Amelia Strauss Photography Blog » Amelia Strauss >> Southern California Editorial Photographer / Destination Wedding Photographer

Meet Ashley and Owen, the totally awesome and completely hot, newly married, Mr. and Mrs. Peak.

So, while we were out shooting a series of night portraits in the rain - with horses none the less - their approximately 800 guests were indulging in some delicious wedding favors.

But what exactly do you do when you have a very large guest list and still want a very personal touch?  Apparently you bake…a lot.  Ashley’s grandmother set out a couple of days before the wedding to begin baking homemade chocolate chip cookies for every guest.  Other family members pitched in to help, and they actually pulled it all off!  The cookies were placed five to a box, and packaged in ribbon and stickers that tied in to the wedding colors.  (For the record, that is THOUSANDS of cookies).

And they were EVERY bit just as delicious as they look.  What is more personal than Grandma’s homemade cookies?  I just love the southern hospitality of these favors, and the thoughtfulness and love behind them.

This is just a great concept!  Maybe I’m really biased because I’m fascinated with cooking and baking, as I’m a little challenged in that department.  Regardless, the cookies kicked some major rear…and I want one right now…

Alright, does anyone want to actually see a wedding posted on this blog? Yeah, me too!  Sidenote: I’m all about the orange details in the above image…

I have absolutely loved working Emily and Matt!  I am continually blessed with clients who quickly become friends.  These two are no exception.  Easy to be around, fun-loving, laugh all the time, roll right along with quirkiness - what more could a girl ask for?  Oh yeah, a fantastic wedding party…which was part of the package too.  I had the best time on their wedding day.

We kicked things off early last summer with their Engagement Session, and followed up with Emily’s Bridal Session this winter.

I have so enjoyed working with you both, and I am honored to call you my friend.  Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your wedding day!

Yay for random details on film…

Getting ready at Oak Street Salon in Mountain Brook…isn’t she happy?

Emily’s wedding gifts from Matt…

Okay, I LOVE these bouquets!  Super cool.

A huge thank you to my friend Cristi Owen in Phoenix who flew in to second shoot Emily and Matt’s wedding!  She was fascinated by the leaves in Birmingham…which was great.  This is one of her shots - I love how it sets the tone for the day!  (Though the sun didn’t stay out much longer!)

And on to some portraits - my favorite part of the day!

I’m not sure why - but this is probably my favorite image…

Reception and other favorite shots to come!

I cannot WAIT to share the images from Ashley and Owen’s incredible wedding. For the meantime, I’ve been culling down through their digital images - and I have been just blown away by the intimacy in our night series…

So, this wedding was absolutely gorgeous, and I’m so excited to share it on the blog! Check back soon for a full post once I have the film images. These two amaze me in so many ways - and it was an honor to photograph their wedding day!

Details Communications hooked me up with this amazing new blog!!! And even though I had already technically checked off #1 on my 101 in 1001 list when I left my old squarespace blog, this recent upgrade and gorgeous customization called for another check, plus some major props to the great folks at DC who made this thing happen. I am incredibly excited about my new website they are making for me! Be looking for it to launch in the next month.

Thanks so much to all of you at Details, you have made me a happy happy girl!

A few shots straight out of the camera from yesterday. I loved this wedding, everything about it. Mary Brantley and Lee are stunning and so much fun - I can’t wait to edit their images and get some up on this blog for everyone to see!

Playing with some in camera B&W…

And some fun with shutter spinning while my lens was fogged up from the crazy humidity. I thought it turned out pretty cool, actually.

Tons more to post - after they’ve been culled and edited of course. Check back soon for all the fun!

Okay, so here’s the double sneak! First of all, check out Suzanne and Justin and a couple of my faves from their engagement session. There was a roadtrip and super-cool locations involved, which will make it onto the blog soon, I promise.

Also, very, very sneaky…check out a new watermark and blog edit on their images. I have been working with an amazing branding agency, and this little bitty sneak makes me very happy! The new branding is a big reason for the lack of updates to the website and hesitancy blogging - but it is all starting to come together, and I am blown away! I LOVE the new color scheme, logo, blog, and website that is to come…

Be sure to check back as progress is majorly in the works!

AND, now I’m off to Vegas for another engagement shoot…

Oh my gosh, this shoot yesterday was absolutely fabulous! Katie and Matt are just great, and it was such a pleasure to work with them. We played a little ball, had some drinks, relaxed on a pleasant afternoon…are you jealous yet?

Here are a couple images I’ve pulled as I edit through the session - enjoy the peek and leave them some love! Full post to come with images galore and all sorts of fun facts about this amazing couple and their upcoming wedding this December in Atlanta.

My fave so far…

Happy Fourth and I’ll see y’all back on the blog soon!

I’m pretty much in LOVE with the sunrise and early morning images we snagged this past Saturday. Granted, we got started at 5:00 in the morning, but as I edit down and process the images I am realizing just how worth it the crazy scheduling was! Check out a couple faves I’ve pulled…

Yea for awesome sneaks! Full post to come later in the week - with some stunning images to boot!

Natalie and Justin were married last Saturday, June 20, 2009 - full post on their magnificent nuptials soon to come. In the meantime, here is a peek at Natalie’s Bridal Session. Her sweet mother flew in from Houston to partake in the fun, and we were also joined by her now mother-in-law, and amazing stylist Lindsay Keith Kessler!

Shot on-location at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on a sweltering hot day, Natalie was simply stunning and really made this a fabulous session! Check out just a few of my faves…

On June 6, 2009 I headed out to shoot the wedding of one of my favorite couples, Heather and Myles. I have been working with them for over a year now, and have gotten to know Heather really well. What a dear! This girl is fun and sassy, with a heart of gold. She and Myles have truly been a blessing to me…

We started off the morning with a trek out to a Gazebo in Heather’s neighborhood for she and her Groom to see each other for the first time. This was followed by fun images all over Heather’s house and at the church as they prepared to marry at St. Mark’s Cathedral. Oh how I loved their ceremony! The beautiful reception was thrown at Greystone Country Club.

Fun details were incorporated throughout the day in keeping with Heather’s vintage theme. Bridesmaids bouquets were made out of vintage lanterns, groomsmen wore brown tuxedos, programs and invitations were handmade. Everything came together just wonderfully!

I loved being a part of this wedding…and I hope you all enjoy a peek into their day…

Congratulations you two! Best Wishes and can’t wait to see you again soon!