jHenderson Studios

Chris & Stacy

2012-01-25T08:57:00.081-06:00

After an amazing engagement session with Chris and Stacy, I just knew their wedding was going to be stunning. And of course it was. CJ's Off the Square once again provided an exquisite backdrop to the ceremony and reception. My favorite part of this wedding had to be Stacy's dress...wowzers! I loved the details on it, and Stacy looked so incredibly gorgeous in it. Check out my favorites from their wedding day.

To view the entire event, click here.

Downtown Wedding, Part 2

2012-01-21T08:31:00.018-06:00

If you missed it, check out Part 1 here. Once the ceremony was over, Mike and Tia hopped in the back of a car and headed a few blocks away to the One Eleven Events space on Broadway in downtown Nashville. They arrived just as the sun was setting behind the buildings, and we managed to squeeze in a few more portraits before they began their sit down dinner with their guests. The gals at Simply Stunning were the ones behind the gorgeous details, which continued the classic style of Mike and Tia's ceremony.

To view the entire event, click here.

Downtown Wedding, Part 1

2012-01-20T08:56:00.066-06:00

From the blush pink bouquet of roses to the sleek black bow ties and tuxes, it really doesn't get any more classic than this. Mike and Tia has a perfectly wonderful downtown wedding at the Assumption Church this past October. Tia was simply stunning with her red hair and mermaid dress. Thanks to the lovely afternoon light and pleasant fall weather, we were able to really take advantage of the area surrounding the Catholic church.

Again, I have tons of favorites to share from this wedding, especially since the majority of this post was shot with my favorite film. Be sure to check back tomorrow...their reception was on a rooftop in downtown Nashville, and the view is amazing!

Check back tomorrow for their equally stunning rooftop reception.

Jerome & Serena- Pre Elopement Portraits

2012-01-15T08:55:00.070-06:00

I try not to pick favorites...but if I had to pick a favorite shoot, this would be it. Or at least in my top 5. Jerome and Serena contacted me about a year ago to shoot their wedding. They had a date, but the rest of the details hadn't been filled in. I emailed Serena a time or two, but never heard anything back, and eventually forgot about them. Then several months later, Serena emails again. They've thrown their wedding out the window! Instead, she tells me the plan is for a 'just them' ceremony. Literally, only the two of them and the officiant. Even though there wasn't going to be a traditional wedding and reception, they still wanted to share with family and friends and have some photos to mark the occasion. So we planned a portrait session with her in a white dress and him in a suit. So. much. fun.

This session is one of my favorites for several reasons. First of all, Serena told me that she and Jerome were open to me trying new and different techniques. Then, they picked out an awesome, off the beaten path location- a liquor store to be exact-and were totally up for anything. Plus, just look at Serena! I love her style and her sassy glasses.

Obviously, I chose film for this session, but I deviated from my usual Fuji 160 for a little Delta 3200. The result are some super grainy, super awesome black and white images that I love and they love too. Of course, I did use my tried and true Fuji 160, and we managed to get a few 'normal' portraits for their moms, but for the most part I was able to stretch a little bit, and the results are stunning.

By the way, I've been dying to shoot an actual elopement...if you're considering it, PLEASE send me an email! I think we could get some great images for you.

To view the entire event, click here.

Peter & Michelle- Vow Renewal, Part 2

2012-01-12T09:01:00.001-06:00

After doing some lovely portraits of the whole family, Amy, Peter, Michelle and I hopped in the car and headed a few blocks over to downtown Franklin for a few more. I love these first three photos. To me, finding these fun little moments and capturing them on film is so rewarding, because they're real moments. Sure, I told the 3 of them to stand there, and I have a shot that's a little more posed/formal, but when Amy decided to give her sister a peck on the cheek, the giggles that followed are what makes their expressions true, honest and in-the-moment, and that's what makes these so special to me.

Be sure to scroll all the way to the end of this post so you can see the amazing family style dinner the group of 15 enjoyed. I had a bite...or several, actually. It was delicious.

I switched over to digital at this point.

To view the entire event, click here.

Peter & Michelle- Vow Renewal, Part 1

2012-01-11T08:54:00.000-06:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I love small weddings? It's true. Really, it can't get too small for me. The fewer people and the more intimate the better. Needless to say, when Amy called me for her sister's wedding, and mentioned the guest list to have a total of 15, I was pretty excited.

Actually, it wasn't technically a wedding. Peter and Michelle were already married; they tied the knot ten years ago, but never had a real wedding. So to celebrate a decade of marriage, they decided to have the ceremony that didn't happen the first time around. Lucky for Michelle, she has Amy for a sister. The celebration was doubly special, because it also happened to be the 50th anniversary for Michelle and Amy's parents. You can read all about it over on the CJ's Off the Square blog here.

I have tons of images to share from this vow renewal, so it's getting split into two posts. This first half features the amazing details Amy and her vendor team put together for the ceremony and reception, as well as the first family portraits this group had made in years! Check back tomorrow for the sweet ceremony and family style dinner that followed.

By the way, everything in this post was shot with Fuji 160 or Fuji 400 film, and processed at RPL.

Can't get enough of these delicious details. Flowers by the ever amazing Caprice.

It was so fun to have Amy in my photos for once! She's usually hard at work on wedding days.

Their "first look"...Peter loved Michelle's dress. I did too...it suited her perfectly!

Such a sweet, sweet family.

Sisters!

Check back tomorrow for part two of this lovely event!

Clark

2012-01-09T18:28:00.002-06:00

I may be a little biased, but I pretty much think this baby is perfect.

Tune in soon for your regularly scheduled wedding blog. I've got tons of wedding images from this fall to share...they'll be popping up soon.

It's a bird...It's a plane...It's a boy!

2012-01-07T16:54:00.002-06:00

I promised myself I wouldn't be one of those moms. You know the type...they tweet about every nap time, post a picture of every outfit, and blog weekly updates about their precious newborn. And yet, here I sit. One week later and I'm posting pictures. There is just something so special about the first week...so many firsts are happening as we get to know our son. The first bath, first car ride, first time meeting his great-great grandmother. So we take pictures of every step, because he's changing and growing so fast. I'll admit, I've found the need to photograph him non stop, but I promise I won't bore you 24/7 with photos of my child. Today I just have a handful of Toy camera pics as well as some beautiful images Melissa took for us at the hospital. I'll have his official newborn photos soon...I didn't want to squish too many photos into one post.

Overall, this first week has been so much better than expected. I was worried about my recovery, and while I'm still not 100% (actually only about 75%, really), I've been able to pretty much do everything I wanted, aside from driving. And I feel so skinny! I'm already down to my pre-pregnancy weight, and I've had so much fun rediscovering my wardrobe. I'm pretty sure I could fit into my regular jeans, but my incision is still too sore to try. I've been able to have a shower everyday, and putting on real clothes has felt so amazing. Sure, my belly is a little floppier now, and between the strech marks and my new scar, it isn't the prettiest sight, but overall I love how I look, and there is even a little part of me that might want to go shopping.

Clark has been an easy baby. He's happy, healthy, and settling into our lives with great ease. The first few days were a little tough, but we've found our routine and things feel right. Clark is sleeping so well at night; he only wakes up to eat, which is only twice in the night. He cries when we change his diaper, but other than that, he hardly makes a peep. Joshy and I have been able to get plenty of sleep so far, and even a little time to ourselves everyday, which apparently isn't something that always comes easily to new parents. Yesterday, I spent most of my day in my office while Joshy did his stay-at-home dad duty.

Speaking of Joshy, can I brag on him for a minute? He's such a natural at this dad thing. I've yet to wash a bottle or do a load of laundry. He splits the diaper changing and feedings with me, and I don't even have to get out of bed at night because he takes care of it all.

Ok...enough chatter. Time for the pictures...First, a sneak peek of his newborn session...the rest will come very soon.

Here is a shot from our last supper. Sambuca was delicious! We enjoyed every second.

Then it was time to check in! They told us to be there at 6am...we got there at 6:45. It's not like they would start without me.

Before we knew it, he was here. My first photo with my son. Such a special picture to me.

And him with his daddy...apparently I took this one. It was all a blur, really.

These next several are all by Melissa. I can't tell you how thankful I am she was there so that I didn't have to worry about getting pictures. She's amazing!

Oh yeah, that's how I roll. Shooting film from the hospital bed.

I took this one too. Love these two people.

The next day, I was feeling much, much better. I had Joshy bring me some sushi. It was soooo yummy.

Time to go home!

Home with our baby boy finally. Isn't his outfit precious?

This melts my heart.

The day after we came home we took Clark over to meet his great-great grandmother, Franny. Five generations!

It was also his first time meeting his great-granddaddy.

And now we're settling in, figuring out our new normal. So far, so good.

Joshy on daddy duty, organizing laundry.

And me at work. With my baby. It doesn't get too much better than this.

I will do one more post of Clark...I have to share his official newborn photos, but I'm not finished with them. I forgot just how hard newborn sessions are, and even though he slept the entire time, I was exhausted and only got about half of what I planned. We'll finish on Monday.

Happy New Year Indeed

2012-01-01T20:07:00.000-06:00

Introducing Clark Thomas Henderson. Born December 30th, 2011 at 9:11am, weighing 8lbs, 1oz and measuring 19.25 inches long.

We checked into the hospital bright and early Friday morning, and before I knew it, it was time to be wheeled into the operating room. The surgery was scary, but Joshy was with me the whole time, and it luckily went very quickly without complications. We had Clark in our arms before noon.

My recovery has been much quicker and easier than I expected. I've been sore and tired, but I'm feeling better and better by the hour. Joshy is a natural when it comes to being a dad and has been an amazing support for me while I recover. And Clark is simply perfect. He's a healthy and happy and loves to snuggle. He wound up weighing less than we expected, but his head is very large, and ultimately he would have been delivered via C-section whether we'd planned it or not. We head home tomorrow, and we can't wait to get settled at home with our son. We're both completely smitten. I can't imagine spending my New Year any other way.

Baby makes 3

2011-12-27T10:11:00.002-06:00

Tonight, Joshy and I are headed to Nashville for our "last supper." I've got my black dress and red heels set out, my hair is trimmed, eyebrows done, and (thanks to my sister) toe-nails painted. We're going out for a fancy dinner to soak in this one last week of us as a pair before we become a family of three. As excited as I am to finally meet Clark, there is a teeny bit of me that's a little sad. Joshy and I have been so happy as a pair for the past nearly 7 years, and I know this part of our lives is coming to an end. Things are about to change completely. Hopefully, this change will bring us to a new level of happy we just didn't know existed.

Overall, pregnancy has treated me extremely well. That might even be an understatement. I wasn't sick once...not a single day. The first few weeks I seemed to sleep more than I was awake, but that soon passed and I've felt pretty normal this entire time. Sure, I've had a few uncomfortable moments....mostly lower back pain after a wedding, but nothing I can't manage. I'm just so very thankful I was able to shoot a full season this fall. Clark was in my belly for a total of 14 weddings and who knows how many sessions. Also, I've been able to eat everything in sight and my total weight gain has been 9lbs. The doctor says that after I deliver I'll weigh less than I did when I started, and I'd say that makes me pretty lucky! Even with all this fabulous weight luck, surprisingly my favorite thing about pregnancy has been my sense of smell. As a normal person, I have almost no smelling abilities, but for the past 9 months I've been able to sniff the world around me. It never dawned on me that movie theatres smelled like popcorn! Hopefully this new found nose will stick around a while.

We head to the hospital bright and early Friday morning for a planned C-section. I'm not entirely thrilled that we have to go this route, but Clark is just too big, not to mention he hasn't dropped, I haven't dilated, and I've yet to have a single contraction. He's just not coming out unless we go in and get him. I am glad that we know ahead of time, rather than waiting to go into labor on my own, pushing for several hours, then having an emergency C-section. At least this way I can be as mentally prepared as possibly for major surgery and the recovery that follows.

I'll think I'm going to miss my belly a little bit...but I'll be glad to be able to sit comfortably at a restaurant booth again, or anywhere for that matter. I'm also looking forward to a little wine and a lot of sushi. It's been so much fun to feel Clark kicking and watch my belly roll around; I can only imagine how much more fun it will be to watch him once he's out! I plan to soak him up as much as possible. I know the next few months are going to fly by, and I'm very thankful to have work 100% wrapped up for the year. There is actually nothing on my to-do list whatsoever! You won't see too much of me at work for a while. I'll be taking photos of Clark of course, but for the most part, I'm unplugging until Valentine's Day. That doesn't mean you should quit stopping by here... I've already pre-scheduled blogs to post every 4 or 5 days through January and February. I had an awesome fall wedding season, and all those lovely photos will be automatically popping up soon.

So...If I had to use one word to sum up everything, it would be thankful. I'm thankful for an easy pregnancy and for all the showers and many, many gifts our generous friends and family sent our way. I'm thankful Joshy is going to be a stay-at-home dad, and that Clark is coming in the off-season. But mostly, I'm thankful for this little baby that's about to come into our lives. It was a very, very long road to get to this point, and it felt impossible for so long. I'm so incredibly grateful for it all.

Before I sign off, I wanted to share a few maternity photos from when I was around 32 weeks. My friend Laura Reaux came all the way from Louisiana for our session. We decided to go to Lipscomb for our pictures; it's where Joshy and I met, and we wanted to show how far we've come. In this shot, we're holding the first photo we ever took together, which was made in early December of 2004, about 6 months before we got married.

We also had a 'bonus' session, thanks to my pal Joshua Gull (whose wife is also due any day now!). He's just starting to shoot film and used us for a little practice.

So...that's that. The next time I post, the population of the world will have increased by one sweet little superhero. Catch you on the flip side!

Jason & Maria

2011-12-26T09:10:00.001-06:00

I don't even know where to begin to tell you just how excited I am about these photos. I've known Jason for years...we go waaay back. We've spent countless hours together on youth group trips, at play practice in high school, crossing paths around Lipscomb, and everything in between. All of the Bobos hold a very special place in my heart, and now that Jason is engaged, I couldn't be more thrilled for him. I haven't known Maria as long, but the more I get to know her, the more I love her too.

Their engagement session was on a perfect October afternoon...the leaves were just right and the sunshine really sang for us. I met them downtown near Jason's office for a few shots between the buildings, then we headed over to the Bicentennial Mall for the rest of their session. Both Maria and Jason looked stunning in front of my camera; I only wish we'd had more daylight so I could have kept shooting.

Congrats to you both! I can't wait for the wedding!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T07:50:00.000-06:00

Joshy and I wish you the happiest of holidays!

Isaac

2011-12-24T11:00:00.000-06:00

I've never been a big holiday person. Other than Valentine's Day, I don't get very excited for the little ones, (aside from the seasonal candy they bring...peeps, anyone?) and even Christmas doesn't always get me too pumped. Sure, I enjoy any excuse to eat and spend time with my family, but the tree decorating, the shopping, the wrapping...just not my thing. This year we didn't even bother putting up a tree. I'm not moving around very well, and the last thing I wanted is to have 'take tree down' on my to-do list 3 days before heading to the hospital. Next year, however, I might just be a little excited. Clark will be big enough to maybe open a few presents and play with toys, and I think the holiday is going to start being a lot more fun.

Until then, I have a few photos of Isaac to share. Isn't he precious in his Santa outfit?

Brooks

2011-12-22T17:53:00.004-06:00

Brooks is such a charmer with his bright blue eyes and crazy hair. For his 6 month session, I headed back to his house in Brentwood. This was my third trip there, and I was afraid I might not be able to shoot another session in the same place. It was challenging, but I still managed to find different little nooks and patches of good light in their home. Of course, Brooks is so cute I could probably take a picture of him anywhere.

One quick shot with dad.

Houston

2011-12-21T16:07:00.000-06:00

It's good to know that Clark will have some super friends like Houston when he arrives!

Raffe & Amber, and family

2011-12-20T22:27:00.000-06:00

Apparently, Amber and Raffe like to have me take their photo on days with even numbers. Last year, I met them in Colorado for their intimate lake side wedding on 10/10/10, and this year, I headed to the Roberts farm in Wartrace for a family session on 11/11/11. They're such a wonderful group of people, and I'm so thankful they keep calling me for pictures. I wonder what December 12th will bring for us next year?

A day at the Zoo

2011-12-19T16:01:00.000-06:00

My good friend Stephanie had the great idea of heading to the Nashville Zoo for their family session this fall, and it was a perfect backdrop. She and her boys love making trips to the zoo, and James knew exactly where certain animals were. More than once I found myself jumping around like a monkey to get a laugh from the boys. I guess with actual monkeys around, I had to make sure I upstaged them!

The Howards

2011-12-17T16:33:00.001-06:00

It's official...Clark will make his arrival via C-section on the 30th. That's 2 weeks from yesterday. Amazingly, I have exactly 2 weeks worth of blogs to post. I plan on getting everything posted just before he arrives, then taking a break from all things work/computer/internet for the entire month of January, and probably most of February. Of course, I'll post a few photos of him here and there...I mean, how could I resist that?

Today I have images of the beautiful Howard family. This session was one of my favorites all year, because it has just the right mix of posed photos and candid 'just us being us' photos. Plus, Jax and Blake are both such hams in front of the camera; it really makes my job easy...

Cowboys

2011-12-16T21:43:00.000-06:00

Everyone needs a little dose of cowboy in their life once and a while. These sweet boys are here to help with that.

Briley

2011-12-14T10:31:00.000-06:00

Ok, ok...I'll admit: I'm getting a little tired of The Conversation. You know, the one where someone notices my belly, then proceeds with the "Oh look at you! When are you due? What are you having? You must be excited! Maybe he'll get here on Christmas!" string of questions and statements. For the record, yes, we are extremely excited, though we really don't want Clark to have a Christmas birthday. Not only do I not want my friends and family to have to spend this Christmas in/around a hospital, but Christmas birthdays just seem like zero fun. It would be like he didn't even have a birthday. Tomorrow we have an ultrasound scheduled, and we'll find out exactly what the plan is....

What I'm not tired of is this gorgeous senior session. Just look at how the wind flows through Briley's hair. We had a wonderful time wandering around the Shelbyville square for her session...back in August. Yes, I'm behind with posting a few sessions, but I'll get caught up...eventually.

Black and White from Pittsburgh

2011-12-11T10:06:00.000-06:00

Just a few random personal images from our trip to Pittsburgh in September. Ilford 3200, Canon Rebel, 24mm 1.4, RPL.

Livvie

2011-12-06T17:03:00.000-06:00

For Livvie's senior session, I headed out to Normandy to hang out in and around her mom's scrapbook retreat house, Petticoat Junction. If you like to scrapbook, you'd love this place. Even if you don't scrapbook, it's still a neat place for a good country retreat. I'll tell you right now: I am not a scrapbooker...the thought of cutting and gluing little things into a book just makes me shutter.

Enough about that...let's talk about Livvie. We've attended church together all our lives, and I've watched her grow up. Isn't she gorgeous? We had tons of fun at her session, especially when we pulled that old couch out of the house and put it in the grass...we had more than a few funny looks from passers by!

Wedding at Fallingwater, Part 2

2011-12-04T12:35:00.000-06:00

Now for part two...you can see part one here.

Kurt and Brenda's ceremony was serene, sweet, and so magical tucked away in this little opening in the woods. They weather was just right, and their guests sat on hay bales as they said their vows. My favorite detail was the shepherd's hooks that lined the aisle with colorful flowers in jars. Like I mentioned, we had time to sneak away after the ceremony for some portraits by the beautiful Fallingwater House.

Once we were done with portraits, it was time to get the party started! The rustic barn was an amazing backdrop. I can't tell you enough how lovely and wonderful this entire wedding was. I'm so thankful Brenda and Kurt decided to bring me all the way to Pennsylvania for this celebration.

Their guests tossed yellow flower petals as the newlyweds walked back down the aisle...such a great moment!

About to head into the reception...

One of my favorites from the night...

Just FYI for the camera nerds: Up until this point, all images have been film. They're a mix of film and digital now.

To see the entire wedding and order proofs, click here.

Wedding at Fallingwater, Part 1

2011-12-02T11:38:00.000-06:00

Before I get into the details of this super lovely wedding, I have to send you over to the WedCandy blog where I'm excited to be featured today! They posted some of their favorites from JoEllen and Kevin's travel-themed wedding. Thanks to them for the great feature!

Speaking of travel...let's dive right into this wedding I have to share today. Occasionally, I'm lucky enough to be selected by brides and grooms to shoot a wedding beyond the Middle Tennessee region. Don't get me wrong: I love to shoot here, but it's always so much fun to get to combine my love of travel with my job. For this wedding, Joshy and I packed our bags and caught a flight to Pittsburgh. The wedding itself was at the Fallingwater Barn, part of the famous Frank Lloyd Wright Fallingwater foundation. The house and barn itself are located in Mill Run, PA which is in the middle of nowhere. It's so far out there, I don't know where the locals buy their milk and bread. We flew in a day early so we'd have plenty of time to get out there and to our hotel, and we even had a chance to stop by the house to take a look prior to the wedding. We also allowed for an extra day in Pittsburgh after the wedding, since we knew it would be our last chance to travel for a while. (One of these days I'll post a Toy camera blog with our pics from the last month or two...)

The wedding itself was rather magical. Brenda and Kurt selected one of my favorite color schemes with their gray and yellow, and their ceremony in the woods was gorgeous and intimate. We did most of their portraits prior to the ceremony, but they set aside time afterwards for us to head over to the Fallingwater House for a few more....wow, am I a lucky girl! Brenda and Kurt were stunning, the location was to die for, and to top it off, I had a blast and got to shoot tons of film.

Here is part 1 of this too pretty for words wedding; part two (including the images from the famous house) will be posted later this weekend.

Time to see Kurt!

The moments before the first look...so exciting!

You might recognize Kelli...she and Brenda are now sisters-in-law!

Work it, Kurt.

Gorgeous.

Walking down the aisle.

You simply MUST check back for part two of this wedding! There is much more where this came from!

Christmas Print Sale!

2011-12-01T10:20:00.000-06:00

A nursery and a name

2011-11-29T13:11:00.003-06:00

When Joshy and I were first married, we were broke. Seriously. We both were full time students, paying for Lipscomb and working part time jobs. We didn't have cash for the extra things...no cable, no internet, no Netflix. Nothing. So, when it came to TV time, we just didn't have a lot of options. Luckily, one of Joshy's friends let us borrow the box set of the first 6 seasons of "Smallville" on DVD. (If you've never seen it, "Smallville" is the story of Superman when he was a teenager growing up in Kansas) We watched every episode together, cuddled on our hand-me-down couch in our teeny, drafty duplex. One day, while we were watching, I said to Joshy, "We should name our first son Clark. It's a nice name." Six years later, that's exactly what we're doing. Now his middle name was more of a struggle...we went through every R name in the book to try to find one that fit in order to keep the tradition of the Henderson men having R middle names, but alas, nothing fit. Finally, after much deliberation, Thomas just clicked. And so our son has a name: Clark Thomas Henderson. It's classic, easy to spell and pronounce, and there just aren't many Clarks out there.

When it was time to change the guest bedroom into his nursery, I knew pretty quick what I didn't like...no baby blue, sage green, tan, pale yellow. No zoo animals, sports, or transportation theme. Let me tell you, it's hard to find little boy stuff that doesn't have an animal, a ball, or a vehicle of some kind on it. Thankfully, Pinterest came around just in the nick of time, and I was able to start pinning things that seemed to fit our style better. We decided on a slate-navy wall color, with lime green and UT orange accents. No theme, really...just a cute room. We did, however, want to incorporate a few Clark Kent touches here and there, but nothing that really screamed Superman. No blue and red, just a poster of the Metropolis skyline, silver accents for the Man of Steel, and a pair of glasses next to an old camera. Subtle nerdy-ness, you could call it.

My biggest goal with the nursery was to spend as little as possible, and to make it something that would easily transition to a 'big boy' room. His crib and mattress was a $75 Craigslist find, and with just a few cans of spray paint the silver crib is a perfect match. The dresser we already had; it just required a few coats of orange paint and new hardware. For his changing table, we used another Craigslist score: a $25 desk that we painted green. When he's out of diapers, we'll just take the changing pad off the top, put a chair under it and he'll be ready to go. The shelving unit came from Ikea, and the single bed we already had. Everything was DIY, including the beadboard which -believe it or not- is wall paper!

The wall painting, furniture make-over, beadboard wall paper, and shelf assembly was all done in one weekend, thank to Clark's team of super aunts. Joshy's sisters Jessica and Ashley came in from North Carolina, and my sister came home from college for the weekend to help us get everything done. Overall, it's exactly what I had envisioned, and I think it's the perfect room for our new baby. We just need to bring him home so we can put it to use!

We love his letters above the crib. Tutorial found here, letters from JoAnn's. Project total was around $14 for letters and spray paint. The orange paint was left over from his dresser.

The green chair and sock monkey were a gift from a recent shower. Aren't they perfect?

Globe found on Ebay for $15. Vintage camera was s gift. You should know, normally I think it's a little ~~silly~~ too hipster to put a vintage camera in a baby's room. However, considering #1: I'm a photographer, and #2: Clark Kent was a photojournalist, I think it's appropriate.

Bedding came from Walmart: $15 for bedspread and $10 for orange sheets. The blanket was a gift and we already had the green pillow cases.

I found these magnet boards here, but the price was too steep, so I bought 3 pizza pans from Walmart for $3 each. My uncle Tracy drilled holes in them so I could hang them.

This print was the ultimate inspiration for the nursery. A gift from JoEllen, found here. The "Super Hero" pillow was made by my friends Stephanie and Colynn as a gift. Chevron curtain fabric from Fabric.com.

Orange and green photo boxes from Ikea, $5 per pair. The green and blue boxes on the bottom we already had.

Shelf brackets from Ikea. The shelves themselves are just pieces of wood spray painted silver...about $10 total for the wood. The orange and blue storage boxes are from The Land of Nod, only $5 each.

Changing pad & cover, monogrammed dog, wooden truck, and framed button "C" were all gifts.

Of course, I had to have a pair of dark chunky glasses...

Mirror from Ikea; the lamp, camera, and dresser we already had. Dresser hardware from Lowes.

I made the alphabet print and Ashley made the numbers; inspiration from Pinterest.

It's a bird, it's a plane! The superman symbol I feel is a little too much...it will be replaced with a silhouette of Clark when he arrives.

Love this lamp from Ikea...a gift from Joshy's parents.

I can't find a link for this fabric, but we love it. My friend Cindy sewed the dust ruffle and curtains for me.

Clock from Target, found in store for $4.

And last but not least, the beadboard wallpaper. It was only $20 a roll from Lowes, and so super easy to install. The entire room only needed 2.5 rolls. The chair rail we did ourselves too, with wood from Lowes that we painted white.

So there you have it....Clark's room. I love it for so many reasons: it's subtle, nerdy Superman touches, the non-baby colors, the ability for it to easily transition to a toddler room, and of course, the fact that we did the whole thing for around $550, furniture, paint, supplies, accessories and all. I just hope Clark loves it as much as we do!

Mike & Melissa

2011-11-27T12:26:00.001-06:00

I'm thisclose to being completely done with shooting for the year. My weddings ended about a month ago, and I just have a few babies to see before I'm done. Then I just get to settle in and finish my editing and wrap up the design on several albums, and it's hello off season/maternity leave.

I has been a fantastic shooting season. I was lucky to have several wonderful couples with beautiful weddings. For the most part, I didn't have any trouble shooting while 6..7..almost 8 months pregnant, but one thing is for sure: I couldn't have done it without Melissa. She was with me every step of the way for my last 5 or 6 weddings and did everything I needed her to do, whether it be shoot, carry heavy equipment, hold lights/water/film/bouquet, or just listen when I whined about my back hurting. And, she did it all without complaining...not to mention her images are always the perfect blend with mine. I'm a little spoiled by her, to say the least.

So when it was her turn to be the bride, I was so glad she let me return the favor and take her picture for once. And what a gorgeous bride she was! Her wedding was on a beautiful August day at the Loveless Cafe, and she got to have her favorite color: pink!

Special thanks to Don Yeager for coming along to assist/second shoot.

It's hard to tell from this angle, but I'm starting to have a bit of a bump here! Photo by Don.

Melissa with her sisters!

Photo by Don.

Photo by Don.

All of Melissa's 8 siblings in one photo!

Sweet tea in mason jars...so perfectly southern.

They had a moment alone to pop into the photobooth...

The beautiful Loveless Barn.

Yes...it was as delicious as it looks.

And one more shot out by the famous sign.

Congrats to Melissa and Mike! So excited for you both!

To see their entire wedding, click here.

Thank You

2011-11-23T21:03:00.000-06:00

Pregnancy brain. It's a real thing. I always sort of thought it was a made up excuse for soon-to-be mamas to be ditzy, but I've learned first hand it's not. My mind just feels... fuzzy. Yesterday, I put the lasagna in the oven, then proceeded to turn on an eye on the stove. Needless to say, our dinner was still cold when I went to check on it later. Oops. Having said that, I'm going to do my best to blog...no promises.

With Thanksgiving here, I wanted to take a moment to express how thankful I am for everything. Joshua and I have been so very blessed this year.

First, I'm thankful for my Joshy. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: he spoils me. I hardly lift a finger around the house, and it's always spotless, we've always got a pantry full of groceries and clean laundry. I know he's going to be so amazing when the baby arrives.

Secondly, I'm thankful for my job. Everyday I get up and walk down the hallway to go to work, and I love every second of it. I have the flexibility to make my own schedule and the freedom to make my business be anything I want it to be. I'm so thankful for each and every client who has picked up the phone and called me to take their photos. I appreciate you for having faith in my vision and for being such an inspiration to me.

I can't begin to say how thankful I am for our friends and family...thanks to you all, we've had several baby showers and haven't had to buy a single item so far. We feel so prepared to bring home our son, and it's because you all are so loving and generous.

Of course, most of all I'm thankful for this wiggly baby in my belly. It was a very long road for us to get to this point, and I've been thankful for every single second of this pregnancy. I couldn't have asked for a better experience, and we've had nothing but good reports from the doctor.

His nursery is almost finished...just a few minor touches and it will be ready to be blogged. Until then, a little peek, and his name: Clark Thomas Henderson. We can't wait to meet him.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all in the interwebs! I hope you have as many blessings as we've had.

Alex

2011-11-22T11:49:00.000-06:00

In case you were unaware, I'm not very...domestic. Meaning, I would make a terrible 1950s housewife. In our house, Joshy takes care of all the chores, from laundry to grocery shopping and everything in between. I can do it all, just not as well as he does. The only real task I'm in charge of in our house is cooking...but I don't even do that very well. This year, however, for the first time I'm attempting to take a dish to Thanksgiving. My sister specifically requested cheesy carrots, so I volunteered to give it a go. Surely, it can't be that hard, right? I see people my age talking about having their families over for Thanksgiving and I'm pretty sure if I tried to do that, it would spell disaster. It's best if I leave the turkey cooking to the experts, aka my grandmother. We shall see how this carrot cooking goes...if it's a complete fail, at least it's only one dish, right? Better pick up some rolls too, just in case.

Now, in an attempt to get a little caught up from this summer, here are my favorite images from Alex's senior session. We went to her grandmother's greenhouse/farm and wandered around.

Aloha

2011-11-17T10:46:00.000-06:00

We didn't turn on the heat last night before bed. Perhaps we should have. When I woke up this morning, the thermostat said 59 degrees. Needless to say, our house was a little on the chilly side. The good news is I managed to make it through the night without getting super hot under the covers. Although there were still moments when I had my foot sticking out, just to cool off a bit. I haven't been outside yet today, but I have a feeling the air is a little more crisp, and I bet it's going to stay that way. I guess winter is on its way here...time to reminisce about the perfect temperatures Hawaii had to offer. I can't believe I managed to neglect posting these for so long.

Canon EOS3 + Fuji 160 + RPL

Around the Web

2011-11-16T11:25:00.000-06:00

In the past week or two, I've been lucky enough to have my images appear on a few blogs around town, and I thought I'd share.

Today, be sure to head on over to Ashley's Bride Guide and check out her feature on my thoughts when it comes to film vs digital. While you're there, look around a bit! ABG is a super resource for anyone planning a Nashville or Middle Tennessee wedding.

Earlier this week Amy shared her favorite images from her very special family celebration at CJ's Off the Square. I'll post my favorites later...for now, you can read all about it on the CJ's blog.

I also had a few images appear on the Wedding 101 blog, featuring Kelly & Michelle's June wedding and Southern Events rentals. Don't you love her pink?

Huge thank you to all the blogs that have shared my work recently! Now head on over to them an leave them some comment love!

JoEllen got married! Part 2

2011-11-11T11:48:00.000-06:00

Now that you've seen Part 1 of how stunning JoEllen and Kevin were at their September wedding, I have to take a moment to talk about their incredible team of wedding vendors. They're truly Nashville's dream team in my opinion. First, let's talk about Legacy Farms, the venue that served as the incredible back drop for the Buckley wedding. I really hope I have the opportunity to photograph another event here soon...the possibilities are endless! They have a beautiful white mansion, a pond with a pier, an exquisite, recently renovated event center, and so much more. The grounds at Legacy are really too pretty to describe. Not to mention the chic, rustic vibe was perfect for JoEllen & Kevin's wedding style. If you're looking for a venue full of charm, give Kellie and the Main Event Pro team a call.

Of course, the beautiful doesn't stop with the venue. Caprice Palmer of The Enchanted Florist wowed us all once again with the gorgeous bouquets, boutonnieres, and all the floral arrangements. Seriously, every time I see her work, I'm blown away. Nashville Event Lighting added the perfect touch of string lights above reception area, which gave the whole place a lovely, romantic glow as the sun set. Lighting is sometimes an item that gets overlooked on the wedding to-do list, but it makes such a visual impact!

At the reception, we all got to munch on the delicious menu provided by A Catered Affair. I've been lucky enough to have their food at several weddings and events, and I almost always go back for seconds. Of course, we all know that cake is my favorite part of the day, especially when it comes from The Bake Shoppe. The hardest part about my wedding off season is knowing it'll be a while before I get more wedding cake! Once our bellies were full, we danced the night away with DJ Jason Middleton. He really knows how to get a party going. Kevin and JoEllen had a special treat for their guests at the reception with an Old Time Photo Booth set up. Joshy and I found ourselves in there more than once...

Of course, none of this would have come together if it weren't for Amy Parman of Williamson County Weddings and Events. She's hands down the best in the business. Sometimes, brides think that a wedding planner/coordinator isn't necessary, and they're so wrong! Even JoEllen and Kevin were hesitant to use her services at first, just because they didn't know everything she could offer. When I had them convinced, it was such a relief to me knowing that Amy would be their on the big day...with her around, things are guaranteed to go smoothly. Later, Kevin and JoEllen both said to me just how thankful they were to have Amy helping them every step of the way...we all would have been lost without her! I'm so glad to have Amy as a friend!

Now, for the rest of JoEllen and Kevin's best day ever.

HUGE thanks again to Alex and Melissa who took over at this point so I could be a bridesmaid. Notice here that Tiner is wearing a sweater and covering her legs while I'm fanning myself...again, I blame the hormones.

Beautiful. Perfect for a fall wedding.

Can you believe I actually got nervous? I'm so used to having a camera in my hands instead of a bouquet at this point. It was odd.

JoEllen got her dream wedding...walking down the aisle to "Anthem" from Cold Mountain.

I traded my bouquet for a camera rather quickly to grab a few more shots.

First dance...

I told you lighting made a huge impact!

CAKE!

And time to party. From this point on, I really couldn't tell you who shot what. There where times I was shooting, and there were times when I put my camera down just to enjoy the party. Have I mentioned how awesome Melissa and Alex were?

Look at us four, all grown up and married!

Last but not least, bubbles. Kevin got his bubbles.

Thank you a MILLION times over to everyone who was invloved. And especially thank you to JoEllen and Kevin for letting me be a part of such a huge day. Love you both!

If you're interested in seeing all of the images from their wedding, head on over to their gallery here.

JoEllen got married! Part 1

2011-11-10T12:28:00.000-06:00

She's been my guinea pig for years. I've got negatives of JoEllen dating all the way back to 2005 when I was just beginning to learn about photography at college. While I was in school, I had photo assignments nearly every week, and who better to use as a model than my best friend who also happens to be gorgeous and willing to pose for me. Well, mostly willing to pose...there were a couple of times I had to drag her away from a nap in order to get my homework done. One of the very first images I ever took of her was this one:

It was for my black and white film class, and I processed this film and printed the image all by hand in the dark room. It's still one of my very favorite images, even after all these years.

JoEllen has been nothing but supportive for my entire career as a photographer. Whether it be posing, spell checking blogs, or just listening to me go on and on about other people's weddings, she's been there for me every step of the way. So, when it was her turn to be the bride, there was no question who would shoot it. I mean, it's not like I'd let anyone else do it! Of course, JoEllen also wanted me as her maid of honor, so it made things a little complicated. While it worried me at first, I decided that with the help of my assistant Melissa I could pull this off, even while 6 months pregnant. So, that's what I did...I put on my maternity bridesmaid dress, loaded my camera with film, and photographed the ultimate wedding.

It really was stunning. She was stunning. I cried....I blame the hormones. Just after she put on her dress, I noticed a bit of light streaming in from a nearby window, and it reminded me of that very first image I took of her all those years ago. It feels like everything has truly come full circle...both the original image and this one were taken on film (though I didn't go into the dark room for this one).

The wedding itself went off without a hitch. Although I admit, it was harder to wear the bridesmaid hat and photographer hat than I thought. I simply couldn't have done it without the help of my two minions: my regular assistant Melissa (who has been by my side at every wedding since to help me as I've gotten bigger and bigger), as well as my new friend Alex of Alex Bee Photo. Both of them let me bark orders all day long and never missed a beat. Together they photographed all the shots I needed to be in, such as bridesmaid group shots, the wedding party as a whole, and of course the ceremony itself. Melissa really stepped up to the plate and shot with my film camera at moments, even though she really didn't want to. To both of you: THANK YOU! This wedding wouldn't have been the same without you.

So, here are my favorites....well, part one of my favorites. Part two will come tomorrow when I can tell you about the AMAZING team of vendors JoEllen and Kevin had. They really had the dream team of wedding vendors. These images, for the most part, are by me on film. Obviously, if I'm in the shot, either Melissa or Alex took it, and I'll try to credit them best I can, but sometimes I can't remember who took what...

It felt weird to be a bridesmaid.

Photo by Alex.

Here I am...doing my thing. Photo by Alex.

Meanwhile, Kevin was getting ready for their first look. Photo by Alex.

Here she comes!

It's a wonder this image is in focus. I was crying here too.

Their flowers were by the awesomely talented Caprice Palmer of The Enchanted Florist.

Possibly my favorite image.

There I am again at work...baby bump and all. Photo by Alex.

True story: about 3 or 4 years ago, before JoEllen met Kevin, before Joshy and I started thinking about kids, JoEllen and I said that I would be pregnant at her wedding. You know, just because it would be the worst timing ever. We totally called it.

Bridesmaids! So glad that Tiner (left) could come in from Memphis! We three lived together at Lipscomb. These next few are all by Melissa with my film camera. Way to go Melissa!

I really loved my dress. It was so comfy and it had pockets.

Me, doing what I do best: BOSSING. Photo by Alex.

The guys looked so handsome in their suits and skinny ties.

Kevin, showing me some love. I couldn't have hand picked a better husband for JoEllen.

Seriously. Love them.

The detail on her dress was stunning.

All those years practicing her America's Next Top Model moves finally paying off.

There's really no question why she always made such a good model for me. Just look at those eyes.

Kevin's family...such a sweet group of people. I'm so glad to know them.

And JoEllen's family...8 nieces and nephews with one on the way. (Two if you count Baby H).

And finally, one quick shot of me and the baby daddy...love him.

Check back tomorrow for Part 2 when I show you all the amazing details, tell you about their dream team of vendors, and share a few party shots.

Here we go again

2011-11-07T13:04:00.000-06:00

The curse strikes again. I'm talking about my bad electrical charge...the one that makes all things electronic go haywire. This time, it's managed to get a virus on my computer that keeps me from using the internet. My IT department (aka Joshy) has been working on it all weekend. I'm still able to use my computer for editing and what-not, and none of my files have been bothered by it. But, for the foreseeable future, I'll be borrowing Joshy's computer to use the internet. Oh, and my mouse touch pad went out. That makes 3. Now I'm back to using a regular mouse, plug and all. Sigh...

Since I can't upload images from my computer at the moment, I don't have much to show you. I did want to point out the new picture on my home page, if you haven't seen it. Don't JoEllen and Kevin make a lovely couple? I plan on blogging their sweet wedding soon. Oh, and don't forget about Fall Mini Sessions!

Sarah

2011-11-03T14:13:00.000-05:00

On cold, dreary, rain-soaked days like this, it's so nice to know that I don't even have to get out of my pajamas all day. I can lay in bed and listen to the rain, then walk down the hallway in my sweatshirt and pajama bottoms to get to work...no shower, no shoes, no problem. Of course, my pjs aren't fitting quite like they used to. These days, I have to let them sag below my belly, which is super attractive I'm sure. Oh well...nobody but Joshy and the cat to see me.

Here's a little sunshine to warm up your day...and I'm not talking about the fabulous weather we had for this senior session. I'm talking about Sarah. Just look at her glow. Be sure to scroll all the way to the last image, because it's my favorite.

Announcing....

2011-10-30T11:06:00.001-05:00

Chelsey

2011-10-26T20:17:00.000-05:00

It's official: I no longer walk, I waddle. And putting on my socks and shoes has become quite the daily challenge. Still, over all I can't complain. My favorite activity has become watching my belly roll from side to side. At this time of day (just after dinner) he starts moving so much you can see it from across the room. So crazy!

Just a few from Chelsey's senior session this summer. We had so much fun running all over the place for her session!

Ethan's Birthday Bash

2011-10-25T14:16:00.000-05:00

A few weekends ago I had the opportunity to be at Ethan's first birthday party. His mom Laura decided to have me photograph the party instead of having a full one year session. It was so much fun! She really went all out to create an amazing party for sweet Ethan, and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it. I think it was a great decision to have me there to photograph the party. I did a few 'official' photos of Ethan before the guests arrived, and then just snapped candids and detail shots throughout the evening. This not only gave Laura images of all the hard work she put into creating the ultimate party, but it also allowed her to sit back and relax, and not worry about having to take pictures herself. She was able to actually enjoy Ethan's party and experience it right along with their family and friends. Be sure to head on over to Laura's blog to find out all the behind the scene details. I'll just post a handful of pictures here...Laura has a full post on her blog. Happy Birthday, Ethan!

PS- Baby H needs a pair of these...

Maternity Leave

2011-10-24T13:35:00.001-05:00

As my due date approaches, I just wanted to update you on my shooting plans & maternity leave. I will be taking sessions through the end of November, but I am not booking anything in December. I will still be able to process print orders and will be available for bridal consultations up until I deliver. I plan on getting back to work shooting around Valentine's Day.

By the way, Christmas is sneaking up on us! Have you thought about your Christmas cards this year? I still have a few spots open for sessions in November. If you're interested in scheduling, give me a call/email and we'll find you a date! Photos also make great Christmas gifts for those hard-to-buy-for people in your family...don't wait till the last minute to schedule!

Since it's been a while since I posted a belly picture update, I thought now might be a good time. This was me last Tuesday at 28 weeks. My due date is still on schedule for January 9th...wonder when he'll actually decide to make his arrival?

Sneak Peek

2011-10-23T22:47:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, my wedding was in a Catholic church in downtown Nashville. While I've never been Catholic and never have any intention of converting, I've always enjoyed the Catholic churches I've visited over the years. I've decided it's because "Sister Act" is my favorite movie of all time. Silly as it may be, I just love watching Whoopi play Sister Mary Clarence over and over. Naturally, a close second for favorite movie ever is "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit." We caught a little bit of it today on TV, and I found out that Joshy had never seen it all the way through. Not to worry...he's seen it now! "Sister Act" has been playing on broadway in New York since April, and I'm dying to go see it. We were hoping to get there this fall before baby arrives, but it just never happened. Maybe one day soon. But enough about that....

It'll be a while before I have all the pictures from yesterday, but I did want to share this quick sneak peek. The reception was at One Eleven Events, which is a rooftop venue above the Big River Grill on Broadway in downtown Nashville...more to come when the film gets here!

Emily

2011-10-22T12:42:00.001-05:00

It's a beautiful day for an October wedding! I'll be heading downtown to hang out with Mike and Tia today...so excited! Last night I had the house to myself; Joshy was in Dallas for our friend Shaun's wedding. I really wish I could have been there, but it just wasn't worth the travel this time. I hear it was gorgeous. So what did I do in the house all by myself? I ate sushi and watched the Sound of Music, then fell asleep before midnight. Super exciting, I know. Now I have songs like "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" running through my head! Don't worry, I'll refrain from singing them out loud.

Before I head off to Nashville, here are a few of my favorites from Emily's senior session at Marathon Village. Canon EOS3 + Fuji 160S

Parking Garage

2011-10-14T10:42:00.003-05:00

From time to time a client makes requests that challenge me to push beyond my normal shooting routine and try something a little different. It's always fun and exciting to try something new, and when I'm using film, it can even be a little scary. For Kyle and Martin's engagement session, I used a type film that I've only used a handful of times before, and never in a situation like this. The end result are some fun, super grainy black and white images that matched perfectly with our abandoned parking garage location. Their wedding is coming up soon, and though I'm unable to shoot it, I know Martin is going to make one gorgeous bride. She totally rocked it for their engagements!

Delta 3200 (black and white) and Fuji 160S (color).

To view this entire session and order prints, click here.

Katie

2011-10-14T10:39:00.000-05:00

Every time I go outside and see leaves falling, I keep thinking, "It's way too early for this to be happening!" Then I realize that it is actually mid-October, and the seasons are changing right on time. Somehow, I'm still stuck somewhere back in the first week of September. I guess I'd better get myself in gear, otherwise Christmas will sneak up on me!

Just a few photos from Katie's senior session in July. I sort of feel like the corn should still be that green.

Blake & Jennie- Married!

2011-10-10T12:54:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, when I sit down to type a blog, I have absolutely no idea what to write about. I consider writing about what's going on in my life this week, but there's nothing exciting or our of the ordinary to report. Then I think about re-telling about the wedding/session I'm blogging, but the pictures do that for me. So, sometimes I'm just a little stuck. Today happens to be one of those days. Oh well...you're just here for pictures, anyway, right?

Autum

2011-10-07T11:05:00.000-05:00

Before I get into today's post, I wanted to remind you all about the Empty Bowls Luncheon happening in Shelbyville next Thursday, October 13th. Lunch will be served from 11am until 1pm at the First Baptist Church, and all proceeds will benefit the Next Step Home and the Fresh Start Center. Tickets are a minimum donation of $20, and includes a meal provided by Legend's Steak House as well as a hand-crafted soup bowl. A silent auction will be held as well. Tickets are available at First Community Bank. I went to the Empty Bowls luncheon last year, and it was yummy. The bowl I brought home is sitting in our living room...I can't wait to see the bowls that have been made for this year's event. If you're in the area and you've got an hour for your lunch break on Thursday, stop by...both of the organizations that are benefiting from this could use your support.

Now, for a few pictures of Autumn. We spent a very hot afternoon at the Arrington Vineyards for her session. My parents went out there to hang out with some friends this past weekend and met Kix Brooks himself! I'm looking forward to spending an afternoon out there with a bottle of wine sometime in the future...just not anytime soon I'm afraid!

Brian & Amy

2011-10-04T10:22:00.001-05:00

Whew. What a weekend. I felt like I was on a TV show or something. You know the shows I'm talking about...2 days, minimal budget, pulling off an impossible amount of work. Well, that's exactly what we did. Our guest bedroom is now a nursery! It's still not 100% finished, so reveal photos will have to wait until I've got those last few touches done. But don't worry! I'll be sure to share. I'm pretty excited to show it off!

Today, meet Brian and Amy. They called me up for a quick engagement session this summer, so we headed out to their favorite places in Nashville. Aren't they as cute as can be?

Charles & Ashlee

2011-09-30T21:47:00.000-05:00

Charles and Ashlee's wedding is a mere 6 weeks away, and with it will officially end my wedding season for the year. Of course, I have 4 more between now and then, so it'll end with a bang for sure. Once their wedding is over, then it's baby showers galore, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and bam: due date. That's why Joshy and I are taking advantage of this final free weekend...his sisters are on their way here this very instant. They're coming all the way from North Carolina to help us transform our bland spare bedroom into the ultimate nursery for Baby H. On the menu for the weekend: painting the walls, hanging wallpaper, painting the dresser, crib, and changing table, assembling the bookshelf, arranging all the furniture, and getting the room ready to be accessorized. It's a lot to do in one weekend, but with their help plus the help of my own sister coming home from college for the weekend, I think we can get it done. Of course, I'll still have a major to-do list even once we finish this weekend, but the big stuff will be done, and hopefully I'll find time between now and January to finish the rest. I'll be sure to take a few before and after shots, so you can see the progress. It's pretty much going to be epic.

For now, Charles and Ashlee's engagements. We went to the Flying Saucer (which you might recognize), and then wandered downtown to the Riverfront Park. Seeing these is making me crave a rootbeer...

Featured on "Let The Kids"

2011-09-29T11:22:00.000-05:00

Today I'm super excited to be featured on the amazing new blog "Let the Kids." It's a blog dedicated to showcasing honest, creative portraiture, and I feel so honored to be among the photographers on the site! They're featuring a recent session I did with Crews and his family. Can you believe Crews is 3 now? We went to the Gulch on a surprisingly pleasant August afternoon and just hung out for a bit. It took Crews a little while to warm up to me, but once we started bribing him with cherries and ice cream, the grins came right out. He was joined by his two cousins that were visiting from Miami. Be sure to head on over to "Let the Kids" and leave a comment! Here are a few more of my favorites.

Canon EOS3 + Fuji 160S + Richard Photo Lab

Ethan- 9 months

2011-09-26T12:07:00.001-05:00

Ethan's birthday is only a couple weeks away, and here I am finally getting around to blogging his 9 month session. Better late than never, right?

Things around here should return to relatively normal status, at least until Thanksgiving time, I think. The wedding is over, as well as the rest of the crazy that September brought. Now, it's just shoots and weddings (that I'm not in) for the rest of the year. I'm looking forward to the routine work week...I know I need to enjoy this routine while I can!

JoEllen & Kevin

2011-09-23T08:18:00.000-05:00

It's finally here. My best friend is getting married today. At the rehearsal last night, they asked if I wanted to say anything. I chose not to speak because lately my pregnant emotions have turned me into a weeping, babbling mess, and I thought it best not to make a fool of myself in front of all JoEllen and Kevin's closest family and friends. Also, as I've pondered the last few days, I've decided my feelings run deeper than a speech over dinner. In fact, I've decided it's impossible to put into words the bond that's grown between me and JoEllen in the time we've been friends. For years, we've been by each other's side, through good times, great times, sad and terrible times, yet no matter what time it is in our lives, she's been a true and solid friend, and I can only I hope I've been the same to her in return. Now, as it's time for her to walk down the aisle, my heart is swelling with pride, happiness, and love. Since Kevin has been in her life, I've noticed a change in JoEllen...it's as if she's found the last piece of her puzzle, and now her world is complete. I've seen her search for this contentedness, and as I've watched her transition into her role of wife with such incredible charm, beauty and grace, I'm so glad she's let me stand by her side for all these years.

JoEllen, I love you and I can't begin to express the joy I feel for you today. I wish you only a world of happiness forever.

Mooneyham Family

2011-09-20T22:26:00.001-05:00

Woah, woah, woah...wait a second. Since when did it become late September? It feels like just yesterday it was a billion degrees outside and daylight stayed around until well after 8pm, and now it's getting dark at 7pm? Who pushed the fast forward button?

I'm now entering the home stretch of my shooting season...my last 6 weddings are (including JoEllen's on FRIDAY!) are just around the corner, and it's time for me to be thinking about Christmas orders. And at some point, I've got to put a super awesome nursery together. Actually, things will be calming down after the weekend...no more trips, no more being a bridesmaid, only the daily grind of shooting & editing. It will be nice to be in a routine again.

Tomorrow I'll share my favorites from JoEllen and Kevin's engagements. Today, it's the Mooneyham family from a hot day in the summer that seems like it was only last week.

Fallingwater Sneak Peek

2011-09-14T17:03:00.000-05:00

It's been a bit of a whirlwind week. We traveled to Middle of Nowhere, PA (aka Mill Run, PA) to the Fallingwater House and barn on Friday, wedding on Saturday, mini-tour and vacation of Pittsburgh on Sunday/Monday, and arrived back home Monday night at midnight. Then it was right back to work with shoots yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and we're on the road again this weekend for a quick family visit to Charlotte, NC. Between packing, shooting, and baby-registering, my mind has been full! Oh, and in case I didn't have enough to think about, my best friend is getting married in 8 days, and I'm her maid of honor and photographer. Wowzers. I need a nap just thinking about it.

I know you're anxious to see images from this weekend, and so am I! I shot mostly film, and it's at the lab now. I did manage to grab this one on digital, just so I could share a sneak peek...

Gorgeous, right?

All is well again

2011-09-08T20:41:00.001-05:00

I have no fewer than 535 images in my 'To Blog' folder. Holy. Cow. That's what happens when I don't blog every day! All the website/blog issues should be completely sorted out and all back to normal now, so aside from a ridiculously busy schedule over the next 3 weeks, there's no reason for me not to blog.

The craziness of the next 3 weeks begins at 4am tomorrow, when Joshy and I have to wake up in order to make our flight to Pittsburgh. I've got a wedding on Saturday at the Frank Lloyd Wright Fallingwater House. Yeah, I'm excited to say the least. I'm pretty much all packed up, film included, and now all I have to do is wake up on time. Joshy and I don't get back until Monday, so we'll have a mini vacation in southwest Pennsylvania. Any suggestions on what to see and do?

I have Logan to share with you today...he's one year old! Well, he's a little older by now. The first part of his session we did very close to his birthday in June, but it poured down rain half away through, so we finished up a week or so ago out on the baseball field. He's such a smiley fella.

At the first session, walking was still....questionable. Now he's got it down pat!

I can't keep away from my blog

2011-09-01T22:54:00.000-05:00

So, my website STILL isn't functioning properly. My web guy Chase is working on it, but it seems he's a little stumped as well. I know it'll get fixed, but it's been driving me CRAZY!!! I have no idea if this blog will even be seen, but it's been almost a week since my last post, and I've got lots to blog, so I'm just going to give it a go.

It's horseshow time here in Shelbyville! For those of you who don't have a clue what I'm talking about, I'm referring to the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. It's a huge 10 day event right here in my home town, and Joshy and I have gone almost every night. We love watching the horses and watching the people, but my favorite part is by far the food. So far, I've had country ham sandwhiches, cotton candy, tater twirls, fried pickles, lemonade, potato wedges, chicken strips, nachos and ice cream. Aaaand most of those items I've had more than once. At this point in my pregnancy I seem to want to eat everything in site! Perfect timing for the yummy choices at the Celebration.

Can you believe it's September 1st? Four months and counting until Baby H arrives. Eek. I've got to get stuff done. We bought a crib today, so that's progress! Now, I just have to sand, paint, and put it together. Ahh..one thing at a time. September is going to be a crazy month. First, the horseshow, then Joshy's birthday, then a trip to Pittsburg for a wedding, then a trip to Charlotte for a baby shower, then JoEllen's wedding on the 23rd. Of course, we all know how crazy October is for sessions. Speaking of, if you're planning on a session between now and the end of the year, NOW is the time to book! I only have so many spaces open before I have to take maternity leave, so don't wait to late and wind up without your Christmas pictures this year!

I debated if I should post Toy camera or work stuff today, but I've got so much great work stuff to share, that the Toy camera is just going to have to wait! This is Callie's senior session from forever ago. She's a student at Webb, so naturally we wandered around their beautiful campus to find our settings. We also wandered down to the Bell Buckle fire department when Callie brought out her sassy side! By the way, you might recognize Callie from my new proofing site...her picture has been greeting us all week.

Canon EOS3 + Fuji 160 + RPL.

Technical difficulties

2011-08-27T22:46:00.000-05:00

Apparently, my website and blog have been acting up the past few days. Sorry for the trouble. I've got my best guy on it, and all should be well soon.

It's a...

2011-08-25T17:19:00.001-05:00

BOY!

We are thrilled! Watching him move around on the ultrasound screen is probably my favorite thing ever. We saw his fingers and toes, and watched him move his arms and legs. By the way, it's so fun to say 'he' and 'him'...I'm done using the word 'it.' We're having a baby boy! I just can't wait to meet him. I've got the perfect nursery in my head, now it's time to paint...we're going with a navy/orange/lime green scheme. No baby blue for me. We're officially on the hunt for a crib, so if you have one you're finished with, let me know.

This pregnancy has been super easy so far. In the past week or so, I've really started to feel him moving and grooving in there. It's kinda a crazy feeling. I'm hoping Joshy will be able to feel it soon. We have several ultrasound pictures from today, but they're shiny prints and hard to share here, so here is a photo of my bump...20 weeks, 3 days.

Sorry Baby H, but I'm pretty sure we're going to dress you in a nerdy outfiit or two. Gosh I'm excited!

John & Becky - Chattannooga Wedding

2011-08-20T13:04:00.002-05:00

There are two ways to get to the I-24 towards Chattanooga from my house: I can either go the long way up 231, hit the interstate in Murfreesboro and do a bit of backtracking, or, I can cut through Bell Buckle, which is quite a bit quicker. Well, it's quicker unless of course there happens to be an RC & Moonpie Festival in Bell Buckle, and the parade is going through at the very minute I'm trying to get through the teeny town. Naturally, that's exactly what happened as Melissa and I were on the way to John & Becky's wedding in Chattanooga. We drove into Bell Buckle, waited for about 15 minutes, and when we realized there was no parade end in sight, we turned around and backtracked all the way to Murfreesboro and started over. Thanks alot, RC & Moonpie Festival. You almost made me late.

Luckily, we arrived right on time, and just before the rain came pouring down. We did some great shots outdoors at the Chattanooga Sheraton, then hid inside while the downpour came through. The rain cleared just before the ceremony at the Lindsay Street Hall. It was a beautiful ceremony, and super fun reception, and I'm so thankful John & Becky let me be a part of their day.

These are a mix of film & digital. For the camera nerds, the film shots are Canon EOS3 + Fuji 160 + RPL.

New proofing site - Coming Soon!

2011-08-16T13:38:00.000-05:00

Over the past week, Joshy and I have been working almost non-stop to get a new proofing site ready to launch. It's going to be much easier to use, and has a very improved look to it. You'll easily be able to view and order prints, as well as canvas, gallery wraps and other products all from the gallery. We should have it ready to launch in a week or less. If you've had a session or wedding in 2011, your photos will be available to view once again, and the best part: all prints will be on sale! That's right, if you missed out on your opportunity to order from your gallery, you'll get a second chance here soon, and also have the chance to save on your order. I'll be sure to keep you updated on the progress.

In the mean time, just look at how much Blake has grown. She's full of expression and personality, and kept me giggling through her whole session.

Big brother Jax can always get a laugh out of her.

Such sass!

The Barker Family

2011-08-12T21:39:00.000-05:00

Exactly 13 days from today, we'll know if we're going to be parents of a little boy or a little girl. Not that I'm anxiously and obsessively counting down the minutes or anything. Ok, ok, maybe I'm ~~a little~~ extremely anxious to know. I'm ready to call Baby H something other than 'it' or 'baby'. I always thought I'd have some sort of intuition, but I'm completely clueless. I've done every quiz, old wives' tale & gender predictor out there, and my answer tally is 50/50. So far, being pregnant has been the easiest thing ever. I had only the slightest, teensiest bit of nausea for 2 weeks at the very beginning, and aside from that, it's been super smooth sailing. I'm indulging in all types of food I would normally never allow myself (hello chocolate poptarts & double stuffed Oreos!), and at 19 weeks, I've yet to gain any weight, although I'm sure that will change soon so I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

Enough about me...on to the Barkers. I went to Lascassas for their family shoot and had a blast. Sweet Lily just turned one, so we got plenty of just her before adding in big brother and mom and dad. Aren't they a precious family?

Isaac

2011-08-08T11:22:00.000-05:00

It's back to school day for a lot of folks! For all of you who are teachers, or parents of school aged kids, I hope today was a smooth transition from summer to school year. If you have a moment, try to remember to take a picture of your kids. It may not be at the top of your to-do list, but in a year or two, you'll be glad you have that snap shot of them. I've been lacking on taking personal pictures lately, and I know I've got to get it together!

Today, I just have a few from Isaac's 3 month session...he's turned into quite the poser. Until we got boring, and he decided to take a nap.

Big brother Conner had to show me his missing two front teeth!

The Floyd boys

2011-08-04T15:30:00.001-05:00

Did anybody catch that amazing lightening storm last night? Wowzers, what a show. We had front row seats as we watched Captain America at the drive in last night. We were in a dark, open field, and saw bolt after bolt lighting up the sky. It made movie watching difficult, but I can't complain just because it was so amazing to see. Loved Captain America, by the way. I'm getting super excited for the Avengers movie coming out next summer....aaaand that was my nerdy confession of the day. On to pictures.

I did some photos of Blake and Brandon back in June, and they appeared with their dad Jeff on the cover of the Father's Day section of the Times-Gazette. I've watched these two grow up, and it was great to have the opportunity to photograph them again.

Fly away

2011-08-03T17:00:00.000-05:00

Joshy and I are headed to the Montana Drive-In movies tonight in Estill Springs. So, I've only got time for this one, fun shot...more of Katie's senior session to come...

Hawaii

2011-08-01T14:25:00.001-05:00

Do you ever have those days when you just don't feel like doing anything? I'm having one of those days today. For whatever reason, I can't get myself motivated to do the million things on my to-do list. Instead, I just want to curl up on the couch and watch Harry Potter. Mondays are usually great days for me to be in my office, checking things off that never-ending list, but it's just not happening today.

Since I've got to do something at least semi-productive, I'll share a few pictures from our Hawaii trip last month. That's accomplishing something, right?

So here they are...our first full day in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Joshy and I had breakfast by the beach.

Then we toured the Pearl Harbor Memorial with Mom, Dad, & SE.

Did you know pineapple grows out of a bush? It's crazy looking. We saw lots of pineapple growing at the Dole Plantation.

Then we headed to Maui where we spent the next 9 days.

Our hotel in the background.

My favorite place...this outlook in Paia.

All 10 of us...Joshy, me, Sara, Mom, Dad, then Tyler, George, Luke, Jessica, & Laura Parham.

Um, yeah. It was windy. Thus the crazy person hair.

Then a little pineapple gelato. Delish.

My favorite part of the whole trip was our helicopter tour!

First time ever on a helicopter. Definitely marked one off The List.

It was breathtaking. I have no words.

Yes, there is a Denny's on Maui. We found it and we ate there.

A banyan tree. The one tree takes up an entire block.

We rented our own car one day and drove the infamous road to Hana. It was crazy curvy...a bazillion hairpin turns. Our average speed was 25mph.

But the scenery was worth it!

Snorkeling with the turtles. That water was cold!

I don't like the taste of salt water, in case you're wondering why I have that look on my face.

Back at Paia. We went back with Luke and Jessica for a photoshoot...those will come later.

Our last night in Maui and we all got dressed up for the luau.

With our leis at the luau.

They cooked that pig in the ground. It was yummy.

Such a neat thing to watch. The Hawaiians have a very rich culture.

Once last visit to the beach. Yes, that's a dog surfing in the background.

Aloha!

And there you have it. Such a great trip. I will be posting Luke and Jessica's photoshoot (on film) soon.