Whitestone Country Inn Bridal Fair – Knoxville, TN Wedding Venue

A Vintage Theme Bridal Fair.

I first had the privilege of shooting an elopement at Whitestone Country Inn a few years ago for the elopement of Sarah & Ben.  I fell in LOVE with the place immediately.

I was a vendor at the 2012 Bridal Fair last year, and was excited to be a part of this year’s event.  Every moment I get to shoot anything in this photographer’s dream of a venue is a breathtaking experience.

Last Summer I was in my best friend Leah’s wedding there, but had to, of course, snap a few images myself.  As on her wedding, and Sarah & Ben’s elopement, the sky out there is simply MARVELOUS over the water…the day of the Bridal Fair was no exception.   Truly a wedding wonderland!

Grabbing a few minutes here and there to steal away from my table and shoot was a priority, right there with meeting all of the Brides to be.  It’s always fun getting to “talk shop” with other wedding industry pros…and seeing (and shooting) their goodies is a perk too.

I was saddened I never made it around to visit all of them…but Brides do come first you know! Meeting and talking with Brides is something that I cannot ever get enough of.  There’s a happiness and a spirit they exude that’s a mood boosting force unlike any other.

So, here’s a few of the images I was able to capture in the middle of all the Bridal Fair fun.  The vendor list of those shown is listed at the bottom. Check out their sites, or shoot them an email, and tell them that I sent ya!

The Vintage Themed Décor had me at HELLO!  I still want that bike! Ugh!
Vintage Details….
Again…LOVING that Bike!
Vintage Inspiration is RIGHT! Gorgeous!!
Always in Bloom had some floral beauties!
Another Always in Bloom beauty on the left, and Chandelier for rent from Whitestone!
Mens Warehouse reppin’ the dudes in style, and The Bakery KILLED it on that cake! GORGEOUS! P.S. that table cloth…I want! White Table Rentals can hook you up!
More delectable cakes from Dawn at The Bakery of Athens… Just beautiful!
YUMMMM…Dale’s Fried Pies…so cute I ALMOST didn’t want to eat it…almost
Whitestone Staff had us raid Photobooth props for the Harlem Shake…FLASHBACKS


More beauties from Vintage Creations!  Seriously…I die!




Beautiful Vintage Theme Décor on the left and Sweet Favor Treats from Mandy’s Candys on the right!

Seriously though…You NEED Cinematography too! And these guys ROCK!
Cakes by Gail’s Custom Cakes
Hey what can I say…I’m southern…and I loooove Bow Ties! Just wear em!
Ohhhh Lisa Foster Floral…you had some gorgeous floral eye candy!
More from Lisa Foster Floral on left, and a pretty pretty Cake from Rosa’s Catering right!
PHOTOBOOTH!  Get.One! Memories in A Flash left, and DELICIOUS Mock Champagne from Susan Colvin Bartending!  
I’ve never been soooo tempted to take one of each in my life! For real…aren’t these TO.DIE.FOR!
The folks from All That Glitters have the hook up on Brooch Bouquets and gifts!
Just because Purple is my favorite color….DANG!
Ok, time to get serious party people…Macaroons….RIDIC! The purple ones…well…I wanted a million just for myself! GET.SOME. Your guests will thank you! Sugarbuzz Bakers…I love em’ all! Will work for macaroons!
The Pink Bride was representin’, and so was Brooke for the Whitestone Salon…FYI…Brooke.is.AMAZING!
Townecraft…seriously good cookware…my mom and I use still use hers…she bought in the 70′s! Start your newlywed kitchen off with cookware that will last!
Origami Owl by Tracy Flanagan-Givens…soooo cute…it’s a Hoot!
Make-up, Facial Care, Skin care treats for your body from Arbonne with Heide Litton
Deb’s Special Events…Wine tasting and Bartending!
Gibson Girls had another beautiful, and yummy, display this year.
Oran’s Flower shop nailed it on these, and a lot of other, display arrangements around the show!
I ADORE these bows and the simplicity of the natural vibe these give off!!
PEEP S’mores from the Thirty One gals on left, and some great DJ’s at right…MP Entertainment.
KJ’s Cooies…you kill me! Those owls….and the beach cookies! Yummmmmm!
KJ’s cookies can also do picture cookies as favors…delicious and awesome! Your guests will be torn to eat or not to eat
Annnnnnd MY table!  Big ups to Music in Motion for “Blue-ing” out the room…Brides…now hear this…you NEED cool lighting! Do.IT!
OK. Stop.the.presses.  I’d never heard of this fella here, Samuel Franklin Floral, but I talked with him most of the day, and ya’ll know me…I’m UBER picky about floral décor…this fella is the biz! In love with his work and attitude!  And FYI…those candles…FAKE! Rent.them…forget fire danger…the “flames” move like the real deal! I.DIE….again!
Close up of the candles for rent or sale from Samuel Franklin Floral at left, and at right…one of my all time FAVORITE sites for a wedding! Those clouds! UGH!
More pretties from White Table for the linens on the left, and Vintage Creations with a “SWEET” dessert table setup on the right! LOVE.VINTAGE!
Ok…I must know who arranged this arrangement!  The card must’ve blown off the table, but I love it and want to give credit where credit is due! Centerpiece inspiration.
SIMPLY.STUNNING! Love.
How about this little setup for a gift “table” area? Gorgeous! Vintage Creations…my new crush!

In no particular order here are the links for the vendors I was able to grab images of:

BraskaJennea Photography

Whitestone Country Inn & The Salon at Whitestone

Samuel Franklin Floral & Home Décor

Vintage Creations Rentals

White Table Rentals & Linen

The Pink Bride

Men’s Wearhouse

Nicholas & Keaton Cinematography

Oran’s Flower Shop

Thirty-One Gifts by Tonia Johnson

Origami Owl by Tracy Flanagan-Givens

All That Glitters

Memories in a Flash Photobooth

MP Entertainment

Lisa Foster Floral Designs

Arbonne by Heide Litton

The Bakery

Townecraft Cookware

Dale’s Fried Pies

Sugarbuzz Bakers

KJ’s Cookies

Music in Motion

Gibson Girls Cakes

Susan Colvin Bartending

Mandy’s Candies

Rosa’s Catering and Cakes

Always in Bloom Florals

Deb’s Special Events

Gail’s Custom Cakes

“HEY DAD! Come take a picture with me!” | The Photographer’s view on the importance of a Father’s presence & leaving a legacy

“HEY DAD! Come take a picture with me!” The little fellow said as he pulled on his poppa’s pocket in the direction of the man with the camera. 

“Oh son, not today, these are just of you all, and I’m not dressed for pictures.” 

The little boy runs back towards the camera to join the siblings. I was saddened.  To witness such a sad sight as I was photographing a family…daddy included. That little fellow wanted his daddy to be in the pictures WITH them! He didn’t care that he was in his work clothes, or a little dirty, or had mud on his boots.  He just wanted a picture with his daddy! 

This has been on my mind A LOT lately. SO many posts have been written encouraging moms to get in front of the camera with their babies, but not a lot about the DADS! 

I’ve had literally TWO dads talk to me about shooting pictures of their kids in my career. TWO.  They were single dads, and only wanted pictures of their kids, but only TWO saw the value in preserving their children’s childhood, but neither wanted to be photographed WITH their babies.

Why? Because I dare say 99% of men HATE having pictures made.  I honestly believe they’d rather have a root canal…as at least that’s done with a DRILL! Ha! 

But all kidding aside, it’s absolutely SAD! I see mothers and their children all the time out having their pictures made while dads at work, or away on business, or he just isn’t there. 

Dads: When you’re gone, and you will be, how will your babies, their babies, and their grand babies know what you looked like?  How will they know you were there…that you were INVOLVED.  That you were PRESENT?  A picture is worth a thousand words…if you’re not in the pictures then how are you in the words of the moment, how are you to be remembered when so many of our memories are tied to what and WHO we see in photos?  

Were you there at the ballet recital? Were you there that first Easter? Were you there at Graduation? What about their first birthday? First dance? First car?

I look back on my own life, and my own dad is one of those “hates having pictures made” men.  He’s not in any of my ballet recital photos….but my mom is. He’s not in but maybe one or two, if any, of the beach, disney, other vacation photos…but my mom is. He’s in the baseball photos…for the years the he coached…but that’s about it.

For now I can recall if I REALLY think back, and force myself to remember, that he was there, but I’m only 29.  My memory is still pretty spot.on!  When I’m 75, and he’s long gone who’s to say I’ll be able to recall that he was involved….that he was there?

My absolute favorite image of my dad and me is sincerely the most RANDOM image….he always, for as long as I can think back, gets up every morning, makes his coffee, and goes outside to smoke. When I was maybe 2 or 3 I was outside one morning, playing apparently, and I guess I just had to have a picture with my daddy; because there he is sitting on the brick wall…shirtless, and in his underwear, smoking away, but I hopped up in his lap and mom snapped a picture.  It’s not “pretty”…he still had “bed” head going on, and he’s as pale as a ghost because he wasn’t wearing a T-Shirt…that would’ve probably been darker than him LOL, but yet it’s my FAVORITE!  Why? Because it’s REAL! It was unplanned. But mostly because it.was.HIM! That’s what he did, that’s who he was, and honestly who he still is…well…now he puts on a shirt and/or pants since the Fed-Ex or UPS drivers, and I think some Jehovah’s Witnesses once upon a time, come so early these days! Hahahaha!! It’s special though because THAT’S how I’ll remember him when I’m old and grey. 

So, from a daughter to all the daddies out there I urge you to, no matter what you’re wearing, no matter what you look like, no matter how bad you feel, when your baby girl or boy comes up to you in your “non-presentable” state and tugs on you to “come get in the picture” that you DO IT!  They obviously think you look wonderful enough to be seen with…because THEY WANT YOU IN THEIR PICTURE. They want to be seen with you…just as you are.

Set your bravado aside. I means seriously no man in his right mind would dare NOT answer that toy telephone when a little tyke bepops up to them and says “it’s for you”…so you shouldn’t be afraid to get in the pictures with your babies…no matter how old they are…and no matter how much you may hate the camera.

Hey…even if your nails are black from grease, your pants muddy from the field, your beard showing off more than a 5′oclock shadow, and your hair shielded under a nasty, worn out ball cap, they’ll look back on that and think…”That’s my dad! He worked so hard, and STILL wanted in the picture WITH me!”  We have to overcome this age old false view of photography.  Those “Ward and June Clever” looking, picture perfect, everyone all dressed up in front of some cheesy backdrop, that everyone and their brother’s sister’s mother has been photographed in front of, are NOT who we are.  We don’t live in a picture perfect world, so let go of the notion that everyone has to be picture perfect, squared to the camera and smiling…is your family like that at home? Then it’s alright if your family photos aren’t like that.  Trust me!

Kids don’t remember who we want them to see us as…they remember us as we were…as we ARE…and they’ll remember us by the photos we’re in. That’s the way it should be, that’s what portraits should be.  This is your life, you only get one…BE Present AND Accounted for!

 

Sincerely, 

A photographer and a daddy’s girl 

2012′s Best of My Best Image | Maternity: “Thoughts Aloft…” The Redux | Buck Bald, Tennessee

Ever see a sky so absolutely beautiful it makes you cry? I have…
Ever had an idea that turned out better than you expected…and then later you re-do it, and it’s even more amazing than the first? I have…
Ever captured an image than you didn’t know how powerful it would be until you saw it, finished, on your screen? I have…

May 2010 I shot a maternity image for some dear clients and friends after a brainstorm idea I had after rediscovering some very ooolllld fabric…but for a little girl, and thus pink that was used in the original.

A few months ago I was introduced to Buck Bald, and I knew then I’d have to re-create my masterpiece up there. Little did I know what God had in store.

We journeyed the almost hour drive on a gloomy day, and along the way we were seeing the most insane, amazing, breathtaking clouds….waves, dips, peaks, valleys, all in seamless and endless ripples and rows. (If you know me AT ALL you know how much I LOOOVE Clouds, so this had me almost as giddy as Snow!)

It started to sprinkle when we were almost there, but I urged them on….knowing somehow deep within that it’d be even better “up top”.

It started to pour as we crested the hill, then quickly slacked off. I hopped out to grab some pictures in the then lighter rain, and left the momma to be and my mother in the vehicle to keep warm…and dry!

After the rain picked up again my awe turned into the realization that my camera isn’t waterproof! Thus I headed back to the van to dry off and warm my red, freezing hands, and check the radar…it was rain all around. :/ And I prayed…again…for just even 10 minutes to get this view AND these clouds WITH my brainchild.

He heard my prayers….the rain soon left, the wicked cool clouds were still throwing down some ridiculousness, and the wind was just about right.

We literally hopped out of the van, climbed the stairs, and positioned just right with the wind. I didn’t get many “keepers” as one tail would fly and the other wouldn’t, or they’d both immediately flop, but this one…well…it was more than I could’ve hoped for!

So, here’s to the brave Gerri Le who went along with me on a COLD, windy, rainy, dreary day to let me re-create my own brand of “magic”, my mother, of course, who I couldn’t have done this without her help, but mostly to God…for the beautiful miracle of life…and for the insane beauty He gave that day to make THIS image possible….

And YES…the sky really did look this AMAZING!

www.rocktheshotforum.com

Welcome Baby Shirley | MJ’s Newborn Session | Murfreesboro, TN Photographer

I’ve captured a few sessions for this sweet family the past couple of years, and I have to say as they grow the world becomes a brighter place. This makes baby # 3 for this section of the crew, and this year I captured older siblings Tristan and Mahayla at Easter; as well as during the summer with Amy’s Parents for a little Grandparent session. 

Little MJ (Marshall James) surprised everyone by entering the world about 3 weeks early and at a healthy 7lbs 5oz! I shot his mother’s maternity images a few weeks prior and even though then she still had a few months to go I had a feeling he’d come early…just not 3 weeks early It’s true, babies have “their” own timeline…and that feeds right over in to their newborn session.

I couldn’t get this handsome little man to open his eyes for any.thing!  He’d peek one eye or the other, but both were SCARCE…this little man loves to sleep! I managed to sneak ONE single shot of both of his eyes cracked just barely and he’s looking at me like “Lady, why are you trying to wake me up?”  I love it!

His parents, Michael & Amy, are huge MTSU, Middle Tennessee State Fans and Alumni. So it was only fitting that wee little MJ get his first taste of the Blue and White in the fashion of his first MTSU toboggan   Michael got his blue MTSU lights out of the attic and they made a perfect accompaniment for what will certainly be only his first time wearing by Raider Blue.

Of course since he came before Christmas it only seemed right that this little gift from God be put into a stocking…mommy and daddy’s little stocking stuffer seemed to enjoy the swaddle up time in the giant decorative sock.  Of course I broke out the “My First Christmas” hat since it was his first Christmas and all…it was just too.adorable laying in the sleigh.

Ok ok enough of my rambling about how precious the images are…see for yourselves!  Thank you Amy & Micheal for allowing me the honor to capture these priceless times in your lives, and for being some seriously amazing friends! Love you all!!!

A GRIN! Oh how I love it when they grin ;-)

Now this is a Santa Baby…

Simply smitten with how he curled his sweet little hands up by his face!

Baby.Feet. *Swoon*

He’s giving me the thumbs up

“Sleep in Heavenly Peace”

wrinkles, wrinkles everywhere…and the sweetest wrinkles in the world they are!

Stocking stuffer…

I see you lookin’ ;-)

The left image made me giggle…it was like he ALMOST was going to open his eyes…and then…a yawn :)

He’s ready for a fight already…”Put em’ up!”

Such a sweet face, and what a cute yawn…such a tough life!

“Go Big Blue!”

I can hear him now when he’s older “M.T.S.U. Go. Raiders. GO!”

Hahaha that chin…too cute!

More baby feet!!!

Yessir…more baby feet!

Loved his onesie!

Simply.LOVE

LOVE more…

LOVE MOST! :)

I’m Not Who I Was | Two Years Later | Photography Editing Evolution

In the spirit of teaching and educating, as I plan to do more of in 2013, here’s an image from my 3rd wedding I ever shot back in August 2010….WHAT.A.DIFFERENCE. 2+ years has made! I thought I was a BOSS too! For my 3rd wedding sure I might’ve been…but WHOA!

Not too bad for my 3rd Wedding and $400 (I think that’s all I charged), BUT look how much older these young beauties look from my over clarifying, over-sharpening, too much contrast, edit! :/

It is what it is though. That’s who I was not who I am now, and there’s nowhere to go but up, thankfully! One thing is for sure this is only just the beginning.  The moment I am satisfied with my work, the moment I think “this is perfect”, is the moment I shall hang up my camera.  There is ALWAYS going to be room for improvement, room to evolve, and grow.

So, here’s what I’ve learned and taught myself over these past couple of years, mainly because I’m never happy with my own work….

1)SKIN SOFTENING….there’s a FINE line…I didn’t know what it was back then…CLEARRRRLY, but it’s now done on just about every close up I take. Careful though…too much and they can look dull, greasy, or just plain fake!
2)Evening out skin tone…didn’t know what that was either..OY!
3)Teeth Whitening..DIDN’T DO IT! But I now know it is a REQUIREMENT when you “warm” up the tone of the image (i.e. messing with the White Balance to make the image look sunny)…it automatically yellows teeth…no matter how white they are! Whoops!
4) Blemish removal is a NECESSITY (thankfully neither of these precious ladies had that problem)
5) Softening under eye bags, or “laugh bags” as I call em, can mean the difference between a “THESE ARE AMAZING! I look so good!” and “These are good! But I wish I’d have gotten more sleep “
6) Eye brightening…another VERY fine line, but it really brings the eyes to “life” when done correctly
7) Some images scream for more editing. From sharper colors or super contrast, to adding a texture, but for some less is more. I now let the image “speak” to me..not pigeon holing them all in to one type of “blanket” edit.

There’s more, but I’ll save that for another time! For now though…enjoy my candid honesty!

Here’s my original edit on the left, and the editing I do now.