The Hobbys

Hannah + Trey hobby

what a gorgeous september wedding at walnut hill in raleigh, nc. i love capturing weddings at this venue because they truly have it all. tons of bright getting ready spaces, a pond, lots of ceremony locations to choose from, and a gorgeous white barn for your reception. hannah and trey’s wedding day here was perfect, and it was a joy to celebrate with them. there were so many sweet moments on this day, but it also ended in such a party with all of their best friends and family!

venue: walnut hill

photographer: laura sydney photography

planner: tara at premiere party planners

Catering: funky fresh Rentals – Party Reflections

Florist: Lilac Floral Décor

Wedding Cake: Publix

Dj: All Around Raleigh DJ

hair and makeup: Brushes and Brows

Transportation: Raleigh Trolley

The hills

sara + brinkley Hill

this was an extra special wedding for me because sara is my cousin <3 there’s something so sweet about photographing a family member’s wedding day. when i first met brinkley, i just knew these two would be getting married. their passion for the lord and others is something you will notice immediately upon meeting them, and it was beautiful to listen to all of the stories family & friends shared about how this couple has blessed them in unique ways. what a joy it was to watch them get married!

their wedding was at the beautiful Sorella Farms which is nestled in the mountains of Virginia, and it was a gorgeous day! my dad actually officiated their wedding which made it even more of an emotional day for me :) from getting ready with their family members to their private foot washing + last dance, the day held so many precious moments that no one will forget. i love me some young love!!!

The daniels

What a day!

i spent my morning driving the beautiful backroads to canton, va with a quick pitstop in downtown canton for some coffee at papertown coffee (definitely recommend!). when i drove up to chestnut ridge, i was amazed at its beauty. it is nestled up in the mountains, and it’s such a picturesque place for a wedding (plus their staff is just amazing).

one of the things I loved the most about Julia and Spencer’s wedding day is that I have had two photoshoots with them as a couple (couples shoot and engagement!), and another one of Julia (grad photos from App), so it just felt like walking into a friend’s wedding. I have met most of her bridesmaids too, which made it extra fun! plus julia and spencer are the sweetest humans ever, so the entire day was just full of so much joy.

the day consisted of so many happy tears, so much love, and LOTS of laughter. We got to watch the sun go down over the mountains and then dance the night away! i know it was a day julia and spencer have been waiting on for a longgg time, and now they’re married! wooo!

vendors:

venue: Chestnut Ridge

Event Coordinator: crplanning

Calligraphy: Joy Unscripted

Rentals: Professional Party Rentals

Hair/makeup: Adore & Co

videographer: Carlisle Films

DJ: spinfire

florist: Studio flora diva

Dessert: Gateaux Cakes + Pastries

Catering: 12 bones bbq

Camp North end engagement || charlotte, nc

Jordan + beth

Matt and i got to take a day trip to charlotte where we browsed ikea, ate some swedish meatballs, bought a new closet storage unit, and then we met up with jordan and beth in camp north end for their engagement shoot! These two are just so easy to hang out with. They make you feel like you’ve known them forever. we got to walk around, chat about life, and talk about their september wedding in Gastonia, nc.

one of jordan and beth’s first dates was at camp north end, so it was so sweet to be here for their engagement photos! it’s such a cool space. lots of restaurants, cute stores, and plenty of fire pits and activities for when you just want somewhere fun to hang out. definitely check it out if you’re ever in the area!

i love going to new places for shoots, especially when it’s somewhere that means a lot to my couples.. and it’s a bonus whenever matt can come with me :)

Craggy Pinnacle Engagement

JuliA + Spencer

I have known these two for a few years now and now they are ENGAGED!! I took some fun photos for them a few years ago in the mountains, took Julia’s grad photos at App State, and now their engagement photos! I love when I get the opportunity to have repeat clients because I really feel like I get to know them so much better. It’s been so sweet to watch their relationship grow, and I cannot wait for their wedding in April!

We ventured up to Craggy Pinnacle on the most gorgeous Fall day, and it was absolutely beautiful! Mountain sessions are so fun because the view is obviously gorgeous, but we get to hike/walk around a lot, so there’s even more time to hang out together :) I loved talking with Julia + Spencer and hearing about their wedding plans, life plans, and just watching them interact—it’s just so obvious that they can’t wait to be married!

The waters || downtown durham in-home session

The waters

Oh, where do I begin?? Jamie and I have known each other since 1st grade. She’s basically grew up together, and I’d say she is more like a sister than a friend. We’ve gone through life together in every stage. We started out playing spy games, pretending like we were fashion designers, and then we grew up and were able to watch each other marry the men of our dreams. She and Andrew got married this past August in Seattle, and now live in the most beautiful condo!

I just love these two together!! They just seem at home when they are together, and I feel like that’s the way it should be <3 After this shoot, we all got to explore Durham (Matt included!) and it was just the sweetest time. So thankful for lifelong friendships!

Hannah + Trey || umstead engagement session

Hannah + trey

What a fun engagement session at Umstead State Park! It was a perfect day to roam around the park and go to different spots to get their photos. I loved meeting Hannah and Trey—they are so cute together, and I can just tell they are best friends. One of my friends works with Hannah and she recommended me to her, and I can’t be more thankful! I cannot wait to celebrate with these two at their wedding next year!

Also…here’s a secret to get guys to enjoy photoshoots more: offer to take some pictures with their car ;) It has worked every time. Plus it always delivers some fun pictures! Once you scroll down, you’ll see some that we took by Trey’s truck once the sun set.

So ladies, if your fiance is dreading a photoshoot, I promise we’ll find a way to make them more enjoyable!

Graham + Spencer’s Intimate wedding at the parlour at mann’s chapel

Graham + spencer

First of all, The Parlour at Mann’s Chapel is perfect for any type of wedding, but I especially loved it for this intimate wedding. It kept everyone close, but still had plenty of private spaces to have first looks, prayers, and time for Spencer and Graham to get away for portraits. Every inch of their property screams romance, in my opinion. It was the perfect venue for the Fowlers!

If you were to see Graham and Spencer together, you would see right away that they are meant to be together. They give each other a sense of peace and joy that no one else can. They were SO ready to be married, and I was honored to have the opportunity to capture their love on camera. The day began with many happy tears shed during Spencer’s first look with both her dad and Graham, and the day ended with the newlyweds cutting cakes and spending time with their family and closest friends.

It was a day to remember!!

The Mckinneys

Winridge manor || madison heights, va

Corbett + Stephanie

When I was editing these wedding photos, I was doing so with tears in my eyes. The McKinney’s wedding day was filled with love, tears, joy, and celebration. Their friends and family love these two with all of their hearts, and it was so evident that Stephanie and Corbett make lasting marks on people’s lives.

Not only do their friends and family love them, but these two have such a deep love for one another. They are high school sweethearts and have gone through so much together. I know that through the good times and bad, the McKinney’s will continue to grow in their love for one another and their love for the Lord.

In this blog, you will see a photo of Stephanie and Corbett in front of a beautiful rainbow in the sky. When I tell you God is SO good and perfect in His timing, I wholeheartedly mean it. This rainbow was so beautiful and meaningful because it holds such a significance for Corbett and his family. A few years ago, Corbett’s father passed away. The morning that he passed away, Corbett’s family walked out of the hospital and saw a beautiful orange sunrise and a bright double rainbow. Even though Corbett’s father could not attend his wedding, we know that the Lord sent that rainbow as a symbol to say that his father was still there with them. I know we don’t always understand why the Lord takes people out of our lives, but we do know that God is still sovereign and loves us, and that rainbow in the sky on this wedding day was the ultimate gift to the McKinney’s.

So many tears were had at this wedding, but God’s goodness and love was put on display in a whole new way at this wedding.

Big thanks to the amazing vendors!

Venue: Winridge Manor

Florist: Cheryl’s Secret Garden

Caterer: Friends Catering

Cake/Cupcakes: The Gypsy Baker

Hair: Hairapy by Hannah

DJ: Ricky Harvel

Dress: Studio I Do

Stationery: Zola + Etsy

Kenneth + Erin

Garden of the Gods || Colorado springs, co

Kenneth + Erin

This was a dream. I have ALWAYS dreamed of shooting in Garden of the Gods, and when I booked a wedding out in CO, I knew I had to make it happen! Kenneth and Erin live in Denver, and Kenneth is actually Matt’s cousin! Not only did he and Erin model for me, but they really gave us an amazing tour of Colorado AND took us to hike Quandary Peak, a popular 14er. That hike was probably the hardest thing I have ever done physically, but it was so worth it. That altitude adjustment is roughhhh.

Colorado truly is gorgeous. We drove around 1,000 miles in four days and the view was beautiful the entire time. Anywhere we drove, whether it was to a hike, the wedding, this session, or the grocery store, I was amazed at how beautiful it was. We saw so much wildlife too! I would love to travel out there a few times a year…I don’t think I’d ever get tired of it!

These two are so freaking sweet together. They are so sweet, funny, welcoming, and adventurous, and our time in Garden of the Gods was the best. We were even welcomed by a mule deer! If you ever wanna schedule a shoot for Colorado, give me a holler, because I am already ready to head back!!!

Mike + Kelly

ravens roost engagement || Lyndhurst, va

Mike + Kelly

Oh the mountains. If every shoot could be off the Blue Ridge Parkway, I would 100% do it. It’s one of my favorite places to be!! My mom and I travelled to Lyndhurst for this session and we made a little hiking weekend out of it. We found the cutest coffee shop called Farmhaus Coffee Co. in Waynesboro, VA and then hiked a few different trails around the area. 10/10 recommend taking a weekend trip there!

Mike and Kelly live in Richmond, so Ravens Roost was the perfect meeting spot for their engagement photos! We ventured around the mountain and had the most incredible views. They are such a sweet couple, and it was so fun hanging out with them for the evening. Their wedding will be near Raleigh in 2021, so it was fun being able to get some mountain views for their engagement photos.

Morgan + Rob

Raleigh engagement session

Morgan + Rob

AH November needs to get here faster for Morgan and Rob’s wedding!!! This engagement session was so much fun. We started at their apartment so we could get a few photos with their sweet pup, and then ventured into Raleigh to my favorite little nook (a hidden gem) and then to Yates Mill. It was a HOT day, but they absolutely rocked it.

Not only were they so fun, but they’re also super sweet. Morgan is an ER nurse and has been working hard to serve patients with a joyful heart despite all of the chaos going on over the past few months…And I could see Rob’s generosity so clearly when he gave me an entire bottle of whiskey to take home after the session when he found out Matt and I love whiskey!

Only a few more months until they get married!

The cuanys

apex, nc

Louis + Natalie

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to capture their wedding day. I have never met a couple who was so joyful together. They have this love and joy that is contagious, and it’s just one of the most beautiful things. I seriously left their wedding so encouraged and blessed and even more thankful for my job and marriage than I was before!

They had to change their wedding plans because of COVID, but I don’t think they would have changed a thing in the end. They originally were going to get married at a local venue, but ended up getting married on Natalie’s family’s property surrounded by their immediate & extended families and a few close friends. The property is so gorgeous though, it could literally be turned into a wedding venue…really, I want to live there ;) It was so close to storming the entire day, but everyone was praying like crazy and it rained everywhere in the area EXCEPT where the wedding was. Thank you, Jesus!

I know without a doubt that these two will have a life FULL of joy. Even in the hardest moments, they will cling to the Lord and to one another. This was a day I will never forget!

Taylor & Sophie

thunder hill overlook engagement

Taylor + Sophie.

Future Mr. & Mrs. Day. YES their last name will be Day and it always reminds me of New Girl because that’s one of my favorite shows ;) except Taylor & Sophie are way better than New Girl. Their wedding hashtag is #TheseAreTheDays (insert me crying over here)…and they’re right. These ARE the days!! I think the season of engagement is so fun. Yes it can be stressful with the wedding planning, but it is also so exciting because you are preparing to be married, and you are really beginning to plan your future together. It’s just the best and most beautiful thing.

We spent a chilly Saturday afternoon adventuring around Thunder Hill taking their engagement photos and it was the best. These two share such a sweet love. They are 100% each other’s best friends and I just felt like it was so evident while we were taking pictures. They make each other laugh SO hard, they’re so sweet and loving, and so kind.

Mountain sessions have quickly become my favorite. I love goin on adventures with my couples!