Blog — Leigh Ann Atwell Photography

Cali Sweet Sixteen

Cali Sweet Sixteen

Cali is one of a kind. She’s sweet and funny but also silly and awkward (and I mean awkward in the best kind of way, awkward people are my people). My other favorite thing about her was how comfortable she is with herself. Cali just moved here from Whidbey Island, Washington. Such a big change for this girl. I am so glad her mom brought a piece of WA with them to her shoot. She wore a ring that belonged to her grandmother that she received for her sixteenth birthday, they also brought her dog and we shot these at Foster Falls because it holds a special meaning to their family. Every detail was planned and meaningful! Also: look super closely, it rained on us the entire time!

Children, Portraits, Sweet SixteenLeigh Ann AtwellJanuary 4, 2019Leigh Ann Atwell Photographyteen, teenager, sixteen, sweet, washington, move, transfer, tennessee, tenn, tn, jasper, south pittsburg, whitwell, new hope, dunlap, sequatchie, marion, hamilton, county, chattanooga, foster falls, foster, falls, waterfall, lab, golden retriever, dog, puppy, photography, photographer, portrait, portraiture, pictures, birthday, scarf, hat, cloche, whidbey islandComment

David and Gabriela

David and Gabriela

First of all, these two tiny baby clients are from Atlanta, GA (about 2.5 hours from me) and their mama drove ALL the way up here so that I could take their portraits! That was definitely a first for me!!

David and Gabriela were adorable sweethearts that were so easy to work with! I hope you enjoy my favorites from their session.

Children, FamilyLeigh Ann AtwellJanuary 4, 2019Leigh Ann Atwell Photographychild, children, baby, babies, brother, sister, sibling, fall, outdoor, woods, forest, tennessee, tn, tenn, jasper, south pittsburg, whitwell, new hope, dunlap, chattanooga, lookout valley, sequatchie, hamilton, marion, county, crawling, sooc, photoshop, canon, 5d, mark iii, canon 6d, 70-200mm Comment

Wehunt Lifestyle Newborn Session

Wehunt Lifestyle Newborn Session

So one of my goals for 2019 is to shoot a LOT more in-home lifestyle sessions. I no longer shoot posed newborn sessions, but I am IN LOVE with shooting babies in their own homes, in the arms of their parents. Heather and Michael invited me in to capture what it was like during Maddox’s first few weeks at home. He was a complete dream, he slept the entire time and barely made a peep. The Wehunt home is stunning with such a clean, farmhouse vibe. And holy cow, how cute and sweet is Jeter?!

Family, LifestyleLeigh Ann AtwellJanuary 4, 2019Leigh Ann Atwell Photographylifestyle, documentary, in home, home, session, photography, photographer, jasper, tennessee, tn, hamilton, county, marion, south pittsburg, lookout valley, chattanooga, new hope, whitwell, collegedale, ooltewah, professional, newborn, travel, yorkie, dog, pet, friendly, wrap, farmhouse, light, airyComment

Kelly Family

Kelly Family

This session was SO special to me. For the following reasons: Tia and her beautiful family have been coming to me for Fall Portraits since Adrian was a little baby. Tia was right on the precipice of graduating with her bachelor’s degree as an elementary school teacher. They brought Tia’s mother Tina and her nephew Man AND they brought Tyler’s parents too! Tyler’s mother was my third grade teacher. AND THE BIGGEST REASON WHY THIS WAS SPECIAL: Tia was a few weeks along expecting a sweet new baby and it was still a secret!!

Family, ChildrenLeigh Ann AtwellJanuary 4, 2019Leigh Ann Atwell Photographykids, child, children, fall, outdoors, family, portrait, portraiture, golden, hour, lifestyle, documentary, pictures, photography, jasper, tn, tennessee, marion, county, hamilton, chattanooga, lookout valley, south pittsburg, whitwell, new hope, bridegeport, alabama, stevenson, october, couple, extended, kidComment

Parker Family Fall Mini Session

Parker Family Fall Mini Session

Fall Minis are the best, and even more fun when it's someone you've known basically your entire life. So happy for Derrick that he's found Tori. I loved meeting her and these precious boys!! Maddox and Luke were awesome for the session.

Family, Fall Mini SessionsLeigh Ann AtwellOctober 23, 2018Leigh Ann Atwell Photographyfamily, families, fall, mini, sessions, boys, child, children, mom, dad, blended, autumn, october, woods, leaves, changing, denim, engaged, couple, jasper, south pittsburg, whitwell, dunlap, lookout valley, chattanooga, tennessee, tenn, tn, trenton, wildwood, georgia, bridgeport, stevenson, scotsboro, alabamaComment

Cobb Family Fall Mini Session

Cobb Family Fall Mini Session

Having a blended family of my own, I can totally understand the challenges that come with the change of dynamics. Sometimes, as a photographer, you just have to be aware of that and work with it. The Cobb Family may be newer, but they were all five so sweet and easy to work with. Please meet Brandon and Callie and their children, Eli, Clayton and Nora.

Fall Mini Sessions, FamilyLeigh Ann AtwellOctober 23, 2018Leigh Ann Atwell Photographyfall, family, mini, session, autumn, leaves, changing, colors, families, kids, children, son, daughter, mom, dad, blended, jasper, south pittsburg, whitwell, new hope, dunlap, lookout valley, chattanooga, tennessee, tenn, tn, bridgeport, stevenson, scotsboro, alabama, wildwood, trenton, georgia Comment

Price Family Fall Mini Session

Price Family Fall Mini Session

Hands down one of my most favorite families to shoot. They are all five so full of energy and optimism. If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting them, you’ll know I am right. The heat plus the mosquitoes (literally the size of your face) made the shoot a challenge but we still managed to get an awesome gallery together.

Fall Mini Sessions, FamilyLeigh Ann AtwellOctober 23, 2018Leigh Ann Atwell Photographyfall, mini, sessions, leaves, sunset, colors, changing, family, kids, parents, blended, families, daughter, son, mom, dad, jasper, south pittsburg, whitwell, new hope, chattanooga, lookout valley, tennessee, dunlap, bridgeport, stevenson, scotsboro, alabama, trenton, wildwood, georgiaComment

Coffelt Family Fall Mini Session

Coffelt Family Fall Mini Session

Fall Mini Sessions are always one of my favorite events of the year. I get to see some of my favorite families and meet several new families too. The Coffelt Family came to me for the very first time this year and I was thrilled to work with them. Tia, Chris and Emma were so much fun! They came in their best Fall clothes and lo and behold it was 94 degrees on that fine October day. BUT they toughed it out and we made some magic in that quick ten minutes!

Family, Fall Mini SessionsLeigh Ann AtwellOctober 23, 2018Leigh Ann Atwell Photographyfall, min, sessions, autumn, october, woods, outdoors, plaid, vests, denim, colors, family, families, child, children, mom, dad, kids, small, jasper, south pittsburg, new hope, whitwell, marion county, tennessee, leaves, chattanooga, tn, lookout valley, bridgeport, stevenson, scotsboro, alabama, trenton, georgia, wildwood, couple, couplesComment

Amy and the Kids in the City

Amy and the Kids in the City

In case you weren’t aware, that beautiful little girl is my bonus daughter Shelby. I have been lucky enough to be able to take her family’s pictures twice now. Her mother Amy had a vision for this shoot and I think it all came together perfectly.

Portraits, FamilyLeigh Ann AtwellOctober 17, 2018Leigh Ann Atwell Photographychildren, child, formal, twins, south pittsburg, jasper, new hope, whitwell, marion county, tennessee, tn, cedar avenue, lloyd's, hammer's, fraternal, heels, church, episcopal, downtown, portrait, portraiture, pictures, photographs, photography, photographer, professional, barefeet, firetruck, fire, truck, fountain, princess theater, main street, mom, mother, siblings, kids, kid, city, townComment

Savanna H - Future Model Portrait Session

Savanna H - Future Model Portrait Session

Savanna’s mother Tina contacted me one day to book a session for her daughter Savanna. She told me that Savanna was showing interest in modeling and wanted to see if she liked being in front of the camera. First and foremost, Savanna is BEAUTIFUL! Secondly, she’s a total natural. I think she will make an incredible model, I know that she did for me.

Gracie Mae - 2019 RHMS Senior Model Rep

Gracie Mae - 2019 RHMS Senior Model Rep

So the first thing you need to know, Gracie Mae is hands down beautiful. And probably the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet. Seriously. Sweetest. Ever. She’s one of my 2019 Senior Rep Models. Gracie is a senior at Richard Hardy Memorial School in Marion County, TN.

Denise and Michael's South Pittsburg, TN Wedding

Denise and Michael's South Pittsburg, TN Wedding

There’s something special about small weddings. There’s something even more special about two people who find what they’ve been looking for all along in each other. Denise and Michael’s September 15th wedding in South Pittsburg, TN was so perfect. They blended together their two families with kindness, laughter and a whole lot of love. They were married in Mt. Bethlehem Church surrounded by friends and family, with a reception at the American Legion Hall.

Emilee & Kevin's September Vow Renewal

Emilee & Kevin's September Vow Renewal

They were married in her mother’s front yard, surrounded by large trees, paper lanterns, and their closest family and friends. Their son’s walked Emilee down the aisle. One of Kevin’s groomsmen served as the officiant. The bridesmaids wore simple but beautiful dresses. The planning came together in a beautiful and tasteful way, and the love between them was apparent to everyone who attended.

WeddingsLeigh Ann AtwellSeptember 27, 2018Leigh Ann Atwell Photographyvow renewal, wedding, ceremony, reception, bride, groom, outdoors, outdoor, georgia, trees, boho, hippy, hippie, day, lace, already married, vest, flowers, tattoos, tatooedComment

NJHS 2019 Senior Rep Ashley

NJHS 2019 Senior Rep Ashley

Ashley is the smilingest (not a word, I checked, but it describes her the best!) Senior Rep I’ve ever shot. She had a natural ease in front of the camera. And she didn’t even flinch when I asked her to sit in the middle of the road! (Don’t worry, we had a spotter!)

SeniorsLeigh Ann AtwellSeptember 24, 2018Leigh Ann Atwell Photographysenior portraits, Seniors, south pittsburg, sequatchie, Jasper, LAP Seniors, marion county, chattanooga, photography, whitwellComment

Madison - 2019 SCHS Senior

Madison - 2019 SCHS Senior

Oh how I love it when my Seniors bring something that represents them to their sessions! Madison brought her keyboard!!!

SeniorsLeigh Ann AtwellSeptember 23, 2018Leigh Ann Atwell PhotographySeniors, Jasper, TN, tennessee, chattanooga, marion county, dunlap, sequatchie, whitwell, south pittsburg, senior portraits, singer, sing, doctor, LAP Seniors Comment

5 Tips for Better Cell Phone Images of Your Kids

5 Tips for Better Cell Phone Images of Your Kids

I have people saying to me ALL the time “I wish I had a fancy camera, but all I have is my cell phone”. I always try and stress to them, you don’t NEED a fancy camera, the best camera you have is the one in your hands! Of course there are limitations to what a cell phone camera can do, and I don’t think they’ll ever replace a dSLR and a Photographer with a great eye! BUT I’ve put together a list of five of my best tips for putting that camera to work, and taking better photographs of your children, using what you’ve got.

Tip Tuesday, iPhone FunLeigh Ann AtwellSeptember 18, 2018Leigh Ann Atwell Photographyiphone, photography, tip tuesday, 5 tips, help and advice, lightroom, before and after Comments