TJ and Ginny Married! - Knoxville Wedding Photographer

I squeezed into my black leggings and slipped on some slacks.  I put on one pair of socks and then another.  I zipped my boots, tightened my belt, put on my sweater, and added a thick scarf. I was ready for war. 

As I passed by the TV, reports of 40 degree weather, high winds, and rain all day continued to parade across the screen.  I ran into my room and packed another umbrella.  Knowing that I could not change what would be, I decided to let my worries go.  This was the day TJ and Ginny would wed.

On my way to Holston Hills Country Club, glimmers of sunshine peaked between the clouds. "Could we really be that fortunate to have the weathermen be wrong?" I wondered.  

When the wedding party arrived to the club, all were in high spirits.  It was rounding on noon and no rain was falling. Although temperatures continued to drop, we all stayed dry.  

Luckily, guests were prepared for a cold fall day, some even wearing fur coats.  All had adapted to help make this a day to remember :) The ceremony commenced with a few bursts of laughter and the warm reception hall invited guests to stay to the very end.  Here are a few of my favorite images from the day.  Be sure to also check out their SLIDESHOW.

Ginny getting ready

Love the details of Ginny's dress :)

The rings

I liked this one too . . . couldn't decide

The beautiful bride! I can hear Ginny's laugh in the second one . . . exactly why a laughing picture is so important :)

Here is the wonderful Lori Hensley, my second shooter, helping the bride.  It was quite windy and Ginny's veil went flying off!  

TJ and Ginny's first look! Picture taken by Lori Hensley.

Here is TJ making his way over to see Ginny.  I love his face in this one.

Ginny sees TJ round the corner and throws a wave just in case he doesn't see the brilliant white dress. LOL! 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this next picture taken by Lori Hensley! It made me gasp with excitement the moment I saw it! 

My take on what was happening.  I just love those smiles :)

This next picture was also taken by Lori Hensley.  It really encompasses the feeling of the day.  TJ and Ginny together were a calm amongst the looming storm.  When they have each other, nothing else seems to matter. 

This next picture is one of my favorites of the both of them!

Love their expressions here.  

I had to take some "posh" pictures of the bride and groom as well.

I love these next two shots of TJ :) Handsome, huh?

I love how Lori Hensley was able to capture the wind in this next shot.  Having a second shooter is like adding sprinkles on top of the cake.  Their style mixed with mine just adds that somethin' somethin'.  Very cool.

As the main photographer, my job is to nail pictures like below.  I have to be precise, accurate, and methodical throughout the day.  Someday I'd like to second shoot for another photographer.  Shooting on the fly sounds really fun!  This is Ginny and TJ with their moms :)

Ginny making her way down the aisle.

I love this next picture from their ceremony! It makes my day when I know I can get behind the officiant and take pictures and still be discreet. 

A few pictures from the father-daughter dance

I love how sweet TJ is to his mom.  This was taken during the mother-son dance.

Some reception details . . .

Love the "sun-flare" in this next picture.  

I just thought this next shot was cool!  I used Lori's flash from her camera to create this picture.  You can see her in the back shooting in my direction.  Pretty neato!  Yay for fun guests too!

Wine glasses.  At least we know the reception will be fun, right?  I love a rowdy crowd!  They keep me entertained for hours.

See! Told you! LOL! This guy was hilarious to watch! Lori Hensley captured this shot. 

A bubble blowing send-off! 

I almost did not get this next shot.  I had to book it up a hill to catch the limo.  I think it was worth that last stretch of energy though.  I'd do just about anything for these two :) Too see more pictures from this wedding, check out their SLIDESHOW.

Sneak Peek: October Weddings

Get excited because I have some great things coming up on the blog! Here's a sneak peek from my October weddings :)

Walt and Desiree: Love that I caught the moon :)

TJ and Ginny: Love those clouds! Thank goodness it didn't rain!

Ginny: Bridal - Knoxville Wedding Photographer

Before I embark upon another wedding weekend, I wanted to post a few of my favorite images from Ginny's bridal portraits.  Although some storm clouds loomed during our session, the scariest part of the day was the neighbor's dog! haha! Just as I was getting Ginny posed for her next shot, this playful puppy from next door came running over the hill.  And you can only guess who he wanted to play with!  Quickly, Ginny gathered her dress around her waist and stuck her heel out and yelled, "No! Stay!" Being that this dog was young, he didn't respond to commands very well. Thinking that the dog would soon get tired, I tried playing with him for a while. Unfortunately, I tuckered out before the dog. Thankfully Ginny's mom was there to distract the puppy from pawing all over Ginny and me.  For the next ten minutes Ginny and I were able to get some photos unbothered.  Just as I was squatting down to get another shot, I suddenly felt two furry arms wrap around my neck from behind and a tongue in my ear!  This puppy was not going to give up on us! Although his persistence was slightly endearing, I found myself pouring sweat running in between Ginny's dress and the dog for the next 30 minutes. Finally, the owner of the dog called for him.  In a flash the dog was gone.  Needless to say, I was exhausted after the photo shoot! It's not every day that I have to save a wedding dress from muddy little paws :) 

I think this might be my favorite :) 

 

I love this candid as well!

Chris and Melissa Married! - Knoxville Wedding Photographer

As the sun disappeared over the horizon, I sat on the hill that had once been filled with wedding guests.  It had been a long day and I didn't care to sit in the grass and just be for awhile.  The view of the blue lake amongst the green mountains reminded me of Neverland from Disney's Peter Pan.  It seemed strange to me that in front of what looked like Neverland, where kids never grow up, a marriage ceremony had commenced.  Melissa was no longer the girlfriend of my sister that threw birthday sleepovers at the Super 8 Motel.  And I was no longer the annoying younger sister who begged to come along.  Time had made us older, shaping us into what we are today.

Melissa was beautiful for the day she had been dreaming of.  The sky was blue with white puffy clouds. The grass was green and luscious.  The entire day seemed filled with a vibrance that matched Melissa's personality.  And, as is his character, Chris was floating around the ceremony and reception sight making sure the details were perfect for his bride.  

Chris and Melissa decided to have a private "first look" before the ceremony, which I LOVED!  I was able to get far more pictures of the bride and groom than usual.  Melissa and Chris had been on the fence whether to see each other or not before the ceremony.  Luckily, they decided to trust me, allowing me more time to capture some creative images.  Here are a few favorites from the day.  To see more from their wedding, click here for the SLIDESHOW.

Melissa putting on her Maggie Sottero dress.

I love how pleased Melissa looks in this picture.  She's like, "Yeah, I make this dress look good." hahaha!  :)

Gotta get some details!

Melissa putting on her garter.

I love this next shot! The shadow of the blinds makes it look like there are rays of light radiating from Melissa's body.  

Melissa adding on some finishing touches to her hair.

Not gonna lie . . . rocked the ring shot!  Am I allowed to say that about my own work?!  I've been practicing detail shots so it's nice when they turn out right.

Melissa's bouquet.

Ok, I am really starting to see a pattern of differences between males and females when it comes to group shots.  I get so tickled thinking about how we are as women.  My directions for this picture were to get in a line, link arms with the bride, walk towards me, and look like you're having fun.  After 20 minutes and multiple questions from uncertainty, this is the picture that finally surfaces.  Hooray!  We did it!

Now, I move on to photographing the guys.  The scenario went as follows: "Ok guys, I'm looking to get a group shot of all of you but I don't want it to look too posed.  I'm looking for something relaxed, a little GQ, and on the count of 3 I want you to strike a pose.  Any questions?"

Cricket, cricket.

"Good.  On the count of 3 . . . 1, 2, 3!"

Guys strike pose. Camera clicks.

"Awesome.  See you at the ceremony!"

Look at how they get down to business :) LOL!

I am in love with the next 3 pictures!  This is the result from having a "first look" between bride and groom.  The sky would have not looked like this after the ceremony and group shots.  So glad they chose to see each other before! 

Ceremony site!

Chris is saying his vows to Melissa.  Her face is precious as she listens :)

An overview.

First kiss as man and wife! Love the blue lagoon/lake in the background.  The ceremony site was at a private residence in Rock Harbor Subdivision in New Tazewell, TN.

I finally got everyone to GQ it!

Got some more time with the bride and groom around sunset!  By seeing each other before and knocking out a majority of their pictures, Melissa and Chris were able to mingle with their guests right away, keeping a nice flow of events at their reception.  When the "sweet light" hit, we were able to grab a few more pictures. 

Looks like a glossy page ad to me! :)

So romantic!

A bubble blowing send-off! Love these two!