ur ultimate goal as wedding photographers and artistic story tellers is to capture your wedding day in a way that creates emotion from our brides and grooms.  Most often, the first time we see those tears is when you're looking at your wedding pictures for the first time on the screen of our laptop or your computer screen.  That is, until now. 

Last week we had an amazing experience and I'll try to paint the picture in words for you.  We finalized Danielle & Brandon's wedding story by posting over 1,200 wedding images into their online gallery, created an 8 minute high definition slide show to music,  and Deb ( blow-you-away-talented designer of wedding albums) topped it off with an amazing wedding album pre-design.

We loaded all of the wedding images on to an Apple iPad - in well defined Albums (i.e. getting ready, ceremony, reception, etc.), loaded the slideshow in full 720p resolution, and added the wedding album pre-design on the iPad too.  I also created a HD BluRay disc of the slideshow (the reveal tool - as you'll see).  The plan was to meet up with Danielle & Brandon, both sets of parents, and some other interested family members last Friday evening at Danielle's folk's home (beautiful, btw).  We couldn't wait.  

It's so great having customers who are no longer customers, but friends who become fans.  And by friends I mean people you'd welcome in your own home to spend an evening with over dinner.  Deb and I work hard at building these friendships, friends who are fans, never again just customers!

So it was that we found ourselves in the living room of some of our favorite newest friends, eating dinner, talking, having a great time.  And that's when it started.  I took out the DVD and placed it into the BluRay player, pressed play, and for the next 8 minutes, we looked at the faces of 12-15 people, watching their emotion range from tears to grins to flat out laughter as they watched high definition memories unfold on the big screen.  8 minutes of them reliving their own memories of July 10, 2010.  8 minutes of emotion.  

But I won't soon forget the next 20 minutes.  I pulled out the iPad with the wedding album galleries on the screen and placed it in the hands of Danielle's dad (Tony), gave him a couple instructions, and sat back and watched.  The rest of the crowd said "play it again!" (referring to the DVD).  I glanced over at Tony and saw something amazing.  The rest of the clan was reliving the DVD, but not him; he's rifling (swiping) through the huge, crystal clear wedding images on the  iPad's beautiful screen (rivaling print images), all while reliving his only daughter's huge day - again.  This time in private; just he and the iPad Wedding Album Collection.

Then, without even showing him how, Tony started the wedding slideshow video on the iPad.  The whole room stopped and looked over because the very same DVD slideshow they all just watched 3 times on the big screen is now playing on the iPad.  Everyone got up and ran over to his chair in a kind of "you've-got-to-be-kidding" posture, and watched it, again, in high resolution on the iPad - over Tony's shoulder.  Tears, laughs, grins, it happened all over again.  But this time you could see it starting to hit, a kind of "ah ha" moment. I first saw it on Tony's face.  That's when the "moment" happened and it was defined in two words.  He glanced up at me with a grin and said, "how much?"

Over the evening, four Wedding iPad Collection's were purchased, all for family members who realized the value and power of what this amazing device is.  And the truly amazing thing, they weren't purchased to replace the leather albums already included in their wedding package.  They knew you can't replace the beauty and class of an exquisite leather wedding album that will become an heirloom and part of the legacy of the couple.  The iPads were in addition to the printed wedding albums.

Tony, Deena, Tom, Cheryl, Danielle, & Brandon, thank you.  For being open to accepting 21st century technology into of your big day.  Deb and I promise you will NOT - ever - be disappointed with that decision.




We love offering the iPad for our phenomenal couples.  And while NOTHING replaces a fine art leather Wedding album, proudly displaying your amazing story of your wedding day on a device that screams cool is a tremendous way to relive your day - in style.  And talk about portable?  You can go ANYWHERE, and everywhere to proudly display your wedding story.  

The iPad Wedding Album Collection:

It's your story set to music and displayed in a slideshow fashion in rich vivid color on the amazing new Apple iPad.  It's like your holding your wedding pictures in your hands while watching the events of your wedding day unfold on the brilliant screen.  

 
And to top it all off, not only can you view and proudly display your wedding album, but we'll load ALL of your high resolution wedding pictures on your iPad Wedding Album device - allowing you to create your own slideshows of your wedding pictures to proudly display on your coffee table or bookcase for a long time.

Contact us to check on availability and pricing... we can't wait to introduce you to the new iPad Wedding Album Collection

It's just another reason  you're gonna cry happy tears when you see your wedding pictures from GrantDeb Photographers!

few years back, I had a 'word of the year' for myself.  It was a word I chose that I wanted to authenticate in my life, and that word was REAL.  My goal was to bring it into the forefront of my life and filter all my experiences through it.  I wanted to be real, and I wanted to invite others to feel comfortable in being real around me.  I am a crafter by nature and so I created a vintage looking board with large letters, added some decor and hung it on the wall in my office.  I see this word every day and while there are still times I struggle with being real, I know I've grown and the plaque serves to remind me of that goal. 

When we photograph couples in love, it often takes time for them to break down the barriers in order to be comfortable and real around us.  Why is that important? Well, because the images we capture for their session are to be a real moment in their lives.  Not what we think they look like, but what they are really like together. Every couple is beautiful, and every couple shows beauty differently. 

Visually, we want them to answer the question: What does your love look like? 

Emily and Daniel showed up for their session with all kinds of creative ideas about their session together.  We were giddy with excitement over the bags of green apples, flowers and their cool outfits splashed in color.  But as our time together grew, Grant and I became even more excited over the fact that they began to melt together and be real.  It was as if our cameras looked right through them and saw what their love REALLY looked like.

That's our goal with every session...  it's a tall order; and it's beautiful when it happens. 

hen a couple is in love, capturing them in love is easy.  There's not a lot of "do this", "walk here", etc.  In fact, within the first 8 minutes, I had captured enough of Rachel & Ehren's cuteness and love with my camera that the next 88 minutes of our engagement session together was almost unnecessary.  Just A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E.

As we were walking (fast) together, I asked them what their favorite thing to do was, and the answer was almost obvious; "exercise!"  And as we went between a few different locations (walking in sand - fast), had a couple changes of clothes, I had to ask them to slow down because, well, exercise is NOT my favorite thing to do (maybe my extra 45 lbs. should hang out with them).  But you would totally expect exercise to be a huge part of their lives because they are both proud West Point Academy Cadets - and our country - trust me - is better because of their commitment.  In fact, Rachel is on her way next week to Air Assault School to learn how to repel out of helicopters; sounds way fun.  Now there is a pic I'd love to capture!

Guys - when I say it was difficult to choose - I'm not kidding.  But here are a few of my favorites from our super fun session.  Deb and I cannot wait to be part of your big day!  

And be certain to check out a full screen, HD Virginia Beach Engagement Photography Slideshow of Rachel & Ehren's Engagement Session HERE.


Be certain to check out a full screen, HD Virginia Beach Engagement Photography Slideshow of Rachel & Ehren's Engagement Session HERE.

lizabeth and Andrew...Finally your sneek peek! Grant and I were incredibly privileged to capture your wedding. We showed up as friends and left feeling like family! Andrew it was a joy to meet you finally, and I trust you will enjoy the sweet memories of your wedding day as you serve our Country as a Captain in the Army. You both are an amazing couple and we wish you a happy and blessed life together. 

Venue: Colonial Heritage Golf and Country Club
DJ: Liz Daley Events
Makeup Artist: Richmond Makeup Artist - Kirsty Wingfield

And be certain to check out a full screen HD Williamsburg Wedding Slideshow HERE of Elizabeth and Andrew's wedding.


Fun reflective shot in the elevator ;)


I am not lying when I say that Andrew had a perpetual smile on his face, I think he was excited just-a-tad!

When Bride and Grooms decide to see each other before the ceremony privately, we call it the "First Look."  And we were thrilled when Elizabeth called to tell us they had decided to do a First Look.  The images from these sessions are, hands down, our Bride and Groom's favorites of the day.  In fact, we've never had one single regret... other than the fact we've had couples wish (after-the-fact) they had chosen to do it.  Our engaged couples sometimes think a First Look might take away from the moment the Bride walks down the aisle, when in fact it does not.  Rather, it allows a private time for the couple to tell one another how much they mean to each other, it allows time for admiration and often it helps chase the nerves away. This session rarely takes longer than about 20 minutes and then the Bride is free to get groups shots with her bridesmaids or we can even shoot the entire wedding party at this time as well. The wedding party actually loves you for it, since they get to enjoy cocktail hour a little sooner.


One of the things that was so much fun about their wedding were the surprises they had planned throughout the day. Like when Elizabeth and her Dad showed up to the ceremony in Steve's green Model A Ford, a car that he and his Dad had built many years ago.


I love it when Brides are playful and full of energy. Elizabeth couldn't WAIT to walk down that aisle. 


Grant Rocked the group shots!!! And thanks to Amanda and Tre for their assistance as well. This was the first time, we each had our own assistant and  I'm pretty sure we're spoiled now. ;0


Elizabeth and her Dad bustin' some moves. 

We snuck them out at sunset, and drove the car around on the cart path. love!

Fun times!



And... you can see a full screen Williamsburg Wedding Slideshow HERE

e almost thought we would NEVER get to Laura & Chris' Williamsburg Engagement Photo session because of a couple schedule changes - but once we had the opportunity to meet up with them in downtown Colonial Williamsburg, the rest just fell into place.

Here's a tip; if you want to keep a straight face, do NOT tell Chris because he really should be opening for the likes of Jim Carey.  And that's saying something when somebody actually "ups" me in my comedy routine (Deb would say my LAME routine) during our sessions; but we all really were laughing more then we have in a while.

Laura & Chris; your love shows - big time.  We can't wait to be part of your awesome October wedding.  Here are just a few of our favorites from your day.