Dancing is a big deal to Monette and Jim.

After meeting at a Christmas party a little over three years ago, Monette was happy to learn that Jim with quite a dancer. In fact, he had been ballroom dancing for about 10 years. As their relationship progressed, Monette, who at one time studied ballet, and Jim become more involved in ballroom dancing and ultimately ended up becoming partners in Metropolitan Ballroom in Charlotte.

Our weddings are often booked a year or more in advance so it was a stroke of luck when Monette called last-minute looking for a photographer and we happened to have the date available.

Christ Episcopal Church was the setting for the beautiful service and their very own Metropolitan Ballroom provided a great venue for the reception. As you might expect, Monette and Jim’s first dance was very impressive and the dance floor hosted some incredibly talented dancers all night long.

Kudos to the team from Armin’s Catering for a superb job and to Cake Expressions by Lisa for the cake. And, as always, Ted Todd and the team from The Blossom Shop created some beautiful florals.

Congratulations to Monette and Jim!  It was a pleasure working with you and your families.

Jim dips Monette during their first dance

Monette's brother Paul walks her down the aisle during rehearsal at Christ Episcopal Church

Jim watches Monette during the rehearsal

Trying to get everything organized as they prepare for the wedding

Some pretty light in Christ Episcopal Church as they exit the rehearsal

Beautiful bouquets from The Blossom Shop

Monette and her bridesmaids reminisce before the service

Jim watches his bride as she approaches the altar

A happy moment as they leave the ceremony

A quick kiss before heading to the reception

Metropolitan Ballroom was a great venue for the reception

Cake by Cake Expressions by Lisa

More flowers from The Blossom Shop

Another detail in Metropolitan Ballroom

As you would expect, Monette and Jim's first dance was impressive

Cutting the cake

Jim talks with Alissa, daughter of dance instructors and partners Clement and Tatiana

A quiz game involving lifting each other's shoes to answer questions created some funny moments

The dance floor was busy all night

More outstanding dancing

Jim and Monette put a big finish on a dance

The North Carolina Dance Theatre (NCDT) kicks off its 2009-2010 season with Ballet, Ballroom & Bluegrass and I got the opportunity to photograph the dress rehearsal Wednesday night in the Belk Theater in Charlotte.

The eclectic show includes Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Shindig,  featuring live bluegrass music from Asheville’s The Greasy Beans.  Twyla Tharp’s ballroom-inspired Nine Sinatra Songs includes music by Frank Sinatra and costumes by Oscar de la Renta. Rounding out the program is Alonzo King’s MAP, which is a metaphor for the different paths individuals choose in life.

Dustin Layton and Kara Wilkes perform in Nine Sinatra Songs

Anna Gerberich and Joseph Watson glide across the floor

Addul Manzano and Jamie Dee show some ballroom skills

Addul Manzano and Jamie Dee move to the Sinatra music

Manzano lifts Dee

David Ingram and Traci Gilchrest

Gilchrest and Ingram

Sarah James spins with an assist from Max Levy

Rebecca Carmazzi dips with help from Sasha Janes

Janes lifts Carmazzi

Alessandra Ball and Anna Gerberich move around Dustin Layton in Alonzo King's MAP

Addul Manzano soars in MAP

Sasha Janes and Traci Gilchrest are in the spotlight in MAP

Gilchrest and Janes move in MAP

Traci Gilchrest and Sahsa Janes

More movement in Alonzo King's MAP

Janes and Gilchrest show some emotion in MAP

David Ingram lifts Rebecca Carmazzi

Dancers get ready to kick up their heels in Shindig

Sarah Hayes Watson works on her moves before the curtain opens

Sarah James and Alessandra Ball have some fun waiting to go onstage

Justin VanWeest reflects as he prepares to perform

Kara Wilkes prepares to perform in Shindig

Sasha Janes and Anna Gerberich get into the bluegrass music in Shindig

Max Levy leaps while dancing with Traci Gilchrest

Max Levy and Traci Gilchrest

Alessandra Ball leaps

Anna Gerberich in Shindig

Sasha Janes and Rebecca Carmazzi kick up their heels

For a limited time, we’re offering special pricing for our fall and holiday portrait sessions.

These lifestyle portrait sessions are $200, and include  up to four people  ($25 additional for each person or pet).
Also a $50 print or product credit if order is placed in two weeks;  Private online gallery for one month; prints and products purchased a la carte.

Sessions will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis, and book very quickly.
Email or call us to reserve your  time.  We look forward to working with you!

The holidays will be here sooner than you think

Our lifestyle portrait sessions are a great way to connect with family and friends

I think we all remember where we were and what we were doing on 9/11 eight years ago.

I stopped by the Palmer Building in Charlotte today to grab a couple of quick photos of the tribute placed there every year. The Charlotte Fire Department and volunteers place 2,997 flags to represent the twin towers and honor all who died there. It’s hard not to be moved as you think back to the event.

Today we should all remember.

Children walk among some of the 2,997 American flags used to represent the twin towers

We remember

The North Davidson Street area, NoDa to the locals, is a fun, funky arts center in Charlotte.

After a meeting there Wednesday afternoon, I took a little walk with my camera to take in some of the sights. I had seen William Puckett working on this awesome mural a few weeks back when I was taking photos with the children in the “Charlotte Through Our Eyes” project. You can read more about the mural here.

While Charlotte is most known as a banking town, NoDa celebrates its vibrant arts community.

William Puckett works on his mural in NoDa

Will's latest mural is in the heart of Charlotte's Arts District on North Davidson Street