Alexis | Hoke County High School Senior Rep | Raeford NC High School Senior Photographer

Ohhh, my gosh...I'm seriously in love with just about every single photo from this session. You know, except the ones where her eyes were closed or something :)

Alexis totally rocked this session from the get-go and I couldn't be happier having chosen her as my 2015 Senior Rep for Hoke County High School! We had a LOT of great ideas for this session, and I'm even more excited for her second senior session in the fall. Fall in North Carolina is just fabulous, so you know it's going to make for more great photos!

As you can see, Alexis enjoys soccer. But what you DON'T see is that she's also really into makeup -- the kind they do on Face Off! So...can we expect to see you on there someday, Alexis? :) She's also big in to track, cross-stitching, and drama club. Her favorite color is yellow, which makes me happy and her celebrity crush is DAVID BECKHAM. I can't think of many ladies who'd disagree with her!

Alexis & her mom were just so easygoing and fun to work with, and I'm crossing my fingers for an amazing senior year at Hoke County High School for this pretty lady! Enjoy! <3

Drew | Fayetteville Christian School Senior Representative | Fayetteville NC High School Senior Photographer

sooooo, y'all meet drew! the first of my 3 senior reps for 2015, and what a handsome guy! drew's dad is in the air force, so as a result, they've lived literally EVERYWHERE. i don't even remember all the places his sweet mom was telling me they've lived! i remember alaska for sure, cause she said it was freeeeeeezing. i can only imagine!

Drew is going to be a senior at Fayetteville Christian School here in Fayetteville, NC. He is a member of the praise band at his school & likes playing soccer, tennis, andddd the guitar -- of which I am insanely jealous. He has TWO guitars - one electric, one acoustic. His favorite color is green {BEST COLOR EVER} and his celeb crush is Jennifer Lawrence - the guy's got good taste :) Drew has two siblings, who are JUST the cutest, and most admires his dad, who is an Air Force officer.

We had a great time shooting out in Spring Lake, NC - even though like 15 minutes before our session there was a massive hurricane! Okay, so maybe it wasn't exactly a hurricane...but a branch broke off the tree in their front yard! Lol, it was pretty intense :) Anyway, y'all enjoy these photos as much as I do and congratulate Drew on making it to his senior year -- and wish him luck in his college career {still undecided...but y'all know how difficult that choice can be}!

Military Love | Fayetteville NC Couples Photographer | Fayetteville NC Military Couples Photographer

Ahh, the joys of being a military spouse - the pride, stress, and strength are immeasurable. These two were so comfortable & natural in front of the camera! We had a great time in beautiful Downtown Fayetteville and thankfully the weather agreed with us :) This brave lady had an upcoming deployment on her hands and was handling it better than anyone! So strong, so proud.

As you all know, couples sessions are my favorite. And MILITARY couples sessions are even MORE my favorite! I hope y'all enjoy their session as much as I did photographing it :) And be sure to send up some prayers and good vibes for this brave man's deployment & safe return! <3

Outdoor Wedding Venue in Fayetteville NC | Fayetteville NC Engagement Photographer | Fayetteville NC Wedding Photographer

I can't tell you how excited I am about wedding season. Seriously, I start itching to shoot weddings about mid-January when I've all but had it with the cold weather, sweaters and boots. I am literally starving for warm weather & sunshine. You don't even know. 

Last September, I was fortunate enough to have been a part of a beautifully intimate wedding in Fayetteville at an even more beautiful venue - the FTCC Rose Garden in Fayetteville. Between the gazebos & flowers & fountain, I was positively swooning. Just gorgeous. If you're looking for a beautiful outdoor location for a wedding in Fayetteville, North Carolina...look no further. This particular wedding was very small and intimate, so the FTCC Rose Garden was perfect! The guests sat on either side of the fountain, the bride walked down the aisle from one of the gazebos, and they were wed in front of the fountain, surrounded by a TON of pretty flowers and their loved ones. What more could you want!?  

Bride's POV walking down the aisle!

This is the view from the back of the wedding!

Happy husband-to-be!

I would suggest calling for availability ASAP, since it's such a cute place [(910) 678-8400]. Also, I would only recommend this venue for a small intimate wedding...no more than 50 or so guests. The best time of year for this place is definitely spring and summer, when the grass is green and the flowers are in full bloom. Like I said, this wedding was shot in September, so as you can see, the grass and flowers stick around for quite a while once it warms up around here!

After the ceremony came the reception. The reception was held at the Rainbow Room in Downtown Fayetteville. It was also the perfect size for a small, intimate wedding. The two front windows were the perfect place for the wedding cake on one side and the gifts on the other. Two sets of tables lined either side of the room, making an aisle to walk up, which led to the head table for the bride & groom. It was perfectly lit, which I loved...and allowed for plenty of room so that no one was crammed, but not so large as to make people feel lost in the room. I loved it.

The head table at Rainbow Room

Inside the Rainbow Room!

I hope you've found this blog helpful and informative. If you're looking for a small, intimate wedding venue for an outdoor wedding in Fayetteville, NC...definitely check out the FTCC Rose Garden. And then call me, because I would LOVE to be a part of your special day! :)

Already got the venue? Check out these helpful wedding tips!

Not yet engaged? Read this!

Until next time... <3

Melissa Harshbarger

Fayetteville NC Wedding Photographer

Fayetteville NC Engagement Photographer

806.316.9686

mdphotographydesign@gmail.com

The BEST Proposal Idea EVER | Fayetteville NC Romantic Engagement Photographer | NC Romantic Wedding Photographer

There is exactly ONE WEEK until Valentine's Day! I know there are a lot of mixed feelings floating around about this "holiday," ranging from "oh my god, this is my favorite holiday in the world" to "seriously, you consider this a holiday?" While I fall somewhere in the middle of those viewpoints. I like the idea of V-Day, because really...it IS a time of year pretty much dedicated to spoiling women, and I'm all about that :) on the other hand, I am a firm believer in spoiling your significant other year-round, and not depending on one holiday to do so. However, the photographer in me is a HUGE fan of V-Day, simply because SO many people get engaged on this day! It's so cute! And, as a super huge romantic myself...I love everything to do with romantic couples photography. I would absolutely DIE if I were able to get a peek-a-boo engagement shoot.

As a matter of fact, I have the PERFECT idea. I would DIEEEE if a guy came to me and scheduled just a regular old couple's session for his lady. And just to keep it under wraps, we just had a normal session like nothing was going on. Then, sometime in the middle of the session, like talking about a pose idea or something, he got down on one knee and proposed right then and there, and I was able to get it on camera. Like really, tell me that isn't perfect. I don't know a girl in the world who wouldn't be absolutely stoked to have photos of the day her man proposed. SO. CUTE.

THEN...after he proposed, we could totally get the engagement photos knocked out right then - while she's just positively GLOWING with excitement and love and oh my gosh, I'm like freaking out just thinking about it. So seriously...if you know a couple who's been together and is ready to take that next step and get engaged, PLEASE send them my way. I want to waive the session fee for this kind of shoot. That's $250 saved! Then, I can custom design your Save-the-Date's and even take $100 off your wedding package if booked within 6 months of the engagement shoot! THAT'S how badly I need one of these shoots in my life :)

Can't you just see her tackling him to the ground in an excited hug!?

Contact me to schedule your romantic couples session today! And spread the word, lovelies! I'm always willing to offer referral incentives to those who sent booking clients my way :)

PS: After he's popped the question, be sure to add these 5 things to your wedding to do list! <3

Melissa Harshbarger

www.mdphotography-nc.com

mdphotographydesign@gmail.com

YOURS TRULY <3
Photo by K-Westbrook Photography

Romantic Engagement Photography in Fayetteville NC

Wedding Photography in Fayetteville NC

Pinehurst, Southern Pines Engagement Photographer | Pinehurst Wedding Photographer | {A & M Military Engagement Session}

I knew this session was going to be a hit during mine & Mallory's pre-session consultation at Jumpin' Java Coffee Shop [my favorite place!]. She mentioned her fiance Andrew had a classic Ford pickup truck, and I. was. STOKED. I love everything about classic vehicles, and ESPECIALLY love engagement photography, so there was no way this one wasn't going to be fabulous. Lake Rim in Fayetteville is gorgeous year-round, so I'm glad we stopped there for a few shots. And the grassy location is one of my special places here in Fayetteville :) It's especially great for outdoorsy, romantic couples' sessions, which are right up my alley.

These two are getting married this summer in Oak Island, NC [where my family photos were taken!] so it's sure to be a BEAUTIFUL wedding. They were so so sweet together, and I kind of melted every time they did one of my favorite 'look each other in the eye like you love each other' poses. Classic. Romantic. My favorite things EVER.

You guys....he opened the truck door for her. SWOON! I hope y'all enjoy this session's beautiful photos as much as I enjoyed taking them! <3

until next time! <3

MD Photography - Romantic Engagement Photography, Fayetteville NC

Wedding Photography, Fayetteville NC

5 Things You NEED on Your Wedding To-Do List | North Carolina Wedding Photographer | Fayetteville, North Carolina Lifestyle Photographer

It's wedding season! Well...almost. But it's coming! I'm so excited to be booking weddings for this summer...I think I've found my calling :) There's just something magical about two people committing to each other for the rest of their lives. I love it. From the flowers to the dresses, to the cake and the food and the candles...everything! Love it all. I've been to several weddings in the last few years [mine included ;)] and learned something new at literally every single one. It's crazy the little things you don't think about when you're stressing about your big day. These 5 things may already be on your list, or may be far from it...either way, you'll be glad you took care of these things when the big day rolls around.

1) MAKE A LIST OF SONGS YOU DO NOT WANT PLAYED AT YOUR RECEPTION. Or if it's easier, make a list of songs you DO want played. Either way, if there are certain songs that are off limits, make sure the person in charge of the music knows them. The last thing you want is to see your mother in law out there shaking it to "I Like Big Butts" after one too many glasses of champagne. Or maybe you do...again, totally up to you :)

2) MAKE A LIST OF PHOTOS YOU WANT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY. Give this to your photographer. Make a list of FAMILY photos you want from the photographer. Give this to him/her. Give this to your mother, your bridesmaids, your grandma. Give this to your uncle. Give this to EVERYONE who will be involved in the family photo portion of the evening. These two things will make your photographer's life a whole lot easier, AND you will be thankful for this. One less thing for you to stress about on the big day. Make the list a few weeks in advance so you can go over it and make sure you haven't left anyone/thing off. For the family photo part, try to group them by whoever will be in the photos. Like if you need your brother in 5 photos, group those 5 photos together, so he can get in, smile 5 times, and get out. I promise, it will make everyone happy. Mostly you and your photographer.

3) WRITE YOUR LETTER TO YOUR FIANCE THE NIGHT BEFORE. Why not write it the day of your wedding? Because if you're anything like me, you're going to cry like a little baby before the wedding if you wait and write something an hour before the ceremony and then go out to hold your future husband's hand without being able to see him. And while waterproof mascara works wonders, crying does a number on those bags under your eyes you've covered with a pound of concealer. They WILL make a comeback after a few tears. Just do it ;)

4) HAVE EMPTY VASES OF WATER ON THE HEAD TABLE. Bear with me on this....if you're using live flowers for the bouquets [yours and your bridesmaids] those suckers will only last so long. Especially if you're having your wedding at peak wedding season, when it's warmer. If you set a vase [that will fit the bouquet/flowers] in front of each bridesmaid's chair, the flowers will add to the decoration AND not die on you. If you don't want them cluttering the head table, set them on a table next to the sign-in book, or on the gift table, by the cake table, on the guest tables, etc.

5) DO AN RSVP CHECK UP A WEEK OR TWO BEFORE THE WEDDING. Yes, it will be a pain. But you WILL be thankful you did this. So many times, people will get the wedding invitation and be like 'oh yeah, there's no WAY I'm missing this!' but then things happen, people get busy, and people forget. So the last thing you want to do is pay for food for 200+ people and have 100 show up. That's a lot of wasted food. Not to mention seating charts, if you do that. Save yourself money, space, and stress...just give people who would be travelling a ways a call beforehand just to double check. They'd love to hear from you anyways!

If you're in the planning stages for your wedding, I hope one or more of these things ends up being helpful to you! If your wedding day has come & gone, what are a few things YOU wish you'd remembered to put on your to do list? Let me know, I'd love to hear!

Until next time...
<3