I met Amanda + Colin in Wilmington NC at the 2008 wedding of Maria + Pete Flores . Colin was the best man and had just proposed to Amanda. As I got to know Colin and Amanda I quickly realized how unique they were as individuals and a couple. I always look forward to the energy and wisdom they radiate. Their wedding day was a honor to be apart of. I could feel the thankfulness they had, not only for one another, but their family and friends as well. I noticed throughout the evening how they were both mindful of the moments as they would pass. For example, the way Colin would gratefully glance up at the waitstaff as he and his new wife were served. Extremely humbling. The wedding was at the beautiful Umstead Hotel & Spa, Cary NC.Colin and the gentleman find a moment together before the ceremony.

I love outdoor weddings for the simple fact that you have so much more freedom to work around the ceremony without being obtrusive.

Colin + Amanda choose to wear their Malas, Buddhist prayer beads, during their ceremony. A special gift given to them by a spiritual mentor who has shared in their lives. Malas are made up of 108 beads to represent each of the texts in the Buddha's teachings, providing focus and intention. Even the little guys got into the toasting! I love this shot! The Umstead Hotel is known for displaying and supporting the arts. I'm sure you recognize this amazing piece by Dale Chihuly. Breathtaking.

As we, the second shooter + myself, sat with the musicians at the vendor meal we all chatted and got to know one another as usual. Little did I know who I was sitting with! Amanda + Colin were stoked about having Zach Deputy play at their reception, yet I still did not realize who he was until... he started playing. I could barely focus on taking photos, my body just started to move to the music! I had his music on my ipod and was just jamming to it a few days before! You may recognize one of his more popular songs, Two Steps, that plays on the radio, along with several others. The couple actually had his newest released cd, Sunshine, as the guest favors! BRILLIANT! And so the evening went on and on as they all would sing and dance celebrating love and life!

[worth mentioning] During the wedding I was drawn to one particular artist exhibit Pheromone:The Insect Artwork of Christopher Marley. Being a mother of three boys I have grown to appreciate our little friends. But this gentleman has taken it to extraordinary measures. I found myself getting lost in the designs he has created and could not wait to share my discovery with my middle child, Kyler, who particularly shows great interest in bugs and collects them himself. I ordered the book for the family to look over, it has been a favorite at bedtime for months now.

Colin, being the amazing human being he is, has found a away to carry his personal findings & philosophies into his daily work, which in my opinion is not only hard to do but unique and he pulls it off very tastefully + successfully. If you are in the Raleigh-Durham area and are in the market to buy/sale a home look him up @ Tommerson Lending! I was able to work with him for his head shots as well.