Olivia Griffin Photography

Huge Blog Announcement!

2009-05-20T06:37:00.000-07:00

So I now have a new blog. I had it personally designed for me and I'm so stinkin excited about it. This blog will no longer be updated and you can see all the new stuff at www.oliviagriffin.com so bookmark it now. There are a few kinks being worked out with the "links" and "categories" part, but that should be fixed shortly. I just couldn't wait and I have so much posting to do it's incredible. Please be sure to show me some love in the comments if you like it. Oh, and I decided to start the new blog with the post of my brother's wedding in New Orleans so now you really have to take a look.

Cheers Everyone!!
Olivia

Megan's Bridal

2009-05-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

Wanna hear something funny...I have 4 brides this year named Megan. I don't know, it's funny to me. The best part is that they are all just drop dead gorgeous. Here's my latest Megan in all her splendor. Her wedding was May 1 so I'm safe to post my favorites from her bridal. Megan and her now husband live in Charleston where they are now in residency status for med school. You really don't have to twist my arm to go to Charleston so I was delighted to go there for her bridal. The lighting in Charleston is some of the best out there. You seriously walk down the street and see doorways and alleyways just filled with gorgeous light so that is what we did, walk around the city. I love my job. Please enjoy, no really, I insist. :)

My favorite shot of the day. I love how I just caught her here.

work it, work it

Ok, I LOVE this shot. It reminds me of an NYC wedding photographer that I adore, Christain Oth. He is amazing. I love his work.

Now that my Brides Know...

2009-05-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

I believe it's time I shared the news with everyone else. I've got a bun in the oven. :) Most of my friends and family out there know the news, but there may be some who haven't heard yet so I wanted to make it official. I'm currently 17 weeks along and due October 18th. I find out the first week of June what we are having and let me tell you, it is killing me to find out. I do want to say a special "thank you" to my spring brides who have been so wonderful to me at their weddings. They have been so considerate and gone above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and fed. That has meant more than you could ever know. So without any further delay, here is a shot of me on Mother's Day that Matt took.

Leanne Hiott

2009-05-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

Now that Leanne is a married woman I am free to share some "oh so fabulous" images from her bridal session. Most of my brides know already, but I love, love, LOVE bridal sessions. I live for them, well not really, but you know what I mean. Anyway, Leanne and I decided on downtown G-Vegas for her shoot and she was like up for everything I suggested. Great girl! Holla! I honestly couldn't get enough of that red hair she's got. It just loves the camera, which is why there are no black and whites. I gave her some, but I was in love with the color images because of that hair. AHHHHH gorgeous. Ok, enjoy...

Corey and Will

2009-05-04T15:04:00.000-07:00

First let me say that I'm sorry for my lack of posting lately. This spring season of weddings has kicked my butt to say the least. Don't mistake me, this is not complaining, just explaining. With 12 weddings in April and May alone things have been a little crazy. I have a lot of blogging to do so be watching for more posts this week. :) YAY!

Now to the lovely couple. This is Corey and Will and I'm actually not photographing their wedding. It's ok though, because they are going to Caribbean for that. Hey wait! That's not ok, I should be going with them, right?! Nah it's cool. I'm just happy to have met them because they are so cool. I love it when a bride calls me and says, "I want something different that you haven't done." uuuh ok, SOLD! That is exactly what we did. I told Corey about this run down parking lot near my house (no i don't live in the ghetto) and that I wanted to take a bride and groom there. I also took her to another secret location that another bride had introduced me to and I won't reveal its location until after her wedding. hee hee sneaky, I know. Anyway, both locations were a hit and we had a great time

Thanks Corey and Will and have fun in the sun!
Liv

Emily's Bridal

2009-04-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

Now that she's a married woman I believe it's time to post some of my favs from her bridal session. :) Emily is from Pauline SC, which is a little town outside of Spartanburg. I've seriously falling in love with this little area since meeting Emily and Mark. I first met them in Pauline for their engagement session on Mark's parent's property and Emily decided to do her bridal at the same place and I was more than pleased by this decision. I seriously could not get enough of this red barn or this gorgeous bride. :)

Ok enjoy!
Liv

Maryann + Marcus 3.28.09

2009-04-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

This has been a crazy spring to say the least. Just in the last three weeks I've had six weddings, but I'm seriously not complaining. I couldn't be happier for the business especially in this economy. :) Maryann and Marcus were my first couple to start off this season so I'm super excited to share their images with you. These two love birds were married at St Paul United Methodist in downtown Greenville with the reception following at The Sawmill.

Now a little about the lovely couple. Maryann is this cute little thang and Marcus just towers over her. I love it because it reminds me of Matt and that he is 6'2" to my 5'1". They were super adorable the whole day with big smiles and soft touches. These two are truly bffs on top of everything else. They've been together for 7 years and went to Clemson University together, which is near and dear to my heart because that is where I met Matt.

On a side note, Maryann wanted me to give a special shout out to all her friends and family that helped with everything and made it all come together for her and Marcus. Thanks guys!

Anyway, now for some fab shots from their day. I hope you enjoy and to Maryann and Marcus - thanks so much for everything, you were a delight to work with. :)
Liv

The flowers are by The Flower Peddler. I think they did a fab job.

The lovely cake is by Coutoure Cakes. They are one of my favorite cake makers in G-Vegas.

Megan (Greene) Fezio

2009-04-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

Well it has finally happened. My younger brother is now married! :) I couldn't be more excited and happy for him. He and Megan are a great pair and I am so honored to have played a part in their special day. I could write a lot in this post about their relationship and how special they are to me, but I'm saving that for their wedding post. This post is focused on Megan and how amazingly beautiful she is. Since the wedding is now over it's safe to share my favorite shots from her bridal session that I did at the beginning of March. My bff Allison was so kind to make the trip with me down to New Orleans for the shoot and some quality time with my brother and his bride.

Megan is just radiant in her dress and I so enjoyed photographing her. The camera loves her. The best part is that she is just as beautiful on the inside and I see exactly why John Mark snatched her up. :)

Megan, I so enjoyed every minute with you and I can't wait to see you over Thanksgiving.
Liv

MaryAnn

2009-04-06T14:38:00.000-07:00

I'm Back! My brother was married this past weekend in New Orleans. I cannot wait to show you some of those images. What joy! But first I must share some fabulous images I took of MaryAnn for her bridal session back in February. She and Marcus where married on March 28th, which is why I'm just now posting these. I promised not to post them before the wedding even though I've been dying to. :)

Enjoy!

Kristin's Bridal

2009-04-03T07:08:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm in New Orleans for my brother's wedding, but of course I have my trusted laptop so I can stay connected. Anyway, poor Kristin has been patiently waiting to see her teasers for a couple of weeks now. I've just been so slammed with traveling every week and pretty much a shoot every day that I just haven't had the chance to get this uploaded.

Kristin is actually getting married in Vegas and has a photographer lined up for her out there, but she wanted me to do the bridal at Wofford for her. Wofford is a special place for her and her man so it was appropriate. The day of her shoot it was pouring down rain, but we were able to use our resources and managed to have a great shoot.

Thanks Kristin and have a great time in Vegas.
Olivia

Emily and Mark

2009-03-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I met up with Emily and Mark for their E-Session out in Pauline. That's right, I said Pauline. It's just the cutest area with farmland for miles out near Spartanburg. I loved it. I instantly wanted to relax as soon as I got there. It's just a laid back area. We met at Mark's parent's house and did the shoot on their property. We had everything from the split rail fence to the red barn. Does it get any better? Now I realize I've gone on and on about Pauline, but Emily and Mark were just as laid back as the area and we had no problem getting things rolling in front of the camera. Thanks guys!

Oh, and this post just wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention Steve (Mark's black cat) and Molly (Mark's golden retriever). Both were fabulous subjects and gave us great entertainment during the shoot. :)

Shay at 6 months

2009-03-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

I really don't think babies get any cutier than this little one. I've been photographing Shay since he was a newborn and it has been so wonderful watching him grow and develop. He is definitely a mover and a shaker at this point. I had to be so quick to catch those cute smiles and laughs.

I can't wait for the next update. Now enjoy some images.
Liv

Leanne + Chad E-Session (more fun than they thought)

2009-03-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

I met up with Leanne and Chad last week in downtown G-Vegas for their shoot. They had requested a classic downtown shoot so we hit up all the spots that got my career started. That was a funny sentence to type, but it's true. :) Anyway, we hit the pavilion, the famous rooted tree, and the coca cola sign. I should also mention that these two were dressed to impress. I walked up and Leanne was in this uber fabulous yellow sundress that I so envy. It was so beautiful. And let's not forget our handsome groom in a seersucker suit! Little does he know, but he just beefed up my portfolio. hee hee

Well, I just had the best time with these two. As the shoot was ending they said, "well this was a lot more fun than we thought it would be." LOL I thought that was so great. You know I'm sure it's super weird to all of a sudden be thrown in front of a camera with someone you barely know. They said they were just a little nervous, but I put them at ease and they had a great time. :) I honestly can't think of a better compliment from my clients. I hope that is always the case...that they always have more fun than they thought they would.

Thanks you two and I can't wait for your big day. :)
Liv

Rachelle and Sean E-Session

2009-03-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

Rachelle and I hit it off right away when we met for the first time last year. I mean seriously, she's a complete "knock out"! Aside from her fabulous looks, she is just the sweetest, coolest girl and I've had a blast getting to know her. :)

So about these two. I met up with them a couple weeks ago and we realized right away that this session was going to be different. There was terrible weather outside, but it was seriously my last free Saturday until the end of June and I certainly didn't want them not to have an engagement session just because of my crazy schedule. So we opted to do the session all indoors. We hit the Poinsett Hotel and a parking garage near by. When I got home and brought the images up on the computer I was so pleasantly surprised.

Oh and before I forget, the green dress that Rachelle is wearing was her grandmothers. I think that is so incredibly special. She looks absolutely amazing in it and she didn't even have to have it altered. I think I could probably only get my thigh in that waistline. LOL So without further adieu here are some images from their session.

Amanda and Dave E-Sesssion

2009-03-03T09:31:00.000-08:00

I knew the moment I spoke to Dave on the phone that I was going to have a good time at their shoot. He was so full of personality and wasn't shy at all. Two things I really like. :) So I was equally excited when they said they really wanted a shoot out in the country and they had a friend that owned a bunch of land that we could wander about on. This place is now tucked away as a location secret. HA!

Anyway, these two were a lot of fun. I think we laughed the whole time and they must of thought I was cool or something because they loved all my ideas. Personally, I thought they were way cooler just because they wanted to do everything. Can you ask for more?

Amanda and Dave already have a fabulous wedding photographer lined up so I'm honored to do their engagement and Amanda's bridal to follow.

Thanks guys...now enjoy some photos.

Liv

I love his spots. :)

We found this abandoned run down house near by and I just couldn't get enough of it.

My favorite shot of the day. Not sure why, but just loved it. :)

winter wonder land

2009-03-02T08:11:00.001-08:00

We seriously never get snow like this in the south. I was so stoked to see this when we got up this morning. It's one of the best snows I've seen in years. Matt got the day off from teaching since all the schools were closed. What can I say, in the south everything shuts down for a little snow. :) Here is our house and our golden having a blast and matt walking up the street. Unfortunately our neighbor's cars down the street had a run-in with a couple of tree branches. OUCH!

Megan and Scott E-Session

2009-02-26T07:01:00.001-08:00

Last Friday Matt and I packed our bags for the night and headed to Charleston so I could photograph Megan and Scott's engagement session. Charleston is seriously like a second hometown for us. We love it there. Matt's best friend, Tyler and his wife Natalie live there so we always stay with them and it's so great to hang out and eat great food together. :)

So now about this wonderful couple. Let me just say that I heart Megan. She is one of those girls I would call and say "hey let's grab lunch and go shopping". She's just chill and fun. Scott of course is the perfect match for this type of lady. He's laid back and you can tell he just really adores her. I love it! These two lovebirds are finishing up med school at MUSC and are right now awaiting their assignments for residency. My fingers are crossed guys. :)

Now enjoy some photos...
Liv

Catch Up Time

2009-02-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

That's right, lot's of catching up to do since getting back from Vegas. What a whirl wind. I actually got back into town on Thursday last week, but on Friday I had a bridal session with the beautiful MaryAnn and then on off to Charleston Friday night for an e-session I had Saturday with the lovely Megan and Scott. :) So yes, whirl wind may be an understatement. Anyhoo, I'm back now and working away, but before I get too lost in editing world I wanted to share some photos from my trip out west and my thoughts on WPPI.

I'll start with WPPI. This was my first time attending and it was crazy. I've never seen so many photographers in one place. The MGM is insane to say the least. Doesn't it take like 20 minutes to walk a mile at a fairly brisk pace? Well, it took 20 minutes to get from our hotel room to the conference and it was all in the same hotel!! I know, small town girl here. Anyway, I had three favorite speakers; Jim Garner, Parker Pfister, and Elizabeth Messina.

My thoughts. Jim Garner, I thought was refreshing and young and very consistent in his work. He was inspiring to say the least. I loved what he had to say and would like to apply it in a lot of ways to my own biz. Parker Pfister is just amazing. His tastefulness in the digital darkroom is unmatched by anyone in my humble opinion. I loved his personality and candidness. Very cool. Elizabeth Messina...aaahhhh what can say here except she was my true favorite. I've followed her work for a while so it was so cool to finally hear her speak about being a mom, wife, and photographer. She is a breath of fresh air to this industry and I soaked up every word. :) So there are my thoughts. Don't take my word for it though. Check out their sites. You won't regret it and you'll be inspired. :)

So about these images. The day after I flew into Vegas we rented a car and drove out to Zion National Park in Utah. It was fabulous. We had great weather and there was snow. Here are a few of my favorites. Honestly, I can't even begin to post landscape images without telling you to visit the "Masters" website. Click here to see Richard Bernabe's work. I took my first photography class from him and have never put a camera down. He is amazing. If you live in the Greenville or SC/NC area it is worth every penny to take one of his workshops. :) Oh and I should mention I went to Zion with Sposabellaphotography. They have a group shot from our trip so check it out.

cheers for now!
Liv

Vegas Bound

2009-02-13T04:09:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks,
Today I'm headed to Vegas for WPPI, which is the most amazing convention ever for professional photographers. I plan to be a sponge while there and come back with new ideas for my business. I will not have my laptop so responding to your emails will be very slow. Luckily I am returning on February 19th. Matt has already given me like 5 hugs and kisses this morning. I can't tell if he's really sad to see me go or more sad that he'll have to come up with his own meals. HA! Either way is really cute. He's the best. :)

Ok, see you all when I get back!
Liv

Kim + David 1.31.09

2009-02-11T20:17:00.000-08:00

So it's come to my attention that everyone is on pins and needles to see images from Kim and David's wedding. Well my friends, they are here. :) I hope it was worth the wait. This was a beautiful wedding with great style and class. Does it get any better? I think not!

I honestly can't say enough great things about this pair. They were easy to work with and very happy and in love. When I took them aside during the reception to get some relaxed shots of them together (something I highly recommend to very bride) they were more than willing and gave me all the time I wanted. They were so into each other. What can I say, I love my job.

Kim and David, Thanks guys for letting me share this special day with you.

much love,

Liv

I heart fountains. :)

let's hear it for the boys.

I firmly believe Kim should be a model. :)

I was so smitten with this cake and the lighting. It was so much fun to shoot.

Hands down favorite shot of the day. I love when the parents just have a moment and take it all in.

My lovebirds being oh so fabulous for the camera. Holla!!!

Second favorite shot of the day. I had to give mad props to this one also.

Kim's dad rented a rolls royce (spelling error earlier) for their going away. You just can't make this stuff up.

The Poinsett Hotel

2009-02-05T04:49:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to say that I will soon be a part of the photographer's wall at the Poinsett Hotel in downtown Greenville. This is very cool for me because the photographers on this wall are all some of the top talent in the area so I'm super excited to join. Below is the image that was chosen to be framed. Kim's wedding was actually last weekend and I'll soon have an entire post on her wedding so stay tuned. :) Thanks Kim for being like the most amazing and beautiful bride in the world. You rock!

Liv

A Cause for Celebration

2009-01-29T13:23:00.001-08:00

During these tough economic times...(don't you like hear that phrase everyday). I know I have. It is tough out there and everyone knows someone that has been laid off if it's not themselves. It is in that spirit that I write this post. There is nothing more precious and wonderful like the prospect of a new life. Seeing Derek and Emily together as they await the arrival of their new baby just really made me take a step back and realize what is really important. So if we loose our houses and our cars we realize that at the end of all that lose, if there is no love then we have wasted our time. So let their little miracle inspire you to love. :)

On a side note that I find particularly interesting, all of the outside shots were taken on the walking trail in our neighborhood. Derek and Emily live in the same neighborhood as me and I actually used to work with Derek at BOA before I got my head on straight and went the photography route. Good move I'd say.

much love,
Liv

I realize this is a trendy shot, but I just love it. You've got have the heart on the belly shot. :)

I love the peacefulness of this shot.

As promised, these are my two favorite shots of the day. I'm captivated.

Andrea + Mark 1.17.09

2009-01-26T11:28:00.000-08:00

brrrrr it's cold outside, but for these two love birds you'd never know it. I loved the comfort between Andrea and Mark. You can just see that they are totally relaxed with each other and have a mutual respect. The is very special and I honestly don't see this in every couple I shoot so I took advantage of it and it really shows in their images. I do realize I've posted WAY too many images, but I couldn't help myself. :)

Another great aspect of their wedding was that it was at my church in downtown Greenville. This was very special to me and it made shooting that much more fun. :) Thanks guys!

Andrea and Mark, you two are the bee knees and I so enjoyed getting to know both of you and being a part of your special day.

much love,
Liv

My Church and a Wedding

2009-01-19T09:47:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday I finally had the opportunity to photograph a wedding at my church. I've secretly been dying to do this. I'm sure you're probably wondering why in the world am I just now getting to do this. Well at the moment there aren't many members of marrying age. So as it turns out, I got this wedding because the bride was referred to me and she really loved the look of my church's sanctuary. It is amazingly beautiful. After going through my church's pre-marriage process, they were approved to be married there. I was so excited and this meant so much to them and me. Here is a shot I took of the bride as she walked into the sanctuary for the first time before the wedding.

Please stayed tuned because I'll have a more detailed post later of this beautiful wedding.

Cheers Everyone!
Liv

Your Dress and a Date with my Camera

2009-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hello to my Spring Brides! This post is for you. If any of you lovely ladies would like a bridal session or booked me for one and have not scheduled it, then now is the time. The calendar is filling up fast and I want you to have that ever so fun and fabulous date with my camera while wearing the most beautiful gown you will ever wear in your entire life!! So was that a "run-on" sentence? I'm not really sure, but I'm sure my english buff of a husband will tell me after reading it.

Ok, so yeah, call me or email me and let's set the date.