Holding on to Summer.
Tons of people are going to say this today- but I really cannot believe that it's September 1st. I love that August has 31 days because it's the last, long, lazy stretch of summer and everyone is trying to hold on to it. Of course, it will be hot down here in Charleston through Halloween, but I'm not quite ready to face the fall.
This summer was such a wonderful whirlwind of activity for us. We did a little traveling, but mostly hung out at the beach or pool, had water balloon fights, chased the ice cream truck, rode motorcycles, went strawberry picking, learned how to swim under water... wow we really did a lot! I think about how lucky Liam is with how he's growing up and all the things he gets to experience. I'm lucky that I get to re-live (and sometimes re-form) my childhood summers with him. It's pretty cool, and very nostalgic. As a parent you always want to create the most amazing childhood memories for your kid(s). I feel like we definitely accomplished that this summer.
I probably have 1000 more iPhone photos that deserve to be in this post, but these are the real keepers. (Upon importing I actually have 973 iPhone photos that cover the spring and summer. Hello terabyte hard drive.) I hope everyone has had a great Labor Day weekend. See you in the fall.
- Acacia Falzone
Summer 2014
iPhone madness
Say Yes to the Mess, Trash the Dress! Wedding dress photography on the beach.
The philosophy behind the "trash the dress/say yes to the mess" photography is about taking an elegant gown and putting it in a completely contrasting environment- such as the beach, in order to ruin the dress. It is a work of art on it's own. You take a white (-ish) wedding dress and literally drag it through the mud/sand/sea and are able to capture photos of the bride that can be striking, beautiful, and provoke thought. There are a lot of people who disagree with this relatively new practice but I, for one, think it is amazing. Brides pay upwards of thousands of dollars for a dress they may wear for a few hours. There is something deliciously exciting about destroying the perfection of the dress and documenting the transformation. Trash the dress/rock the frock/say yes to the mess is not a negative concept, but rather an anti-materialistic display of metamorphosis.
For Mikaela, my "bride" (and dear friend) shown here, this was a personal journey about literally shedding a skin and moving on. This dress wasn't worn down the aisle, it never made it there since the wedding was called off. Ironically, she reached out to me years ago to photograph her wedding and instead I ended up shooting her "trash the dress." The dress traveled with her from New York to Charleston, and spent time between her closet and the trunk of her car. To her, there was really no other way to handle the dress. It became this heavy symbol of the past, something that should be set free. Of course, you can donate it or have it made into something else, but it seems wrong to pass on that kind of energy. We collaborated to do something that was artistic, representative of Mikaela, and transformative all at once.
After a few weeks of some crazy southern summer storms, the skies took a rest to reveal burning pinks, purples, and reds along with rolling clouds that served as our backdrop on Sullivan's Island. The beach was windy and the water was warm. It was perfection.
For those who may be critical of this choice, Mikaela also made a donation to the Keeper of the Wild Fund in the amount of the value of the dress. A few months ago she lost her Newfoundland, Will E. Wonka to Wobbler Syndrome and Wild and Free is the foundation dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals.
So call me if you want to have fun with that wedding dress just hanging in your closet. For Mikaela and myself it was all glitter, paint, sand, and salt water. In the words of one of her favorite quotes:
"At the end of the day your feet should be dirty, your hair should be messy, and your eyes sparkling" -Shanti
Trash the Dress ~ Rock the Frock ~ Say Yes to the Mess | Sullivan's Island | August 2014
Michelle and Reed. A sweet southern wedding.
This was such a sweet and simple wedding to be a part of- and so traditionally southern! Michelle and Reed got married in the heat of August at the end of a dock that is very sentimental to them. After weeks of storms the weather cooperated beautifully to allow for a wonderful ceremony, and later a photo session down at White Point Garden.
Michelle and Reed walked down the aisle to John Legend's All of Me, then walked back as a married couple to Ray LaMontagne's You Are the Best Thing. The boys were very cooperative and smiley- and I have to say- Caine took the best selfie with my camera which is definitely one of my favorites from the whole day. Scroll down to see his handiwork, too cute!
This is truly a beautiful, traditional southern family at its best! As always, thank you thank you thank you for choosing me to be a part of it.
Michelle and Reed. August 2014.
Gabriella and Family. A newborn and family session.
This family now has not one, but two little princesses! I was fortunate enough to spend part of the morning in the lives of the Davis family to photograph them as they are, on a typical morning, hanging out with Gabby- their newest little member of the family. There was plenty of flopping around on a bouncy cow, playing hide-and-seek behind the curtains, and just being cute and photogenic.
Lauren, the gorgeous mom, certainly doesn't look like she just had a baby. Her face is bright and smiling and she doesn't look the least bit tired. Papa Noah is doting and gentle, but maybe a little apprehensive about the prospect of having two teenage girls in the house before he can blink. Then there is sweet Sophia, the older sister (by almost 2 years) is giving me plenty of cuteness to photograph and is really just adjusting to the squirming bundle of joy taking over the house.
It is always an honor and a pleasure to be chosen to photograph such special moments in people's lives. Here is the Davis Family.
Noah, Lauren, Sophia, and baby Gabriella. July 2014.
Shelley and David. Baby gender reveal party!
I definitely thought I knew what I was in for with this party. The lovely father-to-be, David, contacted me about photographing a baby gender reveal party. I automatically assumed that he and his expectant wife Shelley were having an adorable party with family and friends where they would reveal the gender of their first baby. Not so. Neither David nor Shelley were aware, THEY were the ones finding out! Turns out David's sister was the one who knew and filled super soakers with dyed water- genius and amazing.
The sprayed each other in front of guests and the crowd went wild. Talk about genuine emotion... I was bursting behind the lens. This stuff is gold. This couple is gold. The baby being born is one lucky little--- you'll have to look at the pictures to find out.
David and Shelley. Baby gender reveal party. 7.26.14
