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    Charleston Bridal Session on Film! | North Carolina Wedding Photographer

    Saturday, October 18, 2014

    For my birthday I had the great opportunity to not only shoot a bridal session, but to do it in the beautiful setting of Charleston, SC, with an amazing model. AND I shot it on film! It was a gorgeous weekend in Charleston, SC. Taylor fit right in to the environment with her dazzling smile, wild mane and a gorgeous wedding dress...with pockets! I love pockets on a wedding dress. It's my thing. The film that I used for this shoot are Fuji 400H, Portra 400 and Portra 800. Right now my favorite film is tied between Portra 400 and Fuji 400h. 

    Charleston Bridal Session Fuji 400h | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Fuji 400h | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Fuji 400h | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Fuji 400h | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 400 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 400 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 400 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 400 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 400 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 400 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 400 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 400 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 400 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 800 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 800 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 800 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography
    Charleston Bridal Session Portra 800 | Dawn Michelle Downey | Chronicles Photography

    I had an amazing birthday weekend. I spent it with the people I love, doing what I love and learning about the things I love. I'm super grateful to Taylor who allowed my vision to be better than what I imagined. Looking forward to what the future brings, but enjoying the journey.



    Nikki + Scott Are Married! | Piazza at Portofino Wedding

    Friday, October 17, 2014

    Perfect! The most used (and appropriate) word of Nikki and Scott's wedding day. The venue was perfect, the weather was perfect and these two are a perfect match for one another. One of the things that I enjoy most about a couple is watching them interact with one another. Nikki and Scott were no exception. They are so wonderfully deep in love and it's a beautiful thing to see. They wed at the Piazza at Portofino, a picturesque venue located in Clayton, NC, which boast stables, horses, and beautifully manicured grounds. Nikki and Scott were surrounded by their children, family and friends as they exchanged nuptials and partied the night away.

    Annie V's Florist Clayton
    Annie V's Florist Clayton | Piazza at Portofino
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC 
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Flowers by Annie V's Florist
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Ashley Cakes Cupcake Tower
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC
    Piazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NCPiazza at Portofino Weddings | Clayton, NC

    Thank you SO much Nikki and Scott for trusting me to capture your most special moments. It was an honor. I pray many blessings over this new journey that you two have begun together.









    Cupcakes | Ashley Cakes

    Learning, Sharpening, Growing | North Carolina Photographer

    Monday, October 13, 2014

    I have this thing where I get bored really easily, so I try to challenge myself in ways that can expand my current skill-set. I have been drooling over images produced with film for some time now. There's a quality about film that can be dreamy and raw, characteristics that I love. After researching film cameras and types of film for close to a year, I decided that it was now or never. I took the plunge! I bought the Nikon F100, bought a roll of Portra 400 and Ilford 400 and started shooting. Feening to shoot a great subject, I shot the Portra roll on a fellow photographer and friend of mine. Thanks Chaquana!

    Portra 400 Film | North Carolina Photographer
    Portra 400 Film | North Carolina Photographer
    Portra 400 Film | North Carolina Photographer
    Portra 400 Film | North Carolina Photographer

    I shot Ilford the weekend that I second shot a wedding with Courtney Kerr. These images are of Courtney, her beau, who was doing some fishing, and her puppy Moose.

    Ilford 400 Film | North Carolina Photographer
    Ilford 400 Film | North Carolina Photographer
    Ilford 400 Film | North Carolina Photographer
    Ilford 400 Film | North Carolina Photographer

    I am having a ball learning how to shoot this thing called film, and also learning patience. First, I'm only working with about 36 exposures, so I have to be really intentional when I shoot. I also have to be sure that the image that I'm making is worthy of the expense, so I have to be deliberate, waiting for moments to occur. This all helps me to be a better photographer overall, and will translate to my digital work. But here's the kicker; I can't come home after a shoot, pop my SD card into my computer and instantly see what I just shot. I have to actually send my film out to a lab to be processed. And not just CVS or some other drugstore. I have to send my film to a lab that specializes in processing film of this caliber. So, it can take a few weeks for me to get my scans back. But you know what? It's exciting to wait! I'm enjoying this process and I look forward to the process reflecting in my work for my clients. I'm learning, getting sharper and growing.