The Nati Family

I'm a little surprised that I'm doing a blog post right now.  This week has been incredibly unpredictable in so many ways.  The rain is killing me!  I've had to re-arrange several photo sessions this week due to weather.  I've driven my car all over creation going to meetings that I wasn't expecting.  AND I've attended 2 funerals this week! As I sat amongst a crowd of mourners earlier this week, a slideshow of the deceased played over the television on the wall. Although I wasn't close to Sean (age 22), I was able to get a glimpse into his short life through the pictures.  I couldn't help but sympathize with the mother, father, sisters, brother, girlfriend and others who had been devastated by the tragedy. Tears filled my eyes.   

As I sat there watching the slideshow play over and over, I realized how important my job is as a photographer.  Whether it's a wedding, portrait session, or just a candid shot, it's documentation of someone's life . . . proof of their existence here on earth.  Suddenly a piece of paper becomes a treasure for those left behind.  With this in mind, I edited through the Nati's family photo session.  A laugh, a touch, a look . . . it all seems priceless.  Melissa, I hope you can look back on these pictures years from now and be reminded of all the small things . . . like the way it felt to hold your children. Here are a few of my favorites:

Look at these pouty lips! :)

I think she stole my camera and took a self-portrait! haha! Funny!

Sibling love

Beautiful eyes!

I think this might be my favorite! I can just feel that little foot now :)

A little moment that I also love.  Oh how we need our moms.

Hehe! This next one gets me tickled.

Love this picture!

This is the type of boy that I wanted to claim as my boyfriend when I was in pre-school.

Notice in the next two pictures how one child is always tugging on Melissa's sleeve.  They must feel the need to cleave to their mother :)

Loved this gate! 

Hilarious moment! 

The Meltons!

A few weeks ago I received the pleasure of meeting Debbie Melton's TRIPLETS! That seems so crazy   . . . triplets! What are the odds, huh? For the location of the shoot, Debbie invited me out to their summer/river house! There was so much room to run and play outside!  If I hadn't had a camera and other gear strapped to my body, I probably would have ran around the yard leaping through the air.  I love leaping!  It makes me feel like a ballerina :) 

Watching Will, Jessica, and Ella Marie climbing trees and doing cartwheels in the yard brought me back to younger years.  I remember looking forward to Friday evenings just so I could go home and play outside without having to do my homework first.  It seems like a simple pleasure now but it was my everything then.  Hopefully, these pictures will remind everyone of their own childhood :)

Don't they look so sweet in this next picture?!

Can't pass up a "wet sky"!

Ryan and Heather Married! - Chattanooga Wedding Photographer

As I sit here trying to find words to describe Ryan and Heather's big day, the only word that comes to mind is "wow." There were moments from this wedding that I don't think I will ever forget. It was creative, over-the-top, emotional, dazzling, and fun! The day began early at Hair-a-Go-Go with Heather, her mother, and the groom's mother. From there we made our way to the First Presbyterian Church on McCallie Avenue where two make-up artists from Elea Blake and two hairstylists awaited. Since Heather had nine bridesmaids, she dedicated one room of the church for make-up and another for hair. In the make-up room, Heather created a make-up station for each of her bridesmaids by providing them with a make-up mirror and a box full of goodies. For lunch Heather had Chick-fil-a catered in. Seriously, who would not want to be a bridesmaid for Heather?!

Around lunch time the men arrived. Since Ryan and Heather decided to do a "first look," I was able to get a plethora of shots of the bride and groom :) Ryan's face looked full of excitement as he crept up behind Heather. Once Heather turned around and saw Ryan's reaction, her eyes filled with happy tears! There was laughing, warm embraces, and kisses. I LOVE when couples decide to do a first look!

Although Ryan and Heather saw each other pre-ceremony, there was no lack of emotion during the ceremony! The tears started rolling when Heather and Ryan's parents prayed over them while Celine Dion and Josh Grobin's version of "The Prayer" was sang. It was such a beautiful and touching moment. In fact, once the ceremony was over Heather couldn't stop tearing up. She laughed and exclaimed, "The Holy Spirit just won't leave!" haha! Too cute :)

Since most of the formal shots were taken pre-ceremony, I was able to get some more pictures of Ryan and Heather at the church before leaving for the reception and then again at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club.

Even though The Answer Band did a great job getting the party started, Heather, her brother, and bridesmaids really set the tone with the "Thriller" dance. It was quite entertaining! From that point on, the dance floor was nothing but a sea of people until Ryan and Heather exited under the warm glow of sparklers. Here are some of my favorite images from the day! Make sure to also check out their SLIDESHOW! Other vendors from the evening include Ruth's Florist and Gifts and videography by Ryan Golden.

The invitation

Darin Wright from Elea Blake doing Heather's make-up

I love this shot caught my second shooter Shelby! I cannot say enough about her! I love her view of the world :)

Heather wasn't a big fan of her shoes but I think this picture makes them look snazzy!

Heather's mom helping her get ready! Love their smiles :)

Just as Heather was walking out to do a "first look" with Ryan, she noticed that her father was quietly watching her in the doorway.  I think dad wanted to be first ;) Look at how surprised she was!

I love how Heather's mom Krystal is looking at Carl.  I think she's adoring Carl for loving their daughter so much.

And the tears start flowing

The handsome groom Ryan right before his "first look" at Heather

A picture from their "first look." Such a beautiful and sweet couple!

Heather and Ryan could light up a room with their smiles! Image by Shelby.

A little "Beatles" action from the guys.  Notice how they're safe in the crosswalk while I'm lying on the ground with no one to stop traffic behind me.  Not gonna lie . . . I was a little scared.  I was determined to get this picture though! haha!

The rings

I just love how everyone's listening so intently in this picture.

Heather and Ryan with Senator Corker!  Yeah, I'm star-struck :) 

A cute post-ceremony picture with their getaway car 

I loved being able to get some more pictures at their reception site before they were introduced.  This is a product from getting a majority of their formal pictures finished before the ceremony.  Love it!

So beautiful! 

Love this image by Shelby!

Heather and Ryan's first dance! This picture is PERFECT in every way! Another great image by Shelby!

Father-daughter dance

I love the tear in Heather's eye as her father twirls her.  The room was holding approximately 275 guests and they all fell silent the moment Carl took his daughter in his arms to dance.  

A very emotional moment

Mother-son dance which was a little more light-hearted :)

Everything at the reception was running smoothly so I grabbed Heather and Ryan for a quick pic with the sunset.

THRILLER! Heather really wanted to entertain her guests! Always makes for a great party!

Heather being the center of attention . . . as it should be!

I love fun guests!

Heather's sorority singing "Shades" to her.  Seriously, who doesn't love a sorority girl?! 

The dance floor was PACKED! Most of my shots had to be taken from an aerial view.  I just got on my little perch and shot away.

Nothing better than a dance-off!

Ok, I'm not gonna lie . . . bride and groom exit pictures are a little nerve-racking.  And just so you understand my anxiety, I'm gonna paint a little picture for you:  I've essentially got one chance to actually get this "money shot."  I'm shooting in low-light praying that my flash unit doesn't do something stupid.  I've got about 70 people swarming about . . . half of them been drinkin'.  Suddenly all these people are holding fire sticks and at any moment I'm gonna have a bride and groom barreling through this ring of fire?!!  Oh! And one of them is wearing a cathedral length veil! I bet you can guess it's not Ryan.  

So as usual I say this little prayer to myself, "Lord, please help me get this shot and not catch on fire . . . you know me and fires." And just for good measure I cross myself like a Catholic and pray in 5 different languages just in case God's Chinese. 

Uh . . . so after ALL that, here's the picture that I capture.  Seriously?! 

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Wait for it . . .

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Wait for it . . .

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Who knew?! God's Chinese! LOL! 

Thought it was gonna be bad, huh? I'm sneaky :)

And just to keep it classy, I now present you with the results of this little game I like to play with myself called 

PHOTOGRAPHER'S BINGO!

flashing the flashy lights in my head

First up: Two dudes fighting over some lipgloss! Say what?!

Someone gettin' their sombrero on!

Not sure what's goin' on back there but I'm gonna call Bingo.

Love pink tie's face too! LOL! 

Someone trying to catch some invisible manna from Heaven. 

And the world spins madly on . . . 

To see more from this wedding, please remember to check out the SLIDESHOW!

Congratulations and much love to Heather and Ryan!