Ben and Hillary are getting married here in the mountains of Tennessee, so we decided to change up the scenery and have their engagement session at Mead’s Quarry and Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee! We met up the day before the Fourth of July and found that it’s quite the popular place, but that didn’t stop us from having a great time! We explored the quarry with their dog, Sequoia and ended the session at the Forks of the River Wilderness Management Area where there is currently a huge field of sunflowers!

I kicked off the year with Ashley and Logan’s engagement session, and let me say- we started with a bang! I’ve wanted to shoot on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few years now, and when I first pitched a list of locations to Ashley, I was silently hoping they’d pick the parkway. Needless to say, they made my parkway dreams come true! We had a blast laughing and hiking up to the view! I just love how these two make each other smile and laugh constantly. They are absolutely perfect for each other and it’s so easy to see just how much they care one another.

Day-of timelines are pretty important for planning your wedding day, and that includes deciding on having a first look or a more traditional timeline. From a photographer’s perspective, and having been a bride myself, I am personally a huge fan of first looks! My husband and I decided to do a first look for our own wedding and it was the best decision. We have never regretted it! With wedding season around the corner, I thought I’d share my top 5 reasons to why you should consider having a first look on your wedding day!

Last year, I had so much fun putting together my first behind-the-scenes blog (you can see that here) that I made more of a conscious effort to get more content this year! I am so thankful to have had amazing second shooters who caught some funny (and embarrassing) moments throughout the year of me doing what I do! I love sharing the not-so-glamorous side of wedding photography- it’s not all rainbows and butterflies on a wedding day! Enjoy this brief inside look of what it’s like to be a wedding photographer in Northeast Tennessee!

Kaity and Kyle drove from Middle Tennessee to meet up with me at one of my favorite mountain locations- The Beauty Spot. Located in the heart of the Unaka Mountains, the Beauty Spot always lives up to it’s name and this night was no exception! When we first arrived, the sun was out, but dark clouds loomed over the mountains headed our way. We shot for a while, always keeping an eye on the clouds. Eventually, the clouds passed right over the Beauty Spot, but thankfully not even a drop of rain fell! We finished the evening laughing, getting to know each other, sharing stories and enjoying a bright pink sunset on the bald.

I had such a blast at Luke and Caroline's engagement session in August! These two are just so much fun to be around and bring out the best smiles in each other. When we finally found a date that would work for all of us we decided to meet up on Luke's family farm in Independence, Virginia! Let me tell you- it was an adventurous photographer's paradise! I love it my couple's share a little bit of their life with me and such special locations! We spent the evening riding through the cow fields in the farm truck, taking in the beautiful Virginia sunset. I absolutely cannot wait for their wedding in October at the gorgeous Camp at Buffalo Mountain!

Nate and Celeste are married! These two said their vows at the gorgeous Apple Barn at Howe Farms in Cleveland, Tennessee! It may have been the only wedding this year that I haven’t had to worry about rain, for the sun was shining 100%! These two have been together since high school and has waited for this day for years.

A running theme of wedding season this year has been the constant threat of rain, and it was no different for these two. You can probably see the ominous clouds in the photos, but we lucked out and had a sunny and breezy evening for their wedding day. Renita and Nate didn't want a huge wedding, so they opted for an intimate celebration with their closest family members at the Millstone. Renita and Nate walked down the aisle together and met the officiant, Renita's dad, Reub! I thought it was so special that the father of the bride was also the officiant! After vows were read and rings were exchanged, Renita and Nate kissed for the first time as husband and wife and headed to the reception for delicious barbecue, pies, and cupcakes!

This year has been one of the rainiest wedding seasons I've ever experienced! When it became apparent that there was a 100% chance of rain, I began to pray for a mist instead of a downpour. Luckily, the rain turned into a mist just in time for Lizzy to arrive at Seneca Creek State Park. After saying their vows surrounded by just close family and friends, Lizzy and Rob became husband and wife under Seneca's giant pine trees. We then explored the trails and took photos by the lake.

Spring is finally here, which means the grass is turning green, the trees are budding, birds are chirping, and of course, engagement sessions! I absolutely love shooting engagement, anniversary, and couple's sessions with my adventurous couples. It's so fun to explore, hang out, get to know each other and enjoy nature without the added pressure of a timeline on a wedding day!

Since these sessions aren't appointments that we regularly schedule, I know it can sometimes feel awkward to be in front of the lens (I still am). That's what I'm here for- to guide you and help make your session a comfortable and fun experience for both you and your fiancé/significant other! One of the best ways to feel more comfortable at the session is to plan out what you'll be wearing.

Of course, most of the photos you see below are from engagement sessions, but I wanted to note that it translates to anniversary or couple's sessions as well! Any portrait session where there are two of you to coordinate/prepare!