H&M Photography & Design: The Blog

Preston and Alex, Engaged!

I think I should just go ahead and make a public apology to other photographers - sorry for taking all of the cool clients! Seriously. I mean, I know I say this all the time, but I really do get the best, most fun clients. Most of them could just as easily be friends and I LOVE that about my job.

Unfortunately, Preston & Alex are packing up and heading out to California soon, so we probably won't be hanging out after their wedding (unless you guys want us to come out to California to take some photos, which I'm totally up for!). But I'm thrilled I got to spend some time with them before the big move and the big day, which, by the way, I already know is going to be more than amazing. Beautiful, fun couple + awesome location + room full of local musicians and altogether cool people is guaranteed to equal great wedding.

When Preston told me they'd already picked out some locations for the engagement shoot, I was so excited. I love shooting in new places, especially when clients have something in mind. We started at the huge stone wall (that has a very cool story behind it) at the Birchmore Trail and were actually going to head to a cemetery (not for creepy, morbid photos, but for a specific building), but unfortunately it was closed. So instead we took a detour to North Campus at UGA. Add to that their newly adopted pup, Thor (Alex just graduated from the vet school. Thor is so cute!) and a guitar (Preston is a musician and I think plays every instrument known to man), and I think the session was decidedly them. 

Here are my favorite shots from the session, and don't forget to watch the video at the end for more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 - Heather Maynard, Athens, Georgia wedding photographer

Kristine & John, Engaged!

Kristine and John are such fun people. Native Athenians, dog lovers and all around good, happy people. We had no problem making conversation during their engagement session talking about jobs, our pets and our favorite restaurants. (We like to eat, okay?)

They've been doing the long distance thing (and lots of driving!) for a little while since John's been in grad school in Florida. I know they are oh so excited to be in the same city and state after the wedding and graduation. 

I know I've said this several times, but I love when clients put their trust in us during a shoot, like sitting on a laundromat floor because I ask them to (oh yes, I did). Having fun and being open really comes through to make fun shots. They both have great laughs, too, and weren't afraid to laugh a little - or crack up - during our shoot. 

So excited for their wedding!

 

 

 

 

The flowers were in full bloom, so Matthew grabbed a quick shot of the foxgloves:

 

See? Laundromat. Floor. Wasn't kidding.

 

 

 

 

Kristine loves to laugh and John is definitely a funny guy - such a great pair! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the video for more photos from their session.

- Heather Maynard, Athens, Georgia wedding photographer

Carli & Brent, Engaged!

Carli and Brent's wedding is less than three weeks away and we are so, so excited for their big day! I know Brent is going to have us cracking up with his sense of humor and Carli is going to be such a gorgeous bride!

On top planning a wedding, Carli and Brent have also been building a house - talk about busy! I was so glad to shoot their engagement session at their newly finished home (it's so pretty!) and to meet their puppy, Jasper!

Look for photos from their wedding in a few weeks!

This is my favorite photo of the moment because do you see Jasper? HE'S IN MID-AIR! It really cracks me up!

 

The light was amazing for our session. The backlight - incredible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

See, I told you Brent was funny.

 

 

 

 

 

- Heather Maynard, Athens, Georgia wedding photographer

Anne Marie + Michael, Engaged!

Anne Marie and Michael have been together since high school. They've been together through college, multiple degrees, first jobs and new jobs. And in August, they'll take another big step together - marriage! They are such a fun and down-to-earth couple, and let me tell you, their wedding is going to be a blast!

Since they're big UGA fans and grads, we headed to North Campus for our session, where they worked it. I'm convinced Anne Marie was a model in her former life. You'll see what I mean. 

They had a little bonus for their engagement session - two photographers (I usually shoot engagements myself). We were able to capture a little video, too, so check out the video at the end of the post and let us know what you think. (And to see lots more photos!)

We are so excited to be a part of their big day (also on the UGA campus) in August! 

 

Anne Marie is G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S., isn't she?!

Matthew caught this shot and it's one of my fav-o-rites:

 

 

This spot is where they used to meet every day between classes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously, Anne Marie worked it out. If you weren't a model in a past life, you at least watch America's Next Top Model, right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
- Heather Maynard, Athens, Georgia wedding photographer

Morgan & Sean, Engaged!

This weekend I had a chance to do an engagement session for Matthew's cousin, Morgan, and her fiance, Sean. We headed up to the North Georgia College campus in Dahlonega and the leaves were beautiful! I couldn't believe the difference in color between Athens and Dahlonega!

Morgan and Sean met as students at North Georgia College, so it was the perfect backdrop for their photos. (The pretty leaves didn't hurt, either.) A mutual friend introduced them and they immediately hit it off. Just a month after they met, Sean had to leave for training for several months, so they kept in touch by writing letters - not through email or Facebook - but regular, good old-fashioned letters. Isn't that so sweet? 

Sean proposed on a camping trip near the campus and they'll be getting married nearby as well. I can't wait to shoot the wedding in May. Just after our session Sean had to head off to flight school, so I'm sure he and Morgan will be back to writing letters. Just think what a cool thing it'll be when they can look back on those letters several years from now!

These two were naturals in front of the camera. Doesn't Morgan have a pretty smile? Here's a little peek:

 

 

 

Love these - 

 

 

 

 

 

- Heather Maynard, North Georgia Engagement and Wedding Photographer

Lauren & Brandon, Engaged!

Sometimes I ask my clients to do some crazy things, like run across a crowded street, play on a playground, or, oh, I don't know, take off their shoes and walk across a slimy creek bed with a sign next to it reading "Warning: Snakes."

Lucky for me, Lauren and Brandon obliged (and I did make it up to them with ice cream!). 

They are a super cool couple getting married this December on their anniversary. They've been doing the long distance thing for the duration of their relationship, so I know they'll be so happy when the big day is here and they are finally in one city together. They are so sweet and needed almost no direction during their session, which means, yes, they are actually this in love. People like Lauren and Brandon make my job SO much fun (as if it isn't fun already)! I can't wait until their wedding!

Here are some of my favorites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Heather Maynard, Watkinsville, Georgia engagement and wedding photographer

Going Out of Town

Matthew and I are headed out of town for the weekend to celebrate our anniversary, but I had to blog a couple of pics from Brandon and Lauren's fun engagement shoot today. I have lots more images to show and a couple of fun stories from today that I'll share next week. But for now, here's a little peek:

- Heather Maynard, Watkinsville, Georgia wedding and engagement photographer

Katy & Chris {Athens, Georgia engagement photo session}

Katy and Chris met while they were in college. Both members of Campus Crusade for Christ, Katy and her friends had spotted Chris before and knew who he was. Once they were formally introduced, Katy and Chris became friends before they started dating. Now, they're both out of school, engaged and both working with Campus Crusade for Christ. It's funny how it all sort of comes full circle.

I think maybe they're also moonlighting as models, because they knew how to work it in front of the camera! They both appeared super comfortable (if they weren't, they sure fooled me!) and we had a great time!

We'll be shooting their wedding in just about a month and I can't wait. I usually shoot portrait sessions on my own, but I drug Matthew along on this one as a second shooter so he could meet Katy and Chris before the wedding. It's always fun shooting with him and I love seeing the different perspectives that I don't always capture.

Katy and Chris - you guys rock! I can't wait until your big day. I could easily have put up LOTS more photos from your engagement session because you two worked it, but here are a few of my faves (click each photo to enlarge):

That purple dress and those pink nails - PERFECTION.

We grabbed some ice cream before we headed to Katy's dad's farm for more photos.

-Heather Maynard, Athens, Georgia wedding and engagement photographer