{Kim and Jim.}

Mount Pleasant, SC




The brief photography hiatus is over. Actually you could probably say there never was one. But It had been a few months since I had photographed a wedding. And my process beforehand usually includes a mini meltdown consisting of calling my sister to talk me off the ledge and tell me "yes, you do know how to use a camera".... Once that first stage is over, (it usually doesn't last long), I chide myself for thinking such irrational thoughts, realize how excited I am for the wedding and morph into the "Ashley-photographer mode"; process complete.



I, like many other guests of the wedding, found myself doing a rain dance the morning of April 9th. There was talk of 60mph winds and golf ball sized hail. The only golf balls we wanted to have present at the wedding were the ones at the golf course, and not flying through the air at us. Thankfully we did not have to worry about any adverse weather conditions and the day went on beautifully.

I often have couples who have rules, limits, or some kind of stipulation to go along with the photographing of the wedding. I am informed of their "good side" or where exactly we are to stand to photograph the entire ceremony...etc. Kim and Jim were as easy going as any photographer could ask for. It made for a creative and fun filled evening. There were photos with Civil War soldiers, reading books in Barnes and Noble, reclined in lounge chairs, and it is not every wedding I can say that I danced with the bride.


I love, love. Lets just be honest.
I tear up at every wedding for so many reasons. There are so many details that make every wedding unique, different, wonderful. I would have never thought to have steel drums play at my wedding, Kim and Jim did and it was perfect for them. There was some of the best dancing I had seen in a long time, complete with the wedding guests in full costume for the YMCA. And instead of rice or flowers tossed in the air for their send off....lavender.

You left feeling loved. And you can't say that for every wedding. That is the all time, most wanted feeling when you are surrounded by people who have made your life beautiful. That is the glue that holds every bit of the day together, everything is its own separate entity until it becomes bound by pure, strong love. It was unmistakable; something no one could miss.

Congrats to you both Kim and Jim!! May your laughing wall be full of moments from this day.





And of course, HUGE thanks to Dustin Ryan for your amazing photography skills and comic relief all night long; much appreciated!

{How to raise your Daughters.}

Wakefield, RI.

Little else needs to be said than what is written below, except perhaps that no one ever tells you when your Father is extraordinary and has taught you, practically given you, every tool and bit of knowledge he knows to make you thrive in this world. He never doubted once that my sister and I would become more that what he could have ever possibly dreamt us to be. His imagination was infinite, as is his heart and soul....Thanks Dad.


How to raise your Daughters.



Read. everything.
learn to dribble with both hands.
always put a note in with packed lunches.
do what you love.
take your shoes off at the door.
be barefoot. often.
alou.
play red light green light. as many times as you can.
wear Dad's t-shirts to bed. to school. to wherever.
play the Mary Chapin Carpenter tape again.
learn to tell Miles from Coltrane.
Dance in the kitchen.
Dance when you decorate the Christmas tree.
All I want for Christmas is you.
the Christmas Moose!
Know good wine from great wine.
Go to Italy.
Gelato.
Va Bene.
A little road rage is okay.
Don't ever say "y'all".
look for beach glass.
go for ice cream in the wintertime.
walk in the wildlife refuge.
don't forget the binoculars.
try to make it to Phil's before 8am. $.99 breakfast is always good. especially for poor college students.
aloujo.
smile.
laugh.
cry.
look for cloud animals.
balloonland.
make room for Scottie.
always say I love you.
put me on your shoulders when you mow the lawn.
"clean this 'shit' up."
call your grandparents.
Sunday at 1.
everyone should have a crazy dance.
dress up as Santa and take a picture with the Pizza Girl.
"patience is a virtue"
figure out the physics of how the phone bounced from the couch, half way across the room. it can be done!
Fuzzy Duck.
Dad-E.
Fada.
Daddyboo.
Socko and Sockorina.
count the birds in the sky.
"Jump to me".
start the day with coffee.
catch fireflies.
Tupelo Honey.
Brown-eyed Girl.
Play the guitar.
take too many pictures.
always know where the exits are.
"what color is this?"
pepper before parmesan.
the flying pillow.
Wednesday night dinners.
"be a shameless opportunist"
dump ducks.
look for dollar bills in the sand.
wrap birthday presents in the funnies.
hand wash the dishes.
bend the rules.
sneak onto the beach.
find out why the moon is yellow sometimes.
always check the surf.
mtty.
Rocky the Cat.
learn to drive a stick shift.
point your toes.
stick your landings.
SCMC.
The Polar Bear Princess.
The Day Jake Vacuumed.
Salt.
Dinotopia.
The Velveteen Rabbit.
"I Spy."
"stuuuck".
Alf.
Calvin and Hobbes.
the wooden spoon.
procrastinate. later.
the special breakfast place.
a limo for your 21st birthday, just to be safe and because you're special.
always have good running shoes.
you are never without me.
watch the sunrise...


and let each day go with the sunset.