These two had the sweetest and most perfect Sunday wedding in September. Taylor is in the military so they had to work with his schedule to pick their date. It was a warm day with a light breeze— my favorite! We started the day with a sweet first look by the creek and a few portraits, then made our way to their creekside ceremony. Callie and Taylor invited their closest family and friends, which made for it to be such an intimate celebration!

Goodbye, 2022…

Wow, guys! It’s been an incredible year, to say the least, and I can’t believe a new one is just around the corner!

At the end of every year, I tend to get a bit sentimental and emotional looking back and thinking of all of the amazing things accomplished, places traveled to, new people met, and memories made. This year was no exception! 2022 has been a bit of a rollercoaster— definitely been one of the busiest but also most rewarding years in my business yet. All in all, I’m just so incredibly grateful.

Ever since I got into wedding photography, I’ve always been told that the very most stressful part of the day would be family formal portraits. I think that is simply because, from a couple’s perspective, you’re trying to round up family members and hope everyone cooperates, and as a photographer, you’re trying to photograph a whole group of people that you’ve mostly never met before and are trying to keep them happy before they head to the reception! It can definitely be a little stressful, but if both the couple and photographer prepare, it really can go more smoothly than expected!

Here are 5 tips that I’ve learned through the years and shooting weddings that help make family formal portraits run smoothly!

Zack and Kinzie finally became husband and wife on a balmy July day at one of my favorite venues here in Johnson City— The Side Porch! When my second shooter, Sam, and I arrived, it was certainly hot and humid but the forecast had appeared clear. After everyone was ready, we captured a super sweet first look in the forest where Zack and Kinzie said private vows. Immediately after, as we were gearing up for the ceremony, a huge rain cloud loomed over the venue. Everyone hopped into gear and brought the ceremony inside in minutes where Zack and Kinzie would finally become husband and wife! Talk about an adventure, but what a story to tell!

I’m a little late on blogging my behind-the-scenes photos from 2019, but I’m hoping that this blog brings some smiles, laughs, and uplifts your day just a little. Huge thanks to call of my couples, second shooters, fellow wedding vendors, and my amazing friends and family who made 2019 one hell of a year.

I first met Ashley through our local Tuesday’s Together group (a networking group for creative entrepreneurs that meets once a month), and I’m SO glad that I did. I had met her shortly after I had moved back to the Tri-Cities and was trying to grow my business in Tennessee. I owe a lot of my business growth to not only the Tuesday’s Together group but also to all of my closest friends who constantly cheer me on- especially Ashley!

When Ashley came to me to talk about a branding photoshoot for her new brand, I was both ecstatic and honored! We met up for coffee at our favorite coffeehouse (Open Doors) and planned out our shoot. Ashley told me she wanted her new brand to feel mature, genuine, and of course, to show a connection with nature. She also wanted to show parts of her real life, so we planned a lifestyle/at home office shoot to share her cute little blue office and her family- including her husband, Mike, and pup, Myla.

I met Lakyn through a local photography group and asked her to second shoot a wedding with me out of town. We spent the weekend chatting about all of our favorite things and have since become close friends! I was incredibly honored (and ecstatic) when she asked me to be her wedding photographer!

I met up with Lakyn and Neal for their engagement session at Lakyn's father's land in Kingsport that happens to be at the base of Bay's Mountain. Needless to say, it was right up my alley! We hiked through the fields and chased the sun, touched some questionable weeds and laughed the entire evening. We ended the session at her dad’s private pond and sat around a campfire as the stars came out.

Today on the blog, we’re moving away from recent sessions and weddings and chatting about a super important wedding topic- DAY OF TIMELINES!

One thing that I love to include in all of my wedding packages — no matter if it’s a shorter elopement or a full-day celebration— is offering to assist in creating a day-of timeline for each couple. I know that usually this is the first time a couple has planned a wedding and understand that it can be tricky to put together a schedule for everyone to know where to be and when, coordinate where the photographer should be, and just how the day is going to go in general! When I help my couples create a timeline, I try to make things easy for everyone and try to keep their ideas and wishes in mind.

It all can be overwhelming, but it’s a super important part of the day, and here’s why!

Northeast Tennessee is not only home to beautiful mountains and breathtaking lakes, but also some of the most gorgeous and unique wedding venues that are perfect for adventurous couples and outdoors lovers!

I’ve compiled a list of my top favorite wedding venues (in no particular order) here in northeast Tennessee that are great for adventurous brides and grooms who are looking for a place to say their vows.