Baby Brennan

I'm not going to lie, I've been wanting to photograph this kid since before he was born.  When I found out Heather was pregnant, I knew this kid was going to be sweet and adorable, just like his parents.  So as soon as Brennan came into the world, we booked a session for when he was about 6 months old.

Unfortunately our first effort at a session got completely rained out.  Not just drizzle, we're talking serious downpour.  But that was okay, we waiting a month or so until the afternoon rains died off some and Brennan had mastered his sitting up a little more.

It was a really amazing day and I just loved spending time with this little guy.  He's so laid back and just happy to be around!  We've already got a Holiday Mini session scheduled with this cutie and I cannot WAIT to see how those turned out.  Stay tuned!

Rachel & Ed's Wedding

Rachel and Ed are perfect for each other.  Its just a fact of life.  Like one of those things you just know when you see it, like that the sun is warm and flowers are beautiful.  You just know it.  The more you are around them, the more this feeling grows and grows.  It radiates between them and before you know it, you're smiling too.

Rachel and Ed are active people.  They are both vets, both active in their families, and active in their church.  When they went about planning their wedding they brought all of these factors of their lives into the details.  Their wedding was one of the most personal weddings I have been too, and it was truly beautiful.  Each aspect tied in a meaning to them from the hand picked readings to every single song that was played during the ceremony.

We started the day with a First Look and bridal party photos at UT Gardens.  Rachel and Ed had the best wedding party!!  These guys were up for anything and helped the day start out with some really fun poses.

Next it was over to Immaculate Conception for the ceremony.  Rachel & Ed's ceremony was like a big family reunion.  They hugged and greeted each guest as they came in.  The ceremony was beautiful and heartfelt.

The reception was held at Calhoun's on the River and was complete with epic DJ entrances for each Wedding Party Member.  Rachel's Dad and Sister (who was the Maid of Honor) both gave speeches as well as Ed's Twin Brother (Best Man).  Each speech proved more and more how Rachel and Ed are perfect for each other.  Some speeches brought tears of joy and others, lots of laughter.

Thanks to Rachel and Ed for letting me part of their amazing day!  I am so excited for you both and blessed to know you.

Holiday Mini Sessions

 

I am super excited to be offering Holiday Mini Sessions this year!  This is the perfect opportunity to get great family photos as well as those fun shots for Holiday Cards.  ​Break out the tacky sweaters and hot cocoa!  I will be offering a great holiday set up at Riverdale Elementary in Strawberry Plains.  If you haven't heard of Riverdale, it's a historic building that has been restored by Connie and Wayne Whitehead and is now available as a photography venue.  Its got a lot of character and I'm excited to be able to offer my clients a new location that we can use for Mini Sessions no matter what the weather is like.  Spots are limited so please contact me to reserve your time slot as soon as possible!

Wedding Day Moments

 

We all have our favorite moments at weddings.  Moments that make us tear up, moments that always make us laugh, moments that you never forget and moments that we wish we could capture forever.  That is the favorite part of my job, capturing all those special moments for you to hold onto.

From embarrassing moments at the rehearsal dinner to so many tearful hugs, there are so many moments packed into a wedding weekend!  I was recently a vendor at Knoxville's Pink Bridal Show and I asked several of the brides that I met to chime in on their favorite wedding day moments.  I would love to hear from you too!  Check out the poll below and add in your opinion!

[polldaddy poll=8234374]

Don't see your favorite wedding day moment in the poll?  Go ahead and shout it out in the comments below!  I'd love to hear from you!

Austin's Senior Portraits

I love photographing Senior Portraits!  Its such an exciting time in a persons life, so much possibility and so much unknown!  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph Austin's Senior Portraits in Cades Cove.

Austin just graduated as part of the Class of 2014 at Gibbs High School! We had so much fun running around Cades Cove.  You could tell this is a place that Austin truly connected too.

The historic churches at Cades Cove are one of my favorite places to photograph in.

And of course Senior Portraits aren't complete without a cap and gown!  Thanks to Austin for being a great sport and going along with my crazy antics!  Thanks to his girlfriend Jordan for keeping him laughing for me!  I hope life takes you on an amazing journey Austin, congrats!

John & Lynn

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.

Leiah

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.

Prom 2014

 

Spring is in the air, which means, it's Prom time again!  I was so excited and thrilled to be asked to photograph some before pictures for Claire's Prom.  I love the Norman family (you may have heard me mention them a time or two) so any chance to get to hang out with them is a good time!

We headed over to a friend of the family's house for the photos.  They had a beautiful park like back yard full of flowers, textures, and beautiful grass.  When you're a photographer, you start to pay attention to different grass, it's just one of those things.  The girls were gorgeous!  I loved both the colors and gowns they chose.

The guys weren't too shabby either and they humored me with all my photo requests, which is all I could ask for.

We had so much fun goofing around and capturing such a fun time in their lives!

I hope you all had a magical night.  By now, you're graduated and on your way to a new chapter. It won't be easy but remember the friends you have and the awesome memories you built during prom.  Thanks for letting me join in the fun!

Worley Family

 

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!

Amanda and Kevan

 

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!