Featured Venue: Glencliff Manor

Let me start off by saying I LOVE every chance I have to photograph on the grounds of Glencliff Manor. I have mentioned many times how much I love this local venue (facebook, anyone?), but I can't help it! The staff on site is top notch and their events run like well oiled machines. Teresa, the owner and wedding coordinator on site, is the friendliest, yet most professional venue coordinator I have met. Each of my brides who've had the experience of having their weddings at Glencliff rave about Teresa's service. Sarah told me over and over that she felt as though she "was Teresa's only bride - the service was so personal." Olivia was so happy with her wedding day, she thanked Teresa and her team during her toast at the reception. I just cannot say enough wonderful things about this wedding venue.

The property is stunning. You'd never know there's a functioning farm on one end of the property with chickens, turkeys, horses, goats, and even an alpaca! Oh, and peacocks! Tons of animals! That's what I love so much about it. The property is a home to many people and animals, so it is loved and cared for like a home. It has a secret-garden feel to it and I think that's why I am in heaven every time I get to visit. You all can tell through my photographs how much I love to shoot with a background of greenery and plants and those options are endless at Glencliff.

All this to preface an announcement: Glencliff Manor is having an open house. I am honored to have been invited as a featured vendor during the open house and I am inviting YOU to come and enjoy the evening with me! Come out to the grounds, experience the secret-garden "getaway" feel for yourself. Meet their team of wedding professionals and sample their delicious food and cakes. The cost is free, so why not take an evening to enjoy the magic of Glencliff "Under the Stars?" :)

In all seriousness, friends, COME. Even if you are already married or not yet engaged - Glencliff puts on events of all kinds: anniversary parties, birthday parties, showers, etc. The whole night is a treat and you've got nothing to lose!

OH and lest I forget the one VERY exciting detail about this open house:

Glencliff Manor is GIVING away a wedding!! Click over to their Facebook page for more information about how to enter.

Here are a few of my favorite shots I've taken recently during sessions and weddings at Glencliff. You can also see more pictures of the property in these blog posts: Sarah & Pierce's Wedding, Part I, Sarah & Pierce's Wedding, Part II, and Olivia & Cody's Engagement Session.

Equipment used for these pictures:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens // canon 70-200mm f/2.8l lens  // canon 16-35mm f/2.8 lens // canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens

Liz Cook is the owner and photographer behind sincerely, liz: photography. She is a virginia wedding photographer and virginia portrait photographer who loves virginia weddings and couple photography.

To see more of Liz’s work, check out her latest work as well as some of her favorite weddings. To hire Liz, simply fill out this form.

An Elegant Garden Party | Style Shoot

So last week I introduced you to Amanda and her team from Ashley Baber Weddings. Today, I would like to share a peek into the beauty that can unfold when a wedding designer teams up with this area’s finest vendors for your wedding. This was a beautiful set up at Bliss: A Fine Wedding Fair. You are looking at the incredible talent of Amanda Gray (stylist), Amy Thornburg (florist), and Jennifer England (cake artist). Are they not an incredible trio?! And they are all local to Lynchburg. So beautiful.

Elegant Garden Party Design and styling: Amanda Gray, Ashley Baber Weddings Floral: Amy Thornburg, The Arrangement Company Personal Wedding Cakes: Jennifer England, La Bella Torta Chairs and Tabletop Rentals: Festive Fare Chevron Sequin Linen: La Tavola Fine Linen Venue: Tresca on 8th

Equipment used for these images: canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens

I Dream of A Wedding | #sincerelylizphoto

Last Thursday, Valentine's Day, was the Second Annual I Dream of a Wedding event sponsored by Hill City Bride. This years couple, Gabe and Erika, were absolutely adorable, sooo in love, and super laid back... a perfect combination for planning a dream wedding with various preselected vendors! I was honored and excited to have been selected to shoot Erika's bridal portrait session on the grounds of the West Manor Estate. We met up last fall for this session so I have been holding onto these pictures for a LONG time. I'm super excited to share them with you! Thanks again to Jennifer, the heart and soul behind the I Dream of a Wedding project and for inviting me to be a part of the big event again this year! To see more from their wedding and planning adventures, check them out on Hill City Bride!

—————–

Equipment used for this session:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens // canon 70-200mm f/2.8l lens

Liz Cook is the owner and photographer of sincerely, liz: photography. She is a virginia wedding photographer and virginia portrait photographer who loves virginia weddings, family portrait sessions and couple photography.

To see more of Liz’s work, check out her latest work as well as some of her favorite weddings. To hire Liz, simply fill out this form.

My first blog post of 2013 | New Orleans Wedding Photographer

Whew! What a whirlwind the past few weeks have been! You're going to have to forgive the delay in my posts, but I'm totally gonna be talking about Christmas later this week. I feel like it was so long ago, but I have pictures to share and I want to tell you about Sunday's first Christmas as a toddler! :) First up… I am home and settled in after one of the busiest two weeks of my life. I am not sure if it was actually the busiest, or if it just felt that way because I was running on no sleep almost the entire time. It's a long story, but sharing a room with a toddler who knows she's not in her own bed and an anonymous snorer made for literally nights of 3hrs of sleep or less the entire time we were in New Orleans. I was running on God's grace the whole time and the trip was awesome despite my grouchiness.

The wedding in New Orleans was amazing and beautiful and so much fun. It was truly an honor to have been invited to fly out to capture Annie and Ben's beautiful day. I had three and a half sessions (the half session was my own family portrait session) before the trip and I loved every single one of them. I keep waiting to burn out, but I think finally reaching a place of having a manageable workload has so many underlying blessings one of which is NO burnout! (Imagine that!)

Anyway, here's a little peak into what's coming up:

I'm off to catch up on emails and process some images for blog posts later this week!

Alan & Courtney, pt. 2

Courtney & Al know how to have a good time and anyone from my hometown can tell you that Courtney's parents definitely know how to throw a good party! Check out all the fun we had at their reception at Fredericksburg Square that followed their sweet marriage ceremony at the Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church. If you missed part one, go back and check out the first half of their day! (Thanks again to Aaron Spicer for helping out in a major way during this wedding!!)

Right before the cake cutting, Courtney toasted to her younger brother, Terry, who had recently gotten married. Except his wedding was in Japan without a lot of his family and friends present. It was an especially sweet toast and the most memorable line was when Courtney told her new sister in law that she "brought my brother to life again." So deep, so complimentary, and so true. <3

Such fantastic dancing all night long!

Be sure to check out Part 1 of their wedding in case you missed it!

Ceremony: fredericksburg presbyterian church Reception: fredericksburg square Florist: jane guerin Cake designer: the icing DJ: la dee jay Make-up artist: Victoria Miller (bridesmaid) Hair stylist: bella hair (Sandy) Dress: priscilla of boston

Equipment used for this wedding:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 7d // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens // canon 70-200 f/2.8 lens // canon 35mm f/1.4 lens // canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens // canon 85mm f/1.8 lens

—————–

Liz Cook is the owner and photographer of sincerely, liz: photography. She is a virginia wedding photographer and virginia portrait photographer who loves virginia weddings, family portrait sessions and couple photography.

To see more of Liz’s work, check out her latest work as well as some of her favorite weddings. To hire Liz, simply fill out this form.