I’m always wanting to take photos during winter, but not that many people are willing to get their picture taken in the cold! Ashley is a trooper. I asked her to sit on snow, take off her jacket, and even run around like a crazy person in the middle of nowhere. It was like 14 degrees!  The sun reluctantly came out at the end of our session and BOY did I welcome it. She was totally up for anything, and I had so much fun! Thank you Ashley!

Looking for interesting locations for sessions is just my excuse to aimlessly drive around and explore the gorgeous Tennessee backroads. Ain’t it perty? :)

Oh Christmas time! Last year at this time I was celebrating Christmas in China by shopping with some of my favorite friends & I REALLY missed being home for Christmas. So I was really excited to have a BEAUTIFUL white Christmas at my parent’s house in Knoxville. I can’t remember the last time I had a snowy Christmas. Merry Christmas to everyone! Here are a few snaps from my day.

P.S. There were no puppies harmed… He loves catching snowballs!

Engagement season is here! The holidays make everyone feel so warm and cozy… no wonder it’s also a really popular time of year to pop the question. So I am especially excited for this announcement!

This year I had the opportunity to shoot at some GREAT locations, but there are a few in East Tennessee that I’m still dying to explore! So here it is: My 2011 Wedding Venue Wishlist. Basically book me as your photographer at one of these venues and you’ll get a little extra something something. You’ll get a free portrait session (your choice of Engagement, Bridal, or Day After). I would love if both the ceremony & reception were held at the venue, but if that isn’t possible, just let me know why. When you contact me, make sure to mention this promotion. Now onto the list!

1) Butterfly Gap Retreat I’ve been dreaming of shooting a wedding at this location ever since I learned about it. Just outside of Maryville, Butterfly Gap Retreat has both inside & outside ceremony locations. The mountains are absolutely gorgeous here & the reception location is SO rad.

2) Maple Grove Inn The trees at this Knoxville venue are to die for! Seriously, I really want to shoot a Southern wedding full of whimsy at this location.

3) Knoxville Botanical Garden & Arboretum I love trees. And I love a venue that has lots of nooks and crannies to explore! Their reception area is so dream-like. If you book your wedding at the Knoxville Botanical Garden, you MUST schedule plenty of time for portraits!

4) Cades Cove Wedding Anyone native to East Tennessee knows that this one is a given. Cades Cove is spectacular anytime of the year, but it is pretty EPIC during wildflower season and autumn. I was really excited to find out that you CAN get married in those really old churches in the park AND pretty much anywhere else. For a wedding over 20 people you’ll need a permit.

5) A field Yeah, this one is a little weird but bear with me! I love it when I read on blogs about couples getting married in unique places that AREN’T actual venues. I’ve seen some pretty spectacular weddings where they just set up a tent in a field. So if anyone has a unique wedding vision that has to do with an awesome looking field, PLEASE contact me! :)

Thanks for reading!

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Cheryl & Bryan at Ijams Nature Center. Ijams is one of my favorite spots in Knoxville & the rain didn’t stop us from getting some good shots! Cheryl & Bryan are adorable. I asked Cheryl to put her hand on his neck & I got a great shot from it! Bryan is really ticklish.

Plainly put, Cheryl just rocks. She works for Operation Homefront’s Wounded Warrior Wives Program & needed some new photos for her blog- Wife of a Wounded Soldier. She is absolutely amazing- don’t go to her blog unless you want to get sucked into it for hours. Make sure to have a box of tissues at hand. I admire her honesty & all the hard work she does for injured service members & their families. She has chronicled their journey from the beginning. Please check it out!

Now onto the photos!