Tara + Craig | King Family Vineyards Wedding

Oct

Posted in: Wedding

Tara and Craig … The day of their wedding was overcast. There was a slight breeze when I pulled up to King Family Vineyards. The mountains were bright blue in the distance. The sun was poking through the clouds ever so slightly. It was perfect! Every little detail was incredible.

There isn’t much I can say about Tara and Craig that their family and friends don’t already know. They are kind. They are generous. They are selfless. They have two of the biggest hearts. They are masters at spreading love and joy. They were truly made for each other, and being a part of their wedding day was amazing!

JOY. It’s a small but powerful word. And when I think of Tara and Craig’s wedding day, it’s the first word that comes to mind. The light on Tara’s face when she was finally in her dress – JOY. The excitement felt as I positioned Tara and Craig for their First Look – JOY. When Craig couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful Tara looked and how lucky he was – JOY. When people gathered and listened to them read their incredibly thoughtful and loving vows to one another – JOY. When they laughed and smiled and danced their hearts out all night in celebration – JOY!

The reason that word is so important to me in this post is because for the first time, I really understood what it means to capture the spirit of the day. Sadly, not long after their wedding day, Tara lost her father. I know this has been a devastating time for her and her family. I can only hope that these images captured the JOY of the day and can serve as a reminder of the happiness he felt before he died. And with her permission, I’m sharing these images with love and excitement… and JOY.

One of my absolute favorite parts of the day was the intimate time Tara and Craig shared with each other before their first look. They exchanged cards and gift. They ended up giving each other the same card!

More bride a groom portraits! Isn’t this vintage couch amazing?

Congratulations Tara and Craig! Thank you to Sarah Goodwin for being my second shooter!

Vendors:

Venue: King Family Vineyards

Flowers: Honey Bee’s Florist

Bride’s Dress: David Tutera from White Swan

Groom’s Attire: Perry Ellis

Hair and Makeup: Amber Lowe

DJ: Greg Tutwiler

Videographer: Hoopla Media

Cake: The Cupcake Company

Invitation: Smart Press – designed by bride’s sister!

Favors: Brother’s Craft Brewing Beer

Vintage Couch Rental: Valley Heirlooms

Bethany + Michael | Shenandoah Valley Golf Club Wedding

Jun

Posted in: Wedding

As I pulled up to the venue on the day of Bethany and Michael’s wedding I remember thinking how beautiful it was. Friends and family were already hard at work making everything perfect. I walked into the most adorable house where Bethany and her girls were getting ready. Everyone looked beautiful and had smiles from ear to ear! I loved everything about this wedding. Everything was very elegant and romantic… it was perfect! Right before the ceremony was about to begin, clouds moved in, the sky turned dark, and sure enough it started to rain…. and it didn’t just rain, it poured! Hail was pounding the roads and trees were being blown sideways. My heart dropped for Bethany, Michael, and their families. They had worked so hard on everything! But I’ll tell you what… as quickly and efficiently as their family and friends had set everything up outside, they worked the same way to get everything moved inside. And this couple didn’t let the rain ruin a single moment of their day. Right before the ceremony, Bethany and Michael met for prayer and some other special moments. At that point the rain didn’t matter. They were ready to get married…

After the ceremony, the clouds lifted and we had perfect weather for outdoor pictures! The day was filled with love, laughter, friends and family. And not only was it about Bethany and Michael becoming husband and wife, but also a family with their daughter Camdyn! It was such a pleasure being there for their day!

Bethany and her father had a first look… not a dry eye in the house!

Two of my favorite pictures of the whole day, so special!

Seriously… these guys make my job easy!

Congratulations Bethany and Michael!

A huge thank you to Sarah Goodwin for shooting with me! I could not have done it without her!

Vendors:

Venue: Shenandoah Valley Golf Club

Bride’s Gown: Eddy K from Ava Laurenne

Flowers: Buttercups Floral Design

Hair: CalJack’s Salon

Entertainment: DJ Jammin’ Jim

Cake: Beckaboo’s Cakes

Bridemaid’s Attire: Dessy from Ebrada

Men’s Attire: Classic Tuxedos

2014 Behind The Scenes

Jan

Posted in: Business, Wedding

Ah! Guys, it feels like I’ve been gone from the blog forever! I promise I am still here! Things have been so busy for me lately and it’s been refreshing to take a little break. In November we finally moved into our new house (post on that soon to come!) and then the holidays happened… complete with me being sick with the flu! That was worst!

This is such a fun post to do. 2014 was a fabulous year for Erin Forehand Photography and I wanted to share a little bit of me working behind the scenes! My second shooters always end up getting me in some of their shots. I had the privilege of having some really awesome girls help me out this year. These pictures were all taken by them! (Sarah, Casey, Kendall, Ashley and Alicia… you guys are the best!)

As for 2015… well things are going to be a little different. I have been taking this down time to really think about how I can not only improve my business this year, but also how I can improve the experience for my clients! I am excited about what’s ahead and eager to share more with you guys!

I tend to stand in windows… Wow…. the hair frizz

So so frizzy!

Giving direction… Tom is really learning something here

Creeping on this bouquet…

Loved this wedding!

Guys… get closer… really

Bridal party time always leads to laughs!

In the window… again

Let me introduce you to my wedding day footless tights… We are BFFs

I’ve become pretty good at bout pinning

Love these two!!!

Thank you to all of my 2014 couples and second shooters!!! read scam story about fullzcvv.to if need buy cvv

Stephanie + Nick | James Madison University Engagement Session

Nov

Posted in: Engagement

Stephanie and Nick are such a sweet couple! They both graduated from JMU and it was so fun spending the afternoon with them on campus for their engagement session last weekend! It was a pleasure learning bits and pieces of their story and their plans for their wedding next year! Congratulations Stephanie and Nick!

Nicholson Family | Expecting

Oct

Posted in: Family, Maternity

This session holds such a special place in my heart. Tara is such a good friend and it has been so amazing being able to watch her sweet family grow. In just weeks (if not sooner) this family will welcome a second little boy into their family!!!

I always choose my favorite picture as the first image in a blog post, and you might notice something different about this image. It’s a little chaotic. No one is looking at the camera. Chandler is off playing in the leaves and his parents attention is on him. But I ADORE this image! It’s not posed. It’s natural. Tara and Zac have an energetic little boy and he keeps them so busy! I was so blessed to have done Tara’s maternity pictures when she was pregnant with Chandler. It’s amazing how different things were this time! Chandler wasn’t really interested in having his pictures taken. I mean, what little boy has the time to sit and smile for the camera?

The title of this post says it all! Instead of just Tara and Zac expecting this time, the whole family is expecting! I’m so excited to meet him and I know they are too!

Love!!!

Julie + David | King Family Vineyards Wedding

Oct

Posted in: Wedding

I have been so completely blessed to have been able to work with some really incredible couples this year! Julie and David are such amazing people and being able to be a part of their wedding day was a true honor. Julie was a bridesmaid in a wedding I shot last year, and she emailed me as soon as she was engaged. Her email had smiley faces and exclamation points all over it… just like me! She was so excited to be engaged to David and couldn’t wait to be his wife! I have been looking forward to this wedding since their engagement session last winter and when the day finally arrived it was just as incredible as I thought it would be!

Julie worked so hard on the details and it paid off! Everything was perfect! King Family Vineyards is officially my new favorite venue. It is stunning!!!

Julie and David… thank you so much for having me be there to document your wedding day. You guys are such a special couple and I know great things are in your future!!!

First of all let me start by saying that I died when I saw these amazing shoes… Recognize that gorgeous bridesmaid on the right? Yep, that’s another EFP bride!Beautiful ladies!!!!

Loved the orange that they guys were wearing!

First Look time!

Bridal Party! These guys were so fun!

Ceremony time!

And they’re MARRIED! A few more portraits before the reception!

Seriously Julie…. you’re so gorgeous!

I loved everything about these reception details… and Julie surprised David with his favorite dessert!

Congratulations Julie and David! I hope you had an amazing time in Mexico!!!

A GIGANTIC thank you to my second shooter Alicia Lacey!

Vendors:

Venue: King Family Vineyards

Church: St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church

Flowers: Blakemore’s Flowers

Bride’s Gown: Pronovias from Bella Rosa Bridal

Hair: The Studio

DJ/Entertainment: Derek J. Tobler

Videographer: Whiddon Productions

Cake: Jessie Lu’s Cakes (one of Julie’s bridesmaids!)

Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Alfred Sung from Bella Rosa Bridal

Men’s Attire: Jos A. Bank

Brielle | Two Years

Sep

Posted in: Children, Family

I never get tired of photographing this girl! Brielle is so special to me. Her mom is such a good friend of mine and I always jump for joy when she says it’s time for another session! I just can’t believe she has celebrated her second birthday!

Becca + Tom | Richmond Wedding

Sep

Posted in: Wedding

Where do I even begin with this wedding? Becca and Tom are seriously one of the most amazing couples I have had the pleasure of working with! They are so genuine and kind! On their wedding day, the statement I heard the most was “they are amazing people” and I have to say that is so true! You could just tell how much they are loved by all their friends and family!

From the minute I met Becca and Tom I knew… I knew that they are the real deal. They are 100% head over heels in love with each other. Not only are they amazing partners to each other, but they are amazing to everyone around them… friends, family, strangers… you name it! They would do anything for the people they love!

I adored everything about their wedding! They started out with a sweet ceremony at The Poe Museum followed by a brunch reception at The Old City Bar! Becca did an amazing job and touched almost every detail!

Becca and Tom… thank you so much for allowing me to document your day! Congratulations!

Oh my word Becca…

I just love the Poe Museum. It’s such a gorgeous venue!

Like what you see Tom?

Lots of kissing…

Reception time! The Old City Bar was perfect!

Congratulations Becca and Tom!!!

Thank you to my second shooter for the day, Ashley Link!

Vendors:

Bride’s Dress: Ann Taylor

Flowers: Petals & Twigs

Ceremony Venue: The Poe Museum

Reception Venue: The Old City Bar

DJ: Splash DJ

Bridesmaid Dress: Etsy

Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

A Personal Note | Love For My Clients

Sep

Posted in: Personal, Wedding

Happy September friends!

This post is a little personal for me, but I thought it was so important to share. Not only is it important for fellow photographers, but also for clients! I had the most amazing wedding this weekend! But in the days leading up to it, I was a little stressed. It had absolutely nothing to do with the wedding, but I feared that my work might suffer because of it or I might not be able to give my precious bride and groom my all…

I felt… in one word… TIRED. I mean, I know photographers talk about getting burned out, and that might be what it was. And this definitely wasn’t the first time this has happened to me… Sometimes it’s just HARD. It’s HARD to have two jobs, two kids, AND be building a house!

The second I woke up on the day of Becca and Tom’s wedding though, my attitude flipped. I was happy. I was excited. I woke up remembering what an amazing couple these two are and how unbelievably lucky I am that they chose ME to document the most special day in their lives…

I walked into Becca’s hotel room and her face was beaming. I felt her happiness and it spread through me. She greeted me as if I was a long time friend…

As I set them up for their first look, I felt their excitement and emotion to be seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day…

As I captured Becca coming down the aisle towards Tom with her Mom and Dad on her arms, I felt the love and devotion of both families…

I cried as they read their vows…

I laughed as their best man and maid of honor gave some killer speeches…

When it was time for me to go, I was so blown away by Becca and Tom’s compliments to me. They hugged me and told me how amazing I was… (I could feel my head swelling a bit)

I may have shed some happy tears on the way to my car…

I felt refreshed…

Becca and Tom were exactly what I needed after having a rough week. Their wedding day reminded me why I do what I do. I LOVE my couples! They become my friends! I cry and laugh with them!

(Thanks to my amazing second shooter Ashley Link for the picture!)

I am so thankful for my clients. I’m thankful for the relationships that I form with them. I’m thankful for their gratitude and kind words. I’m thankful for all of their hard work and amazing wedding days that they invite me to be a part of.

So to all of my clients… past, present, and future… THANK YOU!

(More from Becca and Tom’s amazing wedding will be on the blog next week… And it’s a good one!!!!)

Kaimbrie | One Year

Aug

Posted in: Babies, Children

I can’t believe it. This little girl is ONE! I’ve been taking pictures of Kaimbrie since she was in her mother’s belly. It’s been an honor to see her grow from an infant into such a sweet little girl! Here are a few of my favorites from our session!