Tish Mackay Photography will be closed starting July 21st for vacation. I will respond to all emails when I return back starting the week of August 2nd.

I’m looking forward to seeing/meeting family, cooler weather and just relaxing. Here’s a picture taken by my talented father-in-law, John Mackay, of what to expect of the views from the cottage where we will be staying in Canada. I’ll be taking my camera and hope to have lots of pictures to share once we return. Have a great rest of July!

It all started with a giggle and maybe even a few lollipop. This 4th of July weekend was filled with family. Five families joined together; four sisters, two grandparents, four husbands and some super cute kids. There was no crying, only laughter on this cool summer day. Who could ask for a better day?

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Thanks to everyone for such a great afternoon of jumping, smiling and just plain fun.

Over July 4th weekend, I headed up to the Peninsula in Lake Norman, NC to shoot five very fun and super friendly families. This sneak peek is of the four sisters and the their parents. Just wait until you see all the cute kids. More to come later this week.

Do you ever meet people and you just click with them? It’s that instant “ah ha” moment when you realize you have lots in common? I met Devon at a volunteer event and thought she was one cool chick. Later on that afternoon, Devon’s boyfriend Billy at the time stopped by. You could see they just clicked. They had a routine about themselves and you could tell it was their own secret language. I got an email at the beginning of 2010 from Devon saying that Billy had proposed and I could not be more excited for the couple. Not only did I adore them together, they also had an amazing dog named Bailey who stole the show anytime the camera was up. Together, they make a really fun family and an even more fun engagement shoot. I can’t wait until this wedding in August where I promised Devon that this horrible heat wave we are having will be gone. Let’s hope I can pull through.    

This couple is incredible and have great style. I mean, just check out those red shoes.

More from Devon and Billy’s session later this week.

One of the things that Dottie and Angela added to their must shoot list was dancing – - and they promised lots of it. And they didn’t disappoint because they started dancing down the aisle after saying I do. It started with a few notes and suddenly, the whole wedding party joined in to Black Eye Peas, I Got A Feelin. It was the best exit to any wedding. After the exit, we headed to the courtyard for some post wedding pictures. This couple was so easy going and I loved the fact they planned time after the wedding and before dinner to get some pictures of the two of them together alone. The reception had lots of energy, we even got Dottie’s mom to dance. I told Cookie I would post only one to show she can rock it. The end of the night was spent on the dance floor until the couple left. I can’t think of one person who attended this wedding that didn’t have fun. Thanks again to Kelli Boling from Red K Photography for shooting and congrats again to Dottie and Angela on a beautiful wedding.

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The beginning of June down in Charleston is known for being hot. But that didn’t stop a beautiful Charleston wedding from taking place at Dunes West with another awesome couple. From the minute I walked into the Golf Club house to the minute the couple left in their get-a-way car, you could feel the love and joy felt by everyone who attended and participated in the wedding. I would even go as far as saying that I still feel the same way going through and editing/posting these pictures. I’ve known Dottie for longer than I care to admit on this blog and age myself. You see, she was my first college roommate. She would make fun of me for my exploding closet (I have been know to be a little messy at times) and my love for her Mac that I spent hours on checking emails. But we made it through our freshman year and even have some pictures that I promise I won’t pull out at this time. Dottie sent me an email about a year ago telling me about her sweetie and how they wanted me to come out to shoot their wedding. To have the chance to catch up with an old friend and be a part of their wedding was something I jumped at the chance to do. The wedding was incredible. I usually don’t get choked up at weddings, but during their readings I had to stop and get a tissue. Before I forget, I’d like to thank Kelli Boling of Red K Photography for second shooting.

So enough of my ramblings – - here’s part one for Dottie and Angela’s wedding.  (Click on photos to enlarge)

Cynthia got a gift certificate for a photo session as a Christmas present. Fast forward to lots of email exchanges, to finally getting a date on the calendar, and an uptown location. Here’s my favorite picture from her session.

Lately, a certain dog in our home has been having issues with manners. One afternoon after running errands, we came home to a certain dog who counter surfed. This certain dog had a buffet laid out on the living room carpet which included a bag of oranges, eight bananas and one bag of chips which had already been consumed. Needless to say, we were sad to think that our once awesome window watcher had turned into a bad dog. So we are looking into some training for our fur monster in hopes that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Crossing fingers and paws!

Some couple are so at ease around each other. He compliments her when she thinks her hair is out of place by saying she is beautiful. She sneaks a kiss in while walking around the lake and takes his hand into hers. My mother-in-law refers to these sort of couples as love birds. These little love birds are so in love that I don’t think they even noticed I was behind the camera for their session at Freedom Park.

See! I told you they are so cute and totally in love. Congrats on your engagement and good luck with wedding planning.