our children are the biggest catalyst and inspiration for it.  It only seems fitting

to share our daughter’s 7 year portrait session, just two weeks ago, as she truly has

seen our business from infancy and beyond.

Mommy likes sweet, peaceful, beautiful, loving images while Daddy likes funny, wild,

action photography. We make a good team, but this time, I wanted to design a portrait

session for Teacup that wrapped it all into one.  Her sweet soulfulness, joyful giddiness,

and her funky wild side.  Our baby girl is growing so fast , and these portraits help us slow

it all down.

Rock on, baby girl!

]]> http://www.thecunninghamsphotoblog.com/2013/05/happy-birthday-7-years-and-growing/feed/ 0 http://www.thecunninghamsphotoblog.com/2013/05/happy-anniversary-7-years-and-getting-better-all-the-time/ http://www.thecunninghamsphotoblog.com/2013/05/happy-anniversary-7-years-and-getting-better-all-the-time/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 18:38:25 +0000 thecunn1 http://www.thecunninghamsphotoblog.com/?p=2542 One of my favorite songs by the Beatles has the lyrics,

“I have to admit, it’s getting better, a little better, all the time…”

Casey and I have always been about the journey, and when we look

back it is only to see how far we have come.

Last week, we celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary, but there was also

another important anniversary, the start of our company on April 29th, 2006.

We traveled to the Outer Banks, 7 months pregnant with our daughter, for one last family get away

before her arrival.

I was still on the fence about opening a Yoga Studio, I was teaching Yoga at the time, and Casey wasn’t

satisfied with simply doing freelance photography.  We took a step back and realized that we really

wanted a studio that could serve wonderful clients, bring them peace and joy, and help them remember the

happiest times in their lives.  On that beach, the idea for Casey Cunningham Photography,

soon to be Cunningham Photo Artists,  was born.

I remember during the planning phase, circling a date on the calendar for an upcoming bridal show on April 29th, 2006

and thinking, well what better way to mark our anniversary than starting a wedding and portrait photography company!

Holding our two week old daughter in my arms, I kissed Casey before he walked out the door, car bursting with

equipment and finery to set up his first booth.  Little did I know then, how involved I would become and in fact

how much our vision would evolve into a partnership of artists.  We take our craft as seriously as our marriage,

and value our talents as much as we value our children, for they are the daily inspiration that drives us.

Watching our children grow through images has been a way to watch our company grow.

In seven years we have hit a stride that feels right, natural and pointing in a direction that is “getting better all the time.”

of formal and casual, gorgeous and simple, elegant and fun.  There are so many gorgeous images but I promised a little sneak peek,

so I will try to control myself.  Blakely and Nick, we loved working with you!

Here is a little snippet of an email that Blakely sent while on their honeymoon,

“Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  I cannot thank you enough for photographing our wedding!!! I feel so good about the pictures already, because you were there. I showed Nick my portraits earlier this week and we both agreed that if our wedding photos are even half as gorgeous- we’ll be thrilled!”

Cheers to being thrilled! XO!

Talented Professionals:

Myers Park Country Club (go Karen, go Lauren)

The Blossom Shop

Nitza’s

Jami Svay Makeup and Hair

Wow Factor Cakes

Atlanta Party Band

more details and image next week!

Cheers!

Their love for one another is so screamingly evident, loud peels of laughter evident,

snorting milk through your nose evident!  And their families, dear lord, are so incredibly

loving and supportive and had us in tears at the rehearsal dinner!  Bearing witness to that

much unconditional love is something you never forget and we cherish all of the occasions

that we have had to photograph Meridith and Court.

Below is a collection of  some of our favorites that illustrate their engagement, Meridith’s bridals

and their super fun wedding at The Urban Garden in Charlotte.

We are thrilled for their anniversary and even more so, we are thrilled for the many lives and

marriages that they will inspire with their commitment to their own.  Marriage is work, no matter

how you look at it, but how wonderful when you truly love your work.

This is a sneak peek from their latest adventure with us!  Happy Anniversary!  We can’t wait to show you the rest!  Cheers to your love!

what makes us feel like our heart is soaring, and how to keep creating that feeling.

The other beautiful part of this, is that it is not just a conversation, it is followed

by action, experimentation and shaping content to enjoy in the real moment.

As an artist, I love and cherish community as much as I love those times when I can

be in peaceful solitude and mull over ideas by myself.  It is so important to keep a connection

with yourself, and to share a connections with others.  Sometimes an idea is ahead of it’s time

and needs to be filed away, and sometimes in needs to be refined, reworked or seen from a new

angle.  Collaboration is key, and so very valuable in it’s glorious results.

Below are some of my all time favorite images that we have created together as husband and wife,

or some that include other artists and even our clients as true muses.

We must know the subject if we want to shed light on the beauty of it’s truth.

J Majors has long been a collaborator of ours for wedding inspiration.  This session was inspired by the cascading ruffles and the moody feeling of the space.

I loved the slick surfaces and the reflections that this bar provided, the ruffles are levitating.

Drama and fantasy are a huge part of our inspiration, but turning that inspiration into a genuine

feeling or conveying a real personality is paramount to our mission.

Weddings easily provide drama and beauty.  Whether indoors with candlelight or outside with streaming sunlight, the wedding day provides

a natural backdrop for romantic fantasy.  But how about bringing a sense of fantasy and imagination to a child’s portrait?

We have known these two little cherubs since they were each in their mama’s belly!  Even still, sitting down with a parent to discuss

their child’s personality and creating a visual metaphor, an heirloom to remind them of the magical quality of

their child as a little child is an amazing process and so worthwhile to create.

Fairy tales don’t simply appeal to children, but also to many adults.  The idea that nature is magical and beautiful

and inexplicable is something that still resonates and from an art prospective, we love to show that

nature is still something that rivals human beauty and strength.

Collaboration is fun and beautiful!

And sometimes we hug trees.

And adore a big, blue sky!

And whenever we can photograph pigeons, we’ll never pass it up.

Thank you to all of our wonderful clients, makeup artists, hair stylists, event designers, florists, and bridal fashion

collaborators who have allowed us the freedom to create something amazing together.

Featured:

J Majors Bridal

Elizabeth House Flowers

The Blossom Shop

Lily Greenthumbs

Studio Flora Diva

Ivy Robinson Weddings & Events

Come+Together Events

Myers Park Country Club

Charlotte Country Club

Butter

Who’s The Fairest

Mandi English

Kristin Hayes Jewelry

Erin McDermott Jewelry

Lauren York

Greta Zandstra

Emmy & Aron

Kristen McLanahan

]]> http://www.thecunninghamsphotoblog.com/2013/04/create-what-you-love/feed/ 0 http://www.thecunninghamsphotoblog.com/2013/04/lynn-olivier-charlotte-courthouse-wedding/ http://www.thecunninghamsphotoblog.com/2013/04/lynn-olivier-charlotte-courthouse-wedding/#comments Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:59:19 +0000 thecunn1 http://www.thecunninghamsphotoblog.com/?p=2378 When I met with Lynn, she told me about her charming and handsome fiancee Olivier, who was still living in France.

They needed to plan a simple courthouse ceremony and then a reception later this summer when friends and family

could celebrate with them.  At first, Lynn was thinking about capturing the reception only but I am so happy that she

decided to have me tag along on the wedding day!  Lynn’s family was there to support, my camera was not allowed anywhere

near the inside of the building , so we had some fun before and after their official ceremony.

I love the simple, clean mood of these images and the serious chemistry between Lynn & Olivier!

Thanks for freezing outside with me! Blue skies, 40 degrees, we all handled it like pros!

Happy sneak peek, Lynn & Olivier!  More images and story on the blog tomorrow to share this super sweet Courthouse wedding!  I cannot wait to photograph their reception this summer at the gorgeous Van Landingham Estate!  Cheers to your love!

When your wee one starts to toddle around it is adorable!  The pride on their face, the energy in their step is amazing

and equally scary as you now have to watch them every second so they don’t go crashing into one thing or the other.

I encourage parents who bring their toddlers to me to let them be themselves.  Holding them at this age can feel like torture, unless at play.  We want to capture all that is their sparkling personality, their silly faces and their boundless energy in a toddler session.

I’m so happy that the Fitzgeralds came in for a session!  I look forward to seeing Miss G grow!

collective that is womanhood.  I love my family, my art, my job but I love the feeling most of knowing

that I am connected to every woman on the planet in our commonality.  Not every woman has to

carry a child to be a mother, and not every woman who gives birth to new life can foster a positive

future for her child alone.  Rejoice in the village, hold on to your female friends, and let’s make this

year one where we create better role models for young girls.  Empowerment is a state of being.