Marvelous Things Photography | Blog » Warm, vibrant wedding and portrait photography with a flair for the whimsical | Based in Virginia, but available for adventure worldwide.

May 18, 2012

Of Brothers & College Graduations

I’m writing today’s post from the comfort and familiarity of the couch that has been a staple in my family’s home for my entire life. Sitting in the living room of my parent’s home and enjoying time in the land of corn (i.e. Indiana) and with my family is always a joy, but it’s EXTRA special to be here this weekend for the specific purpose of being at my brother’s college graduation tomorrow. I’m SO proud of Asher, and it’s astounding to me that so much time has gone by and that a college graduation can even BE a reality. But it is, and it was worked for diligently and with perseverance. My brother is incredibly talented, driven, and filled with passion. I know this is only the BEGINNING of the amazing things he will accomplish in his life, and I’m so grateful for the chance to get to witness where the journey of life will take him over the years. And I’m particularly excited that it will start by taking him to the DC area which is RATHER close to meeee! :D

So, here’s to the BEST younger brother a girl could ever ask for and to celebrating what he’s accomplished, and the amazing ways that God will use his many talents to impact this world!

Asher graduation_002

Congratulations, bro! So glad I get to be here to celebrate with you. :)

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May 16, 2012

Wardrobe Wednesday | Red, Yellow & A Bold Floral

Much like most people I know (it seems), Aaron and I have finally gotten into “Mad Men”, recently. We just finished season 1, and are only about 2 episodes into season 2….but I’m massively intrigued, and pretty hooked. And, of course, one of the best parts of the show is the great fashion of the era. This week’s outfit, in addition to the inspiration photo, ended up being a bit influenced by the show because of the proportions of the longer/fuller/high-waisted skirt, and the addition of bright red lips. While the inspiration photo doesn’t really have a 50′s/60′s….I think mine kind of does. But, I’ll let you be the official judge of that!

I LOVE the bright orange and very summery colors of this inspiration photo, but as I didn’t have that exact color scheme in my closest, I went with something as similar as I could.

WW inspiration_001

(Inspiration photo source. All other photos taken by Lauryn Galloway, edited by me.)

Wardrobe Wednesday red and yellow bright floral summer fashion_001

Skirt: Thrifted, $8 | Shirt: Gotten for free | Shoes: Thrifted, $4 | Necklace: Gift

So who else loves Mad Men and 60′s-inspired styles, lately??

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Bradley Roy - Now you just need to get Aaron in the picture wearing a skinny tie and Raybans.May 16, 2012 – 8:51 am

Hannah Nicole - OHMYGOODNESS. This is my favorite, hands down! The colors are just perfect. So beautiful!May 16, 2012 – 8:57 am

Rachel Bridgwood - Loooove this outfit. Thomas and I got hooked on mad men this year also. Watched all the past seasons nearly in time for the current one… There is just something about it!!May 16, 2012 – 9:15 am

Anna - OMG I love this! I need to go shopping with you! <3May 16, 2012 – 10:23 am

Laura Gordon - LOVE! This is WAY cute!May 16, 2012 – 10:23 am

Jennoelle - oh. my. word.
You are just the cutest thing ever. This outfit is adorable and happy and summery and just perfect. And the red lipstick is the perfect touch. I love your sense of style. (:May 16, 2012 – 11:15 am

Courtney Reese - oh golly, I LOVE this :) total madmen!May 16, 2012 – 11:44 am

ashley barnett - LOVE this outfit Tori!!! Also, that inspiration photo? I stalked that photo down, found the girl that put it together- that bright orange top is a WORKOUT top from Target!! Genius!! I love the bright pop of red and the fuller silhouette of the skirt – and accessories are perfect!May 16, 2012 – 12:47 pm

Allix B. - You look especially gorgeous in this, Tori :)May 17, 2012 – 8:38 am

Treneka - Love this outfit!!!!!!!!May 18, 2012 – 12:11 pm

May 15, 2012

Wedding | Brian & Thoa

Today I’m bringing you some photos from my first wedding of the year! Brian & Thoa got married in Maryland on Aprl 28th, and it was truly a day of joy and celebration surrounded by their family and friends. Excitement was just written ALL over their faces, and they couldn’t have seemed happier to be officially committing the rest of their lives to each other! It’s always a pleasure to document love & happiness, so I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into their special day! :)

It was so cute when Brian’s nieces ran to greet him!

And his nephew? Might be one of THE cutest ring bearer’s ever! (He did eventually warm up to me…. ;)

Isn’t Thoa’s laugh adorable? They were so natural in front of the camera with their happiness!

I think this is my favorite shot. Such a sweet, tender “just married” moment. I love it!

More adorable laughing. :)

Happy Tuesday, everyone! And congratulations again, Brian & Thoa! I wish you a WONDERFUL, happy, and long life together! Thank you for inviting me into your day of celebration. :)

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Jennoelle - Love the rich colors of this wedding, and your ability to capture love and beauty so well. These are beautiful!May 15, 2012 – 12:40 pm

jodie - Wow! I am so impressed! Some absolutely beautiful shots. I love the bright red with the bright green of the trees. And the church! I’m shocked! You did an awesome job! Also an amazing job capturing how tender my brother can be.May 16, 2012 – 8:49 pm

Catherine Russell - Thank you so much for sharing these photos with meMay 16, 2012 – 9:10 pm

Kyle - These are great pics! Thanks for sharing!May 16, 2012 – 9:56 pm

Thuc - These are great photos! they seem to be captured at the right moments. Thanks for sharing.May 17, 2012 – 1:56 am

Jim - These are all great pics, and I especially like the setting for the outdoor pictures in the woods. It looks like it was the perfect time of year for the wedding.May 17, 2012 – 6:38 am

may - Love the picsMay 17, 2012 – 8:52 am

Anita - Beautiful pictures!!!May 17, 2012 – 10:56 am

Jason & Wendy Sutton - The pictures are beautiful! It was a beautiful wedding and the pictures capture it perfectly.May 17, 2012 – 1:06 pm

Gerald Russell - A wedding beautifully portrayed by an Artist of Photography.May 17, 2012 – 6:28 pm

Thoa - Beautiful pictures! We sent out the link to the department and we’ve got a lot of “wows” from all the colleagues. Some who will get married soon asked me and copy down the contact of Tori. I can’t wait for the other pictures. Thanks, Tori. You are a very talented artist!May 19, 2012 – 12:39 pm

May 11, 2012

A Give-away Winner & A Sample Album

HAPPY FRIDAY, everyone! I’m so excited about today’s post! First of all, since I know you’re all DYING to find out who won the super fun give-away prizes, I’ll start there. The winning number was chosen via Random.org and it is…. *drum roll*….

#7 = JENNIFER OLMSTEAD!

CONGRATS!!! I’m so thrilled that you won, and find it especially hilarious considering your comment. ;) For those who don’t know, Jen is the genius behind my logo and website/blog design! So, I guess it’s extra fitting that SHE would be rewarded for me reaching 1,000 “likes” since her designs have helped my brand get to where I’ve wanted it to be. :) For everyone else, thank you SO MUCH for entering! I’m SUPER grateful to have so many friends and supporters – so, thank you TONS! Please keep stopping by & spreading the word! And you never know…there may just be another giveaway sooner rather than later! It was so much fun to host it. :)

ANYWAY. On to the other topic of today’s post….my latest sample album! I was in desperate need of a new one with updated work, and I chose to use Danny & Janelle’s wedding for the first one this year because of all the amaaaazing details they had, as well as the gorgeous pops of color everywhere, and, let’s face it, fall is my favorite season…so a colorful fall wedding was the perfect thing to show to potential clients. I wanted to blog it in its entirety, 1) because I promised Janelle that I’d show it off :), and 2) so that you can see the beautiful quality of album you would get when ordering one with or in addition to your wedding package!

This was my first order from Madera books, and I’m THRILLED with it! I love the color of brown leather (it matches my brand perfectly!) and that their order form is still very simple. They offer just the right amount of options for you to get what you want, but not so many that it’s overwhelming. Not to mention their customer service is fantastic! The pages also have the perfect matte finish. So, I’m very excited to be offering these albums to my clients!

Let me just say, it was SO hard narrowing down images for this album! I’m in love with so many of the shots from Danny & Janelle’s wedding! But I’m really happy with the choices I ended up making, and I think they all come together to tell the beautiful story of their day. :)

Does Janelle look good in print or WHAT?!

I lovvve detail-filled spreads like this!

I love the drama of this spread!

I really like the party vibe of this last spread. :)

Each album from Madera comes in this great, sturdy leather box for storage and keepsake, too. You can know that it’s secure and well-protected when it’s shipping, AND when it’s being stored on your shelf!

So, there you have it! It’s so gratifying seeing a digital design come to life in a printed album. I definitely encourage ALL of my couples to consider getting an album. Yes, it’s an investment, but one SO worth making. It’s an instant family heirloom and, speaking as a bride, it’s SO fun to be able to pull your album off the shelf and instantly relive your whole wedding day. :)

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend, and congratulations again to JEN for winning the give-away! :D

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Abby Grace - That album is GORGEOUS! I love that it comes with a keepsake box, too- so practical. Also, your logo looks awesome printed in silver on the back.May 11, 2012 – 10:01 am

Jennifer (Deleted Space Creative) - I win?! I WIN! I LOVE YOU, RANDOM.ORG!

Aw, yay! What a nice surprise, and a pretty cool coincidence that I get to be a part of both helping build your brand and reaping the benefits of it being built. ;) Thanks so much, Tori! Here’s to 2,000 likes… and 3… and 4…May 11, 2012 – 10:03 am

Lauryn - Looks SO GOOD!! Love it!May 11, 2012 – 10:08 am

Laura Gordon - I am IN LOVE with these albums!!!! That detail spread is to DIE for :) Awesome job Tori!May 11, 2012 – 10:37 am

Heather L. - Fabulous images… fabulous album… fabulous wedding!! BEAUTIFUL!!May 11, 2012 – 12:19 pm

Anastasia Merriken - This is so stunning! Saving up my money to get mine and I can’t wait!May 11, 2012 – 12:34 pm

Chelsea - I am in loveee with the album!!May 11, 2012 – 1:49 pm

Janelle Jackson - weeeeeee!!!!! My goodness, I love it! It’s so beautiful!!! Tori… you’re incredible. and you make us feel like famous models. even tho were far from that haha. youda best! THANK YOU!!!May 11, 2012 – 3:04 pm

Jennoelle - That album looks like perfection! Ahh, such eye candy. ;)May 11, 2012 – 3:10 pm

Karen - TORI!! That album is gorgeous!!!May 11, 2012 – 5:38 pm

Hannah Nicole - The album is just beautiful! Love all the spreads you shared. And congrats, Jen! :)May 11, 2012 – 7:22 pm

Jessica Fike - Beautiful album! Love your spreads! Do you use Leather Craftsmen??May 12, 2012 – 12:35 am

Serena - YAY MADERA! They are seriously the BEST, aren’t they?! Love this album and the design. Beautiful! :)May 15, 2012 – 11:22 am

Lydia - Isn’t Madera amazing?! Can’t wait for my next album from them!May 18, 2012 – 1:04 am

May 10, 2012

Engaged | Howard & Stacy

I’m so excited to be bringing you Howard & Stacy’s full engagement session today! We met at Alum Springs Park in Fredericksburg, VA on a lovely, golden Sunday evening, explored the park together and got some FABULOUS shots. These two are so obviously in love, and they have a really cool story…but I’ll wait to share more of that in their wedding post. :) For now, just check out the adorableness of these guys!

Gosh, I love these next two. So sweet.

Oh Stacy. You’re SO gorgeous!

They met in Iraq, so they wanted to grab some shots in these fun t-shirts to symbolize that. I love unique personalization to sessions!

This is definitely a favorite. There’s something about this just-before-kissing moment that I lovvve. So sweet, dramatic, and real.

I love that they brought along an invitation, too! Always fun to get some detail shots. :)

I so cannot WAIT for their wedding in the beginning of June! It’s going to be such a beautiful day, and I couldn’t be more excited to share in their celebration. :)

Happy Thursday, everyone!

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Hannah Nicole - Woah. One of my favorites ever, Tori! The whole session is beautiful and brimming with authenticity — I love it! And their before kissing face is the best. Such a raw depth to it.May 10, 2012 – 11:25 am

Maria Davey - Oh gosh. These are so beautiful. I love the light and all the fun shots! And geez, what a gorgeous couple!!May 10, 2012 – 11:44 am

Korie - Tori! Love in the woods!! Way to rock the ‘burg, my friend! My swoonful favorite is the black and white of her hugging Howard with her eyes closed. Mmmmm, so sweet :)May 10, 2012 – 11:57 am

Kelley Truxel - Howard & Stacy look fabulous. Beautiful photos. Can’t wait for the wedding!May 13, 2012 – 6:40 pm