Mallory + Jacob - Battle Mountain Farms Wedding

Mallory and Jacob's wedding was so beautiful. This is my favorite kind of wedding. Beautiful, casual, intimate, and joyful. They were both so happy all day, and I could really tell how much these two want to spend their lives together. My husband Kyle came along with me on this one as my second shooter and did an awesome job. I think it's cool that we get to do this together. 

I love a good ring shot!

These rolling hills were such a beautiful background for the day. 

Mallory was such a beautiful bride! I loved her dress and flowers. 

When your wedding has this many cows, you just go ahead and celebrate that. 

Carmen + Paul - Fall Creek Falls Engagement Spencer, TN

You know when things just work out perfectly? Carmen and Paul are one of those things for me. I know that sounds weird - stick with me.

Back in April I was having a really scary time in my business (quitting your job and going in to business for yourself is tough sometimes). I was worried constantly and doing everything I knew how to bring business through the door. One of the things I did was confide in my friend Hannah. There's more to this story, and it's really cool, but the short version is that we started talking about something, which led to something else, which led to something else, each topic more fortuitous than the last. We made some awesome discoveries in the course of this conversation, which went on for the better part of a day total. At the very end of all of it, after every topic had been exhausted Hannah mentioned Carmen. 

I was looking for clients who are like Hannah's sister Rachel. Running a business involves identifying your "ideal client". So far, Rachel is mine. Hannah said she knew someone kind of like Rachel with similar hobbies and personality. Her name was Carmen and she'd just gotten engaged. Hannah and Rachel talked, and in the end Rachel mentioned me to Carmen.

During this period of time where my business was super scary I spent tons of time in prayer asking for something (someone) to show up. I'm sorry to say I don't always dedicate much time to prayer but I REALLY did during this time. It was all I did. 

Then I got an email. It was Carmen. Within the week Carmen and Paul had hired me.

These two are adventurers! They love to hike and even got engaged up on a mountain. I knew we had to do something cool for their engagement session and Carmen wanted mountains. I did some research, she did some research, and in the end I decided Fall Creek Falls was our best bet for an awesome shoot. I looked up the park and realized that traveling here would put me 4 hour away from home! I didn't really want to get a hotel room and then like a lightning bolt I remembered that my friends had planned a camping trip for that weekend. I tried to remember where they said they were going. Phone call. Where are you guys camping again? Fall Creek Falls. 

Perfect. I'll see you there. 

YES, that IS a butterfly to the right of the photo. Totally real - promise. How magical is that?

I love this view off the edge of the waterfall! I want to shoot in locations like this all the time. All. The. Time. Someone hire me for photos and go adventuring with me?

The second half of our shoot was quite the adventure. We knew where we wanted to end up and had rough directions for how to get there. Getting to the look out involved about a half mile hike both directions. I LOVED working with Paul and Carmen because I said "mile hike" and they said "ok". It's not every day you get clients who don't mind a sweaty walk to get their photos. 

This is the happy couple and their precious dog Indi right as we set out for our hike. 

After a bit of hiking we thought we had arrived at this lookout point, but then discovered we were not in the right place. We kept hiking, turning off on random trails that we thought would lead to the lookout. Only to discover after three false trails that we had been originally right the first time and needed to turn around. I promise we're not dumb, it's just honestly not that easy to tell. 

So, we finally found the correct trail leading to the lookout. Getting to this point involved a wardrobe change in the woods, climbing down into the rocks then back up while holding camera gear (me), or a dog (Paul), or wearing skinny jeans (Carmen). Not your typical mountain experience. We deserve props for even attempting this.

I think the view was totally worth it. 

Thanks for being willing to do all the ridiculous things I asked of you guys. I loved working with you and I can't wait to see you again for your October wedding!

Meadow Hills Styled Shoot - Nashville, TN

Earlier this year I threw together this beautiful styled shoot with some amazing Nashville wedding vendors. I'm so thankful to everyone who was willing to donate their time and effort to this project. I think it turned out lovely! 

I love the use of natural color palettes and used neutrals as inspiration for this shoot. 

Venue: Meadow Hill Farm
www.meadowhillfarmweddings.com

Planner: Kenzie Events
www.kenzieevents.com

Videography: KLassy Productions
www.klasseyproductions.com

Dress: Posh Bridal Couture
www.poshmn.com

Paper Goods: Mallory Mayhew at Letters from Mal
www.lettersfrommal.com

Floral Design: Robin's Nest
www.robinsnestweddingflowers.com

Cake: Nashville Sweets
www.nashvillesweets.com

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer

One of the most important choices you'll make for your wedding day is who you have as your photographer. There are a thousand and one different photographers to choose, so how do you know who is right for YOU and YOUR special day? I've compiled five essential tips from my time as a wedding photographer and as a bride myself. 

1. Choose someone you like

I can't emphasize this enough! Many brides don't consider this, but you will spend more time with your wedding photographer than any other person on your wedding day. More time than your mom, more time than your MOH, more time than even your groom. Your wedding photographer will be by your side almost every moment of your big day. If you meet with a potential wedding photographer and think they are arrogant, or annoying, or you don't like their sense of humor, TRUST YOURSELF. Don't hire this person. On your wedding day you want to be surrounded by people who make you happy and make your day the absolute best it can be. You want a photographer who makes you feel content, calm, confident, and comfortable. Choose someone you will look forward to spending all day with. Someone who makes you happy. 

2. Choose someone who responds

It's frustrating when you want to get in touch with someone and they never seem to respond. It's even more frustrating when the person you want to get in touch with is responsible for your wedding photos, or has already taken the photos and you haven't heard from them. Unfortunately, I've had two friends in the past two years who had issues with uncommunicative photographers. One of these friends has STILL never seen her wedding photos (almost two years later). Understandably, not every business owner can respond within the first 24 hours, (though most GOOD ones do) but if you reach out to your photographer and regularly cannot get contact back that is a big RED FLAG. Great customer service is essential when you're talking about something as important and irreplaceable as wedding photos. If someone can't take the time to get back to you, you can find someone else who will be happy to work with you. 

3. Choose someone who fits your needs

You want full day coverage, but this photographer only offers 6 hours? No. You want a bridal session, but this photographer only offers engagement sessions? No. You want to be able to purchase an album, but this photographer doesn't offer that service? No. There are so many wonderful photographers out there in the industry. Find someone who is offering you EXACTLY what you want. 

4. Choose someone who fits your style

The best photographers have a clear style and vision. There are so many different artists with so many different perspectives on wedding photography. Find someone who has the right vibe for you. Don't book someone just because they are local or in your price range. If they don't produce the style of images that YOU want to treasure forever that's ok. But find someone who does.

5. Choose someone who has YOU in mind

Whew, this is a big one. As wedding photographers, it's our job to go to weddings all the time. Duh. I'm sorry, that was obvious. Because of this some photographers will fall into the trap of treating your wedding like a run of the mill day at work. It can be easy for people in this industry to begin to think of your super-special-once-in-a-lifetime-very-important wedding as just another task to accomplish. The cake was prettier at the last wedding I shot and will be better for my portfolio. Uh, if I see ONE MORE bride use navy blue for her bridesmaids dresses. I've already shot at this venue twice this year... BORING! Etc, etc. YOUR WEDDING IS NOT ABOUT THEM. You MUST choose a photographer whose number one priority is making YOUR big day the absolute best it can be. Your wedding is not a portfolio filler. Your wedding is not a future Facebook ad. Will your photographer use your wedding photos for their portfolio and future Facebook ads? Probably. But that cannot be the focus of a great wedding photographer. The focus should be you.

If you're still looking for your perfect wedding photographer I would love to work with you! Head to the contact page to get in touch!

What to Wear for Your Engagement Session

It happens to all of my clients. They're pumped for their engagement session and then it hits them... what on earth do I WEAR?

Choosing clothes for an engagement session is a pretty big deal. You'll have the photos forever, probably use them on the Save the Dates or Invites, maybe display them at the ceremony, slap them all over social media. I get it - you gotta look adorable! Well, I'm here to tell you it's not so scary choosing outfits for your engagement session - I promise. Here are some tips to help you make sure you look your absolute best in your photos. 

1. BE COMFORTABLE - BE YOU

This should be obvious, but if you're not comfortable in what you're wearing you aren't going to LOOK comfortable. Don't wear something that is too tight, or bulges in a weird place when you sit. Get clothes that feel good and look good on YOU. Ask your friends what kind of cuts and colors flatter you most. You should be confident and feeling great about how you look. Your clothes should accurately represent you and your style.

2. PATTERNS ARE TOTALLY ALLOWED

I always get asked if it's ok to wear a pattern. Yes, it is! There are a couple of rules to follow though when choosing patterns for your session. First, your probably shouldn't both wear a pattern. It's not always a terrible idea, but I say each outfit should have one major pattern between the two of you. If the girl is wearing a polka dot dress, maybe the guy wears a solid colored button down. If the guy is wearing a plaid shirt, maybe the girl wears a solid color dress that matches one of the minor colors in the plaid. Second, go big or go home. Avoid things with really tiny plaids or houndstooth. Those patterns cause strange distortions in camera. Just trust me.

3. MIX IT UP

My engagement sessions are 90 minutes long. This provides for two or three wardrobe changes. I like to tell my clients to have one more formal outfit and one or two more casual outfits - all of which should represent your style. Changing clothes creates more diversity in your images and helps you get the most out of your session for the best images possible.

I'd love to dedicate a blog post to any other questions you might have. What things do you want answered before your session?