Justin + Courtney = Wedding!

How quickly time passes. It was May when I shot Justin and Courtney's engagement session. They were as much fun at their wedding as they were that day in May. On August 23'rd we met again at the lovely, Riverland Hills Baptist Church. Add in the classic beauty of a '57 Chevy as their chariot to the reception, and something special was bound to happen with this awesome couple.

A quick look at the day:

Expecting Madison

There is a very special quality in maternity sessions. No other time has so many hopes, dreams, and possibilities, mixed with wisps of uncertainty, and even fear. Still, the overriding joy that accompanies moms and dads-to-be, was never more evident than with Harry and Kristen. It was truly, happily, infectious. The hundred year old wood floors of the lovely Corley Mill House, and the soft light of a cloudy day made everything perfect.

I can hardly wait to visit them again for the newborn photos. As you can see, it won't be long!

Bridals From History

The problem with doing bridal shoots is that you can't put them on the blog until after the wedding. Sometimes you forget, that you had them when faced with a few hundred wedding photographs to process. So after a bit of waiting, here are a few from some prior bridal sessions.

J. J. & C.

I had the opportunity to shoot baby Cammie's first photo session a few days ago. The great thing about photographing babies, is that they always look so wonderful. The outfit she's wearing in the fifth photo was worn by her mother, when she was only 6 months old. With luck, Cammie will have the same photo taken of her daughter, with the same dress in 30 years. I love being part, albeit a small one, of a tradition.

By the way, the fine young man is Cammie's big brother, Jake.

Bob & Faith - The June Breeze

The first thing Faith did after Bob proposed to her was to find out if I was available to shoot their wedding - then she said "yes." Of course I jest, but it was high on their priority list. Faith, you see, was the Mother of the Groom in one of my prior weddings. Her son married the very lovely Mary, who was originally from Peru. A Peruvian custom is to have the single ladies pull ribbons from the wedding cake, one of which has a ring attached. The lady who pulls the ringed ribbon is the next to get married - just like our bouquet toss. Guess who pulled the ribbon with the ring... And now, that very son will perform his mother's wedding ceremony. It's going to be an awesome reunion, and I can hardly wait!

We decided on a June engagement shoot downtown and finally out at Lake Murray. The steady breeze, and a great couple made the June heat vanish. A few photos from the day.

Jennifer & Brad 5-31-08

Late last year, I spent a couple of hours with Brad and Jennifer shooting their engagement session. Since then the cool breezes of Autumn gave way to the warmth of a late May Saturday. Finally 5:00 arrived and the long awaited service begun. A couple very much in love, surrounded by family and friends who knew the depth of it, made for an emotional, wonderful day!

Here's a quick peek.

Courtney + Justin = Engagement

Memorial Day weekend found us shooting an Engagement Session with Justin and Courtney. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a couple of hours. Sometimes you meet a couple that have a natural flow to them. It's an easy going style that made our time pass very quickly.

We began our day by the river, amid soft music from a free concert in the park. We ended in a secluded alcove just off of Main St. as the light just started to fade. A few photographs from the day.

Sarah & Russ - Wedding Bells

Sarah and Russ finally walked the aisle on April 19th, 2008. There were lost shoes, missing necklaces, pink flip flops, oddly well adhered to "no tailgating" rules (mostly), missing pants... All the things that make each wedding so very unique. In the moment, each is a crisis. In reflection at the first anniversary, they're cherished memories.

This wedding also had a lovely bride, a handsome groom, and the love and joy to trump all of the little challenges. No sweat.

A little peek into an awesome day!

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Avery's Arrival

Last month you saw some shots from a maternity session - Awaiting Avery. Since that time the world has been blessed with a very happy and healthy Avery who arrived just a couple of days after that session.

When you've got a model like this, you just can't go wrong!




Keeping an eye on the subject of the photos is extremely important as demonstrated by my personal favorite of the day - the "I'm Number ONE!" shot below. One frame only. The next second she was looking away.

Jack Daniel's Distillery

If you happen to be in western Tennessee near the small - very small - town of Lynchburg, a trip to the Jack Daniels Distillery is well worth the time. For some, it's practically a pilgrimage. JD is the one common drink to millionaires and paupers. Among American whisky, it is the undesputed #1 champ. The tours are free. The tour guides are LONG term employees and they know everything there is to know about the place. Get there early.