What is a love session?

It is a portrait session for a couple AFTER their wedding.

After the rush. After they settle. After they’ve had some trials and after they’ve found support in one another.

I enjoyed recording what Nikki & Pete’s love looked like after they had some time to learn more about one another after marriage.

I am even more in love with them now!

You can see their wedding photos here.

And all the photos from their love session are here.

We had SO SO much fun together, and I hope that shows in the photos. These two have inspired me so much since I photographed their wedding last May.

Always kind, always giving back to the community and supporting their friends.

I think their playfulness with one another really displays how they love and click together!

I love you both, look for a surprise in the mail soon!!!! <3 <3 <3

Liesl Diesel

Not only because it’s nice to take in some sunshine from time to time and shoot amazing destination weddings by the ocean or on various islands on the coast, but because my family lives there!

My visit to the beach this past fall was very short, but we squeezed in this quick shoot at Brookgreen Gardens right before I headed to the airport and I am so glad we did!

So what do you do when you have 5 subjects and ten minutes to shoot them?

Find a shady backlit spot and go to town!

This is my gorgeous sister and her family!

Her husband makes the most ridiculous silly faces . . .

I love these kids!!!

Levi is on the run!

Jeff finds a good place to keep Levi in tow . . .

All the ladies!

Smiley sisters!

silly sisters!

Look at this pretty girl! I can't believe we are related!

She looks more like me in this photo . . .

They let Levi down from his treehouse for a quick headshot =)

I love his toothy grin!

Surprise! it's Naomi's headshot time!

These cheeks are no joke!

You can see their engagement session at this link, shot at the Little Theater Rose Garden.

Wedding Coordinator - Memorable Moments

Portrait location - Kingston Plantation

Flowers - Little Shop of Flowers

the resort has beautiful bouncing light everywhere!

.

Dawn is always laughing!

What a perfect evening for portraits, I will post up your amazing reception images soon!

I photographed their engagement session back in June at The Little Theater Rose Garden in Raleigh, NC and designed a custom guest book from the images.

Here are a few of my favorite images, as you can see this wedding is going to be SMILE CITY!!!

Can’t wait to see you both!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Dawn has a contagious smile! I love it!!

Mark is such a joker, he can make Dawn laugh and keep his poker face at the same time :) oh it's going to be fun!

The arena at The Little Theater in Raleigh, NC has some fun graphics to work with!

and of course rose gardens are always à la mode!

You have to check out the video of how Todd popped the question!

I shot their engagement session at The Center at High Falls, Rochester, NY

See all my favorites on facebook, and their proof set on Pictage!

So happy for both of you, can’t wait to see you again soon!

<3

Liesl Diesel

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/rochester-portrait-high-falls/feed/ 1 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/jericho-road-ministries/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/jericho-road-ministries/#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 16:37:33 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=4231 Anna recently hired me to shoot a day in the life of her refugee drop in center in Buffalo, NY.

I spent the day watching hard working people solve problems for refugees who were overwhelmed by issues of paperwork, transportation systems, immunization records, green cards, etc . . . that they simply could not deal with without the help of a translator. In fact, some of their issues would have been hard to solve for an American-born English-speaking citizen!

Anna’s own words on why she founded Hope:

“I co-founded Hope Refugee Services in 2008. After several years working in refugee resettlement, I realized that a huge gap in services existed and this frustrated me. For refugees arriving in Buffalo, the majority of services ended after six months, and for many this was simply not enough time to adapt to life. Literacy is required for life in America more than most people realize. The ability to fill a simple form is needed to get medical care, maintain food stamps, apply for a job, or even rent an apartment. Many refugees can’t speak English let alone read it within that time period. For others, they want to go to college, complete a GED, or buy a house. It bothered me that people were falling through the cracks. It was unacceptable to me that people came here to start a new life and got caught up in the cycle of poverty, especially when it could be addressed or avoided.

Hope Refugee Services opened its doors to provide services to refugees for whom services were otherwise unavailable. Our intention was to provide a continuum of service to our clients. We are the only post-resettlement agency in Buffalo. Our cornerstone program is the Hope Refugee Drop In Center, which is open to clients three days a week. It is not traditional case management. A client comes in, identifies their own problem and we help them find a solution to that problem. Every day is a surprise and we do anything from referrals, scheduling appointments, and filling out forms. We also started an afterschool program for middle schoolers, a home ownership program, an adult education program, a sewing project, and an urban gardening initiative. All of our programs were designed in dialogue with refugee communities, to make sure they addressed each need as effectively as possible

I chose the name Hope, because I wanted to see hope restored to our clients. I wanted to bring hope to our wider community. I wanted the refugee community to feel that they had a part in their own destiny’s, rather than riding along in a system that was inaccessible.

In 2009, we merged with Jericho Road Ministries, strengthening our programs and infrastructure. This also helped provide sustainability. JRM had several refugee projects as well, including a pregnancy mentoring program, a financial literacy program, and a program working with toddlers for school readiness.

Jericho Road Ministries was named for the parable of the Good Samaritan, running on the Biblical principle of helping others in their time of need. Located on the West side of Buffalo, we currently have three locations. If you are interested in volunteering, you can call 716-348-3000 and ask for Joelle. IF you would like to send a donation, the address is Jericho Road Ministries 184 Barton St Buffalo, NY 14213″

Burmese refugees get off the bus by Jericho Road Ministries

word has quickly spread about the services offered by Hope, and the drop in center stays busy all day

Hope Refugee drop in center

Anna meets with a potential donor.

Her "CAN DO" attitude has taken this service from concept to full fruition! What a lady!

Anna excels at solutions.

Because of their wonderful reputation, the waiting room is full as soon as the doors open!

A social worker and translator work together to help a mother understand how to enroll her child in school, get him there on time and in proper uniform, and have his medical records up to date!

Anna applies for grants in her back office.

The grants help cover expenses and hiring new workers as the center continues to grow and help more refugees!

Anna helps a family with paperwork, with the help of Tha Dah, a Burmese refugee who now works for the center as a translator.

This mother was at the center nearly all day with her three children.

Her children were so well behaved and patient.

Simple things like turning off electricity when someone moves. These small things make a huge difference in the lives of someone who cannot read or speak english.

They keep their files very organized, and their system of helping their clients is very efficient.

It was great to witness the good/effective side of social services. Creating independence, not dependence.

Anna doesn't rhyme with Awesome. but it should.

Anna's commitment to help doesn't end at work.

She rents rooms in her house to refugees who have relocated to Buffalo.

They all get along . . . for the most part =)

This image, I love. I think it describes the caring chaos that forms Anna's life. She is open, and always has room to care for one more person. I love her heart so much. Please consider volunteering or donating to her organization!

I look forward to another year of witnessing some of the BEST LOVE ON EARTH!!!

Click each photo to see tons love expressed in photos!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Erica & Joseph, April 24, 2010

Meg & Kevin, March 20, 2010

Samir & Dharna get engaged

Samir & Dharna, May 29, 2010

The Nance Family at Debordieu

Rachel & Tyler engaged

Rachel & Tyler, December 31, 2010

Kristine & Jonathan engaged

LeRon & Gro Anita Fall in Love

Josh & Mary Anne, March 30, 2010

Peter & Karena, June 5, 2010

Courtney & Chris, September 18, 2010

David & Rhiannon, January 22, 2011

Viral & Ripa's Baby Shower!

Justine & Michael engaged

Justine & Michael, July 17, 2010

Tommy & Caroline, November 6, 2010

Prem & Shahzeen engaged

Prem & Shahzeen Nikah, September 11, 2010

Shahzeen & Prem reception, October 9, 2010

Miss Caroline & The Silver Bean!

Amy & Matt, May 30, 2010

Ben & Becky, July 24, 2010

Vrai family photos!

Baisch Family photos!

Horn Family Photos!

Sarah & Ryan engaged!

Dan & Patsy, September 4, 2010

Ann & John, August 28, 2010

Corey & Ashley, May 2, 2010

Brian & Angela, April 30, 2010

Sunny & Cameron, June 12, 2010

Andrea & Tony, March 27, 2010

Nancy & Jeff, September 25, 2010

Thanks again for the opportunity to work for all of you! I love your faces!

Fall

Love

Falling in Love

LeRon & Gro Anita were visiting the US from Norway and asked me to photograph them while they were here. I split their session with part of the shoot near Market Commons, Myrtle Beach and the other part of the session was at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, SC. It was inspiring to see their love and affection for one another and how they interacted. You can see all my favorites from the shoot on their facebook album.

Look at the people around you this season, and fall in love all over again!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Super special thanks to Velynda from Two Chicks & a Pod for being my lighting assistant!

If you follow my blog at all, you know I love sparkling things, so I was pretty happy when I saw these leaves!

I love the fall so much! This is what November is like in Myrtle Beach, gorgeous!

They were surprisingly good tango dancers!

LeRon looks at me after making Gro Anita laugh, I love this glance.

light!

<3

Off to Boone Hall! A very cool historical location.

This place is very much worth a visit if you are in the area!

Tons of crazy famous movies were filmed here and the tours are very well done

The spanish moss and live oaks that line the lane leading to Boone Hall Plantation are so beautiful!

love birds!

This season, dance with someone you love!

laugh together

Fall in Love

Thank you for letting me capture your love, Leron & Gro Anita! I hope to see you again soon!

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/fall-in-love/feed/ 4 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/baby-shower-photographer/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/baby-shower-photographer/#comments Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:33:13 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=3144 Viral & Ripa recently hired me to photograph the shower for their first baby! They were referred to me by Dharna & Samir, two positively delightful people I got to photograph this past May!

Baby K’s first big party was held at the Elk Grove Belvedere Banquet Hall

Ripa paid great attention to detail for this fun event! I loved the Ty Beanie Baby center pieces!

Cake by Sugar Hills Bakery

Now their album design is nearly finished and I can’t wait to photograph Baby K’s newborn portraits in a few months! It is sure to be a CUTENESS OVERLOAD!!!

<3

Liesl Diesel

Ripa is a beautiful glowing mother!

I can't wait to see how cute her baby will be!

Viral is so debonaire!

I love this, they look so regal and so ready for a baby! Hopefully these good looks will endure when they start losing sleep :)

The Belvedere has an awesome foyer!

Beanie Baby Centerpieces!!!!

The contrast of elegance and baby theme in the decor was so fun! Ripa really pulled together an amazing event!

This novelty cake was perfect!

And of course, no shower is complete without a baby poop diaper game! hahah!

Congratulations, Ripa & Viral. You two will be beautiful parents and you will love watching your child grow!

]]> http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/baby-shower-photographer/feed/ 5 http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/courtney-chriss-hilton-head-island-get-away-wedding/ http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/courtney-chriss-hilton-head-island-get-away-wedding/#comments Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:43:43 +0000 Liesl http://liesldieselphoto.com/blog/?p=2980 Courtney & Chris planned their intimate island getaway wedding in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

For the venue they rented a gorgeous mansion on the beach that was a perfect backdrop for their ceremony.

Flowers by A Floral Affair

Cake by Signes Bakery

Linens & Tableware by Savannah Classic Party Rentals

Catered by Downtown Catering Company

Gorgeous beachfront mansion

I loved this outdoor set up, the light was so beautiful that day!

shoes & stripes

beautiful antique lace gown

Courtney helps the flower girl get ready :)

Courtney's twin sister watches her get her wedding gown on.

shadows

dress detail

lace detail

Courtney's eyes are such a clear green, so beautiful!

so elegant

clear confidence

these wedding flowers were so beautiful, I love the contrast in colors!

walk down the aisle of palm trees!

Courtney's brother was ordained just to marry them!

Loved the shape of her dress!

Chris's brother was notarized so he could seal the marriage!

centerpiece

simple orchids, so lovely!

The cake was such a simple, perfect design.

palm trees in the night sky

first dance!

Chris has a celebratory cigar with his father and brother at the end of the night!

We shot some day after portraits in Hilton Head by the beautiful spanish moss!

What a beautiful couple! Congratulations Courtney & Chris!