regina holder photographer

artistic storytelling.

Hi! Welcome to my Photo Journal.

I describe my style of photography as artistic storytelling. Using a photojournalism approach, with a hint of editorial portraiture, I use the images to tell the story of each wedding. Through my blog, I actually get to tell the stories behind the photos and share my excitement about all the weddings and couples that I am so blessed to work with. I also get to give credit to all the wonderful vendors that make the weddings extra special.

My children’s work is also important to me. I offer lifestyle portraiture at the client’s house, focusing on capturing the child’s personality and interaction with other family members. There are no “say cheese” photos allowed. I often take the time to play with the child before I even pick up my camera, so I call these sessions “play dates”.

I live in the house I grew up in with my dog, Lennox. She is a boxer/American Bulldog mix and a big girl. She has my heart. We are in the small community of Balsam, about 45 minutes west of Asheville. My studio is at Biltmore Park, off Long Shoals Road.

Email me at regina@reginaholder.com, leave me a comment below or just pick up the phone and give me a call. 828-452-4295 I would love to hear from you!

peace and happiness!

regina

featured on southern weddings blog

July 16, 2008 – 9:46 am

I am absolutely thrilled this morning to see Desiree and Marty’s wedding featured on the Southern Weddings blog!!! Thank you SO much, Lara and Danielle!!!

Check out my full blog post here.

By admin | Posted in Southern Weddings | 12 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

alenna and doug - basilica/crest center

July 9, 2008 – 1:50 am

Alenna and Doug had the most wonderful wedding! The ceremony was at one of my absolute favorite places - The Basilica of St. Lawrence. The cathedral is magnificent! Of couse, there are a lot of rules, but it is still hands down the biggest, prettiest church. After we finished up the family photos, I asked the church coordinator if we could go up in the choir loft. Both she and the organist responded that it was so dirty up there and were questioning why I would possibly want to do that. The resulting shots are some of my all time favorites!!!

The couple, their families and bridal party rode from downtown to Crest Center by Asheville Historic Trolley. Alenna was super excited about the trip. It was rainy and windy, but totally fun! I love the photo of their reflection in the trolley mirror.

Alenna was so happy and radiant! I LOVE radiant brides!!!! Her dress from Dar-Lynn’s in Charlotte was stunning. I couldn’t stop taking pictures of her! I LOVE the shots from our mini-fashion shoot in the women’s restroom. The shot in front of the Audrey Hepburn photos is a new favorite!

Karen from Brown’s Floral Design made her funky cool Gerber bouquet and other fun flowers. The cake with photos of the couple on all the sides was by Juanita of The Bake Shoppe. I was so thrilled to see several engagement photos, especially the hilarious photo of their dog Jack, on the cake! A bundle of nerves, a snug dress and lack of digestion resulted in a bride not feeling so well and an outfit change. Doug got to hang out in the women’s restroom while some decisions were made. Alenna was able to make it through the rest of the reception and tons of fun was had by everyone!

Alenna played a trick on Doug! Alenna is a NC State grad and Doug is a Carolina alum. (See get to know post below). Well, normally the garter is the groom’s university. She was such a prankster and had the bright red State garter hidden. Everyone was in on it, too! Poor Doug’s face just dropped and then all the Wolfpack fans started with their wolf signs. It was just mean! GO TARHEELS! lol!!!

The Crest Center faces west and usually there is a nice sunset. For their wedding, especially after the rain, it was unbelievable!!!! Bright pinks and oranges. I think if Alenna had still had her dress on we would be looking at possible billboard material!

Click here for the slideshow!

A huge thanks to Danny Wilson for all his help on this one. I love having him 2nd shoot with me.

By admin | Posted in Asheville Historic Trolley, Basilica of St. Lawrence, Brown's Floral Design, Dar-Lynn's, The Bake Shoppe, The Crest Center, Wedding photography | 2 comments Show Comments | Add a Comment

get to know - carrie and carl

July 9, 2008 – 1:13 am

When I was in Raleigh for baby Sophia’s baptism, I finally got to meet Carrie and Carl in person. I had emailed back and forth with Carrie and talked to her on the telephone, so it was great to finally meet her and Carl. They love being outdoors and hiking. We met at Umstead State Park that lies between Raleigh, Cary and Durham. We were really lucky to get a day with nice weather, temperatures that were actually quite mild and some seriously awesome late afternoon light!

Carrie and Carl were so much fun! We walked around in the woods to several different spots, chatting about them and their September wedding at Homewood and Coleman Place. This is the year of the TALL groom! I think Carl said he is 6′5″, which is just a little shorter than Barron. Since I am so vertically challenged, it is always interesting photographing someone so much taller! About the same time last year, I got posion oak on an esession and I was trying to be so careful. Apparently, it was growing up the side of a log I sat on, because I spent the next 3 weeks with a miserable rash up the back of my leg.

Click here for the slideshow!

By admin | Posted in Umstead State Park, engagement session, get to know | no comments No Comments | Add a Comment

get to know - alenna and doug

July 9, 2008 – 12:51 am

Alenna and Doug were one of the 8 couples that I met at the Wedding Festivals bridal show in January that hired me! I had only talked to them briefly in the middle of all that chaos and then on the telephone before they hired me. After a few times being rained out attempting to do the engagement portraits in Blowing Rock, I ended up making the trek to Charlotte for their “get to know you” session. When I pulled up to their home, the first thing I noticed was their “house divided” flag. Of course, I had to have them sit on the front steps for a few photos. Much to my surprise, Alenna is the NC State grad and Doug is the Carolina guy. This is not their only difference! Alenna is so bubbly and constantly smiling and laughing. Doug is a lot more reserved and laid back. They compliment each other perfectly!

We went to the park where they enjoy spending time. On the way there, I saw one of my favorite things - trees draped with loads and loads of wisteria. I had always wanted to shoot a portrait with wisteria, so I suggested we stop there on the way back. Little did I know that we would have to carefully walk down the side of a busy road to an interstate overpass bridge to get to it. Alenna and Doug were such troopers - I love it when a couple trusts what I want them to do.

Back at their house, we did some shots with their dog Jack. One shot with a closeup of his nose looks like the series THE DOG. Alenna and Doug emailed that they laughed so hard over that photo. Little did I know it would make the cake!

Click here for the slideshow!

By admin | Posted in engagement session, get to know | no comments No Comments | Add a Comment

fourth of july

July 4, 2008 – 9:49 pm

My grandmother rode in the Balsam July 4th parade less than 2 months before she passed away in 2006. She was so happy to be included in the parade, since she had lived in our little community for over 75 years. I miss her a lot, especially today. Happy Fourth of July!

By admin | Posted in Uncategorized | no comments No Comments | Add a Comment

sophia’s big fat greek baptism

July 4, 2008 – 9:32 pm

Becky has been my best friend for over 18 years. We were in the School of Journalism together and were lab assistants in the photo darkroom (yes, back in the dark ages when film was processed by hand and little trays of toxic chemicals were used to make prints.) She is such an important part of my life and usually the first person I call when anything good or bad happens. Her family is my family and I love her children to bits. I just wish that I lived closer so that I could have Aunt Gina hugs much more often! Her son Alex has his own gallery on my children’s portrait website - he’s the greatest kid ever. Sophia is incredibly sweet and smiley.

Since my schedule revolves around the special days of my clients, it is rare that I get to participate in anything important. I was thrilled when I found out that baby Sophia’s baptism was on a day that I could actually be there. I was super excited to document this special day for Becky and her family. Becky’s husband, John, is Greek and I photographed their wedding 8 years ago. What makes these photos all the more special is that John’s father is the priest! The baptism font was used for all of Father Manuel’s children, but none of the grandchildren, until Sophia! He was so happy and sweet with her that I get all teary watching the slideshow. The Greek baptism service is about 45 minutes long and as big as many of the weddings that I photograph. Sophia even had a special white dress. I love the Lion King moment! The reception followed in the church hall and the gifts were amazing - lots and lots of dresses!

Click here for the baptism slideshow.

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emily and michael - crest pavilion

July 2, 2008 – 10:46 pm

Emily and Michael were married at the Crest Center Pavilion. They were my first of 3 June weddings there within 19 days! Huge thanks to Amy at Crest for all her support. The mountain views are spectacular and made a perfect backdrop for the ceremony. Jarrad helped again with this one and took the up high position.

Emily put so many incredible details and fun things into her wedding. Her color choices were awesome. LOVE the purple shoes! Her family and friends did all of the floral and event design. The big purple square lights by the stage were very nice! The bridesmaids carried Oriental fans, instead of bouquets. How cool! They came in very useful on the hot dancefloor! Dancing was very important to Emily and Michael. They had a very well choreographed first dance. LOVE the lean shot! Another really cool thing - they had swing dance lessions with the guests while I was doing the family and couple portraits.

Click here for the slideshow!

Jarrad’s images:

Jarrad’s shot of the dance lessions:

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lainee and toby - 1927 lake lure inn and spa

July 2, 2008 – 10:18 pm

Lainee and Toby were married at the 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa. Heather at the inn has been so awesome to me and I really appreciate all of the couples she has sent my way this year. The historic hotel is a great location for a wedding, since all the guests can stay there and it is right on the lake with awesome mountain views.

Lainee, Toby and her mom Lucille met with me on New Year’s Day and hired me for their wedding. After talking with them for a short time, I realized how emotional the wedding was going to be. Lainee’s father has health issues that they initially thought would keep him from attending. While he was unable to walk her down the aisle, he was there with nursing assistance.

I love it when brides do something different! Lainee’s bouquet was so pretty. It was made up of wired crystals with ivory roses. They did an awesome job with all the magnolias and the monogrammed banner on the mantle. The cake was over the top! It was one of the prettiest cakes I have seen. Sean from Premier Sound and Light had the party rocking as always!

Click here to see their slideshow.

Jarrad caught this incredibly moment.

More of Jarrad’s images:

Thanks, Jarrad, for the great images, all your help and the best timed glass of water!

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tiffany - bridal portrait

June 22, 2008 – 2:30 pm

I posted last month with a sneak peek of Tiffany’s back walking through the apple orchard. Tiffany and Brad were married Friday night at Crest Center, so I can finally show you the rest of the bridals! A huge THANK YOU to Tiffany’s MIL Yvonne and Tiffany’s BFF and Maid of Honor Courtney for all her help.

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desiree and marty

June 21, 2008 – 1:14 am

When Desiree called me about her wedding photography, she told me about getting married at her aunt’s house outside Greeneville, TN. It seems like we talked forever about how excited she was about the wedding and how happy she was to have found Marty. Soon afterwards, they came and met with me at my studio - just before the vendor event that I did in February. Before they left, Marty told me about how excited Desiree was to have me taking the wedding photos and that she doesn’t let anyone take pictures of her - so that was a big deal. Marty even gave me a mini-pep talk about my upcoming party and the direction my business is going. He is a special one!

Believe me, if you have the pleasure of knowing Desiree and Marty, you are truly blessed - as was evident when I met their families and saw all the hard work and attention to detail that made their wedding so special. Desiree’s aunt Trudy went all out to make her property along the river perfect for the wedding. They built a gazebo on the river and had everything decorated so awesome with lots of greenery and little birds and birds’ nests. I couldn’t get over all that they had done!

One of the highlights of the day was the horse drawn carriage that took Desiree from the cabin down to the ceremony site. They also did a dove release at the end of the ceremony. Absolutely beautiful! Ben from Big Time Entertainment did some fun games and had a talent contest based on 3 songs - I bet you can guess which ones they were! Marty, his daughter and Desiree’s aunt did a great performance of “Kiss” by Prince. Everyone had so much fun! Marty’s sister made him an apron and them a gorgeous quilt! I absolutely LOVE the twilight couple photos at the end. I have to give special recognition to Holley Creek Florist for the fantastic job they did and also Unique Cake and Catering from Bristol - LOVE the draped fondant!

Click here to see their wedding slideshow. Click here for the get to know slideshow.