Patrick + Liz//Athens Engagement

Patrick and Liz might be renamed Barbie and Ken... no joke.  I was actually Liz's history teacher when she was in 11th and 12th grade (a very young hip teacher:), so it was so fun to photograph her and Patrick and see how life has changed from high school to college to getting married!  Patrick and Liz have 2 dogs that are like their children (Rudy and Bella) so we made sure the dogs made a guest appearance in the engagement session, too.  It was so sweet to see them interact and love these dogs because it was like watching them as future parents.  After having some fun on campus and downtown Athens, we went to a place Liz had explored and recommended we use for the session.  I cannot be more excited about having gone to this area.  What was even better was when Liz told me they wanted to go in the creek for some pictures, which I thought made for some absolutely dreamy photos.  It was really fun because I got to go into the water, too (so glad we don't have pictures of that!) We also trekked up a steep hill to get to an abandoned railroad track (which happens to be the famous railroad track used for an REM album) and Liz and Patrick just walked straight out onto these tracks that are pretty high up.  Seriously, this was an all terrain engagement shoot.  I can't wait for their wedding in December at the UGA chapel... you guys are such a beautiful couple and I'm thankful to capture your sweet and loving relationship.  Thanks for asking me to be a part of it! these are some BLUE eyes! and that's not because I did some fancy editing- that was straight from the camera blue! and Patrick and Liz being such cute parents to Rudy and Bella.... and the famous bridge (which we also took pictures on top of from the other side- pretty crazy!!!!)

Mr. + Mrs. Jeffers//Hull Wedding

Since moving from Atlanta to Athens I have learned a lot about life outside of suburbia.  My brother visits Athens and thinks it's rural, but to many around here Athens is the city.  Rebecca contacted me and we got together at my favorite place (Ike and Jane's bakery) to talk about her wedding, and she told me all about growing up in Madison county (only a few miles outside of Athens).  Rebecca and Ben both grew in Madison county and went to high school together (although they didn't start dating until later).  She told me how they were getting married at the church she had been going to since she was little, only minutes from her house, and how "country" their lives are.  I took Rebecca and Ben's engagement pictures on Ben's family property and on the drive up there I felt like I was on a retreat in the mountains.  It was beautiful.  I decided if that was country then I want to move there (minus not having a Target close by)!! I love hearing people's stories, finding out where they are from and seeing how their wedding is a reflection of the two as a couple.  The wedding was in Hull, GA and was simply beautiful.  The church is historic with such picturesque features, and the window lighting perfectly showed Rebecca's beauty.  Ben and his groomsmen (many of which were fellow firefighters with him) were  gentleman and up for doing whatever Rebecca wanted for pictures.  One of my favorite parts of the whole day was seeing Rebecca's father at the reception.  He had heard a song about a father's love for his children and decided to play it for his daughters on his guitar while another friend sang the words.  He talked about how he would love to be able to sing it but could hardly listen to it without crying, let alone sing it.  So he played on his guitar while Rebecca and Sara listened and teared up.  It was ironic because before the wedding, Rebecca had given her dad a gift: a metal guitar pick with the words "my daddy, my hero" etched into it. It was beautiful to see their relationship and gave me a picture of what God's love is like for his children, that is, incredibly tender, heartfelt and devoted among many other things.   Rebecca had told me when we initially met their wedding would be simple.  What's funny about that word is that we often think of it in negative terms, but the word itself just means uncomplicated, not elaborate and unassuming.  And this wedding day was beautiful in its simplicity because it drew attention to the love between Ben and Rebecca, the strong family relationships and friendships that were there, and the gift that marriage is between two people.  I'm so thankful to have been a part of it and glad that Rebecca and Ben (who I think are in New Orleans right now!) asked me to document it.  And thanks to my good friend Christina Schuman for shooting this wedding with me and getting some awesome shots (you are SO talented my friend!).  More pictures to post on Facebook but here's a sneak peek of the day...

Mr. + Mrs. Sims//Atlanta Wedding

Joy.  That is the one word that describes this WHOLE wedding day, from the flowers arriving to the last dance on the dance floor.  I posted Rachel and Marshall's engagement pictures a few weeks back and recounted some of their story, but what I didn't mention is that this couple has been together since high school.  They have grown up together and have waited so long for this day.  The years of waiting were part of the ingredients that made this wedding day one of the sweetest joys ever.  I've known Rachel for awhile, and one funny thing she always says is, "...this is the best day EVER" (whether its eating brownies, going on a date night with Marshall, or going for an evening run).  Everything is "BEST EVER."  I love that about her.  And it was so fun to say that phrase on her wedding day as she said, "no really guys, this IS the best day ever."  The above picture was taken right when they walked out of the chapel after the ceremony.  I have never seen two people  more excited in my entire life. really.  They were both jumping up and down and crying.  I started crying!!! It was so sweet and there was something really right about everything.  One reason I love wedding photography is because it is documenting a celebration, a time where we get to really see how God is so good to give us this gift of another person who we can walk, run, and sometimes limp through life with.  It really is one of the best gifts ever.  Marshall and Rachel oozed happiness all day.  Rachel mentioned on Facebook after looking at a bunch of wedding magazines, "why do brides look so unhappy and serious in pictures?"  It all depends on your personality but if you can't tell from these pictures Rachel is anything but unhappy or serious... she is totally and completely happy and their joy got all over my lens that day:)  I am so happy for you guys and am thankful that I got to be a part of this day.  Here's a toast to happy brides and to making your wedding the best. day. ever. 

and here's some shots from my Fuji Instax camera of Rachel and Marshall leaving... 21st century polaroids for some instant fun:)