LIFE // LOVE

SNEAK PEEK // AFTER-SESSION / CANDACE & MICHAEL

I was delighted, and I mean delighted, when Candace told me she wanted to do the Bride & Groom portraits after the reception on her Big Day. Candace and Michael's wedding was in the early afternoon in early June, which mean the evening summer sunshine would be glistening down on us by the time the reception was over.

As I expected, Candace and Michael were so incredibly at-ease for their portraits. It's almost if after they'd absorbed the [AMAZING, UNBELIEVABLE, WONDERFUL] thought of "We're married now" and captured the beauty that is newly-wed love. There's nothing like it.

As I reviewed their wedding today to prep for editing, I came across the After Session images and literally started crying. {I'm such a romantic.} Love is so beautiful. And I have the opportunity of capturing it for a living. Capturing the moments that Candace and Michael will look back on when they are 70 years old and remember what it was like when their journey began.

Embrace every beautiful moment, friends. Life is full of beauty... you just have to open your eyes.

Here some of my favorite {breathtaking} photos from Candace & Michael's After Session.

Enjoy.

FOR BRIDES // DIY SAVE THE DATES

If your wedding is anywhere from 6 months+ away, you may be contemplating Save the Dates. Save the Dates serve as simple reminders to your guests to reserve the day for your wedding. Here is a Save the Date I received in the mail today from one of my future brides, Trisstina. 

I absolutely love how personalized, yet simple this was. She hand-stamped a quote from Shakespeare and adhered a half-envelope to the back of the card-stock, utilizing the right side for address+postage space. In the envelope was a business card-sized reminder with the date, city, and Bride & Groom names.

You could personalize this Save the Date by designing the business card with an Engagement Picture featured on one side. For the stamped quote, you could hand-write a poem, or even a personal quote from the proposal night! You could even inscribe your favorite love song on one side. The possibilities are endless!

For a FREE downloadable plug-and-chug design, visit this awesome tool by the Wedding Chicks. Here's an example I did for Justin and I (We've been married two years, hence the wedding date.) This design is super simple, and kind of quirky, which really fits us well! :)

Happy Planning! ♥

RETRO 70s CREATIVE SESSION // LAUREN

Lauren and I are walking through the thrift store, and I can nearly feel her apprehension as I begin to pick up the 70s attire from the racks. She reassures me with an "I completely trust you."

When Lauren walks out of the dressing room stating "Ehhh..." about the outfit, I reply emphatically with "That's so perfect!"

And we're off.

Racing the quickly setting sun, we make it to the perfect cornfield at the perfect time. To be so calm during the session, I was freaking out on the inside! On the way to the session, we purchased fresh flowers to manufacture a floral wreath from. (Besides attempting this at five years old from the dandelions in my back yard, this was my very first attempt at a floral headpiece.) The wreath was breathtaking and served as the inspiration to Lauren and I for the session.

Lauren, I had so much fun capturing you, and I must say you were SUCH a great sport about all of my crazy ideas! I hope you love the outcome as much as I do. ♥

PRELUDE // AMANDA & WES

This happens once in a blue moon, but this week I was contacted with the opportunity to capture a wedding on Saturday evening, and was actually free for it!

The little I know about Amanda and Wes, I can say that they are a tremendous couple with years and years of adventure and love ahead of them--and what a perfect combination!

Here are some of their Bride and Groom portraits that I LOVE:

PORTRAIT SESSION // HEATHER

Heather, a dear friend of mine, needed some business portraits for her up and coming design endeavors. She is such a fun, relaxed person, and I was so excited to get to reconnect with her again!

We found one of my favorite [little] fields in our area, perfectly back-lit by the glow of the sunset.

Here are some of my favorite images from the session {Enjoy! ♥}:

FOR BRIDES // GROOMSMEN ATTIRE

Grey is the new black.

Left and Right Images: Khaki Suits from Men's Wearhouse; Center Image: Grey Suits from Men's Wearhouse. All images copyright The Photography of Haley Sheffield, LLC. 2011

If you are having a wedding in any season (Winter, Spring, Summer... for Fall, try khaki too!), these grey suits from Men's Wearhouse are absolutely classic and oh-so-handsome. Use grey instead of black to lighten up the look of your bridal party. If brown is one of your main colors, try these khaki suits.

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Enjoy your planning! Embrace every moment in this whirlwind of excitement!

PRELUDE // CREATIVE SESSION / LAUREN

SHABBY-CHIC ATLANTA WEDDING // ABBIE & MATT

As a photographer, you come across some weddings that you feel were just made for you to capture. Your inspired heart collides with all of the hard work of the bride and groom (and family and planners and event stylists), and you just know that the turn-out is going to be fabulous.

My experience with Abbie and Matt was nothing short of this. In fact, I remember stealing away before the reception for a moment to text my husband "this is going to be amazing!" {I'm such a cheese-ball, I know.} Considering all of the hard work they had invested into making their wedding day so uniquely theirs, they were one of the most at-ease clients I have ever worked with. I was able to head to Atlanta the day before and capture the heart-felt toasts from family and friends, enabling me to hear some of Abbie and Matt's story. They are truly and exceptional couple with, I can say with confidence, many many bliss-filled years ahead of them.

Abbie and Matt, I am honored to have been chosen to capture your wedding day! I wish you the very best for your future. {And I can't wait for our After Session in the fall!}

Dress Design: Enzoani
Hair and Make-up: Shannon Silva at Dyer and Posta Salon
Venue: Catholic Church of St. Ann
Floral: Judy McManus
Reception Design: Bride and M.O.B. with help of Scott & Kim Lamphere
Paper: Ashley Buzzy McHugh of Buzzy Craftery