Essential Sunshine Photography

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

Parker Family | Blacksburg, VA Family Photographer

Meet the Parker family. They are VT grads who recently came up to visit with their 2 year old daughter, Leah. They took this opportunity to show Leah around campus and to get her 2 year old photos taken. I do think Leah was the one who was showing her parents around campus – she would not stop. We walked a lot. I am amazed by her little 2 year stamina. She just kept going.

Aren’t her curls darling?! I seriously love little girls and their curls. Oh, and the bow. Super cute!

Doesn’t every kid love being tossed in the air? Leah sure does.

After our walk around the duckpond we headed to the War Memorial Chapel since no trip to Tech’s campus is complete without a stop here. All Leah wanted to do was climb up and down the steps. All day long. I got my workout in for the day.

We brought some bubbles along to entertain Leah. I think she enjoyed them.

I am pretty sure this smile proves it.

More air tossing. That is one excited little girl. She really liked our cameras and wanted take some photos of her own. With my help, she held onto our camera like a pro. Leah, if you need a job in a few years you’re hired.

She was just short enough to fit underneath the bike racks. She walked through them many many times before getting tired of it.

Thanks Anna & Chris for bringing Leah up to Blacksburg for some fun family shots. I am sure someday she too will be gracing Tech’s campus as an enrolled student. Go Hokies!

Posted in Family, Kids

by Sam

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Lynn & Chip | Chesapeake City, MD Wedding Photographer

We traveled up to the beautiful and quaint town of Chesapeake City, MD for Lynn & Chip’s Wedding. What a gorgeous town. It is one of those towns that you could just retire to. A kind of town where everyone is sure to know your name and your business.Plus it is situated on the tranquil Chesapeake Bay. Don’t worry Ben & I grabbed lunch prior to the ceremony and feasted on Maryland Crab. How can you not when you are there?

It was a beautiful day in Maryland for their wedding. Rain threaten for most of the day but stayed away. The love that these two have is infectious. They are so easy to be around and so comfortable with each other. Love that! So do a lot of other people which was apparent from the crowd that descended upon Chesapeake City for their nuptials.

We posted the photo on the left in a little facebook tease but loved it too much to not include it here. This is Vanessa, Chip’s sister and his niece, Angelia. She is the cutest! I looooove her curls! The photo on the right is when Lynn’s mom and sister/MOH, Robin, were latching Lynn’s buttons. They were using crochet hooks which seemed to work like a charm for Andy but Robin was having a bit of trouble as you can see from her expression.

A little detail before we met the guys at the pier for Lynn & Chip’s first look.

Hello Groom!!! Chip has the greenest eyes I have ever seen. I know, this photo doesn’t show them so you will just have to trust me.

Ah, adorable. While I was getting this one…

…Ben was getting this one.

Our favorite. There is so much I love about this image. The way he is looking at her. Her slight smile. The way his hand is lightly touching hers. ADORE!

This is their cake topper. Isn’t it just awesome?! I love that they included their little pug.

The ballroom at Chesapeake Inn has this magnificent ceiling of lights that looks like stars.

They made Lynn a special drink. I am not sure what was in it but it looked good and they were popular.

Who do you think is going to get it?

You know what makes a great wedding even better? A good cake smashing. I think we may be biased because we did it at our wedding (photo to come at another time). Lynn got Chip good. Awesome.

Chip’s grandparents won the anniversary dance. They have been married for 60 years and still in love. Perseverance is the key they said. After the anniversary dance the party really got started. A Time for Music did an amazing job. The music was great and Dave is such a charismatic MC.

Let’s just say glow sticks were involved.

Lots and lots of glow sticks.

Congratulations Lynn & Chip!

Posted in Destination, Weddings

by Sam

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Ten on Tuesday

1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation?

Well since I work from home neither.

2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time?

Same person every time. I go about 8 weeks. It took me awhile to find Inside Out Salon. I love them!

3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version?

Only the comics and parade on Sundays.I do try to keep up with current events through online sources.

4. What is the best book you have read this year?

The Hunger Games! Seriously, go read it now and let’s talk about it. I am obsessed. I have never felt this way about a book. I seriously loved it.

5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?

Ek, this is hard. The best movie I have seen in the theater might be Morning Glory. We don’t go out to the movies that often though. I did enjoy Morning Glory more than I thought I would. Rachel McAdams is just too cute.

6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?

Sweet. Mostly brownies or homemade ice cream.

7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?

Yes everyday. I eat cereal most of the time. I have been trying to eat more oatmeal since it is better for me but I just love cereal too much.

8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?

Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs. Isn’t that everyone’s favorite. I am trying to avoid them this year. Too many calories.

9. How late is “sleeping in” to you?

Uh. Let’s say 10:30. I tend to stay up too late. I am a night owl 100%. Ben not so much. We have opposite schedules when it comes to our sleeping habits.

10. Where are you going on your next vacation?

Who knows. I am itching to go somewhere. We haven’t been on vacation in a year and half and I need some relaxation. Hopefully somewhere warm and soon.

Posted in Personal

by Sam

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Heather & Charlie | Primland Resort, VA Engagement Session

Hold on to your seats people – the amazingness that is Heather & Charlie is coming at you. Seriously, we love these two. They are the sweetest and cutest couple ever! Charlie is deployed in Afghanistan right now. He was home for 2 weeks so they met us for a few photos while he was in town. Can you tell that these two hadn’t seen each other since June! Their love was just so energizing.

We met them first at Mabry Mill – it is close to Primland Resort, where they are getting married – and Charlie’s family is related to the Mabry’s – too perfect! There were all kinds of neat places to shoot. It was a GORGEOUS day in late March, we couldn’t have asked for more comfortable weather to do an engagement session in!

On the property there was this cute little stone and plank cabin – we took advantage of the great light spilling all around it to get some shots.

Heather & Charlie were troopers and were up for anything. This haystack may have been slightly damp.

Heather’s ring was simply AMAZING. Nice job Charlie…

We then headed over to Primland Resort. This is the coolest place ever. First of all, you have to drive so high up in the montains to get there, you begin to wonder if an oxygen tank will be necessary. Second of all, there was no one there. Not a single guest to be seen! The staff (who were super friendly and helpful) explained that they get really busy on the weekends and during the summer. We had the entire place to ourselves to shoot the session. Third, the architecture is just breathtaking – imagine a giant 42 room hunting lodge on top of a mountain which mixes a traditional stone and timber construction with all kinds of modern design flair. Ben and I spent the first 5 minutes walking around the lobby and staring…mouths open.

Admit it, you get this happy when you drink coffee too (especially if it is with your sweetheart, right?)

Love.

Oh my! Heather, you are beautiful. This is both Ben and my favorite.

H&C, I expect you both to print these photos out and keep the other’s photo in your wallet.

They had these wood carvings made from an Etsy shop. We were determined to make sure we incorporated them. Love it when people bring props.

Part of the resort is this little Observatory on the top floor - its a round room with a near 360 degree view of the surrounding mountain tops. It also has a really comfy leather couch. I tested it out.