I absolutely love TOURIST SEASON! You know why? Because I get to meet a bunch of awesome families that don’t live here and I get to take their photos while they’re living their best lives on vacation! I ventured down to Holden Beach last week to meet up with this GIANT family – and by giant, I mean, I think we had like 54 people there?!?! Seriously. We intended on getting alllllll kinds of family group shots, and then once I got there, I was let in on a little secret. Not only is this a family photo shoot, but there’s also going to be a PROPOSAL. Dream come true?! YEP. I’m so grateful to have been a part of such a fun event – and to get to witness two people getting engaged!!! Just a little side note to all people who are planning on proposing – be like Chris. Do it when you have a professional photographer hanging around – you will NOT regret it!!! Congrats, MV and Chris! – Allison
Read MoreFigure Eight Island Family Photography | Elijah’s First Birthday
So, the short version of the story of how I moved to Wilmington, begins with Figure Eight Island. I grew up vacationing here with my family, I came almost every summer since I was about 6 years old. We’d meet all of my aunts and uncles and all the cousins and we’d all get beach houses at Figure Eight, and we’d spend a week on the beach together, running around and frying our skin, and swimming until our fingers were pruned. This family tradition has definitely gotten smaller now, but it still continues, and I hope it always does. Some of them came to town recently, JUST IN TIME for our very first grandchild in the family to turn ONE! We were able to squeeze in some photos of my beautiful cousin Sarah, her husband Joel, and their sweet sweet Elijah! You can tell he’s the first grandkid, because while we were taking his photos, we had about 10 people standing behind me on the beach, singing and cheering him on while he grinned and wiped cake all over himself. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIJAH! I cannot believe you’re one already!!!!! <3 – Allison
Read MoreIronclad Brewery Wedding Photography | Anna & Daniel
I actually met Anna & Daniel when I was bartending one random weekend at Ironclad Brewery (a rare occurrence when we were actually open to the public instead of closed for a wedding). They came in to hang out and chat with our amazing events manager, Rachel, about their wedding day. We got to talking and then once they learned that I was also a wedding photographer, I think all three of us realized that I needed to be there on their wedding day. Sometimes you just click with a couple, and this was exactly that. These two are so much fun, so sweet, so kind, and just so easy to be around. Their wedding day was no different – beautiful blush details up against the gorgeous background of the industrial Ironclad Brewery brick walls. We may have sweat our butts off taking photos during the day, but it was worth it. My favorite part of the day was heading out to the rooftop of the parking garage downtown for sunset, when we got up there, it was extremely cloudy with no chance of sunset colors in site – and then while we were just taking a quiet moment to ourselves up there, the sky lit up in bright pink and orange. I love it when we luck out like that!! Thank you to both of you for having me be a part of your wedding day, I really couldn’t ask for better couples. Now try looking through these photos without a giant smile on your face, because it just won’t happen! – Allison Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography DJ: Shawn Booth by Active Entertainment Florist: A Beautiful Event by Wendy Wright Coordinator: Jennifer Wilson, Belle Ame Events Ceremony: First Christian Church Reception Venue: Ironclad Brewery
Read MoreIronclad Brewery Bridal Portraits | Ashley
Bridal portraits were not something that I had ever done when I was living in Ohio and photographing weddings. I moved to the South and discovered the popular demand for a photo shoot like this. Not only did the practice of bridal portraits start in the South, but down here it has evolved into more than just a fun keepsake. It’s a family tradition. Typically, the bride’s mother had her portraits done, and her mother before her did as well. The other benefit to doing a session like this before the wedding day is that it really gives you a chance to see how you’re going to look in photographs on your wedding day. I once had a bride who did her bridal portraits with me and realized the felt that her makeup wasn’t just right, and it gave her to chance to adjust that before the big day. It’s also a day that is JUST about the bride and it’s a fun and relaxing way to make sure we get plenty of photos of just her, instead of trying to squeeze these in on the busy wedding day. The only thing I don’t like about bridal portraits is that I CAN’T SHARE ANY UNTIL THE WEDDING! It is SO hard to do a great photo shoot with a beautiful bride and then not get to share anything online. We did Ashley’s photos all the way back in February and now that her wedding is over, I can finally show you! We didn’t have ideal weather, but you know what? We made the best of it, we got plenty of photos indoors at Ironclad Brewery – talk about an industrial dream venue – and then between rain showers we were able to walk around outside of the brewery to get a few more. There may have even been a little run in with a One Tree Hill star! Something I know BOTH of us will never forget! Okay, enough rambling, go look at how beautiful Ashley is!!! – Allison
Read MoreIronclad Brewery Wedding Photography | Tesla & Bobby
Tesla and Bobby got married in May, and had a wedding reception in downtown Wilmington at the always beautiful Ironclad Brewery about a month later with all of their closest family and friends. It was casual, fun, and easily one of the best dance parties I have ever seen at a wedding. Because they had already had their ceremony a month previously, Tesla and Bobby were able to completely enjoy spending the entire night with their guests, which is such a luxury that not everyone gets in the busy hustle and bustle of a full wedding day! I had so much fun snapping candid photos and laughing the whole night as they all danced the night away, thank you both for including me in your wedding day! – Allison Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography Venue: Ironclad Brewery DJ: Wall 2 Wall Entertainment Rentals: L& L Tent & Party Rentals Catering: Thyme Savor Catering
Read MoreNewborn Photography | Millie Kai
You guys, I just have to brag a minute about my friends and their ability to make PERFECT BABIES!!! I am so excited to have gotten to meet and also – become BFFS with – the sweet and tiny little Millie Kai. My friends Jordan & Bo had this gorgeous little bundle of joy on June 5th and I couldn’t be happier for them. She is just perfect already the light of their lives. I can’t wait to watch this girl grow up and spoil her as much as possible and be her favorite fun auntie :) Congrats, my friends, it’s going to be quite the adventure! – Allison
Read MoreOld River Farms Sunflower Field Photography | Rachel, Jake, & Aiden
Another AMAZING session in the sunflowers with three pretty awesome people. Old River Farms was the perfect place to get these three together for some photos, and I had a blast. Jake played us Post Malone’s “Sunflower” on his phone while we laughed and ran through the sunflower field together. There was even a perfect Dirty Dancing photo that occurred and it’s definitely my favorite one. Thanks for letting me make you my models for a day, friends. Here are my favorites! – Allison
Read MoreOld River Farms Sunflower Field Photography | Sammie & Lillie
There’s seriously nothing like running through a field of sunflowers with your friends to make you really appreciate the little things in life. They really are the happiest flower. When I found out a sunflower field had sprouted near Wilmington, I jumped on the opportunity to get some photo sessions booked out there. Luckily, my awesome friend Sammie wanted to come with me to get some new headshots for her business (seriously go to this talented woman for all your hair needs, including wedding hair AND makeup – Samantha Hill Studio) and she brought her sweet little firecracker of a daughter with her for some mother and daughter photos, too. Photographing your friends is so much fun, it’s not like work at all. Plus any time with little Lillie is always time well spent, this girl has me laughing the entire time. Check out my favorites from our session! – Allison
Read MoreDowntown Wilmington Maternity Photography | Abbie & Ethan
Abbie and Ethan are expecting their first child in just over a month!! I’ve been lucky enough to know these two for awhile now and it’s SO much fun getting to photograph your friends during such an exciting time in their lives. We started off with a lifestyle session in a loft downtown, and headed outside for some rooftop and riverfront portraits after that. I love the diversity of backgrounds that can be found in downtown Wilmington – and we took advantage of all that it has to offer. We finished off at Ironclad Brewery – where these two got married (and where I met them)!! Abbie got to drink a tall glass of water while Ethan actually enjoyed a beer. Thankful for friends like these ones and I can’t wait to meet your baby BOY! – Allison
Read MoreBrooklyn Arts Center Wedding Photography | Kristin & Bryan
Bryan and Kristin got married a two weekend ago at the always stunning Brooklyn Arts Center in downtown Wilmington, NC. They had their ceremony outside on the back patio, followed by a reception inside the large church. They had a band called EnVision provide their reception music, and it honestly felt more like being at a concert with your friends than at a wedding – and I mean that in a GREAT way. Kristin is the kind of person whose energy literally bounces around the entire room and makes every person around her feel infected with joy. She laughed her entire way through their ceremony, and Bryan just couldn’t take his eyes off of her the entire day. These are the kind of people who make me believe in genuine love. Their friends and family were so kind and supportive, I can’t tell you how many times someone came up to me and thanked me for being there and constantly telling me how great of a job I was doing. No wonder Kristin and Bryan were so happy – not only have they found each other, but they’re surrounded by such a genuine group of humans that will absolutely be there for them through anything. I’m so grateful to be a part of weddings like this. I can’t say much more without getting WAY too sentimental – so just go look at the photos from this beautiful day filled with SO MUCH LOVE!!!! PS – note the dress change at the end and enjoy the SPARKLE!!! – Allison Photographer: Allison Eding, Lightbloom Photography Videographer: Chris Rodarte Officiant: Sandy Powell Planner: Belle Ame Events Hair: Carlee Clement & Nicole Makeup: Rhiana Amber Rentals: Party Suppliers Catering: Aramark Florals: Fiore Fine Flowers Entertainment: EnVision Ceremony & Cocktail Music: Global DJ Transportation: Wilmington Trolley Company
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