Going to a concert at the Orange Peel? | Asheville, NC Photographers

Hey y'all! So I decided that I should write about something that relates very closely to Asheville.   
Music!!! 

Pretty much everyone in Asheville lives and breathes music. And the best way to experience music is through a live show! 

Of course everyone wants to look their best for a show, you never know when you'll meet the band or the love of your life. So here are a few tips for y'all!

At a lot of music venues it is hard to keep up with coats. So the first tip is to maybe consider not wearing a coat and just embracing the art of layers. My preferred layering method is a t-shirt or tank, then a light cardi, and then a thicker cardi or lightweight jacket over it.

Next tip, don't be nervous to throw in some color and prints! You are at a show, what better reason do you need to show your wild side! Mix and match and be fearless. You want to stand out and share the spotlight with the band.

Thirdly, bring the perfect bag! A good medium sized bag that has some stretch to it is perfect. You can fit your layers in it when you start getting a little toasty and have room for a camera, tickets, wallet, and whatever else you may need!

 

Here's a few shows that are on my list. Maybe I'll see y'all there!

Have fun and dance the night away!

 Cold War Kids on Feb 4^th @ the Orange Peel

 Lotus on Feb 5^th @ the Orange Peel

Excision on Feb 24^th @ the Orange Peel

My 828Senior Experience | Hendersonville, NC Senior Photographers

Hear about my senior model program from an 828Senior Model herself.  

Guest blogger Shelby Roets.

This year I had the greatest opportunity of not only having my Senior pictures taken by Billie Mitchell, but also being part of the 828Senior modeling group. 

All of Billie's photos are amazing. No matter what she photograph,s she always captures the true beauty in the picture, while making all the colors vividly eye catching. 

Being in the 828Senior group is something I'm personally so glad I did. It was just another opportunity in life to bring me out of my shell even more, and add to my confidence level, which I have struggled with for most of my life. 

One of the biggest things I loved about being an 828Senior model was that Billie always had all these fun, adventurous and colorful ideas for us. For example, the 4th of July photo shoot. After taking photos at a different location previously, we all ended up back at her house and had a paint war in her yard.  It was one of the coolest things I have ever done!

Being an 828Senior Model gives many more perks than just having one session with Billie. In the end you have so many different photos to chose from when she spreads them all out for you to see, it becomes the most difficult decision because every beautiful photo is wanted to be hung up in your living room with love.

Billie made my senior year so special for my family and I.

Not only did I receive the most perfect senior pictures, but I made a life long friend!

It makes my heart happy to read "life long friend" in your post.  The feeling is mutual Shelby.  I have enjoyed every minute of having you in front of my camera.  I've enjoyed our time together without the camera even more.  Thank you so much for being apart of my team this year.  It's been such and amazing journey.  One that I will be so sad to see end in a few months when all of you graduate.   

                                                                                                       xoxo,

Blanket Scarves | Asheville, NC Fashion Trends

I'm so excited to tell you about a new series we are starting here on the blog. I've been wanting to have something like this for a long time.  Unfortunately I'm not really qualified to write this series, so I have been searching for a guest blogger to help me out with it.  I'm happy to say that I have finally found the perfect person to help me out with this project.

So what is this series I'm talking about?

Style and Fashion Trend Posts!

Many of you have seen my posts on Instagram and Facebook about the boutique that I'm partnering with in Asheville.  I head to Asheville every month with some of my senior models to photograph the latest fashion trends.  While shooting these fashion shoots, I met Amy.  She styles all of the shoots for us.  She is so great at putting together some amazing looks.  She creates lots of interest in the outfits we model by layering many great  pieces & accessories together to create the perfectly complete outift.

I will stop jabbering now and introduce you to Amy!

 

Alright ladies! So in case you haven’t been on Pinterest yet or seen this out about, the hot item of the season is….blanket scarves! They come in all different colors and shapes, and are one of the coziest trends!

You can find these scarves at a few little boutiques downtown, including our very own Charmed! Aerie is also rumored to have a few, so check out the mall.

There are a few different kinds of blanket scarves; there are the enormous plaid ones that can actually be used as blankets and as chunky scarves. There are other ones that are still large as well but slightly less traditional (like this beautiful Aztec one!). And last, but certainly not least, there are scarves that are on a slightly more practical level and are a bit smaller in scale.

These scarves are wonderful for so many different reasons. They can be a simple accent to any outfit and all you need to complete a look. The chunky style adds warmth and color in the easiest of ways.

 

Check out this fun YouTube video for a few styling tips on how to wear your very own!!!

Blanket Scarves

My favorite style that I absolutely cannot wait to try is the scarf/belt combo!
Such a cute look and it allows for variation during the day!

Enjoy these tips! 

Until next time,   

                        Amy

                                                                                  Keeping Asheville charming at Charmed

Do you love the blanket scarf trend?  

Where have you been able to find them to purchase? 

 What's your favorite way to wear them?

Eye Behind the Camera by Guest Blogger Shelly Arnold

I asked my girlfriend to take our Christmas card pictures this fall. Then, as if that wasn't stressful enought for her, I asked her to write a guest blog post for my blog. A post sharing her experience being on the other side of the lens for a change. Below are her thoughts.

Have you ever seen something and thought, “Oh, I can do that!” Well let me tell you, taking candid pictures is a whole lost easier than taking professional shots. Believe me, especially when you are taking the photographer’s family pictures.

Recently, I had the opportunity to be behind the camera instead of in front. I was asked to take Billie’s family pictures. I know you are asking yourself, “Billie doesn’t have a family picture?” Think about it, she is so busy taking all those wonderful pictures of all of us, she never get the opportunity to get her family’s picture taken. She asked, so how could I say no.

The day was beautiful. I was nervous. I had big shoes to fill. You have seen her pictures, you all know what I mean. What if I didn’t get the “shot” she wants for her family picture? The pressure!

What amazed me was she was the crazy one stressed out on how to do her hair, the kids, and if you know Dennis…Dennis. Needless to say, it was fun snapping pictures. The individual ones where a whole lot easier to take than the group shot. I got more outtake pictures of her family than one with everyone looking at the camera. When we finished that afternoon, there were 300+ pictures taken. I got a little carried away snapping. In my defense, she took the camera and took some individual shots of the kids, so not all 300+ pictures were just me. Well maybe 250!

I left the next part up to her…editing. Here are a few pictures I took that day.

This is Billie talking from here on.

Shelly captured some great shots! I always show you all the pretty stuff around here. Just for fun, today I thought I would share more of the outtakes with you.

Some of the boys being dorky!

Some of my weird picture taking habits wearing off on Shelly!

Pictures of feet!

Who can resist these adorable little boots though?

 

AND just a little more silliness!

OK. Now I'll show you the pretty picture!

And this is the final product of our little Sunday afternoon photo shoot!




Shelly thank you so much for doing this for me. I so appreciate it. You did such a great job! Especially for your first attempt. And for what you had to work with!

Now that you have your own DSLR, you can start doing our pictures on a more regular basis. By the time next fall rolls around, you will be a pro! You can practice on my kids like I have yours for months!