Ashley & Tyler {Engagement}

The day of Ashley & Tyler's engagement session started with a series of emails and texts questioning the weather outlook. Hopeful for a break in the rain, I packed up my gear, picked up Robin*, and watched the sky turn from dark to darker as we headed out to Southwood. Luck was on our side because there was a break in the rain long enough to wrap up the session with a beautiful sunset. During the especially dark times during their session the images reflected dramatic romance and two different looks to the session. 

To share what is so special about Ashley and Tyler is really impossible to do unless you meet them. Sure, you can easily tell from the pictures that Ashley is classically beautiful with blond hair, blue eyes, and a smile that literally does light up the room whole wide world. From the pictures you can also tell Tyler a good looking guy who radiates honesty for everyone to see.

What the pictures won't show you is the important stuff: how Tyler is the elusive southern gentleman of our generation with a firm handshake and positive nature about him. Or how Ashley is so sweet and genuine with her words that you feel at home the instant you meet her. Together their laughter is harmonious and almost musical, their hands fit perfectly together as if they were made to hold one another, and when they kiss it is as if the whole world has disappeared from around them. You can't make this stuff up and you're a lucky person if you find it in your own life.

Thank you Ashley and Tyler for choosing me as your wedding photographer. I am so excited to be a part of such wedding you are creating...May of 2014 cannot get here soon enough!

*Robin is one of my 2nd shooters but I would consider her to be more of a co-shooter. Ashley and Tyler designed a wedding package that include Robin's time on their wedding day and for their engagement session. 

Brandy {Boudoir}

Brandy is so great in front of the camera and was my first model when I started pursuing photography in 2010.  Always the cheerleader (no really, she was at one point in her past life, shocking I know!) she cheers me on while keeping me grounded and working hard to do even better than the time before. Brandy is a strong person, unique in that she is one of the few people I know who will never compromise what she believes in for someone else and stand up for what she believes is right. She is also smart, a hard worker, beautiful and of course, confident. Few people who meet her today would know that she is also musically inclined and was the lead singer for The Audience, a former local band. The first time I met her was at a show where she sang, no-belted out-Tool's song, schism, and rocked it. So much so that I approached her after the show to introduce myself and tell her just that. Ironically, my husband's best friend ended up marrying her a few short years later...where I officiated the wedding ceremony, my husband was the best man, and our oldest son was the ringbearer. I'd say Brandy and I have a great back story, right? Since I couldn't capture her strong voice through the camera, we brought in one of the guitars from the Tobacco Road studio as a prop. It was the perfect addition to the entire series since her husband, Lex, is the lead guitarist for the Tobacco Road Band. The purpose behind this session was to surprise Lex with an album for his birthday this year...I'd say he is a lucky man, whatta ya think?

**Due to the personal nature of this type of session, clients dictate what will appear online. Brandy has also given me permission to show her entire album to prospective clients. With all of my boudoir sessions, the client dictates what they will wear, has final say on posing, and has complete confidentiality. I can even offer in person delivery of images instead of online proofing.

Baby Robin

Robert and Ginny are good friends of ours who just welcomed their third daughter to the family. Robin is as beautiful as her two older sisters and there is no doubt that she will be just as sweet also. All of the Barbers are such outgoing, sweet natured, and full of southern charm, how could it be any other way?

Originally, we had planned to take her pictures at their house but it didn't quite work out. So, we rescheduled for the following week at my new home office/studio. My hunch was right, the preparation for their trip to my house (and the exciting car ride) wore her out and she fast asleep for the pictures below!

Baby Grayson

Dear Grayson, 

I met you and your parents last week when you were just 5 days old. With open arms, your parents welcomed me into your home and we chatted about the creation of your nursery, child birth, our lives...and of course, you. The night before was a little rough for everyone and while they had planned to be in the pictures with you they decided that instead of getting ready for the camera that they would rest up instead. Throughout the session there was a couple of snack breaks and I couldn't help but snap a couple of pictures of them taking care of you. It was too perfect not to and I knew you would want to look back at pictures and see for yourself what life looked like that first week home. There was a profound sense of love that echoed through your room as your parents moved around you as effortlessly as the earth moves around the sun. At one point, your mom sat down to feed you in the most perfect blue and white chair next to your crib and I snapped a picture of you both. When I showed your dad the image he looked up at your mom in awe and said, "Wow Amy, you look so beautiful." The most simple words but man did he know the most perfect thing to say to your mom because she looked up at him and they both grinned ear to ear at each other and then of course, back down at you. As an outsider, I was amazed at their unconcealed sense of devotion and adoration for one another and for you. I can only imagine everything they thought they knew about love, life, and one another will never be the same again.

Signed,

A photographer who was moved by how perfect your parents are for you.