Just wanted to make sure everyone got a chance to see the GREAT blog post written about my work! thanks Krista! Go see the post and leave a comment so they know you came around!

BTW: This is the SECOND time I’ve written this as the awesome hackers that took over my site the other day really jacked things up! Dear Hackers, Please grow up and get a job. Thank you.

Sunny + Jack have been two of my best clients ever. When I got to shoot their wedding last year, Sunny said she wanted her formal bridal portraits to have snow in them. It took longer than we anticipated, but we FINALLY got enough snow to shoot on a day that we were all free! It was FREEZING, but Sunny and Jack were both absolute troopers. I was totally bundled up and was still shivering. I have NO idea how they managed to survive as long as they did (and totally without complaining!).

What follows are both digital and film. With an opportunity to shoot in the snow with a gorgeous bride in a gorgeous dress, I felt obligated to make the most of it! They look good on here, but they’re going to look AMAZING when I get to hand print them in the dark room. Some things really are better when done the old-fashioned way…

If we met you at the bridal fair, HOWDY! Caroline (the wifey) and I had a GREAT time meeting all of you and learning what makes you happy! I’m sure you guys were exhausted after walking around yesterday. We are EQUALLY as exhausted. If you gave us your info and asked for a call, I’m going to start doing that tomorrow (Tuesday). If you want me to get to your name FASTER, shoot me an email through the contact link on my main site (HERE). Otherwise, I’ll talk to you all soon!

Oh! I almost forgot! CONGRATULATIONS!

-Tyler (and Caroline!)

(in-case you can’t remember which was us…)

(Excuse the fuzziness! I don’t use my cell phone to take photos at weddings… usually.)

When Shannon and Christie called in January to meet, I was praying that they would hire me!  Not only did they live in Chicago (the greatest city in the world), but they were also having their wedding at The Rutledge, a great music venue in Downtown Nashville.  Moreover, their nuptials combined two of my absolute favorite things to shoot: Brides and Rock ‘n Roll!  Shannon is a drummer for the Million Sellers (as well as four other bands in town), so instead of a traditional reception we were treated to a night of absolutely KILLER rockabilly!

While the construction for the new convention center has managed to destroy a few of my favorite locations in that part of town, we weren’t about to let that stop us from taking advantage of absolutely PERFECT weather.  Without a bridal party, we had plenty of time to play and shoot for fun.

And just in case all of that wasn’t fun enough, they hired my best friend (and wife) to direct the days events!  It might go without saying, but we make a good team;)

Andy and his staff at The Rutledge were fantastic.  We do quite a few weddings every year but it’s still a pleasant surprise when a venue’s staff is so helpful AND friendly.

Shannon and Christie, thank you for an absolutely wonderful evening!

PS: If you ever want to thank your photographer, take a page from their book: Chicago style deep dish pizza frozen and shipped direct from the source.  ALMOST as much fun as actually being there!

When I met Koga and Mary, I knew that this was a match made in heaven– for them and me!  Koga grew up in Tokyo and met Mary after moving to the States to attend college. Being a wedding photographer, I always get to hear the proposal stories.  Mary shared with me how Koga wanted to honor her romantic American sensibilities and incorporate his Japanese traditions.  She told him that American girls expect the young men to get down on one knee and ask properly.  Instead of getting down on one knee, Koga knelt on both with both arms out and head bowed!

Koga and Mary married at Saint Philip Catholic Church in Franklin with a full mass followed by a reception at CJ’s Off the Square.

Every once in a while a blog post rights itself.  This one has them all beat.

Gail and Tim started dating FIFTY TWO YEARS AGO!  That’s right, 1958.  Before civil rights.  Before the Beatles.  Even before my Mom.  Things didn’t work out then (Gail broke up with Tim, for the record) and they both moved on with their lives.  Kids and eventually grand-kids followed.  Most would assume their days of wine and roses were at an end long since.  Then, about four months ago, they reconnected!  The same old connection was instantly restored.  They talked and prayed together every day, often for hours at a time.  It would almost seem that this new beginning was a foregone conclusion!

Early one morning (and I do mean EARLY), I drove out to the Natchez Trace in Franklin.  The sun hadn’t even made it above the horizon when I cracked open my camera case and started shooting.  Surrounded by family and friends, Gail and Tim did something generally reserved for people one third their age!  One look at Gail’s amazing smile tells you all you need to know about the mood that morning.

Congratulations, Gail and Tim!  May God bless you with all the joy marriage can bring!

Dan Smith (AKA Listener) recently rolled through town with his merry band of… man. He and Christian Nelson are all it takes to blow the doors of any venue. It just so happened that this venue was a charity/thrift store called HUMANKIND in East Nashville. Why have a concert in a thrift store? Why not!

Before that, though, we got a chance for a short shoot. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t exactly cooperative.  Half our time was spent trapped under a building on stilts as a thunderstorm passed by. Forced to improvise, we worked with what we had. Sometimes the best ideas come out of limitations, not unlimited freedom. I think this might have been one of those times.

With nothing on our hands but time, I played with LOOONG exposures as the guys walked to camera or stood and talked. The result was a fantastically grainy, perfectly blurred image showing the guys as naturally as any promo ever could. I know it must have sounded like a horrid idea when I told them, but I’m so glad they were patient enough to play my games.

Dan recently finished up “WOODEN HEART,” and is touring to support it. You can (and should) stream the entire album from bandcamp RIGHT HERE.

We’re all born to broken people on their most honest day of living. // And since that first breath, we’ll need grace we’ve never given.

My family has grown used to my saying, “Oh wow!  Did you see the sunset?  I’m out!  I gotta go shoot that!”  I think that’s why my wife didn’t even TRY to stop me from climbing a hill during an electrical storm.

I shot for about 90 minutes. It honestly didn’t seem anywhere CLOSE to that. Every time I’d manage to get a cool shot, God would say, “If you think that was cool…”

I often think the hardest part of my job is coming up with new things to say on blog posts. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because I’ve said it so many times that it might sound patronizing or insincere. For that reason, I’m constantly trying to come up with a new take on the same thing. Well, I’m tired of that. I’m just going to say it flat out: I LOVE MY JOB!

I met Lindsey and Joe through Christopher and Anna. OK, that’s not TECHNICALLY true. Joe went to high school with me and my wife, so we’d met once or twice prior. Still, it was Christopher & Anna that really helped us make the connection and I’m SO glad they did.

We first got to work together last fall on a beautiful afternoon at Radnor Lake. I knew then what fun their wedding day would be and it didn’t dissapoint!

The ceremony and reception were both at St. Philip’s in Franklin. I love shooting somewhere for the second (or third… or fourth) time. I think it’s the challenge of finding new ways of looking at the same thing I’ve shot before. I’m particularly pleased with the silhouette image of Lindsey. The light happen to be falling really hard from the skylight at just the right moment.

Just before the ceremony started, clouds rolled in and absolutely DUMPED rain on Franklin. I was a bit worried that we wouldn’t get to shoot outdoors. My fears were unfounded as, by the end of the ceremony, the sun had come out and was quickly heating things up… And it took that job seriously. I’m pretty sure we drank a gallon of water in the 20 minutes we shot outside. In spite of the heat and humidity, Lindsey and Joe didn’t complain once. If not for their patience, we never would have gotten a bunch of shots that have become some of my favorites.

Lindsey and Joe, THANK YOU for letting me be a part of your big day. I remember precisely the moment at Christopher and Anna’s reception when I thought, “I have GOT to shoot THAT couple’s wedding!” I’m so glad you guys came to the same conclusion!  Joe and Lindsey, you wear your love on your sleeves (and faces!), and it’s a joy to watch the way you honor each other. May God bless you with all the happiness marriage can bring!

I absolutely LOVE shooting outdoor weddings. I can wander about and shoot from nearly anywhere without disturbing or imposing myself into the ceremony. It gives SO many opportunities for great angels and unique shots that you just can’t get in a church. Frankly, outdoor weddings (and receptions!) are one of my absolutely favorite things about shooting in the South.

Andy and Meg are the first couple ever to get married at Homestead Manor. Until this past year, the home was a private residence. Every time I drove past, all I could think about was how much I wanted to shoot there. Now that it’s a tea house and event space, I finally get to! And what a couple to get to start with!

Andy and Meg are the sort of couple that makes me SO glad to be that I get to do what I do. They’re so in love with each other that my job is a piece of cake. Heck, I had to tell them to STOP kissing so I can get a shot of their faces!

The ceremony started at 5:30 which put the sun low enough in the sky to give some really nice directional light. Andy played entrance music on his guitar (Beatles. Always appropriate) which probably helped him not to cry… yet.

Afterward, more portraits were made, followed quickly by the cake cutting and a desert bar. At heart, I’m really still a child. Skip dinner and have a dozen different deserts? Heck yeah! Andy is a photography lover as well and had managed to get his hands on a Polaroid and an ample supply of film. Every time I turned around, there he was, shooting! I got to see a few of the images, but I’d love to spend some time digging through the fruits of his labor.

While Andy was shooting, Meg spent the better part of the reception dancing with the bridal party and being serenaded by Andy’s fellow marines (ala Top Gun). While they certainly aren’t Johnny Rivers, they did a pretty bang-up job!

We got so many killer shots that I may have some trouble limiting what I post up here. Sorry if this post runs a bit long!

Yes, they were photo-bombed by their photographer. What can I say? It happens.