Mini sessions have become such a popular part of the photography industry! They’re usually held around popular holidays like Thanksgiving/Christmas (Christmas cards) and Valentine’s Day/Easter, etc! In my years of being a professional photographer, I somehow never held a day of mini-sessions, but have seen how popular they’ve become. This past year, I thought it would be a great chance to dip my toes in the water and see what mini-sessions were all about! I asked my very good friends at The Camp at Buffalo Mountain if I could come on a Sunday in October and host mini-sessions at their beautiful venue

Lakyn and Neal became husband and wife at the always magical Waterstone Venue in Johnson City, Tennessee! Mother Nature had us on rain alert the entire week leading up to the date, but eventually decided to just rain the night before and gave us the moodiest overcast skies! These two said personal vows at their first look but officially tied the knot waterside. We all danced the night away under the tent as it drizzled and ended the celebration with a private last dance and sparkler exit! It was a truly magical and absolutely beautiful Fall wedding day in Northeast Tennessee!

This day and this couple. I have been dreaming about Ashley and Logan’s wedding day since I met Ashley for coffee and it was truly magical! Logan and Ashley became husband and wife at one of the newest venues in our area— the Waterstone Venue! Even though it was mid-September, their day was partly sunny and almost 90 degrees! The day was humid and hazy, but that didn’t keep Ashley and Logan from having the most amazing wedding day!

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!

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!

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.

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!