Gina McLean Photography

Kristy & Brent~ Martha’s Wedding Chapel

Martin — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:15:33 +0000

Kristy and Brent met with me a year and a half prior to their date. I knew we were a great match the minute we started talking. They were so cute and down to earth, oh, and very, very excited! The wedding took place at Martha’s Wedding Chapel in Apex, North Carolina. The officiant and owner is Bob Brinson. Bob was very welcoming from the beginning, and performed a very sweet ceremony. We had a lot of fun after the wedding taking pictures on the picture-perfect property. It came prepared for us with an adorable, old fashioned church, a gazebo, and even a picket fence. This place is a dream! After the wedding, we headed over to the Crabtree Valley Marriott. I had worked with the coordinator, Julie, before, and as always, she had her act together. The reception was perfect. Below are just a preview of a few of our favorites. Oh, we can’t wait to show you the rest!Kristy nervously making her walk to the altar stopping to make adjustments with the girls The adorable little flower girl doing her thingMe trying a fancy filter and the bride making her first appearance. Of course, we have a photo of the groom’s face, in tears, but we will show that later!Bob Brinson in action Hmmmmm….She is beautiful!Father of the groom giving the first toast

mother and father of the groom dancing the perfect cake. We will show you the back of the cake topper later!

Leigh Anne & Kevin~~~May 5. 2012~ Pinterest-worthy Raleigh Backyard Wedding!

Gina — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:20:31 +0000

So this year has started off with a bang. Three weddings in three weeks and I have hardly had time to catch my breath. Typically, wedding photos can take up to six weeks to edit, but I can’t wait that long to show off a preview for the bride and her friends. Leigh Anne and Kevin had an incredible wedding, with handmade details created by the bride herself. Unfortunately, it rained cats and dogs, but held off long enough for the wedding to take place outside. I think it still came out beautifully, and Leigh Anne was so upbeat and graceful and still seemed to have a great time with everyone who came out to celebrate with them. Here is a preview of a few of my favorites so far. So much more to come!

Check out our award winning images from the Wedding Photographic Society’s quarterly competition!

Gina — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:57:05 +0000

I think we all go through times when we think we just stink. At everything. No inspiration at all. I was going through one of these spells in between wedding season 2011 and 2012. I guess my husband and fellow photographer/business partner sensed this, because without me knowing, he entered a few of my photos from last year into the Wedding Photographic Society’s quarterly image competition. We won 3rd place in one category and 5th place in another. Here are the images:

5th Place Photojournalism category: Giina Lumsden Kropf / GinaMcLean Photography

3rd Place Architectural category : Gina Lumsden Kropf / GinaMcLean Photography

-” Wow. This image popped off the screen after viewing all the images in the category. Wonderful use of framing the subject and showing the beauty of the buildings outside.
- Creative image that really pops”

School Pictures from the backpack~ what our kids bring home from Picture Day.

Gina — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:07:49 +0000

First of all, let me just say that I am not disrespecting school photographers. My mom would kill me if I didn’t buy a few when my daughter brings them home in her book bag every year. I think that they have a tough job to line up children all day, back to back, pose their little behinds and come away with something cute. They absolutely have their place and I would feel terribly guilty if I didn’t keep a few. Okay, having said that, I must say that the portrait session that I did with my daughter on Fayetteville Street around Christmas make me so much happier! Her school pictures will go in an album to be cherished, but they will not be adorning our walls. The ones I shot, yep, they are on display. They are up because not only do they match our decor, but they are an absolute reflection of her adorable, playful, little squirty personality! They make me smile when I walk by them. The difference is that I have so much more time. I give each session an hour or two, allow for changes of clothes. and I have the luxury of running around with a camera and playing with the children until I capture something that is a true reflection of who they are. To me, this is the biggest challenge of portraiture, but I would not have it any other way. I love my job, and I love that instead of putting plain old art on my walls, I can custom frame and put up lively pictures of the people that I love the most. It makes my home feel warm and personal. So, are you ready to book your session? ;O)

Which one do you like best?

Mine……

Or the ones from school?

Eric’s Headshots at Lafayette Village

Gina — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:16:33 +0000

Several years ago I had the honor of photographing Josephine and Chris’s wedding at Haywood Hall in Raleigh, NC. Since then, I have done her maternity photos, and am eagerly waiting to photograph their new little bundle of joy! In the meantime, Josephine, who owns Specline Consulting, has had us do headshots for her employees. This is a few from the most recent session, taken at Lafayette Village in Raleigh.

Congratulations Candace & Jason! 3-3-2012 in Durham, NC

Gina — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:40:11 +0000

Our first wedding of the 2012 season was absolutely beautiful, even in the rain. The couple said their vows at Blacknall Presbyterian Church in Durham, North Carolina, with Rob “Crock” Crocker officiating. There is so much more to come, but we just had to share one of our favorites.

Brides-to-be of 2012! Upcoming news

Gina — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:00:25 +0000

Happy Friday! We just wanted to take a minute to update you on events happening now.

Our friends over at Joe Bunn DJ Company announced a contest they are running. Just enter your love story on their Facebook page for a chance to win a free DJ for your wedding! Oh, and these guys do rock.

Also, Gina McLean Photography will be at the stunning Chateau Bellevie this Sunday evening to greet new couples who have booked this fabulous venue for their 2012 wedding. If you have not seen it, check it out! Here is a recent wedding we had the honor of photographing there for Pebbles & Raymond.

Downtown Raleigh Architectural Photo Shoot at the RBC Tower

Gina — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:13:59 +0000

Back in November, we had the privilege of doing an architectural shoot at the RBC PLaza Condos in Downtown Raleigh. The residence was designed by Lee Tripi of Lee Tripi Design. I personally wanted to go and do the shoot, just so I could drool over the architecture and the view, but since Martin IS the architect, it only seemed right to send him. I think he did an amazing job at capturing the incredible design, as well as the breathtaking view. What do you think?

Enjoy the highlights!

Spring Engagement Session at West Point on the Eno

Gina — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:02:40 +0000

The Glorious Details

Gina — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:39:20 +0000

Our favorite wedding details from 2011.