Reece + Mary Grace an Events at Tranquility Engagement Session
Mary Grace was 12 when I met her at Stroudsville church of Christ. She had long brown hair and a friendly smile. She was kind to my Madison right from the start. We did pictures when she went to proms and for her senior session. She did some others with me just whenever we both could. Last fall I got a phone call from her boyfriend Reece who was planning to surprise her with a marriage proposal. We were so great at keeping that secret that people should be so proud of me. lol!! I saw her at church and things and I just had to keep quiet!! We met at Opryland Hotel where he asked her under the lights of a beautiful floral covered gazebo. I photographed it and she cried when she saw that he asked me to be there and photograph the proposal. People looking at the Christmas lights over the balcony got to see, and they cheered when she cried and said yes. I got to photograph them calling the moms and showing off the ring, via FaceTime. I could not have been happier for them! They set their wedding date right away. I couldn't be more excited that they choose to have their reception at the Events at Tranquility venue. Its just beautiful there and Dawn, who runs it, will let you have your engagement session there as well.
We got to the venue and it just couldn't have been a prettier day. We met Dawn there and she greeted us with her smile and sweetness. Mary Grace had her hair and makeup done at Classic Trends Hair Salon. She looked so stunning. Reece will agree when I say she's always pretty but she looked extra special for her pictures. Reece looked classic in his khakis and button down shirt.
We thought about going to the bottoms near the river but I am glad we stuck to a smaller space and explored a bit. These are some of my favorites. I am so ready for these warm beautiful evenings and I can't wait until their wedding!!!!
I hope you all had fun looking at these! I can't wait to get the gallery up and ready for them!!
Michael + Cierra a Clarksville Engagement Session
Last year I met a sweet couple, Marshall and Katie, and I had the privilege of photographing their wedding. I fell in love with them right away and LOVED meeting their families. I just thought everyone was so sweet, polite and special. At the end of last year I received a message from Marshall's mom, Mandie, telling me the awesome news that her oldest son, Michael was in love and planning a wedding. A couple of days later I spoke to his fiancé Cierra and immediately loved her laid back personality. When I met her I discovered she is a brilliant as she is beautiful and equally sweet.
Cierra and Michael really wanted a rustic feel for their engagement session so we stuck close to my house and began our shoot at the creek. They had me laughing right from the beginning. I love that they made each other laugh as well!
After a few minutes down by the creek we travelled down the road to a beautiful farm! We shot for a few minutes and then it was time for an outfit change!
While they were changing we had to get this gorgeous ring its own photoshoot!
I love this farm!! I also loved Cierra's jacket and wished I had one exactly like it, mainly because I am a copycat! lol! She looked amazing in her outfits - so did Michael. lol!
Finally the sun began to set and we felt like our time together was finished. Except I had one more idea. There is an area towards the river that has the most beautiful yellow flowers year after year. I have always thought they were canola flowers but I was wrong, they were these delicate little weeds. I have driven by this area for more than a decade and always wanted to shoot there. So we did! I think they were my favorites from the session!!
Now the countdown is on until December 8, 2018 when we photograph their gorgeous wedding at the Events at Tranquility in the lovely town of Adams, Tennessee. I love that venue, and it's owner! I know their wedding will be a perfect day for them and I just can't wait!
Thomas + Jennifer a Clarksville Engagement Session
When I met Jennifer she explained that her future husband worked out of town, so I didn't get to meet him. However, that pretty cold day at Starbucks, I got to meet her and her sweet mama. Jennifer described her day for me and I just knew I wanted to shoot her wedding. The way she spoke about him and how her eyes just sparkled made me feel like they are just so in love and happy.
When he came back to town we had our engagement shoot. They decided downtown Clarksville was the best place for our shoot. I agree!! When Thomas got out of the car, his first words to me had me howling with laughter. I knew we would hit it off!! I am really really short and they are both really really really tall. They didn't hold that against me at all!!
They love coffee!! I knew that going in and I love love love this beautiful coffee shop on Strawberry Alley so we had coffee and shot there for a minute. Isn't the area cute?
We walked around and explored a little.
Jennifer really loved this clock so we shot a few there too!
My very favorite area in the whole shoot was with these purple pink flowers in this tree!! So pretty! I felt like they brought out that both of them have beautiful eyes!
Then my second favorite area was with this large bell!
After a quick clothing change we did a few more and walked around more.
Have I mentioned I am READY for their upcoming wedding!! My brain is SO full of ideas!!! I know they can't wait either. In the past week they have moved, she's had state testing in her classroom AND they have put the finishing touches on their wedding plans!! What a busy life! Counting the minutes until their wedding!!!
Cam + Connie
Connie, the lovely lady pictured here, is my sister in law. She has been for twenty one years and counting!! I think she was a baby then - we all were!! lol! I remember when she began talking about Cameron and how great he was and how great his girls were. I have to say I love him almost as much as I love his girls. They are so well spoken and just kind!
They have a beautiful wedding planned and I can't wait to attend. Who knows how long it's been since I attended a wedding and sat and enjoyed and had FUN without worry? I don't know either. Anyway, their wedding photographer is so amazing and I can't wait to meet her and see the wonderful work she will do. She did their country engagement session and I was blessed enough to capture their Downtown Nashville Engagement Session. For days it was rainy and cold so we had to reschedule once. This day was absolutely super bright. Since I usually work right before sunset we had to be creative. I loved the way the sunlight shined on them. There was a chill in the air so the friend they brought with them didn't stay with us long but I know she would have been so much fun!
We met in Cumberland Park. I love that place! There is a tiny little path that I have shot at before. The funny thing is, I am used to seeing how beautiful it photographs and didn't think about how Connie and Cam would see it. lol I think Connie was a bit afraid because to her eye it was such an ugly place to begin!! LOL! The above image was the first taken there.
First I taught them some of my simple posing ideas and they ran from there!
I loved all the times he made her laugh!! I used this bright light time of day to shoot the ring. OH THAT RING!!! I wondered if they noticed if it went on my finger and got "stuck"? Connie's friend Kay helped me with this shot. I loved the velvet softness of the leaves surrounding the pink stones.
Well I did the right thing and gave her back her ring. (Sad face here!) Next we just kind of made our way to the pedestrian bridge to get towards downtown. We stopped for a few images first.
I posted this on my Facebook page but I should share here. Connie and I have spoken at length about the type of man she wanted God to send her. She is a mom so she wanted someone her kids could look up to, someone who would love them when they were rotten and love them when they were wonderful. She prayed for a man with education and a christian background. She just wanted someone loving and patient and kind. She got someone who would make her laugh when she is stressing about things - even if he thinks those things are silly. She wanted someone who could hold her hand and LISTEN and give her hard truths because he could see she was strong enough to take it - because she is. While I wanted all of those things for Connie, I wanted her to be able to throw her head back and laugh and trust. We all deserve that. He does that which is why this next picture, unplanned, was a favorite of mine.
I told them their faces would not be in this so just do themselves and he cracked a joke and she relaxed and laughed. That is the real Connie.
We made our way towards downtown and stopped to see the pretty cityscape.
I loved when we found this little spot on our way to a section Connie really wanted.
Then we just sort of made our way around and had fun. We finished early and parted ways so that everyone could enjoy dinner! Here are some fun ones through the day!
Two weeks until the wedding!!!! I can't wait!
Natalie, Class of 2018
Natalie a Rossview High Senior, Class of 2018 called me herself to schedule her senior session. I immediately was impressed and told her so! We chatted about what she thought she would like. Since we had SO much rain we rescheduled and then it was supposed to be overcast so we scheduled the session a little early in the day. Y'all we used ALL the time. lol I think this might have been her moms workout for the day. lol!!
When they arrived at our scheduled meeting place of Rotary Park, in Clarksville, Tennessee, her mom got out of the car first and I KNEW her. I knew her from somewhere. I never forget a face but I am terrible with names. She knew me too. As soon as she spoke I knew where I knew her from. Our girls were preschool best friends when they attended Clarksville Academy!! They had little play dates and just loved each other! That made the shoot more emotional for me, I think. Of course it's been a few years so it's safe to say the girls don't remember each other but they are both SO similar we have got to get together before Natalie leaves!!!
Anyway, we began and she was wearing this super pretty lace romper and flower crown. I immediately could see her in the tall grass and by the creek.
Then imagine my surprise when her dad brought the worlds coolest car for some pictures!!
I had to get some shots with everyone who came to cheer her on for her photoshoot!
She changed into her JROTC clothing and I was blown away by how mature she looked. It isn't just how she looked it's how she spoke. It's how she carried herself. Sometimes when moms come with us there is a tension or even sometimes a bit of snipping at mom. Not from this family. Natalie's love and appreciation and respect for her mom was so evident the entire shoot.
Finally, she changed into her AMAZING prom dress!! She looked incredible!
She wore her prom dress all the way to downtown and we started out with her wearing it there. It was amazing. She just looked awesome.
Next she put on this flowing blue floral blouse and white pants and the wind just made her look perfect as her shirt and hair gently moved.
From that area we drove to downtown Franklin street area and met up with her aunt so that her poor freezing grandma could get warm. Y'all I have to take a second to show her family who came out and incredibly cheered her on and loved on her. She is surrounded by love.
I had to throw in some outtakes because at this point her poor mama is reading this a crying. Time to laugh Jodi!! You did great!!
LOOK!!! They wanted one with me and Natalie!!!! I love it!!!!!
Here are some of my favorites! I hope you all enjoyed these and please feel free to pray for this sweet girl! Natalie Faith is joining the Air Force to serve our county. It was an honor to see you again Natalie and Jodi and Ben!!!! I feel blessed that you all chose me for these. Natalie, whatever you do, wherever you go, never change being the amazing person you are. I wish you the absolute very best.