November 2013 Archive

Among the many blessings in my life, this Thanksgiving I am thankful for all of my clients that have made Candace Nelson Photography such a HUGE success!!!  Since beginning my business in September 2009, I have seen such rapid growth that I can hardly keep up!  God has blessed my business and I am extremely thankful as I reflect back!  To show my appreciation to all of my clients that have shared my images with family and friends, for all the referrals that you have given, and for all the compliments on my images, I am offering a “Thankful” special…..50% off Complete Digital Collections for all sessions completed in 2009 through 2012 (excludes all 2013 sessions).  I have lots of memories stored up on my computer and I want you to have them!  At the turn of the new year, I will be cleaning my computer of all sessions that are older than 12 months, but you can secure these memories forever by purchasing the high resolution files from your session(s) done prior to January 1, 2013.  Message me on FB or email me at candace@candacenelsonphotography.com by Sunday November 30, 2013 and I will get your dvd of images ready for you by Christmas!!!

This will make a great Christmas present!  You will receive a dvd of all high resolution images, edited and ready for printing, as well as the copyright release to the images!  Print them, post them, whatever you want to do with them, but most importantly have these memories secured for a lifetime!  Best of all, it’s 50% off!  Thank you to all who have helped make Candace Nelson Photography the success it is today!!!

Ashley is truly that girl who had a dream of a being a princess for a day and having a fairytale wedding… and her dream came true thanks to her vision and her family and friends who played a huge role in making that dream come true!  I was in awe when I saw her at her bridal session!  My little girl saw Ashley’s bridal images on my computer and said, “Mama, I think that’s the prettiest bride I’ve ever seen”!  Ashley, truly looked like a princess and she has the sweetest heart, just like I imagine any princess would have!  She and Josh are truly a blessing to know & I am so thankful David and I were able to capture these sweet, special memories from their wedding day!  Read on to see the sweet story about how they met, how Josh proposed – it is sooooo sweet!!! Love is such a beautiful thing God allows us to share with one another and I am always in awe when I get to witness the sweet love between my couples!!  Ashley and Josh have such a sweet love for each other and they certainly are each other’s happiness!  I look forward to seeing them live out their Happily Every After!!

How did you meet and how long did you date? Tell me your love story.     We met in 2012 during spring break my Junior year of college. My friend’s boyfriend was staying with a group of guys, including Josh, and we ended up hanging out with them a lot!! It turns out the guys were staying at Josh’s parents’ place. Somehow I had known this group of people my entire time in college, but I had never met him. I assume it was because he had graduated before I came to Troy. We were all having such a great time! Plus, this cute guy (Josh) kept coming over to pick a few of us girls up and drive us just about anywhere we wanted! Towards the middle of the week Josh asked me if I wanted to go out on his boat to Shell Island with him and several friends. My friend, Michelle, and a few others were also going, so I agreed to go. We had so much fun. I couldn’t help noticing how nice Josh was. Not just to me, but to his friends too. While the girls were laying out, Michelle kept telling me about Josh and that she thinks he really likes me. She said he was a great guy and I had nothing to worry about. I decided right then and there that Josh would be around as long as he would stay. We were inseperable that trip. As all good things do, the week came to an end. I knew he liked me, but I wasn’t sure if he was ready to be serious. Well, on my way home I got my answer. I got a text that quoted lyrics from a popular song by The Wanted. He said “My universe will never be the same. I’m glad you came.” Meaning, he was so happy we both came on this trip and met. That song meant so much to us that we had a string quartet play it as I walked down the aisle. It was so special. Another fun fact: I had the words “I’m Glad You Came” written on the inside of his ring. It was a surprise to him.

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old and new? If so, do tell!     I hand made my brooch bouquet. Several of the brooches were from both mine and Josh’s family. The stem of the bouquet was wrapped with the sleeve of my mom’s wedding dress.

What three words would you use to describe the style of your wedding?     Fairytale, pumpkins, sparkleTell me all about the proposal!     Josh and I took a trip to New York for the New Year. We stayed 5 blocks from Times Square., it was amazing! Especially for a southern girl like myself. Everything was so bright and new and exciting! On New Years Eve, he told me he had a fancy dinner planned at the restaurant inside Central Park. As we arrived in Central Park, we walked over this pretty bridge. I thought it was odd that there weren’t many people around since Central Park is pretty busy, especially on New Years Eve. He stopped on the bridge and started talking to me. (I think this might be the moment when I knew something might be happening.) He pulled out a crystal glass slipper from his peacoat with my engagement ring placed inside it. It was breathtaking! He asked the question, I said yes, and then we embraced! As we were hugging I heard a lot of clicking. I noticed a man taking pictures of us. I whispered, “Is he taking pictures of us?” Josh just smiled that beautiful smile that I love. He had set all of this up without me knowing. After the moment, Josh said “Now we have a 2 hour engagement photoshoot!” I guess not many people can say they had their engagement pictures taken as they were getting engaged! It was absolutely perfect! From the glass slipper, to the snow patches on the ground, I wouldn’t change one thing. It was truly my very own fairytale proposal. Our favorite detail of the wedding was:    Josh- the church pews in the open field… Ashley- the arbor lushly decorated with flowers

If you did a “first glance”, are you glad you made the decision to do so? Why?     Yes Yes YES! We were so nervous during the ceremony that neither of us really remember too much about it. However, before the ceremony, we were really able to take in how each other looked and how we felt in that moment without worrying who was watching. We were able to take portraits without being rushed to get to the reception. After the ceremony we actually beat our guests there! It was nice to be able to welcome them in.Bride, how would you describe the groom?    Josh is the most patient, caring, selfless man I know. He loves to surprise me and makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. He doesn’t meet a stranger or anyone who doesn’t automatically love him. He is my happiness.

Groom, how would you describe your bride?     Ashley is my happiness. When she is with me, I feel complete. I fall more and more in love with her everyday. Her smile and her personality make me who I am. I could not have asked for someone better to spend the rest of my life with. I love her unconditionally.   What is your fondest memory of your wedding day?     Hearing the horses hooves against the ground. There was complete silence other than that. It was so surreal. Time moved in slow motion.Describe your favorite thing(s) about your reception:     The array of food on the tables was wonderful! The cakes were both beautiful and delicious! Also, we loved hearing our best man and maid of honor give their speeches. Ceremony & Reception Venue: Bride’s Parents’ Home | Florist: C & B Florist, along with Stacie Edgar, decorator |Wedding Cakes: Foster Street Baker, Tara Wilson in Dothan, Al | Ceremony Musicians: Con Amore’ Quartet of Enterprise, Al | Reception DJ: Allen Scofield | Special Details (reception favors, etc): White chocolate covered caramel apples- made by bride’s mom and Sharon Grimes – party favors for the guests | Bride’s Gown: Stella York, The Bridal Loft in Pensacola, Fl | Bride’s Shoes: Hand rhinestoned purchased from Etsy | Hair Stylist: Tisha Richardson of Merle Norman in Opp, Al | Makeup Artist: Michelle Moody | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff, Bridal Elegance in Dothan, Al | Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Black by Vera Wang, Men’s Wearhouse | Paper Products: Wiregrass Weddings, Elba, Al (Save-the-dates, invitations, programs, confetti envelopes, favor tags) | Additional Vendors: Cinderella carriage and white horses – Capitol City Carriage Service, Montgomery, AlWhat’s next for you as a couple?   What are you most looking forward to about married life?     We are both excited about settling down in our very first home together. We will reside in Troy, AL. Josh continues his career as an insurance adjuster, and I am excited to start mine as a 2nd grade teacher at Pike Liberal Arts School. We are looking forward to having and raising children in this town, but for now, Marilyn (our fur-baby) is enough to keep us busy!

To see more fun from Ashley & Josh’s special day, click HERE!!

I am SO thankful for all of the people that prayed for and/or contributed to this year’s WOD for Water {Troy, AL}!!!  It was a great event, full of fun and competition!  However, the prize was much bigger than a 1^st place trophy, the prize was being part of something much, much bigger!  Through the generosity of everyone who participated, sponsored and volunteered for this year’s WOD for Water, we blew the lid off of our goal and raised $35,000!!!  This will allow for 14 clean water wells to be built in India in 2014!!!

The population of India is 1,238,361,000, that’s billion with a “b”!!!  According to Joshua Project, 91.1% is unreached, meaning no community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group.  That’s 1,128,146,871 people (again, that’s billion with a “b”) that do not have access to the gospel, the true LIVING WATER!!!

As Jesus was speaking to the Samaritan woman in John 4:13-14, in regards to the water she was getting from the well, He answers her saying, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

According to NeverThirst, over 130 million of the people in India are without access to clean water.  Something as simple as clean water, a luxury we take advantage of on a daily basis.  The implications of drinking unclean water are not something to be ignored.  Many people in India and around the world die each day from a lack of simple…clean…water.  What a great idea it is to meet the physical needs of millions of people around the world by giving them clean water, so that we may gain the privilege and opportunity to share with them their greater need…eternal life available through Living Water!

I am humbled and blessed to be a part of this amazing event!  May God be glorified through our efforts!  Thank you all for being a part of God’s plan for believers to be His “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)  You are part of changing someone’s life forever; giving someone across the world, living among poverty, access to clean water…more importantly, access to the true Living Water that only comes through faith in Jesus Christ!  Thank you to Jason, Derek and Troy for organizing this event! Thank you to all of the participants and volunteers – get ready for WOD for Water 2014!!! And thank you to Neverthirst for allowing us to partner with your efforts to provide clean and Living Water to the poor through the local church!