Elizabeth Leighton Photography | Dallas Wedding Photographer » Dallas Wedding and Engagement Photographer. Also available for a limited number of child portrait sessions.

My favorite part about blogging a wedding is the story I get to write describing my bride and groom. I found this blog hard to write because there are so many wonderful things I want to say to and about Lauren and Brian.

I’ll start with a funny story. Back on June 1, 2009, I was sitting in my living room watching the news. At the time, we were living in South Florida, having relocated there from Orlando several months before. As I was sitting there, I saw a lady on the news who looked familiar and recognized her as a news anchor from the channel I used to watch in Orlando. I didn’t think much of it but noted that I would be watching that news station more because I really liked her when we lived in Orlando.

A few hours later, I was checking my email when a engagement inquiry came in. I looked at the email address and immediately thought it was a joke. The email address was the name of the news reporter I had seen that very morning on the news. I kind of giggled and wondered what my husband was up to….thinking he was playing a trick on me. I read her email which asked about my engagement prices and availability. Since there was a phone number included, I realized that it wasn’t a joke and that the very news reporter I had seen THAT morning was indeed writing me. Talk about fate.

From the moment I met them at their engagement session on June 27, 2009 until their wedding this July, I came to REALLY like both Brian and Lauren. Lauren is so easy to chat with and Brian is very down to earth. Their love is true love and you can feel it by just being in their presence. They are generous and kindhearted. In lieu of wedding favors, they made a donation in honor of their guests to the ASPCA. How incredibly selfless and amazing are they? They embrace life and live it to it’s fullest. Meeting people like Brian and Lauren make my job one of the best jobs around, don’t you think?

A few things about their wedding posting:

First of all, how FAB-U-LOUS are her green shoes?? So great! The whole wedding was full of style and was just beautiful!

I love the look on her father’s face when he saw her for the first time. It made my heart just squeeze.

And then when Lauren and Brian had their first look before the wedding…..I and my second shooter, Ingrid Kaslik, we overcoming with emotion as we watched Brian fill with love and pride as he saw his soon-to-be wife before him for the first time in her wedding gown. The love was so strong…..

You may ask what in the world are the rings sitting on? Italian wedding cookies, of course!! Representative of the bride:)

I guess I could go on and on but I know what is most important are the moments captured that day. Here are just a few for Lauren and Brian… I adore you both and wish you a lifetime full of dreams that come true and love everlasting.

Band – Another Level (Motown Band that rocked my socks!)
Catering – Simply Elegant Catering
Florist – Flowers and Fancies (Stanton Wingrat)
Hair – About Faces Day Spa & Salon
Dress – Anjolique

A very special thank you to my friend and second shooter, Ingrid Kaslik. Ingrid, I love you to pieces.

David used to be our neighbor when we lived in Southeast Orlando. My husband and Dave got along very well and had some interesting golfing trips We were pleasantly surprised when we heard that Dave got engaged and even more surprised when he and his beautiful bride Susan picked me to be their wedding photographer. You may remember them from their engagement session last year. Don’t they make an incredible looking couple? Even more importantly, Susan is so very down to earth and is beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I can see why Dave fell in love with her and I know they will make each other happy for the rest of their lives.

Congratulations, you two…it was truly an honor being a part of your day. Enjoy your sneak peeks

A big huge THANK YOU to my second shooter, Tabitha McCausland! MUAH!

Ceremony/Reception Location – Lake Mary Events Center
Wedding planner – Kristy Rapp
Catering – Puff n Stuff
DJ – Dave Awesome
Florist – Lake Mary Florists
Cake – It’s Tasty Too

Over the next few months, you will notice some pretty major changes to Elizabeth Leighton Photography. Not just aesthetically but emotionally and mentally. Things will be moved around, colors changing, my style evolving and things becoming more real…more raw. I will put myself out there (there meaning here) more. Revealing the artist within who is fighting to get out.

There are some BIG changes about to happen and I can’t wait to share them with you.

I have one more blog post coming up and then my blog will be down intermittently over the next few months for renovation. Elizabeth Leighton Photography will be back with a fresh new website and blog along with a new outlook on how I photograph you…my client.

When I haven’t actually met a bride & groom face to face, I always get a little nervous when I travel to shoot their wedding. Why? Because during a meeting, I get a feel for their personalities and an idea of what to expect the day of. This is why engagement sessions are important to me. It not only allows me to see how they interact with each other and get to know them better but it allows the bride and groom to get comfortable with me and my shooting style. When I don’t have a first meeting or engagement session, I’m not quite sure who I’m meeting the day of….

So, when I traveled to NJ last weekend to shoot Shawn and Erin’s wedding, I admit I was a tad nervous but upon my arrival to Shawn’s parent’s house where Erin was getting ready, my fears were immediately put to rest. Erin, Sue (groom’s Mom), Karen (bride’s aunt), Alyssa (little sister) and the rest of the ladies who were there were so welcoming and warm. I felt like part of the family by the time I drove to the ceremony location. When I met Shawn, I felt the same. Just down to earth, beautiful people. My, oh my, how I love my job. I get to meet amazing people from all over the world. Erin and Shawn are some of the finest. It was blessing and a privilege to shoot your wedding! I wish you nothing short of the most amazing life a husband and wife can have. Enjoy your sneak peeks!

PS….yes, that’s a sheep

PPS…many many thanks to my wonderful second shooter and friend, Shari DeAngelo

Ceremony: Christ the King Church
Reception: Lucien’s Manor
DJ: Steve & Company
Catering: Lucien’s Manor
Florist: Flowers From Our Heart (Lucianne)

My last wedding of March was a two-day wedding. Sarah and Andrew were sealed for time and all eternity in the Washington DC LDS Temple on a beautiful Friday morning and then had their ring ceremony and reception at the amazing Union League in Philadelphia. The Temple grounds looked quite different than my last wedding up there since there was no snow on the ground and colorful signs of Spring were literally popping up out of the ground. Upon meeting Sarah and Andrew, I was impressed with their classy yet fun-loving spirits. She was all smiles both days and the way he looked at her was out of a dream. Their families were amazing and so full of love and support for Sarah and Andrew.

Sarah and Andrew, I know Heavenly Father has guided you along your path. Stay true to Him and hold tight to the iron rod. I know your life and your eternity together will be beautiful. Enjoy your sneak peeks!!

Temple Sealing location – Washington DC LDS Temple
Ring Ceremony/Reception location – Union League
Florist – Melinda Moritz
Hair/Makeup- (Friday) Lindsey Holmes and (Saturday) Laura Sample
Dress – Classic Weddings

Recently, I was blessed to have been asked to help shoot a Tiny Sparrow Foundation session. If you don’t know about this foundation, I ask you to please head over to their blog to find a little bit more about what the organization does for children (and their families) who are facing life-threatening illnesses.

Will is a an amazing young man. He will be turning 18 years old soon and has some big plans ahead of him. Last year, Will was diagnosed with rhabdomyosa sarcoma. Go to http://tinysparrowfoundation.org/blog/ find out more about Will, his progress, a few more images from his session as well as get more information about this wonderful organization!

I look forward to helping this organization grow and touch more lives….