Photography for Today's Woman

Matt and Elyssa Married!: Baylor Chapel

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:06:29 +0000

I’m going to keep the writing short for this post since it’s a LONG one :) Matt and Elyssa’s wedding launched off the Spring wedding season for me. April can be so touch and go with the weather but it turned out to be a beautiful day! It had been so long since I had seen them at their engagement session, I was so glad to meet up with them again! There are so many qualities that I love about this couple. They are so enamored with one another, their pictures just seem to have that “little something” extra. Elyssa literally was smiling ALL day! You’ll see below :) She just walks into a room and it lights up! This was my first time shooting at Baylor Chapel and it is quickly rising up on my list of favorite venues. Their reception at Miller Plaza was CRRAZZY fun! It felt like a multi-celebration as Elyssa and Matt were just matched for residency in Texas . . . TOGETHER! Elyssa will be specializing in pediatrics while Matt will continue his study of head and neck surgery. Eeek! Talk about a power couple! Anyhow, without further adieu, I present to you the WONDERFUL Dr. and Dr. Yantis:

We began the morning at Chattanooga’s historic Read House.Then, we made our way over to Elea Blake for make-up.Elyssa’s mom was even there to lend a hug :)Soon after, we made our way over to Baylor Chapel where Elyssa got dressed. Seriously, Elyssa is so adorable! She couldn’t stop smiling!Over yonder, Matt also was getting ready.
OMG!!!! Is she not gorgeous?!?Heavenly!A moment from their first look . . . Matt had to stop and melt before embracing his bride ;)LOVE! Totally photogenic couple ahead!So happy!I loved the bow on the back of Elyssa’s dress!HELLO HANDSOME!Some more details . . . bouquets by Grafe Studios. Beautiful!After the reception the wedding party rode over to the reception on Chattanooga’s only Double Decker Bus. I adore the next set of pictures. Such a spontaneous couple!Some reception details . . . they even had some signature drinks for their guests! A toast from Matt’s dad . . . Elyssa was cracking up :)Love, Peace, and Happiness Band put on an extra good show! By 10:30 or so, Elyssa’s mom was really gettin’ into it. haha!By 11:00 or so, Matt’s dad was REALLY gettin’ into it. LOL! By the end of the night, Matt was gettin’ some competition ;)BUT alas, Elyssa could not be swayed and still decided to spend her happily ever after with Matt :) haha! Love you guys!
Special thanks to Foxy Events for pulling off another beautiful wedding! Alisha and Tyler will bend over backwards to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. FOR REALS!

Boudoir: The Oliver Hotel

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:50:26 +0000

As promised, here is part 2 of a boudoir series from Knoxville’s Oliver Hotel. However, keep checking back because there is still more from this shoot :) She’s beautiful! What can I say?! Everything about this set just feels like a breath of fresh air! Rolling around on some crisp, white linens isn’t a bad way to spend the afternoon. ENJOY!:

Emi and Franklin: Preggers!

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:22:11 +0000

No, Emi is not pregnant again; I’m just that behind on blogging some “anytime” sessions. However, I definitely wanted to share her pictures as many of my clients have gotten to know Emi and Franklin as they have shot many weddings alongside me. They’re also my only friends in Knoxville! haha! I’m only half kidding :) I’m proud to say that they now have the sweetest baby boy Freeman! For those of you who are not familiar with this couple, I’ll give you a little background. Emi and Franklin wed approximately three years ago. Their wedding was one of the first weddings I ever shot. Although I didn’t know them that well before their wedding, we kept in touch and built an even greater friendship after the wedding. Emi then came into LLP as an amazing second shooter. Then, she got pregnant. Then Franklin starting coming to the weddings as well to be an extra pair of hands in which he so lovingly acquired the name Juice Box. And I’ll tell you one dang thing, every wedding photographer needs to get themselves a Juice Box. haha! I have loved having Emi and Franklin work with me and having many heart-to-hearts with Emi on travel days to weddings. Although Emi and Franklin are younger than me, they have taught me so much through example. I’m so glad to call them my friends! Anyhow, here are a few of my favorite images from our time together:Whoa Nelly . . . Isn’t Emi such a beautiful pregnant woman?! These next two pics were random out-takes. Yet, for some reason, I just love them!Franklin bought Emi this hat. Adorable! :)Totally cute! I love the way Franklin loves Emi :)I call this walking picture, “Oh! My back!” haha!And a sweet little night shot to end our session . . . XOXO!

Boudoir: Speak Easy Style

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:11:31 +0000

If I’m not preparing for a wedding Friday nights, it’s sometimes easy to catch me at The Peter Kern Library within The Oliver, Knoxville’s boutique hotel downtown. Ever since I stepped foot into this speak easy bar, I knew that I HAD to do a shoot there. Not only are their drinks delicious, made with a few natural ingredients (I suggest the Holden Caulfield or The Priest), but the atmosphere is posh and mysterious with a secret door leading into the bar! Luckily, this gal was totally on board with doing part of her boudoir shoot there! Isn’t she stunning?! Love her! So courageous I might add :) Here are a few of my favorite images from the library but keep checking back because there are LOTS more from her shoot within the hotel that I will be sharing over the next several weeks: Special thanks to Alayna from Knoxville’s Bare Escentuals for the make-up and Cori from Aveda Salon for the hair styling!

Mandy and Eric Engaged!

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:17:30 +0000

Again, it feels surreal that I’m creating such a post today! Not that there was any question that Mandy would one day get engaged and be married but more because I am the honored one photographing such a milestone in her and Eric’s life. I’ve known Mandy since 7th grade and later became roommates with her our sophomore year of college. I’m not sure if I would have made it through college without Mandy’s listening ear, sarcasm, and funny antics :) We’ve seen boys come and go in each other’s lives, searching for “the one.” Mandy and Eric actually knew each other in high school but it wasn’t until many years later that a spark ignited between them. Isn’t that how life works sometimes? You have to go away and then come back just to see what you missed. Anyhow, it has been a joy getting to know Eric through various encounters these last few months. I can truly see why they are “the one” for each other. I had so much fun on Mandy and Eric’s shoot! They started out at the Hunter Art Museum looking quite posh and later adventured through some weeds to enjoy another spectacular view of Chattanooga. We ended the night at Eric’s parents’ gorgeous home with Ava (their dog) and a brewsky picnic! I can’t wait until their wedding this October at Laurelwood! Here are some of my favorite images from our time together: So gorgeous . . .Their outfits were perfection!Definitely a FAV!!!!Seriously, they’re so cute!Work it . . . love it . . .This view in all respects is just beautiful!For the second part of our session, we headed to Eric’s parents’ home. AND as my experience goes with many young children, I was met with dramatic resistance from Ava. LOL! LOVE!And as usual, who can bypass a gorgeous view and sunset? More favs for sure! :)Special thanks to Angela Jordan for the fantastic make-up job and Rachel McCoy of Studio La Vie for Mandy’s wonderful up-do! AND another big thank you to Heather Wolff for shadowing this session!

Lauren and Chris Engaged!

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:20:01 +0000

Never in a million years would I have imagined to cross paths with another American who has been to Leipzig, Germany! Given that Chris is in the military, I was interested to discover what countries and cities he’s visited through his job. As he ran down the list, he said, “and Leipzig, Germany . . .” Immediately, I got super excited as though maybe I was justified for choosing to go to Leipzig, Germany (believing it was probably a diamond in the rough) when my husband and I backpacked Europe. Chris then followed with “Yeah, there’s nothing really there but it has a huge military base.” Whomp, whomp, whomp . . . I lose again. To put it in terms that more can relate to . . . visiting Leipzig would be like traveling all the way to America to visit Arkansas and then finding yourself in a mob of Hare Krishnas. LOL! Oh well, at least I have a new opening line when I meet someone in the military. Anyhow, I digress. As this is the weekend of my 10 year high school reunion, it is surreal that I’m photographing Lauren’s, a classmate’s, wedding! I feel so honored to be a part of her and Chris’ wedding day! Their relationship truly seemed to blossom overnight as neither one was really looking for “the one” when they met. Yet, here they are months later planning a wedding. Lauren and Chris were so much fun on their shoot and played along with all my games. I can’t wait until we meet again in July! Here are a some of my favorite images from our time together:So Johnny and June, yeah?LOVE!Just gorgeous!I’ve started a huge obsession with “cottage-like” homes! What a picture perfect setting!AH! LOVE!Lauren is so naturally beautiful :)

Katherine and Patrick Engaged!

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:15:33 +0000

What a unique little e-session of Katherine and Patrick! After spending a few arduous years in law school, it was fitting to do part of their session at the library :) Who knew books could be so fun?! haha! . . . spoken like a true blonde. Given that Katherine and Patrick have been relocated to Florida, we also incorporated a few quintessential Chattanooga settings into their session as these views are often missed by those that leave. Even though we had TWO run-ins with a security guard, we had a blast! Laid back and cool with livin’ on the edge, we made a great match! Here are a few of my favorite images from our time together:I love when I can find settings that coordinate with clients’ outfits! I’m a huge fan of “color schemes.” This shot was totally worth being called a potential terrorist by a security guard! Oh America! AND who can resist a beautiful couple amongst a row a dogwoods?!! Don’t these two look absolutely radiant?!I adore the make-up job by Elea Blake Cosmetics! So natural and flawless! Stunning!Special shout-out to Heather Wolff who came to shadow this session! So glad to have had her on this adventure :)

Sunrise Breakfast: Easter 2012

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:12:13 +0000

Before my husband and I headed to Blowing Rock to visit my parents for Easter, I wanted to put together a little sunrise breakfast at home. I find much delight in creating a pretty tablescape for not a lot of money. For this particular breakfast, I pulled some items we already had from the china cabinet, some decor my mother passed down to me, cut a few fresh flowers from the garden, and told Nathan to get in the kitchen and make me an egg! LOL! It’s only fair that if I decorate, Nathan cooks ;) Anyhow, here are a few images from our lovely morning, remembering the true reason of Easter as well: