01 • 08 • 15

Favorite Trends of 2014

Happy New Year, everyone!! Engagement season is upon us, and with my wedding year almost entirely booked already (thank you, brides!), it had me reflecting on a few wedding trends from 2014 that I’d LOVE to see stick around. Here are just a few faves for you to sink your teeth into:

1. Naked Cakes.

This is not scandalous, despite the name. I love how these cakes are so unique and bare, and yet can give off an incredibly formal vibe. The first naked cake I photographed was actually in 2013, but the trend really picked up last year, and I’m loving it!

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2. Pies in lieu of a wedding cake.

Wedding cakes and naked cakes not your thing? For a while, brides were forgoing the wedding cake for cupcakes (Same concept, but less expensive!). In 2014, I saw less and less cupcakes, and way more pie tables or dessert tables instead. And, if I have to be honest, if I were a guest at a wedding, I think I’d actually prefer dessert options to the standard wedding cake anyhow. In fact, I shot a wedding back in May that served only pie—FORTY-SEVEN pies! No one was complaining, as you can imagine.

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3. Boho Glam

My FAVORITE. The bohemian wedding gown. While “vintage” is still a trend-topper, the Bohemian style movement is making waves in the wedding world, too. Check out this recent bride’s bohemian-glamorous look in a simple yet BREATHTAKING gown from Etsy. Another great boho wedding resource? Daughters of Simone—Trust me. Much google-worthy there. 2015, I am ready for a total bohemian overhaul of the wedding trends! Floral crowns, flowy gowns, dreadlock do’s (ok, that last one is maybe not for everyone)—bring it on!

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4. Daddy-Daughter First Looks

While the first look with your hubby-to-be makes for an incredibly romantic and intimate photo session, a short first look with Daddy can be just as sweet and powerful. The bride’s moments with her dad can sometimes get overlooked by wedding photographers, but in my opinion those photos end up being major keepers!

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5. Threshold Sessions

I really, REALLY want this trend to take off. At one of my 2014 weddings, the couple had me follow them to their hotel after leaving their reception for what I dubbed a “threshold session.” We just did a few quick snaps of the incredibly happy couple after all the hoop-lah was finished and it was just the two of them again. Caleb carried his bride across the threshold, officially marking the end of the big day! The photos turned out super adorable, and who else has photos of such a special moment?

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I hope you love the photos, and here’s to a full year of weddings, love, and more awesome trends!

With joy, Lizard.

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11 • 14 • 14

Registration is Open!

Calling all of you overwhelmed by your fancy camera! Registration for our new Camera 101 Workshop is open, and spots are limited! Register now at http://blog.madisoncary.com/camera-101-learning-manual-workshop-registration/

With joy, Lizard.

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11 • 10 • 14

Fancy Schmancy Camera Workshop!

I’m very excited to finally be announcing that Madison Luikens (of Madison Cary Photography) and I will be hosting a workshop here in Midland, TX on December 6th! Madison and I are always being asked about that ominous Manual setting button, and so we decided to host a full day of presentations, Q&A, lunch, and even some hands on shooting just for you! This workshop is for those of you who want to learn how to use that fancy schmancy camera you bought to photograph your travels, your kids, etc. We are so excited to pass on as much knowledge as we can pack into a few hours! If you feel overwhelmed by all the settings on your camera, if you just can’t quite get the lighting right in your photos, or if you are just wanting to sharpen your skills as a photographer, this workshop is for you! We’ll cover topics such as Equipment, Settings, Lighting, Posing, Editing, and much, much more!! Registration will open on November 14th, and we hope to see you there! Spots are very limited, and it’s first come, first serve!

With joy, Lizard.

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11 • 10 • 14

Victoria’s Bridal Session at Hotel Settles

I am beyond stoked to FINALLY be sharing Victoria’s bridal session from Hotel Settles in Big Spring, TX. Victoria and Brad tied the knot this weekend in Midland, and I’m not waiting one day longer to share her gorgeous portraits! Hotel Settles served as the perfect backdrop for this luxe photo shoot, and we had such a wonderful time wandering around and finding some really amazing architectural details. I could go on and on about the stunning bride or the lovely hotel, but let’s just let the photos speak for themselves, shall we? Enjoy! A big thanks to the staff at the Settles, and congratulations Victoria and Brad!! Photos from the wedding day coming soon!

With joy, Lizard.

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09 • 03 • 14

Heather and Chris are Engaged!

I had the pleasure recently of shooting Heather’s bridal session, and in honor of her upcoming wedding this weekend, I thought I’d share a few images from her engagement session with her love, Chris.

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One thing that I always focus on during shoots is keeping the poses looking natural. I really prefer those types of shots to the over-posed styles (circa 1980 for example). One of the best ways to keep a couple interacting and looking like themselves is to get them to laugh—not always the easiest thing when you’re working with brand new acquaintances. I feel incredibly awkward when I’m in front of the camera instead of behind it, so I completely understand how hard it is to loosen up. With that said, meet Chris and Heather: the most wonderful “laughers” ever. This man absolutely knows how to make his fiancee laugh, and I could just feel joy oozing out of every pose. I adore their photos (can you believe her smile and his eyes!), and I can’t wait for the wedding in just a few days! Congratulations to this dynamic duo!

With joy, Lizard.

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