Story Tellers

Photographers these days are always describing themselves as "story tellers". It's actually become a little cliche, unfortunately. "I love to tell my clients love stories through photos..." etcetera. Well, here I am telling you that I'M A STORY TELLER. I don't mean as a photographer. I've been a story teller for as long as I can remember. I love to tell stories that make people laugh, specifically. When something ridiculous, annoying, uncommon happens to me my first thought is "I can't wait to get home and tell my friends this story". I've even thought about having a personal blog where I talk about the ridiculous sitcom-y things that have happened to me over the years. 

Here's one of my favorites:

My senior year of college my long time boyfriend and I broke up. It was devastating. There was a lot of crying, sappy voicemail pleading, cookie dough eating, romcom watching. The usual. 

About a month after the break up (right around the time I starting bathing regularly again and being able to leave my dorm without bursting into tears) I was hired for a photo shoot! I met the clients for shoot and then they realized they had left some article of clothing at their home. We were only a minute or so from their home, so we drove back to get what had been left behind. I thought about staying in the car while the article was retrieved, but I started having a coughing fit. The clients suggested I run inside and get a glass of water. Good idea - I'll do that. 

I walked inside to the kitchen and guess who's standing there? My ex boyfriend. He was staying a couple of nights at their home. The client, of course, didn't know that we knew each other and had dated. The client INTRODUCED us - and in the name of not making the client feel like and idiot I went along with it. "Oh, so good to meet you" and shook his hand with the widest dear-in-headlights-eyes I've ever had on my face. 

On our way back out the door the client said something along the lines of "you guys have a lot in common, I really think you'd like him..."

Yeah...

At the time that story was horrible because it upset me so much, but now it seems like the kind of thing that would happen on a tv show that has a laugh track. I think even then I knew - this would be worth it for the story. 

I ask my clients to trust me to tell their stories. Not just any story, their WEDDING story. That's a pretty important one. 

I feel like I should return the favor and tell my clients MY stories. This was my first step. 

Shelby & Mitchell - Fayetteville, Tennessee Wedding

Shelby and Mitchell have such an adorable love story. What I loved seeing on their wedding day, and what I hope you see in this blog, is how much they ADORE each other. Their story is one of those "we met a long time ago but nothing ever happened" stories. Those are my favorite because then when the couple finally gets together it's so special! Shelby and Mitchell are so in love and it was great being part of their wedding day with their friends and family. These two got married at an adorable country church back in January. I loved the wintery touches included throughout their day. 

I hope you love seeing their story. Be sure to let me know what you think!

Shelby wore this ring that belonged to her grandmother.

Shelby picked awesome bridesmaids because they all seemed to have exceptional hair and make up skills. She really had a team of people getting her ready for the big day.

The most exciting/terrifying/hilarious/annoying part of the day was DOGS. Right after Shelby and Mitchell shared their adorable first look I see a herd (yes, a herd) of muddy, hyper dogs barreling toward us. I saw them coming and thought, "If these dogs are anything like MY dog, they're about to jump on whoever they encounter. EVERYONE GUARD SHELBY!" Luckily, all of the groomsmen, my second shooter, and some family members were outside after the first look. I yelled at everyone to make sure the dogs didn't get to Shelby and it became absolute chaos. Some of that chaos is documented below. 

Shelby and Mitchell exchanged gifts. Mitchell's gift was a super sweet image of the sound waves his voice makes when he says, "Shelby, I'm crazy about you". It was adorable.

Mitchell collects cameras (he's a photographer too!) so Shelby got him one of those awesome pretend cameras we all played with as kids. When you click the "shutter" it rotates through images of them!

5 Essential Tips for Choosing the Perfect 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!

Lauren & Brandon - Nashville Wedding

With Christmas just around the corner I haven't had much time for blogging, but I wanted to make sure I shared some photos from this wedding. Lauren and Brandon were so much fun to work with and their wedding was a blast. These two also really like each other and it shows. There's nothing better than that. :) 

Lauren's shoes were so unique! I loved them. 

AND HER RING! I love this pairing together and that it's rose gold. This ring is b e a utiful.

Rachel & Josh - Jackson, TN Engagement

The day has finally come! I've been waiting to shoot Rachel's engagement and wedding photos for about five years now. She told me when we first met in college that she wanted me to be her photographer. Lucky for me, Rachel sticks to her opinions. She's been a huge supporter of my work from day one and it's been such a blessing to me. When this cute boy asked her to marry him a few months ago she immediately contacted me. I'm SO EXCITED for her destination wedding in North Carolina next summer. 

Rachel and Josh are both such kind and awesome people. I'm excited to be able to work with them and get to know them better!

I've been wanting to do some "camping" themed engagement photos and have been waiting for the right couple to present the idea to. Only a few months ago Rachel finished hiking the Appalachian Trail so I figured she'd be the perfect person to pitch the idea to! Pitch... like a tent... see what I did there?

Rachel loved the idea, which led me to building this super cute and entirely impractical tent for their shoot. It also led to me attempting to load said tent into the trunk of my car. I thought the tent was the perfect size to fit in the back but, alas, it was not. The tent had to go in the backseat with Josh wedged behind it looking a little imprisoned. It was really funny and only kind of dangerous.

Josh and Rachel love spending time outdoors (he even proposed while they were out on a nature trail!) so this set up was perfect for them. We decided to make it cozy by including a quilt from Rachel's grandmother and some delicious treats. 

Through the course of this shoot I learned that poor Josh is extremely ticklish. Rachel used this to make him laugh, and I believe to torture him. It's super unfair, but I don't think Rachel is ticklish at all so he can't even fight back. It worked though! I love a good laugh.