Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer: Blog https://www.beccaspics.com/blog en-us (C) Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer (Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) Wed, 20 Sep 2023 17:28:00 GMT Wed, 20 Sep 2023 17:28:00 GMT https://www.beccaspics.com/img/s/v-12/u448890472-o768653664-50.jpg Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer: Blog https://www.beccaspics.com/blog 82 120 Leslie & Hayden's Reynolda Gardens Engagement Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2023/9/leslie-haydens-reynolda-gardens-engagement-session As a photographer I always think Reynolda Gardens is a great choice for your engagement session! It looks good year round and offers a variety of locations within a small walkable area. Leslie & Hayden also opted to include their sweet pup in a few images, how can you go wrong with that?

I look forward to being their wedding photographer next year and capturing beautiful images for them!

 

 

Reynolda Gardens Engagement Session Reynolda Gardens Engagement Session Reynolda Gardens Winston-Salem

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) reynolda gardens reynolda gardens engagement session winston salem engagement session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2023/9/leslie-haydens-reynolda-gardens-engagement-session Wed, 20 Sep 2023 17:25:35 GMT
Southern C's Farm Wedding https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2023/9/southern-cs-farm-wedding  

Dani & Jonathan were married at the beautiful Southern C's Farm in Summerfield NC. They are the sweetest couple and it's no surprised that they were surrounded by their lovely friends and family to celebrate their wedding day. They held their ceremony at a nearby church and had cocktail hour and the reception at the open air venue on the farm.

Coordination that day was done by Carla at Perfect Peony Events and as always she did a great job. Florals were provided by Sedgefield Florist in Greensboro. We were able to take some time at this venue for sunset pictures with the bride and groom and I am so glad we did. The farm's rolling fields and horse pens are a perfect backdrop to a wedding day. The day went by flawlessly with no problems which for a wedding photographer is just icing on the cake!

 

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) greensboro wedding photographer photographer in greensboro nc southern c's farm venue southern c's farm wedding summerfield NC photographer summerfield wedding https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2023/9/southern-cs-farm-wedding Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:22:11 GMT
Boxwood Estate Wedding, Mocksville NC https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2023/2/boxwood-estate-wedding-mocksville-nc  

Emily and Michael were married at Boxwood Estate in October which is a beautiful month in North Carolina but also a month for hurricanes. Unfortunately one blew in right before their wedding and made them slightly change their plans for an outdoor ceremony but their day was still wonderful! I love photographing weddings with colorful details and these florals did not disappoint. Although the trees hadn't started changing yet the bridesmaid's dresses and bouquets were so appropriate for the season.

This Mocksville venue had a perfect layout for getting ready, ceremony and reception. Everything flowed seamlessly and the night ended with a fun confetti canon. This wedding photographer wouldn't complain if that became a regular wedding occurrence!

The bride and groom assembled a great vendor team with Detailed Events providing the coordination, Sophisticated Florals by Stephanie doing the flowers and Triad DJ and Events leading the reception.

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) boxwood estate wedding mocksville nc wedding north carolina wedding photographer wedding photographers in mocksville nc winston-salem wedding photographer https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2023/2/boxwood-estate-wedding-mocksville-nc Thu, 23 Feb 2023 19:31:28 GMT
Board and Batten Wedding Lexington NC - Lauren & Griffin https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2023/1/board-and-batten-wedding-lexington-nc---lauren-griffin Griffin and Lauren had a beautiful wedding at Board and Batten Events in Lexington, NC! These two were the sweetest couple and it was my pleasure to be their wedding photographer. This venue is one of my favorites! It is definitely the best wedding venue in the Lexington area. The design and conception definitely had photographers in mind when they planned the building. Rows of tall windows line the sides letting in beautiful natural lighting for ceremonies. Choosing to have an indoor ceremony here doesn't feel like a back up plan, it feels like a natural choice. 

When possible I always like to incorporate film photography into the wedding day. That worked out with this wedding and I was able to take a mixture of both film and digital. If you have read any of my past blogs or social media posts you know that film makes my heart so happy!

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) board and batten events board and batten wedding venue lexington nc wedding photographer north carolina wedding photographer north carolina wedding venues https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2023/1/board-and-batten-wedding-lexington-nc---lauren-griffin Wed, 11 Jan 2023 03:27:18 GMT
Triple J Wedding Mocksville North Carolina https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2022/8/triple-j-wedding-mocksville-north-carolina  

Hayden and Caroline had a beautiful spring wedding at Triple J Manor House in Mocksville NC. An April North Carolina wedding is one of my favorites. The flowers are blooming, the grass is green and the humidity hasn't hit us yet.

Over half of these images in this blog post are film, I could have shared the more perfect digitals but for me I love the magic results film has in such an instant and digital world. I started photography on film and it brings me such joy to be able to not only be a wedding photographer, but also a film wedding photographer when I have the chance. 

It was such an honor to be able to capture the happiness of one of the sweetest couples I have met as a wedding photographer. This is just a small snippet of the special moments we were able to photograph throughout the day. Their wedding party was incredibly supportive and they also had such a great vendor team put together. The day progressed smoothly and the 10 plus hours I was there flew by. 
 

The amazing vendor team:

Video: Camel City Videography 

DJ: 815 Events

Planner: Taneka at Day of Wedding Coordinator 

Catering: Providence Winston-Salem

Hair & Makeup: Glass Door Salon

Flowers: Green Bee Floral Design 

Musicians: Corda Entertainment

Dress: Bellissima 

 

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) mocksville nc wedding north carolina film photographer north carolina wedding photographer triple j manor house triple j manor house wedding winston-salem wedding photographer https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2022/8/triple-j-wedding-mocksville-north-carolina Sat, 06 Aug 2022 01:05:36 GMT
Charleston SC Film Photography https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2022/2/charleston-sc-film-photography  

 

I had the opportunity to spend a long weekend alone in the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina. Of course I wanted to fill it with as much sight seeing and photography as possible. Like always, instead of digital when traveling I used my 35mm film camera and again, like always, I love the results. 

For my trip I stayed in a hotel in Point Pleasant, SC, just across the water from downtown historic Charleston. I didn't visit on this trip but the Patriots Point Navel Museum is also right there and a must see if you've never had the chance. I also have to mention that if you are in the Point Pleasant area to check out the Italian restaurant La Pizzeria. It was so good I got take out for dinner twice while I was staying there. 

The Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge crosses the Copper River and makes travel possible from Charleston to Point Pleasant. On my first night there I had arrived just before sunset and decided to take advantage of the beautiful March day and join the dozens of other people out that evening for a walk across the bridge. My hotel had easy access for walking and although the bridge was WAY longer than I anticipated while walking it was an enjoyable evening watching the sun set over Charleston and the water. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am not naturally someone who gets up willingly before sunrise but for this trip I really wanted to go to Shem Creek to watch the fishing boats get ready for the day and head out during sunrise. I wasn't disappointed. Even though it was a weekend there were very few visitors at the boardwalk at that time of day so it was a very peaceful morning. There is plenty of parking and also a bathroom at the park with a long boardwalk down to the docks. The surrounding historic district is also worth a drive through. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone knows downtown historic Charleston is filled with beautiful old homes and although I had been before I had never been as a photographer in Charleston. There are so many tiny amazingly crafted details in doors, paths, mailboxes and even driveways. Although my morning at Shem Creek was bereft of tourists my afternoon in Downtown Charleston was not. The weather was lovely and crowds filled the popular areas of Rainbow Row, Historic City Market, The Battery and shopping districts. Since I prefer to stay off the beaten path if possible I focused walking in the residential streets just overwhelmed with the architecture surrounding me. 

 

I went in some small shops and art galleries and had a delicious lunch at Le Chambertin, a cute little French cafe and bakery in the French Quarter. On my second day in downtown I chose to take a carriage ride which was the best money I spent all weekend. It was a great way to see a part of the city that I hadn't been able to walk to and learn facts and stories I would otherwise not have. The neat thing about the carriage tours is that they are randomly assigned an area each time you go out so you never know what ground you'll cover. I am definitely going to do one again next time I'm in town. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As an ardent lover of both old houses and history I had to stop some type of historic site on my way back to NC. I chose to visit Drayton Hall, a former plantation on the Ashley River. Drayton Hall exists to educate and does not host weddings and portrait sessions nor does it glorify southern plantation life. The museum was informative and I especially liked the audio tour. Drayton Hall has not been remodeled or restored. It is kept in a state of preservation that allows you to see what it was like in the past while only doing necessary construction to preserve the integrity of the structure. Because of that you see beautifully worn paint, scuffed floors and cracked plaster. There are no furnishings inside the house but they do have rotating items in the on site museum.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) charleston film photographer Charleston Sc photography Charleston Sc pictures Charleston sc tourist stops Downtown Charleston Drayton hall pictures Drayton hall visit Shem creek at sunrise visiting Charleston South Carolina https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2022/2/charleston-sc-film-photography Fri, 11 Feb 2022 22:15:53 GMT
Thomas and Emily's Downtown Winston-Salem Wedding https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2022/1/thomas-and-emilys-downtown-winston-salem-wedding Thomas and Emily had originally planned to be married in 2020 and then of course Covid hit and like so many others it derailed their wedding plans. Fast forward to 2021 and although some plans had to be altered the couple still enjoyed an absolutely beautiful wedding day in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem. It was my pleasure to be their wedding photographer and enjoyed capturing such a stunning day!

Emily and her girls got ready at The Shaffner Inn in Winston and we also did all her details and portraits at that same classic location. Thomas and the groomsmen got ready at the nearby Fairfield Inn. Planning and day of coordination was expertly executed by Charming Carolina Events and florals were courtesy of Green Bee Floral Designs. The couple's wedding ceremony took place at Corpening Plaza in front of the waterfall while guests were protected from the hot sun by a large white tent set up for the occasion. The bridal party was escorted by Triad Trolley to the reception venue at Footnote, the venue space at Foothills Brewing and Bookmarks.

The night came to an end with a sparkler exit and a horse and carriage to take Thomas and Emily away while family and guests waved goodbye on 4th street. 

 

Some other essential vendors that were involved in the wedding day: 

Bakery: Regi Originals

Makeup & Hair: Aeracura Aveda Salon in Reynolda Village

Music: Jim Sharkey, Tyler Lewis, Mr. Kossler, Margaret Rehder

DJ: 815 Events

Stationary: Minted

Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Carole

Rentals: Happy Rentz Inc

Wedding dress: Pronovias from Nitsa's Apparel 

Bridesmaid's dresses: Amsale from Nitsa's Apparel 

Men's attire: Generation Tux

Second Photographer: Rachel McConoughey Photography 

Film scanning & processing: Richard Photo Lab

 

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) corpening plaza wedding downtown winston salem wedding footnote wedding reception north carolina film photographer North carolina wedding photographer winston salem wedding photographer winston-salem wedding https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2022/1/thomas-and-emilys-downtown-winston-salem-wedding Thu, 13 Jan 2022 19:34:47 GMT
Spring Legacy Stables Bridal Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2021/6/spring-legacy-stables-bridal-session Haley looked absolutely gorgeous for her bridal session this past spring at Legacy Stables and Events in Winston Salem. She has the most beautiful hair and gorgeous eyes that just pop when you photograph them! Her dress had an overskirt that we used in some of the pictures so you will notice that her dress looks a little different in various photos. I had the pleasure of photographing her again at her and Mike's Legacy Stables wedding in May of this year and I can't wait to blog those pretty images as well. I am glad I had the pleasure of being their photographer and having another wonderful Winston Salem wedding to photograph!

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) east coast wedding photographer legacy stables and events legacy stables and events wedding North Carolina film photographer southern wedding photographer Winston Salem bridal pictures Winston Salem bridal session Winston-salem film photographer Winston-salem wedding photographer https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2021/6/spring-legacy-stables-bridal-session Sat, 19 Jun 2021 01:20:58 GMT
Winston-Salem Maternity Session on Film https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2021/4/winston-salem-maternity-session-on-film A few months ago at the end of winter my kids and I were at a playdate at a local park and the sun was streaming through the leafless trees creating such great light with the soft browns of the sand. I thought to myself that it would be perfect for a photography session and immediately planned to have one soon. Well, fast forward a few months, it didn't happen soon and the lighting wasn't as magical but I still love the fairy goddess feeling that comes across in these maternity  images.

Jenn was such a trooper, doing everything I asked including going into the still freezing water. I loved her sense of adventure and am so glad she said yes when I asked her if she would be willing to let me photograph her barefoot in a cold creek!

I enjoy the challenge and anticipation that is natural when shooting film and so left my digital camera at home and shot these solely on my film cameras. 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) Becca's pics maternity photographer in Winston Salem maternity session in water North Carolina film photographer north Carolina maternity photographer photographers in Winston Salem Winston Salem maternity photographer Winston Salem photographer https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2021/4/winston-salem-maternity-session-on-film Wed, 21 Apr 2021 14:35:16 GMT
Charleston SC Engagement Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2021/4/charleston-sc-engagement-session Since before I knew I could be a wedding photographer I knew I loved the southeast coast. I had visited Savannah, GA as a 15 year old Girl Scout and had been entranced by the mossy live oaks, beautiful homes and living history that is the East Coast. I have been to Savannah a few times since then, always enjoying the downtown river front and walking the city squares. I had only been to Charleston once so I had decided that I was going to take a weekend trip sometime in the spring of 2021. 

When Lindsay contacted me about possibly being her wedding photographer her location and timing couldn't have been more perfect. Lindsay and Tom live in Charleston and wanted their engagement session downtown and I was more than happy to oblige. Since I already had a trip in the works it was the perfect weekend to sightsee and also scope out picture locations. 

We started our session at the White Point Garden at Charleston's downtown southern end, near The Battery. We walked through the residential district stopping when we saw gorgeous light or unique portrait opportunities. The sun which was high and bright when we started quickly went behind clouds and our evening ended at the water with an overcast sky overlooking the Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge and passing ships. 

Tom and Lindsay will be getting married this September at Grand Highlands in Hendersonville, NC and I can't wait to capture their wedding day! They are the sweetest couple and so fun to work with. I know we will capture many beautiful moments that day just like we did at their engagement session. 

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) Becca's pics charleston engagement photographer charleston engagement session Charleston film engagement session charleston film photographer charleston sc engagement session charleston sc portrait session charleston sc wedding photographer Charleston wedding photographer engagement photographer in charleston South Carolina film photographer wedding photographer in Charleston https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2021/4/charleston-sc-engagement-session Sat, 10 Apr 2021 22:01:51 GMT
Michigan Summer Road Trip https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2021/2/michigan-summer-road-trip If anyone knows me well they know that I take my kids to Michigan to visit my parents a few times a year. When we go in the spring and summer I make sure that we have a road trip planned, especially now that my kids are old enough to enjoy seeing new things. Unfortunately in 2020 we missed our spring visit due to the quarantine so we had an especially great time exploring in August. 

If you know me you also know my love of analog film photography. For the past couple years I have exclusively brought my 35mm film camera only to document our vacations. All of these pictures were taken on my Canon 1n with Fuji 400h film and processed and scanned by Boutique Film Lab in TN. 

What isn't pictured on this blog post is the day I was able to spend alone with my parents while one of my best friends offered to keep my kids so we could do something without little ones (thanks Melissa!). It was a great day spent in northern Michigan Amish country checking out some delicious bakeries and unique stores. The weather was perfect, warm with a slight breeze blowing across the green rolling fields. 

We also spent a lot of time on my Dad's new-to-him pontoon boat fishing on my parent's lake at their home. We were able to see some beautiful sunsets night after night on the lake and I made my first large catch which tasted delicious later on that night. 

What IS pictured below is a day trip to the Leelanau Peninsula on Michigan's upper left side of the lower peninsula where we explored the Grand Traverse Lighthouse in the Leelanau State Park and the peninsula's charming lakeside towns. We also made a second day trip on Michigan's upper right side of the lower Peninsula to some of the dams on the AuSable River and Lumberman's Monument ending our day with an evening at Tawas City's Gateway Park. 

Grand Traverse Lighthouse is typically open as a museum to visitors if you come on the right day but unfortunately the day we were there they were closed for Covid 19 cleaning. We still enjoyed the grounds and spent time just sitting and looking out at the beautiful view. The Lighthouse is located at the very top of the peninsula within the state park so admission to the park is required to visit. If you would like to learn more about this historic lighthouse you can click here to go to their website. 

 

While driving up to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse we passed by this interesting structure and had to stop and check it out on the way back. It is Woolsey Memorial Airport, erected and dedicated in 1935 to Clinton Woolsey, a pilot who tragically lost his life while flying a goodwill mission to South America. Half of the land for the airport was given by Woolsey's father and the WPA converted his farm's milk creamery into the airport terminal. This information came from a local newspaper's story on the airport and you can read more about Woolsey and the airport in the article here. The airport is still in use in this rural area and is an obvious tourist attraction for passersby like us. 

 

After traveling up the east side of the Leelanau Peninsula and enjoying all the quaint towns and the views of the many orchards along the way we  made our way back down the west side and to the town of Leland, MI. We enjoyed checking out the historic shops in Fishtown and had ice cream along the shores of the Leland River and watched the pleasure boats go by. 

We ended our night by swimming at a local public park in the huge 8,600 acre Lake Leelanau. I sat on the sand and watched the kids swim and play in the clear blue green water and just enjoyed the beauty of a Michigan summer evening.

 

 

Michigan was once densely covered by large hardwoods and pine forests until the second half of the 19th century when logging destructively made way for stump laden farm fields. The AuSable River in the northeast portion of Michigan's lower peninsula was a main way of transportation for many of the logs on their way to sawmills. The logs would be rolled down the high banks of the river and then floated down river. To read more about Michigan's logging history, click here

The AuSable River is also home to five historic hydroelectric dams, three of which are pictured in the following series of images. 

 

River Road, which follows the AuSable River, is a National Scenic Byway with multiple overlooks and interesting stops. One of the stops along the way is Lumberman's Monument Visitor's Center which features educational exhibits about the past logging industry and also walking trails with access to the AuSable River. 
 

   

An overlook on one of the trails that shows a birds eye view of the AuSable River. 

 

 

A view of one of the rollaways that lumbermen would roll logs down into the river. For scale, those are two large pontoon boats anchored at the base of the sand cliff. 

 

 

There was a natural spring in this first and third picture where the river grass has collected. It was quite frigid compared to the temperate summer river water. 

 

 

Cooke Hydroelectric Dam built in 1912. All of the dams are popular locations for fishermen.

 

 

Another stop on River Rd is the Foote Pond Overlook and Champagne Hill. I didn't let the kids go any further than that because I didn't want to have them fall down the hill and me have to climb back up!

 

 

Foote Dam across the river. 

 

 

We ended our road trip in Tawas City, MI at Gateway Park which is on the shores of Lake Huron. They have multiple parks along the lake but the kids had never been to this one. I remember playing here as a child and I loved it but it was not as well maintained at that point and until recently this park had looked pretty rough. The girls loved the large play structures and obviously no one wanted to leave as there are pictures of the kids throwing rocks into the lake with the moon in the pretty pink sky. 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) 35mm film photography ausable river leelanau peninsula Leelanau peninsula road trip lumberman's momument michigan film photographer michigan vacation michigan wedding photographer north carolina film photographer north carolina wedding photographer northern michigan road trip northern michigan tourist attractions summer in northern michigan https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2021/2/michigan-summer-road-trip Sat, 13 Feb 2021 03:18:21 GMT
Reynolda Gardens Wedding Proposal https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2021/2/reynolda-gardens-wedding-proposal Darrin contacted me about photographing his proposal to his girlfriend Heather at Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem a couple of months back. The idea was to disguise the proposal as a family session for them and his sister and also content for Heather's blog. We decided that we would start with some normal pictures and then about halfway through we would head to the greenhouse and that would be his cue. Everything worked out beautifully and of course she said YES! 

The day was very cold and windy with the sun dipping behind the clouds off and on. These guys were troopers and you couldn't tell that they were actually freezing or that it was muddy and there was construction and improvements going on all around us. Darrin and Heather's little girl was just adorable and was a joy to photograph and capture running around. 

It is always an honor for me to be a photographer and be able to witness such beautiful moments like engagements, weddings, and births and document those memories for clients.

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics engagement session reynolda gardens engagement session reynolda gardens family session reynolda gardens photographer reynolda gardens proposal reynolda gardens session reynolda gardens wedding proposal winston salem photography location winston-salem engagement photographer winston-salem wedding proposal https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2021/2/reynolda-gardens-wedding-proposal Wed, 03 Feb 2021 23:03:23 GMT
The Barn at Reynolda Village Wedding Styled Shoot https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/12/the-barn-at-reynolda-village-wedding-styled-shoot The Barn at Reynolda Village in Winston-Salem is the perfect place for a wedding and it was the perfect setting for this beautiful styled wedding shoot hosted by Adorn Collective Workshops. Nestled in Reynolda Village the barn is close enough to walk to Reynolda Gardens and also Reynolda House, both lovely locations for wedding portraits. If you are planning a Winston Salem wedding be sure to look into this gorgeous venue. As a photographer in Winston-Salem I am so fortunate to have so many great locations just minutes from my house. 

 

Many vendors worked together to bring this beautiful shoot together: 

Host: Adorn Collective Workshops IG: @adorncollectiveworkshops
Styling: The Prettiest Pieces IG: @the_prettiest_pieces 

Taylor Hackett Johnson IG: @taylor.hackett.johnson_
Venue: The Barn at Reynolda Village IG: @barnatreynoldavillage
Floral Design: Grace and Greenery IG: @graceandgreenery
Lounge + Rentals: The Prettiest Pieces IG: @the_prettiest_pieces
Invitations + Menu Cards: Blush Waters IG: @blushwaters
Ghost Chairs: Party Reflections IG: @partyreflections
Makeup: Dark Hearts Makeup IG: @darkheartsmakeup
Tabletop Rentals: Party Makers Event Rental IG: @partymakerseventrental
Gown: Bellissima IG: @bellissimanc
Tux: ASOS IG: @asos
Shoes: Badgley Mischka bride IG: @badgleymischkabride
Ring Box: The Mrs Box IG: @the_mrs_box
Model Agency: Locke Models IG: @lockemodels
Models: Devin Brewer IG: @devin__brewer  Hamlin Lee IG: @hamlin_lee

Workshop Owner + Creative Director: Taylor Hackett Johnson

Film developing and scanning: Boutique Film Lab  

 

 

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The Barn at Woodlake Meadows Bridal Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/10/the-barn-at-woodlake-meadows-bridal-session Courtney decided to do her bridal session at her venue The Barn at Woodlake Meadows in Bear Creek, NC. When she first met with me and told me about her venue awhile back I really didn't understand how unique and special this piece of property was! I had seen pictures but there is no replacement for being there in person. The grounds are so well kept up and neat and how did I not mention already that there are animals?! Cows, alpacas, sheep, goats, chickens and more. The lake gives a beautiful backdrop for her bridal session but also for wedding ceremonies including hers and Devon's. 

I am excited to finally be able to share her pretty bridal pictures and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 

 

 

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Blue Ridge Parkway Engagement Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/10/blue-ridge-parkway-engagement-session Lauren & Griffin chose to have their engagement session on the Blue Ridge Parkway because they both love to be in the mountains in their free time. I always love photographing and visiting the Parkway so I was more than happy to drive up there. We had a beautiful crisp cool day and were able to spend a lot of time on the mountain before the fogged rolled in that evening. They brought some wine and a comfy blanket for snuggling which were both perfect. This sweet couple is planning a March wedding at Board and Batten Events in Salisbury and I can't wait to photograph them again!

 

Film scanning and developing were by Boutique Film Lab

 

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Winston Salem Studio Photography Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/7/winston-salem-studio-photography-session I am excited to finally be able to use the studio! Sarah came in and let me take some practice pictures of her and her sweet little one. We used a mixture of film, digital, natural light, artificial light and artificial light with film! Overall I am pretty happy with all the results and can keep fine tuning from here and seeing what works well and what doesn't. I am looking forward to many more portrait sessions in this beautiful space.

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics film indoor portraits nc north carolina north carolina photographer photographer portrait photographer studio winston salem winston salem photographer winston salem photography studio https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/7/winston-salem-studio-photography-session Sun, 12 Jul 2020 16:24:50 GMT
September Visit to Mackinac Island Michigan https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/7/september-visit-to-mackinac-island-michigan September in Michigan can be the start of cooler weather for the upcoming fall and it's also a perfect time to go to Mackinac Island! Kids are back in school and you don't have the crowds of summer tourists. What you do have as we experienced on our trip was busloads of senior tourists and large group business conferences. Even so, we had a pleasant trip with fairly low crowds, especially on our first day which was overcast and drizzly. 

As always, I had my wonderful 35mm film camera ready to document whatever stood out to me. 

In addition to spending time on the island we also checked out the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City. Side note, yes, I spelled Mackinaw City different than Mackinac Island and that can be confusing! Mackinac is pronounced just like Mackinaw is spelled. Mackinac Island was named Michilimackinac by the French who first came to that area to establish a mission for the Huron Indians. It was later shortened and Mackinaw City just chose to use the phonetic spelling. You can read more about Mackinaw City here

We chose to stay at a hotel on Lake Huron in Mackinaw City and just take the ferry in on both days we spent on Mackinac Island. I really wanted to stay on the island but there were only two rooms available on the whole island at the time I booked and neither worked well for us. For both of our ferry rides over we chose the time where we would take a tiny detour and go under the Mackinac Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. On the ferry you have the choice to sit inside or to sit on top with a great view of everything. 

 

Once arriving at the ferry docks there is a bustle of visitors exiting the boat, some gathering bikes they brought over, others are islanders bringing groceries back from the mainland. Ferry workers are unloading luggage headed to hotels or other small freight items that were brought aboard. The people spill out onto the main street, newcomers trying to find their bearings on where to go and what to do next. Our first morning we came over on the first ferry so just enjoyed the empty streets reminiscent of early morning Magic Hours at Disney World. We found a cute cafe that was open and had a delicious small breakfast. 

 


Mackinac Island's downtown area is all on the main street with residential areas flowing from there. The stores are mostly quaint tourist shops, some with unique items and some with more traditional kitschy tourist items. My favorite store was the adorable Poppins and they also had the friendliest staff!

 

Since no cars are allowed on the island you will see a lot of bikes and horse drawn carriages. Bikes are the main mode of transportation for most people and tourists on the island. You can take a carriage ride and there are of course horse drawn tours offered. You can bring your own bike on the ferry but it does cost extra so it may be convenient to rent a bike at one of the many bike rental shops. They have different offerings including tandem bikes which can be fun. 

 

There is an abundance of delicious restaurants and cafes and of course fudge! The best fudge is on Mackinac Island and the smells entice you into the shops to watch them make it and taste test different flavors. 


In addition to a few small hotels much of the lodging on the island is in the form of bed and breakfasts in some of the island's historic homes. Tourists started coming to the island in the late 1800s and the wealthy built cottages and large summer homes. 

 

There are a few historic churches on Mackinac Island including Sainte Anne Church pictured below. The parish dates back to the 1600s but the current structure was completed about 1880. 

 

The McGulpin House (pictured below) which according to the Mackinac State Parks website may be one of the oldest private residences in Michigan, dating back to the late 1700s and possibly was moved from the mainland to the island in the early 1800s. 

 

The view from the entrance of Fort Mackinac overlooking a southwest portion of the island with a faint Mackinac Bridge in the background and Mackinaw City on the mainland. 

 

Fort Mackinac dates back to the American Revolution when it started as a British Fort. The Fort now acts like a museum telling history of the fort and also Mackinac Island in general. Multiple live shows with historical reenactors are featured daily. I highly recommend purchasing tickets to enter the fort when visiting the island. 

 

Opened in 1887, the crown jewel of Mackinac Island is the Grand Hotel sitting on a hilltop facing Mackinaw City and overlooking the downtown area. As a luxury resort there is a dress code for adults and children and there is a $10 charge for non-guests to enter the hotel and explore the grounds. 

 

Many tourists take advantage of the 8 mile road around the perimeter of the island and take a couple of hours to bike around. When we were there the shoreline had encroached on the road and some places had damage. Since that time further damage has been done and parts of the road are currently being worked on and bikers are re-routed inland. 

I highly recommend anyone visiting the island that can to take this bike trip around. The views are amazing and the peaceful serenity of the blue clear Lake Huron water and the gentle waves and breeze are something magical and not to be forgotten. 

As you bike around there are a few places to stop and read the history or sightsee. Once of these places is Arch Rock pictured below. Another must stop on the bike ride around the island is the Cannonball for a quick bite. 

 

Since the island is surrounded by Lake Huron, beautiful water views are available from many places on the island. 

 

Round Island Light and the Mackinac bridge in the Straits of Mackinac as seen from the ferry headed back at sunset to the mainland. 

 

 

For more information about visiting Mackinac Island you can check out their website and for more in depth history of the island you can view that here. I hope you enjoyed my pictorial representation of my visit and the little bits of history and info. Michigan is such a great place to visit, be sure to not leave it out of your future travel plans! 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) 35mm becca's pics beccaspics film mackinac island mackinaw city mi michigan photographer photography tourism tourist travel vacation visit https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/7/september-visit-to-mackinac-island-michigan Wed, 01 Jul 2020 19:29:33 GMT
Legacy Stables Wedding in Winston Salem NC https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/6/legacy-stables-wedding-in-winston-salem-nc Marshall and Sage were married in a beautiful wedding ceremony at Legacy Stables and Events in Winston Salem. Their May wedding date ended up being very hot so we were thankful for the great getting ready spaces and large indoor reception area that Legacy can provide for the bridal parties. 

My favorite parts of their wedding was Marshall surprise singing to Sage during their ceremony and their amazing red getaway car! 

All of the vendors that participated were awesome and worked together to create a magical day for the couple and their family to remember forever. 

 

 

DJ: A&A Disc Jockey

Catering: Above and Beyond Catering

Cake: Cakes by Elizabeth

MUA for bride: Katie Thompson

Hair for bride: Lily Mendenhall

Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal from Elizabella's Bridal and Boutique

Bridesmaid's dresses: David's Bridal

Groom & Groomsmen's attire: Men's Warehouse

Day of Coordinator: Kathy Adkins

Wedding & Engagement rings: Diamond's Direct

Officiant: Matt Smith from Vintage Church

Flowers: Rhonda Hicks Floral Design

Invitations: Zazzle

Video: Tobacco Road Film Company

Second Shooter: Brittany Butterworth Photography 

Film developing & scanning: Boutique Film Lab 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics beccaspics film legacy stables legacy stables and events may nc north carolina photographer summer triad wedding winston salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/6/legacy-stables-wedding-in-winston-salem-nc Tue, 30 Jun 2020 15:54:30 GMT
Michael & Lauren's Winston-Salem Wedding at St Leo the Great & The Barn at Reynolda Village https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/5/michael-laurens-winston-salem-wedding-at-st-leo-s-the-barn-at-reynolda-village Michael and Lauren had a gorgeous October wedding day in Winston Salem, NC. They started by getting ready with their bridal party at the Kimpton-Cardinal Hotel downtown in their beautiful suites and then took a trolley to St Leo the Great Catholic Church for their ceremony. After the ceremony Michael and Lauren headed back to the Kimpton-Cardinal to spend some time alone on the roof for portraits and enjoy the downtown skyline. Family and bridal party portraits were done at Reynolda Gardens while the guests enjoyed cocktail hour at The Barn at Reynolda Village. The night ended with a bubble exit and a beautiful white Rolls Royce as the getaway car. 

It was great to see Michael and Lauren's family come together from different parts of the country to all celebrate and enjoy such a special time!

Michael & Lauren's other awesome vendors:

Florals: Dahlia's Floral Design 

Hair & Makeup: Face Forward 

DJ: Chad Sain 

Catering: Holly Tate Fine Catering

Cake: Tart's Sweets

Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel from Lana Addison

Bridesmaids Dresses: Birdy Grey

Groom's suit: Custom from Alton Lane

Groomsmen's attire: The Black Tux

Wedding Planner: Brandy at High Cotton Events by Design 

Ring Box: The Mrs Box

Rentals: Cottage Luxe

Rings: Bailey's Fine Jewelry

Invitation Suite: Blush and Blue Designs 

Transportation: Royal Limousine of Greensboro

Film Scans: Boutique Film Lab 

Second Shooter: Rachel McConoughey Photography 

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics beccaspics downtown fall film nc north carolina north carolina wedding photographer photographer St Leo the great catholic church st leos the barn at reynolda village the kimpton-cardinal hotel wedding winston salem winston salem wedding photographer https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/5/michael-laurens-winston-salem-wedding-at-st-leo-s-the-barn-at-reynolda-village Tue, 05 May 2020 03:26:26 GMT
Winston Salem Engagement Session at Tanglewood Park https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/4/winston-salem-engagement-session-at-tanglewood-park Before everyone was on lockdown and photographers were listed as unessential we were able to get Emily and Bryan's engagement done early this spring. Her red dress made every picture pop which was great since everything outside was still pretty drab. I am looking forward to their October 2020 Greensboro wedding!

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics beccaspics bride engagement nc north carolina park photographer session spring Tanglewood triad wedding winston salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/4/winston-salem-engagement-session-at-tanglewood-park Wed, 15 Apr 2020 19:59:59 GMT
Michigan Lighthouse, Lakes and Dow Gardens https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/4/michigan-lighthouse-lakes-and-dow-gardens I typically visit my parents in Michigan three times a year: April/May, August and Christmas. This past August when I drove my kids up for a two week visit I only brought my 35mm film camera and a 50mm lens to use. I love the feeling of limited use with film and being selective with what I shoot. It makes the pictures all that more special. It also makes me slow down and wait for the moment and be grounded in what is happening around me. 

When I visit it's nice to relax at my parents' house but I also like to plan one trip somewhere new or that we haven't been to in awhile. This past August we visited some lighthouses along the Lake Huron coast. Michigan's outdoor beauty in the summer is amazing and I am happy to share my small trip with you!

 

 

These first lake pictures were taken at my parents' lake at their home in Northern Michigan. It's great for fishing, not so great for swimming. My siblings did take my kids out to the middle of the lake to swim and since my kids aren't scaredy-cats like me they absolutely loved it. In Michigan you are never more than a few minutes away from a lake or river and you are never more than 85 miles from a Great Lake! Not all lakes and rivers are created equally in Michigan, some are clear, some are muddy, some are sandy, but the best part is that typically there are no snakes like in North Carolina! 

 

 

Michigan once had over 250 lighthouses on its Great Lake shores but now there are around a 100 that are still in decent condition. Some are privately owned and some are public museums. This first lighthouse is the Old Presque Isle lighthouse (pronounced PRESK Isle although the county is pronounced PRESK EEL even though it is spelled the same). Presque Isle comes from the French word for Peninsula. Because of the historic French and Indian influences on the area many of our place names have French or Indian roots.

It has limited visitor's hours and has a little gift shop and museum area that tells about the previous lighthouse keepers and what their life was like. Like most of the lighthouse museums if you are allowed to climb the tower there is a small fee that goes towards the upkeep of the museum. 

This light and the one just up the dirt road are both located on the small Preque Isle peninsula just north of Alpena that juts out into Lake Huron in Northeast Michigan. Built in 1840 the Old Presque Isle light is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses on the Great Lakes. To read more facts and find the location and visitor's info about this light click here and here.  

 

 

Just a mile up the road is the New Presque Isle lighthouse. Just like its name it is a newer light meant to replace the Old Presque Isle location. Obviously the naming board weren't being too creative! The new light was built in 1870 and is much taller than the older light. It is also much taller with over 130 steps to the stop which makes it the tallest lighthouse available for the public on the Great Lakes. You can click here and here to read more about the New Presque Isle light. 

When I was visiting we made a trip with my parents but missed the times for all the lights to be open so when my brother and sister in law arrived we made a second trip to be sure to be able to go inside all of them. Our first visit to Presque Isle gave us extremely rough water and heavy winds. Typically you don't see large whitecaps on the Great Lakes without a storm but that day we did. Because of the waves parts of a shipwreck were noticeable along the shore. On our subsequent visit everything was much calmer. 

Just like the variety of lakes and rivers the Great Lakes coastline can vary immensely as well. At this location instead of a sandy beach it was smooth white rocks worn down by the waves. Just like at Old Presque Isle this location also had a gift shop and a small museum. 

 

 

Following US 23 north up the Lake Huron coast brings you to Rogers City which is home to the world's largest limestone quarry. Because the limestone cleans the water the surrounding area has amazing crystal blue green water. The Forty Mile Point Lighthouse is about 10 miles north of Rogers City and the drive along the coast is just perfect as most of it gives you a great view of the water. 

The Forty Mile Point light gets its name from the fact that it is 40 miles (sailing) from Mackinaw Point. The light is still in use today and the building that houses the tower is split in half with the current caretaker occupying half of the building. The housing area was built for two keeper's families in mind and had 2 mirrored living spaces. Currently the half that is open to the public is set up as a museum with historical pieces similar to what it would have looked like in 1897 when it was first operational. 

In 1905 the steamer Joseph S Fay wrecked not far off the beach and part of the side can be seen on the shore. You can click here to read more about the Fay. 

The 40 Mile Point light area has a gift shop and other outbuildings that you can visit. It also has some walking trails to a beach area where the shipwreck can be viewed. To learn more about the 40 Mile Point Light you can click here and here

 

 

Along the coast on US 23 in between the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse and Rogers City is a cute little roadside beach with parking and outhouses. I had to stop because the water there was just beautiful!

 

 

Changing gears completely on our last day in Michigan we decided to visit Dow Gardens in Midland and their newly opened tree canopy walk in Whiting Forest. This is such a unique area with the longest tree walk in the U.S. It definitely felt like you were walking in a very large tree house. In addition to the walkway they had fun areas for kids like rope climbing and this unique wood flower. Not far from the canopy walk is a playground with a focus on water play which my kids loved.

We didn't have a lot of time left but we did manage to make it to the Children's Garden portion of Dow Gardens which was really enjoyable and of course beautiful. It was very interactive with vegetables you could pick and take home and also other activities like watering and fountains. 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this little taste of what Michigan has to offer. If anyone is looking for a photographer for a Michigan wedding or especially a lighthouse wedding I am always willing to travel!

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) beach becca's pics beccaspics City Dow film Forest Gardens Great house Huron Lake Lakes light lighthouse MI Michigan nc photographer Rogers Summer travel vacation Whiting https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/4/michigan-lighthouse-lakes-and-dow-gardens Wed, 01 Apr 2020 23:56:39 GMT
Moses Cone Manor Blue Ridge Parkway Kids Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/3/moses-cone-manor-blue-ridge-parkway-kids-session It had been about six months since I had taken my kid's pictures so I figured I needed to get some done, plus with a 2 year old they change so much and I wanted to document that. This was our 3rd attempt to go to the mountains and take pictures but we kept getting rained out. This day ended up being perfect aside from it being a little chilly!

We explored some of our favorite spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Boone and Blowing Rock and then decided to just stay at the Moses Cone Park for our pictures.

We decided to do a little hike beforehand since I wanted to wait for sunset so we set off on a "quick" 3 mile round walk to the apple barn. We had about 3 hours to spare so I figured that would be plenty. Unfortunately I was wrong and hadn't taken into consideration that the entire way back would be uphill and that our 2 year old would need to be carried for most of it. After what seemed like a never ending walk downhill on thankfully a wide and easy trail we arrived at the apple barn. We explored a little and then headed back so we wouldn't miss our picture window. A lot of whining and complaining went down and the toddler was passed back and forth but we made it back without dying. 

A quick change in the van led to a lot of weird looks and stares from others as I'm trying to discreetly pull up thick tights on two little girls. Their crazy cute hair was the result of "what can I do in about 2 minutes". 

Overall I am so thankful for the memories from that day but mostly for these pictures since I absolutely love them and our living room is now covered in prints of their sweet little faces!

 

Techincal info: A few of these were taken on a Pentax 645n to finish up a roll and the majority were taken on a 35mm Canon 1n and 50mm lens. Developing and scanning were by the Boutique Film Lab

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) 35mm becca's pics beccaspics blowing rock blue ridge parkway boone film fuji 400h moses cone manor moses cone park nc north carolina photographer session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/3/moses-cone-manor-blue-ridge-parkway-kids-session Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:08:46 GMT
Sam & Carli's Blue Ridge Parkway Engagement Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/3/sam-carlis-blue-ridge-parkway-engagement-session Sam & Carli were married this past fall in a beautiful wedding ceremony at Round Peak Vineyards near Mount Airy NC but a year ago this month we had a great time together shooting their engagement session!

Although we had had beautiful warm spring weather in Winston Salem, the Parkway had some closures due to ice. I had been checking the updates and the maps and thought we were good to go for our location that we wanted but as we got closer we found that the road was closed and just decided to get out and shoot where we could. You can't really go wrong with anywhere on the Blue Ridge Parkway parkway for pictures and I ended up loving how these turned out!

I rode with Carli and Sam up there and had a great time chatting with them about cars and music and we even got to sit down and eat together. I love when my job lets me go beyond just shooting and lets me get to know the people I am working with! I am so thankful I was chosen to document this special time for them and also thankful they were so fun loving and up for an adventure in the mountains.

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics beccaspics blue ridge parkway engaged engagement session film film photographer mountains nc north carolina photographer photography session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/3/sam-carlis-blue-ridge-parkway-engagement-session Tue, 10 Mar 2020 20:15:36 GMT
Travis and Mary Beth's Villa de l' Amour Wedding in High Point NC https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/2/travis-and-mary-beths-villa-de-l-amour-wedding-in-high-point-nc Travis and Mary Beth's wedding day in January started off cool and rainy and we expected to have to take all of the pictures outside but thankfully the rain stopped just in time for portraits and their sparkler exit! Their High Point NC venue, Villa de l' Amour, had the perfect amount of space and rooms for the ceremony, dinner, cocktail hour and reception. Everything ran seamlessly and they were able to enjoy their day celebrating with friends and family!

Some of my favorite moments from that day were Mary Beth reading her letter from Travis and Travis reading his letter from Mary Beth. These two love each other so adoringly, it is beautiful. Mary Beth also gave her Dad a note and a special handkerchief after his first look with his daughter. These moments were so filled with emotion it was hard just to pick a few to share here. The couple ended their night with dancing and it was great seeing everyone have such a great time!

Vendors:

Video - Sugar Shack Films

DJ - Winston Salem Wedding DJ

Catering - Culinary Visions Catering

Cake & Cupcakes - Heart-Made Cupcakes & Treats

Second Shooter - Sarah Warden Photography 

Hair and makeup were by Chrissie Owenby and Jessica Champney and coordinating and flowers were by Katrina Sapp. 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) amour becca's pics beccaspics de high point house of love January l' nc north carolina photographer photography triad venue villa villa de l' amour wedding wedding photographer winston salem winston salem wedding photographer winter https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2020/2/travis-and-mary-beths-villa-de-l-amour-wedding-in-high-point-nc Tue, 25 Feb 2020 04:52:18 GMT
A Summer Day in Boone NC https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/10/a-summer-day-in-boone-nc This summer while big brother was in FL at Legoland for his 10th birthday with Dad I took the girls up to Boone to spend the day at some of our favorite places! We love taking drives along the Parkway and exploring in the creeks and trails and since it was a warm day it was perfect weather for that. I grabbed my film camera to document this fun little time but of course a two year old doesn't make things easy..ever...but I still managed to grab a few cute shots. 

Of course we had to make a stop at the original Mast General Store and the Annex to get candy and ice cream. Then we had a fun time in the Watauga River at the park in Valle Crucis, one of my favorite places to go with the kids. Someday I would love to take some gorgeous senior or engagement pictures there!

We ended our day with a delicious seafood meal in town and I had two little girls who slept very well that night. 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics beccaspics blue blue ridge parkway boone creek film mountains north carolina parkway photographer ridge river session summer https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/10/a-summer-day-in-boone-nc Wed, 09 Oct 2019 04:44:30 GMT
Northern Michigan Lake Huron Beach Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/9/northern-michigan-lake-huron-beach-session I've had the privilege of watching these two grow as a couple over the past 10 years from their engagement session to now. This is my sweet sister and brother in law and they when I had asked her if they would be willing to do a beach session with me she enthusiastically said yes! Our original plan was to do the Sleeping Bear Dunes on the other side of the state in April but the weather waylaid those plans and so our backup became this gorgeous beach in August and I couldn't be happier with the location. Michigan is such a great place for anything outdoors, so many beautiful lakes and rivers and natural areas. It is a photographer's dream!

These were taken right before and during sunset on film with a Pentax 645n and a Canon 1n. Film was mostly Fuji 400h developed and scanned by Boutique Film Lab

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) beach becca's pics beccaspics couples session film lake lake huron michigan nc northern michigan oscoda photographer session sunset https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/9/northern-michigan-lake-huron-beach-session Mon, 09 Sep 2019 15:57:53 GMT
Virginia Farmhouse Lifestyle Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/9/virginia-farmhouse-lifestyle-session I met Amber when I photographed her brother's wedding years ago and then when she sent me a friend request I accepted and have been enjoying following her and Colt's story ever since. Their story is one of grace, trust, and patience amidst adversity. The Cottage Hill blog featured these beautiful pictures and their story in Amber's own words and you should definitely go read that here

When Colt and Amber moved to Virginia from North Carolina and bought a historic farmhouse I was so intrigued. I love old houses and coming from a rural farming background I am always excited for any type of farm animals. I continued to watch their story until one day I got an idea in my head to just document their life and their mini farm all on film. 

Why film? Well thats an entirely other blog post I need to write. I will keep it short here and just say a few things about why I chose film only. Over the past year of integrating film with my digital shooting I have become a better photographer. It has made me slow down and appreciate each moment for what they were. To anticipate the right time, click precisely. It has taught me patience as I don't get immediate satisfaction looking at the back of the camera or downloading images to my computer right after a session. Film also just has a special magical feeling that can't be duplicated very well with digital and I wanted to capture these special moments in a unique way. 

I enjoyed my time with Colt and Amber, getting a tour of their house and farm, meeting their animals, hearing about their future plans and dreams. I hope you enjoy this small taste into their world set in the middle of the green rolling Virginia foothills. 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) 35mm 645n animals becca's pics beccaspics farm farmhouse film foothills lifestyle north carolina pentax photographer rose lane farm session VA Virginia winston salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/9/virginia-farmhouse-lifestyle-session Thu, 05 Sep 2019 20:35:43 GMT
Carlos & Whitney's Greensboro NC Kress Terrace Wedding https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/6/greensboro-nc-kress-terrace-wedding Whitney and Carlos met on a dating app and hit it off from their first date. When they took a trip to visit his family in Peru they traveled to Machu Picchu and that's where Carlos had a surprise proposal planned! Talk about an epic place to be engaged! 

Whitney and Carlos love spending time with her daughter Ava, traveling and being outside when its nice out. For their wedding day we were hoping for a beautiful sunny Saturday but it was raining pretty heavily and an indoor ceremony was planned. Fortunately it cleared right before the ceremony and they were able to have it outside on the top of the Kress building in downtown Greensboro. 

They were surrounded by many friends and family including Carlos' family who traveled to be with them for their special day.  

Venue: Kress Terrace 

Harpist: Julie Money

Cake: Lily Cakes

MUA: Carly, CAS Boutique

Hair: Abby Eiser

Wedding Dress: Wtoo Hathaway from The Magnolia Bride in Kernersville

Day of Coordinator: Katie Hess of Katie Hess Events

Officiant: Ana Quintana Bird

Flowers: Plants and Answers

Invitations: Minted 

Catering: Above and Beyond

 

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Max's Summer Film Micro Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/6/maxs-summer-film-micro-session I may be biased but my sweet nephew is just too cute! I hadn't gotten to take any pictures of him lately so I was really happy to be able to grab these adorable shots at his mini mommy and me session. Those few smiles may not seem like a big deal but they were hard won. Looking forward to watching this cute little guy grow up!

These were taken on a Canon 1n with Kodak Portra 400 film and processed and scanned by Boutique Film Lab

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) 35mm becca's pics beccaspics family film kodak mommy and me nc north carolina photographer portra session summer toddler winston salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/6/maxs-summer-film-micro-session Thu, 27 Jun 2019 03:25:30 GMT
Styled Vintage Floral Bridal Shoot on Film https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/6/styled-vintage-floral-bridal-shoot-on-film I am IN LOVE with all of these images from this styled shoot with Abby. I dreamt up this session a few years ago but we ended up rescheduling over and over and finally it worked out this spring! 

My vision for this shoot was soft, romantic and floral and Abby's amazing beauty helped pull it off. The location was her family's property in the Advance area. 
The dress is made from vintage items from my Etsy store and the floral crown and bouquet were made my me with flowers from Trader Joes and greenery from my backyard. 

This was shot entirely on film with my Canon 1n and my Pentax 645n on Fuji 400h film. Scanning and processing was done by Boutique Film Lab

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics beccaspics boudoir bouquet bridal bride field film flowers nc north carolina photographer pink romantic styled winston salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/6/styled-vintage-floral-bridal-shoot-on-film Mon, 10 Jun 2019 17:30:45 GMT
Kids Session at Miller Park in Winston Salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/6/kids-session-at-miller-park-in-winston-salem SO...these pictures were supposed to be done at Easter at the beach but that didn't happen...then we were going to do them in MI but it was just too cold and wintery still at the end of April...so we settled for Miller Park in May and finishing up a roll of film from a wedding. 

I was so excited that the city put money into this great park! I love its old stone stairs and the fairyland feel. This trail you see at the beginning of the pictures is just so pretty and I like that the creek is now a focus and time has been invested in making it healthier. 

It had been awhile since I had taken pictures of all three of my kids so it feels great to get it done and have this time in their lives documented!

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics beccaspics creek film green kids miller park nc north carolina park photographer session summer winston salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/6/kids-session-at-miller-park-in-winston-salem Fri, 07 Jun 2019 15:31:55 GMT
Caleb & Anna's Luna's Trail Engagement Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/6/caleb-annas-luna-s-trail-engagement-session Caleb and Anna are getting married at Luna's Trail in Westfield at the end of July so using the venue property for their engagement session was the perfect choice! Both love being outside and they wanted to be able to use a lot of the areas we wouldn't get a chance to on their wedding day. One thing that Anna mentioned on their questionnaire was that they were both competitive....but I figured that out as soon as we did some silly poses and they turned it into a game, haha! I loved shooting with these two and I am looking forward to their summer wedding. 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics beccaspics engaged engagement engagement photographer engagement session film film photographer luna's luna's trail nc north carolina photographer session summer trail westfield winston salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/6/caleb-annas-luna-s-trail-engagement-session Tue, 04 Jun 2019 01:24:41 GMT
Sage's Spring Bridal Session at Legacy Stables and Events https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/5/sages-spring-bridal-session-at-legacy-stables-and-events Sage was SUCH a gorgeous bride and is an even sweeter person. I had a great time with her taking these beautiful images this past spring and am excited to finally be sharing them! She chose to do her bridals at Legacy Stables, the venue where she and Marshall were getting married. Her dress is Casablanca Bridal from Elizabella's Boutique in Greensboro. Her pretty bouquet was done by Rhonda Hicks Floral Design. 

Film images were scanned and processed by Boutique Film Lab

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) and becca's pics beccaspics bridal bridal session bride events film legacy legacy stables legacy stables and events nc north carolina photographer Rhonda hicks floral design session stables wedding winston salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/5/sages-spring-bridal-session-at-legacy-stables-and-events Mon, 27 May 2019 17:20:35 GMT
Elly turns TWO! https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/5/elly-turns-two Elly turned two at the end of January but she IS a third child so maybe that explains why I took these two months late and posted them 4 months late....But at least we got it done!

Bethabara Park always makes a great backdrop for any portraits and we had the whole park to ourselves. 

These were taken on a Canon 1n with mostly Fuji 400h film (a few Portra 400 images are thrown in) and developed and scanned by Boutique Film Lab

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) 35mm becca's pics beccaspics bethabara park film fuji 400h nc north carolina photographer session spring toddler winston salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/5/elly-turns-two Thu, 09 May 2019 19:59:00 GMT
Brandi & Alan's Horizon's Park Maternity Session https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/2/brandi-alans-horizon-s-park-maternity-session We met bright and early for this cute maternity session at Horizon's Park and you can't tell from the pictures but it was COLD! Brandi did a great job braving the weather and I'm sure she was chilly but you would never have known it. They really wanted a woodsy and nature feel from their session instead of buildings in the background and I think this was the perfect place! 

These are digital with a few film images thrown in. The film images were taken on a Pentax 645n on Fuji 400h film and scanned and processed by Boutique Film Lab

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) becca's pics beccaspics film horizon's maternity nc north carolina park photographer session trees winston salem woods https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/2/brandi-alans-horizon-s-park-maternity-session Fri, 15 Feb 2019 15:43:21 GMT
Mary Beth Winston Salem Bridals https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/1/mary-beth-winston-salem-bridals Mary Beth had a chilly November day for her bridal session but she pulled it off like a champ! You never would have known the layers she was wearing or at that one point she may or may not have had gloves on her poor chilly feet....

She chose a local Winston Salem park which was a great choice since it ended up being pretty empty and we had the whole place to ourselves. She rocked her session and made it to sunset and now has all these gorgeous pictures to look back on!

These are mostly digital but there are a few film images thrown in. Those film images were taken on a Canon 1n with Fuji 400h film and developed and scanned by Boutique Film Lab. 

 

 

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(Becca's Pics | Winston-Salem Wedding Photographer) 35mm becca's pics beccaspics bridal bride film film photographer nc north carolina november park photographer session wedding winston salem https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/1/mary-beth-winston-salem-bridals Tue, 22 Jan 2019 21:45:20 GMT
Disney World on Film https://www.beccaspics.com/blog/2019/1/disney-world-on-film We don't typically go to Disney World two times in one year, but we did in 2018. Do we just have so much cash laying around that we thought we would take a second Disney trip? Definitely NOT. Our much anticipated Jan 2018 trip was planned over our youngest's (Elly's) 1st birthday and we were all very excited to spend her birthday with her at Magic Kingdom, unfortunately things didn't quite go as planned. 

The first morning we were at the parks Emma and Joshua were excitedly participating in the Jedi Trials of the Temple where kids can train to be Jedis and then put on a show for the guests. Being Star Wars nerds they were SO happy about this, but not long after they started Emma started crying and complaining about intense stomach pains and she also had a fever. We put her in the stroller and waited for Joshua to finish his show but even that didn't go as planned, something broke which meant Darth Vader couldn't come out and fight so all the disappointed little kids had to leave the stage without preforming their show. That should have been the omen that our trip was going to be a bust. 

We took Emma back to the hotel and to make a long story short both kids were sick off and on all week. Once we thought they were better we would try to do something and then they would get sick again. It was horrible. We ended up leaving Disney early and Disney was kind enough to issue us tickets for the days we didn't use to use for another trip and they also refunded our money for the rest of our hotel stay. 

For the next two months Emma experienced intense stomach issues and pain until she was finally diagnosed with food poisoning. After two rounds of antibiotics she finally had some relief but continued to have issues. She was sent to a specialist and put on medicine and a special diet. FINALLY almost year later we are seeing her start to feel normal and eat regular food again. 

Because of the timing of this we were left with some stress from the situation, we were already going through a lot of intense changes and hardships in our life and this just added to that. Instead of being the peaceful (as much as Disney with 3 kids can be peaceful) respite it ended up being terrible. 

Fast forward to December 2018. It was decided that we use our tickets and go over my birthday and it ended up being wonderful. The whole reason I explained the horrors of our first 2018 trip and the ensuing year was to share what a difference this trip was and how it gave us such sweet family time that we will always ttreasure. Added to the sweetness are these beautiful pictures that I just love. My friend Sarah convinced me to just use film on my trip which made sense since I still have digital Disney pictures from years ago still sitting unedited on a hard drive somewhere.....

I did not bring my film camera out for Animal Kingdom because it was calling for rain and it did downpour half the day. I also didn't bring it to Hollywood Studios because honestly that park is just a big mess right now and I didn't miss bringing it there at all. 

These were taken over two days at Epcot and Magic Kingdom, my two favorite parks. As a birthday gift to myself I spent a few moments alone just photographing the little details which I enjoy the most. I love to find secluded spots or overlooked areas or details I have never noticed before. Film made me slow down and look for those even more. I was hoping to capture my feelings about these parks in pictures and I am glad to say that I did that for myself. I know that others may not understand why people like Disney but I cherish that childhood feeling of possibility and magic and for me Disney still can represent and bring those feelings back even if its just seeing it through the eyes of my children. 

These were taken on a Canon 1n with a 50mm lens. The daytime pictures were taken on Fuji 400h film and the nighttime images were taken with Portra 800.  They were processed and scanned by Boutique Film Lab