Welcome

Hello and welcome to the new blog!  Sit back, grab some coffee and enjoy viewing my latest work, meeting my fabulous clients and getting a little peek into my own life! Be sure to bookmark this site and check back often to keep up with the latest from Katelyn James Photography! I’m so excited that you stopped by!

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Craig + Laura | Engaged

Williamsburg Wedding Photographer

Engaged ~ September 3, 2010

She’s a planner…

If Laura had to move the wedding up to this weekend, I’m confident she could pull it off. She has basically planned her whole wedding and it’s going to be here until May! I envy her organization. I always said I was going to have one of those huge Martha Stewart wedding planning books to keep all of my planning straight… but uh, that didn’t happen. Instead, I have a box that is full of random receipts, ribbons, invoices…. it’s a mess. But hey! I only have a few weeks left and then the planning is done. Why organize now, right?! It’s slowly coming together and we are not as unorganized as I make us out to be. Things are falling into place…

.we just have so much left to do! If I could be a bride like Laura, I feel like a lot of my little details would be done by now! She’s  a planner and I just know her day is going to be perfect and exactly what she has planned!

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I met Craig and Laura in colonial Williamsburg for their engagement session and we had a blast! … Even in the 100 degree weather! You can’t go wrong in colonial Williamsburg! It’s beautiful and old and the light that evening was perfect.  I loved my time with them. Engagement sessions are my time to get to know the couple and hear their story.  I love it! Craig and Laura, thanks for bearing with me as I made you walk, sit, stand, even LAY DOWN in the heat! You’re awesome! Enjoy your images!

This was seriously the 10th or 11th shot I took… and she’s got “the look” down!

Loved these!

Look at you two! Hair blowing and everything!

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Steph M: ( September 3, 2010 6:00 pm ) obviously great again! i love that the most normal places we see everyday make for the best photographs,..like the yellow posts? who knew!

Laura: ( September 3, 2010 5:20 pm ) I LOVE THEM!!!! You made us feel so at ease! Thank you!!! LOVE the IVY shots!!!!!! Have I told you lately that your my hero :o)

Melissa: ( September 3, 2010 5:10 pm ) These are awesome Katelyn. I love the colors.

cynthia michelle: ( September 3, 2010 4:56 pm ) Oh, I have always thought an engagement session in Colonial Williamsburg would be so romantic. I have such fond memories of that place from my childhood!! If I still lived in the area, I would SO have my engagement session there! Katelyn, these are amazing. Perfect location, light, everything. LOVE!!!!

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Brian + Cathy

Fredericksburg Square | Jepson Alumni Center Wedding Photographer

Weddings ~ September 2, 2010

He had a list…

…a long list. This list consisted of 100 things he was looking for in a girl. From listening to friends and family during the wedding day, it was easy to figure out that Brian is extremely type A. He’s organized and precise and so when Cathy came among and heard about his list…. she made him tell her about it…. on their 2nd date! Brian told this story at the reception and he ended it by explaining that Cathy met 99 of the 100 on his list and that he was just going to have to get used to the cats. He also thanked her for making him a better man, for loving him and for being everything he could have ever dreamed for in a wife. I LOVE this couple and I loved getting to know them on their wedding day. We didn’t get to do engagements and so…

my first time photographing them was on their wedding day! … but they ROCKED it! SO photogenic it’s ridiculous! I met Cathy at Panera several months ago and after over an hour of talking about wedding plans, I knew I wanted to be a part of her day! She was so relaxed and yet really cared about the photography for her wedding… perfect match! The summer flew by and as we got closer and closer to August, Cathy’s emails were filled with more and more exclamation marks! (and you know I love exclamation marks!!!)  It was finally here! Cathy was so chill and calm as she got her hair done at the salon.  I was with her from the time her hair was up in curlers until her grand exit with her husband! I love that! I especially love the time I get to spend with the bride and the bridesmaids in the morning because that is my chance to really get to know them… and oh how I loved Cathy’s girls! I fell in love with her bridesmaids and by the time we were at the reception, I felt I had known them forever!…. I’m not just saying that….some of them left chanting “10.10.10″…love them!

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So Brian and Cathy, I hope you’re enjoying Hawaii!!! But if you get a chance to find internet, you have a full post of wedding pictures to go through and I’m so excited to share them with you! You two are a gorgeous couple… inside and out. It was SUCH an honor to celebrate alongside of you and capture your day! Thank you!!!!! Enjoy!

Ah!!!! I took like 500 shots right here… seriously.

I could have photographed just Cathy for probably 3 hours straight! Such a beautiful bride!

Oh. My. Gosh.

Married!!!

Bridesmaids… this is their “Epic” shot! oh yea!!

Couldn’t pick between these next two… so you just have to look at both of them!:)

Favorite!

Grand entrance!

Loving that old car! … But you can see the driver in the background telling people to get their sparklers away from it! Too funny!Hope you enjoyed these! If you were at the wedding, click “Share to Facebook” below so others can see!!!

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Brittany: ( September 3, 2010 3:57 pm ) beautiful.

Mandy: ( September 3, 2010 4:35 am ) AH KK!!! I just love this wedding....I think I'm starting to LOVE yellow...the more I see it on your blog, the more I add to my design book and think Hey, I just might want yellow someday! :) I miss staying up late with you just procrastinating and goofing off....I'm just sitting here missing ya. But anyway, I love love love this post. You are awesome at what you do!!!

debbie dean: ( September 2, 2010 10:10 pm ) ohhh my gosh what a stunning couple :) you did amazingly with them. awesome job girl !!!

Alex Kulifay: ( September 2, 2010 9:15 pm ) of course i love these. who couldn't. I prefer the first one of the two you couldn't decide between. It just seems more romantic and about her. OMG and Cathy's eyes are to die for, they complement Brian's ominous dark ones so well. Keep up the amazing work.

Jennifer: ( September 2, 2010 7:07 pm ) wonderful images katelyn - I love the poses really pretty

sharon: ( September 2, 2010 6:01 pm ) ahhhh <3 BEAUTIFULLLLLL couple!!! such an easy job!!! you did fabulous katelyn!!! love love love!

Caitlin: ( September 2, 2010 5:17 pm ) Katelyn these are amazing....I want to to this venue! It's amazing. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! The bride is stunning!!

Susan Dukat: ( September 2, 2010 5:10 pm ) fabulous!

Sindy: ( September 2, 2010 5:05 pm ) WOW. That pretty much sums up these pictures!

Michael: ( September 2, 2010 4:51 pm ) WOW!!!!! Your favorite is my favorite. Where was this?? Beautiful location and beautiful people! Great Job

Jessie: ( September 2, 2010 4:47 pm ) So don't tell anyone...but her colors are totally what I have "planned" for my big day...whenever it happens to come around. SHE IS STUNNING!!! Gorgeous!!!

amanda: ( September 2, 2010 4:31 pm ) these are fantastic!! i especially love the ones in the room with all the windows and the black/white floor! and her bouquet is amazing!!

Meredith Sledge: ( September 2, 2010 4:29 pm ) Ohhh my goshhhh Katelyn, these are amazing!! I seriously love them. SO BEAUTIFUL.

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Wedding Wednesday

The Invitation Process

Wedding Wednesday ~ September 1, 2010

What a process

When I first thought to put peacock feathers on EVERY invitation, it sounded like a great idea! Well, after Michael’s mom and I finally figured out how we wanted to make them, we quickly realized we were going to need some help! A LOT of help! Making 350+ invitations by hand is no easy task!… especially when they include hot glue and feathers! We had multiple nights of gluing and cutting and folding. One night we had an invitation party! I can’t thank everyone enough for their help! Mimi, Jan, Bobbi, Sarah, Anna, Caroline, Laura, Gayle, Megan, Daddy, Momma, and Michael… you’re so awesome!

If it wasn’t for you, I would still be sitting at the kitchen table with a glue gun in hand! Thanks for helping us make this happen! I am pleased to announce that invitations are out and about! Finally!!! What a relief! Here are a few shots of the invitation making process….this was our first night and it was quite intense!  The full invitation post will be next Wedding Wednesday! Get excited!

Michael working on the address list…. the VERY long address list! So thankful for him, there is no way I could have kept up with all of that!

Daddy cutting invitation inserts!!

The mommas! Working hard!

Whew! So glad they’re done!! Thank you Thank you thank you to everyone who helped!!!

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Lauren Waegerle: ( September 4, 2010 12:50 am ) They look amazing! I wouldn't expect anything else :)

Erika: ( September 3, 2010 4:41 pm ) Girl, you are something else! Love that you have real peacock feathers on your invites! You are something close to super woman! So excited about 10/10/10 for you :)

Alex Kulifay: ( September 2, 2010 9:20 pm ) there was no doubt in my mind that you would design the most beautiful wedding invitations. so simple yet so elegant. I wish so badly that there were two of you: one to design/plan client's weddings and of course the other to capture the memories. you are incredibly talented. keep surpassing my expectations.

Laura Gordon: ( September 2, 2010 11:07 am ) LOVE them, they are beautiful! Great job Katelyn :)

Girish: ( September 2, 2010 2:33 am ) They look very nice. Great effort there, doing it all yourself. Keep it up.

katie yuen: ( September 1, 2010 9:26 pm ) so detailed and so lovely! they look so great!!!!!

Deborah Zoe: ( September 1, 2010 6:43 pm ) we made our own wedding invitations too!:) it was actually my favorite details from our day:) yours look fantastic! i cant wait to see it all come together for you!!

Elizabeth: ( September 1, 2010 6:20 pm ) Wow! I'm impressed. I just finished assembling and addressing mine last week. I made the mistake of purchasing brown envelopes (sounded like a great idea at the time), then realized that I couldn't in fact print onto them, so I had to do my best attempt at custom calligraphy with a white pen. My left hand still hurts, and I only had 75 invitations to address. Can't wait to see you're full invite reveal though!

Amanda Hilborn Hedgepeth: ( September 1, 2010 6:08 pm ) OMG Katelyn! AWESOME! I am soooooo in love with them! And you, of course! Youre such a crafty bride!

Brittany: ( September 1, 2010 4:54 pm ) They're amazing!! Thanks for the inspiration to starting working on mine! I need some motivation...

Jennifer: ( September 1, 2010 4:12 pm ) All your hard work paid off. These are simple GORGEOUS!!!

Carter: ( September 1, 2010 4:11 pm ) i got mine the other day! i KNEW you made them...i could tell by the level of expertise and professionalism! absolutely beautiful, dear!

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Chase + Sharon | Engaged

Smithfield Virginia Wedding Photographer

Engaged ~ September 1, 2010

She couldn’t…

stop talking about how good he looked.  Every time I would pose Chase first, Sharon would be standing behind me making subtle comments to herself about how handsome her future husband was. She’s a trip! I love Sharon to pieces! She’s one of those people that just makes you happy when you’re around them.  The joy and laughter that comes out of that girl is amazing and it’s no secret why Chase adores her.  Sharon isn’t the shyest person in the world and so whenever she would let out a squeal or start bursting with laughter while she was supposed to be doing her “model” face… Chase would just smile and laugh. He gets her.

Chase and Sharon will be getting married next June and I can’t begin to explain how excited I am to be a part of their big day! It’s going to be a beautiful, laid back, country style wedding and I love those! It’s going to be amazing, I just wish it wasn’t so far away!!! The wedding ceremony will be held right down the street from this first location where we shot. I’m praying for light like this at the wedding!  I LOVED it!! The light, the location, the couple… everything was perfect for this session! Enjoy some of my favorites and if you want to see more of this beautiful couple, we sure to become a fan on FACEBOOK so that you don’t miss their wedding!!!

Sharon you are beyond gorgeous!!! Sharon is a fellow photog in Smithfield, VA! Check out her blog!

Ooooh how I love the light!

Love!

Shooting with direct sun isn’t really my style…but sometimes it works for me!

Sharon, don’t hate me for posting this one… I LOVE it!

I’m so weird! I think this random umbrella shot is one of my favorites! I’m strange, I know. I just liked the way they are placed so randomly…. it works somehow!

Money shot!  Oh my GOSH they’re beautiful!

Corey is the BEST brother in the world! But he just can’t get excited about photography, it’s so not his thing.. BUT…when I came home and showed him this shot, for once in his life, he seemed realllly interested in a session! … wonder why:)

Did you enjoy these?! Yea?! Well, good! Share them with a friend on FACEBOOK by click the The Facebook share button below! Or just become a fan! either works:)

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anne: ( September 3, 2010 10:11 pm ) Hi Katelyn, these are gorgeous. I have followed your blog from the very very beginning--we have a mutual friend!--and I can't wait to meet my future husband and have you photograph our engagement and wedding. Thanks for the beautiful pictures :)

kurt b: ( September 3, 2010 1:56 pm ) love the tree bokeh!

Danielle: ( September 1, 2010 10:50 pm ) These pictures are SO amazing!!! Just like all your work is!!! The lighting is to die for and the couple is super good looking!! You are such an inspiration to me, Katelyn!!!!

Amanda Hilborn Hedgepeth: ( September 1, 2010 6:10 pm ) These look amazing, what a GREAT looking couple!!!!!!!!!

jenn :): ( September 1, 2010 4:47 pm ) lovin these pictures! and as a fellow person that ends up with a wicked sunglasses tan in the summer, i am so glad to see how intense someone else's is! keep up the good work katelyn! :)

Lindsay: ( September 1, 2010 4:23 pm ) looks like someone had some fun in the sun...

Tira J: ( September 1, 2010 4:12 pm ) Gorgeous images Katelyn! I just love how fun this session was.

Karla Cobb: ( September 1, 2010 2:55 pm ) How could you go wrong with those two beautiful people! Sharon especially brings sunshine to all she comes in contact with. What a great couple and beautiful pictures!!!!

Brittany: ( September 1, 2010 11:44 am ) These are great. I really love the umbrella shot too!

Leslie: ( September 1, 2010 10:54 am ) Katelyn, how amazing are they? I am so glad you were able to capture they personalities in these photos. Two of the most beautiful people I have ever met and getting MARRIED!! AHH! I can't wait! Sharon, my bff, has been talking about this session with you for a while now and after it was over she felt so pleased with the outcome...I SEE WHY!! They pictures are breathtaking!! Great JOB!!!

Caitlin: ( September 1, 2010 10:47 am ) these are gorgeous, as usual! So in love with these. just so stinking adorable! couldn't be a better couple or a better location!!

Jill: ( September 1, 2010 9:28 am ) What a beautiful couple and beautiful pictures!!! I LOVE them all!!! And i agree with you Katelyn- about the one where he's picking her up--it's soo fun!! (Hope this makes the scrolly bar appear! love you :) )

sharon: ( September 1, 2010 8:48 am ) love love love!!!! and chase IS so handsome!!! even looking through these pictures, i find myself looking at only him!!!! <3 <3 <3

steph: ( September 1, 2010 8:03 am ) the scenery and the lighting are just beautiful!! love them all!

Sindy: ( September 1, 2010 4:39 am ) So BEAUTIFUL!

AshleyP: ( September 1, 2010 4:23 am ) YESSSS!!!! OMG!!!!! IM SOOOO IN LOVE!!!! I LOVE SHARON AND I LOVE YOU TO PIECES KATELYN!! SHARON IS GOING TO DIIIEEE!!! (haha can you tell Im excited??)

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Meet Grace, Emily, Amy & Suzanna

Richmond Portrait Photographer | Seniors

Seniors ~ August 30, 2010

They are more…

like 4 peas in a pod. They are best friends and they’re seniors! Woohoo for graduation! It will be here before you know it! I’ve always loved senior sessions. I seem to only attract the senior girl crowd, no boys…. but I’m ok with that. I LOVE my time with these girls.  Senior sessions are supposed to be relaxed and FUN. It’s not only about the portraits, it’s about the experience, same with a wedding day.  I don’t want my bride and groom to JUST have great portraits, I want them to enjoy their time alone on their wedding day! So for these four girls, I wanted their session to be fun and relaxed and an afternoon that they’ll look back on 5 years from now and think…

…”Aw, I loved that!!!”. The reason I want this for my senior girls is because I did NOT have that experience when I was getting my senior pictures done! I was in a studio with my mom and I had numbers surrounding me as I lay on a stark white backdrop that read “2006″.  I’m not making fun of those style of senior portraits, but as I look back now, my images are SO boring. If I could have had the opportunity to hang out with my friends and take a variety of different portraits with them, I would have!

.

So this is the first time I’ve done senior portraits for FOUR girls at one time. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous. It’s hard to make sure every girl is getting the same amount of great, creative shots but let me tell you, I had a BLAST! I adore these girls and I loved my time with them. I loved it so much I will probably offer group portraits next summer! (Unfortunately I’m done with Senior portraits for this year because I’m getting MARRIED! ah!) Anyway, enjoy these favorites and have an awesome Monday!!!

You get it girl! Grace you’re adorable!

Gorgeous!

Love Amy’s laugh!!!

LOVE!

Ok, So here is me being honest… really honest. I don’t particularly lovvve Maymont. There it is, I said it.  BUT! I think Maymont is good for me! I don’t like shooting there because I think it is the photographer’s crutch of Richmond. Don’t know where to shoot? Lets go to Maymont! It seems to just suck the creativity and individuality out of photographers.  Everyone knows “the spots” to shoot and exactly where to go to get good light and before you know it, your work looks like EVERYONE else’s. I found my work looking like that a while ago and I decided to change it! So shooting at Maymont is good for me because I always try to make it look COMPLETELY different from the last time I shot there.  It’s a challenge and it’s hard to do, especially with four different girls. BUT! These 4 rocked it…. seriously, none of their images look the same and they are so unique to them! I love that!! Again, Maymont is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous! One of my favorite weddings was shot there and one of my favorite engagement sessions! I just think photographers need to work super hard to make Maymont “theirs” and that is a tough challenge! Oh my gosh I’m rambling! Sorry sorry! Back to the pictures!

Somehow the flowers matched everyone!

ahhhh! The light! I see the light!  … and it’s beautiful!

Oh yea, get it girl!

You four are adorable! I loved my time with you! Happy senior year!!!!!!!You like?! Click the button below and share on Facebook!!

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lindsey: ( September 2, 2010 7:57 pm ) PERFECT!!!! grace you are seriously GORGEOUS!!!!!!

VIctoria: ( September 2, 2010 2:32 pm ) so pretty! love the pictures!!

Laurajane: ( September 1, 2010 4:16 pm ) I love every single one of these picture. This is like my 2nd or 3rd time looking at them. It looks like so much fun. These are the kind of sessions that I want to be doing. Silly question: They're in so many different outfits. How do you work changing in locations that seem to be all outdoors and rather public? Is there like some special trick?

Molly: ( August 31, 2010 12:43 pm ) THese are absolutely beautiful!

Alexis: ( August 31, 2010 11:07 am ) THESE PICTURE GAVE ME THE CHILLS..YALL ALL LOOK SOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! LOVE YOU GIRLS!! =D

Molly Whitmore: ( August 31, 2010 11:01 am ) Love love love! So fun they did their shoot together - shows the "togetherness" of the girls.

Girish: ( August 31, 2010 7:14 am ) Well done. Nice shots of all the girls. As you said it was a challenge I think and you did it great getting all the same attention to everyone.

britney: ( August 31, 2010 2:16 am ) omg!!! i LOVE these.... you girls are beautiful, and kk you did a great job with all 4 girls! can't wait to see which one's dad pics to hang somewhere in the florida room.. haha michael, im thinking the one of grace in between the brick walls?

Jill: ( August 30, 2010 11:05 pm ) Just realize that i NEVER comment, but ALWAYS love the pics!...sooooo I LOVE the pics and i didn't even recognize Maymont- well done :) Such a sweet, adorable group of girls!!

Suzanna: ( August 30, 2010 10:24 pm ) THANK YOU SO MUCH KATELYN! i had so much fun and can't wait to see the rest!

Emily Smart: ( August 30, 2010 7:11 pm ) katelyn you have no idea how excited we were to see these! goodness we acted like SUCH little girls...texting eachother "oh my gossshhhh pictures are up!!"...typical us. haha you did an amazing job thank you again!

Meredith Sledge: ( August 30, 2010 5:24 pm ) Katelyn!! Every single one of these pictures is amazing. FOR REAL. I loooooooooooove them all!!!! =)

Caitlin: ( August 30, 2010 5:20 pm ) I LOVE LOVE LOVE the brick! Ohhh and the purple flowers! Gorgeous!

Kathryn: ( August 30, 2010 4:14 pm ) AHHHHH!! my beautiful sisters :) These are soo good Katelyn! I LOVE them!!

Lauryn: ( August 30, 2010 3:48 pm ) ohhhh I am with you on the Maymont thing friend!!

Michael: ( August 30, 2010 3:31 pm ) These are so good, I really like ALL of the group shots. Lets take bets on which on Bob is gonna blow up to poster size?? haha we love the Fitzgerald family sooo much! Glad the girls had fun. Have them call Katelyn when they get married!

Bob Fitzgerald: ( August 30, 2010 2:33 pm ) Katelyn, the pics are spectacular!!! Beautiful shots of the girls!!!! I know this was no easy task... Thank you!!!!

Toney Fitzgerald: ( August 30, 2010 2:24 pm ) OH MY GOSH!!!!!!! I LOVE THESE PICS!!!!! Katelyn you did such a good job. I think you captured each of the girl's personality. They really are all beautiful pictures!!!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you......

Megan Garrison: ( August 30, 2010 2:12 pm ) Love what you did with Maymont. I haven't shot there in MONTHS because of the very reason you spoke about, it's definitely a crutch for Richmond Photogs.. and Richmond has SO many beautifully diverse areas to offer! Love your angle on it.

Jessie: ( August 30, 2010 2:06 pm ) They all looked so great!! Side note...I took my senior pictures at Maymont and honestly I loved them but they aren't nearly as fun as these. I started in a studio for the Plain Jane pictures but Maymont was fun, but I see all of the same pictures like you were talking about. Great job on these! Ps...have you tried shooting the 2 statues near the mansion with the smaller fountain? Check my facebook for pictures from my 23rd birthday...

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