I met with Melisa and Chris at the Jasper Highlands. Let me tell you this entire session was so easy. There’s a comfort between the two of them that is so transparent. It’s so completely obvious that these two will stand the test of time. I was super excited that they brought their sweet pups too!
Read MoreJohn is literally one of my absolute sweetest clients. He always bring a smile to everyone’s face and to know him is to love him. I was so excited to shoot in Mrs. Kelly’s daffodil field again. She planted each of these by hand and it’s always the first sign of Spring for me!
Read MoreKirby, Tristan, Ryan, Blaine, Sam and Treyton
I was so fortunate to shoot Kirby and Tristan’s wedding session on and around the Walnut Street Bridge so it only made sense to take the whole family there for their session! The perfect day, the most coordinated outfits, a beautiful couple and four of the sweetest boys made this entire session so easy. We got all of these and more in less than 20 minutes!
Sessions never need to be stressful, you just have to find a photographer who works FOR you and your family.
Read MoreIt’s always amazing to photograph a friend, even more so when that friend is in one of the biggest seasons of her life. Peggy will be welcoming her fourth child, Reece SO SOON. Peggy was actually placed on bed rest prior to this, so this was actually one of the quickest maternity sessions I have ever shot. We took these in Downtown Chattanooga in the West Village. Peggy showed up completely glowing and ready to go!
Read More2020. It’s been a hell of a year. I do this every year. Collage the highlights and share them. Normally I wax nostalgia and celebrate the triumphs. This year the only word I can think of is wow. We lost all three of my surviving grandparents in the course of six short months. My business was shut down. School was shut down. Life was shut down. The new normal became dystopian. Depression and anxiety and grief are at all time highs.
I’m looking forward to 2021. I’m choosing to usher out 2020 with positivity and gratitude for the lessons it has taught me. For the fire it sparked in me. For the peace I want to carry with me for the rest of my life. My word for next year is pause. 2020 taught me how, 2021 will be the year I fully appreciate it.
Read MoreDecember 16th I started feeling run down. I assumed it was exhaustion, this is my busy season and I was overworked and so tired. By December 18th the congestion, cough and complete lethargy set in. I went to Fast Pace on the 19th. They gave me a rapid test, negative. The dr said I had viral bronchitis (Ryder was sick for approx 3 days before I got sick). He said the rapid test is only 40-50% accurate, but he really believes it was bronchitis. He said to me “if we do the send off test you’ll be forced to quarantine for three days when you don’t need to.” So I took him for his word and went home and rested.
Read MoreSophia is my little cousin, but we don’t get to see each other very often. When she does come in for visits we always get to do a little session. She’s one of my most favorite tiny best friends and she always brings a sparkle for all of her sessions. It’s not just a sparkle, it’s a spark. A spark of imagination and of wonder, seeing the world through her eyes is such a wondrous experience.
Read MoreAs most of you already know, October is an insanely busy time for photographers. You will most likely find me chained to my laptop on never-ending editing sprees with Netflix binging in the background. But, as most of you also know, I am on a health journey, so some of these will be from that. Read on to find out what I am obsessed with this week, what I can’t put down and what I can’t stop thinking about!!
Read MoreI was so tickled to shoot Isiah and Ripal’s elopement wedding on the terrace at the Hunter Art Museum. The wedding was officiated by Shaun Mosley of Elope Chattanooga. Ripal and her family are of the Hindu faith and there were several elements present in their ceremony. The couple exchanged rings and then placed beautiful floral malas around each other’s necks. After they touched the feet of Ripal’s mother and Isiah’s parents as a sign of respect. It was such a beautiful day, after the ceremony we walked down to the Walnut Street Bridge for more portraits.
Get ready for an overload of pictures. I couldn’t narrow it down. Here’s wishing them both a lifetime of happiness and love.
Read MoreMarion County’s very own Johnny and June celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They asked me to take their family portraits in August at the Wren’s Nest in Monteagle, TN. They brought together their entire family, Lindsay, Brent, Asher and Beckett; Lauren, Joe and Will. This session was a complete and total breeze.
Read MoreI don’t even know where to begin telling you about Jackie. I have known her for most of my life. She’s my yoga instructor. She’s my friend and someone I look up to in so many ways. She’s beautiful and strong and her soul is made of gold. When she asked me to come to Southern Soul (where she teaches on Saturday mornings) for a sunrise session to use for her marketing, I immediately said yes. And let me be honest, there are very few people I would wake up that early for!
Read MoreLet’s be real here, senior guys do not want their pictures taken. They do it because their moms want it. Jayden was no different. But after just a few minutes he really opened up and his entire session was so easy.
Read MoreI have been taking the Lehr Family pictures since Gavin was just a tiny little baby. We’ve celebrated birthdays and holidays and a new baby brother, Tripp. Plus I have known Sherie since we were little kids. This year we shot in Sewanee and I just love the checkered Tennessee overalls on the boys!
Read MorePeggy and I had already planned her family session, talked about details, clothes, ideas. Then randomly Peggy facetimed me with a big, secret surprise. She needed to announce she was pregnant! Such a sweet family and unique way to tell all her friends!
Read MoreThis session was incredible. Hailey showed up looking like a legitimate goddess. She and Garrett had the most perfect chemistry, the entire shoot was a breeze.
Read MoreThis session was a dream. Beautiful family, perfect sunset, amazing little girls and twin boys on the way. I have known Robbie for basically my entire life. It was such an honor that she traveled home to Tennessee from Florida for this session. It was an even bigger honor to meet her husband and two sweet girls.
Read MoreI have had it in my head for a while to start doing sessions at places I wouldn’t normally shoot. I get asked so often where I find my locations. Or “how do you find these magical locations?!” Honestly most of them aren’t that magical. They are usually on the side of the road; or in a parking lot; or somewhere totally “unmagical”. But for this series I really wanted to illustrate that even an UGLY spot, such as the local laundromat, could really be awesome. The laundromat was dirty, full of people and distractions. Check out some of the fun we had, plus some iPhone shots of what the spot really looked like. When choosing your photographer, find one that knows how to work the angles and focus on the client.
Read MoreSaturday morning, I woke up with an overwhelming urge for change. This entire past year has been full of major growth. But, in particular, this past month has been full of deep introspection. I am in a very odd season of life. My children are now teenagers. They don’t spend as much time with me as they used to, which is normal. But it leaves me in such a weird position. I have spent the past 15 (almost 16) with my entire days devoted to being a mother. And while I am still a mom, they don’t need me as much. So in that respect I have been having to find ways to fill my extra time.
Read MoreI recently had the opportunity to visit a newer business to our area, a hemp and CBD retail store called the Skunk House in South Pittsburg, TN. The proprietor Kevin Hudson was very kind and let me interview him for a Local Business Spotlight. His shop carries products such as CBD oils and gummies, THC tinctures and hemp flowers. It’s also home to several paintings, carvings and fiber works from local artists.
Read MoreSo the struggle to plan outfits is real ya’ll. It can literally be the biggest source of frustration and stress. And my eternal goal is to take ALL the stress out of this experience for you. So today I am bringing you my TOP FIVE tips for picking out the most flattering, beautiful and complimentary clothing for your family! Keep reading to take these tips and put your own spin on them for your next session.
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