I'm in love with this wedding. When Ana told me she wanted to use blue and orange as her wedding colors, I knew it was going to be one of my favorite weddings:) Clearly I like blue and orange (see website). It was so fun to shoot Brayden and Ana's engagement session in downtown Atlanta (except for when their car was broken into near Piedmont Park- I still can't believe that!). They are such a gorgeous couple and couldn't take a bad picture. My good photografriend, Carrie Jo Pinkard, came along with me for the engagement session since she was in town and she loved this couple, too- so much so that she penned in their wedding date to second shoot the wedding with me! This says a lot since she has her own busy business (Texture Photo). And I was just as excited that Jess, who shoots with CJ, also could come and help out- between the 3 of us we got so many shots of this awesome wedding! Ana is a DIY queen, and so so many of the details of the day were the product of her hands and time. But what sticks out most to me is the thoughtfulness of Ana and Brayden. Their wedding was on one of the hottest days of the year (reaching around 106 degrees), and the wedding was supposed to be outdoors. Oakhurst Farm is a beautiful venue for outdoor ceremonies, but Ana and Brayden wanted to take care of their guests (especially elderly family members) and felt like the 100+ degree temperature might be too hot for their guests. So they thought creatively and did most of their ceremony indoors and saved 2 special parts of the ceremony for outside. The guests went out to the veranda to watch Ana and Brayden release doves from a basket and the pronouncement of their marriage/the first kiss. I was so struck by how Ana and Brayden were thinking more about other people than themselves on their wedding day and make changes accordingly. And it was still so beautiful! I liked how they creatively came up with a solution and were still to enjoy the outside property for the ceremony. To top it off I loved seeing the basket of bug spray they had for guests when going outside- anyone from Georgia knows how bad the mosquitos can be, especially near water. Truly they were thinking about their guests and wanting this day to be a celebration for everyone to enjoy. Ana's dad said a toast at the beginning of the reception that I loved- he talked about how Nehemiah in the Old Testament pronounces a blessing on the people, saying, "Eat the fat, and drink the sweet...this day is sacred to our Lord!" It was such a neat picture of a day that is sacred for many reasons, and how celebration is only fitting on such a day. Plus I just like the saying that I should eat the fat and drink the sweet:) Thanks to both families for having such a good attitude on a hot (and partly rainy) day- it turned out more beautiful than I could have imagined and I am so grateful that I got to be a part of it!!
Katie//Senior!!
Katie is only weeks away from starting her senior year and I'm jealous. I know most people my age don't want to go back to high school but I think I would go back in a heartbeat. Senior year is so much fun, with a big future ahead of you but also so many fun times throughout the year, from every possible senior activity (senior nights, senior trips, senior week, senioritis:) to daydreaming about how free you will be in a year living on your own in college. Katie talked about being a little nervous about all the big decisions that she has to make this year (which can definitely be stressful) but with a good family like hers I think she'll be fine. I found out through our time together that Katie is a country girl, from hunting to fishing and a love for all things John Deere. I'm afraid to kill spiders but Katie could kill a deer in a heartbeat, I bet. These are skills I never learned growing up in suburban Atlanta. She is the kinda friend I want around on a camping trip, for sure! It was so fun to hang out with you, Katie, and I love your laugh in pictures- it's the best!!! I hope senior year is full of good times and sweet memories.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL KATIE! seriously. Such an awesome combination of dark hair and eye color. So pretty
The Mills Family//A Little Diplomat
My best friend (Lisa Driver) moved a few years ago to Birmingham after living in Athens for both college and her early married years. I was so sad to see her go even though I know Birmingham has been such a great place for her and her growing family to live. Since I've been close to Lisa for so long, I've really gotten to know and love her family. I feel a special family connection to them. Emily, Lisa's sister, married Matt who works for the US Government and they are technically both diplomats (which I think is UBER cool:). And now they have a new baby diplomat, Abigail! I got to catch up with the whole family before Matt and Emily were moving to the Philippians, and get a few pictures of their family. Abigail has the sweetest blue eyes and had to be the most pleasant baby I've ever photographed. Meanwhile Lisa watched my little Ethan and Andy on top of Kennesaw Mountain. Ethan wanted to play his paint can drums on top of the mountain so sweet Lisa listened to it while I photographed Emily's family. Just a normal crazy day in our lives. Matt and Emily, I hope the transition to your new home has been smooth and that it's beautiful there! How awesome that Abigail won't have to deal with cold weather in these early years... lots of love. 
