At Home // Anna, John, and Lou.

We spent a lazy Sunday morning at the home of incredibly talented illustration artist Anna, her awesome husband John, their little adorable almost-two-year-old daughter Lou, and happy pup Keva. We knew we’d like them based on Anna’s artwork, but we liked them even more when we saw their house, and even more when we saw their giant red stuffed squid pillow, and even more still when we saw three little dolls all made to look like the three of them even complete with John’s tattoos (a family friend made them). They have a striped tent! They have a little plastic toy Fisher-Price camera! John made Lou a puddle from a hose for her to jump in but she kinda just wanted to throw boats in it! Lou has learned family responsibilities like feeding the dog but just kinda gets dog food all over herself but it’s really cute! Anna can draw bunnies from chalk faster than anyone we’ve ever seen! Go, go admire their cuteness.child laughing with mom and dad child reading with parents girl hiding behind bed dad lifting daughter up parents reading with daughter family family photographers in raleigh durham little girl in house girl looking out window striped children's play tent striped play tent mom in play tent child climbing up to window child looking out window little girl looking out window little kid looking out window teaching child how to tie shoes family dolls family play tent family portrait photographer child with tent mom walking child down the stairs lifestyle family portraits north carolina day in the life family portraits raleigh little girl sitting on stairs mother and daughter child coloring child coloring family coloring at table candid family photography day in the life family portrait session fisher price vintage camera toy daughter talking to mom in living room little kid feeding the dog little kid and dog food father and daughter child playing in living room mother and daughter laughing dad spinning top for daughter family dog piggy back rides girl reading book dad playing with daughter on couch child in kitchen kid putting on rain boots father putting raincoat on daughter little kid in raincoat girl in raincoat candid family portraits durham nc girl rainboots lifestyle family portraits puddle jumping playing in puddles playing in puddles girl in raincoat in puddle family dog playing with chalk playing with chalk girl in raincoat

Matt+Scott // Durham, NC Wedding

We’ve been longstanding supporters of LGBT equality and marriage, and in our careers we’ve photographed engagement sessions and commitment ceremonies of couples who couldn’t legally get married in our state. A couple could have a commitment ceremony here, but they’d need to get legally hitched elsewhere and had to come back to live in a state that didn’t legally acknowledge their union. When we met Matt and Scott, we were all aware that it would be a commitment ceremony like the others we have done. And while we were thrilled to work with these two amazing guys, we were even more thrilled when same-sex marriage became legal in North Carolina in October, turning Matt and Scott’s previous commitment ceremony into a legal marriage recognized by the state, and the first one that we’ve photographed on our home turf. :)

Usually I don’t get very sappy on the blog as I prefer to remain somewhat aloof and sarcastic (sappy doesn’t really mix with the bats, does it). But! I’ll do it just this once since we really were happy to have this be our first legal same-sex wedding in NC. And we were even happier to see Matt and Scott surrounded by a huge group of very proud and loving family and friends. There were some tears and lots of hugs and a cake topper that looked like Matt and Scott with their two cats at the bottom. And who could ask for more than that? We’re so happy to show you these pictures, and we’re so happy for Matt and Scott. :)

Cotton Room Groom Suite Groom putting on bow tie Pink wedding bouquet Groom getting ready for wedding Groom talking to bridesmaid Groom talking to flower girl Grooms getting ready Same sex wedding party Couple wedding portrait Same sex wedding Durham North Carolina Grooms kissing same sex wedding LGBT wedding portrait Groom portrait LGBT wedding north carolina Gay wedding Durham NC Two grooms portrait NC Cotton Room Wedding Durham, NC Groom with tux and bow tie Grooms holding hands Urban wedding portraits Black and white groom portrait Grooms holding hands Same sex friendly wedding photographers Groom portrait green wall Groom straightening tie Wedding cocktail hour Wedding cocktail hour Cotton Room Same sex wedding cake toppers Cocktail hour at the Cotton Room Durham Wedding guests talking Wedding ceremony setup white curtains Wedding ceremony at The Cotton Room Durham NC Wedding ceremony speaker Wedding ceremony at the Cotton Room Durham, NC Groom's dad at ceremony Wine box wedding ceremony Same sex marriage in North Carolina Same sex wedding Durham NC LGBT wedding Durham North Carolina Gay wedding North Carolina Wedding rings on a mustache Groom hugging wedding guests Wedding reception setup at the Cotton Room First dance at LGBT wedding Wedding photographers in Durham, NC Couple reacting to speeches and toasts at wedding Same sex marriage Wedding Photo Booth Wedding reception at The Cotton Room NC Wedding reception at the Cotton Room Guests dancing Wedding guests talking to groom Grooms dancing at wedding Father of the groom dancing Wedding reception dancing The Cotton Room wedding reception venue Girls laughing People singing People laughing Parents of the groom Last dance Sparkler exit
  • Date: April 25, 2015
  • Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Cotton Room // Durham, NC
  • First Dance: “Here Comes the Sun” – Glee
  • Scott’s Occupation: Emergency room physician
  • Matt’s Occupation: Postdoctoral scholar in cognitive psychology/psycholinguistics
  • How You Met: Online (or as Scott says, he ordered Matt off the internet).
  • Interesting Fact: When we first met, Matt was obsessed with the Food Network but never cooked, whereas Scott was obsessed with cooking but never watched the Food Network.  7 years later, those roles have completely reversed.
  • Honeymoon: Hawaii
  • Vendor Credits: Officiant – Reverend Barbara Lodge | DJ – All Around Raleigh DJ | Florist – Amrose Flowers | Cake – Cinda’s Creative Cakes | Caterer – Triangle Catering | Hair – Blo | Videographer – Dean Garris of DEANO Pictures | Coordinator – Emily Nunn of Whiskey and White Events | Design Consultation – Melinda Knowles of Host Raleigh

USB Review

We get a lot of people asking about our flash drives and we think they’re pretty snazzy ourselves so we’re gonna tell you about them. :) Business PSA!

Our USB drives are manufactured by USB Memory Direct. The style we use is WDR7 Custom USB Drive. They’re wooden! The caps are magnetic! They do color printing of our logo right on those puppies! And we like them a lot. We’ve been with USB Memory Direct since 2012 and have never had an issue or error in any of our drives. You can get them in a ton of sizes and styles, so if you’re thinking of switching over from DVDs or downloads to USBs for your photography clients, we recommend checking out USB Memory Direct’s website!Custom wooden USB drive (1) Custom wooden USB drive (2) Custom wooden USB drive (3) Custom wooden USB drive (4) Custom wooden USB drive (5)