Estate and the reception in the Biltmore Wine Cellar. It was just a gorgeous wedding, Esther + Jason were so much fun to work with and even though it rained a bit nothing was going to stop them from making their wedding a day to remember.

So, it doesn't have to be a mega affair to be beautiful! Thanks Esther + Jason for allowing us to share your wedding day! Here's a few images from their day, enjoy!

Esther

Jason

The Bloom Room - wow!

Rainy day portrait

first dance (think the little girl is dreaming of her wedding?!)

esther + jason

"Dear Brian and Gry,

Your post really brightened our day! We are the ones that are honored you were able to capture our memories. The passion for your work comes to life, every image its own masterpiece. We were fortunate to have Beth Poslusny @ Biltmore, Stacy Brown @ Bloom Room and Shay Brown of Shay Brown Events to bring our dreams to life. Thank you so much for your kind, sincere words. It truly was the best day of our lives and we get to relive that day, every time we look at the memories the two of you captured for us."

xoxoxo,

Esther and Jason Barker
May 15th, 2009

make it a good day!!
brian + gry

Alex + Jeremy visit!

2009-04-20T12:50:00.008-04:00

Last week, our dear friends Alex + Jeremy stopped in for a visit and lunch on their way to Charlotte! We photographed their wedding at the Crest Center waaaay back in 2007. Our friend Ivy Robinson was their wedding planner and she totally transformed the Crest Center. . .Ivy, you are amazing! Their wedding was also featured in the Fall issue of Weddings Unveiled Magazine last year! We had so much fun with them (Jeremy missed his calling as a stand up comic!) and, as we do with so many of our "brides + grooms", we've become good friends. Alex + Jeremy are the reason we love what we do. . .they are just great people and we are honored to call them friends!

And! Not long ago, another of our favorite couples, Lexi + Jason, stopped by to visit when they were in town. Their wedding was at the Cliffs Chapel in South Carolina on Gry's birthday two years ago! They were so nice, they even had a birthday cake made for Gry at their reception! Sara tried to take a photo of the four of us but she's still working on her focusing ability so I've posted a couple of images from their wedding.

Thanks again guys for stopping by to see us and for the yummy lunch! (If I knew you were going to buy I woulda got the lobster;) We're still havin' the BBQ on the 26th if you want to come on over!!

Here's a couple of images from Alex + Jeremy's visit and both of their weddings. . .enjoy!

Jeremy looking especially mischievous!

E-session in downtown Asheville, circa 2007.

"The kiss"

"The kiss, part deux"

Lexi + Jason!

The Cliffs Chapel, Cliffs at Glassy

Featured on Style Me Pretty - Little Black Book!

2009-04-15T11:51:00.003-04:00

After a fun night with a bunch of friends (thanks Shay Brown for turning me on to raspberry mojitos!) at the fabulous new Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville celebrating photographer friends Kelly Giezentanner's and Honour Mann's bdays, we woke up this morning to find one of our weddings featured on the Style Me Pretty - Little Black Book blog! Style Me Pretty and Little Black Book is an absolutely fabulous resource for brides and frankly one of the best in the country. All of the vendors they list in Little Black Book have been carefully screened and approved by them and the other members so brides know they are really getting top level professionals. . .who else would you want to trust your wedding to! Great job Abby, Michelle, and Eddye!

This was a gorgeous wedding from last Fall at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Nisha Thomas and Jay Dearborn were our bride and groom and they were just amazing to work with. We loved the colors, the bridesmaids saris and Nisha was simply beautiful! Nicole Riley from Verge Events in Asheville brought everything together for them and did a great job as always. Blossoms at Biltmore Park did a wonderful job with the flowers and the good people at the Biltmore Estate provided a wonderful experience as they always do.

Thanks Nisha + Jay for allowing us to be a part of your wedding day! Here's a couple more images from the day:

Make it a great day!

xoxoxo,
brian + gry

Shayla's Music Benefit!

2009-03-16T17:44:00.006-04:00

Last night, hundreds of people and ten bands and musical acts came together to show love and support for our dear friends Jennifer, Savannah and Shayla Garrett. Shayla was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma several months ago and has been undergoing treatments at Mission Children's Hospital and will soon take a trip to Chapel Hill for a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. Shayla, you never cease to amaze us. . .you are going to win! All of the money raised last night will go to the family to help offset living and medical expenses as well as other organizations who help children like Shay all over the country.

A special thanks to Shay Brown, owner of Shay Brown Events and Palettes of Perfection in Asheville for her last minute help with arranging food from 12 Bones Smokehouse also in Asheville. The BBQ was great, thanks 12 Bones! Also, big thanks to our friends at M7 Events & The Crest Center for providing the desserts!

And a very special thanks to everyone who took the time to come out on a wet, chilly day to help this little girl and her family!

Last night we were introduced to the Skinny Legs and All Band! The lead singer, Jesse Barry, is only fifteen years old but she has a mature, seasoned stage presence and the girl's got some pipes folks! I think the rest of the band were also fairly young but they were hot! Check em' out when you can.

And finally, one of our all time favorite singers, the amazing Kat Williams, took the stage with her entourage of 7-8 kids including Shayla! If you've never heard Kat she is powerful, she is soulful, she is just a beautiful person and man can she SANG y'all! And, she gives the best hugs in the world! Thanks to all the bands and musicians that donated their talent and time!

Here's a couple of images from the night:

Shayla's beautiful smile

Kat Williams

Shay + Kat

Jesse Barry - The Skinny Legs and All Band

It was a good night for a good cause. . .

xoxoxo,
brian + gry

Yes. . .we're here!! Only two more weeks to save with Winter Rates!!

2009-03-14T13:14:00.008-04:00

Talk about being slackers! Yikes, it's been awhile but we promise to catch up over the next few days!

OK! First, our Winter Rate reduction/stimulus plan will expire in two weeks at the end of March! So get off the fence, give us a ring and save some money on remaining 2009 dates! We'll also extend this offer to Spring 2010 dates that are still open!

Next, here are a couple of images from Cat + Andrew's e-session that we did last week out and about the streets of Asheville. They are a great couple from Philadelphia and we will have the pleasure of photographing their wedding this May. The amazing Shay Brown, owner of Shay Brown Events and Palettes of Perfection in Asheville, will be pulling everything together at the Crest Center for them, Shay and her team always do an amazing job and we love working with them! It was about 39 degrees, wet and windy but we had a great time, sometimes yucky weather makes for the best images. . .here's a couple from the day:

And finally! Watch out for leprechauns!!! Not so scary really, I think Sara makes a pretty dang cute leprechaun!

More to come soon! No really!!

xoxoxo,

brian + gry

5 things to be thankful for - Christmas 2008

2008-12-21T10:41:00.011-05:00

Even in the bad economic times we are facing, we must still appreciate and be thankful for the many good things that are always in our lives. Here is my (Brian's) top 5:

1.) My beautiful family. . .Gry, my wife of almost 10 years (July 2nd will be 10!)and our amazing daughter Sara. I can not imagine my life without them, they are the reason I live. Which leads me to #2. . .

2.) The gift of being a father, the most amazing, fulfilling, terrifying, joyful thing I have ever done and it just keeps getting better. . .I only hope I can be half the good Dad to Sara that my Dad was to me.

3.) Friends! (This may be a long one!) Friends like Jennifer Garrett who has shown us what real strength and courage is while she faces the unthinkable. . .her 3 year old daughter Shayla, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma (cancer) a couple of months ago but is fighting hard, smiling alot and we all pray daily for her recovery. Jennifer, Shayla and Shay's sister Savannah are the bravest people I know. . .kinda makes our other "problems" seem pretty insignificant doesn't it? Please go to her Caringbridge site and leave her a note, you'll feel better for it!

Shay with her "bald guys" Cory, Ian and Parker at our recent Christmas party - bald IS beautiful!!

Fellow photographers like Rachel + Andrew Niesen and Corey + Jill McNabb who have directly and indirectly inspired us to grow and improve our business and to share our knowledge with others, thanks guys! And of course, Parker + Missy Pfister. Parker has rekindled the photographic curiosity in me that I thought I had all but lost. His art is an inspiration to me to try new techniques and see beyond the obvious. A prime example is this image of my daughter Sara, the technique Parker taught me (he didn't know he was teaching, but he was!) during a wedding he was shooting. I would never have taken this "chance" and in turn not have this wonderful image of my daughter. . .thanks Parker, ya big lug.

And finally our friends Kent + Kris Scherr who we are rediscovering after the birth of their third child, Mia. Kris delivered our daughter, Sara, when she was still a student mid-wife almost 9 years ago. Kent is an OB/GYN is Asheville and both are just down to earth, real people. . .hey, anyone with a purple house and a chicken coop out back has to be good people right!?

There are of course many others that we are so fortunate to have in our lives, we will always treasure these friendships and are humbled and so grateful to have such wonderful, giving, "real" people in our lives.

4.) My Mom, Fern, who is struggling with Parkinson's Disease but still lives her life with courage, dignity and an inner strength that I am in awe of. I love you Mom.

5.) And last, I'm thankful that I get to do what I love to do everyday. So many people never find their passion in life and I am so fortunate to have not only found it but am able to live and share it with my wife Gry.

So everyone, have a Merry Christmas and look forward to a New Year full of hope and new adventure. Things will get better in our country and it starts with all of us not forgetting that we still have so much to be thankful for.

xoxoxo,
brian

Carrie + Keaton - part deux!

2008-11-11T13:16:00.006-05:00

Our good friends Paul + Holley Jackson, aka Four Seasons Films, sent us the following link to their trailer from Carrie + Keaton's wedding earlier this year at the Cliffs at Glassy Chapel! They do such amazing work, check it out here!

Also, just found out that this wedding will be featured on the beautiful Weddings Unveiled blog very soon. . .check it out!

And please visit www.caringbridge.org and leave a note for our little friend Shayla and her amazing Mom Jennifer and big sis Savannah in the guestbook. Shayla, who is only 3 years old, was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma a few weeks ago but is responding well to treatment and is in Chapel Hill today receiving stem cell therapy. She is such a brave, beautiful little girl so please keep her in your thoughts + prayers! Here she is the first week she was in Mission Children's Hospital. . .she still has that smile all the time! Leaving a note in her guestbook brightens her smile even more. . .thanks!

xoxoxo,

brian + gry

Want a beautiful wedding? Make it personal!

2008-10-14T12:36:00.000-04:00

We've photographed over 250 weddings over the last 9 years. Some are small intimate gatherings, many are huge, multi-day celebrations with budgets way in to six figures. We've found though that the most meaningful and memorable weddings are the ones where the bride and groom makes the day personal by adding little details that are special to them and their families. A hand painted sign made out of wood siding from the bride's childhood home, dancing the first dance in your great-grandmother's wedding dress, using your collection of antique tins for your center pieces, well. . .you get the idea. Sure, you can throw a ton of money at anything and it will look wonderful (hasn't there been something about lipstick on pigs lately??;). But will it be as memorable as the wedding we had the honor of photographing last month at The Inn at Half-Mile Farm in Highlands, NC. Terri + Sean did all of the things above (and much more) and, with the help of the amazing Shay Brown of Shay Brown Events in Asheville, will remember and cherish their wedding day for the rest of their lives. Make it personal and make it real!! Here's a peek at their day:

Here's another peek at another gorgeous Biltmore Estate wedding that we photographed last month. Nisha + Jay were married in the Walled Garden with their reception in the Italian Garden next to the Biltmore House. This was the reception, in full swing, just at twilight.

And finally! DOG IS LOVE!!

This is my German Shepherd dog, Max, who was found wandering the side of the interstate at 8 weeks old! We adopted Max and Heidi, our daughter's dog of undetermined origin, from the Henderson County Animal Shelter on the same day. We urge you to support your local Humane Society, animal shelters, or rescue groups and not do business with pet shops that use "puppy mills" to supply their customers.

Hope you have a great day!!

xoxoxo,
brian + gry

Take the time to look and really see!

2008-08-24T14:14:00.000-04:00

A while back, a good friend and I took a day off and just went out to shoot. Nothing planned, no idea what we might find, just shoot. . .and BS a little (OK, alot!), and laugh, and just be photographers. We get so caught up in our hectic everyday lives, running around like ants doing our ant business, that we often miss so many beautiful things happening right in front of us. Take the time to take a deep breath, relax and really see! Here's a few images from our day. . .enjoy!

Child's grave.

Parker lookin all angelic

And here are a couple from a recent picnic trip to the Biltmore Estate with Gry + Sara. . .

Sara in the trees -
Thanks Parker for helping me continue to see beyond the obvious and the ordinary!

Just a lily pad?

Stop and smell 'em people. . .or at least stop and enjoy!

Vicarious parenting pic for Rachel!

Laugh, live and enjoy the day!

xoxoxo,
brian

New look for our blog!

2008-08-21T14:01:00.000-04:00

Hey gang! We've updated our blog with some new color and formatting in anticipation of receiving our new printed materials from Bumblebee Press and the amazing Jared Swafford (Swing From the Rafters Design) in Atlanta. All new colors and design done in letterpress! We can't wait!

Now for our first post. . .we just returned from Asheville where we met for coffee at Old Europe with our friends Lara Casey, Editor-in-Chief, + Rachel Smith, Editorial Assistant, of Southern Weddings Magazine. After a quick cup of coffee and tea, we walked over to the beautiful new downtown digs of Shay Brown Events so Lara + Rachel could see Shay's amazing new space! (Thanks Lauren for taking the photo below!)

Brides. . .if you haven't checked out Lara's blog yet do it now! It is an amazing resource and just beautifully done. Also. . .be on the look out for the inaugural issue of Southern Weddings Magazine in January! Thanks Lara and Rachel for making the trek to meet with us. . .next time make it a weekend!

Rachel, Lara, Brian + Gry at Shay Brown Events in Asheville

And now for a sneak peek of a recent wedding. . .Teale Taggart + Trey Smith were married a couple of weeks ago in a beautiful ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church in Highlands, NC followed by a gorgeous reception at The Farm at The Old Edwards Inn. Teale is the Corporate Alliances Liaison for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, an organization that does amazing work for kids around the country. Teale + Trey made a donation to St. Jude in appreciation to and in the name of their guests. We support St. Jude's and we hope you will too! Here's a couple of teaser images from the weekend!

We had a great day. . .hope you did too!!
xoxoxo,
brian + gry