Bella Rose Photography Blog

November 24, 2009 - 03:19 PM

posted by Lisa | filed under: News, weddings

Okay, so it's a few months old. But I failed to announce it or otherwise make a 'super big deal' about it because I have literally been THAT busy! So, you may have noticed some changes to the website and blog and I just want to say that I am totally thrilled to pieces with my new logo! It has been in the 'works' for a long time and I am so happy that I found an awesome designer to help me with my vision. I wanted a new look that represented Bella Rose Photography in a chic and classic way. The logo needed to say glamorous, romantic, fun and modern all at the same time! I have also been busy designing the 'total look' with new business cards, labels, boxes, bags and promotional pieces.

The website is also undergoing major changes. Take a look at the 'Tres Bella' gallery for all new bridal photos and the 'All the Details' gallery for all new images. I am also changing all of the other wedding galleries to showcase individual weddings instead of compilations of weddings. You will see the new gallery of Sarah and Samuel's wedding on the website now with more to follow!

November 19, 2009 - 06:50 PM

Fall Model ~ Alison

posted by Lisa | filed under: Bridal Portraits, Fashion, Magazine Features, Modeling Portfolio, weddings

The story behind this shoot is kind of entertaining. I bought this vintage 1950's prom dress from Ebay for the awesome price of $30 as an Alice in Wonderland halloween costume for my daughter. When it arrived in a beat up old Budwiser beer box, my daughter said it was not her style. I knew it was a bit over the top for a 7th grader and decided it would be cool for something else- I just didn't know what. The dress was super small. I guess it is true that people were smaller in previous generations, because that dress was little- probably a size 2.

I was looking around for models with red hair for my fall bridal shoot, and I met with Alison to consider her as a model. She just happened to be a perfect size 2. I brought the vintage dress with me to her fitting to just see if it would work for something and suggested that Alison try it. She fit the dress perfectly and lit up with excitement at the thought of modeling in it. The light blue color looked great with her hair color and we decided to skip the traditional bridal gown and go for a vintage/bohemian bridal look. To update the look of the dress, I cut off the bottom of the dress and made it shorter and added some new ribbon. I decided to feature Alison's beautiful hair and have it down in loose spiral curls. I bought jewelry, hair accessories and shoes and ended up making the bouquet myself in the car on the way to the shoot! I guess the moral of the story is that you can have a unique, creative look on a very small amount of money. We had Alison's makeup professionally done by the fabulous Amy Kennison of Mac. Amy completely translated my vision into reality and she looked amazing. The shoot took place at Orton Plantation Gardens. The perfect place to find fall color!

November 10, 2009 - 10:30 PM

Wedding ~ Morgan and Joel

posted by Lisa | filed under: weddings

Okay, I think we all need to just take a moment and stare in wonder and amazement at the gorgeous dress that Morgan choose for her wedding. She wins the prize for the most awesome and breath taking dress I have ever seen! Total fairy tale princess! Her dress was from the private collection of St. Pucchi by Rani. If you want some eye candy- just visit the site- completely off the charts! So the dress was totally to die for and don't even get me started on the diamonds! Wow! Incredible!

Okay, now for the gorgeous location. If you haven't been to Brookgreen Gardens in Pawley's Island, South Carolina- it is time to schedule a trip! We barely even saw a small part of it and it is the most beautiful garden I have ever seen. Morgan and Joel's romantic ceremony took place in Live Oak Allee with majestic oak trees lining each side of the walkway. It was so breathtaking, I remember thinking that if I could image heaven- it would look like this!

Morgan and Joel's guests enjoyed a beautiful cocktail party in the Palmetto Garden with signature drinks in mason jars complete with little umbrellas and a cherry and then they literally danced the night away under a starlit tent. It was so fantastic it is hard to do it justice with words. I guess that's why I carry that heavy camera around! Enjoy the photos! Congratulations Morgan and Joel!

November 1, 2009 - 06:04 PM

Cover Image for The Bride's Book!

posted by Lisa | filed under: Bridal Portraits, Commercial Shoot, Fashion, Magazine Features, Modeling Portfolio, weddings

I am so excited to announce that one of my photos will be featured on the cover of The Bride's Book magazine. It is always a huge thrill to be featured on a cover and I am so pleased that the image is one of the photos that I took of Rachel at the Dudley Mansion this past July. Congratulations to all of my ladies involved in this shoot! Tonya with A Carolina Wedding, Jennifer with Salt Harbor Designs, Amy Kennison with Mac makeup, and Jan Wutkowski with Amuse Artisanal Finery.

October 23, 2009 - 07:17 PM

Wedding ~ Leah and Brad

posted by Lisa | filed under: weddings

I love it when couples personalize their wedding to reflect their interests, hobbies or something that is unique to them. Leah and Brad did a fantastic job representing who they are as a couple through the cool details of their wedding. They were married and had their reception at the State Club in Raleigh. Leah and Brad both went to 'State' and they are big Wolfpack fans! They loved the wolf statues surrounding the club and wanted to take photos with them to show their team spirit! I adore the colors they choose- hot pink and black! My favorites! And you can never go wrong with polka dots! So much fun!

They are also the proud owners of two adorable pugs and they were represented in photos at the head table and on their 'too cute for words' cake topper! It was such a fun party and Leah and Brad put in a special request to create a photo with a heart 'painted' in a photo with a sparkler. A trick I had never done before- so I bought some sparklers the night before and we practiced to get it right! Here's the end result- very cool! Congratulations Leah and Brad!

October 14, 2009 - 07:09 PM

Wedding ~ Kelly and Rob

posted by Lisa | filed under: weddings

We have truly been blessed with SOOO many beautiful weddings this year and Kelly and Rob's was no exception! They were married on June 13th at the St. James Episcopal Church in downtown Wilmington and had their reception at the beautiful Bellamy Mansion. Kelly and Rob chose the most historic places Wilmington for their wedding. St. James Episcopal Church was the first church built in Wilmington in 1729! While the ceremony was taking place, we were sitting up in the balcony taking photos. I started looking at the flags on the sides of the walls of the church, and I was blown away by the dates on them. There were flags from the 1700's- it's so incredible that they have been preserved for so many years.

The Bellamy Mansion is beautiful antebellum style house that fell into the control of the Federal troops during the Civil War and became their headquarters when they took control of Wilmington. Now, the house is a museum and in the evenings, you can have weddings and parties in the house and gardens. Kelly and Rob will now have a permanent place in the history of the Bellamy Mansion with an engraved brick lining the walkway in the garden behind the house.

Kelly and Rob had such a wonderful wedding. It was the perfect night to dance under the stars and celebrate! Congratulations Kelly and Rob!

October 5, 2009 - 07:04 PM

Wedding ~ Jennifer and Cullen

posted by Lisa | filed under: weddings

Jennifer and Cullen were married in Oxford, NC surrounded by family and friends in the same chapel that Jennifer's mother and father were married in. Jennifer grew up in Oxford and her wedding was a major event! I think close to 400 guests attended the reception at the Henderson Country Club! What a party! Jennifer is a girl after my own heart and had really fun details. Her color scheme of hot pink, lime green and polka dots was featured in the adorable polka dot shoes the bridesmaids wore and the alternating colored sashes. She also had polka dot table linens at the reception- I love it when the colors really stand out and make a statement! The party was rockin' with the Johnny Dollar Band playing all night! What a great wedding! Congratulations Jennifer and Cullen!

September 27, 2009 - 06:52 PM

Wedding ~ Annie and Brian

posted by Lisa | filed under: weddings

I am so excited to share Annie and Brian's wedding. They were married at the beautiful Porter's Neck Country Club in Wilmington. Annie and Brian are one of those couples that are 'just meant to be' and when you see them together- you can't help but smile. Their wedding was just gorgeous and one of the highlights was Annie's little nephew being pulled down the aisle in a pirate ship wagon by the flower girl. Annie and Brian danced all night long and had a fabulous time. It was so great to be a part of their beautiful day! Also, take a look at their wedding video highlights by our favorite videographers, Life Stage Videography. Congratulations Annie and Brian!

September 24, 2009 - 08:40 PM

Wedding ~ Michelle and Alex

posted by Lisa | filed under: weddings

The grandeur of the Duke University Chapel is always an impressive site. Michelle and Alex are an equally impressive couple and chose the perfect place for their wedding. Michelle and Alex met while stationed in Japan. Michelle was a flight nurse in the Navy and Alex was one of her patients on a flight. I guess the rest is history and now they are a happily married couple! Congratulations Michelle and Alex!

September 13, 2009 - 12:55 AM

Wedding ~ Julie and Jeff

posted by Lisa | filed under: weddings

Julie and Jeff got married this May at the historic High Grove Estate in Fuquay Varina. I really enjoyed photographing this location. The bride gets ready in the main house and then the ceremony takes place outside at a pergola overlooking Laurel Lake. It is a beautiful setting! We had a few rain drops during Julie and Jeff's ceremony, but it held off until the ceremony ended. It was nice to have overcast skies to make the day a little cooler! Then the reception is just steps away in an elegant lined tent with chandeliers. It is so nice to have all of the events so close together in one beautiful place! Julie looked great and we just loved her shoes with rhinestones down the heel! Julie and Jeff had a great party with lots of dancing and fun! It was great to be a part of their fabulous day! Congratulations Julie and Jeff!