the friday five - blog love :: greensboro wedding photographer

*Note: If you follow us on Facebook, you know that this post was supposed to be up last Friday. In the midst of our travels to Charleston, I completely forgot about it. Sorry if you were holding your breath just waiting for the chance to read this post!*

If you're looking for a great way to spend your afternoon after your morning motivation has worn-off and weekend mode has fully kicked in with no hope of you getting a single ounce of work done, I have it for you right here.

There are very few blogs that I actually read religiously, but the ones that I do subscribe to are worth every minute. Here's this week's Friday Five - my top five favorite blogs:

1. Jasmine Star - Let me just tell you, this girl is AMAZING. Jasmine is a California-based wedding photographer, blogger, and all around branding guru, but her blog is not just for fellow photographers or brides. She is an incredibly talented and inspiring writer with words that everyone will enjoy. And she takes gorgeous photos too!

2. The Pioneer Woman - I LOVE this woman, and I want her life. Cowboy, ranch and all. Her blog covers everything from homeschooling to photography to life on the ranch, but let's be real here: the part I'm all about is the food. Every recipe that I've ever made from this woman's blog (or cookbook - thanks to my friend Bridget) is INCREDIBLE. A couple of my all-time favorites are the sherried tomato soup and the blueberry chicken salad, but seriously, you can't go wrong with any recipe here. Disclaimer: if you're looking for healthy or low-fat, this blog is not for you.

3. Style Me Pretty - You just can't deny that this blog is fantastic. It is filled with inspiration for just about any kind of wedding you could possibly imagine. If you're a bride-to-be who has not yet discovered the joys of this blog, I highly suggest you go there NOW.

4. Lara Casey - This lovely lady is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Southern Weddings magazine, as well as the founder of the Making Things Happen movement. Focusing on wedding vendors, but inspiring to all, her blog is all about marketing, branding, and sound business advice, and consider yourself warned, it will light a fire under your rear. Also be sure to check out Making Things Happen on Tumblr.

5. Gray Photography - You've heard me say it before, but I am absolutely obsessed with these photographers. Zach and Jody are just all around great people and have inspired me through their blog to do so much more with photography than I ever could have imagined. This one is a must-read for photographers, aspiring or established, big or small.

There you have it, folks. Now tell me, what are some of your favorite blogs?

Go forth, conquer, and enjoy your weekend, too!

Charlotte PASS Premier with David Jay and friends :: greensboro wedding photographer

Monday night, I had the pleasure of attending the PASS Premier tour stop in Charlotte. As soon as I heard that this group of pros (read: celebrities) were going to be a mere 90 miles away (all you southeast/east coast photogs know that no one EVER comes to our neck of the woods - darn you California and your beautiful weather and allure), I knew I had to be there. 

I could talk for hours about all that I learned, how inspiring and kind everyone was, how refreshing it is to be around photographers that support one another instead of just trying to beat out the competition (ask Josh - I did talk to him for hours about all of those things and more), but instead, I think I'll give you a few photographs and some tidbits from the night...

The event was held at a lovely Charlotte venue called The Depot. Don't let the outside fool you folks - this place has character...

David Jay, who I only recently came to "know" through Jasmine Star (brides, wedding planners, photographers - if you do not know who this incredibly talented woman is, you NEED to read her blog. she will make you laugh, cry, and truly inspire you), spoke about a new program called PASS that is truly going to change the industry. I can't wait to try it out with some of my future clients...

The lovely, talented, and fashion-forward Promise Tangeman gave a presentation on branding and allowing your brand and your website to reflect you as a person. She knows what she's talking about, people. And she's probably the nicest individual I've ever met...

Get ready 'cause this caption's gonna be a long one. What really got me to attend this event was that Zach and Jody of Gray Photography were going to be there. Long before I decided to take my hobby to a whole new level and start my own business as a wedding photographer, this duo planted the seed. Several years ago, when I was looking for a photographer for my own Nashville wedding, I discovered Gray, and although I didn't have them as my own photographers, I began reading their blog. I was inspired by their creativity, their willingness to help other photographers, their relationship with their clients, and their openess about their own trials and tribulations. And their presentation at Monday's event certainly didn't dissappoint...

I very rarely get starstruck, but hanging out with these guys was better than being on tour with U2 (give me a break - it's the first major band I could think of) or having dinner with Brangelina (for those of you who don't read People magazine or watch TMZ, that's Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie). Seriously - they're photography celebrities. Here's one more shot of me with the Grays - that's me on the left (photo courtesy of Bryant Altizer)

Not pictured but not forgotten: I also got to hear from Kevin Swan, the mastermind behind KISS Wedding Books, and I'm looking forward to using their services. Brides - look forward to some AWESOME albums coming your way!

I'm feeling excited and empowered about what the next year will hold for Glessner Photography and incredibly blessed to get to hang out and learn from such an wonderful group of people. There are still a few stops left on the tour - so photographers, if there's one coming to a city near you, get your tickets NOW! You won't be sorry!

Christmas in May :: greensboro wedding photographer

Getting packages in the mail kinda gives me the same feeling of a kid on Christmas morning. We decided recently to make several new business buys, and I was so excited when two of those purchases arrived this week. The first was my new Nikon D700 which I was super pumped about. The second was a Nikon 50mm 1.4D, and let me just tell you, I think I'm in love (shhhh - don't tell Josh).

I can't wait to try out this baby on some portraits, but for now, I had to take advantage of the only subjects that would remain still for me. 

Taken at f1.8 at 1/80 sec, iso 200

Monty - my most loyal subject. (f1.8, 1/40 sec, iso200)

My epiphanie bag that Josh surprised me with for Christmas. I think it's about as sexy as a camera bag can get. (f1.8, 1/13 sec, iso 200)

In other photo news, I just purchased my ticket to the PASS tour in Charlotte on June 20, and I am soooo looking forward to meeting and getting some tips from a few of the best in the industry: David Jay, Promise Tangeman, Zach & Jody of Gray Photography in Nashville (these guys seriously inspired and encouraged me - via their blog - to follow my dream). I'm also looking forward to meeting some fellow photographers - if you're headed to the tour in Charlotte too, hit me up!