Chapter 2: Our June bride will have a 'storybook' wedding

Contributed photo (ENLARGE)

Lauren Harrell

My fiancee Josh and I are fun people — so I want our wedding photographs to reflect that fun.

I don't want our wedding album to be filled with those standard poses. You know the ones: The picture with me sitting on a bench with my left hand resting on my right arm as I smile off into the distance. The one with the groomsmen standing stiffly on either side of Josh.

I want the photographs of our special day to feature bold colors, lush greens and Southern charm. With these thoughts in mind, I called Melanie Mansfield of Portraiture by Melanie. I'd seen her work when she photographed a few of my friends' weddings, and I knew her style ranged from classic and traditional to funky and modern.

Just after Josh and I got engaged, I set up an appointment with Melanie. I knew I needed to act quickly if I wanted to snag a place in her busy schedule.

My mom and I visited Melanie's office in downtown Kinston and were immediately impressed with the giant pictures hanging in her windows.

But what entranced me even more were the "storybooks" she creates for her clients. The Italian-made hardbound books combine photos from the wedding with quotes, Bible verses and even song lyrics. I could already imagine our storybook perched on the coffee table in my parents' home.

Melanie, who has a bubbly personality, doesn't actually pose the wedding pictures. She calls her style "guided photojournalism," meaning that she makes even planned photos look spontaneous.

Mom and I looked through a few more pictures and decided that her prices, packages and personality fit our expectations.

Since I want to have my portraits made at my grandfather's farm in front of the grapevine in full bloom, Melanie suggested that we set a June date. After consulting everyone's calendars — including Josh's — we set the wedding date: June 13, 2009.

We put down a deposit, hugged Melanie and left Kinston with an official wedding date and ideas for my portraits.

Now there are two things crossed off of my list: the groom and the photographer. The next big adventure is finding the perfect wedding gown.

Pinetops native Lauren Harrell, a senior at East Carolina University, is a features intern at The Daily Reflector. She will marry Josh Edmondson of Rocky Mount, a planner for Edgecombe County, on June 13, 2009. Hopefully she will be wearing a beautiful wedding gown.