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.

After the lettuce reaches a certain age it gets bitter. Nasty bitter. Very gross. No fun to eat. Once that point was reached, Caroline pulled the lettuce out to make room for something else. It was on its way to the compost heap when I stopped her just in time! Look at these things! I absolutely had to photograph them. Not just to document my wife’s hard work, but they’re totally unique looking! With a great deal of patience from Caroline, we photographed these in our home studio.

I’m going to have to continue this with some shots of the cucumbers she’s growing. Because she’s staked the plants up (rather than letting them grow on the ground as is normal), they’re all hook shaped! anyhow, that’s for another time. For now, enjoy some fine art food photography!

A few months ago, they remodeled everything and used this FANTASTIC wallpaper in their lobby. I knew I had to shoot there. Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out who I wanted to shoot! Then it dawned on me: THEM! These are the awesome people that work at Envy. They ROCK. The next time you feel a bit shaggy, go see em’ and tell them I sent you!

That flat stomach, while flattering, isn’t as accurate as the rest.

Here, I’m displaying the advanced photographic technique of a “tilted horizon.” Many frown on such things, but Lego me is completely incapable of anything else…

This is when I was afforded the opportunity to photograph an alien ambassador. Such unique features required a very specific lighting setup.

This is when, later that shoot, the ambassador kicked me in the stomach and stole my camera. He’s such a kidder!

Click HERE to see the full size version of that bottom cropped version.

After that, we shot a few more portraits with the bridal party as a whole as well as just the bride & groom. One of my favorite challenges is to look past the obvious shooting locations to find new views in someplace that has been photographed ad nauseam. The Belle Meade Plantation made for an excellent challenge and (I think) yielded some super cool results.

Nearly every aspect of the evening had been planned by Austin Floyd of Last Minute Planners. Flowers, catering and decorations were all her doing. To say she and her merry minions are talented would be a gross understatement! Everything was absolutely perfect!

As a side note, these were shot with film (pronounced “fill-um”).  Apparently this stuff used to be totally normal.  Pretty rare these days.  It’s too bad, too.  I think it has a lot of potential…

OK, seriously: if you’d like to explore the possibility of having your shoot done on film, let me know!  I never got rid of my gear.  In fact, I’ve picked up 4 more pro film bodies in the last six months or so and they’re desperate to get a work out!

Justin + Dacia got married in Chambersburg, PA (Dacia’s home town). In spite of having grown up in New England, I had never been to South Central PA. What a gorgeous part of the country! So stinkin’ pretty! And to make it better, the weather on their big day couldn’t have been any better.

I could spend days talking about (and shooting!) the historic Presbyterian church they got married in, but suffice to say it was an excellent location. Tons of ideas and not even close to enough time to execute on all of them.

Justin & Dacia, thank you SO much for letting me be a part of this major milestone in your lives. May God bless you with all of the joys marriage can bring!

It was SUPER windy out when we started shooting, and that always wreaks havoc with my lights (and the veil!).  Nevertheless, with the help of my assistant, we ventured outside to make use of the fantastic and unique roof line of the Village Chapel.  I wish we could have used it more, but the wind was just too much of a bear to work with for all the group shots.  Sarah Willard of Music City Events, in addition to helping plan and direct the wedding, did all the great designing for the wedding.  The green apples and limes she used not only looked great, but they made the chapel smell FANTASTIC!

The reception was at Houston Station in Nashville and carried the same bright green, totally spring feel.  If you’re looking for a reception location, be sure to check out Houston Station.  It’s a killer look (modern, reclaimed industrial) and has gobs of room so guests don’t feel cramped.

My favorite moment of the night was EASILY the cake cutting.  Aschley’s step-dad (also military) restores sabers (is that a job *I* can get?).  He presented Tyler with Patton Saber, the last model to ever be issued in the US Military.  Seriously… can I get one of those?

When it came time to leave, Aschley and Tyler did it in style in a vintage imported Rolls Royce (care of John Owen with Lifestyle Limos).  This thing was SWEEEEEET!  If I can’t get a saber, can I at least have a Rolls?

Aschley & Tyler, I really can’t overstate how much of a privelage it is for me to get to work with folks like you.  There is no question in my mind that this countries best and brightest are in the military.  Thank you, guys.  It is an honor to have been around on your big day.

I know I’m not the only person that loves spring, but allow me to tell you WHY I love spring. Thunderstorms. I would rather watch an active thunderstorm than the conclusion of LOST. That’s how much I love thunderstorms. Of course, with thunderstorms come thunderheads!

In celebration of spring, I offer you a brand new desktop! It’s another image from the same set as THESE, but it’s a totally different look for it. The wife and I got to go see the exhibit of “Masterpieces of Europe” at the Frist, many of which had clouds with the same sense of drama as these.

BTW: If this is your first visit to the new blog, leave a comment and let me know what you think! This blog LOVES comments!

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