sarah deshaw

My new blog is live!

2012-03-05T10:20:00.002-08:00

Hey everyone! Happy Monday!

You can now visit my new blog, Sarah DeShaw Blog.

I will only be posting new updates there, so please update your bookmarks and RSS Feeds to be current!

Thanks, see you over at:

sarahdeshawblog.com

Getting away with you...

2012-01-28T18:04:00.000-08:00

This post is for Brent.

Brent, thank you for taking me to Saint Augustine over the weekend. I love getting away with you. Here are a few moments from this weekend I won't soon forget...

-In conversation with you I accidentally called your grandma "grandma" like I was talking about my own. And it made me feel like we are family.

-How warm your eyes were at me, the way you smiled your "aw shucks" smile, and the way you squeezed my hand when I told you the song playing in the car reminded me of what you are to me. I almost didn't tell you, but I am glad I did.

-I was trying to be funny when I whispered to you, "That's a great beard" about a nearby santa-ish bicycler and you, thinking I had just told you "I love you," looked at me sweetly and whispered back, "I love you too." I got to laughing so hard I could hardly tell you what I had said to you in the first place.

-The way the leaves smelled and the sun felt warm on my closed eyes. The air was the perfect temperature for breathing. You sat on the grass in the park and I laid perfectly comfortable with my head on your lap. I had been wanting to lay in the grass for weeks and without the bugs and with the perfect weather, this was the golden opportunity.

-We got the perfect seat in that little cafe to people watch. We sat next to each other and looked out. Before we left you decided I should people watch you, so you casually walked back and fourth outside of the cafe in front of the window while I was left giggling out loud in the cafe.

Happy Monday!

Xo,

Sarah DeShaw

Saint Simons Island Lighthouse Wedding Photographer: Jimmy and Krisy

2012-01-27T12:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday everyone!

I am sharing a wedding from 2011 today! This wedding was at the Saint Simons Lighthouse, which is oceanfront and very charming. We had a super fun day after session with this couple as well! Here are a selection of my favs:

The view from the ceremony. So, so pretty!

I love these two candid moments from the ceremony:

And now for some day after session favorites! Jimmy and Krisy had an incredible location picked out, including a rope swing where they had a fun date! So dreamy!

We played around with some in-motion photos!

And now for my top secret location... I just love a couple who is willing to be daring!

I'm off to get out of town with my sweet hubby! Time for some fun and relaxation!

Have a great weekend, see ya next week!

Xo,

Sarah DeShaw

Personal Photos: Photographed by Mike Larson

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Getting on the other side of the lens was a very, very healthy thing for me to do as a photographer. And I am not talking about having Brent photograph me, that is different. I am talking about creating a parallel for myself as to what my clients are experiencing when they are photographed by me...being photographed by someone that I may have only met once or twice. It is a good reminder to experience how uneasy I feel going into a photo shoot, even though I want the resulting images. It is also fun to know personally what makes me feel at ease and allows me to trust a photographer from a client's standpoint. We were honored to be photographed by Mike Larson, an amazing photographer from California during his workshop in Jacksonville. Mike did a great job setting the tone for the shoot and allowing us to lower our guards. His blog is worth following, check it out! Also, a big thank you is in order to our friends Scarlett and Stephen who blessed us by setting up this opportunity, also good photogs to follow!

Having this experience reminded me what is important while I am photographing others. Past the fashion and the trends my goal is to pick up on who someone is on the inside and give it back to them in an external form they can keep forever. A visual record of the heart.

Mike allowed me to open up and feel like myself and captured who I feel like on the inside, which I am grateful for and will cherish forever. Thank you, Mike!

Below is a selection of my favorites:

I don't know quite why, but I am always standing like this (below). I didn't realize he was photographing our feet, but it is fun to have one of my quirks in a photo:)

Y'all know how I feel about scrunchie-nosed smiles...and now I have one of my very own!

Lots of love to you on this Tuesday!

Xo,

Sarah

That time of year...

2012-01-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again. Time for new beginnings, freshness genies (I know I have at least 3 people who will laugh at that. :) You know who you are!), goal setting and a fresh outlook for the new year. These past several months Brent and I have been so inspired to think big. We have put our heads together through December and the first part of January and have come up with pages and pages of personal and professional goals. (Okay, so I write big.... )

But, the important part is that we are searching out our hearts, admitting heart desires out loud, and getting things down on paper.

If you haven’t ever done goal setting for the year I hope you’ll try it this year. Search out your heart, write down your desires, and stare those goals in the eyes until you OWN them.

Next year when you pull out your list it will be a good way to track progress, remember where you came from, and remember where you want to go. Plus, it's ever-so-satisfying to put a line through last years goals.

Honestly, the hardest part is getting them on paper.

So, are you going to do this or what?

Are you?

Come on, folks! Make 2012 your lady-friend!

Above is a photo of Brent and I while pursuing one of my goals for 2011 in the Cayman Islands.

That was a fun one to put a line through. :)

Thanks for stopping by the blog!

Xo,

Sarah

What we've been up to lately...

2012-01-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

Time for a little update of our holiday adventures via Instagram photos! (all photos taken on my iPhone.)

-We have been juicing up a storm lately! Mmm!

-I have still been house warming like crazy, of course!

-We have been out traveling a lot for business and for holiday time with family. We went to Iowa for Christmas, then I continued on to Chicago to get some extended time with my sister and her family. We are now back at our home base and gearing up for 2012.

Jekyll Island, Georgia Engagement Photographer

2011-12-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a great weekend!

Today I wanted to share a recent engagement session.

I met Kerry and Mike at the Jekyll Island Historic Distric for their engagement session. We met at eleven and worked through high noon, which was a fun lighting challenge.

Mike and Kerry were so sweet giggling and flirting through the whole session. Perfection. I have told you before that I am a big fan of scrunchie-nosed smiles and Kerry has an adorable one!

During an engagement session I try to make it a point to get individual shots, so each person can have a little something for their work desk....wait, what? I need to get a photo of Brent for my desk! :) (how does that saying go...the shoemakers children have no shoes?)

Aren't they a beautiful couple?
While I was getting to know Kerry through email she sent me the sweetest photo of Mike giving Kerry a piggy back ride. I decided it would be a fun moment to recreate!

Thanks Mike and Kerry for trying all of my ideas and trusting me to pick out the locations that had the best light. I am so looking forward to your wedding!

My Tangerine Seedling Fanclub

2011-11-28T10:41:00.000-08:00

About 10 days ago I was eating a tangerine when I bit into a seed. On a whim I took that seed and planted it in some moist soil.

After my lunch break today I checked on my little seedling only to be delighted that it was beginning to sprout! Thats when I got all Justin Bieber fanclub on that little sprout complete with happy dancing and screeching a drawn out fifth letter of the alphabet.

If it's true that plants can feel the love and grow accordingly this one will grow up a solid tree.

My 3 Favorite Free Online Business Sources Lately

2011-11-22T05:28:00.000-08:00

For my business inspiration here are where my top 3 most appreciated free online sources are lately (in no particular order):

1) Natalie Bradley at Bride Attraction. She is honest and straight forward and gives me the kick in the pants I need. I love her no BS approach. Definitely sign up for her emails and sign up to be a part of her conference calls (both free!) This is for all wedding vendors, not just photographers.

2) Lawrence Chan at Tofurious. He is personable and inventive and offers a fresh perspective on Creative Marketing Strategies for photographers.

3) Tim Ferriss on his four hour work week blog. I love how Tim thinks outside of the box for how he wants to live life and how he pursues it (and teaches many others how to). Bye-bye 9-5 hello lifestyle design! And definitely read Tim's book if you have the opportunity.

These are people I would love hang out with whether we were talking business or just chatting about life, which is what makes all of their blogs and/or newsletters even that more fun to read!

Where are your favorite free online sources? Do share!

With love,

Sarah

P.S.

I am now an official granola. Got my first pair of Birkenstocks this week! :)

House Warming

2011-11-21T05:02:00.000-08:00

Some people call it "nesting," but I like to call it "house warming." We even leave a category in our budget labled "house warming." I just like the way it sounds. Nice and cozy, like a home should feel. I think there is something to be said about loving the way your surroundings are set up, especially as an artist. It is amazing to me that I can just throw a little paint up or move some things around and it allows my creativity to flow more rapidly.

One of my treats to myself during my birthday week was to go get some decorating books on a style Brent and I are both excited about. Cabin-chic if you will. (Yes, I just sounded like one of those fancydecoratorpeople.) We both like using natural elements and clean lines, but most of all functional and cozy. Also, I have been so excited to paint over our yellow walls, so I picked up a terra cotta color which is supposed to be the third one down on the swatch once it is nice and even. (Just a side note we already painted over our bright red stop-sign-looking kitchen, ketchupandmustard anyone? Not sure what the last renters were thinking.)

:)
Happy Monday everyone!

Xo,

Sarah

Engage 11 Cayman: Day 2 and 3

2011-11-18T06:29:00.000-08:00

The Engage Conference was such a unique experience.

I would love to be able to sit here and say it was always fun and easy. I would also like to be saying to you that the superstars in the industry who are working with clients that trust them with hundreds of thousands of dollars per event and I were nodding and raising our glasses to each other. I met incredible people. Some of them were industrywide superstars, some were on their way. I was humbled sitting in a room of so much talent and hope (and style!). I was pleasantly surprised at the kindness of the speakers and attendees and in some cases I was surprised of the opposite. It brought me back to that high school "wheredoifitin?" feeling. Both kinds of people reminded me of something priceless: kindness wins!

If I can be absolutely honest the conference made me want to excel and be the best and it made me want to quit at the same time. I had to step back and ask myself if I am cut out for this. I refocused and decided I am. The conference was such a kick in the pants. Don't get me wrong, I love getting kicked in the pants for the sake of growing as a person and as an entrepreneur. (Of course, not at that specific moment, but afterwards I find it is a good way to grow. I'm not even kidding.) Being stretched, having a change of perspective, and having this new experience was worth it. Going into the conference everyone said to me, "it will change your life!" It did, but not in the fluffy and pretty way I was anticipating. It caused me to do some soul-searching and ask myself "why" in relation to my dreams, which I think is a healthy thing to do.

To some up the whole experience it was like a good movie: I laughed, I cried, and in the end it was heart warming and inspiring. I would do it again and will in the future. What is the point of going to an event if it's not going to change you?

Here are a couple videos from the conference to give you a better idea of this beautiful and creative event. (I even made it in the 2nd video)

engage! 11 Grand Cayman // Part One from Elysium Productions on Vimeo.

engage!11 Grand Cayman // Day 2 & 3 recap film from Elysium Productions on Vimeo.

And here are some photos from the event: (keep in mind I was pro camera-less, so photos are borrowed or from a point and shoot camera)

Me and the hubs:

Below we are with Nicole Riley of Studio Wed, and Barbara Corcoran who you may have seen on ABC's Shark Tank.

Below I am with one of the sweetest and funniest couples

, Sylvia and Ben Weinstock, who are famous for their amazing wedding cakes.
Below I am pictured with Randy Fenoli, who is best known for his show, "Say Yes to the Dress."
Me and my honey:
Some more industry friends: Gabi Lavor of Planner 1 Events, Tamara Gollob of I do Linens, and Anne Kilcullen of Blade Floral and Event Designs, LLC.
Here we are below with Ann Jager of Ann Elizabeth Custom Graphic Design and Printing and her hilarious hubby, William.
Below we are with Nicole Riley of Studio Wed and her hubby Ian.
And last, but not least here I am with my friend Leona Morelock, of Lasting Impressions.
Have a great weekend!

Engage 11 Cayman: Day 1

2011-11-14T21:33:00.000-08:00

So far I love the Engage conference. What a brilliant idea! (I am pictured below with one of the founders, such a sweet lady, Rebecca Grinnals.) It is so wonderful to get to go to a fabulous styled out event and get to be a guest. I am so used to having my face behind a camera during beautiful events, so it is definitely a treat to get to experience Engage sans camera. I am having a blast sticking my toes in the sand and talking to individuals who are just as crazy about weddings as I am.

Today we started with registration and amazing swag bags (by the talented Gifts for the Good Life-- I got to enjoy lunch today with Heather who crafted these gift bags ahead of time. These bags have anything I could ever need from snacks to nail polish to gifts to emergency supplies!) We then continued on to being inspired by motivational speaker Simon T Bailey, photographer and blogger Donna Von Bruening, Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings, and finished with the star of Say Yes to the Dress, Randy Fenoli.

I decided to carry around my non pro camera in order to let myself focus on the conference, but I was glad to have it to snap this shot of Rebecca and I.

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Engage 11 Cayman: Birthday Week

2011-11-13T04:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we ended my birthday week with a birthday road trip to the Miami International Airport. (If you're not in on the birthday week thing just place the word "birthday" in front of everything you do to make it more festive the whole week before your birthday! Plus, do a few special things for yourself that you wouldn't normally to do celebrate yourself, because you are worth celebrating!) Thank you everyone for the calls, texts, cards, gifts, and facebook "happy birthday" messages. It definitely had me feeling special and loved and was the perfect ending to my birthday week.

Brent and I drove down to Miami so we could fly out to the Grand Cayman for the Engage 11 Luxury Wedding Business Summit that is happening starting tomorrow. This is a conference I have been itching to get to the past couple of years, so it is so fun to get the opportunity and blessing from my sweet spouse to be here. But today we relax and enjoy each other. I am so excited to go explore with Brent starting with heading out for breakfast on the beach! Blue water here I come! Given the opportunity I will blog daily while I am here.

Love from the Caymans!

Jekyll Island Wedding Photographer: Crane Cottage

2011-11-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!! Sorry it has been so long since my last post! We have been traveling for some fun and exciting weddings, visiting family, plotting entrepreneurial ideas, and we've moved! So, we have had a lot of excitement lately and it has certainly kept us busy, but things are wonderful. I will be posting more often, so be sure to check back more regularly!

Below is Benny and Hal's wedding that we photographed at Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Jekyll is beautiful and I especially love Crane Cottage and the Crane Cottage Garden, where this event was held.

Benny's beautiful dress:

I love this candid photo of the flower girl. She was giggling because the bride was getting changed into her wedding dress in the room we were all in. So cute :)

Beautiful Benny and her elegant earrings:

I love, love when there is window light in the room where the ladies are getting ready. It makes the detail and candid photos so pretty!

Here is Hal seeing Benny walk down the aisle. Doesn't he have an adorable dimple? (Hal says it's his good side!)

I always love the moment of a father giving his daughter away.

If only we could all be as pretty as Benny when she cries...

It's official!

Benny loves Hal.

Hal loves Benny!And their families love them. The moment on the left below was after the ceremony of Hal and his sister. On the right below is the father-daughter dance. Benny's father was spinning her around on the dance floor. So much love!

FAQ: Creamy, Warm Portraits

2011-09-12T05:58:00.000-07:00

Good morning and happy Monday! We had a great time in Chicago photographing a beautiful wedding and getting to spend time with my sister's family.

I wanted to go over this past set of photos below and let you know how I did it!

First of all I will share my camera settings: 85mm, ISO 320, f 5.0 1/125 sec

When going for a creamy, warm, soft images like the ones below I put my clients back to the sun, but I have found it is better for me to not shoot directly into the sun. If there is something (like a tree, or the back of my clients head) covering partial or all of the sun it helps me be able to focus better and not blow out the image. I usually focus while the sun is blocked then slowly move my camera over to the left or right just a very, very small amount to let a little bit of sun peek through. Generally I set my lens on AF, but sometimes with this technique the sun is just too bright to lock in on where I am attempting to focus, so I oftentimes will resort to manual focusing these types of images. No matter how I choose to focus I choose a focus point in camera. I meter for the clients face, but adjust according to what I am seeing on my camera screen. Also, I do this around sunset time for the warmest of hues. Please save your eyes the trouble and try not to look into the sun too long:)

Generally for editing I warm up the white balance to enhance the "orangy" look and I add contrast to my taste, easy-peasy!

This is just my way, but I hope this is helpful in developing your preferred method! Enjoy!

Wisdom From the Cleaning Lady and Family Photo 2011

2011-09-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

I met a very wise woman while I was working at a less than favorable job in Iowa. Don't get me wrong... The job certainly served its purpose and was a blessing, especially at the time, but I am so happy to be doing a job now that fills my creative passions. I can't imagine going back.

Anyways, the highlight of my week would be seeing the cleaning lady.

We would chat happily as she popped her head in and out of various rooms while I worked on the computer. She toted around garbage bags and cleaning buckets. When I imagine her in my mind it is with one hand on her hip and a cleaning rag in the other. She would be sporting her husband's flannel shirt with her bangs and ponytail slightly askew. She was one of the most beautiful women I have ever met. She was so beautiful, in fact, that she made me want wrinkles when I'd become her age. We would speak over top of the sounds of running water, spray bottles, and the humming of the vacuum. Sometimes, if the conversation got very interesting, I would even follow her into different rooms while she was cleaning. She was a hard worker, so we didn't really make a whole lot of eye contact. Fortunately, she was very expressive with her voice and body language, so even if I was looking at the back of her head and she was looking at the back of a toilet I knew exactly what facial expression she was making.

To this day I won't forget where I was standing as we got into a conversation about how the family you are born into is divinely planned. It was getting really good so we were standing face to face and eye to eye for a moment.

She explained to me her belief that God gives you the family members who you need in order to best refine yourself.

What a drop of wisdom. Think about it.

With all of that talk about family I would like to introduce you to some lovely individuals. These are the beautiful and wildly entertaining people I get to do life with!

Thanks to my good friend Erin Kirchhoff at The Locket for taking family photos for us!

Dreams and things...

2011-08-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I am hard on myself. Being so young in this industry and aiming my sights as high as fellow photographers who have crows feet, high talent and great connections I sometimes let intimidation slip his ugly toes in.

But, last weekend I resisted. I let everything clear from my mind and I had a little epiphany. I have reached so many of my goals that I felt even a couple years ago were so unattainable. God has really been teaching me so much about how limitless life should be and along the way he has been allowing so many great things to happen.

As Brent and I were leaning against a wall watching a wedding rehearsal unfold (just to get the feel for how the wedding day would flow, we weren't photographing) I had this beautiful thought tingle its way up my neck to my mind. It made my heart warm and I smiled ear to ear. I turned to Brent and whispered:

"I am living out my dreams!"

His eyes got wild with excitement and loudly whispered back, "That's AWESOME, dear!"

I never want to forget that moment, so here it shall lie in cyberspace.

And, since no photographer's blog post is complete without a photo, here is a photo from last weekend. Sweet Bebe embodies all things adorable.

Press: Sarah DeShaw Featured on The Entreprenette Gazette

2011-07-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Happy Wenesday!

Today I wanted to share with you some recent press: today I was featured as an expert on The Entreprenette Gazette!

Oddly enough the writer's name is Sarah Shaw, really close to mine! I did a double take the first time I visited her website.

Her blog is a great source to learn a lot about various aspects of having your own business, definitely give it a read!

Today's topic is on outsourcing, which is huge for entrepreneurs!

See my feature and advice below:

I choose Pictage for my print fulfillment and Fotofafa for my editing source. I have been extremely happy with both companies!

Robert and Bebe: Saint Simons Island Engagement Photographer

2011-07-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great week!

Today I want to share with you a beautiful couple: Rob and Bebe!

We started out the session in an unfinished loft apartment! I am crazy about the windows!

Then on our way to our next location Rob spotted a background he loved, so we spent a little bit of time shooting there. Good call Rob! These are some of my favs!

Bebe is so beautiful! I'm sure you will all agree!

Rob and Bebe have such a sweet, fresh love that is super inspiring. I just love the way they look at each other and giggle back and fourth.

Love, love the light here.

Rob and Bebe-- you two are amazing! We loved photographing your sweet, pure love and we had a blast grabbing some dinner with ya'll! We are beyond excited for your St. Regis Atlanta wedding!!!

Our Fourth of July Weekend in Review via iPhone Photos

2011-07-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

What an amazing weekend!

Brent and I went away to Savannah for a little get-away. I thought it would be fun to post the weekend in review via iphone photos! Captions below.

1- A couple days before we left I got my first iPhone! I have been looking forward to being connected via Instagram because I am a photo nut. Love it already! Let me know if there are any awesome aps I have to have!

2- My handsome driver on our way to Savannah.

3- Right before we left I noticed how much my mint has sprung up. Yum!

4- Brent let his hair down and went for unbuttoning that extra button, which we had a good laugh about. He is normally a button-it-to-the-top kind of guy.

5- I got to check one off my bucket list by eating honey straight from t

he comb. Waxy, but yum!

6- This window was in Urban Outfitters. We took a photo for inspiration for our someday house.

7- Pina Colada Italian Ice! Perfect for the Georgia heat!

8- Our hotel window view to the left.

9- Our hotel window view to the right.

10- Ready to go exploring!

11- Yummy Goose Feathers Cafe. We had the gazpacho. Mmm!

12- We went to Tybee Island on the way home and played putt putt and did the batting cages, which was hilarious. Brent schooled me at both.

13- Date night candles! When we got home on Sunday the weekend didn't stop! We got sushi and ate it on a blanket on our floor with candles and a movie. Probably one

of my favorite date nights so far!

14- A pretty and unique sunset. I love that they are never the same!

15- 4th of July pinwheel at a friends home

16- Fireworks over the water. I loved seeing the reflection. So pretty!

And below is my favorite photo I took with my real camera of the fireworks in Brunswick. The moon was so pretty!

Happy Fourth of July 2011!

2011-07-04T20:27:00.000-07:00

Freedom is a beautiful thing and I am absolutely thankful for it!

Thanks so much to Chris and Sadie for coming all the way to Saint Simons and doing this shoot!

And a shout out also goes to Martin's Vintage Rides for bringing the 40's Cadillac to the shoot! Martin is so sweet and was a pleasure to work with.

Enjoy!!

It was raining, but Chris and Sadie were troopers and we did the shoot anyways!

12 Course Meal: Food Bros

2011-06-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

Yum, yum, yum!!!

We were invited to a 12 course meal get together with some friends who are (amazingly talented) chefs in Florida. The food was beautiful and extremely good, and the company was great.

I decided to bring along my camera so they could have some pictures of their artwork!

It was so fun being in the kitchen and hearing them speak about things like, "Does this need more color?" Which is a question I often ask myself when I take photos. It was fun to see what places our artwork collided.

I wanted to post a few of my favorite photos. Check out the Food Bros blog to keep up with them!

On the left we have: little neck clam and black bass ceviche, peach, roasted poblano

On the right: slow cooked oxtail, white cheddar arepas, bing cherry BBQ, rosemary smoke

Below: steamed swordfish, crispy chicken skin, wilted sorrel, hot pepper vinaigrette
And below: london broil, brussel sprout, brown butter potato silk
Have a great Friday!

Published: Wedding Chicks, Blu Witt Berry Farm

2011-06-07T04:58:00.000-07:00

One of the best and most satisfying things for me creatively is to have a tiny little thought turn into reality.

About one year ago I etched in my mind that I just haaad to do a photo shoot at Blu Witt Berry Farm in Brunswick. As this year rolled around and I started craving blueberries I just knew I had to get on this photo shoot!

So the planning and running around began...

I want to just give a huge THANK YOU!!!!! to everyone who collaborated to put together their time and resources to make this small thought I had a big success. I could not have done it without all of you.

Venue: Blu Witt Berry Farm, Brunswick GA

Models: Katherine Bonds, Matt Morgan

Hair: Jimmy VanBoxel

Makeup: Katherine Taylor & Co.

Dress Design: Katherine Taylor & Co.

Table Decor and Jewelry: Violas Market

Photography/Design: Sarah DeShaw, Brent DeShaw

Also, a big than you to: Cyle Lewis who let me drag her kitchen table out to the farm :)

The photo shoot was featured on the Wedding Chicks Blog, which is so fun and such an honor! (check out the shoot at the link!)

I also wanted to share some behind the scenes footage from the photo shoot:

And, of course, I wanted to share some of my favorite photos. (photo on left by Brent)

I just loooved this dress by Katherine Taylor & Co. designed specifically for this photo shoot. It was made of burlap! I was a big fan of the unfinished edges, just letting the burlap be burlap. Contact her through her page to talk about a custom dress design!

And Jimmy VanBoxel did an ahh-mazing job on our model's hair. So whimsical and pretty! Having a bride push beyond the bounds of what is "normal" for wedding hair is a dream for me.
Oh how I would love to go back to the Blu Witt Berry Farm for a real wedding. It would be the perfect location.
And a change in hair by Jimmy. Perfection! (photo on left by Brent)Designing, styling, and executing a photo shoot is not for the faint of heart. But in the end it is so worth it! I will be doing more of these photo shoots in the (near!) future, so if you are a vendor who would like to contribute or collaborate please email me at: sarah@sarahdeshaw.com

My heart is so full of gratitude this morning. Thank you, thank you!!!

Emily and Chris: Faith Chapel Wedding, Village Creek Landing Reception

2011-06-02T06:08:00.000-07:00

Emily and Chris are amazing people. Brent and I are so, so happy to know them. Emily's personality shined right from the start, even through email. I just love getting her candid, fun messages including lots of exclamation points!!!!, smiley faces:), and words in all caps when she is really EXCITED! My kind of girl!!!

Amazing job on Emily's hair by Jimmy VanBoxel

And, of course, I can't resist a couple makeup photos!The day called for rain and storms, but the sun came out and her wedding and reception were free of rain! Emily and her mom followed an old tradition and buried a bottle of bourbon to keep the rain away the night before. They are so hilarious:)

Emily got her ahhh-mazing dress at: Bleu Belle Bridal

Emily looked so incredibly elegant!

We had some wind, so we decided to just roll with it :)

This one below is my favorite from the day. So pretty.

And Brent met up with Chris to capture him getting ready.Emily got Chris this pocket watch for his wedding gift. Very cool present.

And on to some portraits...Brent got this one below. He is always so good at catching details while I do the main shooting.

Jekyll Island Club always makes for a beautiful backdrop.

And on to the reception! The reception was held at Halyards Riverhouse. It was a beautiful location with lots of pretty natural light.

First dance

Emily sure knows how to start off a father/daughter dance in style! Get down girl! :)

So sweet.

We found this cool spot on the dock and grabbed a few portraits after sunset.

And sparklers to end a perfect evening!

Emily and Chris, it's an honor to know you and of course to have been your wedding photographer. We look forward to getting to know you better and see your marriage be so blessed!

Happy Thursday!!!

Rachael and Jay: Saint Simons Island Engagement Photographer

2011-05-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

Today I've got more of Rachael and Jay's photos, as promised!

Rachael and Jay were so fun to be around and to photograph. I've been sending out surveys to couples I don't get to meet in person before the engagement session in order to get to know the couple and to help me style out the photo shoot. I had a blast reading through Rachael and Jay's surveys and it gave me tons of ideas for their session. They are very adventurous and they love each other very much, so I definitely wanted to bring that out in the photos.

We started out at Epworth by the Sea for some flirty sunlight and very southern hanging moss.

I love this expression Brent caught on the left below.

Love, love the pretty light as the sun is going down. I would photograph around sunset (or sunrise) time every time if I could.

Brent was catching all kinds of cute smiles, here's another one below:

And next we headed down to the pier area for some bike riding! (Photo below by Brent)

Fun Fact: Jay picked Rachael up on a Ski Lift!

And then to the beach!

I think this photo below is my favorite from the whole session. So playful and cute!
And, of course, I can't resist some sandy toe photos :)

I hope everyone is having a great week!!!