Charlotte Wedding Photographer Michael Escalera. Cinematic Wedding, Engagement, and Bridal Photography in Charlotte, Lake Norman, Blacksburg, Roanoke, and Beyond.

Wedding at Round Hill Pines, Lake Tahoe – Guy & Jennifer (Sneak Peek)

Michael — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:12:17 +0000

Just a quick peek at what’s in store from this fun wedding!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Sand Harbor Engagement Session – Chad & Erin

Michael — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:04:57 +0000

Several months ago, Erin asked if she could book me to photograph her and Chad at Sand Harbor in July. I was excited right from the start and honored as well. You see, Erin is a wonderful photographer herself and the owner of Erin Venters Photography! While I always enjoy every session that I am privileged to capture, I always consider it a huge compliment when I am hired by other photographers. We tend to be a little bit picky about images of ourselves, so to trust someone else to capture you is a big deal!

Technically this shouldn’t be labeled an “engagement” session as this was for Chad & Erin’s 7th wedding anniversary. It’s easy to see why their marriage has been successful…after all of the years they are still kind and sweet to each other while keeping their family priorities in the right place.

We enjoyed a beautiful evening together at Sand Harbor and I am happy to have photographed them. Chad & Erin…enjoy your images…there’s lots more in your gallery coming soon!

There’s nothing like a vintage camera to brighten your day!

I LOVE both of these!

Another favorite of mine…

We had the place to ourselves at sunset – perfect!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Summer Clouds

Michael — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:11:41 +0000

There are so many things I love about summer time…

- Going to the beach!
- Laying out during warm nights and watching the stars
- The smell of bar-b-que drifting from neighbors yards
- Late afternoon thunderstorms
- The way the clouds look…

Have a great day!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Reno Portrait Session – Wendy (Sneak Peek)

Michael — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:00:16 +0000

I had a great session with this wonderful lady just a few days ago – stay tuned for more images soon!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Engagement Session – Mark & Tessa

Michael — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:20:59 +0000

It seems like just a few years ago that I was watching Mark run around in diapers. Then as he got older, he shed the diapers and started beating up his two younger brothers. Now, I turn around and he’s getting married! Mark just happens to be my nephew and he and his fiance, Tessa, are planning on getting married in November.

I’ll be very honest here for a minute, but stay with me. The session was challenging because Mark & Tessa have some preferences about physical contact prior to their wedding. The first time that they kiss will be at their ceremony! In today’s world that’s extremely rare, and I have to say that I am proud of them.

Here are a few favorite images from their session…

It was very hot as we hiked to the waterfall, but it was a good 10-15 degrees cooler once we were up there!

Awwww!

Thanks for spending the morning with me you guys – I had fun!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Sand Harbor Engagement Session – Chad & Erin (Sneak Peek)

Michael — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:09:27 +0000

I had a wonderful session with Chad & Erin recently…lots more to come soon!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Reno Wedding Photography – Larry & Eliza

Michael — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 06:37:05 +0000

I had a huge amount of fun when I photographed Larry & Eliza’s engagement session at Lake Tahoe back in January. We started on top of Mt. Rose where the wind was howling, the temperature was freezing, and the snow was perfect! We warmed up a little bit at Starbucks afterward and then headed down to Sand Harbor for a little more fun. It was a great afternoon and I enjoyed getting to know them both a little better.

Fast forward five months and I had another great day of fun photographing their wedding! I asked Michael Imus to photograph with me and together we covered their wedding from beginning to end. It was a great time! Larry & Eliza, this is only a fraction of what is to come in your full gallery very soon! I hope you enjoy the images…

The private residence where the wedding was held – beautiful!

Eliza’s beautiful dress & shoes

Nice watch!

I love both of these, and especially the image on the right

Larry & Eliza seeing each other for the first time!

Love these!

Such a great looking couple…

I absolutely love these two images!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Engagement Session – Mark & Tessa (Sneak Peek)

Michael — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:46:20 +0000

I had the nice opportunity to photograph an engagement session for Mark & Tessa about a week ago – more to come soon!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Sand Harbor Engagement Session – Scott & Stephanie

Michael — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:15:33 +0000

Happy Wednesday Everyone! The week is half over so it’s all down hill from here.

I had the opportunity to photograph Scott & Stephanie’s engagement portraits at Sand Harbor just a couple of weeks ago and we were blessed with incredible weather. The park wasn’t crowded and there was a nice breeze coming off of the water which made everything that much better. Of course, it helps when you have a great looking couple who enjoy having fun!

Here are just a few of my favorite images from their gallery…

I love the left image!

This is one of my absolute favorites…

It really was such a gorgeous evening!

Thanks for a great evening you two!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Validation – Short Film

Michael — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:03:25 +0000

This morning, my brother sent me the link to a wonderful movie called “Validation.” You can interpret the message of the film many ways – some would say it’s about persistence and true love, while others might say it’s all about the power of a smile.

When I watched the video, it struck me that everything was centered around one person named Hugh Newman who choose to make a difference. He didn’t have to, but he wanted to. As a result, hundreds of lives were touched by his kindness.

It’s so easy for us to get tangled up in making life about ourselves. It comes naturally to look out for old #1 doesn’t it? Instead, what if we chose to live and act like Hugh did in this video? Lives all around us would be transformed!

As soon as you can, I’d recommend taking a 15 minute break to watch the short film Validation. Then, ask yourself how you can make a difference in someone’s life this week.

Best Wishes,
Michael

Reno Wedding Photography – Larry & Eliza (Sneak Peek)

Michael — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:05:15 +0000

There are more images coming from this wonderful wedding late next week!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Sand Harbor Engagement Session – Scott & Stephanie (Sneak Peek)

Michael — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:00:59 +0000

I love this image! There are several more to come from Scott & Stephanie’s engagement session very soon!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Wedding at The Inn at Warner Hall, Virginia – Mike & Kathryn

Michael — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 03:17:49 +0000

I have been so excited for this post! Mike & Kathryn have been enjoying their honeymoon in Hawaii, so I promised them I would wait until today to put their images on the Journal. Their wedding was an absolute breath of fresh air – from their wonderful personalities to all the details that made up their special day. There is something really special about weddings in Virginia, and it is always a pleasure to photograph there.

I really enjoyed being a part of their celebration and am honored that I was referred to them by another client of mine! In fact, Kathryn was the maid of honor at Bobby & Carin’s wedding (and we’ve seen them NUMEROUS times here on the Journal!) back in June of 2007, and that is how I first met her and Mike. Now, three years later, Kathryn chose Carin as her matron of honor! Another cool fact is that one of the Kathryn’s bridesmaids (Mary) was also a bridesmaid in Bobby & Carin’s wedding. It’s a small world after all!

Okay, enough talking. Mike & Kathryn, I just want to say thank you again for choosing me to be your photographer. I enjoyed every moment of the weekend and look forward to seeing you again in the near future!

Love these!

Definitely love the image on the right!

Kathryn’s Dad surprised her with a horse-drawn carriage for the ceremony!

We were blessed with such a beautiful day

They look fabulous together!

This is one of my absolute favorites images from their day!

A gorgeous couple and an amazing sunset – beautiful image!

And there are loads more images to come in your full gallery very soon!

Have a a safe and happy July 4th weekend everyone!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Yorktown, Virginia Engagement Session – Nick & Stacey

Michael — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 23:48:00 +0000

While photographing a wedding in Virginia a couple of weeks ago, I was able to meet Nick & Stacey for a little afternoon session! We went to the Riverwalk Landing at Yorktown and enjoyed an absolutely beautiful afternoon there. It really is such a pretty area and I am glad that we had a chance to hang out for a couple of hours.

Here are just a few of my favorites with more to come in your full gallery soon…thanks again you two!

A beautiful day and a beautiful couple!

The image on the left is my favorite of the two!

I love this image!

Best Wishes,
Michael

Virginia Family Portraits – The H Family

Michael — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:20:21 +0000

I had the wonderful privilege of photographing Eric & Natalie’s wedding in 2006. Fast forward a few years and they now have a beautiful little girl! When they learned I would be in their area of Virginia a couple of weeks ago, we started planning a family portrait session right away. I am glad that we did!

It was a beautiful morning filled with lots of sun, sand, and smiles. Here are just a few of my favorite images from their session…

So cute…

What a beautiful family!

I LOVE the image on the left

She’s reading the classics already!

A perfect ending!

Eric & Natalie, thank you again for your kind hospitality and for a fabulous morning together. I enjoyed spending time with your entire family and look forward to sharing more images in your full gallery very soon!

Best Wishes,
Michael