Welcome

WELCOME TO MY BLOG! What you'll see here is the most recent collection of my wedding & portrait work and a lot of my random musings on life. You'll really get a good idea on what makes me tick and soon discover I really love great handbags and shoes.

But more importantly, you'll discover I'm extremely passionate about what I do. I love my clients...I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to be involved in people's lives on some of the most important days of their lives and celebrate that with them. I feel so incredibly lucky to be a part of that.

So sit back, grab something good to drink, maybe a snack and enjoy! Definitely sign up for the RSS feed at the bottom of the page so you are always in touch with the latest happenings at Robin Lin Photography!

{Kristen + Stewart} Part 2 - Wedding

November 11, 2008 – 5:16 pm

On Friday evening, a gorgeous, surprisingly warm fall evening - I was very lucky to be a part of the truly, magical event that was Kristen + Stewart’s wedding.  It was full of so much love & happiness and I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to be a part of such a beautiful evening.  Kristen was so beautiful and so happy and Stewart just radiated this incredible energy.  It was impossible not to be inspired by the two of them.  Part 2 of the their wedding covers all of their beautiful (and I mean really beautiful) details so definitely check that out as well.

Of course, we begin as always with her stunning dress and shoes.



Best_reaction_ever!



So the moon came out, you can see it just above the top of the tree, I was determined to get it in a shot…

 







So normally I would very much show the sparkler exit as the last shot, but well….I think this one just works better.  You’ll be seeing this one a LOT more in the future….

Kristen & Stewart…quite simply…thank you!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | 1 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Jacqueline Caine   -  

    What beautiful photos!! Kristen, you have grown into such a beautiful woman!! And you hair was FABULOUS!! We had some great times in Italy, your mother and I, and I miss seeing you all across the street. Best of luck and love to you both.

    Love, Jacky

{Kristen + Stewart} Wedding Part 1 - Details

November 11, 2008 – 4:34 pm

Ok so you know when you have one of those days where everything just comes together perfectly?  I’ve been having that a lot lately with my weddings (it’s really nice).  This is the first part of Kristen + Stewart’s amazing wedding on Friday night which is all the incredible details.  The truly incredible vendors who made this evening so spectacular were the wonderful ladies at The Highgrove, Flowers On Broad Street (Donna truly is a genius), and Sweet Memories Bakery.










By the way, for this shot - I don’t stand on a chair - I lift my camera up high, make sure the lens is out wide, focus point is on center and hope - some times it takes multiple shots, sometimes it works out perfectly.  And you gotta really hold on tight to the camera.

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | 1 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Penny Noell   -  

    Both of these posts are absoulutely beautiful. What a wonderful wedding! And the image on the other post with the groom’s expression is priceless!

{Healing} Part 2

November 11, 2008 – 12:20 pm

On Friday morning I was very fortunate to photograph my second session for the Cure Group’s healing book.  These are the most amazing women, such an incredible nurse, kindest “patient”, just so sweet and I’m so glad she’s doing so well.  I can only hope she continues on her path to good health.  And I hope that Oliver continues to travel alongside with you and offer all the support you need when you need it.

 

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Published Work | no comments         Add a Comment

{Pullen Park} Fall Family Fun!

November 11, 2008 – 11:57 am

On Thursday afternoon I met with such a fantastic, fun, full of love family at Pullen Park for a great afternoon fall session.  Their son is ready to head off to college next fall (always makes me feel old).  Thanks so much everyone!




Ok kids…you got your kiss…

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Children & Family, Couples | no comments         Add a Comment

{Happy Birthday to Me} and you!

November 5, 2008 – 4:13 pm

Yes, today is my birthday and to celebrate I’m going to be making some BIG changes for the next couple of months to my portrait & wedding packages.  These are going to be for an extremely limited time only.  Here are all the details:

~Portrait Sessions~
Until December 31, 2008
You can book a 30-minute portrait session with me for a $50 session fee!
This includes my creative fee, your 30-minute session, a $10 print & product credit,
travel within 10-miles of Chapel Hill (sessions can be held in my studio or on location).

~Oooh La La Sessions~
Until February 1, 2008
Absolutely perfect for the upcoming winter holidays and Valentine’s Day!
Give that special someone (or yourself) something very special for both of you.
The session is being cut to $250 (regularly $400)!
This includes my creative fee, up to one hour of photo time and a very special “little black book”
custom designed by me to treasure from our session.  You bring the props, and we’ll have tons of fun!
Sessions are held in my studio

~2009 Wedding Collections~
Until January 19, 2009
My wedding collections have been drastically cut!  My 6-hour package now begins at $2700 and my highest
package has been reduced to $4200!  As I mentioned, this is very limited to correspond to the January wedding show.  In order to receive this you must book (meaning retainer payment & contract) by Monday, January 19, 2009.  Also, I cannot hold or reserve dates. 
For 2010 weddings, I am only booking through April 2010 at this time.

~~Please note: for 2009 we will only be accepting 25-28 weddings and
will NOT be double booking weekends (i.e. working a Saturday/Sunday weekend)~~

To schedule sessions, consultations, etc. please email me at robin@robinlin.com.
Thankyou!!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Children & Family, Couples, My Life, The Studio, Weddings & Engagements | 1 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Penny Noell   -  

    I can’t believe I forgot it was your birthday, I’m so sorry! Happy, happy day!

{Allie + Joe} Wedding

November 5, 2008 – 3:52 pm

On Saturday, the weather was perfect, the sky was that gorgeous blue, it was actually pretty warm and it could not have been any better of a day to have a wedding.  For Allie + Joe, I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it for them.  We started out the day at the very cute Garden Salon in downtown Durham and then moved over toe Bay 7 for final preparations which would also serve as the location for the ceremony and reception.  I really just stood inside Bay 7 (located in the beautiful American Tobacco Campus) and just absorbed it all.  It’s the perfect mix of urban and trendy, brick, metal, and wood.  It is absolutely breathtaking.  The fall colors they chose just topped everything off.  Catering Works did an absolutely superb job with the food, just remarkable.  And the guys and the girls had some rocking shoes!






















And now the gorgeous, absolutely amazing details.  And for the table markers - I have to mention this - Allie’s fabulous maid-of-honor & her boyfriend made these by hand (and apparently he had the blisters to show for it).  They were so cute & different.  Allie & her friends did all the table centerpieces as well - they did a really great job!!


Allie + Joe - thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to be a part of truly such a beautiful day.  I can only hope your lives are full of happiness and love!

And to my amazing second photographer and wonderful friend, Stacy…you know you are incredible and I thank you!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | 2 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Allie   -  

    Wow! Robin! These pictures are so awesome! Thank you!

  2. Dana   -  

    Thank you so much Robin and Stacy. These pictures are great! Can’t wait to see them all.Thanks again for making Allie and Joe’s day spectacular….

{Healing}

November 5, 2008 – 3:19 pm

I’m very lucky to do what I do.  I’m also very fortunate to work with the Cure Group and be a part of their Healing Book which is going to be published early next year.  This is the first set of photographs that I took in the area for the book - oncology nurses and their patients.  Seriously, I’m very lucky.  These are the most incredible women who are so full of life, laughter and love and hope.


By robinlinphoto | Posted in Published Work | no comments         Add a Comment

{Hot Air} Up in the sky

October 27, 2008 – 12:19 am

After I finished my portrait session, I came home, switched out my cameras and repacked my lenses and we headed out to Statesville, NC for the Carolina Balloon Fest.  It was WONDERFUL!  Not only was it just great spending almost an entire day with my 3 favorite people on the planet, but the weather was fantastic, the balloons were gorgeous and watching hot air balloons is probably the most relaxing thing on earth.  And it was really nice to just photograph something different, I mean REALLY different.  I realize I don’t think I’d ever gotten that close to balloons before (I could feel the heat when they were firing them up), it was very cool. 

Oh, funny thing I have to share.  I did bring my “pro” equipment (as opposed to my “weekend” point & shoot camera) and I was shooting a lot with my long lens.  This lens does get a lot of comments at weddings as it is but it was super funny today.  Everyone was getting out of my way, apologizing for getting in my shots, etc.  It was nice.  I clearly need to do that more often :)





By robinlinphoto | Posted in Children & Family, Couples, My Life | no comments         Add a Comment

{R’s Family} Portrait Session

October 26, 2008 – 11:58 pm

This morning I woke up early after Jessica & Jon’s wedding and headed over for a very fun portrait session.  I actually know this family very well so I knew I was working with a fantastic mom and dad and kids today (but sometimes I think this makes me more nervous too).  The weather was gorgeous this morning although kind of chilly as well.  They have a beautiful home which made for a fantastic backdrop for our session today!


By robinlinphoto | Posted in Children & Family, Couples | 1 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Sarah   -  

    Woo hoo! What great pictures Robin! You really captured who they are together as a family…I especially love the one on the steps! Wonderful job!!

{Jessica + Jon} Wedding

October 26, 2008 – 11:45 pm

Saturday was a good day.  I was so lucky to be a part of Jessica + Jon’s wedding, and be a part of all the love, happiness and laughter that surrounded them - it really was wonderful to be a part of all of that.  While the day started cloudy and rainy, by the time the ceremony ended the sky turned beautiful blue, it couldn’t have been better if we had ordered it ourselves.



This was a note from Jon for Jess…she did manage to get through it without crying - she was very proud of herself!

One last hug from mom…

Jess was really nervous right before the ceremony and I thought this was so striking…

I just love Jon’s face when he first sees Jess…



And a really beautiful casual portrait of the very happy new couple!

I’ve had just amazing first dance and father/daughter dances this year…here’s another absolutely beautiful moment between Jess and her dad…

During the dance, Jon’s grandma came out as well…it was really nice…

Jess + Jon - not the first dance, but a dedicated dance from her dad…

So on to the party - and let’s just say that Jon has a very “unique” way of dancing - they call it “doing the Cagle” :)

Now we are going old school, to Ice Ice Baby and Vanilla Ice - true rapping and it was AWESOME!

Cute shoes, dancing - I’ll find them :)

Some really nice details, Jess’ mom made the bouquets and she did a really beautiful job!

So I saved this for last…all year long my cake cuttings have been very good and nice.  No one has done anything really extreme really - a little bit of quirky but no smashing or anything (and really, can you blame them - you don’t want to mess up anyone’s face).  And even Jess + Jon had a very “normal” cake cutting and they did a good job feeding each other and then it all went very awry and Jess got cake & icing all down her arm.  I’ve got a series of probably 15-20 images that I would have loved to have posted, I just love them.  But this one, well it takes the cake :)

Jess + Jon…thank you…words can not thank you enough.  I wish you so much happiness & love.  I know we’ll see each other again so I know I don’t really need to say goodbye….

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | 1 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Penny Noell   -  

    That last one is spectacular…how wonderful and unique!

{A Night at the Fair}

October 23, 2008 – 12:45 am

So yes my schedule is absolutely crazy right now, and yes I’m very behind in editing, etc. but the fair is here and really, we needed to go as a family and spend some time together.  And really, who can pass up an elephant ear, corn dog and orangeade (yes, we really consumed all of those things and more).   We had so much fun and for some reason, we must have had “give those people your extra ride tickets” stamped across our foreheads.  People we giving us buckets of extra tickets - maybe the girls looked extra cute or something but one couple handed us an entire sheet - $20 worth!  Needless to say, the girls really enjoyed a lot of extra rides at the generosity of total strangers (to which I’m very thankful for).


 

By robinlinphoto | Posted in My Life | 1 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Penny Noell   -  

    Were you there last night? I was there too, got some pictures of the fireworks as well. Fun stuff.

{Heidi + Evan} Wedding

October 23, 2008 – 12:29 am

On Sunday morning, I woke up early and had a quick breakfast with my fantastic family at Elmo’s (which is ironic as that was where I last met with Heidi & Evan).  Then I finished getting ready and began my drive out to Greenville to the beautiful Yankee Hall Plantation which would be location for Heidi & Evan’s gorgeous wedding.  Yankee Hall is absolutely amazing, it’s this beautiful old home with incredible character with all these amazing nooks & crannies and amazing places for photography.  And the weather was fantastic on Sunday, albeit, a smidge chilly with a pretty brisk wind.  Heidi had gorgeous red shoes, amazing friends & family surrounding her to celebrate her day, it was everything she had hoped for.





 




Heidi & Evan, I hope you guys have the most amazingly happy future together.  I really want nothing but happiness for you both.  I hope your honeymoon is amazing and if you see this before you get back, please have an extra bowl of chowder for me!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | 2 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Judy larkins   -  

    Thank you Robin, the pictures are lovely!!! We will always cherish them. Heidi’s Mom

  2. Evan and Heidi   -  

    Robin, these are absolutely beautiful! Thank you for all that you did for us and all your hard work….you were much more than our photographer, you kept me calm and helped me out in so many ways. We can not wait to see the rest! Keep in touch :)

{Jennifer + Brooks} Wedding

October 23, 2008 – 12:00 am

On Saturday evening I had the wonderful pleasure of being a part of Jennifer & Brooks’ amazing wedding.  It started off at a beautiful Baptist church in Cary and then continued to The State Club on NC State’s campus for the reception.  Everything was absolutely gorgeous and Jennifer’s chapel length veil, pink Kate Spade shoes and absolutely wonderful bridesmaids made for a truly beautiful day.








Jennifer & Brooks, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your amazing day!  I wish you so much happiness as you start this next part of your lives together.  I know you both will be happy as long as you are together.  I hope you are enjoying your amazing honeymoon!!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | 1 comments         Add a Comment
  1. becca   -  

    Robin! these pictures are BEAUTIFUL. it was so great to meet you. you’re talented and so much fun!

{Shannon} Bridal

October 22, 2008 – 10:13 pm

Last Thursday I met Shannon at Duke Gardens for her bridal session.  Her wedding is this December and I’m really looking forward to it.  I absolutely loved Shannon’s dress, it was absolutely gorgeous and she looked fantastic in it!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | no comments         Add a Comment

{Emily} Bridal

October 15, 2008 – 10:28 am

Yesterday I met Emily at Duke Gardens for her bridal session.  And while I’m not photographing Emily’s wedding this weekend (I was already booked) - I know she’s going to have an AMAZING wedding and I’m so incredibly happy for her.  I just love it when everything connects…

Probably my absolute favorite shot I’ve taken to date this year…

Emily - I hope you have an amazing wedding this weekend and I wish absolutely nothing but the absolute best for you….I can only hope our paths cross again in the near future!!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | 1 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Lea   -  

    Gorgeous! :)

{Jessica + Jay} Wedding

October 15, 2008 – 10:15 am

On Friday evening, I had the incredible pleasure of being a part of Jessica & Jay’s wedding at the Hinnant Family Vineyard in Pine Level.  I was very excited about this wedding as Jessica’s bridal session was so incredibly beautiful earlier this year.  Unfortunately I drove through a fair amount of rain on the way and the entire time I kept telling myself it would not rain for their wedding as there was no way the rain was going to damper this incredible affair.

Fortunately, by the time I arrived in Pine Level it was very overcast but there was no rain the ground was dry.  It drizzled on and off but the rain stayed away and we had a gorgeous outdoor ceremony overlooking the vineyard.  During the ceremony we even had a decent amount of thunder, I was hoping for lightening in the distance as that would have made for amazing photos, but no luck for me!

We begin with Jessica’s absolutely beautiful dress which truly complimented her beautiful porcelain skin and red hair…

Love this…

The beautiful vineyard…

The first dance…I love the way Jessica is looking at Jay…

And Jessica dancing with her dad…so incredibly sweet…

Into the barrel room for a fun portrait of my very happy couple…

LOVE LOVE LOVE this dance shot! (I’m pretty sure it was during “Shout”)

Glow sticks = FUN!

Jessica & Jay went with a glow stick exit…it rocked!

The details were so incredibly beautiful….

Jessica & Jay…thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of such an incredibly beautiful day, allowing me into your lives - and making me laugh so hard I couldn’t even shoot…I haven’t laughed that hard all year…you guys are the best!  I wish you nothing but the happiest life!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | 4 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Jessica's mom   -  

    These pictures are incredibly beautiful. Can’t wait to see the rest.

  2. Jays Mom   -  

    I think the photos are wonderful. Just like the couple in them

  3. Jessica's Aunt   -  

    A day to remember now preserved in pictures. Thanks for capturing the happy couple.

  4. Jessica   -  

    Robin, oh my gosh! These are fantastic! Love them! Thanks for all your hard work.

Just a reminder….

October 14, 2008 – 11:00 am

Tomorrow is the very last day for the bridal show promotion I was running from the August show…THANKS!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | no comments         Add a Comment

The road less traveled…

October 12, 2008 – 9:20 pm

After my Friday night wedding (which will be blogged soon), we woke up Saturday morning and headed up to NY to visit my dad and brother.  I really enjoy going this time of year as the leaves are gorgeous, the air is clear and yummy cider everywhere.

On our way back to the airport we like to take the back roads and I had planned to shoot a lot (however I’m currently battling a nastly cold that sprung up yesterday)….enjoy!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in My Life | 1 comments         Add a Comment
  1. shane   -  

    awwww… makes me miss home!

{Whitney + Aaron} Engagement

October 8, 2008 – 1:15 pm

On Sunday afternoon I had a great time with Whitney and Aaron, one of my 2009 couples.  We spent a bunch of time together at Pullen Park as it’s one of their favorite places and I enjoyed the opportunity to do some new things I haven’t done in a while.  Whitney and I chatted a while before their session and I told her a few ideas I had so it was fun when everything comes together.

We started on the carousel which was fun (but it’s seriously the longest carousel I’ve ever been on in my life)!

Then we walked around the lake…

Whitney has these amazing eyes that just see right through you…

I love this next shot.  And I realize some people may not get it but for me, it was all about trying something new and stepping out of my comfort zone.  For those not familiar with Pullen Park, the carousel has wire mesh wrapped around the entire outside of it (presumably a safety thing) so I was standing on the outside and I was shooting with an 85mm lens which fortunately if I had it _just_ right would fit perfectly without getting any of the mesh in the frame. 

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | 2 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Whitney   -  

    OMG! I love these Robin!! Thank you so much!

  2. Penny Noell   -  

    These are wonderful! Great images.

{Eliza + Josh} Wedding

October 7, 2008 – 12:23 am

On Saturday night I was so fortunate to be a part of Eliza & Josh’s incredible wedding.  Their wedding was the culmination of a very long relationship and it truly was a gorgeous evening.  The weather was perfect, the lights twinkled, everyone looked absolutely radiant.  One of Eliza’s bridesmaids remarked that Eliza could have shaved her head and she still would have looked amazing and I couldn’t have agreed more.

Of course we start with such very pretty shoes atop a very pretty sofa.

Then we see one stunning Vera Wang gown.

And Eliza…

Love this moment between one of Eliza’s bridesmaids and her little girl…


I don’t normally post my group shots but I just love this next set..the ladies rocked it!

 

And the guys…

One final moment between Eliza and her dad…a traditional shot of Petron…

The ceremony was so beautiful…

We were in the middle of all the formals when I grabbed this shot, I just love it…

These next two images I’m so in love with.  I actually have an entire series similar to this….

Ahh, the first dance, I absolutely love every single first dance from every wedding I’ve ever shot.  I love the images I get out of first dances…

And Eliza with her dad…

This dance shot is one of my all time favorites…


And last but not least, the details…

Eliza & Josh…thank you so much for allowing me in to your lives and allowing me to be a part of this incredible day.  I wish you so much happiness and love…and hope our paths cross again soon!

By robinlinphoto | Posted in Couples, Weddings & Engagements | 3 comments         Add a Comment
  1. francisco   -  

    Great wedding and of course great images.

  2. Jenny   -  

    Amazing photos…amazing wedding! Never a more beautiful bride and happy couple! Thank you for capturing every moment! We can’t wait to see more!

  3. kelly werner   -  

    They are beautiful! Eliza and Josh, you are a beautiful couple! I love the one of Tina and Melina too!