kara corridan is an incredible woman….she is the executive editor of both elegant bride magazine & modern bride magazine….she is also the mother of two beautiful little girls, julia & lila….somehow she manages to balance her demanding work schedule & motherhood….and does so with such grace….kara comes from a large loving family….perhaps its the close bond she has with her four sisters, that keeps her in good spirits…she seems to always have a smile on her face…how lucky her little girls are to have her….it is with great joy, i share these beautiful images of julia, kara’s oldest daughter….as well as beautiful kiss & tell, through the eyes of an amazing & inspirational mother….

kiss & tell….

“Both times I called my mom to tell her that the child I had just given birth to was a girl, she said the same thing: “I’m so glad you have a daughter.” I’m one of four sisters, so I know the bond my girls will have as they get older. And I hope that Julia, now 3 1/2, and Lila, 7 months, will always show me the sweet affection they do now. Julia’s got a seriously independent streak but still loves her “snuggle time.” These days she’s taken to crawling into bed with me, after my husband leaves for work and before my alarm goes off. She tries to lie quietly, but after a few seconds starts stroking my cheek. (She’s got a very delicate touch for a 3-year-old.) Then she leans in for a kiss, and my day begins. ”

-kara corridan

love your daughters…love your mothers…love yourself….xoxoxo

mary lynn is probably best know for her roll as “chloe o’brien” on the hit show “24“…she’s also appeared in countless movies…recently in inde film “sunshine cleaning“…now she has been enjoying her most important roll yet, mother to a beautiful baby boy, valentine….mary lynn is so down to earth & so loving & natural with her young son….she is funny & talented….a truly special woman….mary lynn & her boyfriend, matthew welcomed me into their home to capture some of their family’s intimate moments…they are a lovely couple, in every way….and their son is just sooo completely adorable….

 
kiss & tell….

“It was our second date and it was hard to tell what he wanted or what he expected. I wanted to kiss him but only if he really wanted to kiss me. Then I started to question if it was even really a date. On our first date, or get together, you could call it, I had assumed that  we would have an affair & it would run it’s course.  That’s why I was surprised to be standing & wondering if we would even kiss. He walked me to my car, I hesitated ever so slightly, turned toward him. He quickly leaned into me, brushed his lips on my cheek. It was the best feeling I have ever had, so light, willing and full of promise, I felt my heart open a little wider. It was sweet, but it was much more, it was an indication of the possibility of an intimacy like I have never known.  Present, unconditional and unwavering.”

-mary lynn rajskub

mary lynn rajskub & the loves of her life, mathew & valentine live in southern california…matthew is a personal trainer & an amazing cook…their days are full of love, laughter & kisses….lots of kisses….

if you missed the season finale of “24” last night…you must try & watch a re-run…it was fantastic…& mary lynn was back as chloe helping jack bower…she is a simply wonderful mother & actress…

Kiss & Tell…..

“It was a crisp sunny Sunday in Highland Park, TX. Court told me he wanted to go workout at the gym, take my dog, Louis,  for a walk and then later take me to look at rings!  We have never gone or talked about looking at rings.  I was so thrilled.  After we finished working out I, of course, was more interested in getting ready to go look at rings rather than going on a walk with my dog. I didn’t want to make a fuss so I pretended I was in no rush as we  took Louis, a little yorkie on a walk to a nearby gazebo in Goar Park.   Louis always wore his pink backpack with treats inside while walking, so Court had made sure his backpack was ready to go for the walk, before we left the house.  Once we arrived at the park Court insisted we go look at the gazebo. In my mind still all I could think about was leaving to go get primped and to go look at rings! He tied the family dogs up on the side of the gazebo and led me up to the bench inside with my yorkie Louis. I had no idea what was about to happen. He took Louis and opened his backpack up and proceeded to get on one knee. It was there in the gazebo where he pulled out a beautiful sparkling emerald diamond cut engagement RING!! I was so incredibly shocked and excited my heart was just pounding!!! I of course said “Yes!!”  It was in the gazebo that we shared our “Engagement Kiss!!” Tears streamed down each other’s cheeks and nothing in the world could break our current connection. It was the best kiss of my life!! I was shaking with excitement and could not have felt more safe and secure at that moment! Our engagement kiss was like being wrapped up in a warm cozy chenille blanket by a fire with rain pouring outside and being cuddled by the one you love!! I could not have felt more content and happy inside knowing that we get to spend the rest of our lives together! The engagement kiss sealed and confirmed all my dreams!! “

-kameron
 

kiss & tell…..                                                                                                                
“When I was 6 and 7 we (the neighborhood kids) would play a game
called “Kissy Boy, Kissy Girl”. It was like a game of tag but instead
of tagging you had to kiss the person and then you would be ‘it’ and
have to go kiss someone else to make them ‘it’. I remember the first
time I was introduced to this and was so sad because none of the boys
would run after me….it was always my girlfriends in their iron-on
unicorn t-shirts and hello kitty hair bobbles that they were interested in.
As I became more used to this game, I would start to suggest playing
it whenever ‘cute boys’ would come over to play in the neighborhood.
Of course, the only boys that wanted to play were the ones that I
found gross…Maybe this is why my mom wouldn’t let me date
till I was 16yrs old.”   Kristen from Bliss*

My how things change…Kristen is all grown up now & the owner of a successful wedding business Bliss* Video Productions….she also recently married a very cute boy & the love of her life (Todd) and their stunning wedding will be featured in the summer 2009 issue of modern bride….this beautiful & talented woman is enjoying a life full of happiness and kisses…..xoxo

“Everyone has their kindergarten kiss stories.  I happened to be the little girl dressed up in the perfect floral dress and bow in my hair, that played kissy tag during recess.  Except instead of running away from the boys, screaming all the while, I ran towards them.  I ran my dress and ribbon right into the mud chasing after a kiss.”

-isabelle hahn

Kiss & Tell…..

“My love story with John began with a bang…it was literally love at first site.  We might have initially thought it was trouble at first site, but soon realized we had each found the one person God had selected just for us.  I always believed that there was one right person for each of us, and although that theory was tested during my years of dating, John proved me right in the first moment we met.  I had questioned those who claimed to “just know” when you find that one person, but the moment I locked eyes with the man I’d been hoping really did exist, my heart filled with understanding.  It was an understanding that only comes from experiencing it for myself.  Our first kiss was both a bond and a promise.  Without having to express it in words, we both had gained that kind of unspoken understanding that told us this was forever.  Kissing John has only become more exciting as time has passed because I know that our love is unending, unwavering, and will never be lost.  And while there is great assurance and peace that accompanies those feelings, there is also a growing excitement….because kissing him, just like loving him, keeps getting better and better.  ”

 -Kielle

remember to be playful when you have your engagement portraits made….the more natural & comfortable you are with eachother & your photographer, the more the images will be a true reflection of your relationship….hold hands….laugh….and kiss alot…..xoxo

Some beauty is sublime….it transcends words….Shahara has just such a beauty….she is graceful and laughs easily…as though her heart dictates her movements….this must be one of the reasons she caught the eye and heart of NBA star Elton Brand….their courtship started long ago & continues strong today….they exchanged wedding vows at the divine Biltmore Estate in North Carolina….their wedding & all the details were beautifully executed by Lisa Vorce of Oh, How Charming…..Shahara wore a beautiful Monique Lhuillier dress that seemed to be made just for her body…Elton wore a gorgeous smile all day long…..the two committed theirlives to each other under the warm southern sky….and recently welcomed their first child into the world….just as beauty can be sublime, so can love…and their love is simply sublime….20,000 kisses later and counting…..

kiss & tell
“Our first kiss was 10 years ago…over an estimated 20,000 kisses ago… “good morning”, “good night”, “see ya later”, “honey, you’re home!”, “I love you”, “thank you honey”, “you’re so sweet”…you name it, we kissed it.  Some may say the quality of a kiss is better than the quantity.  I would normally agree, but fortunately I don’t have to make that distinction with the kisses from my love. Each was more delicious than the last.  Even with the less exciting “I’m sorry, honey” and the “it’s ok” kisses, I felt love rooted in each one.  This is one of the defining things about our relationship, and that which I will look forward to in the next 10 years, and in 50 years when we will perhaps mark our 1,020,000th kiss.”

-Shahara Brand

“I married the love of my life….Our wedding day was so special, and the kisses we shared on it seemed somehow sweeter and more meaningful than all others before them! He is perfect for me…He can always make me smile.”

-Alison Iglow

Alison and Greg were married at the Hotel Bel Air and are looking forward to the arrival of their first child any day now.

INDIA is a country with immense beauty and many layers of spirituality, poverty and heart moving stories…..Slumdog Millionaire captures all of this and more….the beautiful imagery & heartfelt dialog in this movie take you along for the journey of a young boy, Jamel’s life….as he becomes a man & searches for the love of his life, Latika….the film is magical and raw….and the music in fantastic….my favorite part of the movie…is the very last scene…the very last frame to be exact….captures  Jamel & Latika’s first kiss….it’s perfect!!

i spent some time photographing in India & in honor of Slumdog Millionaire here are some of my favorites……

my time in India was indescribable…truly life changing…i visited many temples & wandered the streets, camera in hand….i drank hundreds of cups of tea….and felt honored to be greeted with such warmth by so many people….Slumdog Millionaire transported me back to India & reminded me of what an amazing place it is…if you have not seen this movie yet…do so, give your self the gift of spending two hours with Jamel & Latika….and witness firsthand one of the most wonderful first kisses ever…..

i’ll be watching the Oscars tonight with fingers crossed…..xoxo…elizabeth

“the first time he kissed me was four days after we met….

i had insisted many times that we were just going to be friends….but lying there in the pitch black…right next to each other….noses inches apart…..i was suddenly desperate for him to kiss me…..

i could feel his warmth….his breath….his smell was intoxicating….my heart was beating so fast, i was sure he could here it…..every ounce of my will power was being used to keep me in place, so i would not lean into him….as ‘please kiss me’ continued to run through my head on repeat….then it happened…his warm lips pressed against mine…so soft…his hands on my hips pulling my body towards him….the first touch of his lips sent chills through my entire body….my arms wrapped tightly around his back & neck….we could not let go….”

-sheridan

(to see more of sheridan & bo’s beautiful wedding check out the current issue of elegant bride)