Autumn 1 Year Old Session - Harper

This was the last session in Harper's Baby First Year Package! I was so blessed to photography this little girl's parent's wedding and then I've gotten to work with Harper several times since she was born! This sweet little girl is SMART. You could see her processing everything around her and she was going to make us work for those smiles. Her grandpa taught her a face called the "Papaw face" that she does on command which was my favorite. Happy 1st Birthday, Harper. Please enjoy this sneak peek of Harpers Autumn 1 Year Old Session.

Sneak Peek Jewel-Toned Fall Ruby Wedding - Kelly & Neil

Kelly & Neil's wedding at Ruby in Nashville this past weekend was just beautiful. When you have such a happy and smiling bride and groom it makes everything that much easier. They had their engagement session with me (and the adorable Major) earlier this year so it felt natural for me to be up in their faces all day at their wedding which made for even more authentic portraits. Add in Kelly's choice in wedding colors that popped in the softer fall light, and my heart was happy. Their reception was non stop and everyone there obviously loved to party. I even got to photograph my first Armenian wedding dance! Not only did I have all of the elements that makes for gorgeous photos, they both made me feel extremely welcome. At one point one of the guests pulled me on the dance floor. I escaped and Neil dragged me back in proclaiming that I was "the best photographer ever" so to say that I felt appreciated is an understatement. It was such a gorgeous day with a lovely couple. I am so happy that a year ago Kelly contacted me and that I got to be the one to photograph their Jewel-Toned Fall Ruby Wedding. Please check out their sneak peek below!

Thanks to their vendors:
Venue: Ruby
Florals: A Village of Flowers
Desserts: Dulce Desserts
Hair & Makeup: Kati Edge
Wedding Gown: LVD Bridal
Rentals: Liberty Party Rental
Catering: Bacon & Caviar
Band: Emerald Empire Band

Belle Meade Plantation 1 Year Old Session - Charlie

This blog should be called the many funny and adorable faces of Charlie. So many expressions from this child (that I think he gets from his mom) and as you know, I love funny kid faces. I know both of Charlie's parents from working with them in the wedding and event industry so when they asked me to photograph this cute little guy's 1 year portraits, I couldn't wait. The area that we started the session in was were Charlie's parents were married! Please enjoy this sneak peek of Charlie's Belle Meade Plantation 1 Year Old Session. 

In Home Family Session - Schneider Family

When I'm not photographing weddings, I love to do family sessions! I met the Schneider family when I photographed their eldest's Bat Mitzvah portraits. I instantly fell in love with this family so when they asked me to come back and photograph the whole crew in their home, I was super excited! To keep things more casual, mom and dad let the kids wear what they would be comfortable in. Rachel literally wanted "Just ONE good one of them all together" which left me room to photograph all them being themselves ...which is my absolute favorite! Please enjoy this In Home Family Session!

Crispy Baked Peanut Tofu and Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry Recipe

I am not a good cook. I can semi follow a recipe alright. Although the bok choy in this shot is not cooked all the way, the tofu isn't caramelized enough, and I stuck the plate in the microwave after taking this photo, it was SOOO delicious. The recipe was from Minimalist Baker and you should definitely make it. Click HERE to get the recipe. I used frozen cauliflower rice to save time (although I didn't thaw it long enough hence the microwave) and used expired maple syrup instead of honey because my honey had solidified. I'm still alive and it was still good!

Sneak Peek Bookish Murfreesboro Intimate Wedding - Lauren & Michael

Oh my gosh you guys! This wedding has all of my favorite things - It's in the couple's backyard, it's a tiny wedding, IT HAS DOGS, it has a literature themed decor, a dinosaur cake topper with attire to match the bride and groom's attire, and most importantly an extremely sweet and fun couple! Did I say that it has dogs??

Lauren always wanted to be a librarian but became a lawyer instead.  She met Michael a few years ago and guess what? He IS a librarian! So they decided to get married. I'm sure it actually had a lot to do with his other redeeming qualities and not just his job. 

Cooper and Charlie's mom and dad were married in their backyard this past Saturday and I was lucky enough to be there to photograph it. The decor made my nerdy heart happy and you will not believe that the florals were done by Lauren's mom! The best part of all of this is that I get to see everyone again next month when I photograph Lauren's sister Kayla's wedding! Please enjoy this Bookish Murfreesboro Intimate Wedding! 

Special thanks to their vendors:
Dress- Mod Cloth
Florals- Lauren's Mom
Cake- Publix
Judge- Judge Donna Davenport
Catering - Tasty Table Fine Event Catering
Rentals- Stewart Special Events

Fire Chief Retirement Party - Debbie Campbell

I work a lot with Caprice and Enchanted Florist in the Nashville wedding industry so when she contacted me to photograph Debbie's retirement party at Riverwood Mansion, I was more than happy to do it. Debbie was retiring from her job as a District Chief of the Nashville Fire Department. She served for 32 years. It was also her birthday and the anniversary of her father retiring as chief. Debbie is LOVED. The line to hug and congratulate her never stopped. Members of the Nashville Fire Department that worked with Debbie sang her praises and showed up straight from work. The main reason that I was invited was to capture the moment that Debbie was given her surprise gift, a custom Gibson Les Paul. A few years ago she and her crew had extinguished a fire at the Gibson building that could have been devastating and Gibson wanted to thank her for that.

Not only is Debbie the first and only female Fire Chief in Nashville, she is such a lovely person. I walked away from this event wanting to be the kind of person that Debbie is. Someone that has affected others lives so greatly that they come in droves to celebrate her and wait just to give her a hug. Congratulations Debbie and good luck with your new endeavor, Enchanted Homes. 

Vendors:
Location - Riverwood Mansion
Florals - Enchanted Florist
Catering - 8 Lavender Lane Catering

70th Birthday Party in Albany Kentucky - Glen

This year has been the year of photographing non wedding events and last weekend I was hired to travel outside of Nashville to Albany, KY for Glen's 70th birthday.  The party took place at the couple's lake house on Dale Hollow Lake and was executed, planned, and designed by Glen's daughter. Karen is professional planner in California and she transformed her mom and dad's garage into a stunning dinning hall. 

Besides the fact that this was a gorgeous location, it was amazing to photograph such an intimate event for a man that is obviously very loved. "Lifelong" friends (some for 50 years) gave toasts and shared stories. Kevin Ashworth of Louisville's 610 Magnolia prepared a private feast in the couple's kitchen and the night ended with good friends, Walker and Kays, playing Jazz on the back patio. Happy Birthday, Glen! 

Planning & Design: Volare Events
Catering: 610 Magnolia
Print Design: Script Mercantile (Katherine Ross)
Flowers: Monticello Florist
Lighting/Draping: Nashville Audio Visual
Rentals: Music City Tents
Linens: La Tavola
Jazz Band: Walker & Kays

Sneak Peek Boulder Colorado Intimate Home Wedding - Sarah & Simon

I'm trying so hard not to write a dissertation on this wedding. I met Sarah years ago when she was interning for Angela Proffitt and I took her headshot. Not long after, she took a job with The Collection, the company that I was photographing for. She was the Diana to my Ann(e). She was around when I met Taylor, she got chiggers at sessions when I got chiggers and when she moved away, I missed my Sarah. This girl was one of the main reasons that I stayed sane at my wedding. She oversaw setting up my reception and I didn't have to lift a finger. So when she called me and told me that she wanted me to photograph her tiny wedding (can we start calling them that) in her backyard in Boulder, Colorado, I could not wait to be involved.

About a year ago Sarah and I were chatting on the phone about this awkward dinner that her roommate was making for her and this guy that her roommate wanted to set Sarah up with. She was mortified by this idea and could not imagine a more awkward situation. Well that awkward dinner led Sarah to the love of her life. Sarah and Simon are literally perfect for each other. It's undeniable. 

Last week I flew from Nashville, Tennessee to Boulder Colorado for their Intimate Home Wedding and Reception. I photographed a lifestyle engagement session in their home on Thursday and their vow ceremony and reception on Friday. They wrote some of the most poetic and beautiful vows I have ever heard and had a spontaneous first dance in their living room with no one around. Also Rosie, their Min Pin who was also my friend in Nashville, was an active part of their day. 

I'll stop there. Please enjoy the Sneak Peek of their Boulder, Colorado Intimate Home Wedding.

Special thanks to all of their vendors:
Hair: West End Salon
Makeup: Tru Skin
Wedding Dress Designer: Willowby by Watters
Dress Shop: Boulder Bridal
Reception Dress: Mod Cloth
Florals: Fiori Flowers
Catering: Savory Cuisines Catering
Chair Rental: RC Special Events

In Home Boulder Colorado Lifestyle Session - Sarah & Simon

The day before Sarah and Simon's Backyard Wedding in Boulder, Colorado I photographed an In Home Lifestyle Session of the two of them in their living room. They had just come from the court house where they had a private wedding ceremony. They were "just married" giddy and kept trying out the terms husband and wife. It was incredibly sweet. Once we finished at the house we went to a nearby park and then the location of their first date! Of course we included the fabulous Rosie, the Min Pin baby of the family.

Sneak Peek Intimate Clarksville Backyard Reception - Erika & Joseph

Every once in awhile you are contacted for a wedding three weeks before a wedding date and sometimes they are in a couple's beautiful backyard on the Cumberland River. Usually not, but sometimes. Erika & Joseph met at work and knew right away that they had something special. Last Friday with Erika's children as the biggest part of their wedding party, they were married at Grace Community Church in Clarksville. It is the summer of tiny weddings for me (I love it) and at Erika and Joseph's ceremony they only had 20 people present. After I photographed their ceremony and portraits we traveled to their home where they met more guests. With the help of Lauren from Randi Events, they transformed their backyard into a romantic reception venue. Please enjoy this sneak peek of Erika and Joseph's Intimate Clarksville Backyard Reception!

Special thanks to all their vendors:
Planning & Design: Lauren from Randi Events
Florals: Branching Out Event Florist
Seating: Please Be Seated
Rentals: Music City Tents
Catering: G Catering
Video: SheHeWe

Sneak Peek Intimate Ravenswood Mansion Wedding - Courtney & Danny

This past Saturday was Courtney and Danny's Intimate Wedding at Ravenswood Mansion in Brentwood, Tennessee. They hired me to stop by for a few hours and capture their getting ready, portraits, ceremony, and a tiny bit of a reception. Check out how elegant this intimate wedding was! It was beautiful and sweet and I am so happy that I got to be involved!  

Special thanks to all of their vendors:
Venue: Ravenswood Mansion
Day Of Planner: Amanda Bledsoe
Florals: Brentwood Florist
Wedding Cake: Homestyle Bakery
Rentals: Music City Tents and Events
Catering: Brentwood Catering
Band: Groove Addiction Band

Sneak Peek Intimate LDS Wedding - Katie & Craig

Katie calls Craig her unicorn- her magical mystical creature that she didn't think existed. They met 10+ years ago in a completely different state and realized that they lived a few counties apart. Years and years past when Katie reached out to Craig on Instagram. Once Craig realized that it was the cute bubbly girl that he met so many years ago, they started talking and by Christmas they were engaged.  

I got to photograph this lovely couple this past weekend. Because they were married in private ceremony at the LDS Nashville Temple, I did not photograph their ceremony. But I did get to photograph Katie getting ready, their portraits, and their reception at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. I hope you can feel the excitement of these two in these photos. I thought Katie was going to burst because she was so happy. Craig couldn't stop taking iPhone photos of his beautiful bride. It was incredibly sweet and I'm so glad that I got work with these two. 

Hair and Makeup By Amy Lynn Larwig.

Personal Vacation Photographer Dollywood - Beechler Family

Once upon a time, 50 years ago (last year), a man and a woman were married. They went on to have three children and later 7 grandchildren. One of their daughters, Tami, decided that since they all lived in different cities and states and haven't all been in the same place in years, they should have a family reunion and vacation together to celebrate their parents' 50 year wedding anniversary. They rented a cabin right outside of Dollywood Theme Park, purchased weekend passes for the park, and planned for a weekend of spending time together and honoring their parents. 

One thing that Tami wanted was for everyone to be able to enjoy each other and be present. She didn't want anyone to have to worry about taking photos with their cameras or cellphones so she hired me to be their personal vacation photographer! This seriously was one of the best projects I have ever had. I spent two days following the Beechler clan around photographing them praying, eating, playing, singing (a lot of singing) and laughing together. One of my favorite moments was when the old family photos were brought out. The younger Beechler's found their parents', aunts', and uncles' teenage fashion hilarious. Most of what I did was photojournalism but one afternoon we spent a little bit of time doing portraits of everyone at Chimney Rock Picnic Area.

I loved all the time I got to spend with these people. They welcomed me into their family, told me multiple times to put my camera down and join them for meals, and shared their lives with me. It was such a blessing to get to work with them and I feel really honored to be able to capture their time together knowing that they will be able to relive that time through these photographs. 

6 Month Baby Photos - Harper

Oh sweet, sweet Harper! I am so glad that I not only get to photograph your Baby's First Year Photos, but that I get to see you grow while doing them. Your 6 month session was so different than your newborn session because you now have a full on personality. Things you found hilarious at the session - "no", "bad dog", "creepy mouse" (when I googled it I became more confused), chewing on mommy's pearls that daddy gave mom at their wedding, and mommy jumping around like a crazy person. You found me curious and you weren't sure about bubbles. We knew the session was over when the last photo in this blog happened. I can't wait to do your 1 year photographs!

Monsoon Wedding Weekend - Allison & Tim

Allison and Tim! The first time I met them, I instantly knew I wanted to work with them because I loved their attitudes. Despite the monsoon we had in Nashville this weekend, they still had the best attitudes. And because of Allison's willingness to tromp around in rain boots all day and their willingness to get a little wet, we still got great outdoor photographs. It took some umbrellas, some overhangs, and some grumpy faces from their adorable dog, Birch, but we got them. 

I have to say that I love it when couples have bigger families. It can be a lot more work for me, but there is just something about the bonds that they have and the fact that there is always some wedding tradition that they have....it usually includes some sort of reception prop. In Allison and Tim's case, light up tambourines. From all the tears, the blow up dinosaur, the toast, the signing of Backstreet Boys by the whole dance floor, to the most rampant "Shout" dancing I have ever seen, this wedding was wonderful. I am so, so glad that I got to be a part of it. Please enjoy!

Special thanks to all the hardworking vendors:
Planning & Design: Locklane Weddings & Events
Venue: Green Door Gourmet
Hair & Makeup: K Miller Artistry
Bartending Services: Hamilton Bartending Services
Wedding Gown: The Dress Theory
Cake: Kay McConfections
Catering: Smoke Et Al
DJ: Choice DJs
Florist: The Farmers Florist
Rentals: Southern Events Party Rental

Easter Wedding Proposal - Shelby & Jackson

I honestly think proposals are one of the most complicated things that I photograph. You can't be seen and you pray and pray that the proposee (is that a word) doesn't walk into bad light or turn away from the camera. Mainly you hope that you don't wreck the surprise!

Jackson, with the help of his family, planned out a very sweet proposal on Easter Sunday at Cheekwood in Nashville, Tennessee. An egg trinket box with the ring in it was placed in a planter with the intention of having Shelby find it. I arrived early and kept an eye out for the couple and watched over the ring. Everything was quiet (other than the woman singing the full soundtrack to Beauty and the Beast) up until the moment I see Shelby and Jackson walk up. At that point a family decides to stand by the bench so I quickly shoo them off. Jackson sees it happen and does a loop past the proposal spot. When they are about ready to walk up again, a woman spots the egg and picks it up. So I run over and ask her to put it back. My heart is racing probably as much as Jackson's at this point and I'm really worried than Shelby has seen all this commotion. But she hasn't. She has NO IDEA. She doesn't even see the egg box. You can see what unfolded below. Once Jackson pointed me out, we did a couple of posed photos, but mainly I stayed back and photographed them basking in their happiness. I would like to call this collection of photos - "The Many Flabbergasted Moments of Shelby". Thanks to Angela Proffitt for sending this adorable couple my way!

Sneak Peek Franklin Frenchie Family Session - Tia & Michael

Meet Reggie the French Bulldog and his mom and dad, Tia and Michael. I photographed Tia and Michael's wedding in Nashville 3 years ago and when Michael contacted me about buying a family session for Tia for Christmas, I was excited! Tia had been pleading with Michael to do a session with me and she had no idea that Michael and I were already talking. Michael was concerned that Tia was going to get frustrated and contact me herself to book and I was under strict orders to tell her that I wasn't taking any more clients. Christmas came and Tia was so surprised! This past Sunday we photographed their family of three session. Here is their sneak peek from their session in Franklin! 

Sneak Peek Thursday Elopement at The Hermitage - Cara & Ron

Congratulations to Cara and Ron who last night after 16 years of being together, eloped and were married at The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. The bride and groom and two of their longest friends flew in from Florida for the weekend to have a private wedding ceremony at The Hermitage Hotel. I was fortunate enough to be one of the few people there! I instantly knew that I liked Cara when we spoke over the phone (she's a crazy dog lover like me) and I was so excited to be able to capture such an intimate and special event. We took a few photographs around town and then the couple and their longtime friends had dinner at the Capitol Grille to celebrate. Here is a sneak peek of their images. And yes, Ron's bowtie is made out of turkey feathers. He's a turkey hunter and they were from one of his conquests. 

Special Thanks To:
Bouquet - Lauren Marie Atkinson Designs
Hair and Makeup - Katie Russo Beauty
Officiant - Unforgettable Ceremonies Stephen Seymour

Nashville Skyline Proposal - Kameron & Natalie

While on vacation in Nashville this past weekend, Kameron proposed to Natalie on the walking bridge in front of the skyline. Kameron called me that morning and somehow we planned most of it via text message without Natalie catching on. Below are a few of my favorites that I think perfectly captures the many different emotions you feel during your proposal.