Beach & Boudoir! PG13

Boudoir photography is a sexy trend that's especially popular as a gift from a bride to her groom. They are great as an anniversary gift, or for a big birthday surprise he will never forget. You dont even need a man to give them to. They can be just for you to remind you of what a beautiful woman you are. This particular session was for her husband of I believe 19 years, how wonderful is that?

amazing shoes!
yes, I loved her shoes
this is probably one of the top 5 of the day 

normally a boudoir shoot doesn't include a beach session - but since she drove about 5 hours to get here for this, I thought I'd make it extra great. One of my most memorable moments from the shoot and possibly all summer was when we were up in the dunes taking advantage of some amazing light, we were in the middle of  my model getting sand all over when the Po Po rode by on their ATVs. YIKES! Her sister was very nervous, not so much about her nekid sister but because we were trespassing on the dunes...ha ha ha.... what a picture that could have been of us ducking behind the reeds.

This entire series turned out so beautifully - and that is not a farmers tan - it's the way the sun was coming down on her top half.
there is always that photo that makes me smile from any particular session - this is the one
I can't help but take a few nice portraits, even on sexy shoots,  I've gotten pretty good at head shots over the last year. I guess it's partly my eye, but I also give credit to my Canon lens & camera


I had a lot of fun with this session and I realized how in demand this type of photography is so I am holding an all day Boudoir marathon on September 19th & 20th. I've rented a beautiful hotel room in the cha cha Westin in Town Center and I'm making appointments throughout the day for any occasion. I have received a wonderful response and I believe there are only 2 appointments left to fill of the 8. Not bad. If you are interested in snagging an appointment on September 20th or to schedule one for another time give me a call or email me.

Landstown High School Senior

when Christina and I first headed out for her senior's portraits session we got started, the we were rained out, so we met up the following week and had amazing weather, a beautiful girl and beautiful setting - no doubt gave me beautiful images 








to see all her photos play her video

Justin & Jenilee

I am so happy I got to photograph this couple.  I always get these weddings with cool stories, their story is, they are both college students at Liberty and didn't have a lot of money to spend on a wedding. He didn't have a minister or even the place to get married, he only knew that he and Jenilee were going to come to Virginia Beach to get married - just the two of them & a photographer & a minister- no guests!  I tried to help him find a minister but my go to man Richie Merritt was out of town, probably on some church planting business :)  Not sure how they found this pastor but it worked out great because his ceremony was beautiful. I helped Justin pick a location - he knew he wanted beach - I thought we should try for the sunset (Chesapeake Bay instead of the oceanfront), I had recently finished Wayne and Heather's engagement pictures so with the help of those photos he decided on the Lesner Bridge area. We couldn't have had a more beautiful night - the sunset was impressive.  It was tough choosing some favorites for today's post because I love so many of them. Click here to see all 330 pics
 

I have to mention that with Zoe in Florida for this wedding, one of my very first assistants Megan Reger came to help me out.  I don't really need to have someone assist me at all my shoots, but I've gotten spoiled. I like the company and it's nice to have someone hold my second camera, not to mention while holding my second camera they are expected to be firing away. I believe God's blessed me with the gift of teaching - so even though I don't know everything there is to know about photography, I'm still able to help those wanting to learn and I love that!!!  Megan was the first person who ever came out with me to learn last year, and let me just say she has developed a great eye and her focus and composition are nearly perfect every frame, oh yeah,  she's 15!  She knows exactly what I'm looking for, is very familiar with my style, and she uses my equipment on shoots, so a lot of times you wouldn't be able to tell which ones she did as opposed to mine - I just happen to know this one is hers!

Bettina wed Dumisani

the groom 
the bouquet



the rings


photo by Rebecca Franklin
This was my favorite picture of the day.


Best friends
Probably the most crying I've ever seen at a wedding, it was a very moving and emotional time.
Dumisani is a Phi Beta Sigma brother,  this was Bettina during "The Sigma Creed"  (photo by Becca)
these two danced so well together, here they are dancing to R. Kellys Step to the one you Love, and I enjoyed watching them so much.





here's the slideshow