Mud monsters, crawfish, soggy bottoms, and lots of love on the blog today.
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Love
In case, I forgot to mention it...Speed Racer and I are pregnant! We are having a baby and quite soon too I might add! Our little one is set to make its debut February 3rd, 2015. So between holidays and preparing for baby, the posts and updates may be few and far between. I appreciate your patience during this time, especially all of my clients who have already shown me so much patience and love! I cannot wait to share the next stage in our life with you as well as my photography career. Here's to the next adventure!
A special thinks also to Kayla with Kayla F Photography! I cannot get over my amazing maternity session with her and adore each and every beautiful image she took!
The first weekend in November it was freakishly cold here in East Tennessee. There was even snow in the mountains, which is unusual for this time of year. Despite the cold, Catherine & Bryan got married at Dara's Gardens and had one of the most beautiful fall weddings I have ever experienced.
Catherine's dress was a classic ivory with a beautiful lace jacket over the top. She looked absolutely stunning! The dress went perfect with her colors of grey and yellow.
The pictures and ceremony were outside, while the reception was in a heated tent. I have to give it to this bridal party, despite the unexpected temperature they were all great sports! Everyone went with the flow and made it for a truly heartfelt day.
After family photos (and a quick hot apple cider break), Bryan, Catherine and I snuck off to take some amazing fall photos on Dara's Garden's property. I absolutely love the way these turned out!
After the sun went down it was time to go inside and enjoy the party! I loved the lights in the tent, and all the beautiful succulents Catherine had used as pops of color and table centerpieces.
Catherine and Bryan thank you so much for sharing your beautiful day with me and letting me capture it. Catherine, I know you and I hit it off from the first meeting and I loved getting to know you! You have a beautiful spirit and I loved getting to know both of your families better. Congrats Mr & Mrs!
A special shout out to Amanda Womble for being my amazing assistant that day! My preggo self couldn't have done it without you! Thanks for helping me carry gear and braving the cold.
Fall colors, woods, a pond, pumpkins, and a family owned farm...what's not to love about this engagement session? Early in October I headed over to Anderson County to Jodi's family farm for an afternoon of fun photos.
I knew after our first meeting, that Jodi and I were going to hit it off. Jodi is sweet and makes everyone around her comfortable. So when the time came, the day of the shoot, to meet Blake I knew he would be the same. Blake has a contagious smile and between these two we just kept laughing all day.
I loved that these two chose to be adventurous and get out on the pond in the boat. Even if it did have a small (tiny), leak in it. The whole day they were up for anything which is exactly what a photographer wants.
You can tell that family, history and heritage are all very important to both Jodi and Blake. Not only did we shoot on the family farm but Blake's family showed up to help out and Jodi's Mom provided a lot of the cute props. Blake plays in a bluegrass band and you can just tell with both of them that the area is very important to them.
Jodi and Blake I cannot wait to photograph your wedding next July! Thanks for being up for anything, even some of the off the wall things I asked you to do. I felt so comfortable with you both. Your love and respect for each other is apparent in every photo and I can't wait to experience that 100 fold on your wedding day!
I am so lucky to have these two in my life. We call them Speed Racer's adopted Grandparents. They're not Grandparents by blood but they have been an integral part of his life since he was born. I have loved getting to know these two and being accepted as one of the family.
John and Lynn are proof that if you work at a marriage, love can last a life time. They clearly still adore each other and had so much fun having their pictures taken.
They have traveled all over together, raised three beautiful women, and a complete gaggle of grandkids. They cherish family as much as they cherish each other.
Thank you John and Lynn for not only making me part of your family but for showing me that youth is a mindset, not an age, and that love is eternal. Your love is inspiring.
I absolutely love when my job allows me to reconnect with old friends and coworkers! I was thrilled when Heather contacted me (we used to work together) saying that she had just had her new baby girl and would love some family portraits. We had so much fun and it was such a privileged to meet such a sweet baby girl.
Leiah was born premature so she is just a tiny little bundle of joy. We did these photos just a couple weeks after she was born so she was still sleepy, tiny, and precious.
Leiah's Dad, David, is in the Marines so we had fun doing a lot of different shots with his uniform. Amazingly, the uniform survived without any accidents!
After talking with Heather and David, they let slip that they had never had portraits done of just the two of them, not to mention as a family. So while Grandma and Grandpa took a shift feeding Leiah, we snuck off to do just a couple pictures of them.
Just as a side note: I am a huge fan of making sure you have couple portraits taken at many stages of life. This isn't just because it's what I do, but because everyone needs some photographs that show the love that you feel for each other. It reminds us of whats important and gives us a visual reminder when times are tough.
David and Heather radiate love not just for each other but for Leiah too. You can tell they are going to be fabulous parents! Congrats you two! I can't wait to see Leiah through each stage of life grow in the loving environment you have created for her.
It's hard to believe that this little guy used to be this little baby! He's growing up fast and he's on the move. I was so excited to go to my hometown for the weekend to photograph and hang out with Mr. and Mrs. Hokie (and baby Hokie).
Silas had a big day of egg hunts (complete with mini cookies) with both sets of Grandparents, playing with sticks, running around, and even getting to go up in a big boy tractor. I love spending a day with families in this way because its like getting to open up a door to their house while everyone is sitting down for dinner and they don't know you're there. Everyone's personalities and love just over-pours and I just drink it up.
We started with Mrs. Hokie's parents. We had a lot of fun playing around in the back yard with Silas and experience the beginnings of spring.
I love watching Grandparents just come alive around grandkids. There's something special about that bond.
Although this day was mainly about Grandparents (and Great Grandparents) we managed to get a couple photos of Silas with his own awesome parents. Being kissed by Mom and getting to be a man with Dad equals a pretty swell day.
Next it was over to Mr. Hokie's parents for another easter egg hunt and a chance to romp around in the great outdoors. Grandma's do know the best tickle spots.
And of course, the day wouldn't be complete without getting a chance to sit up on the big tractor with Granddad. All in all I think you can safely say that Silas is a hit with his grandparents. His parents think he's alright too. I hope that these photos helped capture this growing boy at such a fun stage. Thanks to all the Grandparents and parents for taking me into your home. I had a blast!
I love being able to photograph my friends! It's one of my favorite things. I especially love capturing their relationships and ones that I respect so much. Amanda & Kevan, and I set out on one of the first hot spring days this year to Amanda's Grandfather's land to take some awesome couples portraits.
Amanda's Grandfather has an amazing place that shows all the beauty that East Tennessee has to offer. We also had a variety of setting to shoot at from woods, to a pond, to gorgeous grassy fields.
I have known Kevan and Amanda for little over a year now and have loved seeing their relationship grow. They are truly dedicated to each other and their love radiates off of both of them.
And then there is their dog Hank. Hanks has big personality and is always (did I say ALWAYS?) ready to play. A day is not compete without hanging out with Hank.
Hank had his first encounter with a horse and I think it went well. As a matter of fact, I think it might be true love!
Thank you so much to Amanda and Kevan for letting me spend a wonderful afternoon with you. I hope you had fun! I know I did. Check out more photos below in the gallery!
As a professional photographer its incredibly important to me not to forget to capture my everyday life. Don't get me wrong, there is a side of my brain that never stops taking pictures. I see them EVERYWHERE and try to capture the most I can. But there are times when I get so focused on work, bookings, editing etc, that I forget to take a breath and look around me.
Like at this little guy, who is just begging to have his picture taken...
Seriously...
He loves the camera. I was surprised how comfortable both my niece and nephew were with the camera. I don't get to see them as much as I would like to so I was a little worried they would shy away from it but instead they went right for it. Which made my heart happy. I would love to look back years later and have many photographs of these normal moments in their lives along with the great achievements.
I'm sure there will be times when they get tired of their crazy Aunt with the camera but in some way I hope it teaches them to keep doing the things they love, to struggle through the mental blocks and fatigue, and to strive to make their passions happen even in ordinary moments. So for now, I plan to just keep clicking away.
Earlier this week I was so excited and thrilled to get to meet the newest addition to a client and friend's family. On my way over to The Women's Pavillion I was full of questions. What is this little man going to be like? Does he look like his Dad? Does he look like his Mom? I couldn't wait to meet this new little person.
And the answer to all those questions is, he's perfect. He is completely himself. Meet Maddox! You may remember his big sister from Meeting Macey. They look so much alike! Although Maddox favors his Mom's darker hair.
Big Sister Macey is still adjusting to the change. But she was more than willing to lend her pacifier when Maddox was crying. Seriously, the sweetest thing ever!
Angela is a stunning Mom! I have always been impressed with how laid back and calm she is through this entire process. I love this photo of her and Maddox.
She and Dustin work very well together as a team. Something I am sure they have perfected with Macey. I can't get over the look on Grandma's face in the background, so much love!
Congratulations Dustin, Angela, and Macey! I know you guys have some long weeks ahead as you get to learn this new member of your family but I am so excited to watch and see this little man grow up.
