This wedding was a real first for me.  It was the first time I co-shot (rather than second shooting) a wedding with a photographer I truly respect and admire.  I had the awesome privilege of capturing Cameron and Lindsey’s day with Kelli Naisang, a wonderful photographer, and a dear friend.  When I say co-shot, that means half and half…we had equal stakes in this, which meant it was important for us to trust one another and work well together.  Now that it’s over, I can honestly say it was a true success…it really couldn’t have gone more smoothly.  Kelli, thanks for being so easy and FUN to work with!!!  I really, really mean that!!!

Speaking of easy and FUN to work with…let me introduce you to Lindsey!  She was such a pleasure…laid back and relaxed would definitely be adjectives I would use to describe her.  That makes our job as photographers much easier!  Lindsey and Cameron attend church with Kelli and I, so we have not only had the pleasure of watching their relationship develop, but we were honored to be able to capture the day they became Mr. and Mrs.  They were both SO excited…it was really sweet.  As a matter of fact, if you scroll down a few frames, you will notice Lindsey wiping away a few tears while getting ready.  Let me give you some background on that…Kelli and I had just done an AWESOME reenactment of how their “first look” would unfold and Lindsey got very emotional.  Now, some would say it was because she was excited about seeing Cameron VERY soon…I might argue that she was moved to tears by our performance, but whatever!

Speaking of “first looks”…Cameron and Lindsey chose to see one another before the wedding, so we could capture some really special moments between the two of them.  We chose a secluded spot, put Cameron in place, led Lindsey out, placed them back to back, and then let our cameras grab every moment when they turned around.  It was such a sweet experience.  Then we got all of the bridal party and family pics done, and Cameron and Lindsey were able to enjoy the rest of their day without having to “stop” it!   It also gave Kelli and I the ability to photograph the entire wedding and reception as it flowed rather than pausing in between for 30-45 minutes of photos.  I really think “first looks” are worth “looking” into if you’re planning a wedding!!!!!!!!

*the photos in this post are a combination of moments captured by both Kelli and myself.

*BE SURE TO HEAD OVER TO ERIN DRAGO PHOTOGRAPHY ON FACEBOOK AND CLICK “LIKE”!!!!!!!

Sarah contacted me last January and asked me about doing her wedding in June of 2012.  That was in January of 2011, which meant I didn’t even have a calendar to write it on yet, so I jotted “Sarah June 9, 2012″ on a post-it note and hung it up on my bulletin board.  Then, on June 30, 2011, I received another message from Sarah asking me if I would be available on December 17, 2011..they had decided to move the wedding up…yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I was very excited for them!!!

These two were married in Florence, SC at Ebeneezer Baptist Church and had their reception at Osborne’s.  Sarah was a beautiful bride and Jeremy was one happy groom!!!  Prior to shooting their wedding, someone had mentioned to me that Jeremy was A LOT of fun (I already knew Sarah is a sweetheart!), but I had no idea how hilarious he and his groomsmen would be…they were SOOOOOOO funny!!!!  There are times, especially on the dance floor, when I wish I was a videographer…I cannot even begin to explain to you the details of some of these dances…they were almost like performers on a stage…it was so, so, so funny!   A video camera would have really come in handy!  There were a couple of moments, when I just stopped and watched…I’m pretty sure they could have gone all night.  I could have watched all night, for sure!!!

I also want to thank my sister, Jennifer, for being a FABULOUS second shooter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She is the one responsible for the “Lane” picture below!!!  If only “Mr. and Mrs.” had been written in front of it, instead of “fire”!!

Jeremy and Sarah, thanks SO much for choosing me to capture this VERY important day!  I had a blast and am really glad I was able to be a part of it!!!!!

You can LIKE “Erin Drago Photography” on FACEBOOK HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Being a part of this wedding was such a PLEASURE for me!!!!!   I have been trying to think of the easiest way for me to explain my connection to this family and I think I have decided that a bulleted list will work best.  So, here goes…

• I lived in Florence, SC almost 10 years ago and worked at Pee Dee Christian bookstore
• At Pee Dee Christian I became friends with Rebecca L. who introduced me to Jim and Molly S.
• Jim and Molly have 2 children, Tim and Kristin
• While in Florence, I also volunteered for YoungLife, where I met Whitney M.
• Matt lived in Florence, too, and worked for a youth group where he met, Kris M
• I moved away and got married and lost touch with most of the above (except through occasional facebook updates)
• Whitney M. ended up marrying Kris M…neat-o!!
• A few months ago, I saw on facebook that Whitney M.’s brother, Marshall, and Jim and Molly’s daughter, Kristin, were getting married.
• I was VERY excited, although I had to take a moment to think about how old I felt
• Then, I got this super-awesome e-mail…

Hi Erin, I got your name from Whitney M.. My daughter Kristin S. is marrying Marshall C. (Whitney’s brother). The wedding date is set for December 10, 2011 at 5:30pm at the Church at Sandhurst in Florence SC. I would love to talk to you about being the photographer for this event. Please email me back with your info and availability.

• This brought on a squeal and jump combination I didn’t know I was capable of, and a phone call to Matt telling him about the e-mail and how I didn’t think Molly knew it was me she was e-mailing.
• I then proceeded to e-mail this to Molly…

Hey Molly!!!!!!!!!!!!  Do you remember me!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????  I’m Erin M., one of the redheaded twins that worked at the bookstore (Pee Dee Christian) with Rebecca L.!!!!!!!!!:)

It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)  I saw that Kristin got engaged on facebook…I know y’all are very excited!!!!!!:)  Please tell her I said CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

AND THE REST IS HISTORY…

I cannot begin to express what a great joy it was to work with these families and their friends.  When I was in Florence, I always had a great amount of respect for Jim and Molly and their family, and I must say I left this most recent experience feeling the exact same way.  My conversations with Molly were encouraging and thoughtful, and I am so grateful we were able to be re-acquainted.

Kristin was the ideal bride.  She was oozing with a desire to be Marshall’s wife and I found that refreshing.  She wasn’t overly concerned with the way she looked, the details, the time, or the day, she was just bubbling with the anticipation of being Marshall’s bride.  I really enjoyed watching that.

This was a union of two people who love each other, but more importantly love Christ.  It was also the bringing together of two families who have raised their children by pointing them to their Savior.  Their story is a good one.

**Check out Whitney M.’s blog…she is delightful and hilarious!!

**Her husband, Kris M. is the operator of Radio Free Florence, a “grass roots non-profit run radio station with a mission to play the best in Christian Pop/Rock music.”  He is also an EXCELLENT videographer and does weddings!!!!

**I also need to give a MAJOR SHOUT-OUT to my sister and second-shooter, JENNIFER GRIMSLEY.  She went above and beyond to help me with this wedding and I SOOOOOO appreciate it!!!!  Thanks Jennifer…LOVE YOU!!!!!

wedding videographer:  Palmetto Digital