Statesville Bridal Expo

2009 Statesville Bridal Expo here I come!I'm very excited to have a booth in this year's bridal expo at the Civic Center on Feb. 22. From 1-5 pm, brides and their guests will scope out local vendors, see the latest fashions in a bridal fashion show, and register for a chance to win a free wedding package provided by Darshana Hall Plantation, Farmhouse Bakery, Moore Buds and Bows,Events Unlimited, Nash Farms, ACMoore, & Crystal's Cards. My booth will feature information about engagement & bridal sessions, as well as wedding packages. I've ordered samples of my albums & other various products to display at the booth & plan on having several portraits printed for display. Best of all, I will be offering a free bridal or engagement session to one lucky bride who visits my booth...and a special wedding package discount for each bride that stops by to say hello. I can't wait!

Thinking about visiting the Bridal Expo? Join my facebook event titled, "Statesville Bridal Expo" by joining the group "Stephanie Raechelle Photography."

Travis & Nicole: Sneak Peek

Travis & Nicole met me yesterday afternoon in Blowing Rock for a wintery engagement session. And might I say, it sure was cold! I had so much fun though...travis & nicole have such great personalities! I can't wait until I get to take your bridal portraits, Nicole -- you are going to make such a gorgeous bride! (And PS - thanks so much to my two photography assistants...you guys were fabulous)

Blessings!

First of all, I wanted to let everyone know that this year is bringing a new chapter in my photography business. As many of you know, I have been working full-time as a photojournalist for nearly the past three years in addition to growing my freelance photography business. Well, as of the first of the year, I am officially going full-time with my business which is a huge personal accomplishment! Although it saddens me to be leaving behind my Taylorsville Times family whom I dearly love, I am very excited to be able to pursue my dream of doing my photography fulltime! I especially am grateful for Marty (my fabulous husband)who is standing behind me in this new endeavor...without his love and support, I know I wouldn't have the courage to step out on my own (so thanks honey!) In addition to taking on a fulltime role in my business, I am also teaching photoshop through the Photographic Technology Program at cvcc...my first class was yesterday & I really loved it...photoshop is a passion of mine & I think it will be fun sharing that with my students.

I feel so blessed right now in my life & just thought I'd share it with you guys! I have a family that loves me, a husband who is more than I could have ever asked for, friends who I know would do anything for me (and likewise), and a Lord that has truly blessed me with so much! It's funny how slowing down & just having time to think about your life can reveal so much that you overlook in the hussle & bussle of this chaotic world.

Secondly, I would like to thank all of my 2008 clients for allowing me to take part in your lives. I had so much fun this past year & each shoot, although each was very different, holds a special place in my heart. I wish all of you a wonderful 2009!

Here are just a few photo updates from some of my recent shoots...

Melissa & Artie





Jennifer & Ki-Ma







And here are a couple more shots of the new session albums that I'm offering in 2009!



Notice the thick pages of this style of album!





Each album features 30 portraits...here are some of the pages from a recent album I did for Candee and Jordan!

A busy fall season!

So this past month has been soooo busy! Between working fulltime at the newspaper & doing my photography fulltime, it's been crazy! I've truly been blessed & I can't believe how many sessions I've had the opportunity to shoot this season. I know you guys have been waiting to see sneak peaks of my most recent shoots. So, here ya go -- I'm finally posting some pics!

Candee & Jordan - This session was absolutely so fun! Candee & Jordan are so great together, always making each other laugh! We took a drive up to Hangin Rock park for these pics & I must say if you've never been there, you should go...it's beautiful! More sneak peeks to come from this session!



Kirby Family - Can you say picture perfect? This family was such a pleasure to work with...when I thought of photographing 14 people (with five of those being children) plus 2 dogs, I thought I'd have my work cut out for me. But, boy was I surprised! The kids were wonderful & everyone was just so relaxed! And what a great day for photos...the weather was great out at the Iredell Art Museum & the old buildings served as a great backdrop!





Ralph was so good for the pictures....It's amazing what a little candy corn bribe can do!



These boys were having so much fun with each other...I couldn't resist this photo!



Cal - Cal is just such a cutie with those big blues! Girls you better watch out...he's going to be quite a looker!







Bath time was so precious with Cal! He just giggled and giggled! Can't wait to see you guys again in a couple weeks for Christmas photos!


Jennifer & Ki-Ma - This was one of the most inspiring weddings I've been to! From the pink and brown satin sashes to the creative bouquets, this was a beautiful ceremony! My favorite part had to be the groomsmen and bridesmaids entrance...each groomsman came in and leaned against a pew (very GQ) & then the bridesmaids came in one at a time & grabbed the arm of their man as they walked down the aisle. If I had my wedding to do all over, I would def consider doing something unique like that!





A gorgeous dress for a gorgeous bride!





My favorite picture of the night! What a magnificant clock tower in downtown Mooresville!


Melissa & Artie - I love you guys! Your wedding was so much fun...It's always wonderful to see friends unite in marriage, but it's even more wonderful when you get to take part in a couple's big day. Artie & Melissa, I hope ya'll are enjoying being newlyweds... marriage truly is something special!



I love these flowers! What beautiful colors!







This wedding party was so much fun to work with! You guys have some great friends who really care about you!

New, New, New

I'm very excited to let everyone know about the recent additions I've made to my portrait & wedding packages....might I say these new products are absolutely amazing!!! I've been searching & searching and I have finally found the hottest & most gorgeous way for my clients to display their portraits.

For starters, my 2009 wedding packages will now come with a beautiful & totally unique preview box. In the past, clients received their 4x5 or 4x6 proof prints in a decorative envelope; nice but no where near the wow factor as these new boxes. Each preview box is handmade and wrapped in a custom-designed cover. I'm so excited about these...they are perfect for displaying in your home & will def grab your guests' attention.

So, what is this new package & what other products are new??? Well, (drum roll please) here it is!

My 2009 Wedding Package includes everything you need to tie the knot in style!

First of all, it now includes an engagement session - 1 to 2 hours of photojournalistic portraits of you & your finance doing what you do best --- having fun & loving every minute of it! The couple receives access to a personal online proof gallery featuring their retouched (yes, retouched -- no blemishes ladies) photos...great for showing friends & family the portraits with just a click of the mouse...esp. great for those relatives/friends who live out of town. And, reprint orders can be easily made here too. Oh & did I mention, you can link your facebook or myspace page to the gallery!The couple also receives a complimentary 5x7 session album with 30 of their favorite portraits -- did I mention these albums have over 50 cover fabrics to choose from.

Secondly, the package also includes a bridal session - Just like the engagements, these are 1-2 hours at the location of your choice... I always love doing shoots at ordinary places that make extraordinary pics like the farm, an open field, downtown, etc. This session comes with access to the personal gallery for proofing as well as the 5x7 session album. A 16x20 masonite bridal portrait is also included which can be framed & displayed at the reception for everyone to admire.

In addition, 100 wallets of the couple's favorite engagement photo & 100 wallets of the bride's favorite bridal portrait are provided as special gifts for your wedding guests...just a little piece of your special day for them to keep!

As far as coverage on the wedding day, I arrive as the bride & groom are getting ready (if the couple chooses), capturing shots of the little details building up to the big day...the bride & groom spending time with their bridesmaids & groomsmen before the ceremony. All group portraits with the exception of those including both the bride & groom together will be taken before the ceremony...I always ask my brides to get me a list of all of these photos before the wedding to be sure no one is left out. The ceremony, in all its grand & glory, is photographed followed by group portraits with the bride & groom. Coverage ends with all the many details & happenings of the reception being captured...for me, this is usually the most fun part of the entire wedding! Like always, each couple can customize their coverage to fit their individual needs!

With this package, the couple receives access to an online gallery for viewing & ordering, and 4x5/4x6 retouched prints of the wedding day in a designer preview box featuring a photo from the newly weds' big day as well as their names and wedding date.

Now, for the kicker!!!! The designer wedding album! I am very proud to be offering the highest & I mean highest quality in portrait albums to my wedding clients with this package.

These designer albums are the hottest I've seen...Flush mount albums with attitude. Exquisite quality combined with fabulous leathers and design options & you get to pick every aspect of it. Move away from the ordinary towards the extraordinary. Imagine an album with leathers that range from quality basics to the most sophistocated looks around. Imagine numerous cover design options including single & double tones, accent leathers & fabrics, & even satin and classic canvas. And did I mention the cutouts that allow your favorite portrait(s) to peek through the beautiful cover. Amazing doesn't even describe these...they are the ultimate in albums!!!! Each of these albums feature 40 custom layout pages, designed by me personally to fit you & your wedding style.

Just look at some of the available cover leathers/fabrics. Yes, I did say some...there are more!

As you can see, the quality pages of this album are very sturdy & open flat!

And each album is delivered in a black case with beautiful packaging!

What more could you want in an album!!!

Album Option 2:

Want a traditional matted album...no problem. For those brides who are looking for a more traditional wedding album, I am now offering a matted album. This leather-bound album is both elegant and timeless. Special care is given to the entire album; each individual photograph is lacquered and hand-mounted into a matted frame. The pages have gilded edges and rounded corners which are a hallmark of handmade quality. Each album is delivered in a soft cloth cover with a black presentation box to protect precious memories and makes for an elegant display.

Leather choices for the matted albums ---

**And Don't Worry -- If you're a bride that I've already quoted a package to for 2009, no worries, you can either keep your current package or upgrade to this one!

Another new product: As a new add-on to any of my portrait sessions or wedding packages, I am now offering a 10x10 designer mat box! Personalized with my client’s name and favorite image, the designer mat box is beautifully printed on a choice of canvas or silk and is treated with a protective coating to ensure that it lasts forever. And tucked away inside this box is a selection of 10-15 perfectly matted prints for the portrait session. This product will quite a delight for setting on a coffee table, bookcase, office, & anywhere else in the home to display select wedding, family, or children's portraits! And how cute would it be to make the "spine" of the box look like a book to put on a book shelf -- esp. for children's portraits -- a "chapter" for each stage of childhood. They even have a ribbon that looks like a bookmark! You could also set one of matted portraits on an easel to display in your home, rotating the photos out as often as you'd like!

And what a great idea for my brides, mother of the brides, wedding planners, or anyone else trying to come up with a stylish idea for a reception !!! Place one matted print from the couple's engagement session on each table during the reception (they look great on a small easel) & let guests write a message on the mat around the portrait. Then at the end of the night, collect the mats & put them in the designer box as a keepsake. This is so much more elegant than the traditional guestbook...I mean I've been married over 2 years now & haven't even opened my guestbook. Too bad I didn't know about this...I def would have loved to have one of these!

Well, I can't wait to hear some feedback about these awesome new offerings! I know you all will love them just as much as I do!!

Artie & Melissa

Two weeks ago I had the great pleasure of spending an hour or so with Artie & Melissa who are getting married in early October. You could just tell that this couple is a perfect match. The portraits in this session came so naturally with the playful pair joking with each other, laughing, & having lots of fun! Making this session even more fun was getting to involve Artie's dog who was a great sport! More photos of Artie & Melissa will be uploaded to my website the middle of this week!


PS - I told Artie I'd tell all of his friends that we (his future bride and I) forced him to take this corn field photo.