Katie Stoops Wedding Photography

As featured today on Wedding Chicks!!!

Feel free to read all about Matt & Amanda here, but I hope you enjoy their farm wedding below. It took place on Matt’s family farm which dates back to the 1700’s and is absolutely stunning. It was incredibly important to them to be surrounded by their closest friends & family so they chose vendors who had touched their lives at some point and continued to be friends. I am so honored to have been included amongst some of the coolest people I’ve ever met.
Enjoy!
xoxoKatie

Their Save The Dates were screenprinted on thin wood panels!

Wedding dress: Amsale
Bridesmaid dresses: French Connection
Florals: DIY
Hair: Claibourne Reppert
Makeup: Becca Cook
Cake: Barb’s Bakery, Lexington, VA
Caterer: Patrick Critzer
DJ: Adam Smith from the band, Invisible Hand
Shoes: J Crew
Invites: Patrick Costello
Custom cake topper: Allyson Mellberg Taylor
Custom mason jars: Big Secret

shot with Fuji 400h & Ilford 3200

I think the most common phrase I initially hear from my amazing clients is “I’m not comfortable in front of the camera…”. However, that usually doesn’t matter at all! All you need to do is be comfortable with one another…love on each other, fall into each other when you hug or kiss, and laugh. After a little while you won’t even know I’m with you.

That was the case with Carrie & John. They couldn’t be more perfect for one another and are so much fun to be around. I honestly didn’t want to leave them once their session was done. One of the greatest things about Carrie & John is that they run a blog called Dream Green DIY that focuses on showing you how they’ve renovated their own home while being very budget friendly. Another thing I love about them…they have a super sweet pup named Rocky who has springs for legs allowing him to get into all sorts of mischief.

shot with fuji 400h & ilford 3200.

I want to start 2012 off with one of my absolute favorite weddings from 2011, which also happens to be in this year’s Southern Living Weddings issue (woohoo!). Heather & Addison are truly soulmates and anyone in their presence can feel that. It was such a joy to photograph their big day that took place at Addison’s family home, Tuckahoe Plantation, in Richmond, Virginia. To read all about the incredible details and their love story, run to your nearest Barnes & Nobles and grab Southern Living!!!

By the way, if you EVER have the chance to work with Amber & Emily from Amber Karson Events…you must do it. Their work & professionalism is definitely on a different level. You won’t know what you did without them!

Cover shot by Iain Bagwell

Heather learned how to letterpress so she could make their invitations!

Rather than giving her bridesmaids jewelry that they would probably never wear again, Heather had an artist make each girl a necklace that reflected their personality.

The bridesmaid dresses are from J. Crew

Addison’s mom & her friend created all of the florals! A lot of the flowers used were sourced directly from the Plantation’s grounds.

Parisian elements, such as these white cafe chairs, were used throughout the entire day since Heather & Addison had their first date in Paris.

Addison’s dad sang a beautiful song during the ceremony.

Heather’s dad married them! The entire day was just so personal.

Lemonade and a snip & sip herb station were available to guests during cocktail hour. Guests could cut their own herbs (grown from the Plantation’s garden) to put in their drinks. So tasty and summery!

Loved how some of the trees created a little nook for the tables placed around the large garden area.

No one says that groomsmen have to 1) match & 2) rent suits. Addison & his groomsmen all wore their own suits which are comfortable and fit correctly. Addison’s was made by Hugo Boss.

Animals were everywhere. I was in heaven!

Man, I love these two!

Hand calligraphed by Betsy Dunlap seating cards were hung from a drying rack with herbs & flowers

Picture perfect!

These macaroons were given to guests the night before at the rehearsal dinner as a “thank you”. I love how everything is tied together with that beautiful Parisian style blue print. The macaroons were made by Petites Bouchees.

Boxwoods are good for many many things.

The greens were from the Plantation’s garden & Addison’s brother raised the chickens for the dinner; while barbeque brisket was brought in from Stacy’s in Texas (their favorite eating spot there). For dessert, they decided upon Heather’s mom’s chocolate pecan pie with ice cream rather than a traditional cake. D-lish!

Doesn’t this look so inviting!?

When Heather was 15, she restored this turquoise Mustang with her dad and it’s the car her & Addison left for the evening in.

(shot with Fuji 400h)

Heather & Addison’s wedding will be featured on the blog! It is currently in the new issue of Southern Living Weddings (SO exciting!) and is full of Southern charm.

Here is Julie busting out her modeling skills for The Yellow Button. It was really really tough to choose which photos to post today because Julie was way too good. She just graduated from James Madison University in December and is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in your life. All of these, as usual, were shot with film (Fuji 400h) and processed by Richard Photo Lab in LA. Enjoy lovlies!

xoxoKatie

So, a few months ago I received an email from PDN (Photo District News) saying that someone (STILL have no idea who) nominated me to apply for the Rising Stars competition. I remember reading it over & over & over because I simply couldn’t believe it. With the help of some critical eyes, I submitted a brief portfolio to them. Then, a month ago….a month ago (it’s been torturous to not tell) I found out that I had actually been chosen. I still can’t believe it. Honestly. To the person that nominated me…I will FOREVER be thankful.

Back in college I would read PDN (and still do!) admiring all of their featured photographers. To be included in this incredibly special collection of photographers seemed so far off but I had hoped that, one day, it would happen. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of my work-you’re like family to me.

xoxoKatie