"Because of you, I can feel myself slowly but surely
becoming the me I have always dreamed of being."
{Tyler Knott Gregson}
LMP Giveaway!
Break out the noisemakers & put on your party hat because we have a birthday to celebrate!
Lorin Marie Photography is turning 1!!!
It's incredible to think that just last spring I put my what if's into action & began pursuing this dream. I've been so blessed by the Lord's constant faithfulness, my hubby's ridiculously awesome support & the love & encouragement from all my family, friends, clients & you!
To celebrate this milestone & these past 12 months of business, I'm giving away one portrait session for a couple!
The winner will receive a 2-hour photo session that will take place in Northern Virginia (within 25 miles of Falls Church, VA) & must be scheduled within 2014. High-resolution digital images is also included in the giveaway.
You have between now & Monday, April 28 to enter. You can enter your name in the giveaway up to 4 times. You can do 1, 2 or all of the entries, but remember that the more ways you enter, the more entries you will receive!
How to Enter:
1. Leave a comment on this blog post, sharing part of your love story: one of the greatest acts of service your significant other has ever done for you
2. Follow me on Instagram, post a photo of you & your significant other, tag @lorinmariephotography & #lmpturns1
3. Follow me on Twitter, tweet "Lorin Marie Photography is having a giveaway!" & tag @lorinmariephotography & #lmpturns1
4. Like the LMP Facebook page, share this blog post to your timeline & tag the LMP page in your post update
The winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 29! Can't wait to read your entries :)
Love and grace
Happy Valentine's Day, friends!
Over the past few days (maybe even weeks!), I've been wrestling with negative, ugly thoughts. Specifically not being _______ enough. On & on in my head the lies spin, leading me to believe that's right, I'll never be _______ or _______ so I'm done trying, Lord. Instead of running the race Christ had put before me with perseverance, I was more like, "Yeah, how about I just sit for awhile, maybe crawl a few steps?"
At church on Monday night (yes, we meet on Monday nights. Come check it out!) right before we took communion, I had bowed my head & was confessing my heart before the Lord. As I was really pouring it all out - my doubts, frustrations, sin - the Holy Spirit recalled this verse to my mind:
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Bam! Just like that & I was filled with the overwhelming sense of God's grace. He doesn't love me because I'm the best friend, wife, photographer, neighbor or daughter. Friend, the same is true for you! His love isn't dependent upon what we do or don't do. God is love (1 John 4:8) & He loves us because that's His nature. It's who He is. Yes, we should strive to do & live everything - our work, our resources, our time, our relationships - for His glory, like it says in 1 Corinthian 10:31. But that doesn't mean we just call quits when the journey we're is difficult or we don't think we're enough.
As followers of Jesus Christ, He made us His workmanship & created us for many good works that He prepared in advance for us (Ephesians 2:10)! As Ruth Bell Graham so eloquently put it, "We are to take care of the possible & let God take care of the impossible." I love that! There's so much freedom when we live our lives the way the Lord intended them to be lived. We're to do our best, for His glory & honor, & leave the rest up to Him.
"You're love more than you'll ever know by someone who died to know you."
Based off of Romans 5:8
Bekah + Steve: Luray Barn Wedding
This couple. Bekah + Steve, such amazing people (or peeps, as Bekah would say) that God has already used in tremendous ways together as a couple. I had the awesome privilege to work with B before we both switched jobs. We had many morning coffee chats, date discussions (she waited up to hear the results of my very first date with Mr. D!!) & Jesus talks.
Getting to know Steve through times he popped into the office & a lunchtime photo shoot, it was so fun to see their l-o-v-e continue to grow through daily interactions, even ordinary, quiet times spent together. They were wed at the beautiful Stonewall Crossing, the cutest vacation rental home nestled in Luray.
Their sweet, intimate ceremony was almost, *almost* moved inside because of the rain. Instead, the Lord held off the thunderstorm until we had just about wrapped up the ceremony & all the portraits!!! While we scurried off to the most beautiful, rustic barn before the storm came, guests enjoyed appetizers on the main house front porch and lawn games in the front lawn.
Bekah's father gave a beautiful toast for the newlyweds & blessing for the meal, & then it was time for a delicious buffet - yummy Southern delicacies like deviled eggs, homemade pies and more! Beautiful touches of blue & pops of yellow sunflowers looked stunning throughout the ceremony & reception. Bekah's sister worked hard to sew together the most adorable burlap utensil holders! After dinner, Bekah & Steve had their first dance to Honey Bee, which included line dancing, of course! The rest of the night was full of laughter, sweet tea & dancing. The bride's parents even surprised the special duo with his & hers fishing poles. TOO cute! Which then led to ring shots on one of the fishing hooks. The couple used little bells as their send-off, dashing away in the rain to their getaway car :)
Bekah & Steve,
Mr. D & I were so touched to have been able to capture these special moments from your wedding day :) :) You two rock! Keep loving the Lord first, each other second as you grow in your love for one another in the days ahead. We love y'all!
Vendors:
Ceremony: Stonewall Crossing
Reception: Stonewall Crossing
Bride's dress: David's Bridal
Groom's suit: Men's Warehouse
Florist: Sheri of Lavender Fields Florist
Catering: West Main Market
Invitations: Michael's
Bekah + Steve: sneak peek
One of the greatest joys & privileges is to shoot the wedding of a very close friend. Bekah, or B as I call her, & I worked together for just under 2 years & y'all, we had some wonderful memories together!
Like the time when we were working a weekend BBQ event & a storm came through. Let's just say the tent we were under started to blow away, trying to take us with it!
Or the time we spent our lunchbreak hunting for an illusive rope swing through the woods of Northern Virginia. And yes, we did find it!
This girl - she is a spunky linedancing queen who will sporadically break out into beautiful acapella singing & has a huge heart for the Lord. Her now hubby Steve is an amazing man who truly loves her & is constantly looking for ways to shine Christ's light by serving others.
Dean & I were beyond blessed to capture their gorgeous fall barn wedding in Luray in late September. SO much more of their family-filled DIY day to come!
Read all about their exciting engagement story here & check out their snowy day photo session here & here.
