I've known Kayla since she was a wee-little youngin' and the fact that she's married and starting her own family is beyond belief. However, I sigh with big relief because her now-husband Charles is the type of guy that Dad's lay awake and pray for their daughters to find. Both Kayla and Charles are SO full of faith and love, they just radiate happiness and it was even more so evident on their wedding day. 

My mom and I flew 2,000 miles to the small island of Barbados. What we saw, ate, and experienced was something far more than a tropical oasis and more along the lines of a cultural awakening. It was an incredible trip, one that I'll never forget.. thanks in large part to these photos. 

Nestled among the rolling hills of The Old Mill Farm in Bedford, VA is the most picturesque setting for a summer wedding. Puffy cotton clouds dotted the blue sky but don't let them fool you, we kept our eyes on the weather all day. From a 60% chance of rain, we were ready for whatever happened but not a single drop fell. It was the hottest wedding I have ever photographed but perhaps among the most beautiful as well. 

One of my favorite movies is Sweet Home Alabama (bare with me, this is relevant) - I've always loved that movie and it basically makes me a soppy mop every time I watch it. You know the ending scene where it's raining and storming but they both realized that they're so in love and then comes the epic line "So why do you wanna marry me anyway?" "So I can kiss you anytime I want." (Here's a link for a refresher) Well Alicia and Matt had one of these moments during their ceremony.

Nestled between the soft rolling hills of the Richmond suburbs is a beautiful little farm called Seven Springs. Straight out of the colonial period, this farm boasts an impressive campus of 1700 farmhouse, barns, cottages, and farm animals galore. From reading this, you wouldn't immediately think of wedding venue but after photographing there twice, I wouldn't think of anything else. This little corner of Virginia is paradise, where baby goats roam (in cages of course) and the light never seems to disappoint. 

I have a love/hate relationship with Blink 182. I love them because, well, they're Blink 182. I hate them because they seem to have discovered the secret to eternal youth, or atleast their music does. Every time I hear Travis tear up the drums or Mark shred the bass, I'm instantly transported to 1999. This band does. not. age. While Tom DeLonge's absent still sits on the forefront of most fan's hearts, we can all agree that Matt Skiba has stepped up and filled the much anticipated role. While all of these guys are in the 40's, they keep putting on one hell of a show with seemingly no end in sight. 

Death of a Bachelor Tour 2017 at the BJCC Arena ft. Panic! At The Disco, Misterwives & Saint Motel
April 7, 2017 - shot for On Tour Magazine

If you've never seen a show at the newly renovated Lyric Theatre in Birmingham, AL -- add it to your list. On the outside, this unassuming brick building would pass as any other city building but on the inside is this restored 1914 performing arts theatre with as much character as history. Although seating remained separate, this stunning theatre also serves as the first venue in the south that allowed both whites and blacks to watch the same performance together. It's an important piece of Southern history and was a beautiful backdrop to the soulful and folksy sounds of Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

'A mermaid marries a diver' was the theme of the day, Dylan being a diver in the Coast Guard and Elizabeth, well, does anyone actually need a reason to be a mermaid? A love of the beach and the water shared between them was evident in all aspects of their big day! From the stunning bridesmaids dresses to the tables at the reception, the dream team of vendors transformed the Hilton Garden Inn into a beautiful nautical oasis! 

I've known Monica for what feels like my entire life. She was my cheer coach from my awkward pre-teen years all the way until my senior year of high school. She moved away to be awesome here in Birmingham and fate brought me here too. I obviously had to reunite with her but I wanted to do something more EPIC. 

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Did you want to be a doctor? A lawyer? Maybe a nurse or a fire fighter... the possibilities seemed endless didn't they? When you were little, so much seemed possible and there was, at least most of the time, a fire that burned inside you that always pushed you toward those dreams. Damn, even a princess was a legitimate career option.

It's really no surprise, I am terrible at communicating with my clients.  There is SO much information, especially when it comes to brides, that it does always seem to slip about where my favorite place to print your photos yourself. It's my #1 most asked question so here it is, my favorite lab! 

I'll be 100% honest here, I have never ever been/photographed/experienced/or know anything about Indian weddings and culture. I went in completely oblivious to all traditions and I felt like I was so unprepared and a little embarrassed. I figured I would miss shooting something or miss some small little detail simply because I didn't know about it -- however, the Patel family and all of their friends were SO kind and gracious, they truly made me feel like I was just another member of their massive family and made sure that I knew exactly what was going to happen and when. It was such a beautiful day, absolutely no expense spared, and boy did it show

Whoa. It's been awhile. According to my last post, which was September 17, I have not blogged in 126 days... whoops. A LOT has happened in 126 days, so let me fill you in...

I met Casey & Derek in a very serendipitous way. Their original photographer (*shout out* Skylar Scott Photography!) found out she was expecting and asked if she could refer them to me. I said absolutely, because I love Skylar, and I couldn't be more thankful that I did! The Signature at West Neck is one of my favorite venues I have ever photographed. There is seriously a photogenic view in every turn of this golf course. We had the opportunity to take the golf cart out and about and I was just in awe at the amount of places I wanted to shoot. It was a stunning September day, albeit a wee toasty, but every bead of sweat was so worth it, we had perfect light all day long.

Liddie K. | Class of 2017 | Virginia Beach, VA

J'Aimee and John contacted me a few months ago and were looking for a photographer for their elopement in Norfolk. I had already reached my capacity for weddings this year but I was available on their date and an elopement was something that I haven't photographed yet, so I couldn't say no and I am SO glad I didn't.

Peyton S. | Class of 2017 | Virginia Beach High School Senior Portraits

Meredith F. | Class of 2017 | Virginia Beach, VA

Hailey L | Class of 2017 | Virginia Beach Senior Portraits

An open letter to all of you hard workers juggling a full time job while pursuing your part time passions on the side. You aren't doing it wrong, you aren't alone, and you ARE doing enough.

Katy & Blake have one of those love stories that make for a really great sappy love movie. They've been together for many years, the military kept them apart for awhile, they reunited, been through many deployments but they are finally getting their happily ever after. When I first met Katy, her radiating smile and personality made me know immediately that this was a girl I wanted to be friends with. I was lucky enough to work with her for a few months but even after she moved offices, we remained friends and before we knew it, she was wedding planning! I was beyond thrilled when she asked me to capture their wedding day because I knew Katy would pick the most gorgeous venue and I was so right.

yler & Madison's wedding was absolutely perfect. The day started off overcast but the VERY second we stepped outside for portraits, the skies cleared and it was nothing but sunshine the rest of the day.

Wedding season is in full swing and I can't get enough of these warm weather weddings. However, with warm weather comes with the chance of thunderstorms, rain, the whole nine yards. The forecast for Caisee & Brad's big day was trivial.. 60% chance of storms. During the middle of the day, it rained cats and dogs and the winds gusted but then it miraculously cleared up and we had the most beautiful diffused sunlight right in time for their bride and groom portraits! 

There are a handful of wedding details that I had picked out before anything else; the photographer, the venue, the groom (duh) and the bridesmaid dress. Like any 24-year-old girl, I have an obsession with online shopping and a long time ago, I came across a dress on Rent the Runway that I fell in love with. It was one of those dresses that I would probably never wear because it fell a little far on the “formal” side and I can’t imagine wearing Badgley Mischka on a date to the movies. Alas, I needed someway for this dress to make an appearance in my life.

There are a few rare people in this world that are filled with nothing but grace, kindness, and positivity. Andrew and Karis both fall into that category and it was so evident just being around their families and friends and especially listening to the tear jerking toasts.  When you get two people that exude the same
wonderful qualities and pair them together in marriage, you get a power-couple. One that everyone wants to be friends with, everyone loves, and you feel that love right back. Their wedding day was absolutely stunning. The weather was perfect, albeit a little warm (I’ll take warm sunshine over snow any day) – The coral and blush pink tones worked so perfectly for a June wedding and I love how all of the little details coordinated with their style so perfectly.  Pink strawberries to match the colors? LOVE.

A photo-recap of our honeymoon to St. Thomas & St. John along with a few lessons learned while visiting the Virgin Islands. *Hint: Cocktail lightweights should beware* 

A drop in the ocean // A change in the weather
I was praying that you and me might end up together
It's like wishing for rain as I stand in the desert
But I'm holding you closer than most 'cause you are my heaven

When I first picked up a camera, never in a million years did I imagine I would have my own business, my own professional gear, my own LLC, my own liability insurance... I mean, never ever ever. You can ask anyone who knew me 6+ years ago how I thought it was ludicrous how people could charge so much money for taking pictures. On the flip side of that, I also never thought that I could shoot nearly 30 weddings in one year, while finishing my senior year of college, and starting a full time career.