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.

My Office! . . . Sort of . . .

I am so excited to share my beautiful disaster with everyone! Yes, this is my new office in the works :) Nathan and I just moved to Sequoyah Hills in Knoxville and are loving it so far!  I am pleased to say that I can finally work from home and not see the kitchen, living room, bathroom, and patio all from my seat.  For our first year of marriage, Nathan and I lived in a 625 sq ft apartment.  Can you imagine? From the start of our marriage, we had been planning on moving. However, life happened and plans continued to change.  Nathan was accepted into UT's Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management Ph.D. Program this past summer.  He was the first undergrad to ever be admitted into the program without having a Master's degree. AND he was given a full scholarship and assistantship!!! I can not tell you how proud I am of him!  He is definitely on his way to fulfilling his dreams.

These last few months have definitely been busy with all the changes going on.  I have had to take over a lot of financial obligations so that has been . . . uh . . . painful? In the beginning, his money was my money and my money was my money. LOL! Oh how the tables have turned! I just gotta keep my chin up and believe that this will all pay off in the end.  Luckily, my business flourished over the summer and fall (just in the nick of time) and continues to grow today.  

As a precaution to any financial woes, Nathan and I have taken up second jobs over the holiday season. Photography tends to slow down over the winter and I didn't want to get caught in a situation that was not favorable.  So . . . I'm now working at Pottery Barn at West Town Mall as well.  There were 250 applicants for this job and I was one of seven to get hired! Fortunately, God gave me great timing in going in to ask about the status of my application the night the manager was setting up interviews. Trust me.  They were not even planning on calling me before this. When I returned that night for the group interview, I had one goal in mind . . . be the "funny guy."  Nobody wants to turn down the "funny guy," right?  Everyone in the room was qualified for this job so I had to find a way to stand out.  All my interview questions were answered with stories of me riding on conveyor belts, scaling walls, and disposing of a dead cat. Needless to say, they remembered me :) BUT here's the real hysterical part: Nathan took a job at the Invisible Shield kiosk right outside Pottery Barn!  Yes, we are both officially West Town Mall employees. Hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to make the "master plan" a success.  This is just all part of the flight to higher ground.  I'm sure there will be many more adventures to come.  Until then, here is a picture of my new office.  My office is on the second floor and the french doors open up to a balcony! Neat huh? Apparently, Nathan thinks my office is his green house and has brought up his lemon tree.  The flattened boxes are for the shelves I'm about to paint.  I am in the midst of many projects . . . as you can see.  AND it took me three coats of that yellow paint to finally cover up the walls.  I still have to paint the closet as well. Can't wait to show everyone the finished result!  Furniture is on its way!

Walt and Desiree Married! - Chattanooga Wedding Photographer

The sky was a beautiful blue.  The sun was shining.  The air felt warm with undertones of a cool, crisp breeze.  This was the day that Desiree and Walt would wed.  

When I arrived to Canyon Ridge, all were in high spirits.  The men were in one house; the girls in the other.  Clad in their robes and mimosas in hand, Desiree and her bridesmaids relaxed and allowed Hair-a-Go-Go and Sparrow Cosmetics to work their magic.  Between the two houses, family and friends bustled about creating homemade centerpieces for the tables, a cupcake tower (compliments of the Cupcakery), and exchanged news of which team was scoring in that day's football games.  Yes, it had every essence of a fall wedding.

Outside the house windows, I could be found passing by, plotting and scheming Desiree and Walt's first look.  It had to be perfect, powerful, and epic.  I decided that the cliffs overlooking the mountains would be perfect. When the time finally came for the two to meet, I had no idea what I was about to witness.  Walt, with hand over mouth, was left speechless at the sight of his bride. He grabbed Desiree into his arms and hugged her as though it was his last.  It was an emotional precursor to the rest of the day. Here are a few of my favorite images.  Also, be sure to check out their SLIDESHOW. 

The Invite :)

Love the sun coming in through the window!

The shoes.

April helping Desiree with her garter.

I like how April's arms framed Desiree's foot.  This is one of my favorite images from the getting ready shots.

I just adore Desiree! How can anyone not love her?! She looks beautiful in her dress from Monica's.

Walt . . . looking a little more "serious."

A little help from Dad is always in order :)

Look at Walt's reaction to seeing Desiree for the first time!  He was speechless!

It was as though he had more emotion than he knew what to do with so he just hugged her REAL hard . . . like she was a teddy bear.  It was too cute :) Walt's a pretty rugged guy so this was a surprise.  And then I started thinking . . . "I didn't tell him that this was his last look, did I? Sometimes I confuse my words. I mean I did bring them to the edge of a cliff.  Maybe he thinks she's gonna jump."

I love these next two shots! Gorgeous!

Desiree's mom is so sweet.  I know this was a bittersweet day for her.  She just loves Desiree SO much! 

Take a look at these handsome men! Grrowl :)

The ceremony program

I love this moment between Desiree's parents before they made their way down the aisle.  They were so happy and proud :)

The ceremony

Exchanging of rings cliff top

Some reception details.  Take a look at those mason jars!

Cupcakes from Knoxville's Cupcakery

Proof that I only hang out with the coolest people.  Yeah, uh huh, we're friends. 

Because we finished all of the family pictures before the ceremony, Desiree and Walt were immediately released to mingle with their guests after a few large group shots post-ceremony.  Once the sunlight was perfect, I grabbed them for a few moments during the reception to get these next few shots. 

This next shot was taken from their "First Dance." It was such an intimate moment.  It was as though no one was around :) 

The "Father-Daughter Dance" was a tear-jerker as you will see in the SLIDESHOW.

Is this next picture not PRECIOUS?!

Night shot of Canyon Ridge.

I love the spookiness in this next shot! Kinda gives me chills. 

Happily married!

Desiree: Bridal Portraits - Chattanooga Wedding Photographer

I feel short on words tonight so I hope Desiree's pictures will speak for themselves.  The evening we went to the Bluff View Art District for her shoot, the light was fabulous.  There are so many beautiful areas to shoot there.  Some of her pictures remind me of Spain.  I loved how she wasn't afraid to just let it go and have fun with her dress :) I don't normally create slideshows for bridal shoots but as I was editing and listening to music, this song just seemed to be written for her. Check out her slideshow by clicking here.

I love her veil shots!

One of my favorites!

Love the colors in this one!

This next one gets me tickled :) I love when my brides play around. 

The next pictures remind me of Spain!

Just Let Me Have This Moment . . .

It is said that for your first year anniversary, gifts made of paper are to be exchanged by the newlyweds.  As the date of our one year approached, I kept hearing this "theory" more and more. When I asked, "Why Paper?," my friends replied, "Because newlyweds are generally poor."

Although my friends advised that I should ask for a gift certificate, I thought, "BORING!" Seriously, I am married to Nathan Line and as his wife it is my duty to send him on random scavenger hunts for things that I require.  So . . . after much thought and consideration, I decided that I wanted and just HAD TO HAVE a pinata :)

When I finally told Nathan that I would like a pinata for our anniversary, he smiled and said, "Alright." 

Cue car screech

"Arg! Why isn't he getting frustrated with my request?!" I thought.  Annoyed that I couldn't shake him, I quickly interjected, "AND . . . I want you to make it."

"Well," he sighed, "I don't know if I'll have enough time to make you one but I will get you a pinata nonetheless."

"Good!" I replied.  "I have a lot of pent up aggression that I need to get out and I really need to beat something.  You know, Nathan, there aren't a lot of things in this world that you can beat that will give you candy afterwards." 

Although I made my request several weeks prior to our one year, Nathan accepted the challenge and did not forget my one PRECIOUS request.  On the eve of our one year, I was out photographing a wedding.  While I was gone, Nathan pulled out the Yellow Pages and started calling around to find a pinata.  To his dismay, NO ONE had a pinata.  "People simply don't ask for them anymore," the store clerks said.  Torn as to what to do, Nathan took it to the streets. As he drove up and down Kingston Pike, he suddenly saw a store called "If It's Paper."

"A pinata's paper!" he thought.  As he pulled into the parking lot, his spirits were suddenly lifted by the sight within the shop's window.  There it was.  With one eye and half a smile, a snowman pinata stared back at him.  Excited that he had finally found a store with pinatas, Nathan went in.

As he browsed the aisles looking for a "first year anniversary" pinata, the store clerk asked if she could help.  

"Uh yes, I'm needing a pinata for my wife," he said.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she replied, "we don't carry those anymore."

"But I saw one in your window," he replied.

Laughing, she said, "Oh that old thing! He only has one eye and half a smile. He's really not for sale."

"I really need that pinata," Nathan pleaded.  "How much?"

With her best poker face, she replied, "Make your best offer."

"I don't know," he replied.  "25 cents?" he shyly asked.  

"SOLD for 22 cents plus tax!" she exclaimed.  

For 22 cents plus tax, plus candy, plus a little effort to complete the snowman's face, Nathan had found the perfect gift.  On the morning of our anniversary as I burst out of the bathroom rushing to get to church, I rounded the corner to find two men smiling at me.  One was Nathan and the other my snowman pinata.  Completely surprised, I squealed with excitement! Nathan had completed his challenge . . . for me, which was the best gift of all.  Here are a few pictures that Nathan took of me beating the snowman for all its candy:

Meet the only pinata in Knoxville! You can see where Nathan added the other half of his smile. hehe!

Here I am ready to beat that snowman to a pulp.  I have a goofy batter's stance! LOL!

Take that!

Triumph!