But, I managed to get a bit of sleep following midnight madness & the wedding day was incredible! I had my good friend, Alan Brock, assisting me for the day which proved an enormous help; he did a really good job. As well, Megan & Clay, along with their families, were hospitable & went out of their way to make sure I was taken care of. And, likewise, I wanted to make sure they were taken care of & had the best wedding images I could capture.

For Megan, the day began at the reception site, The Banq, which also has a loft style apartment space, The Banq Loft, a perfect place for brides to prep for the ceremony & couples to retire following the long wedding day. Here, I captured some of her details as well as some portraits.

Megan looks absolutely gorgeous… have you ever seen a more perfect smile?!
These two are a tossup as some of my favorite images.
From the reception site, we rode over to Christ Fellowship Church to meet up with Clay for their “First Look.” It was such a special moment for the couple to enjoy one another & spend some relaxed time enjoying one another’s company.
They were both full of emotion as they saw each other for the first time.
This beautiful field located on the church’s grounds was an ideal location for portraits.
We soon retired from the heat outside & found the church lobby a fitting place for most of the formal portraits.
“Something blue!”
A few details as the ceremony drew near.
Megan & her father… love these moments just prior to walking down the aisle.
The music cranked up & Clay & Megan ran down the aisle… it was classic!
The party picked up at the reception site, The Banq; it was the perfect place for a good party. Owner & developer, John Vachon, is top-class & was more than willing to help create the ideal atmosphere.
The first dance… it was so encouraging to see these two together!
This crowd knew how to dance… once it started, there was little down time thanks to the soul-filled music of the Slow Motion Trio.
How could I fail to mention the guest appearance of Farmer Charlie who offered some sound advice.
The party continued on the Banq’s rooftop until all was said & done!
What a great pleasure to photograph for Clay & Megan! I wish you two & your families the absolute best. Thanks again!

I met Ansel a while back as we began working together on a design project. He’s one of those guys you can’t help but enjoy be around; he’s an incredible country singer (www.anselbrown.com | seriously… you must check his music out!), a gifted designer & marketer with endless ideas (www.nvisionative.com), & is tirelessly optimistic. He & Lisa called me several months ago to ask if I was available to shoot their Key Largo wedding. Needless to say, I was thrilled. Although we talked a few times on the phone, Saturday was my first time meeting Lisa. I knew a few things about her… that she was an air-traffic controller, a pilot, & super-talented. Plus, I knew Ansel couldn’t say enough about her. She was a gorgeous bride & so easy to work with. She was more than eager to try anything I requested. And… she is originally from Wisconsin & has a super-fun accent (especially compared to my Tennessee accent). I could listen to her for hours.

Lisa retold the story of how she & Ansel met. Ansel’s band was scheduled to play a concert & he arrived a night early to scope out the venue. Lisa taught line dancing at the same place. During breaks Lisa was spending an inordinate amount of time texting on her phone. Next thing she knew, Ansel approached her, “I see you’ve been sending a bunch of texts but for some reason I’m not receiving them.” She enjoyed their conversation but didn’t realize he was the one playing the concert the next night until one of her coworkers informed her. Ansel later invited her to the concert. Although she was tentative at first because she didn’t want him to think she was “into” him, she decided to go. The rest is history!

Ansel & Lisa chose the perfect wedding location, the Hilton Key Largo Grande. After researching the website, I was quite eager to share this experience with them. It was a quaint wedding with approximately 30 guests. The wedding day started with Lisa & her bridesmaids meeting at Hair in the Tropics for hair & makeup. Meanwhile, Ansel & the guys shared good stories & great food at Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen (the TJ’s Special & Key Lime Pie are unrivaled!). We never looked back!

Here are some of the details:

Love their rings… Ansel’s ring fits him perfectly; it’s rock n’ roll!
I absolutely love this picture… I think it captures Lisa so well.
Assisting me for the wedding was the super-talented Lillian Prince. She spent some time with Ansel & his guys before the ceremony; I was thrilled with her work!
Look at the way Lisa looks at Ansel… love it!
I was able to climb on a boat that was docked at the pier for the wedding party photos… perfect!
I could’ve spent days with these two in this location.
The decorations on the cake were completely edible. I thought those were real shells but was pleasantly surprised when I discovered they were white chocolate… sweet!
We ate & danced the night away! Congrats to my friends Ansel & Lisa. You were such a pleasure & I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else. Thank you!

I knew the first time I met with Shelby’s mom, Janette, that I was going to enjoy this couple. Shelby Mason was raised on a dairy farm in the hills between Athens & Niota, TN, so she’s familiar with hard work & life on the farm. She’s a country girl. And on Saturday, she married a laid-back country boy. Jake Roberts grew up in Phenix City, AL before playing football in college while attending the College of the South, Sewanee. He later began coaching football at Cumberland University where he met Shelby. They couldn’t be any more perfect for one another.

Shelby & Jake, I wish you two the absolute best. Thank you for the opportunity to be your photographer! And, here’s a peak from your wedding day:

We’ll start with a few images from the rehearsal. I don’t usually shoot rehearsals but we were unable to do a pre-wedding shoot so I was more than happy to attend their rehearsal. It was so much fun & allowed me an opportunity to get to know the wedding party ahead of time. Plus, I was able to capture some of the personal touches that go into the rehearsal dinner.

Following the rehearsal at Keith Church, the dinner took place at the Mason Farm; what a fun place!

Shelby was overcome with emotion as her guests formed a circle around she & Jake while her dad offered a blessing over their marriage.
A good friend & musician, JT Tallent, offered his incredible song, “With You.” You can listen to it via YouTube by clicking here.
Guests watched a moving slideshow of Shelby & Jake’s story.
And here’s my favorite part… the wedding day! Shelby’s dress is in a league of its own.

Black’s Florist did an incredible job with the floral arrangements.
I noticed an incredible field just behind the reception site; it served as a perfect portrait location. What a gorgeous bride!
At one point Shelby said, “Am I supposed to be smiling?” I responded, “Shelby, it’s your wedding day! Of course.” She smiled the entire day!!
I am so thrilled by this picture… wow! There are several from this location that are my favorites!
The reception was held at the historic Keith Mansion. There’s hardly a better reception site in town. It’s owned by chef Paul Carideo & wife, Melanie, who are both a pleasure to work alongside. The bridesmaids spent the night prior to the wedding in the bed & breakfast & it’s interior is perfectly fit for portraits.
Love these moments!
These two absolutely light up when around one another… I can’t help but smile watching them interact.
This picture brought tears to my eyes & conjured up such emotion. The Roberts family had a special memorial candle in honor of Jake’s grandfather who recently passed. Alongside the candle was a picture of Jake & his grandfather. Here, Jake’s father pauses to remember his father; in the background, Jake’s mother is consoled by her sister.
What can I say, Shelby’s got a good arm. She overthrew the “single ladies”; it landed on top of the tent.
Decorations Creations provided the centerpieces for the reception. I loved how they floated pics from Shelby & Jake’s engagement session inside the centerpiece. MP Entertainment provided the music… they are always a pleasure to work alongside. Also, John David Boreing & his video team were awesome!
And yes… we danced to the music!
And yes… we photoboothed like crazy! Here are just some of the crazy shots. If you’d like to see all the pics from Shelby & Jake’s photobooth, check out my Facebook page by clicking here. If you “like” BF Photo, you will be notified via FB when we post pics of our recent shoots. As always, a special thanks to the ladies who helped me capture this day, Lillian Prince & Alison Nation, you’re awesome! You must check out Lillian’s awesome coverage here.

If you’d like to pre-register to see all the pictures from Shelby & Jake’s wedding, click here & you’ll be notified when they are available. Hope you enjoyed… there’s so much more!

That’s what I call rock & roll! Meredith sported her off-white Chucks while the bridesmaids wore hot-pink all-stars with black laces; they even had their initials embroidered on the heels.
Ain’t no wedding like a Jason & Meredith Crabtree wedding!
The reception was held at Knoxville’s Art Emporium on Gay Street. It’s a great reception location for a small wedding party & the artsy feel really adds to the atmosphere.
I’ll have to go with Sweet Tea… unless the Unsweet tea has lots of sugar in it! You get my point!

For the brides out there planning their wedding or for those who love wedding details, you should check out Nicole’s work at The Plunge Project (http://www.theplungeproject.com & @plungeproject). Her content is excellent as she provides great ideas & explores real-life challenges of today’s brides.

The closet is indicative of my entire life. Everything is in some sort of order & if it is “out” of order, we’ve got problems folks. Just imagine how my life has changed since we’ve had kids.

But sometimes I think this can be a strength.

I have an obsession with details. In most cases, I immediately see when something is slightly off. Maybe it’s a picture on the wall that isn’t straight, a brochure where the spacing isn’t flush, etc. I could go on & on. No really, I could.

So… all that to say, one of my favorite things about photography is capturing details & expressions. I assisted another photographer this weekend for Matthew & Jessica’s wedding. It was a lovely ceremony & the reception was top-class as details were priority. Congrats Matthew & Jessica!

As Jessica was coming down the aisle for her “first-look” at her man.
Those shoes are straight up rock & roll!
One of the groomsmen, Ben, had the strategy mapped out… it was almost game-time.
It’s game-time!
This little girl was the bride’s niece… love that little expression.
Ahh… very well done!
Here’s the retro-styled getaway golf-cart. What a great day for a wedding!

I immediately met up with Laura & her bridesmaids & little thought was given again to the weather outside. She was glowing with excitement & looking absolutely lovely. What a wonderful day for Laura & Travis, their family & friends!

Makeup was done by the lovely Kristina Burke of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.
In case you didn’t know, I’m a huge shoe fan. I love these shoes that Laura chose; they really fit her personality.
These girls were laughing constantly!
Laura was a stunning bride!

In addition to his job at TVA, Travis also works as a Fireman for the Calhoun Fire Department.
My good friend, Lillian Prince, assisted me for the wedding. She hung out with the guys & captured them in the wedding day preparation. Here are a few of her awesome shots!
Adorable!! This is Alyssa… she was the perfect flower girl.
I love sharing these special moments right before a Father leads his daughter down the aisle!
Mr. & Mrs. Travis Lee!
The Bakery, did a beautiful job with the cakes & catering!
The Photo Booth was a big hit during the reception. We provided the props & the guests provided pure awesomeness! These are some of my favs. If you’d like to see the rest, visit my Facebook fan page here or register the guestbook here & you’ll be notified when all the wedding pics are available.
Killer mustaches must run in the family!

Yesterday I was fortunate for the opportunity to assist the talented & lovely Lillian Prince. Lillian & her family are super-good friends of ours & we welcome any occasion to be able to shoot together. We photographed the beautiful wedding of Gavin & Jessica Mayo located at Hunter Valley Farm in Knoxville, TN. Gavin & Jessica were amazing as was their wedding party… & Hunter Valley Farm left little to be desired! An all-around great day!

Let me fill you in on some of the details:

Rosa’s Catering did a beautiful job!
The wedding day schedule was really tight so I primarily hung with the guys as we conquered the group portraits.
The following two were taken at the entrance of the stables… incredible facility!

Gavin took a moment to pose with his little twin sisters, Ryann & Katie. Aren’t these girls gorgeous!

A little pre-wedding jumping… some serious commitment went into this shot!

Jessica is a gorgeous bride!
Gavin & Jessica met while in school together at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. They’ll be heading back down to Birmingham to begin their life together as husband & wife. Jim Ogle of Ogle Entertainment provided the perfect mix of melodies & professionalism… incredible work Jim!

Last time I spoke with Megan was in High School when we all used to hang out after football games. Many things change in 10 years… aren’t we all thankful!!

Last Wednesday night it was great to meet up with Megan & her husband to be, Clay Prewitt. Megan & Clay recently moved to Knoxville from the Johnson City, TN… the area where they met & began their relationship. They’re two extremely talented people with a world of possibilities ahead of them. Meg transferred from an affiliate TV station in Johnson City to Knoxville’s WBIR Channel 10. Clay is an accomplished writer for the award-winning advertising agency, The Tombras Group. Additionally, they spend most weekends following Clay & his band, These Undowners.

We had such a blast Wednesday as we began our session at Sequoyah Hills Park in Knoxville before heading downtown for additional pics & a great Italian dinner at Oodles Uncorked. Meg & Clay are such a pleasure to be around, they’re personable, kind, & willing to trust me however I might lead. From the beginning, they assured me that they love my portfolio & they were up for anything! Can we say, perfect client!!! I am so eager for their wedding in August. Thanks again Meg & Clay!

I can’t get over this image… probably my favorite!

The trees at Sequoyah Hills are amazing… reminds me of little hobbit homes.

Due to Megan & Clay’s jobs that place them in the public quite often, we found the occasion fitting for a few headshots… love these!

One of my favorites of the day!

I had to resort to Clay’s super-skills to get us all in the picture using my 50mm lens.

In the past, I’ve avoided such environments. In general, I’m not the biggest fan of the atmosphere that sometimes exists at expos, conferences, etc. There is this unspoken competition between vendors that makes me feel icky… can’t we all just get along? I feel like so many vendors bombard people as they walk through as if to say… “want to sample chicken?” much like the Asian food chain in the mall. Plus… they can be so darn expensive. It blows my mind at how much money is spent on registration, backdrops, promotional material, door prizes, etc. It’s really got me thinking…

Maybe it’s just me, but I am looking for a certain kind of client. I don’t ever try to “close the deal” with a client… in most cases, I say, “Please take some time to think about this… there is absolutely no pressure. If you decide that you love my work & want to work with me, then I would be honored to photograph for you. If not, I have many friends who may be better suited for your preferences.” I learned that I’m not the right photographer for everyone; one size does not fit all. Some clients prefer a really formal, traditional photographer. Some simply want the cheapest rates. Some are looking for a more artistic photographer. And etc. It’s important to know what you are looking for. Photographers have styles & play to their strengths… choose the one whose style is best suited for your personality.

Yesterday, I was approached by a couple who asked, “There are many photographers at this show… how do we know what photographer is best for us?” I replied, “There are many wonderful photographers here. I think it is important to find a photographer whose style & quality you really love & who you personally connect with. Your photographs are going to potentially last well beyond your lifetime… make sure you use someone you trust & enjoy.” I thought it may be helpful to expound on those thoughts.

If you’re considering hiring a photographer, consider thinking through the following:

• What would you consider your style? Are you drawn to fashion photography? Do you like incorporating nature/landscapes? Do you prefer candid or posed photos? Do you love detail shots?
• What kind of product are you looking for following your event? Does the photographer make those products available? Album? Coffee table book? Disc of images? Canvas prints? Proof Book?
• Consider asking the photographer for a list of references. Are they professional? How did they deliver on their services? Are they highly recommended?
• Does the photographer have a good portfolio? How is their website? Does it portray a lack of cohesion & organization?
• What is your budget? Can you spread out your payments?
• Is your event a destination event? Does the photographer travel? What kind of expenses must you provide for?
• Is the photographer available on your event date? What kind of deposit must he/she have in order to lock in the date? If they are unavailable, do they have someone they’d recommended?

These are the types of questions I love being asked. When a client does their homework, they are much better equipped & informed to make a wise decision.

Fortunately I have experienced success in building my photography business through relationships. Almost all of my clients have come because of referrals. I still want to pursue advertising & fairs/shows when appropriate but I realized that I would rather invest in my relationship with clients than spend extra money on traditional marketing & advertising tools. The greatest compliment I receive is when brides refer my services to others.

I will conclude by saying this, yesterday’s bridal fair at Whitestone Inn was exceptional… the value was well worth it! I would recommend this place to anyone. Whitestone is an incredible wedding, event & special occasion, getaway venue. It is situated on a scenic stretch of land located on Watts Bar Lake & leaves little to be desired when choosing a perfect wedding location.

The outdoor wedding space at Whitestone (taken with my phone… not bad eh?)

Hope this helps! Is there anything else I should’ve included? What are your thoughts?