6/30/2007

Renu and Neeraj tie the knot in Charlotte

We traveled to Charlotte, NC, for Renu and Neeraj's wedding. They were actually referred to us by our good friends in Atlanta, Katie and Chris, of 6 of Four Creations. To call their wedding amazing would be an understatement. It was our first opportunity to photograph and Indian wedding, and we couldn't have asked for a better one. Renu and Neeraj were wonderful, as were all their family and friends.

We started early in the morning with a private ceremony for Renu and her family. Then she got ready. The bride and groom met before the wedding ceremony for some couples pictures and then the family shots.







Then Neeraj and all the guests went outside for the Barat, the groom's reception. What a great time!

The wedding ceremony followed and it was beautiful!



After the ceremony there was a short break before the reception and dinner. The bride and groom and the wedding party changed, and then we went out for another photo session.



The reception started with the first dance.


Then everyone danced the night away.



Thanks so much Renu and Neeraj for allowing us to be a part of your special day. We wish you all the best as you begin your new life together. I'm sure you're having fun in Bora Bora. Cheers!

6/21/2007

Man's best friend


There’s a reason they call dogs man’s best friend. And I didn't fully understand it until a few years ago when we brought home our curious six-week-old golden retriever Sulley. As we’ve spent the last six years together, I’m embarrassed to admit that he’s dealt with more than his share of neglect. Yes, he gets plenty of food and water and sunshine and an occasional bath and a good round of frisbee, but when it comes to lovin’, I’m sure he could use some more.

This morning we received a disappointing phone call. Joy’s mom and her husband, who live in Charleston, South Carolina, were on the way to the vet to put their dog Bengie to sleep. I took the call, got the news, and then reluctantly handed the phone to Joy.

It was unexpected, but inevitable. He was 16 years old. That’s 112 in human years! He lived a great long life that was full of love from Joy and her mother and everyone else who knew him.

But still, it’s tough. He’s been with their family through thick and thin, always listening, always smiling, and always ready to snuggle.

I remember about 5 years ago, driving to NYC to visit Joy’s relatives. Fourteen hours in a car is enough to drive anyone berserk, but with a dog too… “you’ve got to be kidding?” I thought. Well, there Bengie sat. Sprawled out on the front seat between the driver and the passenger. Never a peep, just happy to be along. And to be honest, when it came my turn to take the wheel while everyone else slept, I rather appreciated his company beside me.

Then we hit one of New York’s infamous tollbooths. While the attendant meticulously made change, she looked at Bengie and said, “poor dog, what happened to him?” She was referring to his severely noticeable under-bite framed with two skinny teeth extruding from his lower jaw. Always the protective master, Joy’s mom snapped, “that’s how he came.” The rest of us laughed at the exchange.

Then a couple years later we moved to Florida. They were visiting and we came home one afternoon and Bengie was sitting in the middle of the dining room table. It wasn’t an exceptionally nice table, but it was our furniture and I was furious. But Bengie didn’t care. He was sunbathing. I yelled at him and he hopped down from the table and into the middle of the room where he laid down and returned to his nap.

Several years ago when I worked for the university, I was writing a magazine feature on faculty members and their pets. I remember very distinctly one professor stating, “I’ve never been so frustrated as I’ve been with my dog. But no matter how angry I get, he still loves me.”

He continued, “God obviously didn’t give dogs the ability to keep time because whether I’m away for 10 hours or 10 minutes he comes racing to the door with a toy in his mouth and a smile on his face. When it comes to personality my dog is everything I wish I was and more.”

Dogs weave their way into our hearts like very few things can. While humans sometimes become hateful and hardened, a good dog remains loyal for life.

That was Bengie. Happy. Satisfied. Loyal.

Katie and Justin get married on Lookout Mountain

What a blast we had working with Katie and Justin, our second wedding of the weekend following our elevate workshop. This one on Sunday in Chattanooga. These guys were great, as we expected.

The wedding took place at Grandview and the reception was held at the Fairyland Club. Afterwards we headed downtown for a few shots before they headed off on their honeymoon.


The first time they saw each-other before the ceremony...




I was scouting locations and saw the brilliant light shining into the basement of the Fairyland Club. We probably shouldn't have gone down there, but we couldn't resist the image...



Since we were already there, why not? :)


...where we were supposed to be taking pictures, outside the Fairyland Club (I love this shot!)



Paitiently waiting



Exiting the ceremony at Grandview



Justin's grandparents at the reception



The send-off



Downtown at night



The newlyweds!



Thanks Katie and Justin for letting us be a part of your special day. It was such an honor and we've totally enjoyed getting to know you over the past several months. May God's richest blessings follow you wherever you go.

6/19/2007

Availability for 2007 and 2008

We're excited about all the possibilities and opportunities we've had this year. Most exciting is the opportunity to meet and get to know some of the neatest people in the world. We thank our clients for letting us be a part of their wedding from Savannah GA to the beautiful country, Norway...it has definitely been an awesome journey for us.

After 45 wonderful weddings in 2006, we've determined that it would be best to set our goals at 30-35 weddings for 2007. Currently we have 30 weddings commissioned. If you got engaged or you know someone who did, please get in touch with us soon!

Endless blessings to you and yours,

Garrett and Joy

Below are our booked locations. We are accepting a limited number of assignments for 2007 and 2008.

Being ninjas at a St. Pete, FL wedding. Photo taken by Alisha Clark.

2007

We're excited about all the possibilities and opportunities we've had this year. Most exciting is the opportunity to meet and get to know some of the neatest people in the world. We thank our clients for letting us be a part of their wedding from Savannah GA to the beautiful country, Norway...it has definitely been an awesome journey for us.

After 45 wonderful weddings in 2006, we've determined that it would be best to set our goals at 30-35 weddings for 2007. Currently we have 30 weddings commissioned. If you got engaged or you know someone who did, please get in touch with us soon!

Endless blessings to you and yours,

Garrett and Joy


Below are our booked locations. We are accepting a limited number of assignments for 2007 and 2008.

Being ninjas at a St. Pete, FL wedding. Photo taken by Alisha Clark.

2007

January
(10) Winter Park, FL(Photograph Solution Bridal Designer House Vendor/Client Party)
(14-16) San Antonio, TX Imaging USA, on behalf of GraphiStudio.
(21-24) Orlando, FL (Elevate 2007 sponsored by GraphiStudio. A seminar for photographers hosted by Garrett and Joy Nudd).

February

(2) Atlanta, GA (Joe Buissink/Marcus Bell Tour)
Orlando, FL (Country Club of Orlando Wedding)
Scottsdale, AZ (Wedding)
Savannah, GA (Mansion at Forsythe Park Wedding)
Lookout Mountain, TN (Fairyland Club Wedding)

March
Orlando, FL (The Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes Wedding)
Lake Buena Vista, FL (Paradise Cove Wedding)
Orlando. FL (Private Residence Wedding)
Las Vegas, NV (WPPI/DWF Convention, representing GraphiStudio and liveBooks)
Chattanooga, TN (Sheraton Read House Wedding)

April
Negril, JAMAICA (Blue Cave Castle Wedding)
Montego Bay, JAMAICA (Half Moon Bay Resort Wedding)
Key West, FL (Hyatt Key West Resort beachside Wedding)

May
Signal Mountain, TN (Laurelwood Farms Wedding)
Chattanooga, TN (Tennessee River Place Wedding)

June
(3-6) Orlando, FL (elevate2 seminar for photographers and sponsored by GraphiStudio. Hosted by Garrett and Joy Nudd)
(7) Orlando, FL (One Light Workshop with Zach Arias, elevate2 attendees receive discount)
Lake Nona, FL (Lake Nona Country Club Wedding)
Chattanooga, TN (Fairyland CLub Wedding)
Laguna Beach, CA (Garrett as groomsman, friend's wedding)
Charlotte, NC (Embassy Suites Wedding)
Chattanooga, TN (Sheraton Read House Wedding)

July
(10-12) Chattanooga, TN (Business Boot Camp-workshop by Liana Lehman, hosted @ gn studio)
Orlando, FL (FLC/GOC Wedding)
Skotselv, NORWAY (Wedding)

August
Santa Barbara, CA (Elings Park Wedding)
St. Augustine, FL (Casa Monica Hotel Wedding)
Dalton, GA (The Farm Golf Club Wedding)

September
Tampa, FL (Bayhanian Arts and Events Wedding)

October
Paris, FRANCE (Private Wedding)
Aberdeen, SCOTLAND (UofA/Copthorne Hotel Wedding)
Altamonte Springs, FL (Sheraton Hotel Wedding)
Plant City, FL (Red Rose Ballroom Wedding)
(24) Gainesville, FL (Professional Photographers of North Central Florida- Garrett invited for speaking engagement @ Holiday Inn West)
St. Pete. Beach, FL (Trade Winds Island ResortsWedding)

November
Windermere, FL (Isleworth Country Club Wedding)

December
Orlando, FL (Grand Floridian Resort Wedding)
Palm Coast, FL (Hammock Beach Resort Wedding)

2008

April
Palm Beach, FL (The Breakers Palm Beach Wedding)

June
Chattanooga, TN (Hunter Art Museum Wedding)

6/17/2007

Stephanie and Ted tie the knot at Lake Nona



What an amazing experience to go directly from our workshop to photograph Stephanie and Ted's wedding. We were so inspired by all the amazing imagery we witnessed last week and the outstanding guest speakers, that it really was exciting to have not just one wedding, but two!

Stephanie and Ted were married at the beautiful Lake Nona. I've photographed there a few times before and somehow still haven't figured out how to score a greens fee.

Anyhow, everything about their wedding was perfect, as we knew it would be. Stephanie was beautiful in her georgous Rivini gown. She got her dress from the lovely ladies at Solutions Bridal in Winter Park. And Ted, well, everytime I've seen him, he always looks good.

The wedding was spectacular and the reception was a blast.






Ted's daughter was one of the stars of the show




The lovely bride and groom inside Lake Nona's infamous Wine Cellar


Congratulations Stephanie and Ted! Thanks so much for letting us be a part of your special day. We wish God's richest blessings on you as you begin your new life together.

6/15/2007

Garrett a Groomsman at Isaac and Grace's wedding in CA

We are in the airport now heading to California for Isaac and Grace's wedding. Garrett is a groomsman and we are excited to be at their wedding! It will be quite a reunion of so many of our friends, should be a blast! Stay tuned for pictures.

Grace and Isaac on the far right:

6/14/2007

elevate 2 and Graycen's Niiice video

Below is a wrap-up video made from our elevate 2 seminar last week. It was only one take! The attendees and guest speakers are just so awesome and we had such a blast! More about elevate 2 later :) Do you hear Frank (from NY) saying "Niiiice"? The second video is Graycen's version :)






And here is Graycen's version (from the studio today) of Frank's "Niiiiice" saying :)

Tiffany and Andrew's e-session

We had a great time with Tiffany and Andrew on their e-session in Winter Park last week. It must have been surprising from their perspective when they were expecting to meet just me, and instead they got three photographers! It was a blast though, shooting with Joy and with our good friend Regis Chen, from California. And Tiffany and Andrew handled it like real models. They did great!





6/12/2007

elevate2


elevate2 was an absolute blast. Thanks to everyone for your love and friendship. There were many lessons I learned last week. One was to not schedule a four-day workshop and two weddings 600 miles apart in the same week. Fortunately the workshop was amazing and both of the weddings were spectacular!

More from elevate2 later. This weekend we'll be in California for our dear friends' Isaac and Grace's wedding. We're not photographing, we're attending! I can't wait. Ciao.

Hannah and David...finally

...and we're back.

Please accept our sincerest apologies for the long time lapse in blog posts. We have much catching up to do...stay tuned and you'll see why.

We were so excited to photograph Hannah and David's wedding a couple weeks ago at the Tennessee Riverplace. Like all of our clients, Hannah and David are great people and are a blast to work with. But what makes them even more special is that they were the very first bride and groom to book us in our new studio. Not a single print on the wall, hardly any furniture, boxes everywhere, but they still trusted us to do the job. Thanks so much, guys!

Now, for their wedding. WOW! In one word, BEAUTIFUL! The event was coordinated by the incomporable gals at Soirees. As always, they do such fabulous work. The florals were provided by Sophie's, and they were outstanding.

Now, on to the pictures:

Just before the ceremony, the ladies came together in a most interesting pre-wedding dance...


Meanwhile, the men gathered in the shade to ward off the stifeling heat...


The beautiful florals...


The fetching bride and groom...




And finally, guests celebrated with the bride and groom at the outdoor tented reception.



Everything was exquisite. What a pleasure it was to be there to photograph. Thanks Hannah and David. May God's richest blessings follow you as you begin this exciting journey.