She found me through a co-worker/co-study abroad traveler’s maternity photos and sent me THE best ‘shoot my wedding’ proposal email yet. :) I just couldn’t turn her down and just happened to be in Durham the next week! It’s so amazing how things just work out. Small small world. And on that note, I shot my first Russian, too… who had found himself moving to the States for a change. I’d say he found one!

The last shot is one of my favorites… just adored him playing with her hands so sweet. Couldn’t be more excited for their Florida beach wedding coming up … part of my attempt to shoot three weddings in three days in three states! Stay tuned!

Playing catchup after being on the road/in the air for most of July (and lacking a very sick computer for a week. ugh!) I’m excited to share a few of my favorites from this recent engagement session… and a few new editing techniques I’m trying out. (feel free to critique!) I can’t wait for their wedding in just a few weeks, they’re such a fun couple to be around, and up for anything INCLUDING laying in the middle of a creek. You were troopers and I loved every second!

I’ll just start off saying I love this couple! And you know someone loves you back when they plan around your availability before they’re even engaged! :) As soon as John carved ‘Marry Me’ in that pumpkin, it was official, and the plans began for Helen and John’s Montgomery wedding. Here are the highlights:

one of my favorite moments below… I love how Helen and John are making the exact same face at the same moment. :)

Probably my favorite family formals yet… Helen fits in just right. :)

Next, a rockin reception at the Montgomery Country Club… to top it all off with John’s version of ‘Hey Ya’… a big crowd pleaser.

Congrats to the NEW Mr and Mrs Hopson… my third Hopson duo to photograph, in fact… and I can’t wait for more! View the rest of their perfect day in the slideshow here. {And if you missed their engagement session, it can be found here.}

So glad we made a quick stop in Birmingham on the way to the beach to see this little man… and what a sleepy boy he was, letting us move, change and pose him however we please… I can already tell he got his mom’s laid back attitude… mixed with a bit of his dad, a little rock and roll. :)

And LOVED this little detail found on the dresser… a fortune cookie that Kat opened before she knew what she was having! :) Perfect. Be sure to view Rollins’ slideshow here to a little diddy that Hank wrote just for him.

Just got home from Kayla and JB’s super fun-filled wedding extravaganza and couldn’t wait to share this little happy that Joanie, Carly and I created. :) The orginal thought was to spell out ‘Kayla & JB’… but it might have been a bit ambitious with 8 slightly/really tipsy guests? We screamed and shrieked and oohed and ahhed when we finally got something to work. haha. Thanks girls and I can’t wait to post the REAL photos of their awesome day! NOW… off to pack for the beach and another fun wedding this week… and maybe try a little sleep… leaving in 4.5 hours… eek!

In a couple of weeks this adorable duo are getting hitched and I couldn’t be happier for them! We’ve got a pretty special connection here, as Rob is the older brother to Will (aka boyfriend)… and it’s always fun to shoot someone close to you! :) We finally found a rain-free afternoon to squeeze in a few engagement pics out at my farm. Stay tuned for photos of the big day in Selmer, TN… coming soon!

Dana and I have acquired the same skill easily making a Sanders boy laugh/cringe/feel awkward… a fine line between all three. Loving their expressions here.

{my favorite}

View more of their sweet session and slideshow here.

I’ve known Julieann and her family for years and years and I’m so excited to see this big smile on her face. :) These two are heading off to the gulf-coast in a couple of weeks for their wedding… oil or no oil, they’re still getting married! Best wishes to ya’ll… can’t wait to hear all about it!

View more of their session and slideshow here.

I don’t get to share my family and baby sessions very often… there’s just one of me and so many wonderful clients! So, a new goal of mine is to blog every session I get to photograph (and I’ll even try to catch up on the year!)… even if it’s just my favorite from each. Go ahead, hold me to it. :)

If there was a contest for one of my most laid back couples ever… this one just might take home the gold. Add to that a PERFECT day, hilarious wedding party, precious families and a rockin reception… weddings like this make me love my job. :) Sharing just a few favorites, but be sure to catch more of the new Mr. and Mrs. Schmittou here.

Definitely a first: this wedding gift from Lindy’s dad, a very special duck band with a very special story. Mr. Hutcheson discovered this token, banded by Canadian Jack Minor with a bible verse, meant for this family as it changed their lives. He teared up just telling the story and of course, so did I. Such a gift from the heart.

Whew! Still gets to me… so on to the couple!

Why I love that first look… With Jason’s gorgeous daughter, Lindsey and a tearful greeting for Lindy’s grandfather.

A little trip on the golf cart with the coordinator, Carly Rager.

Ending with a dance with Lindy’s brother… (and major motivation for a push-up routine! haha) A huge thanks goes out to my two assistants during the day, Casslyn Moore and Katie Wright, and a few of the vendors that pulled together to make this an awesome day:

Carly Rager Coordinating | Four Seasons Florist | Leah Weakley of Prodigy Salon | DJ, Alex Adames | Clarksville Country Club

These two adorable friends of mine are getting married THIS WEEKEND at Cedarwood in Nashville. We finally got a chance to squeeze in their engagement photos… on Cinco de Mayo, in fact! I’m so excited about seeing images from the wedding… their photographers, Whitney and Peter Carlson of Dove Weddings are two of my favorite photo folks ever! So… a quick few for kicks, but be sure to view their slideshow (to one of my favorite new songs) here. 

{can’t decide between these two… love.}

Coming soon… Erin’s bridal portraits we took this past fall… CAN’T WAIT to share… gorgeous gorgeous girl. Congrats Erin and Scott… soak up this weekend… can’t wait to hear about it all!