I HATE Christmas!
Posted on October 4, 2013
Okay, whoa. Before you take me seriously (because I know some of you were about to grab your pitchforks and come change my mind), I don’t really hate Christmas. In fact, it ranks up there as my favorite holiday, right after the unnamed first-day-where-it-really-feels-like-fall holiday (yes, that’s a holiday… says me, right now). However, being a photographer has really ruined my outlook on Christmas. Where I used to get excited for December to roll around, now I am thoroughly sick of Santa before November is even done. Why? Well, because I have to start thinking about Christmas in September. I know, right? Most of you are complaining about Christmas decorations being pulled out in the stores before Halloween has even happened, and I wholeheartedly agree, but from a business standpoint it just has to be done. You see, in order to get those Christmas cards that you tell yourself every year you’re going to send out (oh, because you got Susie’s in the mail and it was ADORABLE and you curse yourself for not remembering to get your family’s pictures done soon enough!), I have to think of packages to offer for you. I then get out all of the Christmas decor, because it’s just a cliche’ and wonderful thing to do to offer Christmas mini sessions… right? You don’t want a big session; you just want a few shots of your family in their Christmas sweaters so that you can send out that *one* shot on a Christmas card.
I don’t hate that. I really don’t. It just seems so… blah. Everyone does Christmas mini sessions. I can think of 10 photographers in my area alone who are offering them this year. That’s WONDERFUL! I think it’s a blast to go see Santa, get your pictures with him, yaddayaddayadda. However, when I became a wedding & lifestyle photographer, it was so that I could showcase your family’s love… not to show them perfectly posed in front of a fake fireplace (pretty as it may be). For this reason, I’ve changed Christmas. Yes, I’m still thinking of it in September this year, but now it will hold much more meaning for you.
After all, would you rather have a cookie cutter image of your family, or a custom video showing off your sentimental ornaments, family traditions, and yes, goofy personalities? (I’d rather have the latter.)
Click on each link below to see a few different family Christmas videos. Enjoy!!
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Tami | Nashville Artist
Posted on September 5, 2013
I know I say it quite often, but I truly have one of the coolest jobs in the world. How many jobs allow for traveling and meeting so many interesting people!? Okay, probably a lot. Let’s narrow that down… how many allow for travel, meeting interesting people, and are actually FUN jobs to do? MY JOB!! ;)
Meet Tami! She’s a businesswoman who is, I’m sure, a whiz in the office. Like most of us, Tami has a love that rarely gets seen. I’m so glad that she allowed me into her home for her headshots so that I could see the “other side” of her personality! I love, love, love Tami’s artwork. It’s evident that she pours her heart into each piece. I can only hope I gave a little of that back to her with these portraits!
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Reba | Life Coach
Posted on September 3, 2013
This past summer was such an incredible time for me, in business and in my personal life. I traveled to several different cities for work and met some amazing people.
One of the most amazing and inspirational people I met this summer was Reba. While en route to Memphis for a wedding, my husband & I passed a biker. No, not a motorcyclist — an honest-to-goodness bicyclist. She appeared to have some serious gear, both on her person and on her bike. We were intrigued, and since we had some time to spare I pulled over and got out my camera. As she got closer, I waved her down. We introduced ourselves and spoke briefly about her mission work. Let me tell you, this is a woman you want to follow! Visit her website HERE, and be sure to check in often because she updates daily with her travel stories!!
Reba, thank you so much for allowing me to take these images. I hope you love them! I pray that all of your travels are fun, safe, and full of love.
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Charlee Tuesday | Kindergarten
Posted on September 3, 2013
At some point, my baby grew up. She went from this little squishy thing to a short human being who has full conversations, her own opinions, and her own sense of style. I’ve noticed these things individually over the past couple of years, but now that they are compounded into this GIRL (not baby!), they’re all painfully obvious.
This year, my girl began kindergarten. The first year of 13+ that she’ll sit in a school desk, learn from hundreds of books, and have many influential teachers & friends. We’re only two weeks into the school year and I’m already loving her stories about her new friends, the classroom rules, and the playground design (clearly the most important aspect of kindergarten). She is also a self-proclaimed animal lover and has decided that she will be a zookeeper when she grows up. Nothing new there, as she’s always been intrigued by animals. She also still hates my camera, as noted by the images below. Oh well; I tried. ;)
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Laura + John | New Orleans Engagements
Posted on September 1, 2013
These two were SUCH a blast!! I’m so honored that they chose me for their engagement session in Nawluns. For those of you who don’t speak the dialect, that’s New Orleans. ;) From shooting in John’s grandmother’s old house to eating at one of their favorite restaurants, we had a great afternoon & evening together.
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Pros & Planners | What You Need to Know
Posted on June 1, 2013
Today’s blog post will be a little bit different than normal. I’m sharing pictures, but also loads of information! Exciting, right? 
If you’re a Facebook stalker, you may have noticed that I have done quite a bit of party & event photography in the last year that has had nothing to do with weddings. (If you aren’t a Facebook stalker, where have you been?!) Part of this experience has included features on party blogs, websites, and in magazines. It has been a blast! Although I’ve always offered party photography, I find that the combination of planner + photographer is absolutely invaluable.
So… you’re planning a party. Birthday party? Anniversary party? Get-together at your place? No matter what the event, planning will be stressful. You’ll likely forget something trivial, like forks or plates, and you’ll be too busy playing hostess all evening to really sit down and enjoy your friends.
This is where a party planner comes into play. With a budget and a theme in mind, your planner will be able to pull together so many elements that you never even dreamed of while you maintain your sanity.
Where does the photographer come in? Well, you know all of those moments during a party when you say “Hey, we need a picture together!” or “That looks cute!” or even months after the party when you’re reminiscing and think “We should have gotten a picture of that moment!”
Hi. I’m your photographer. Let ME do that for you!! No, really. Let me. Put down your point&shoot, enjoy your friends, and let me capture the awesomeness as it unfolds.
Anyway, before I ramble too much, I’ll let the photographic evidence speak for itself. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Enjoy this novel!
The following images were events styled by the wonderful Capes & Crowns. We’re a pretty dynamic duo, if I say so myself! Lauren has had virtually every party featured on the top party blogs and/or in magazines. Check out the difference between her snapshots of the party details and my shots. 
I certainly hope you could tell the difference. Now… the next time you have to (or just WANT to!) throw a party, call Capes & Crowns to put it all together… and don’t forget the photographer!
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Mallory + Cody | Ole Miss Engagement
Posted on March 6, 2013
Cody & I have known each other for as long as I can remember. Even so, I can barely remember a time before Mallory was by his side. When he popped the question a couple of months ago at an Ole Miss game, I was squealing from behind my Facebook app. I am so incredibly honored and excited that they have chosen me for their wedding photographer!
Of course we had to go play at Ole Miss for their engagement session. It just wouldn’t be right if we didn’t!
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Photography | No People Required
Posted on March 5, 2013
Okay, one person is required: me, the photographer. Others are preferred, because I like to have someone to talk to while I’m shooting.
While my heart lies with wedding & lifestyle photography, every once in a while I love to get out and shoot… stuff. I very rarely like taking pictures of flowers, trees, and the like, but I do love getting out at night (when I can) and shooting stuff just for me. I began this love two years ago when I took a stab at shooting lightning. There was an amazing lightning storm on our way home one night. My husband & I collectively decided that it would be worth it to go home, grab the cameras, and set up at a local park. I’m so glad we did!! Now I try to set up a tripod whenever I’m in a new place or just enjoying a peaceful evening outside.
I’ve decided to open up an Etsy shop with some of these nature/landscape shots. I would be honored if you’d check it out! It’s not much to look at now, but more items and more images will be added, I promise!!
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Charlee Tuesday | Hello Kitty Tea Party
Posted on March 5, 2013
This year, Charlee will get two parties. The one we had this past weekend was a smaller, family-oriented event. It’s where I went “all out” in terms of decorations, because I knew it would be easier to decorate at my mom’s house than it would to decorate at the park!! In a couple of weeks, we’ll go to the park with all of her classmates and friends and just let them all get hyped up on sugar and run around like crazy.
Instead of a lot of babble about the decorations and the party itself, I’ll just let you see the pictures. I didn’t take many pictures at all during the party because I wanted to just sit back and enjoy it. :)
Cake/Cupcake Toppers – Mama Fresh
Cake – Brandi VanDyke (; 256-740-1400)
^ Brandi also did her Angry Birds cake from last year! ^
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Charlee Tuesday | Thriller
Posted on March 5, 2013
You know, I always get so excited when clients’ children show me their real personalities. I love getting sweet shots of them, but I also love the ones that show who they really are!
With my child, however? Well, I see her real personality 100% of the time. I love it — I love her quirky, kooky, funny self. What I would also love is to have a huge canvas on my wall of my soon-to-be five year old that doesn’t look like she’s having a crazy episode. Just one. Is that too much to ask??
Instead, this year, it looks like we’ll have a Charlee rendition of “Thriller” hanging up in our living room.
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Thank you Danielle. What a pleasure it was to meet you and your husband while pedaling down the Road to Freedom! Keep up the great work capturing snippets of history in the lives of others!