Chris & Callie, post-wedding

Callie's dress didn't come in time for us to do a bridal session, so we decided to do a post-wedding session with her and Chris too. I'll admit, I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to top the wedding photos, but we managed to get something worthwhile, don't you think?





I wish we had a picture of me trying to get this shot...Callie's sister Katie was holding me by the shootsac so I could lean over!


Favorite. If you want to get me something for Christmas, I would love the back of that glider to be cut off and hung in my living room. You can talk to my Aunt Teri about it...she'll show you where it is.






As always, these two were a dream to shoot. Thanks for being so awesome!

Shelby, senior

I love going to new and different places, especially when they are important to my subject. For Shelby's senior session, we went clear out to a little spot in the road called Readyville...its between Murfreesboro and Woodbury. Her family owns the Readyville Mill, and they have spent countless hours restoring it and turning its history into something that can be enjoyed today. They even have weddings out there!

The Melsons

The last time I photographed this crowed, there was only 4 of them. Now that Sarah has joined the pack, they're even more fun to be around. Sarah spent most of her time completely uninterested in what we were doing, but can you blame her? What 1 year old wants to sit still when its so pretty outside?






I don't know what she just stuck in her mouth, but I love the expressions on Josh and Barrett's faces.-





I've had several of you message me words of encouragement after reading my last post, and just to know that you care enough to read the whole thing, even though it didn't have any pictures, means more that I can describe. Thanks.

Off season slump

Motivation has been hard to come by lately. It’s cold and dreary outside, and as much as I hate to admit it, the weather seems to directly affect my mood and productivity. It that time of year where I just start to get a little burned out, and this year I seemed to be more burned out than normal. I don't even want to pick up my camera. I want to pack it up in its bag and leave it sitting for weeks at a time. No CF cards to empty, no CDs to burn, no photos to sort, edit, upload, no books to order, prints to ship. I'm tired of it. I'm still going to do my job, of course. I have 3 shoots this week, and I will shoot and put as much into getting the shot as I always do. It’s just not making me feel...excited. I'm uninspired. I'm tired. Worst of all, I feel like my photography is mediocre. I feel like I'm not pushing my photography to newer and greater heights, yet pushing myself way too close to the edge all at once. It’s a frustrating place to be. I have this urge to create, yet the thought of having to pick up my camera and all that post-processing that comes with shooting immediately kills that. I just want to put on my pajamas and stay in them until February, no voicemails, no shipments, no emails. Then, I look at another photographer’s blog and see all the great work their producing, and I feel even more overwhelmed. How could I ever create something as wonderful as that? How could I ever have such a cool marketing strategy? When will I ever be at the next level? I feel as if I’m just doing enough to hold my head above water. I should be working right now. Ugh, typing that makes me mad. Its 9pm. I shouldn’t be working; I should be hanging out with Joshy. But it’s been almost 3 weeks since my last wedding, and I haven’t even touched the photos. I know they’re anxious to see them…such a hard balance to strike…work time vs. home time. I work at home. It all runs together. It’s hard to admit to myself; it’s even harder to blog. I love my clients more than you might imagine, and I don’t want any of you to think I’m not going to give you 100%. I will, always. I promise. Maybe I just need to let it out. You're not going to abandon me because I feel the need to be honest and admit I'm not perfect....right? I know this isn’t going to last forever. Come spring time, I’ll be at the starting gate, rearing to go again. Anxious to get outside and start shooting again. But right now, I just want to walk away. I’m sorry for the whining. I know you came here to see pictures, not listen to me complain. But the photos will come; today I need to share...whine...whatever. Whatever.

Ode to the blog

I talk about you all to other people. I mean, I'll tell one client about another, especially if you both have something in common. When I do, more often than not, folks say back to me, "Oh yeah, I saw that. I'm a blog-stalker." It flatters me more than anything, really. Of course, I stalk a few blogs myself, so I thought I'd share. First, a few photo blogs I can't live without:
Carrie Sandoval
Jose Villa
Kelly Moore
Poser
The Image is Found - I'll be attending their workshop in Vegas in March!
Southern Wedding Magazine
Of course, this list could be miles long, but these are some of my favorite. I draw inspiration from these photographers daily.

Of course, not all the blogs I read are wedding/photo related. This is my list of the most time wasting, I-can't-believe-that-what-were-they-thinking, entertaining blogs on the interwebs...well, in my opinion at least. You should take a look, but only if you're bored and want to spend lots of time on the computer.
There, I fixed it.
FAIL Blog
Cake Wrecks
Awkward Family Photos
FML
People of Walmart
Post Secret

I feel like I'm forgetting one of my staples. I'll let you know if I remember. What do you read?

Mr. & Mrs. Howell

Logan and Chelsea's October 24th wedding marked the official end to my wedding season. Of course, they're not the last for the year (one in November, one in December), but no longer is my life quite as wedding crazy. At least not until May 2010. By the way- any of you 2010 brides looking for a date, May & June are completely full, and July is getting there! If you need to book, now is the time. Ok- back to these two. Their wedding was at the fabulous Factory in Franklin. If you've never been, its worth spending your afternoon their one day. Lots of fun. Here's Chelsea, getting ready.-


They had this H on the floor going down the isle...I love it. Its so similar to my tattoo!-

Yes, I know. I have an amazing job where I get to hang out with gorgeous people all day.-

And if you're wondering who she reminds you of, I'll tell you: Carrie Underwood. Don't you think?-

Possibly my favorite from the whole day.-



Wedding party, ftw.-


Some game was playing. I kept hearing updates all day.-

I think my favorite person in this shot is the flower girl on the right. She is not messing around!-


Ok, I lied. This is my favorite. Or the next. I can't make up my mind.-




Bling bling.-

Check out the rocks!-


Chelsea with her dad right before walking down the aisle.-

All done!-

Logan was so chill. He literally got married not 3 minutes ago, and what does he do? Play guitar hero, of course.-

Their entrance to the reception.-



Note: black icing WILL turn your mouth black.-


A little rockin' and rollin' on the dance floor.-


Then a few more with that awesome car.-



Love.-

Sparklers.-

Leaving.-

Shout out to these 4 fabulous ladies who helped me out with this one.-

And that's that. I'm so happy I got to spend this totally awesome day with these people. Amazing clients like this and like you all are why I love my job, and I'm so thankful that I get to do what I do. Its all because of you. Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families.

Dustin & Heather, e-pics

I drove down to Florence, AL on Halloween for this shoot, and I have a confession: I was a little grumpy that I was going to be missing the trick-or-treaters. But, once I arrived and the weather was more than perfect, I got un-grumpy and had a blast with these two. Look at them! How could I not have fun? And, as it turns out, I didn't miss anything at home; we didn't even have any trick-or-treaters!





These trees...ahh. It possible I'm going to have to go back to this little area on their wedding day next year.-









Ok, bed time for me. I'm getting caught up, finally! Well, with editing that is...