Emma and Joey Married! - Chattanooga Wedding Photographer

A few weeks ago I was honored to be a GUEST at Emma and Joey's wedding!  My husband and I have been friends with this couple for quite some time.  They are absolutely perfect for each other and individually some of the best people we know.  I cannot believe how emotional I was during their ceremony!  I thought, "Oh Lord . . . make these tears stop!"  The moment Emma rounded the corner with her father, it was all over for me.  Emma was trying to keep it together as her dad escorted her down the aisle using a walker and leg braces.  Emma looked completely dolled up . . . which I'm not used to seeing.  I mean it was her wedding day but still.  The whole thing was so emotionally overwhelming, I completely fell apart!  Although I did not take any pictures during the ceremony, I was able to snap a few at their reception at the Country Place Restaurant . . . which by the way has AMAZING food!  I only brought my camera body (no flash unit) and my smallest/most convenient lens so that is why there is more grain in these pictures.  However, I actually like the way these pictures turned out.  I made a quick SLIDESHOW for Emma and Joey using one of my favorite (non-modern) love songs . . . I can't help it . . . this song makes me want to fist pump the air!

First dance

Love this one!

Father-daughter dance . . . I could have burst into tears again!

I love these tender moments with dad (a favorite part of weddings for me).

Love the light on Emma's face!

  My heart is falling apart right now!

Mother-son dance . . . 

Hello! Time for the garter toss!

Our friend Tank trying to give the garter away.  I'm not quite sure what he is saying to this young boy but I'm sure it went something like this:

"Simba, everything you see exists together in a delicate balance.  As king, you need to understand to balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant, to the leaping antelope, blah, blah, blah"

AND CUE ELTON JOHN'S "CIRCLE OF LIFE!"

Atta boy!

Sophie Turns 3! - Cleveland Pet Photographer

Last month Sophie turned the big 3!  For her birthday present, mom told Sophie that she'd take her to Petco to get a new toy.  Sophie thought she better seal the deal buy ripping her ducky to shreds!  LOL! She looks cuddly but she's a real tiger with her toys.

You're goin' down ducky!!!

That's right . . . I'm gonna get you!

No one can save you now . . .

Oh wait! Please hold . . . (cue elevator music)

That's right ducky . . . it's SO over!

Squirrel? Where?

Aerial view: God bless the fallen! (Cue trumpets and American flag waving in air)

Emi and Franklin Married! - Knoxville Wedding Photographer

Well, here I am awake at almost 2 am.  I am quite determined to get this blog post finished today, which is actually tomorrow . . . which makes me a day late.  I have been sifting through LOTS of pictures ALL day trying to decide what I want to post.  Emi and Franklin's wedding was absolutely FABULOUS! In fact, once the night was over, I couldn't sleep (shocker) because I was on such a high!

First of all, this was probably one of the most creative, "do-it-yourself" weddings I have seen. There's something very appealing about a "homemade" wedding.  Emi's grandmother made all the bouquets and flower arrangements! The bridesmaids were told to where a yellow or blue dress of their choice.  Yep, no designated bridesmaids' dresses.  Hairstylist . . . friend.  Emi's veil . . . her grandmother's.  Wedding coordinator . . . friend.  Music . . . ipod.  Live music . . . friends.  And the Smith's provided their home and farm (Living Hope Farm) for the wedding site . . . absolutely beautiful and well-maintained!  It was GREAT!  Being the hired help, I felt honored to be part of it all!

I have been going on and on about how moving Emi and Franklin's ceremony was for the last few weeks.  The ceremony is held outside under the blue sky.  Emi makes her way over the grassy green hill.  Standing at the aisle are her two fathers (biological and step) ready to give her away.  Emotions are running high.  Franklin's face beams the moment he set eyes on his bride-to-be.  And as Emi's fathers give her away, tears roll down her mother and grandfather's face.  Emi and Franklin join hands and the ceremony begins.  Guests have been prepared to sing a few worship songs with Emi and Franklin.  As the singing begins, the wind blows, carrying the Spirit through the audience.  Hands are in the air!  As I walk around the ceremony site, trying to get as many angles as possible, I find myself singing the words to a song that I don't even know.  The ceremony continues to the moment Franklin lifts up Emi's veil.  She falls into his arms and Franklin romantically kisses Emi.  Sigh . . . 

All guests then make their way to the tent for some BBQ and fun! I urge everyone to check out the slideshow!  Here are a few favorites from the day:

Emi . . . getting ready.  I love the quiet moment.

Emi's grandmother's veil

So happy . . .

The cows joined the guys for some pre-ceremony pics! haha! 

Nathan took the following picture as I hitched a ride over to the ceremony site with the guys!

This was a seriously bumpy ride but the guys made it fun! 

The flowergirl and ring-bearer . . . he was carrying a bird's nest.  TOO CUTE!

Can't get enough of them!

Emi's majestic entrance over the hill!

Emi's grandfather's reaction as she is given away : (  Made me think of my own papaw who watches over me from heaven now.

I loved that I caught this moment! There's such a peace and comfort in this picture.

Man and wife baby!

If they were a boy band . . . this would be the album cover.  LOL!  So much fun!

I loved watching these girls get ready.  It was like they were all four years old, getting ready for a tea party! They all had fishnet gloves, little veils, and chunky jewelry.  Such DIVAS!!! :)

First dance . . .

Grandmom needs to party!  LOL!  She's been workin' hard on those flowers!

Best man caught the garter! Hilarious!

The ceremony site after fireworks and sparklers!

Andrea: Boudoir Shoot - Chattanooga Photographer

A few weeks ago, Andrea came over for a boudoir shoot.  A month or so prior, Andrea and her husband met me for a couple's love shoot.  I love having return clients! They have been so much fun to work with and allow me to experiment! Anyway, Andrea and I had a blast at her shoot that lasted several hours . . . maybe it was the wine. LOL!  Andrea was so great in front of the camera! I can't wait til she shows her husband all the REALLY good stuff.  Adam bought Andrea this shoot as a gift to her because it was something that she always wanted to do.  Whateva Adam! This was a present to YOU! haha! Andrea, what can I say??? You're HOT!

This was taken while she took a jacuzzi, bubble bath . . . so fun!

The many saucy faces of Andrea . . . love it!

Gotta have some thigh-highs!

Somehow it works . . .

This morning my husband Nathan left for a 5 day hiking trip with some of his buddies.  Yes, that's 5 days in the woods with one bag and no shower.  Although Nathan has already hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2,175 miles), he wanted to go back and hike part of it again.  I guess he's needing some fresh air.  Obviously, he needs no time away from his precious angel.

Before Nathan packed the last few items into his pack, he decided to snap the following picture. All our friends always tell us how we're the most unsuspecting couple because we are so different. However, if Nathan and I ever decide to use our economics degrees to join the FBI, fighting financial crime, that could definitely come in handy.  I like to think ahead :)

Although I am one high-maintenance poodle, I believe Nathan enjoys the challenge of taking care of me and saving me from the fires I start or when I lock my keys in my car, etc.  When I really think about it though, I think having different interests in life helps us have a multitude of things to talk about.  Honestly, if it weren't for Nathan, I'd still be wondering about those "AT" bumper stickers. 

I think Nathan's becoming quite the photographer.

Sarah and Ben: Happily Married - Knoxville Wedding Photographer

Two weeks ago I met up with Sarah and Ben at Sequoyah Hills in Knoxville.  I know this couple from being in the same honors program at UTC.  The first time I met Sarah and Ben was at our semi-annual "UHON" meeting.  During this meeting all the new freshman are supposed to stand up and introduce themselves to the upperclassmen.  I believe I was a Sophomore at the time so I imagine I was sitting in the back of the auditorium only half-way paying attention. 

Out of all the newbies, I remember Sarah's introduction the most.  I'm not quite sure what she said at this point but I remember thinking that she must have been part of the movie "Steel Magnolias."  She was this sweet, Southern bell with perfect curls, BEAUTIFUL blue eyes, and porcelain-like skin!  And she still is!  After putting two and two together, I figured out that she had joined the program with her high school sweetheart Ben.  I'm not going to lie, I remember thinking, "Well, we'll see how that goes."  

Today, Sarah and Ben are happily married.  They've been together 8 years and married for over 2 of those! I'm SO glad they proved me wrong! They are so in sync with each other, it's quite amazing. They still have so much passion in their relationship!  And, as expected, they are quite the successful duo. Ben works for TVA, performing a job I can't even pronounce and Sarah is a law student at UT. I'm so glad I got the chance to catch up these two.  Here are a few pictures from the evening:

The following pictures at the fountain remind me of an afternoon is Paris!