Before their wedding, the last time I saw these two was in January 2020 for their engagement session in NYC. The world was a completely different place then, but I’m so happy we squeaked by just in the knick of time. Their wedding was *supposed* to be in May of 2020, but obviously that didn’t happen. They went ahead and had a small ceremony, but postponed to May 2021 for a badass party. Lauren and Eric, I’m so happy your day finally rolled around and you got to have the celebration you waited SO FREAKING LONG for. We lucked out with amazing weather (especially for late May in Charleston) and had such a laidback day. Thank you for choosing me to document your day, and keeping me along for the ride! Love you guys!! Photographer @saraboydphoto Planner @macandb Florals @freshweddings_chs Venue @pphgevents Band @partywithsts Hair/Makeup @pamperedandprettyxo Strings @palmettostrings Rentals @oohevents @snyderevents 
Not only were Alexis' florals absolutely STUNNING... They were also pupper approved! 🐶💐 If you're thinking “Sara what the heck are you talking about!?” then you absolutely have to do yourself a favor and scroll to the last image because otherwise you are seriously missing out. I mean, the most gorgeous citrus details and the best wedding inspiration EVER are pretty cool too I guess but y'know... dogs. 💁♀️ -- Seriously though, everything about this day was a dream! Every single vendor completely knocked it out of the park; they're all so skilled and I can't recommend them enough, and I'm super grateful i got the opportunity to be a part of such a badass team of creative powerhouses. Working alongside so much talent always feels like the biggest compliment! Venue: Lazy S Hacienda, @lazyshacienda Planner: Maxwell + Gray, @maxwellandgray HaMU: Jessica Stoughton, @muah_jessicastoughton Florist: The Floral Eclectic, @thefloraleclectic Dress: AnnaBe, @annabe.texas Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals, @poshcouturerentals Cake: Butterfly Cakery, @butterflycakery Stationary: Sincerely Addison, @sincerelyaddison Models: Alexis Peterson, @alexispetersonn and Corey Durocher, @coreydurocher Churros: Encanto Pops, @encantopops Floral Preservation: Designs by Andrea, @designs.by.andrea Earrings: Accessory Jane, @accessoryjane 
If someone would have told me a year ago that I’d be creating LGBTQ+ styled shoots in a state that I’ve lived in for less than a year…and a historically conservative state…I’d say you’re nuts. Normally when you move to a new place, you lay low, try to fit in, not ruffle any feathers. Well, apparently I missed that memo. WHOOPS. On Sunday I produced my second LGBTQ+ styled shoot and I’m just now realizing how big of a feat that was. Styled shoots are a huge undertaking, especially during this insane busy season I’ve had with weddings, but somehow I managed to execute a shoot that surpassed my wildest dreams. It was not without the help of an incredible creative team though, for whom I am immensely grateful. And my husband, of course, who keeps me sane and brings me snacks when I’m hangry. For this shoot, I wanted a mixture of Modern Tropical vibes and Palm Springs glamour. I wanted to push the envelope beyond LGBTQ+ couples, and include trans women too. Representation matters, and although cisgendered heterosexual couples are beautiful, we all know exactly what that looks like. I invited 12 photographers to participate in this shoot, so that they could increase representation in their own work too. LGBTQ+ couples need a signal that they will be safe with their wedding vendors, and if you don’t have them represented in your work, they aren’t likely to reach out. I created these styled shoots with the vision of increasing representation in my own work, but also giving other vendors/photographers the chance to do the same. A huge thank you to all of my models who trusted a random stranger on instagram. I went down a hashtag rabbit hole to find them, and I’m so happy they responded and wanted to be involved. All of the sweat they endured on Sunday will do wonders for the LGBTQ+ community in the wedding industry. I’ll be sharing more from this shoot in the future, but for now, here are a selection of my favorites so far. Thanks in advance for your support! Vendor Team @saraboydphoto @alliededitorials @thefloraleclectic @vim.and.venture @bellacavallievents @amarie_makeup_artistry @annabe.texas @poshcouturerentals @bethanyslettershop @sweetthingsdfw 
HAPPY NATIONAL BEST FRIENDS DAY! 🎉 The way Lainee + Kadie look at eachother is the most beautiful thing -- this may have been a styled shoot, but that connection is SO real. It's the kind of look that makes everything else in the room melt away — they're so wrapped up in eachothers love that nobody and nothing else matters, and you can't help but fall in love with their love, too. It's so electric! The ULTIMATE proof that you shouldn’t settle for anything less than marrying your best friend. E V E R. Designed and Hosted by @saraboydphoto Florals by @irisandireefloral Venue @umbra_winery Stationary by @lonestarletter Hair and Makeup by @getprettywithkylie Picnic provided by @mypopuppicnic Cake by @chelseas_cakery Linens from @amlinenrental Rentals from @lootrentals Dresses and floral cape from @elizabethleebridal⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Real couple @laineebosquez @kadie_bolton1101 
During busy season travelling around can make me so tired but DANG... This wedding was SO worth the journey. ✈️ The last time I posted from this wedding I shared my love for the amazing work that @thepetalreport and @wearepetaloso created with the floral design (seriously - SO👏 MUCH👏 TALENT👏) but honestly... gotta also hand it to mother earth! The way that the gardens in Magnolia ERUPT with so many different colors, shapes and textures is so breathtaking and I have noooo idea how she does it (where does she find the time!?😅) Nature is such a beautiful mystery to me and sometimes I definitely take it for granted, but i'm so grateful for Alex and Russell giving me the opportunity to re-connect with the beautiful landscape of Charleston. This season is definitely my favorite and I'm thankful that i'm getting to soak up so much of it whilst i'm moving around! My goal for next year is to manifest more opportunities to shoot ceremonies dripping with flowers... Where are your favorite gardens in Texas or venues with amazing floral vibes that I can write down? My journal needs your help! 🌸 Couple @xandra_franks @rsquared88 Planner @thepetalreport Florist @wearepetaloso @plantsalive Venue @magnoliaplantationweddings Bar @squeezecocktails Cake @abcdcakemake Rentals @snyderevents @oohevents @latavolalinen Lighting @iesproductions Hair @wildivorybeauty Makeup @cherylquinnmakeup Transportation @lowcountryvalet Entertainment @holycitystrings @powerhousenextgeneration 
This was one of my FAVORITE moments from Jill and Preston's engagement session - like, Oh my gosh, the sunset could NOT have hit more perfectly. 🌅 If you're a fellow photographer I'm sure you've felt this before... when the golden hour glow comes in at EXACTLY the right time, and you start internally freaking out because you know how great the photos are going to turn out but you have to restrain every single cell in your body to maintain your composure in fear of looking like an absolute crazy person? Yep... definitely one of those moments.😅 This session was filled with so much magic and I can't wait to see how the sun shines for you on your big day! couple: @jillboren + @prestonr7 
IT’S PRIDE MONTH Y’ALL 🌈🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Somehow over the course of my career, I’ve landed in two conservative states where some venues and vendors choose not to accept LGBTQ+ couples. Well, I say that’s BULL👏🏻SHIT👏🏻 If you’re new around here - hi, I’m Sara and I fucking love the LGBTQ+ community. (Me waiting 3 seconds to let people unfollow me because of that last sentence) It’s pride month y’all and I can’t wait to celebrate the shit out of LGBTQ+ love. I am still learning day by day how to do my part as a heterosexual cisgender woman, but at least I’m trying, right? Some days I get it wrong, but I’m always open to constructive conversation. I don’t know the exact moment when I became such a big champion for LGBTQ+ love, but I do remember the exact moment I made that decision for my business. I was sitting in the car, after @merlyscarhart & @emmyb2117 engagement session, and I made an IG story about how I was feeling. I remember battling between sharing their session, or keeping it hidden for fear of losing clientele. In that moment, I distinctly remember having the realization that the clientele I would lose over sharing their session were the exact people I didn’t want to attract. That the people who have hate in their heart for LGBTQ+ people are not my people. From that time on, I’ve made my love for the LGBTQ+ community known loud and clear. This year I decided to start a new venture called @alliededitorials . I’ve been a wedding photographer since 2012, and since that time I’ve seen little progress in the wedding industry in terms of inclusivity. I set out to conceptualize a series of styled shoots featuring real life LGBTQ+ couples and solo LGBTQ+ models to increase representation beyond what we’re all accustomed to seeing - which is white heterosexual couples that fit the stereotype for beauty. My next one is coming up this weekend and I’m thrilled to be surrounded by so much love ❤️ Photo by fellow LGBTQ+ ally @melissaclairephoto 
I love this shot of Jamie and Patrick sooo much because they are GLOWING and Jamie has one of those smiles that effortlessly lights up the whole room and you can tell that everybody is feeling her light. Cheers to the new week! 🥂If you can, take some time to yourself today (this is your sign from the universe if you feel like you need permission!) Recently I've been re-evaluating where i want to put my time, and I think for photographers it's super important for us to take time off for ourselves whenever we can (especially during wedding season!) because the burnout is reallllll, and I think we forget too easily that we are creatives who need that inspired headspace to shine! Self-care should be a necessity, not a reward, and there really is no merit in grinding if at the end of the day you can't relax and enjoy what you've worked so hard for. It's all about finding the balance and even though that's sooo much harder than it sounds it's beyond worth it. I triple dog dare you to take some time for yourself today because you deserve to glow as hard as @jamie7johnson. ✨ Couple @jamie7johnson + @bingawerp Planner @wrenandchickevents Venue @thecottagesoncharlestonharbor Florals @branchstudio Live Stream @avconnections String Quartet @charlestonvirtuosi Officiant @christyloftin Hair @morebeckyhair Makeup @jmaddox67 
My FAVORITE thing about engagement sessions is that I feel less like my job is a photographer, more like “Professional third-wheel” and you have noooo idea how freaking HAPPY that makes me. 😭 I love getting to feed off your energy -- it's beyond infectious and I had the MOST fun shooting Megan and Denise because they could NOT stop laughing. Like... the entire time. It felt like one big adventure and took me back to being a kid again, like I was playing around with my best friends without a care in the world and I was smiling from ear to ear for the whole session. There are honestly times where I catch myself thinking “Dang... I can't believe i'm getting PAID to do this!?” because I'm so overflowing with joy and not a second feels like work. 🎉 It's sessions like this that make me fall head over heels in love with my job again and again, not just because they're reminders of how awesome it is that I get to make a living off such a dream but because nothing makes me happier than getting to see y'all overflowing with all the love you deserve. Take inspiration from @megscarolina and @deniser0423... Fall in love and marry your best friend. You deserve it. 🤘🏽