I Do: Jason & Sara. Vonore, Tennessee

Mel and I have poured over Sara and Jason's images for almost a full week now. Grabbing our favorites...narrowing down...and narrowing down again. I knew I was in trouble when there were 200 "favorites" in my folder! ack! A good problem to have I guess! Melissa and I loved making the drive through the mountains of Tennessee to be with this sweet couple on their big day.  What a location they chose! Overlooking Lake Tellico outside what I am convinced is the most massively beautiful home on the water! The coolest part of all- family friends just offered it up to them as a gift. Amazing. Sara's sister organizes weddings and events for a living and stepped in to put together all the details for her little sister's day. It had so many fun touches and tiny details- we loved it! So a little about Sara- Tennessee has real meaning for her as she was a cheerleader at the University of Tennessee. Jason went to school in Charlotte, but immediately latched onto the idea of being a Vols fan! For their rehearsal dinner they held a tailgate party complete with jerseys and a chance for their guests to show their team spirit (how fun!). Everything about the wedding weekend was so Jason and Sara. They are laidback, love their family and friends, and just wanted a weekend to finally celebrate their time to say "I Do".  It was exactly what they had dreamed it would be. So the true test to the day- about three hours before "go time" aka ceremony start time- the skies opened up. I mean literally it poured. Table cloths flying- vases of flowers falling to the ground- it was a real soaker. And Sara being perfectly Sara sits inside by the window- not phased a bit- it will all be ok. So calm...so carefree....just ready to marry Jason. love. Good news here- it cleared into one of the most gorgeous days! I could really gush all day about these two- they were a joy to work with- and yes Mel and I both shed some tears during the ceremony and toasts (that's the beauty of auto focus!). Enjoy some of my favorites from this beautiful day!

We will start with some of the fabulous details...Melissa captured these right before the skies opened up 

 

  So did I mention that Sara is barely like five feet tall and Jason is well over six feet! So fun. They embraced the height difference and used their silhouettes as their "wedding signature" image.

 Outside the ceremony site- a cooler with their favorite sodas for guests to enjoy during the ceremony!    Their furry child Neyland...his little wiggly tail was like icing on the cake after such a beautiful ceremony...        love love love                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Cue heart melting...                                                                                                      Loved the signature cocktails in these giant glass jars...and instead of a big wedding cake they did smaller specialty cakes- so yummy!     Melissa on this one...and I adore it!     These are "wedding fairies"...yes how could this not be adorable! flower girls are out wedding fairies in!  

Family Time: The Hill's. Hendersonville, NC

Bright red buckets, lush green orchard, and a family that loves fun. Really! What more could I ask for? Oh yes and a mom who is an amazing photographer with an eye for color and composition. Yes, I really did have it made on this shoot. Meet the Hill family. They live down near Atlanta, where Connie is a children's photographer. I had the joy of meeting this family at Adam's sister's gorgeous mountain wedding back in the fall. To be quite honest, I don't know how Connie keeps up with three kids and a business...I guess it's true that you grow an extra arm when you become a mom. Hats off to all of you!! So The Hill's made the trek up to their family's orchard outside of my hometown of Hendersonville, NC for a fun family session. For obvious reasons, capturing a fellow photographers family can feel super intimidating, because truth be told we all see very differently, but that's really the beauty of our art! So I embraced the challenge and have to say it grew me and I had a blast! Some of these images definitely fall in the "favorite of all time" category. Hope you enjoy!

Oh and by the way....anytime you ever want to wear red and teal to a session with me- know you will make my day :).

 

Waiting for Austin. Columbia, SC

With Austin's big arrival only about a month away, the clock was ticking for our maternity session! So it was time to hop in the car and make the drive to Columbia to meet my dear friend Lauren, her husband Cameron, and their little girl Taylor.  Lauren and I have been friends since college days, and she is the very one who introduced me to my husband! Yes this girl is so dear to my heart! So I really love maternity sessions, but I especially loved this one because I got to spend it with one of my besties and her sweet family. So much fun! Lauren's sister Stacey also joined us for a few sister belly pics as she is only weeks behind Lauren! As one of three girls myself, I thought the sister thing was such a neat idea. Enjoy my favorites from this oh so sweet session!

E Session: Brandon & Allison, Raleigh, NC

Phew this week has blown by! I am finally done scouring Brandon and Allison's beautiful Raleigh e-session and so excited to share! We spent the bulk of the session around NC State's campus as both Allison and Brandon are wolfpack alumnus...and they did spend their first date walking campus together. So so sweet. Allison fell hard for Brandon back in the day when she cheered from the crowds at one of his concerts. Of course Allison caught this drummer's eye as well...and after five years of dating they are headed to the altar! Oh their wedding is going to be so stunning overlooking the beautiful mountains where they both love to spend time.  Until then...enjoy this fun session with this fabulously fun couple!

This is Tucker or "Tuck"...their furry child :)

                                                                                                                                             love love love!                                                   

 Ok the one above and below...maybe two of my favorites!!!Reminds me of a vineyard...with the rich colors....so romantic!                                                                                                                                                   One of my favorites.. so fun!                                                                                                                                                                               So it took me a while to put my finger on it...but Allison may be related to Kerri Russell...am I right!?