Second Bloom

How many times do we see beautiful wedding flowers go to waste after a wedding?  Well, unfortunately all the time.  There is a great new non-profit in asheville called Second Bloom, that will come and pick up all the flowers and distribute to nursing homes.  This allows those in the nursing homes who may have had to give up a love of gardening to re-engage in activity that is satisfying and rewarding.  what a fantastic idea!  So before you throw away those flowers - please consider Second Bloom!

Real Weddings: Rebecca and Ronnie

Claxton Farm is truly a beautiful venue to have a wedding here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  StudioWed Asheville vendors all worked to perfectly execute the wedding of Ronnie and Rebecca.  They had a beautiful and emotional ceremony, led by Tim Lolley with Blue Mountain Weddings, under an incredible arbor built by the bride's father.  They partied the night away to the tunes of Blazin Sounds Entertainment.  

Event Planner: Verge Events, Photographer: Aaron Imaging, Floral Design: Studio Flora Diva

Wedding Festivals

The bi-annual Wedding Festivals will be in Asheville this Saturday, January 10 at the Asheville Civic Center from 10-3, with an after-party at StudioWed from 2-6.  We hope to see you there!

Real Weddings: Ashley and Kevin

Some of the vendors of StudioWed Asheville collaborated for another beautiful wedding on the Biltmore Estate at Lioncrest

Verge Events worked with this beautiful couple for over a year in planning all the details for their "One Starry Night" theme.  Thankfully the weather held out so they could have just that!  The floral design was executed by the ever so talented Blossoms at Biltmore Park.  From floral chandeliers to lots of 'sparkles' requested by the bride, it was breathtaking!  Dylan Skidmore of Blazin Sounds Entertainment had the party dancing the night away under the stars.  The day was captured by Jeremy Russell of Corey McNabb Photography - who was just fantastic to work with.  Makeup design by E. Scott Thompson.

Photographer Feature: Amber Holritz for Corey McNabb Photography

We recently got the great opportunity to get to know Amber Holritz with Corey McNabb photography better.  Be sure to check out her work at her website - www.coreymcnabb.com/amber.  Thanks Amber!

How do you describe your style?  

I'm real life.  I look for the humor and the beauty in every situation.

I'm relational.  I want to see love and feel love in every image that I take.

I'm classic.  I avoid the fads that will date your wedding images, and instead focus on classic [often black and white] imagery that will still feel current in 20 years.

How long have you been a photographer? 

I first started photographing professionally about 7 years ago.  I've been in love with the art of photography since I was about 13 and was given my first camera.

How did you get started?

Like I said above, I've loved photography forever.  When my husband and I married, we didn't have the greatest photography experience...email me sometime, and I'll tell you that story :)  We bought ourselves a "real camera" and have never looked back.

What inspires you to keep doing what you do?

People! I am relationally driven, so for me, the opportunity to make wonderful new friends at every event is SO inspiring.  It's important to me that I have the opportunity to memoralize these special moments for people that I care about.

If you could give couples one piece of advice on picking a photographer, what would it be?

Connect with your photographer.  Whether it be through their blog, email communication, on in-person meetings, try to get a feel for if you and your photographer mesh on a personal level.  In my opinion, it makes a world of difference in the end product.  A good photographer will make you feel comfortable and at ease, which is exactly how you want to feel around the person who will be shadowing you closely on your wedding day.

If you could photograph anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Japan.  I made a trip to Japan several years back, but I've learned so much about photography since then that I would love to return with fresh eyes.  The culture there is so amazing.  I'd love the opportunity to truly explore it photographically.  Plus, it's where my husband grew up, so it would be awesome to take a trip there with him.

Photographer Feature: Jeremy Russell for Corey McNabb Photography

Jeremy Russell of Corey McNabb Photography not only captures all the moments in a wedding day, he captures all of them beautifully while being incredible to work with.   We had a chance to interview Jeremy to learn more about him and his work ~ check out what he had to say!  Thanks Jeremy!

How do you describe your style?  The typical title is "wedding photojournalist" and essentially my goal is to capture all the fun and emotion of The Big Day without getting in your way...ever.

How long have you been a photographer?  12 years.  

How did you get started?  I started more years ago than I'd like to admit, as a high school yearbook photographer.  Which led me to a B.S. in Photographic Imaging with some weddings on the side.  Which led me to working as a retoucher at a high end photo agency in LA for four years and some more weddings on the side.  Which led to getting burned out on city life, moving to Asheville in 2006, and deciding to shoot weddings full time.

What inspires you to keep doing what you do?  Honestly, my clients and their feedback.  I know it sounds cheesy but it's true!

If you could give couples one piece of advise on picking a photographer, what would it be?  Pick a photographer whose photographic style and personality fit what you are looking for as a starting point.  How many 8x10's and picture coffee mugs you get will probably not be the more important factor in the long run.

If you could photography anywhere in the world, where would it be?  The Galapagos Islands.  Again.  Although I don't recall what their wedding venues were like....

Feature vendor this week is Michael Juiliano of Michael Juiliano Photography.  We have worked with Michael a lot in the past, and he is just wonderful ~ read below to hear from Michael, the ninja!

How do you describe your style?  I always have a problem with this question.  Can we just call it ninja style?  I enjoy pulling from different things.  Art, music, books, video, people, conversation, places, things.  Everything inspires me.  I think we have to be flexible in this day and age.  We aren't just journalists, we aren't just fine art photographers, we aren't just portrait photographers.  We need to do it all and everything in between.  Be flexible.  Go with the flow. Like a ninja.

How long have you been a photographer?  I think I've always had the photographic eye.  I found myself always saying "that would be a great picture."  As soon as I was big enough to hold it I started to "borrow" my dad's SLR camera or " big camera" as I used to call it.  I started taking pictures on family vacation and my mom used to compare them to the postcards and tell me mine were better.  Don't worry it never went to my head, but I love the story.  It's been a hobby all my life pretty much.  I kept my dad's camera and unfortunately traded it up for a better camera when I got more serious about photography.  I've been shooting professionally since 2004 [I think?] I hope my dad forgive me for that.  I don't know if I ever told him where his camera went.  I'll shoot his next wedding free, that'll make him happy.  [no rush dad].

How did you get started?  Professionally?  My good friend John saw some of my photographs on the computer at work.  I had them as my screen saver.  They were mostly urban shots of textures and old building and garbage cans and such.  He asked me if I shot weddings.  I said no.  He asked me if I'd teach him some stuff so I did.  He eventually talked me into doing his wedding.  I did it as a gift as long as I could do what I want.  Part of what turned me off about wedding photography at first was the fact that I thought you had to do a certain thing or your photos had to have a certain look.  A look I was not interested in .  Boy was I wrong.  I had a blast.  I've been doing it ever since.  My first paid wedding was a referral from his wedding.  The rest is history.  I love it.  I have fun and insist my client-friends do as well.

What inspires you to keep doing what you do?  Freedom.

If you could give couples one piece of advise on picking a photographer, what would it be?  Know what you are looking for.

If you could photograph anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Italy.  I'm hoping that happens in 2009.  I'm working on it.