This is the follow-up to my homage to American Gothic. I’ve known Ashley and Nik since we were kids, so this was an especially cool shoot for me. We went all around downtown Hickory and other spots, my usual stomping ground for winter engagement shoots. Its really cool too, because this was my first winter engagement shoot. We kept joking around all day that we were shooting for an Abercrombie catalog because they both looked so good and came very well-dressed. Nik is in med school right now, and Ashley works for a great organization called Holy Angels. I especially loved seeing Ashley’s natural ability to speak with her eyes…this is a very rare, but very natural talent, that I really dig. This is definitely one of my favorite shoots to date. C&C welcome and appreciated!

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Love these chica. You've been quite the rockstar here lately. Something in the water. Great great great!

I\The only shot that I dislike is 5. Everything works but the pose. She is NOT a heavy girl but the pose makes her appear that way. She will notice.

I recently did American Gothic during a family session too! How funny.

5 & 10 = awesome, the camera loves her. Nice processing on 7 & 14, should definitely keep that in your repertoire.

Some comments-- you have some gold in here and some correctable things...

1- very catalogesque
2- looks like wall is in focus could be web sizing sharpening issue
3- funny moment
4- not sure I like her hip position, her butt kinda sticks out. Perhaps a closer crop?
5- I get the idea but the pose is really unflattering to her. She should be turned away from the camera. the low angle and broad on shot makes her hips and thighs look chunky.. accentuated by her tight pants stretching across her hips and waist. Either close the jacket or turn her sideways.
6, 7 - very nice, professional, "safe" shots we all need to deliver
8- a little too much dip makes it look a little too posed (even though it is posed)
9- I wouldn't deliver this to her, it shows her nice eye makeup but that's it. No connection to the subjects.
10- what I was expecting from #9- great!!
11, 12- even though they're not looking at the cam, clearly they are interacting.. great images as well
13, 14- very nice, like the processing on 14
15 good, but she's got that "I'm stretching my pants across my hips" look again
16 cute
17 high quality pro results. Better than most photogs. I like the softbox/umbrella flash use here (or the lighting if it's not a flash)
18 nice
19 another great portrait, great pose, great lighting. Definite portfolio material.

These are really great. I actually like #5 -- and I'm a girl who would notice a bit of bulge. I think the pose makes up for it. She has very beautiful eyes. Wonderful set. Next time I'm in NC I will look you up! We haven't made it up this year (the fam went up to Cullowhee, but we had to stay home), but we plan to get up there sometime in 2009.

I think this is your best engagement shoot yet!

Thanks Sam and Mel...I really appreciate your encouragement. Deb, we will have to make a venture to Cullo-where sometime to meet. Also, thanks for the great critique Andrew...I really appreciate in-depth advice like that.

Thanks everyone!!!

Just a lurker, here quite often. Cathy, great shoot, you really bring out their personalities!

On a side note, I just wanted to make note about how everyone on this forum (wedding) is so encouraging and pleasant. Very nice to read!

Good lighting. Crack a joke next time image one is just a tad to serious