One trend that I can not get enough of is that of having all things vintage. When you mix vintage items with a theme and an authentic look, I think it is just dandy, which describes this shoot by Sabrena Deal of S Carter Studios.

This 40′s inspired engagement session was all planned out by Tim and Melanie, and they purchased their outfits from ebay, Goodwill and even Kohl’s so that they would be sporting just the right vintage look for their shoot. From Melanie’s stylized hair to Tim’s pocket watch, this shoot is a perfect step back in time. Enjoy!

How inspiring! The amount of time and planning that Tim and Melanie put in is evident, and it made for some beautiful, unique engagement photos. If you would like to see more of their throwback session, just click here to go to the blog of S Carter Studios.

I am on “blogiday” this week spending time with family and friends. I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and that you get a chance to relax and take a little bit of a break, too. I will see you with everything fresh and new in January!

Well, I guess it is about time that I add an “Everyday Love” category to the site. After all, we have everything before the wedding, but life together does not end there! I truly love this posting. It is an article from the heart by Kristen Breedlove, who is the wife of Christopher Breedlove of Christopher Breedlove Photography, and it features Christopher’s photography. Yet, it also features the photography of another one of our talented photographers, Adam Barnes of Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography.

Brides, I would take Kristen’s words to heart. I have heard her story in person, and she and Christopher are very passionate about their business … you will read why below. Enjoy this heartfelt posting capped off by a photo session of a lovely couple.

“The Great Wedding Tragedy”

It happens all the time, and it truly is a tragedy!  The wedding and honeymooning are over, the presents are unwrapped and placed away in their fully functional spaces within the comforts of your newly established lives, and yet you are still waiting for something … the walls are still empty, where are those wedding pictures?  The tragedy for many married couples is that they are encouraged or pressured to have that “friend of the family” or that “family member” take the wedding photos to save money.

For Chris and I, husband and wife team for Christopher Breedlove Photography, that is exactly what had happened to us on our wedding day.  A few weeks before the wedding, we were so stressed out, and the money was lying very thin … so thin that we entrusted a “friend of the family” to take our wedding photos. To this very day we only have 10 photos of the most important day of our lives.

Same thing happened to married couple Steve and Emily Brisson (two dear friends of ours).  They were left with very dark photos that seem to only tell the dark story of how they should have hired a professional photographer.

But there is hope for all the married couples out there, which have experienced this great wedding tragedy.  Go get anniversary photos done…

Near their anniversary, Steve contacted Chris back in August and explained their story.  Chris didn’t waste any time.  The Brisson’s were booked shortly thereafter, and portraits were taken on a cool evening around downtown Lynchburg and around Percival’s Island.

Today Christopher Breedlove Photography would like to encourage all those married couples with tragic wedding photos … a HOPE in that the wedding is never over; it is an everlasting promise, a declaration to the All Mighty and the world that love will last forever and pictures can too.

For you brides-to-be do your research, and invest in a professional photographer that meets your personality and needs because if you don’t, you will never be able to capture that day again.

To all the married couples and soon to be … what are you waiting for?  Contact a Hill City Bride vendor photographer today, and invest and enlighten the flame with professional photographs.

Chris proposed in April 2008 and to my delighted surprise brought Adam Barnes to capture that moment.  We are both so thankful for our friendship in Adam and for his willingness to capture the proposal – the photos you have seen so far have been a sneak peak at the day.  We cherish these beautiful images from Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography more than anything.

And without further ado, enjoy these Antiquated Film Expressions by Christopher Breedlove Photography featuring Steve and Emily.

Thank you so much, Kristen, for your sage advice and your words of wisdom from experience. I personally love seeing your engagement photos … they are so sweet and sentimental! Just to clarify, Christopher and Kristen’s engagement photos (aren’t they the most adorable couple?!?!) are by Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography and Steve and Emily’s images were captured by Christopher Breedlove Photography.

Wow, time really is taking flight! Not only is it the Christmas season, but our HCB vendors (and Mary and Quinton) are also getting ready for our I Dream of a Wedding day, which is only two months away. How exciting!!

I am really thrilled to share Mary and Quinton’s engagement photos set in the backdrop of the glorious colors of fall. Crystal of Crystal George Studios did a wonderful job capturing their personalities and their love … aren’t they adorable?

Ok, that’s enough gushing from me. Enjoy these lovely photos.

So sweet! Thank you so much, Crystal, for donating your time and services for our I Dream of a Wedding Giveaway … I appreciate all of the vendors and their generosity more than they will ever know. Mary and Quinton, we are so looking forward to your wedding day! Also, don’t forget to vote in our 12 Days of Christmas Contest by clicking HERE … Crystal’s work is being featured there, too.

For the first 12 days of December, I am reposting my personal favorite photography postings. There are just so many that deserve attention once again … and these postings are not only getting attention, but they are getting a prize. That’s right! On December 13th, voting will begin to determine the best posting of 2011.

The photographer who submitted the winning posting will receive a $50 gift certificate to Gerald’s in Wyndhurst (what a great way to take a break and have a nice meal out during the holidays!). The couple featured in the winning posting will receive a $50 gift certificate to Charley’s in Lynchburg and also a $25 gift card to Starbucks … what a great date night!

So, whether you vote for the couple that speaks most to you and has that special spark, you root for the couple that has the most creativity or you even choose your favorite based on whose photography most aligns with your personal style, take a moment each day to look at the postings so that you can help us determine Hill City Bride’s winning couple and photographer.

I really enjoyed Christopher’s use of the classic backdrops of Lynchburg with this couple, and they are just plain cute! Without further due, here is today’s favorite:

Let me just say that I am THRILLED to have Christopher Breedlove from Christopher Breedlove Photography on board as a photography vendor. He and his wife are amazingly sweet, and I am glad that I can present Christopher’s work to you. I love so much about this session … the classic Lynchburg feel, her eyecatching dress, and the adorableness of the couple all shine through in these photographs.

Best of all, I am going to let Christopher tell you about this couple in his own words …

Mike and Lucy stargazed into one another’s eyes, laughing, kissing and embracing each other during their session. Lucy was a freshman at Liberty University embarking on her college career as a Government major when Business major, Mike, noticed her in some of his classes.  From the very beginning Mike knew he needed to befriend her.  Lucy and Mike became college friends and as time went by, their relationship grew into something neither one of them expected.  All of sudden late night talks lasted up to curfew and spontaneous little coffee breaks became more like dates followed by those classic “study sessions” in the computer lab … all leading them to that magical feeling, l-o-v-e.  It was not until their junior year of college in 2009 when Mike popped the question one fine Fall day in Washington DC, which is one of  Lucy’s favorite places to visit.

Thank you, Christopher, for these wonderful images and for telling us Mike and Lucy’s story. Since their session, they have gotten married at West Manor, which is another one of our vendors (and an amazingly beautiful place to get married). I wish this sweet couple the best in their life together.

For the first 12 days of December, I am reposting my personal favorite photography postings. There are just so many that deserve attention once again … and these postings are not only getting attention, but they are getting a prize. That’s right! On December 13th, voting will begin to determine the best posting of 2011.

The photographer who submitted the winning posting will receive a $50 gift certificate to Gerald’s in Wyndhurst (what a great way to take a break and have a nice meal out during the holidays!). The couple featured in the winning posting will receive a $50 gift certificate to Charley’s in Lynchburg and also a $25 gift card to Starbucks … what a great date night!

So, whether you vote for the couple that speaks most to you and has that special spark, you root for the couple that has the most creativity or you even choose your favorite based on whose photography most aligns with your personal style, take a moment each day to look at the postings so that you can help us determine Hill City Bride’s winning couple and photographer.

I chose this engagement session as a standout because it is full of fun, creativity and color … who wouldn’t want to be this couple on a fun date day?? Without further due, here is today’s favorite:

What do you get when you combine the fun of summer spontaneity along with a pop up carnival, a record shop and balloons? Well, you get one amazingly fun (and unique!) photo shoot to commemorate your engagement. Leave it to Jeremiah of Stone Blue Productions to capture an E-session in such a fun and memorable way … I adore this! The locations are all in and around Lynchburg including Speakertree Records on 5th Street. So cute. Enjoy this fun session, and see if you can’t help but smile.

You never know what kind of shenanigans will ensure on a Stone Blue Productions photo session …

… but it all ended well.

Congrats to Ez and Jake … I have to admit that I am swooning over your engagement session. It’s so cute and fun. I also wish you the best! Brides, if you are looking for creative, cutting edge photography, be sure to check out the portfolio of Stone Blue Productions.