Keith & Rebecca planned an intimate micro wedding on the beach at Fort Fisher. The weather turned out perfect and the wind was optimal. As with any beach, Fort Fisher can get extremely windy. The wedding ceremony was performed by good friends and topped off with a popping of some bubbly followed with laughter and toasts on the beach.
After the Fort Fisher Wedding, I was able to spend a little time with them to create some awesome wedding photos during sunset. All in all it was a great time with Keith & Rebecca topped off with another awesome day outside in creation. Fort Fisher continues to be one of my favorite locations for any type of photography but especially for weddings.
Looking to plan a large or micro wedding outdoors? Keep Fort Fisher Weddings on the top of your list for locations.
It was a stormy and windy day at Fort Fisher. Brad & Nikki still wanted to give it a go. I will start with Ft Fisher is one of my favorite locations to photograph any type of session. There are no bad backdrops and so much diversity in the landscape that provides incredible views in a general location. One of the hurdles at Ft Fisher is generally the wind. It tends to be one of the windier places in the Cape Fear Region. However, there is always some good places to get a wind break away from the open beach. The other variable is the weather. This session had them both.
Typical with these conditions, they photo style will be a bit flatter in color. For me, It is just another variable that blends in with the creativity and backdrops. I think these conditions created a perfect style for Nikki & Brad.
So if you are looking for a great place for engagement photography, Ft Fisher engagement photography has to be near the top of the list.
A Fall Surf City beach wedding | Halloween theme wedding reception at the Topsail Island Assembly Building
An amazing wedding with a spooky theme party
Had a great time with Amanda & Matt all day for what tuned out to be an amazing weather day for their Fall beach wedding on Topsail Island. While the beach wedding had the fall color theme, the wedding reception took a spooky twist with a Halloween style wedding reception. It was great to see everyone having fun and so many people changing into costume for the wedding reception. Along with Halloween table decorations, the walls were covered with movie posters of some of most scary movies ever made.
Now to a funny story about this Star Wars composite wedding photo above. Amanda wanted to surprise her husband with something Star Wars theme photo. However, she did not want him to know about the pictures she wanted to surprise him with the photo for Valentines day. As always with weddings, not much time to work with the bride and groom so had to sneak it into the twilight set which was limited to this one area with minimal working space. At the time, I really had no idea what I was going to do in post other than trying to do something with light sabers. As we were shooting this series I told the groom to hold out his hand like he was holding his beer can. He looked back at me like “what.” I advised that he was blocking out part of the background. Got one shot and continued the twilight set.
Ocean Isle Beach Wedding | Southern Comfort Beach House |
Ashley & Kenton | A Day to Remember
Driving down to Ocean Isle Beach I knew that the weather would come into play todays wedding. Arriving at the Southern Comfort Beach House and meeting Ashley and Kenton for the first time, I knew right away this would be a great time with their family and friends regardless of what the weather would bring. It was wind whipping day with ominous clouds out over the beach and ocean. Almost had a tropical storm look and feel. One thing with beach weddings is that you never know what weather or light conditions you will get on a beach wedding day. My philosophy has always been too create with what you have. At the end of the day, the weather becomes part of your story and will often dictate the style of wedding photography. Regardless of weather and light, my craft is about documenting and telling your wedding day story in my own creative way.
We had sone pockets of time to spend on the beach and defiantly took advantage of that to create some awesome wedding photos. Congrats Ashley & Kenton! Y'all Awesome!
Engagement Session at the Arboretum & Wrightsville Beach NC | Wilmington NC Wedding Photographer | Chris Lang Photography
Headed out with Kristen and Patrick to the Arboretum for a few park style engagement photos. After a quick photo set and some laughs, we headed to Wrightsville Beach to the Oceanic Pier to catch the sunset and twilight for some creative light Kristen & Patrick enjoyed a fun ending to the evening by cracking open a bottle of bubbly. Of course, we all got spritzed!
A Beautiful NC Coastal Wedding on the Intercostal Waterway | Wilmington NC Weddings | Chris Lang Photography
Whitney and Corey enjoyed an incredible day with family and friends at Marker 137. Despite the occasional rain, The day could not have been more perfect. With cloud coverage all day the photography style produced a flat light which creates its own photo style. When photographing outside, you just have to roll with the light that you have. There is always a time and way to create regardless of conditions.
A Bridal Session at Belle Vue by Wilmington Chris Lang Photography - Wilmington NC Wedding Photography
One of those rainy days and had Ray came through at Belle Vue last minute to open up his event venue for us to photograph Emily's bridal portraits. Belle Vue is a charming event space in the Historic Wilmington Downtown. Highly recommend checking it out if you are having a small event or even better if you are a bride looking for a place to get ready the Belle Vue is set up perfectly for that.
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Needless to say Emily looked incredible in here wedding dress and her bridal portfolio tuned out beautifully. If you are looking for Wilmington NC wedding photographers be sure to stop on by our websites and see the many different styles of our Lifestyle Wedding Photography.
The perfect ingredients for a magazine style bridal portrait session.Not to over use a word but what other word do you use when you see her in her dress in the backdrops of Airlie Gardens. Connor looked amazing in her stunning wedding dress. This made for a perfect combination of bride, dress, and location. Finally, after a busy season, I get to share a few photos of her Bridal Session
Airlie Gardens - A Candy Jar of Beautiful Backdrops
Airlie Gardens is certainly on my top of the list if not thee top for photographing bridal portraits. Airlie Gardens is located just a few minutes from Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington NC. This lush garden provides stunning backdrops no matter the season. I am a huge fan of photographing bridal sessions outdoors. When you have huge canvas like Airlie Gardens to work with as your background it becomes more difficult to limit your locations inside the garden rather than trying to find locations that might work as 2 hours session fly by. Airlie Gardens is a candy jar of incredible backdrops.
Airlie Gardens Bridal Photography
If you are looking for a perfect location to have your wedding, or to photograph your bridal portraits, Airlie Gardens weddings may be the place for you. I just loved how this session with Connor came out and to be honest, she made my job easy creating these bridal portraits. Even though locations influence the photography and style, for me, it is the bride, her personality and her dress that make the bridal photography come alive. If I had my way I think every bride should shave a bridal session.
For bridal photography I like to create on different cameras and use different brands such as canon, fuji and sony cameras in my current work flow. They all have their own personalities and characteristics. For me, it really comes down to the lenses. For bridal sessions I get to use one of my all time favorites. The legendary Canon 200 f2. This is a lens that really has no other comparison in regards to the compression and style. This is the one lens I can shoot wide-open with no hesitation in losing detail or have issues of softness. Truly is a master piece lens that separates itself apart in style.
Bridal Session with Christina at River Landing Country Club | Wallace NC | River Landing Wedding Photographers
River Landing is not only a beautiful wedding venue but also makes for the perfect location and backdrop for bridal photography. Christina was having her wedding on the River Landing Veranda and wanted to have her bridal portrait made in some of the popular River Landing photography locations.
The above pictures were made on the deck overlooking the pond by the River Landing covered bridge.
River Landing Covered Bridge
The above series of pictures were made at the River Landing Covered Bridge . One of my favorite places for sure on a wedding day. Such a classic presentation and backdrop for any wedding.
The day we photographed Christina's bridal session it was raining so for more than half the time were were photographing inside the River Landing club house or under cover areas. The above photos were made in the front of the clubhouse under the front door awning. To create the impression of a bright beautiful day I used a canon 200 f2 telephoto lens to blow out the background and used a small bush behind Christina to create a natural garden style feel and look. Using this lens allows me to do things that most other lenses cannot as you can seen in the pictures above. One would not think that there was a parking lot behind her. Due to weather at this point in the session, we did not know if we were going to have a chance to make it outside to the River Landing brick bridge or the waterfall on 18. One of the 3 above bridal pictures was Christina's selection for the bridal portrait.
There is always opportunity to create and when photographing outside. When the outside is your studio for the day you get what you get and create with the light you have to make great pictures. There is alway opportunity to create. It is a mindset to seek opportunity in any conditions rather than let the conditions impact creativity. If you are looking for River landing wedding photographers be sure to find someone who can be creative in any condition and variations of light.
River Landing Bridal Session by Chris Lang Photography
River Landing is one of my all time favorite for weddings and receptions. There are endless options for making amazing wedding photos. This also applies for bridal sessions. Alex wanted to make here bridal portrait at River Landing so we had the opportunity to go out and take her bridal photography around the grounds to create a few different looks for her Bridal Portraits. First let me start by saying if you are getting married, you have to check out River Landing Weddings.
For Alex's River Landing bridal pictures we started inside and worked out way to some of the more popular photography areas of River Landing.
We had a great time photographing and creating Alex's Bridal pictures. If you are looking for a River Landing Wedding Photographer check out more of Chris's work at:
For more info contact the staff at River Landing and set up a tour of the facility. They are great to work with and after viewing the facility I think you will be amazed at what this wedding venue has to offer.
Bridal Photography Session with Courtney at Airlie Gardens
I was really looking forward to the bridal session with Courney at Airlies Gardens where she was having her wedding. First was that Courtney was awesome work with and fun to be around. Second was I know I got to control the time with no wedding schedule. This means lots of time and no pressure to be anywhere in 2 minutes. For every bride who is now married you know what I mean.
Airlie Gardens weddings are amazing but when you have just the bride in this amazing garden wedding venue for a few hours it to create must have bridal photos in the garden it is a real treat. There are so many locations to photograph in Airlie that you have to pick and choose as the creative backdrops are endless in my mind. Of course on of the most iconic pictures to have made is the Pergola at Airlie Gardens.
Looking for bridal portraits or for your wedding photographer check out more of my work at
If you are considering a bridal session I would highly recommend one as it really is a great time to create outside the wedding day where everything can be about a blur. The is why every bride should have a bridal session in my creative opinion.
Bridal Session with Lana | Wilmington NC Wedding Photographer | Chris Lang Photography
One of the great things about bridal photography as a creative profession is I get create a multiple style portfolio for brides. With no wedding schedule rushing us, we get to take the time to have fun and relax and create some awesome bridal portraits.
Had a great time with Lana creating a mixture of styles and looks. The first picture I had the concept of alice in wonderland look and feel so I concentrated on lighting the sunflowers with a strobe directly behind Lana pointing upwards and then another strobe on light stand at top left with grid to control the spread and maintain the detail in her awesome wedding dress.
All we started with on this bridal session was Lana and her dress. No bouquet no theme or concept. That what I love about my job it you get to make it up as you go. If you are looking for a Wilmington NC Bridal Photographer to create something with a signature look and style, drop me a line and let me show you how awesome you look in your wedding dress.
Vanessa & Seth had their wedding and reception at the Bellamy Mansion in Wilmington NC. I could not have had a better time with such two awesome people. You will see what I mean when you watch their highlight reel. They had the best first dance I have had the pleasure to photograph and video. Spoiler alert it is at the end of the video as an outtake.
Not only Were Seth & Vanessa a blast work with, they had such a cool how we met story. He are a few words from Venessa:
"Seth and I met like a scene in a romantic comedy! I was sitting at my gate at Wilmington International Airport at 6:30 am, reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Seth came and sat a few chairs diagonally across from me. From this moment on, I was only faking to read! Haha, I could not concentrate, as we kept staring awkwardly at each other making eye contact here and there. As we boarded the plane, Seth got in line behind me. My heart was racing with butterflies. I sat down in my seat on the plane and turned to see Seth standing there as he said, "I think that's my seat..." pointing to the window seat, with a smile on his face. I responded, "No it's not!" and we both laughed. In a two seater row, there we were, just the two of us... and we talked the entire flight! We hit it off so seamlessly and discovered that we only lived a few miles apart from each other! At the end of the flight, Seth asked for my number and the rest is history! :) "
OK so now it's time for some video. I filmed the highlight reel for their wedding as a supplement to a full video production wedding. The highlight reel is short film that mirrors the photography process and is intended to be just a snapshot only of the wedding day though short video clips. This was one instance I had video rolling for the the first dance. I did not know Vanessa & Seth were going to break out into such a awesome first dance. Like every first dance it started out traditional and then to the guests surprise, Vanessa & Seth broke out into some pretty sweet moves.
I could not have had any more fun at their wedding. Such an awesome fun couple. On a funny note, The next day I dropped my Mom and Brother off at the airport as they were flying back to San Diego. About an hour later I got a text from Vanessa. "We are sitting behind your Mom and Brother on the plane. Small world... well Wilmington is probably the smallest airport in the world.
If you are looking for a wedding venue in the Wilmington Area, take a look at Bellamy Mansion. Bellamy Mansion Weddings are a lot of fun to photograph and working within the area provides such a classic backdrop for wedding photography.
Airlie Gardens Bridal Session | by Chris Lang Photography | Wilmington NC Wedding Photographer
Airlie Gardens Tops The List for Stunning Bridal Photography - By Chris Lang Photography, Wilmington NC Wedding Photographer. Airlie Gardens, well known for it's Airlie Garden Weddings, is not only the perfect place for weddings, but also tops my list for places to photograph bridal sessions. Airlie Gardens provides such iconic visuals for brides wanting garden ambiance for their bridal pictures. Lena was not getting married at Airlie but loved the location and backdrop. Although we missed the Tulips and Azalea blooms, we found a field of yellow flowers that provided a spring time feel for her bridal pictures.
Shooting with a pair of Canon 1dx's and a Canon 5d MarkIII, I used a limited selection of lenses to include: Sigma 50 1.4 Art (I actually use this lens over my Canon 50 1.2 L lens) Canon 24-70 2.8L Canon 14 2.8 L Canon 200 2.0 L Eighty percent of this session was photographed with one of the 1DX's and the 200 f 2.0L. This is a strong statement, but there may be no finer portrait lens in the world than the Canon 200 f 2.0L. Due to the size, this lens does not come out often as it is a beast to tug around during a wedding. I use the Canon 200L F2.0 primarily for bridal portraits and occasionally engagement sessions. I have owned this lens for 5 years and do not use it enough. I am reminded of this every time I download the pictures from a session. The cannon 200 f2.0 makes it all happen inside the camera. So does a $6000 lens make that much of a difference? To me, this lens can do things that no other lenss can. It creates an image that stands out on its own. Again, the only downside from a my perspective is it is big and not a tug around lens. Here are a few with the Canon 200 f 2.0 L glass.
Enough about lenses because this session was about Lena. She looked amazing in her dress and was absolutely fun to work with and photograph. You can see from her expressions that she was at ease and having fun a lot fun also. This is what every bride should expect and experience during their bridal session. It is as much about the experience of creating the pictures as it is about getting your pictures. Bridals, as I have said before, are one of my favorite photography sessions for so many reasons. You can read more about why I think every bride should get a bridal session on my website. The best part was receiving Lena's email after she first looked at the gallery. Here is a an excerpt "Chris…I am blown away. The color, background everything is so perfect. These are a dream come true." This for me is why I love creating. It is what makes my profession so rewarding. It's not just about making great pictures, it is about making people excited about their pictures. If you have any questions about Bridal Photography, give me a ring or drop an email. Would look forward to creating a bridal portfolio for you. If you would like to see more Airlie Gardens Wedding Photography just click the link. Cheers Chris
