Stories and Insights
High School Reconnection: Julie and Greg's Proposal
It might have been years since you last saw her in high school but when the time is right, it’s right. Julie and Greg knew each other “back when” and reconnected over a picture of a lighthouse. One thing led to another and here Greg was, at Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains, playing Matt Stell’s “I Prayed For You” before his proposal to Julie!
Cades Cove Bridal Portraits: Stefany and Travis
Stefany and Travis came down to the Smoky Mountains to elope and have their bridal portraits done in the mountains. A small wedding is no less important than a large one. Cades Cove provided a beautiful setting for them - even if it meant working to avoid bear jams! BTW, as the Cherokee held the black bear sacred, the presence of so many surely means a blessing from the mountains for this delightful couple!
Timing is Everything: Andrea and Zachary's Proposal
Watching the weather in the Smokies means sometimes you need to adjust the timing - as we did for Zachary’s marriage proposal to Andrea at the Little Pigeon River in the Greenbrier section of the Smokies. Racing against the rain, we . . . lost. But guess what - it still turned out beautiful!
A First in Cades Cove: Jen and Ryan's Proposal
Ryan and Jen were the inaugural couple to propose in my spot I have named Little Bear Valley in beautiful Cades Cove. And a bear was spotted! The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a place of beauty and romance - and these two added to that! Another great marriage proposal!
Blackberry Winter Proposal: Daniela and Jose
During the Blackberry Winter of East Tennessee, two Floridians ventured north to the Foothills Parkway outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and sealed their love - here is Jose's marriage proposal to Daniela!
Wedding Album: Courtney and Brandon
I like standing apart from the crowd and so I expect the wedding albums that I custom design for my clients to be the same. Check out Courtney and Brandon’s bespoke album, imported from Italy. All of my wedding collections feature an album that is accompanied by a keepsake box. You could have a standard 12x12 album with an ivory cover and your names foil-stamped on the front like thousands of other brides . . . but why? And no, it is not too late to get an album - let me design it for you, even with pictures from the past!
Elegant Country: Rachel and Daniel
The best way to describe Rachel and Daniel’s wedding at Swann Stables in Sevierville, Tennessee is “country elegant,” encompassing this farming couple’s heritage with sophistication and style!
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Krista and Tom
When a teacher’s schedule means the wedding must take place in the middle of summer, heat and humidity do not have to matter - instead, a beautiful setting with the gorgeous Krista and Tom turned into a midsummer night’s dream. Check out their wedding held at Howe Farms near Chattanooga.
Un Cafecito con Azucar: Katrina and Myriam's Engagement Session in La Olas
Katrina and Myriam are a laid back and easy going couple, which is why one of their favorite coffee shops in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida was the perfect setting for their engagement session. Capturing the love between these two women and the stimulating conversation post-session with them was a gift to me!
Madelon and James: Early Sunset Wedding on the Hiwassee
A late autumn wedding means working with some subdued lighting - but it adds an ethereal ambience to Madelon and James’ wedding, made only more beautiful by the couple and their venue, Hiwassee River Weddings. All too often we see photographers produce what they call “dark and moody” that to me seem too “dark” for something as joyous as a wedding celebration. But low light can be romantic, not dreary. Check out Madelon and James’ story on the blog now!
Is This a Hallmark Christmas Movie? Leanet and Sayd's Proposal
Want to see an epic Christmas marriage proposal? For Leanet and Sayd, two beautiful people from Florida, they came to the Smoky Mountains and had fortune smile upon them when they got to experience a white Christmas, the first in the area after ten years! As the snow fell on a gorgeous setting by a mountain river, Sayd asked Leanet to share her life with his and the romance reached unseen levels. Check out their story, including a video of the moment!
A Homestead Wedding: Deanna and Colton
This was my first time photographing a wedding at The Homestead venue in Cloudland Station, located in Chickamauga, Georgia. The area known at Chattanooga Valley has a number of beautiful venues and this one was a delight! You know what also makes a venue beautiful? A beautiful couple with a celebratory attitude - and there you have the awesome Deanna and Colton! Check out their story and pictures from their wedding on the blog now!
Snowy Sunrise Surprise: Madison and Scott's Proposal
These two fine people from Mississippi had never been at these elevations before and the sunrise at 5000' was a cold one - but it was all done for Scott to surprise Madison with a marriage proposal. Some earlier snow provided a beautiful backdrop to this romantic moment at Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Check out their story!
It's a Family Affair: Alison and Dan's Marriage Proposal
Here is another beautiful love story from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Dan proposed to Alison … and her daughter, Aubrey. This all took place at Laurel Falls on a winter’s day and it was simply beautiful! Read the post and see the video!
Reaching New Heights, Literally: I Am Now a Certified Drone Pilot
I am very pleased to announce that I have been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a commercial drone pilot. Want to bring your images to new heights . . . literally? Read the post about the work done for the Lenoir City Utility Board and consider how drone photography can help you.
Here Comes the Sun: Emi and Matt's Marriage Proposal
Sunrise. Dogs. Mountains. Add to that a love story and you have a beautiful morning that saw Matt’s proposal of marriage to sweet Emi. Check out the pictures from the start of their lives together!
A Cataloochee Proposal: Alyssa and Cody
Cody started planning his marriage proposal some nine months before bringing Alyssa to the beautiful Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But would rain dampen the occasion? Read one and find out now!
After the Hurricane: Lauren and Rob's Proposal at Mouse Creek Falls
Hurricane Zeta threatened to rain on Rob’s plans to ask Lauren to be his wife but after a short delay, he got a beautiful autumn day and a roaring waterfall! Check out their story and see how his proposal happened at Mouse Creek Falls in the Big Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Sunday Morning at Spruce Flats: Carly and Aedan's Proposal
Fall is in the air, as is magic when you’re in the Smokies. Aedan took Carly for a hike to Spruce Flats Falls and if seeing a bear along the way was not exciting enough, the surprise he had in store for her was! By one of the Smokies’ most beautiful waterfalls, she said yes to his marriage proposal - check out their story!
Cades Cove Jamming with Kendall and Joe's Marriage Proposal
Take one of the busiest times in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at one of the most popular spots, with tourists abounding, and can you have a beautiful marriage proposal? You get - and Kendall and Joe made it happen! Check out their love story here!