Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope your day is filled with good food and time with friends and family! I am so thankful to all of you who continue to support me and my blog!

Ross Oscar Knight

Good wedding photography tells the story of the wedding day. But exceptional wedding photography does so much more than tell a story, it draws you in and evokes emotion, even if you don't know the couple. Ross Oscar Knight is without a doubt an exceptional wedding photographer. Once exposed to his work, it leaves an indelible mark on you and you never forget the photos or the photographer.
Ross has stopped by today to share his work and his passion for photography. So sit back, relax and get to know a little about Ross Oscar Knight Photography.

Lemiga: How did you get started in photography?

Ross Oscar Knight: How did I get started in photography? The story is quite interesting. As a child, I can remember sneaking into my parents bedroom to get the family polaroid camera and snap a few candids of my six siblings. Of course, I would always return the camera before either of my parents came home. Ahh, the 80's... By the time I was in high school I was "upgraded" to a small 35mm camera. It was a Christmas present from my mother. I promise it would have taken a small army to pry that camera from my hands.

I used to travel around the neighborhood taking pictures of everything in sight. After an afternoon of photography I would race to the local grocery store to get my images developed. During the early 90's one-hour photo was still new technology to me. I would actually wait outside the store with my claim ticket in hand for the entire hour. If my finished pictures were over one minute late, I exercised my right to free 3x5 prints!I kept the same 35mm camera throughout college and suffered ridicule from my friends for always having my camera with me. I took pictures at football and basketball games, parties and homecoming festivities. On one of my holiday trips back home to Pensacola I asked my father about his experiences in college and growing up in the south. He was able to tell me about them but could produce very few pictures. So I decided to get even more serious about documenting my college experiences. Further, I gained an intense desire to trace my heritage and locate old photographs of my relatives. Finding several damaged pictures, I learned to use computer software to digitally reconstruct the images. This is when I was first introduced to complex digital editing. To date I have collected over 100 pictures and gained information on six generations of my family.

Being a broke college student, photography became my therapy for stress. I would drive for hours around the city of Atlanta and small towns throughout the state to find interesting locations. I didn't even use a map! I still use some of these little known places today for lifestyle portrait sessions. It was not until I graduated from college that I had enough money to retire my faithful 35mm Olympus and purchase professional equipment.
Lemiga: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Ross Oscar Knight: I enjoy traveling and connecting with interesting people. The goal of my company is to Build Community Through Photography and I feel that my photography connects people from all over the world. I challenge my audience to explore cultures other than their own and to see that love is universal no matter your race or creed. I believe that everyone on earth possesses a gift that must be unlocked to achieve true success and self-fulfillment. My job as a photographer has given me both! The key is to love what you see...and I love everyone that I come in contact with and have the privilege to photograph. I get satisfaction knowing that 100 years from now my images will still be enjoyed by people all around the world and that families will share stories together based on special moments that I've captured.
Lemiga: You have photographed all over the world - is there any place you haven't been to yet that you would love to shoot a wedding at?

Ross Oscar Knight: I would love to shoot a wedding in Australia! I have heard so much about the beauty there. Any takers?


Lemiga: What details within the wedding day play the most important part in your photography?

Ross Oscar Knight: Its the small details that really count. I'll list a few.

1. Gifts. When the bride and/or groom send each other a little gift or note before the ceremony it is really sweet and the reactions are so sincere. I love to photograph the gifts and the intimate moment when the gift is first opened.

2. Colors. I love black and white photography but nothing beats a great splash of color. I have had clients that are adventurous with their color schemes and some that are more reserved, however, when the colors compliment the personality of the couple it shows through my photographs. Special note: choose colors wisely, especially when you want timeless photos.

3. Flowers and Shoes. Two of my favorite things to photograph. Maybe its because I grew up with five sisters but I know how important shoes are to women. The bride's shoes are one of my first shots. A well-made bouquet photographs perfectly and is a symbol of the couple's style. Simple, elegant or sophisticated. Every wedding I take the dress, shoes, rings, and flowers off somewhere to do creative compositions. My clients appreciate the extra time I take to document these details.
4. Groom's Details. I always find it so cool when the groom and groomsmen find a way to inject a bit of their personalities in their wardrobe. Whether cuff links, eccentric socks, cool belt buckles, custom shoes, monogrammed shirts, or power ties - the details make for awesome images.

5. Location. The location of the wedding really does matter. My favorite weddings to shoot are outdoors. I specialize in natural light photography and taking advantage of the sun's different hues and shadows create opportunities for unique photographs that can never be replicated. When the sun sets, whether on a golf course or a beach, I love to take the couple back outdoors to capture powerful images.
6. Receptions Details and Decor. The most detailed reception I shot was out in Dallas. From the table displays, to the cake, to the spotlights on the dance floor - this wedding was amazing. It made my job easy as the space I was shooting was just beautiful. No matter where the couple stood or danced in the room, the background was perfect.

7. Wedding Planner. When you find a Wedding Planner that understands your needs you have found a gem. And so has your photographer. Many of my clients spend a substantial portion of their wedding budget on me as the photographer. After all, when everyone goes home and the flowers wilt away you'll only have your photographs for memories. If you express the importance of photography to your Wedding Planner and that Planner can work with the photographer's schedule then you are well on your way to the most exceptional photos ever seen. Why? Great photography takes time and planning. Some Planners can cram your schedule so tightly that everyone gets frustrated and your wedding feels like "The Amazing Race" reality show. When my clients and the Wedding Planner agree on the schedule we produce to shoot all of the photographs you want then it makes things much easier.

8. Attitude. Can you believe that some people get to their weddings and they are cranky the entire day? I've seen it all. A bad attitude can show through your photos because the camera doesn't lie. Getting the proper rest the week of the wedding, making sure to eat properly, and expecting the unexpected can keep you from being frustrated and help me as the photographer to photograph you at your best. Assigning duties to your planner or wedding party can relieve you from unwanted stress. I'm used to working in stressful situations when people are late and even when lipstick drops on a wedding dress (ouch!) but when the couple I am shooting keeps a positive attitude so does everyone else.
9. Flexibilty. I once took a couple in New York from the church back to the family home to shoot formals. Why? I visited the bride's childhood home two days before the wedding and I saw infinite possibilities to shoot. The church did not excite me that much. The couple was very flexible and arranged transportation for the wedding party to the home. The resulting images were fantastic. Not everyone has time to travel to different locations to shoot on a wedding day but it is important to trust your photographer's wisdom about where to shoot and be flexible enough to consider alternative ideas.
10. The Entrance and the Send Off. When the bride enters for the ceremony I create my best shot of the day. I love when flowers are intricately placed down the aisle as opposed to a traditional runner so that I can focus back and forth between the petals and the bride. The shot at the end of the reception is equally as important. When the couple exits to jump in a golf cart, race through sparklers, or carefully pace as guest blow bubbles make for fun and memorable images.
Lemiga: What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Ross Oscar Knight: Going to shoot weddings in Africa for my first book: Weddings Around the World!

Lemiga: I know you are a newlywed yourself - how did the experience of getting married change your perspective on wedding photography?

Ross Oscar Knight: The experience of getting married did not change my perspective on wedding photography. I will always want to have fun shooting while producing images that document a story and show my client's real personalities. On another note, my recent wedding has brought me closer to brides and grooms on a personal level. I understand firsthand the joys and the pains, the laughter and the cries, the budgets and the splurges. Most of all, I have a deeper appreciation for love and how to capture intimate images that will be relived for generations.
Thanks Ross for stopping by and sharing your work! Truly works of art!

Holiday Sip and Shop

Melanie at Lucky Paperie asked me to let everyone know about a fun event hosted by Christine Gallagher.

Holiday Sip & Shop party Dec 3rd from 6-9 p.m

She has some great local artists lined up to meet and greet. Lucky Paperie will be there selling lots of holiday greeting cards, photo cards, baby onesies, books, candles and Russell and Hazel notebooks. This is a great way to meet local vendors & designers as well as enjoy some girl time! What could be more fun than shopping and sipping cocktails with the ladies?

Simply RSVP over at Lucky Paperie's blog by leaving a comment to this post!

Sweet & Sassy

A few weeks ago my 3 year old daughter, Kristen, had the chance to attend a birthday party at Sweet & Sassy, a salon and spa for little girls. The salon and spa is decorated in bright colors and fun furniture.
It's the perfect place for birthday parties for girls of all ages. This group was having facials and makeup done.
They even have a runway for birthday party fashion shows.My daughter, Kristen had her first pedicure.
And manicure
The girls absolutely loved it! Sweet & Sassy is such a great concept and so much fun for a different type of celebration for girls.

I Do Linens

While attending an industry event, I met Tamara Gollob, owner of I Do Linens. Her linens are so unique because Tamara custom designs and makes all of them. I am so pleased to have her stop by today and share with us a little about her company.

Lemiga: Tell us a little about I Do Linens - what range of services do you offer?

I Do Linens: We are a custom linen company creating one of a kind couture linens for weddings and special events. Every linen is custom designed based on each individual clients needs and wants, ensuring each event is one of a kind. Linens are available for rent and purchase.

Lemiga: What's different about your company vs. other linen rental companies in Atlanta?

I Do Linens: We are different in the fact that everything is custom made. The colors you want, pattern you want, there is no settling for what is just available. We create your vision, style, and put your stamp on your event.Lemiga: What type of fabric do you use for your custom linens?

I Do Linens: All of my linens are sourced from suppliers all over the world, this enables me to find exactly what you're looking for.

Lemiga: Where do you draw your inspiration from when designing custom linens?

I Do Linens: Inspiration comes from the client's vision and dreams and from the hot new trends that are constantly popping up. And from the linens themselves.

Lemiga: How far in advance should a client start consulting with you for custom linens?

I Do Linens: Custom linens require a 6 month lead time. This time is used in sourcing and designing your custom look.

Thanks for stopping by Tamara!

When I had the chance to sit down and meet with Tamara she brought with her some of her fabric samples and I swear I was like a kid in a candy store! She just kept pulling out more and more fabric with all types of textures and patterns and colors. I am so excited with the possibilities of her custom linens. So if you're having a hard time finding exactly what you want with standard linen rental companies, definitely give I Do Linens a call!

Announcing Studio Wed Atlanta

After many months of planning, I am beyond excited to announce that I will be bringing Studio Wed to Atlanta.
Studio Wed Atlanta will bring together some of Atlanta's best wedding vendors under one roof in a centrally located, stylish planning studio. No more driving around the city of Atlanta to meet with vendors, brides will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of hand selected vendors.

More details to come as we build out and design our space which is scheduled to open Spring 2009. We are currently interviewing vendors. If you have any questions or would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact me at michelle@studiowed.net. You can also see more details at http://www.studiowed.net/.

The NotWedding

Yesterday I attended the NotWedding at Opera and the event did not disappoint!

Event Drapery did a beautiful job with all the the drapery.
Olive custom designed dresses just for the event


As usual, Paige at Classic Party Rentals did a fantastic job with all the linens and rentalsJoy Thigpen truly outdid herself with the styling of the display tables
Joy incorporated so many beautiful details like these plates from Anthropologie




Joshua John's cakes were absolutely stunning!

All the flowers from Twelve were just gorgeous!
And the ceremony for the Not Couple was unique and inspiring!
Congrats to Callie at Achor & Eden and her team of vendors for a flawless event!

Coming up I have BIG announcement! It's been so hard to keep the secret and now I finally get to reveal everything!!

Etsy Friday Bonus - Unique Wedding Items

I hope you have enjoyed Etsy week and hopefully gained some inspiration and maybe some new vendors to work with! I'm ending the week with a few more shops that offer unique wedding items.

Katherine Niccum sells the most adorable flower girl dress replicas. You can buy the dress only to fit a doll that you already have, or buy both the doll and the dress together.


These are perfect flower girl or junior bridesmaid gifts and I think any little girl would love to have one of these





And last but not least, Brooklit's Shop offers custom fashion illustrations.

For those who may not get to look at their dress after their wedding day because it's stored away in a box, this is a perfect keepsake to have of your wedding gown
So did you guys enjoy Etsy week?

Etsy Friday - Party Favors

I'm always on the hunt for unique party favors that are visually appealing and that guests will actually want to keep after the event. Etsy is such a great source of inspiration for party favors. And if you have an idea and don't see what you want, you can request a custom order!

The items in The Sweet Unfolding's shop would be perfect for a spa bridal shower and I love the packaging!

All-Natural Bath Tea

European Bath Salts
Sweet Unfolding Mini Gift Set
Sweet Bath Confetti

Packaging is half the battle when it comes to choosing party favors. Beautiful packaging adds to the overall design of your wedding or event, and Little Birdie Boutique's packaging options are divine!

And their swizzle stick favors are adorable!

These beautiful bags from Embellished by Tiffany would be perfect for small treats and can even double as place cards or escort cards


And she also offers stationery items that will completely coordinate with the favor packaging

Etsy Thursday - Wedding Accessories

In my opinion, it's all the little details that make a stunning wedding. When I'm looking for unique custom wedding accessories, Etsy is always my first stop!

Emici Bridal offers all kinds of handmade bridal accessories, but I'm especially drawn to their ring pillows.
All of their ring pillows can be customized to your colors, fabric, and design preference. As you can see from these, each one is so unique.

I often use Shea Chic Designs for clients who want beautiful reasonably priced cake toppers. This one is from a wedding I did in July. But I also love the custom guest book and coordinating card boxes that she makes

LSeabol's shop offers custom hand painted and handmade monogram items like these bannersAisle runnersand table runners This is a hand painted table runner she designed for the welcome table at my Soiree, and she did an amazing job!

Etsy Wednesday - Stationery

Invitations are the first indication to your guests what they can expect at your wedding or event. A spectacular invitation definitely raises the excitement and anticipation for what's to come. Etsy has no shortage of phenomenal stationery designers, and today I'm featuring a few of my favorites.

I'm so drawn to the unconventional printing methods that Letterpunch Design uses with their invitations

This invitation is called "Country Chic" and is such a fun design
The monogram printed on plain paper bags coordinates perfectly with the overall theme!
It's all the little touches that makes these so great - look at how the envelope is lined with newspaper to go along with the newspaper save the date card!This invitation includes a hand-made origami daisy flower - so beautiful!
And although this one isn't wedding related - how cute is this!


Decadent Designs offers charming stationery each with its own special touches

These two are perfect for a fall or winter theme weddingI love the ribbon on this one
Love the patterned envelope liner and beading



Serendipity truly designs for the the client to make a one of a kind invitation!


The bold colors scheme and graphic are so eye catching!
I love everything about this invitation - the graphics, the burlap wrap, and the sand dollar Christmas ornament! Your guests would never forget an invitation like this.

Southern Weddings Magazine

Congrats to Southern Weddings on the launch of their gorgeous new blog-site! It is a wonderful source of inspiration and I'm very happy to be apart of it! Check out the resource page for Georgia planners here and see my listing!

Etsy Tuesday Bonus - Flower Girl Dresses

Etsy shop Smitherman & Barnwell has the most adorable flower girl dresses - and all of the ones pictured here are under $80!



Besides the Etsy shop, Smitherman and Barnwell offers custom-made to order dresses. Their luxury website features their look book, with most of the designs starting at $200.

These one of a kind designs are sure to make your flower girls feel like little princesses!

Etsy Tuesday - Jewelry & Handbags

Shopping for jewelry and handbags on Etsy, is seriously like being a kid in a candy store. There's yuminess all around and you just want to grab everything!


Melanie Crowe, owner of Damselle, states on her Etsy page "I believe that a woman has the right to be beautiful, and I design my jewelry to be full of substance, unusual, and a little bit romantic, just like the women who wear my collection." And boy does she deliver! As you can see from these pieces, her jewelry is nothing short of exquisite.

Pere Custom Bags are definitely for the sassy, stylish bride and her fashion forward bridesmaids.

In addition to jewelry, Marla J Designs uses vintage jewelry components to make one of a kind hair accessories

I love the textures, patterns, and colors of the handbags in Amarie's Etsy shop - perfect for a wedding with a bold color palette

Another reason I love shopping on Etsy is being able to purchase from sellers around the world. Luxe Deluxe is located in the UK, and I really think these pieces are a reflection of the seller's region which is what makes them so beautiful and so unique!

Pleats, pretty bows and fresh patterns make these perfect bridesmaid gifts or handbags for a less formal wedding. With Love Boutique specialize in custom orders and allow you to choose the fabric to get the perfect handbag!





The jewelry in Lizix26's shop have the character that you can only find in handmade jewelry - each one is a piece of artwork





{A03} Designs are perfect for a party lasting into the night. The colors, the textures, the shapes are just so fun!



And last but certainly not least, the jewelry in JMG Jewelry Design's shop literally makes my heart skip a little. Just simply gorgeous!




Hopefully I didn't give you sensory overload with all the photos. It was sooo hard to limit them. If you still didn't see anything that would fit what you're looking for check out these Etsy shops. Etsy sellers love doing custom orders, so send a "convo" to the seller explaining what you're looking for and they can create a one of a kind piece for your wedding!

Etsy Monday - Bridal Attire

While online shopping for attire can be pretty intimidating, Etsy offers a wide variety of truly unique designs that you don't find in the everyday bridal shop.


Rose Tree Garters offers heirloom quality garters in every imaginable color, material, and theme.





Stephanie Madesh's evening gowns would be perfect for bridesmaids - and she also accepts custom orders


This one is also an evening gown but would also make a drop dead gorgeous sexy wedding dress!

Pretty Patrick offers hand embroidered silk wedding gowns that are truly exquisite!

Just look at the detail on this gown!

For the bride who wants a gown that truly sets her apart from other brides, custom designer Joan Shum offers beautifully designed wedding gowns

Happy Monday & Etsy Week

The weekend flew by - I can't believe it's Monday already! First I have to congratulate the ladies at Elizabeth Anne Designs on their new blog EAD Living. Ami and Rebekah describe EAD Living as "a new blog dedicated to making our everyday lives as beautiful and creative as the day we begin our marriage. Living will be filled with crafts, recipes, book reviews, and everything else we love about the home arts." I don't know how they do it, but they continue to inspire us and raise the bar for creative blogs!

Second, thanks so much to Tangarang for giving me the Kreativ Blogger Award.It's always nice to be recognized and know that people are enjoying reading my blog. If you haven't heard of Tangarang, definitely check out the blog and their Etsy shop of adorable party items!

And finally, speaking of Etsy, if by some chance you've never heard of it, Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade.Any time I'm looking for unique items for a wedding or event, Etsy is my first stop. It is pure genius to have amazingly talented artists from around the world in one place to display their products and work. I have already featured some of the Etsy sellers I have worked with, including stationery designer Inkspot Workshop, party goods seller Crossroads Cottage, and my business card designer Invited Ink.

This week I am going to showcase some of my other favorite Etsy shops for weddings and I hope it will provide you lots of inspiration for your own wedding or event.

Betsywhite Stationery Discount!

BetsyWhite Stationery Boutique is offering a 10% discount to my brides, valid on any purchase in their store. All you have to do is enter Coupon Code LEMIGA1108 at checkout to redeem the discount (one use per customer, expires March 31, 2009). So take a look at their website - you won't be disappointed!

Betsywhite Stationery

Betsywhite is a new stationery boutique, featuring reasonably priced beautifully designed invitations and stationery. Founder, Gia Graham sent me a sample pack, which I received yesterday, and the pictures really do not do them justice! I love the texture of the papers and the printing is exquisite. All of their stationery have such a fresh clean look to them.

Here are a few of my favorite designs.

(All photos are from Betsywhite's website)

Also, be sure to check out Flights of Fancy, Betsywhite's blog which is full of great wedding inspiration!

ISES Atlanta Event

Last month I attended, "Senses of the Season", a membership event for ISES Atlanta. The event was held at Bold American's new venue Studio 887 at King Plow. Wine tasting stations from Winefellow were paired with food tasting stations from Bold American. This concept would be so much fun for a birthday party, shower or even a rehearsal dinner.If you've ever been to a wine tasting then you know that by the end of the night it can be hard to remember which wines you had and which ones you liked best. Winefellow has solved this problem by using capture technology. Each guest receives a badge that has a bar code that contains their name and e-mail address. When you taste a wine you rate it from 1 to 10. Then the server scans your badge and enters in your rating. After the party, the company emails you the list of wines you tasted and what you rated each wine. They also tell you where to locally find the wines you liked. The decor was perfect for a fall wine tasting. Something as simple as grapes made such a visual impact with the roses and beautiful linens.
The venue, a turn-of-the century renovated warehouse, had great rustic charm with exposed brick walls and remnants of the original warehouseI'm still learning how to use my camera - here is my attempt to show how the room looked with all the candlelight. I seriously need to take an amateur photography class!

A New Day

We have a new President today.....and possibly a new America! What an exciting time! Whether Republican or Democrat this is a time for us to come together and be the best of ourselves to heal our country and tackle all of the hard issues that we face today. I am truly proud to be an American!

Today is the day!