Sing me a tune about your favorite football team.

A couple weeks ago I was given the opportunity to spend some time with two sweet people. Erica and David met me in downtown Raleigh on a questionably wet Saturday. If you are familiar with thunderstorms in North Carolina, you know they are absolutely no joke. Also, they decide to do what they want, when they want. The city seemed to be towing the line between dry and deluge with a little lightning in between. No matter, I welcome awful weather to shoot in.

We arrived at Chuck’s Burgers just in time for some droplets. It had been their first date spot a couple years ago. Who wouldn’t want to get to know someone over some tasty burgers? I apologize to my vegan and vegetarian friends. I ran into the street a couple times to capture some wide angles of them. Try and see if you can spot me in the reflection I didn’t feel the need to edit out.

We then decided to move down to the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts. We got a free wind machine as we walked between Raleigh’s ever growing skyline. The performing arts center holds a special place for Erica as well as myself. We both sing together in the North Carolina Master Chorale and most of our performances are held there. So of course much of this engagement session included singing, or my version of singing. It’s a beautiful building that gives a direct line of sight to the capital on the other end of Fayetteville St. David was really chill about it all and I appreciated that he just wanted to be there with her. But wait, there’s more! They are a genuinely sweet and silly couple and as much as the cute moments happened, so did the goofy ones. These are the shots I live for. Nothing posed, just emotions and elation.

The weather got progressively eerie with more lightning, wind, and the thought of a downpour. So, what was the next logical step? Outfit change and then off to shoot outdoors in an open field!

We decided to drive on over to the North Carolina Museum of Art. If you haven’t been, go! It really is the gem of the Triangle. The museum’s park is art itself. I believe it’s over 200 acres of green space, sculpture, and rolling hills. Of course, it had begun to pour once we parked. You could literally see the sun and large cumulus clouds in the distance while it rained upon us. What a metaphor for life! Regardless, I knew it was a special time to shoot and as soon as the rain diminished to a light drizzle I got them out of their car. Now if you look closely, it IS raining in these pictures but I decided to go for a warmer approach to the set. Of course the rain came back as we walked to our final spot but we were able to capture THE BEST photo ever. A little rain, love and lavender. I gave David my reflector to hold over Erica’s head as we walked back to the car so her hair wouldn’t get too wet. It was a adorable moment that I feel sums up their quirky and lovely relationship. Please enjoy these images. I had such a joy making them.

And if YOU need images that last, well, you’re at my website! Send me a note!

The gentleman painting the mural was very confused as to why I wanted this picture.

Personal fave.

Notebook vibes y’all, except without the dementia and sadness.

Excuse the wet lens.

Why your wedding needs the Warren Estate for its venue.

     Just over an hour's drive northeast of Raleigh sits the sleepy, quaint, farming community of Warrenton. You can see cloud tops rolling over the landscapes for miles. Lush green crops of corn, tobacco, and cotton line the country road of route 1. It's a warm and quiet summer day and you feel miles away from the bustle of the Triangle. Up ahead you see a sign for the "Warren Estate." You turn left onto a rustic farm road and are immediately welcomed by rows of sweet corn that lead you by a beautiful, turn of the century, farm house. This is just the beginning of what the Warren Estate has to offer you. What lies ahead is a decommissioned, 105 acre, tobacco farm that has slowly been meticulously updated and converted by Hniang and Kevin. This lovely couple has spent the past year making sure that this parcel of history and beauty is ready for the bride and groom that want the comforts of the city and appeal of the country.  They have invested months of work into sustainable farming. A beautiful, fully functioning barn is the backdrop of your nuptials. Freshly cut paths wide enough for cars meander through 60 more acres of woods. Inside this maze of beauty you'll find a wildflower field, old tobacco processing houses, rustic cars, and 200 year old trees providing a canopy from the hot North Carolina sun. All paths though, lead back to the gorgeous manicured lawns of the main estate. A tent can accommodate over 200 guests and parking is ample. Enjoy cocktails under the stars during your reception with a fully stocked bar. This is certainly the place you want to have your fist night as newlyweds.

     The Warren Estate is so much more than a wedding venue. I personally know Hniang and Kevin have plans to make this estate into a year round attraction for every season but now is the time to consider this space for your wedding.  For more information or to book you can visit the Warren Estate at their home on the web at, The Warren Estate.

Need a photographer for your wedding? Guys and gals, I'm right here! Check out my wedding packages! Send me a note on here. We'll go out for coffee and doughnuts.

Special thanks to everyone who was a part of this styled shoot and of course, Hniang and Kevin for providing their gorgeous venue.

---

---

Credits:

Seriously, visit all these vendors! Including me! Well that's silly, you are already here. Send me a note.

Instagram:

Photography: @michaeljacobsphoto_llc

Venue & Florals: @warrenestatenc

Cake: @love_cakenc

Cake stand: @distinctiveparty

Jewelry: @onholidayjewels

Hair: @stylist_christy

Makeup: @theresaburdenbeauty

---

Facebook:

Photography: 

Michael Jacobs Photo LLC

@michaeljacobsphotography 

Venue & Florals: 

Warren Estate

@WarrenEstateNC

Cake:

Love Cake

@LoveCakeNC

Cake Stand:

@distinctivepartyscapes

Jewelry: 

On Holiday Jewels

@onholidaysparkle

Hair:

Christy Callaghan

Makeup:

Theresa Burden Makeup Artistry

@TheresaBurdenBeauty

"You're going to wear those khakis Mark, and you're gonna like it!"

CONGRATULATIONS! You're engaged! Oh, my, gosh! That ring (or any other non-conformist engagement thang) is beautiful! What's next? Well, about a billion things. Luckily this blog post will be short, informative, and focus on one thing, engagement photography!!! An engagement shoot, or "e-session" as the cool kids say (they don't say that), is a great way to express to the world you're getting married. It also is the best way to get to know you as a couple before your wedding. Generally, if I'm shooting your wedding, my first experience with you as a photographer will be your engagement shoot. We can iron out all the wrinkles and get comfortable with me dancing around with a camera. I've witnessed many engagement sessions go beautifully and some...not so much. So here are some much needed tips in having an amazing first photo shoot with a photographer.

1. Pick a photographer that feels like they match your style.

Sounds like a given but you would be surprised. Are you a quirky couple? Do you like studio or natural light? Dark and dramatic or light and airy? A photographer's portfolio will give you a general idea of what your shoot will be like.

       2: Wardrobe, wardrobe, wardrobe!

Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Okay wait, maybe this isn't an interview but it's definitely a chance to be impressive. I am not saying you should go out and purchase new clothing. I'm actually against that. New clothing generally makes people feel a little more uncomfortable. It's a total sensory thing. Think about what looks good on you, what makes you feel good. This goes for both bride and groom to be. Select details that sparkle or make you feel that much more special. Khakis and a polo shirt won't do it. As photographers we are here to help make things look aesthetically pleasing, so pick some options if you are in doubt and ask us!

        3: Where should we do this? Make it personal.

There are tons of places that are adequate for photos. I'm sure there is a nice park or area that would work just fine but go deeper. Is there a place in the memory of the both of you that makes you smile? Maybe a coffee shop or restaurant? Us photographers do not mind asking to shoot at these places at all. Trust us, we get more "yes's" than "no's" when we inquire nicely. Pick a location that's special to you and if you don't have one, let's come up with one together.

       4: "Now hug and kiss."Look like you're in love and other things that you should never be told to do.

There is nothing more unromantic than being posed. Sometimes, it may have to happen but those times should be infrequent. We don't want to tell you how to hold your partner's hand. We just want you to love doing it. Sometimes we use a telephoto (long) lens so that we aren't in your faces. We want couples to have the space they deserve to feel comfortable. If you feel awkward in front of a camera that's okay. We've got many tricks up our sleeves, like awful dad jokes, crazy stories about mexico in 1998 or even better, getting the couple to talk about themselves. The ice will slowly break.

       5: Golden hour is a great hour.

If you're not familiar with the term, golden hour, it is the time before dusk. About an hour or two before sunset. These are great times to take pictures, why? The sun is low creating softer light. That light is more of a golden, reddish hue. Ah, see "golden" hour.It's a magical time for a magical couple. If we are indoors, mid day works fine but generally photos in that part of the day have less contrast and tend to look more washed out.

      6: Look for inspiration

Not quite sure at the look you want? That's okay. You don't have to know all the answers. In the fashion world photographers create mood boards before shoots. You can too! Just use Pinterest. It's a great way to see ideas that you may not have readily in your head. Make it a dialogue between you and the photographer so we know what we are working toward. Remember, it's your shoot. Show us your love.

There, don't you feel better? I thought you would. It isn't scary. Engagement photos are something that should be the icing on the cake. You've done the hard part, proposing and bringing someone else into your life, this is just a pictorial celebration. Here are some of my favorite moments. Any questions, or to book your very own awesome shoot, click the booking tab on my site!