Marched Past April Showers and May Flowers

It's been THREE months since I've updated this blog and HOLY SMOKES have things changed in the land of Emily Saunders Photography! I have been able to experience and capture a VARIETY of events, including engagements, homecomings, family portraits, headshots, food photography, graduation pictures, dance portraits, and a handful of VERY different styles of weddings!

I have learned so much about my own style and preferences in these past three months of shooting. I enjoy the time and no-rush pace I get to have during portrait sessions, and that I get to really chat with clients and help capture their story. I've come to realize the importance of an Engagement Session before shooting a wedding. I'll write more on that later, but I've enjoyed spending time capturing the love of engaged couples and sharing in their excitement for their upcoming wedding! While I cherish the low-key bonds formed during portrait sessions, I LOVE the energy and pace of weddings!

Shooting weddings is like the best parts of teaching. There are a thousand interactions happening simultaneously, some loving it, others disengaged, guidance and direction are needed (especially if there's no day-of coordinator) along with pencils, and answers for how to hold flowers, and 4 people need something at any given moment.
Shooting weddings is like teaching a lesson that 100% of my students are engaged in. There's a special energy in the room, a connection between learners where they feel that what they're discovering as a class is significant. Shooting a wedding is using all the skills I've developed as an educator, but at end of the day, we all go home and don't come back 15 hours later to do it all over again. In fact, it's summer break, and we part ways, satisfied, and full of lemon-flavored cake. I can then disappear for hours, allowing myself to breathe as I lean into my laptop and edit with the images that I'm proud to call my own. I can be creative with my work, investing in it and seeing a finished product. Then I'm always eager for the next wedding-day high!

Photography Things That Have Happened In The Past 3 Months:
(imagine 3 exclamation points' worth of excitement at the end of each bulleted item) 

March

• Professional Headshot Session for MyEyeDr in Kinston, NC
• Pictures from a Commercial Session were published on a local coffee shop's website
• Best Friend Portrait Session on the beach in Wilmington

April

• Bridal Shower in Kinston, NC
• Intimate Backyard Wedding in New Bern, NC
• In-Home Family Portrait Session in Durham, NC
• Military Homecoming at Cherry Point, NC
• Traditional Jewish Wedding at Hotel Ballast in Wilmington, NC
• SEVEN Family Portrait Mini-Sessions in New Bern, NC
• New Baby Announcement Portrait Session 
• Wedding at Brooke Valley Country Club in Greenville, NC
• Graduation Pictures and Impromptu Couples Session on ECU Campus

May

• Sunset Engagement Session at Fort Macon State Park, NC
• Beautiful Wedding with DUNK TANK & BOUNCY HOUSE in Jacksonville, NC
• Dance Portraits in Downtown New Bern, NC
• Intimate Family Wedding at a park in Jacksonville, NC
• Looking ahead: I can't wait for an Elopement! Let me know if you're planning to elope, I would looooove to be your Elopement Photographer! :) 

A couple of my favorite images from Lauren & Evan's Wedding last weekend!