Sydney and I had been discussing shooting together for a couple of months before we finally got the chance. I was SUPER excited to (again) get to use Westbury House on the Square in Columbia. I’m telling you, this place is the best kept secret in middle TN. It’s a KILLER wedding venue/reception location. I promise, it’s worth the hike down there. To make things even better, I got to use my favorite hair/make-up pro, Brittany Nelson. Her work is outstanding and (even more important) she is JOY to have on a set. It is ALWAYS worthwhile to budget enough to include her talents in your shoot.

This was Sydney’s first professional modeling shoot. Really. She had never done this before.

I came prepared to spend the day directing every movement. While I don’t mind doing it, it’s always easier when the model can keep things interesting by herself. Sydney acted like a total pro. From moment one she was moving and grooving. She gave me plenty to work with and neither of us ever got bored. Moreover, she had a GREAT work ethic. She was willing to keep pushing until we go THE shot. To say I was (and am) impressed would be an understatement.

If Sydney Wants to pursue this professionally, the door is wide open for her. She’s beautiful, talented, and (most importantly) hard working. Thank you for letting me be a part of your first modeling experience!

Just wanted to take a moment and share a few new faces I’ve recently had the pleasure of shooting. Here we have Mac Powell of Third Day as well as Jack Mooring of Leeland. These other gentlemen, I had the very great pleasure of growing a beard with (Andrew Schmidt AKA Drudgeons and Mr. John Wells of Equitas Photography). A couple of these have cropped up on my main site as well. If you haven’t been there in a while, GO CHECK IT OUT and see all of the changes you’ve missed!

Erisa Rei and I started batting around ideas for her new promo shoot ages ago.  When we finally got around to shooting, we were both excited after so much anticipation.  Before we began shooting, Erisa had sent me a few tracks from the forthcoming album, Black Ball, and I was blown away.  In person, Erisa is unassuming and mellow.  I never expected anything like the powerful, deep and bold vocals I heard.  Simply put, wow.  It was at that point that my excitement officially went to 11.

I called my buddy Julie over at Westbury House on the Square in Columbia and begged a BIG favor. I’ve wanted to shoot at Westbury House since she first told me about it. Not only did she let us shoot there, but she gave us access to the unfinished (and AMAZING) loft space above Westbury! As an aside, if you need a location for your wedding or reception and you don’t want to go to Nashville, you won’t find better. Absolutely outstanding location.

Here are a few of my favorites from our shoot. Be sure to check out samples from her new disk HERE, then go BUY IT ON AMAZON!

I told you Katie + Hunter’s story on the post about their engagement photos, so I’m going to stick to the day-of facts on here.

Wolf Den Farms is a GORGEOUS and totally hidden gem in the heart of Brentwood (and less than 15 minutes from down town Nashville).  The place feels MILES away from everything.  In fact, when I pulled up a few of the groomsmen were “dispatching” a cotton mouth that had wandered a bit too close to the parking lot!  Being in TN, that’s actually a pretty common occurrence.  Still, it certainly made for an exciting start to the day!

Katie + Hunter’s wedding day was exhibit “A” on things that make TN weddings so much fun: music, barns, film, kids, Ben + Jerry’s and LOVE.  I love when a wedding isn’t so rigidly scheduled.  Having time to relax, play and enjoy the day makes everything so much more natural. More importantly, that relaxation SHINES through in the photos. The more relaxed you are, the better your photos will turn out!  When laying out your day, make sure to block out enough time to shoot.  Knowing that time is there will keep you relaxed!  If you’re not sure how long it will take, call your photographer!  I’m certain he has a few thoughts…

Also, check out Katie + Hunter’s album by CLICKING HERE!

The biggest compliment I get is when a happy bride speaks so highly of me that she convinces a friend of hers to give me a call.  In this case I hadn’t even shot engagements with Cameron but she still told Katie + Hunter to give me a call. Man, am I glad she did!

Katie and Hunter have known each other for nearly five years now.  They met in college at UT after being introduced by mutual friends.  It didn’t take long before they were head-over-heels in love.

Katie told me at our first meeting how excited they were to have pictures of the two of them together as “grown-ups.” I was excited because it gave me a chance to get to know the two of them better while being in my natural habitat: on a shoot!

The engagement shoot started at Sevier Park in Nashville. I’ve driven past it tons of times but this was the first time I ever got a chance to actually shoot there. What a gem of a location! We played at the historic mansion, lounged in the grass and threw stones in the creek. I didn’t know then, but we’d end up doing something similar on their big day… but that’s for another post!

After playing there, the changed clothes and the awesome folks at RUMOURS opened a few minutes early for us so we could get a different vibe and end the shoot the way all shoots should end: with red wine.

I knew I loved Amy + Nick early on. When we first met to discuss photography for their wedding, they asked to meet at an Irish pub rather than my usual coffee shop.  As much as I love my double tall dry cappuccinos, I love fish + chips more. More on that in a moment…

Amy + Nick said their vows in front of the beautiful historic Traveller’s Rest mansion in South Nashville. We started with a chunk of time devoted to prep shots and shooting both sides separately.  After a bit of that, the couple had their first moment together when Amy snuck up on Nick in the herb garden.

The day was a total family affair.  Nick’s father performed the ceremony.  The family catering company fed everyone.  Even the beer was hand crafted by Nick’s brother!

I loved so much about this wedding… and since “brevity is the soul of wit,” I’ve compiled a short list (in no particular order):

1) Kilts
2) Navy blues
3) Amy. Amy. Amy.
4) Braided hair
5) Chocolate peanut-butter cake
6) Crying dads
7) Tattoos
8 ) fiddle processional
9) Amy.
10) Beards

This is, by no means, an exhaustive list. I just wanted to get to the part I am most excited about, the pictures!

Oh, and that bit about fish and chips… Amy + Nick (along with Nick’s dad and brother) are opening an Irish pub + microbrewery in Murfreesboro! O’Possum’s Pub is on Memorial Blvd in Murfreesboro and will be open for business in early December! I’m actually giddy about the prospect!

Do you remember where you were the first time you met your best friend? Cameron + Anthony do. They were both teachers at Johnson High in Nashville. Since Anthony still works there, it was a no-brainer that we should go play around in a totally empty high school for engagement photos!

I’d like to pretend that being in the high school is what brought the delinquent out in me, but I’m pretty sure that was Anthony’s fault. Cameron didn’t think we were nearly as we thought we were. To put it plainly, we had a lot of fun… some of which would have landed us in the detention for sure!

And for the record, I remember where I was when I first talked to Cameron. I was at Moe’s. I like burritos.

Last week, I got to spend some long, exhausting hours with some of the coolest people I’ve ever met. The folks at the American Association of Christian Counselors KNOW how to put on an event. The list of speakers and musicians was exhaustive. Below are just a few of my favorite shots from the event. I’ve got 5,000 images to go through so I’m sure there will be plenty more to come…

Below are Lee Strobel, New Song, Gov Mike Huckabee, Tim Clinton, Royal Tailor, Gary Smalley and Adam Cappa.

Still to come: Third Day, Jeremy Camp, Leeland, John Ortberg, Luis Palau, Bishop TD Jakes, Wess Stafford, Henry Cloud, John Townsend, Larry Crabb, Josh McDowell or Emerson Eggerichs!

Being a wedding photographer, especially here in Nashville, is always a blast. This town is so full of funky, artistic and unique personalities that it’s easy! Jessica + Kevin had their wedding and reception at The Mill at Lebanon. The space is a gorgeous, mostly remodeled factory with TONS of beautiful spaces perfect for bridal portraits, fashion minded formals, etc. Honestly, the hardest part is deciding *which* of the gorgeous locations to use!

One of my favorite touches was the vintage postcards at each place setting. Guests were encouraged to write the newlyweds a note of encouragement or wisdom. They were also part of the gorgeous (and each one totally unique) centerpieces at each table. Oh, and I can’t forget Kevin’s groom’s cake! It was topped with a custom made bobble head that looked EXACTLY like him! Super cool!

To say Liz was a trooper would be an understatement.  It was HOT when we shot these.  If memory serves, it was right at 100 degrees BEFORE factoring humidity.  Regardless, I’m glad she toughed it out!  We got some outstanding work done.

Oh, and Liz is a KILLER cook.  Check out her amazing organic, macrobiotic recipies on her blog!