Happy 59th Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad’s 59th birthday! Avid reader of the Carolyn Scott Photography blog, I figured I’d write him up a little post. ;) I’ve found myself over the years turning more and more into my father. My family has always known about my dad’s list of strong dislikes such as:

– Shopping malls and large crowds

– Scented candle and/or perfume stores

– Desserts that are too sweet

When I was younger (a teenager especially), I couldn’t figure out why he didn’t like those things. Now I too avoid them like the plague. Unfortunately, I’ve also slowly inherited my father’s taste for really expensive hobbies. My dad’s been slowly accumulating a makeshift studio in my sister’s old room and collecting enough guitars for a small army. Now when I find myself needing a new lens or other piece of equipment, I curse my father’s genes that have a penchant for scouring the internet to figure out why expensive pieces of equipment you currently don’t have are better than the ones you currently do.  Thanks, Dad! ;)

Over the years I have always acquired my dad’s list of strong likes as well, such as:

– The beach

– Judging other peoples’ stereo systems and speakers

– NPR (when did this happen? I think starting to listen to NPR is the real sign that you’re officially an adult.)

You are the best! I hope you have a great 59th birthday. :) I’ll be bringing home your actual card and presents at the end of June! And I know you are working today, but hopefully you can spend your weekend like this! **

**Not meant to be sarcastic – I know you live in Western Pennsylvania and not at the beach, but maybe you can go fishing? :) You’ll be at the beach in August, yay!!

Raleigh Portrait Photographer: Baby Damiano

A tiny post about a tiny session with a tiny one month boy. :) He is beautiful and definitely inherited the modeling skills of his Aunt Valerie and cousins. ;) Welcome to the world, Little Damiano! It was an honor to photograph you in your first month of life. Thank you to the Duran family for inviting me back into their home and being so supportive and wonderful to me, as always. :) You guys are the best.

Congratulations and well wishes to the beautiful new family. :D He is gorrrgeous!! And someday his girlfriend will love these… but I know you don’t want to think about that now. ;) Hahaha. Thank you again, Ghia and Damiano Sr.! I had a wonderful time hanging out with you at the house and meeting your precious new boy. :) You all make such a sweet family.

Raleigh Engagement Photographer: Annalisa+Michael

Annalisa (aka Annie) and Michael are my very own Jersey couple! :D Both hailing from New Jersey, they are currently living in North Carolina where they both attended NC State. They are high school sweethearts of 8 years! :)  Annie is a paralegal and Michael works for Wells Fargo, but they were both aspiring to become teachers when they first met (Michael – history, Annie – French). Michael opted out of the teaching career and Annie is still an aspiring French teacher, but they are comfortably doing their own thing in the south at the moment. :)

I met these two when they weren’t sure whether or not they were going to have their wedding in NC or NJ. They ultimately decided on New Jersey for May 2012, but decided to take Geoff and I with them (wooooo!!!), so we’re super stoked to be heading up to The Jersey next year with these guys! Annie is ridiculously prepared for their wedding and has everything bought, planned, and under control with the exception of the limo, which can’t be booked until next year, hahaha. Seriously – it’s pretty amusing. She showed up to our consultation with a binder bigger than mine and several 4×6 photographs of their wedding venue saying, “Keep them, I have a bunch.” Hahaha. I knew this girl meant business.

I’ve since had the privilege of photographing Sabrina, Annie’s dog, and Pookie, Michael’s cat. And now finally their engagement! :D We had an awesome time with them photographing on the NC State campus talking movies and TV and, of course, Annie’s love of the Doors and Michael’s love of the Beatles, but more on that later! Let’s start!

We started off in the free expression tunnel at NC State. There were several spray painters there while we were there, and I’m pretty sure all of us left the tunnel with a mild headache, but it made for good pictures. However, I will say that if you photograph there, you’ll just have to choose the place with the least amount of obscenities… since there’s no escaping them. Luckily this couple is rad, and a few vulgar doodles don’t scare them. ;)

Where’s Annie and Michael? :) Can you see them? :)

Annie – you have the best eyes!!! Ow owwww.

How cute are these two? Annie’s obsessed with the Doors, and Michael’s obsessed with the Beatles. Together they’re an adorable couple who belong in the 1960s wearing flower headbands and hanging out. They each brought their favorite record and matching reading material for the shoot. :) CUTE.

We closed the session in the stacks at NC State with a quick band wardrobe change!

Annie and Michael – you are too wonderful! We are honored to be photographing what is sure to be an AWESOME wedding up in Jersey with you two! We had a great time, lots of laughs, and think these are adorable. :) Hope you love them!