Look at how they shine for you.

Thanks Tony and Laura!
Great job again Denise and Molly, good to see you after a while away!

and make some beautiful casual portrait pictures.

Stay tuned for the wedding photos coming up shortly!

Carla Garrison talks about her gallery’s wedding services, primarily the ‘Borrow an Artist’ program where an artist paints live at your wedding or event.

The Green Rice gallery is also open to hosting your special event in their 2400 square feet of meeting space amongst artist studios and fine art exhibits. (click for full info)

I’m sure you’ll see what fun and energy Carla brings to the gallery, I’m sure you’ll be pleased working with her whether you host your wedding at the gallery or she helps coordinate your artist borrowing!  Thanks for the great chat Carla!  If you know of an interesting, artistic or notable vendor or wedding professional who would like to sit down with Neil and tell some stories…please nominate them in the comments!

View more posts from our theme: “Where Art Lives” or see the multimedia presentation on how to make your art intersect with your life.

Her mom and dad did a little modeling before she was born, but this is Lane’s first photoshooot!

Give her a little more practice and she’ll be up and around.

We shot a bunch of pictures with everyone together, but Mom and Dad were really eager to see all her faces captured:

Thanks guys, loved shooting you and Lane…can’t wait to see your walls covered up!

We covered everything from straight hair, to curly

Cuddly grins,

And playful smiles with wine

We featured her athletic abilities in a sports look:

And then transitioned into a fashion shoot with accessories:

And let’s not forget the summer fun look in a bathing suit:

[svgallery name="gretchen-rochester"]

Here’s Gretchen’s comments from the design process – which she gave no input on – just let me do my thing:

First, THANK YOU! It’s even more perfect than we imagined!!! I’m all misty. Second, we have exactly ONE change to request: Dan would like to include the photo of him and the best man chest-bumping “backstage.”

Have you fainted yet? I know, I know, an immediate, low maintenance reply! Shockingly on-time. (It’s the only completion I’ve managed today.) I figure we owe it to you.

Thanks so much for all your patience, and your talent. Dan just kept shaking his head as I paged through the design, saying “He’s just so good!”

Dan – it takes a good man to know one!  I do want to put a sideline note in about my beloved bride Gretchen, a self described ‘type A’ as you can see from the lists and flow charts that decorated the background of page 2.  Gretchen took my advice about not stressing over the album image selection, and was thoroughly pleased with the results.  You may want to select your album images, but the process is often more rewarding when the design flows from how the pictures best fit together.

A few of my favorite spreads and some comments on them:

This spread from the opening moments of the ceremony is an engaging peek into Dan’s excitement, Gretchen grinning behind the doors, and walking down the isle taking Dan’s breath away, and drawing a tear from the groomsmaid.  The iconic shot of Gretchen’s tweaked nervous smile from behind the hall doors, gives a huge visual splash to the carefully observed moments of the beginning of the ceremony.  I shot this wedding alone, and I find it very satisfying to shoot the big epic graphics, and complement it with great storytelling shots to make you look closer at the page!

A moment in time – or a story across time.  I often try to tell stories in my pictures, but sometimes I can tell time too!!  But seriously, how else could you see how much fun Gretchen has with her dress, and Dan?  Good solid album design comes from good solid ideas while we’re shooting.  I often describe the process of ‘posing’ for me, more like acting for a movie–and this is why.  Good action, helps you forget  your nervousness, be natural in your expressions, and let loose with some fun.  Cheers to great results in your album design.

Read all of our Wedding Photography Reviews at

http://www.alltimefavorites.com

My favorite quotes from Amy:

• “There’s perfection in imperfection”
• “Paper is sexy”
• TOAST (listen till you get it)
• “I didn’t care if I got married”
• “I wasn’t the Bridey Kind of bride”

Subscribe to our podcast to receive automatic notification of new episodes.

For more inspiration about Making Your Love real in art, view our themed posts about ‘Where Art Lives’.

[svgallery name="deanna-album"]

Sweet success indeed for this well planned, wonderful event.  Catch the blended storylines in this intricately designed and textured wedding album design.

Here are a couple of my favorite speads:

Here Deanna is coming down the isle (which is a narrow row of cedar bushes) and my three shots on the left show her finding, posing and receiving the roses from her groom; which the key shot on the right is coming into view of the guests for the first time and was shot by the assistant photographer.

The first dace spread is a free flowing sequence that really tells about the interpersonal and environmental space is a freeform design over time.  To me this is the most gratifying way to view the wedding photos – and it’s also without color.

Which leads us into the next spread – which is all about color, the emotion and mood of their after dinner portrait session in the field.

This picture makes me smile and is to a great extent what WPPI is all about – good times, and a lot of silliness!  Here’ Chuck and Marco pose for Chuck’s camera.

Steve Z is popping his flash in the desert sunshine, and was a great roommate.

Melissa didn’t like my picture of her but she took lot’s of herself and friend Heather as they hitchike to vegas…

Here’s Heather shooting a few frames in a desert shoot we put together:

I didn’t shoot much behind the scenes – because I was busy shooting and partying!

We hired a model to come all the way out in the desert to a ghost town…

If you’re a photographer and would like to know how I use my gear to light like this, I have a creative journal at www.Make Light Real.com

If you would like to become a subject for this gallery show, see the full gallery on facebook and contact me.

Neil & Leisl -

Thank you, once again for truly capturing hte heart of our special day.  It is thanks to you that these special moments have been immortalized.  We look forward to sharing the albums/photos with our families for years to come.  I can’t imagine that we could have found anyone else that could have told the story of our journey more accurately.  Your talents are a gift and we appreciate your sharing them with us.

WIth much gratitude -

Tom & Kelly

Thanks guys – we are so grateful to have you as clients!
For those of you that haven’t been following our blog very long, here’s a summary of their journey:

• Kelly & Tom’s save the date cards
• Snowy Organic Signature Journal
• Kelly & Tom’s Buffalo NY wedding album

Here’s a close-up shot of Heather’s menus at her reception held in Del Frisco’s wine cellar, the menu designed by Neil.  However the story start a year infront of their wedding…

…with their Chirstmas card and save the date combo.  Here is me holding their limited edition Christmas card, custom designed by me:

Heather and Drew were overjoyed with the complements they received from family, friends and even the rescue organization that they got their dogs from that they had me do their save the date cards as well.

From the save the date postcard which used photographic imagery, Heather decided to take the rest of the suite minimalist to match her wedding decor and theme.

Save the date on the right, menu card on the left.  The paper stock is a pearlescent metallic finish that even though chocolate brown, give a shine to the color.

And here’s what it looks like in the placesetting!

Heather wanted a monogram to tie the pieces together, and with 10 years of design experience I didn’t find that hard to accomplish with style.

The name tags and menu blended in wonderfully with the rich chocolate color scheme.

The Invitations

The invitation design used a fashionable panorama fold on the left of the 5×7″ card.

Inside, flowing blocks of text communicate the details to the guests.

Here the response card design is shown front and back (back side blurry) as it was printed in creme white and slipped into the invitation’s fold.

Response card text.

So if you would like one less vendor to work with, if you would like to have the design elements continue from your save-the-date card through to your album.

Just have us do it – contact us above and we’ll get to work on your engagement shoot and talk styling!

I love all things Asian, and so love a chance to photograph that mysterious beauty and exotic flair!

Choose your portrait session and purchase some beautiful art portraits for your loved ones.

Answers will be graded!

Seriously though, leave your approach – or comment if you’ve got a jucy story about ‘attracting’ just the right guy; or falling for a crazy girl.

Lauren & Tyler has a wonderfully mild January night for their intimate wedding evening in uptown Charlotte.  Congratulations and thanks so much for having me (I’ll let the pictures do the talking).

Wedding Team members:

• Kymm Stylist – Who’s the Fairest
• Wedding ceremony Saint Mary’s Chapel – Uptown Charlotte
• Wedding Reception VanLandingham Estate

What do I need a sensual journal for?

Handmade 6×8″ Sensual Journal – buy now

To make a mark, to express your love!

As we point out in our ‘Sense of Touch’ gallery (password=touchable) we work to capture this touchable sense in our pictures and wish for you to enrich your lives with our art.  To that end we introduce the erotic journal product for you to fill with the photos from your session and your own writings, markings and musings.  We hope this product enriches your lives and continues the dialog that a boudoir photo session can create between loving partners.  We hope this journal stimulates your bonding experience and heightens the interaction of your relationship.

More detailed photos:

Handmade 6×8″ Sensual Journal

Portrait Session with Neil – good for any concept, pinup poster or sensual portraits $300

Boudoir Portrait Album Package gets you a custom printed private book $600

Lux Boudoir Photo shoot: hair and makeup included, book and iPod slideshow $900

Military Theme Glamour Photos

Military Pinup photographer

Fayetteville North Carolina Fort Bragg Special Forces Airborne wives

Contact us to create your very own pinup to please your soldier!
Send us your ideas about his branch, specialty or assignment and we’ll try to include it in your photos!!

cforms contact form by delicious:days

A little photo walk in Sparks Maryland before going back to work with Amy – doing some design and consulting.

Stacey blushes and ducks as I shoot a few headshot portraits for her in her new studio space at the Hope Artiste Village in Providence RI.

AAAAAHHHHH! I’m being photographed!

Stacey’s a high energy grinner.

Now that you know what she looks like, hire Stacey to do your actor and professional headshots at www.StaceyDoylePhotography.com

Hire Neil for local candid portraits of your children and family – Candid portraits on sale for $100

Artistic head shots on location. Give the eye contact that will get you the audition!

Professional retouched headshot package with 100 full color business cards.

Innocent and normal enough

But it set off a smile

And turned into a kiss

a grin, following a cuddle

and a snuggle

and a pose for the camera

but who can keep from kissing this poor girl!

and falling for her blue eyes

Big sister gets in on the photo taking action (mini camera with flash-toy in her hand)

And then we take a couple ‘real’ pictures – so Abel puts his model face on

So Cyrus contemplates grace – while My wife sleeps

Papa cherishes the blessing

A cameo appearance by the photographer!

And a grande finale!

Purchase a complete portrait session with Neil in our shopping cart for $300

Hire Neil for local candid portraits of your children and family – Candid portraits on sale for $100

I’m here in the Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond.
Have meetings with Clients for a Uganda wedding tomorrow.
Keeping my heart eyes open to all the possibilities the world has for me.

[svgallery name="kelly-tom"]

Here are a couple of my favorite spreads:

If you’ll give me a moment to talk about the elements of design we use in our albums – in this horizontal spread, I cropped the images in a tight panoramic 1:5 format to show the tight moments of the bride and groom placing the rings on each other’s fingers. The tight spacing and blurred edges allow for a quick ‘read’ of the eye across the page. That emphasis is heightened by the horizontal bars of color running through the background of the image at the grooms eye height and the bride’s ring height. The lines tie together the separate pictures with implied continuation of line that I ‘felt’ between the photos while laying them out. This extra amount of care and attention brings your album to life telling the visual stories of your wedding.

In this spread we use the design element of a light vignette to tie together and soften the overall page design, can you see the subtle darkening at the coreners?

And if you’re looking for a creative photographer, look at how we tie the action of the day into the album design! We’re wiling to see the whole day for what it is, without presuppositions about what wedding photography ‘should be’ – so we notice the littlest things that make your wedding yours! (did you notice the bee on the clover in the above spread? – I know it’s hard on the web, but we noticed it and shot it!)

Enjoy your album Kelly and Tom.

Gretchen was excited to host her wedding day in her childhood neighborhood in Rochester.  She has taken all her Sacraments at Blessed Sacrament as well as attending school there.  Gretchen’s excitement and energy beamed the whole day.  Thanks so much for having me there guys – enjoy your slideshows!

Gretchen and Dan’s helpers are listed here:

• Church of the Blessed Sacrament
• American Association of University Women – Perkins Mansion wedding reception
• Reception Catering by All Occasions Catering
• Flowers by the (always fun) Jimmy Catalano, Edgerton Floral Company
• Ronda  Wedding gown by Pronovias

The above slideshow is in flash, you may download the podcast show below; here are a couple favs if you can’t do either!

A mini me
Of blue eye proportions
Seeing reflections of myself not in a mirror
Changes me from the inside out
Looking at the little man I love

• Save the date for Heather and Dave
• Skaneateles NY engagement portraits : wedding guestbook signature journal
• Waxhaw Weddington family and couples portrait photographer NC
• Lake Norman cove engagement shoot Sherrill’s Ford North Carolina
• Fall leaves and the Genesee Country Museum
• Custom designed Engagement holiday card – Lake Norman NC Photographer
• Personalized guesbook photoshoot and design service
• Your photographer can teach you wheelies
• Manhattan Engagement photo session photographer
• Where art lives – by Neil Cowley
• Organic trail running engagement guestbook

My sweet goof pop Tia. Who’s eyes are unforgettable to me!

Even when they’re crossed!!

Heather had a lot of great help putting together her wedding:

• Samantha did Heather’s makeup – www.PotionBeauty.com
• Wedding Ceremony music by the Carolina Chamber Players
• Lake Norman waterfront wedding site at Jetton Park
• Wedding reception in the wine cellar room of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse Charlotte
• bridal bouquet and decorations by Huntersville Floral Design
• Desert from Cake Expressions by Lisa
• Wedding hairstyling by Bella Lago Salon & Spa, Mooresville, NC
• Wedding dress shopping and fitting by The Lily Rose, Cornelius, NC
• Wedding Planning and ceremony by Patrick and Dottie Maloy – Calm Blue Water

Leave your comments below!

Today’s small dream,
was ignited by a child
who didn’t want to be photographed
“no flash photography allowed”
she spouted over and over again
looking at me out of the corner of her eye
each time
hoping
running away to be chased
covering her face
for the excitement of being exposed
who knows how needy she was to be noticed
how much her heart needed to feel beautiful
but she brought beauty into my world
with a giant yellow leaf

Sneak peak for Christina and Nick who were married again today in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris!

Congratulations guys!

The best of man is like water,
Which benefits all things, and does not contend with them,
Which flows in places that others disdain,
Where it is in harmony with the Way.

So the sage:
Lives within nature,
Thinks within the deep,
Gives within impartiality,
Speaks within trust,
Governs within order,
Crafts within ability,
Acts within opportunity.

He does not contend, and none contend against him.

Tao Te Ching 8

Click to purchase your Professional Headshot Package with 100 Business Cards

Professional Model Comp Card Package

Glamour portraits – for you, or to impress!

Purchase your portrait session with Neil now:

• Studio session at Neil’s Studio in South Charlotte
• Location portrait session: Charlotte, Gastonia, Lake Norman, Rock Hill, Fort Mill etc!

Bring a Pillow, get a portrait:
Bring a pillow for my ultra boho portrait couch and you’ll get a web res digital portrait like the ones in the event gallery! drop by or stay awhile and mingle.

Starving artist print sale! Help Neil clean out his boxes of prints and frames, walk away with fine art 8×10″ print for $20 and framed works for $40

Movie showing at 9pm!
“BLOW UP” a 1966 British-Italian film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, that director’s first English language film. It tells the story of a photographer’s accidental and incidental involvement with a murder. One of my favorite art flicks!

Please RSVP by Facebook, or in the comments here:

• Pillow Party 1 Tuesday September 22nd
• Pillow Party 2 Sunday Sept 27th 5-9pm

This will just be a mellow mixer, unless you bring me a bottle of Tequila and get dancing started, feel free to come and stay or just drop by!

Pillow Pickup map if you need help finding a pillow for the party!

It’s ok to be a little silly in your portraits – show some expression and fun!

Pauline plans weddings in the Richmond VA and Brooklyn NY areas, as well as authors the blog Wedding Overdose.

Click to purchase your Professional Headshot Package with 100 Business Cards

I spent the day shooting for the E Agency models on the Black + White theme.

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Click to purchase your Professional Headshot Package with 100 Business Cards

How lovely, and how funny they were!

We had a fun time with their casually arranged moments

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Here’s the wedding details for all you planners out there:

• Flowers by Fioravanti Florist
• Ceremony location, reception location and catering, wedding cake design all by the Burgundy Basin Inn
• DJ entertainment by Go Sound Systems
• Wedding dress was the Chiffon Empire Dress BR1007 by David’s Bridal

Thanks guys for having me document your day!

Wanting to be Filled

Water overcomes the stone;
Without substance it requires no opening;
This is the benefit of taking no action.

Yet benefit without action,
And experience without abstraction,
Are practiced by very few.

Tao Te Ching 43