The Mollie Tobias Photography Blog

Southern Pines Wedding Photography – Lisa and John’s campground engagement

tobias — Tue, 15 May 2012 07:39:56 +0000

This is the engagement session where I really thought that we were going to end up in a horror movie plot. It all started out innocently enough. I can’t remember exactly what put the idea in my head, but I decided that I just absolutely had to throw glitter at a camp fire for a photo session. Lisa and John loved the outdoors so it seemed like a great fit. There would be fire light glinting off of glitter and it would be beautiful and amazing, right? At some point I started fixating on this shot and started on a campaign to find a place to build a campfire. As it turns out there is only one camp ground in all of Moore County that allows campfires. I drove out there the day before our session to check it out and was greeted by a dwarf pony that I could just swear was a unicorn in disguise. Then I met the folks that ran the campground. I would like to say that they were really nice and helpful but that was not exactly how it went down. At any rate I managed to get permission to come back the next night to use the campsite for our session.

When we arrived back the next day I found the women who runs the campground and she took us to our campsite, got us some wood for the fire (because you are forbidden to bring your own), and turned on the water. Then she charged us $44 to use the camp site for an hour. Nice. She ambled off and we started our photos on the beach. About the time we were getting ready to move back to the campgrounds we started hearing strange calls. I don’t want to stereotype here, but it sounded like in the movies when the Indians made their war calls before the rode out to kill cowboys. I had a feeling that we were the cowboys in this scenario. It was a little creepy. And then we started hearing gun fire. I told myself that it was from the Moore County range. At 7pm. On a Sunday.

Once it started getting dark I was fairly certain that the scene would descend into deliverance very quickly, but thankfully we made it out in one piece. We also discovered the best smore recipie ever. Instead of using normal Hershey’s I found us carmel filled chocolate and it was amazing. I ended up eating nothing but smores for dinner. Lisa and John were such good sports and I can’t wait for their wedding next month. Enjoy!

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tobias — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:56:15 +0000

Mommy and Me 2012

tobias — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:36:07 +0000

Every year I like to do a special session for Mother’s Day. Too often the mom’s are the picture takers in the family and as a result they end up absent from all of their child’s photos. Childhood passes so quickly that you should be out there making memories with your child and let me handle being behind the camera capturing them. They only happen once! Here are a few of my faves from this year’s sessions…

10 Questions from Wedding Guests You Don’t Need to Answer

tobias — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:11:39 +0000

Wedding season is officially here and even though it makes me sleep deprived and a little crazy I love it! One of the perks of being a wedding phtographer is that I get to spend every weekend at a rockin’ party. One of the down sides of being a wedding photographer is hearing about all of the fabulous honeymoons that my couples are about to leave for and it gives me a major case of wanderlust. These past two weekends as an example, one couple was going to Greece (Oh, I miss you Greece with your sunny beaches and crazy blue water *sigh*) and the other couple is going to Costa Rica. I am going to try to live vicariously through them since the chances of me talking my husband into visiting South America are less than good.

Even though weddings are generally great, there are still some people who intentionally or not will try to rain on your parade. You know who I’m talking about. The outspoken aunt who upon meeting your new husband for the first time asks, “I bet they all told you what a b*&@% I am didn’t they?” (true story) or the friend who smells alcohol and immediately looses their mind and regresses back to a babbling you can only wish they were incoherent hot mess. Here’s the good news though. Just because they ask you embarrassing, highly inappropriate, totally none of their business questions doesn’t mean that you have to answer them. Here’s a list of the top 10 from the Knot that you can avoid answering guilt free:

1. How much is the wedding reception costing you?

2. Can you make sure not to set your date for [insert date here] — I have a vacation already planned!

3. What table am I sitting at?

4. Why didn’t you invite [insert name here]?

5. Is this really a “white wedding”?

6. How many carats is that ring anyway?

7. Who’s your favorite bridesmaid?

8. Did you get that idea from my wedding?

9. Are you paying for any of this?

10. Don’t you think the six-tiered wedding cake is a bit much?

Laura and Graham – Pinehurst engagement photography

tobias — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:40:17 +0000

Graham was the bad boy – spontaneous, adrenaline junkie and really doesn’t abide by the rules. Laura was a conservative/”rule following”, slightly controlling (especially when it comes to having a schedule or plans) kind of girl. (Her words!)

Laura wasn’t going to go out that night, but she had just graduated from a nurse training program for Cape Fear Valley and went out to “celebrate” with fellow nursing girlfriends. After a few drinks at dinner, her friends easily talked her into a BAR NIGHT at the Irish pub.

She walked in the bar and there he was with a friend playing darts, having a pretty “low key night”. They both noticed each other early on in the night and made eye contact a few times. Finally, Graham and one of his guys confronted Laura and her friend. Graham offered to buy her a drink, and after Laura told him multiple times that “I do NOT talk to military guys” and him saying, “I have long hair and a scruffy face, I’m not in the army”- she finally gave in to having a drink with him. They started talking and now these “opposites” are getting married next month.

I am so excited to be shooting your wedding! Congratulations Graham and Laura!

The Woodwright

tobias — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:55:17 +0000

If you have picked up this month’s issue of OutreachNC magazine you have seen the story that Carrie frye wrote on the Woodwright and his school in Pittsboro. Roy Underhill, otherwise known as the Woodwright has been on PBS for 31 years showing viewers how to make wonderful woodcraft using only vintage, muscle-powered tools. I had a great time photographing him in his school and he is one of the nicest, most interesting people around. I hope you enjoy!

Earth Day is the 22nd and Arbor Day is the 27th. This month, take a minute and do something to help keep our earth beautiful.

tobias — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:22:51 +0000

I love Keep America Beautiful Inc. They have a variety of programs like The Great American Cleanup, America Recycles Day, the Recycle Bowl and Clean Sweep USA that not only make our communities cleaner and more beautiful, but also create a ripple effect of awareness, appreciation and concern for our environment.

Keep America Beautiful Believes that each of us holds an obligation to preserve and protect our environment. Through our everyday choices and actions, we collectively have a huge impact on our world. It’s really a simple concept, but one with far reaching effects.

Keep America Beautiful follows a practical approach that unites citizens, businesses and government to find solutions that advance our core issues of preventing litter, reducing waste, and beautifying communities. The diverse American landscape consists of many different “community environments,” each with their own interconnected needs and challenges. With a national network of more than 1,200 local affiliates and participating organizations, we combine education with hands-on stewardship to address the needs of communities on an intensely local and effective level.

Whether you want to volunteer, make a donation, or even arrange a corporate sponsorship, there are plenty of ways to get involved in this amazing organization and the important work that they do.

To learn more, visit: http://www.kab.org

Keep America Beautiful received the highest possible rating (four stars) from charitynavigator. org

Wedding Guests: 10 Ways to Ruin a Wedding

tobias — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:16:09 +0000

Speak Up During the Ceremony

We’ve heard the horror stories — the “Are you sure?” from the minister, the “Don’t do it man” groomsmen comment and the vocal grandmother using her time as reader at the pulpit to offer her humble opinion. Yikes.

Instead: If you have information on either the bride or groom that could be a relationship game changer, the ceremony is not the time to reveal it. Any reservations about the relationship should be brought up in private long before the ceremony.

Totally Ruined Wedding Scale: 5 out of 5

Stick Your Finger in the Cake

Believe it or not, guests do this. There’s nothing cute or okay about touching the piece de resistance of the reception menu. Besides the sanitary factor, wedding cakes are expensive and should only be handled by three people: the bride, the groom and the caterer.

Instead: It sounds ridiculous and should go without saying, but if you can’t get close to a wedding cake without touching it, don’t go near it.

Totally Ruined Wedding Scale: 3 out of 5

Wear White

We don’t care if it’s the middle of summer and your little white sundress is the most flattering thing in your closet. Do not, we repeat, do not wear white to someone else’s wedding. Most brides have been looking forward to their moment in the spotlight — as the only one in white. While it’s true no one could possibly upstage the bride, it’s considered the ultimate guest dress no-no. The other color to avoid wearing at a wedding? Bright red.

Instead: Colorful tones like pinks, yellows and purples are all fair game. Just stay away from anything in the white and ivory color family.

Totally Ruined Wedding Scale: 3 out of 5

Use the Wedding to Hook Up

Yes, it’s true, a wedding is a great place to meet other singles — there’s a great venue, lighting, food, everyone is dressed to the nines — but please refrain from using the reception like you would a club. In other words, no making out on the dance floor with the bride’s cousin or the groom’s brother. Do you really want to be that guest?

Instead: Hey, if sparks are really flying, feel free to ask for a number and make a date.

Totally Ruined Wedding Scale: 4 out of 5

Give a Roast Toast

Just because you have a microphone in your hand that doesn’t give you free rein to tell the most outrageous college drinking story or reveal what happened in Vegas. It’s also not the time to talk about old boyfriends or reveal the groom’s most embarrassing habits.

Instead: Give your speech the grandma test. If it’s not PG-rated and something you’d be comfortable telling her, it’s not wedding reception toast material.

Totally Ruined Wedding Scale: 4 out of 5

Drink Too Much

Your friend’s wedding celebration is just that — it’s not a fraternity party. Know your limit and don’t go over it. Making a fool of yourself in front of everyone, falling all over the place or leaving the party early because you couldn’t handle your liquor isn’t the way you want your best friend’s new wife to remember you, is it?

Instead: Save the shots for the bachelor party.

Totally Ruined Wedding Scale: 3 out of 5

Let the Kids Run Wild

You know the scene: the shrieking kids terrorizing the dance floor during dinner, the toddler tantrum during the toast, the loud baby screaming over the vows during the ceremony — all potentially nightmare situations for the couple getting married, not to mention the other guests.

Instead: Confirm that there’s child care available at the reception and make arrangements, or leave the kiddies at home for the evening.

Totally Ruined Wedding Scale: 4 out of 5

Spill Anything on the Bride

That gorgeous white wedding dress more than likely cost the bride a couple thousand. And while she probably won’t have another reason to wear it again, a drink spilled on the wedding dress still ranks as one of the worst mistakes a guest could make.

Instead: You can’t be too careful holding a beverage near the bride. If you have a glass of red wine or Coke in your hand, put it down.

Totally Ruined Wedding Scale: 5 out of 5

Hit on the Waitstaff

It might sound crass (because it is), but we’ve heard plenty of stories of rowdy guests corralling the waitstaff to dance with them. Not only is it completely inappropriate, it’ll be really embarrassing when the catering manager pulls you aside to file a formal harassment complaint.

Instead: Uh, just don’t?

Totally Ruined Wedding Scale: 3 out of 5

Tell the DJ to Change the Music

At your wedding, you get to choose the music. Otherwise, the tunes aren’t in your control. You could end up requesting a song that was on the couple’s do-not-play list (like, say, one with unsettling sentimental feelings attached).

Instead: Unless the bride or groom expressly asks you to talk to the band or DJ about a song request, keep your song suggestions to yourself.

Totally Ruined Wedding Scale: 4 out of 5

By Anja Winikka

Jun 10, 2011

Courtesy of the Knot

Fine Art Photogrphy – Kauai, Hawaii

tobias — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:02:22 +0000

A Carthage Engagement Session – Jenna and Jesse

tobias — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:56:09 +0000

I love it when people let me be creative and drag them out into the middle of nowhere for photo sessions with directions like “Look for me on the side of the road somewhere near this intersection.” Jenna and Jesse were such great sports even though it was FREEZING when these were taken and they had to sit on the cold ground that was covered with throny vines. I love these guys and their images! Let me know if you agree…