Essential Sunshine Photography

a husband & wife photography team specializing in wedding and portrait photography

Lindsey & Marcus | Blacksburg, VA Engagement Photographer

Lindsey & Marcus were our first engagement session of 2012. While my maternity leave was as relaxing as having a new baby can be, I was excited about jumping into shooting again. On the day of their session the rain was threatening to come down at any point. Luckily we were able to work around it and waited out a huge storm before heading to the second location.

We met at Heritage Park, one of our favorite places to shoot. Usually the park can get crowded but was empty due to the rain so we had the place all to ourselves.

Lindsey & Marcus were up for anything. Even sitting in this damp field.

Isn’t there something very catalog about this shot? They were working it out!

So sweet.

Just another lazy day in the park.

Seriously, how cute are they?!

Ben’s favorite on the right.

My favorite!! Sexytime!

Congratulations Lindsey & Marcus! Can’t wait for your wedding.

Posted in Virginia, Weddings

by Sam

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Kayley | Senior Session | Blacksburg, VA

Meet Kayley. I don’t photograph a lot of senior sessions but I have to say that Kayley has changed my mind. She was such a joy to work with that I am now ready for my next senior session. Who’s interested?

Kayley is off to Michigan State in the fall where is is going to study to become a nurse anesthetist. Love that!

I met Kayley and her mom, Amy out at the duckpond on VT’s campus. It was a gorgeous spring day. Their dog Nala came along to play too. She wasn’t too interested in getting her photo taken though.

I just had to take a few of Amy & Kayley together. I know Amy is seriously going to miss Kayley when she goes away in the fall.

Kayley was just working it out!

Ack! Gorgeous!

She is on the volleyball team at her high school so we did a few shots of her in her uniform.

I love this next series. I can’t decide which is my favorite. It is a toss up between the right one and…

this one. Beautiful!

Thanks Kayley for being so awesome! Good luck in Michigan!

Posted in Seniors

by Sam

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April & David | Blacksburg, VA Engagement Photographer

When April contacted us a few weeks back and asked if we could shoot her and David’s engagement session I was super excited. Some may recognize April from Christie & Jayson’s wedding last May. Originally we were going to do their session in early November but the day turned out to be bitterly cold and wet so we postponed it for a later weekend. I was a little nervous that we would just end up with similar weather but luckily the weather gods were looking out for us and the weather was perfect.

We met April & David at their home to utilize some of the cool land & structure that surrounds them. I am so glad they suggested it. There was so many different things around that we didn’t even know where to start. What better place than a lovely mossy fence.

Ben’s view

My view. A bit into our session David pulled out his guitar so we could incorporate it into some of the photos. April is a photography lover and said she has been meaning to get a picture of her ring in his guitar. I was happy to oblige!

David teaching April some chords. He made up a song just for us about “taking pictures in the yard”. Love it!!

We couldn’t forget about their adorable dog, Zoey! She was such a ham. I love how she begs for her treats. She seriously would stay like this until they gave the treat to her. It was great.

This is one of my favorite photos from the day. I love how natural it is.

After we put Zoey back inside, we wandered down the lane some to their neighbor’s property which had a bunch of old cars on it. April had asked for their permission to take pictures here and they were happy to allow us to use them; though the neighbor did say “I don’t know why you would want to”. Well, this is why….

and this one….

and, of course, this one! We loooooved the old cars and could have stayed there forever taking photos. Plus, the soft light didn’t hurt.

A little serenade.

We stopped by the chicken coop before a quick wardrobe change and then it was off to Heritage Park.

Heritage Park is one of our favorite spots to shoot and on this day we got there right when the light was perfect. The left image is another one of my favorites and I almost forgot to include it in this post! ek!

Hello! You two are adorable together!

I adore the way she is looking at him.

What did I tell you about that light. Ack! Add in some haybales and we are all set. One of Ben’s favorites on the right.

I think this is my top contender for a canvas. Such a sweet, quiet moment together.

LOVE THIS! April had mentioned that she loves photos of just feet with their heads cut off and I couldn’t agree more. Plus, I am in love with her boots! Another contender for a canvas.

I’ll be honest when we set David & April in this patch of grass I was not inspired by it but I love that Ben was able to make it work. Just one of the reasons why I love working with him! <3

Ben’s favorite! A great way to end our session with the sun setting and some relaxing time.

April & David – thanks for being fantastic to work with! You came ready to bring it and it was brought.Best wishes to you both!

Posted in Engagements

by Sam

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Kimber & Ben | Hummelstown, PA Wedding Photographer

We had the pleasure of traveling up to PA a few weeks ago to shoot the wedding of Kimber & Ben. Kimber is the sister of a former client of ours, Kemer of Kemer & Erica fame. Remember their beautiful Brooklyn wedding we shot a few months ago? Anyhow, when Kimber contacted us and asked if we would do her wedding we jumped at the chance. No brainer! Doesn’t hurt that Kimber & Ben are just awesome people in general.

They were married on the coveted 11.11.11 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Hummelstown. Kimber is super crafty and did all of the floral arrangements herself.

Ben was as cool as a cucumber. He took a break while writing his vows to squeeze in a little tic-tac-toe.

They had a special guest join them for their wedding. Holiday Snoopy was there. There is some inside joke between Ben & his family. I am not even sure of the whole story but it was pretty amusing.

Kimber was radiant walking down the aisle. LOVE!

I always say there seems to be one small mishap at every wedding and usually these things are more humorous than event changing. This was Kimber & Ben’s humorous mishap. The unity candle took a little bit of coaxing before it lit. But it finally did and now they have a funny story from it.

One of my favorite moments are those first few steps back down the aisle as husband and wife. Precious.

The required crazy bridal party shot. You would never know it was FREEZING that day.

We sent the bridal party inside to get warmed up while Kimber & Ben decided to make the most of it and not let the cold get in the way of some AWESOME couples shots. Ben’s view and his favorite.

My view. It was easy to get these two to laugh together. They are constantly cracking each other up. Love that. And hello, gorgeous fall tree lined drive.

See I told you – Ben hamming it up – we sent them walking down the path and out of nowhere, Ben breaks out a heel click – talent! Every now and then the sun would break through the clouds. Not only did it instantly get 20 degrees warmer, but it made for some amazing shots

Kimber – you are GORGEOUS!!!! Ack!

The cake topper was Kimber’s parents from their wedding. I love that they used it and I also love the people’s hair! ha!

First dance!

Followed by hilarious toasts.

These were the lights used for the up-lighting around the room. I love finding clever spots for ring shots.

My favorite – I love the father-daughter dance at weddings. They always make me a little teary eyed. This one was no exception.

The lone guy who was brave enough to get up and dance to The Sugarhill Gang’s Apache. “If I get up and make a fool of myself, surely everyone will follow…”

Ben (my Ben) warned Kimber ahead of time to not throw her bouquet to high because of the light hanging above. Kimber barely missed it.

The reception went way past the flower girl and ring bearers nap time so they decided to make good use of the comfy couches that were set up around the hall.