Archive for March 2014

I can't wait for spring and family photo sessions!  If you want to book a family photo session this spring at my farm or at a park (or in my studio space), contact me now to book at 615-260-3093or shoot me an e-mail at info@byheartandhand.com!

When we docked back in Knoxville, Andrea did a change of clothes before heading out to the limo that was waiting for them...

Today I want to share some more photos from the Yacht wedding of Andrea and Aaron!

 Andrea and her girls had a great time hamming it up for some casual photos!

Ceremony on Yacht

This was so cute...they actually let the bride steer the boat!  What a neat experience and cute photo op! (www.volunteerprincess.com)

Today I have a continuation of some of the portaits we did of Andrea and Aaron prior to their ceremony and reception on the Volunteer Princess Yacht in Downtown Knoxville.  We started out at the Crowne Plaza Downtown Knoxville which is where the bride got ready and all the guests stayed. 

This was in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza Downtown Knoxville.  They have a beautiful lobby and grand staircase and the staff was very cooperative about letting us utilize this space.

Last year I got to go to Knoxville to photograph the wedding of a sweet, dear friend of mine.  I saw her grow up...literally.  When I was in college I bought the house next door to Andrea and her family.  Her mom and I became great friends (Andrea, too, now that she is all grown up).  I was so happy for her when she found THE ONE and honored when she asked me if I would photograph her wedding for her!  I am starting a 4 part series today of the coverage of her wedding so here we go...

Before the wedding, we met up at the hotel for her getting ready photos.  Believe it or not, Andrea is as beautiful a person on the inside as the outside.  I was so glad to be able to share in this special day with her. 

Mother of the bride helping bride with gown.

Bride with father while getting ready.



Mother of the bride helping with her veil.

After Andrea was ready, she and Aaron decided to meet before the ceremony to do some photos.  Their actual wedding and reception was on a yacht called the Volunteer Princess which cruises the downtown Knoxville Riverfront.  It was really a neat experience for all their guests!  However, because of the limited time to do photos on the boat and the presence of all their guests, we met up at the Crowne Plaza Downtown Knoxville where Andrea was getting ready and all of us were staying and did some family photos and photos of the bride and groom at the hotel and around the downtown Knoxville area within walking distance from the hotel.  I always recommend pre-ceremony photos to couples if they aren't opposed to seeing each other before the wedding.  This allows extra time for photos but also sometimes calms nervous jitters.  Of course, I understand and respect that some couples want to keep the tradition of not seeing each other before the wedding (that is what I did, actually), but "First Looks" seem to be getting more and more popular! 

Here is one of the photos we did on the grand staircase at the hotel.    More to follow in coming days...

Today I am uploading the results of a mini-session.  Occasionally I offer mini-sessions.  Sometimes these are for kids of families.  Basically, these mini-sessions last 15-30 minutes (I will  usually book them in 30 minute increments).  The whole idea is that there is one basic set up (saving me time in setting up multiple backdrops and props) and I am able to book back to back appointments for a whole day.  You can do an outfit change, but the whole session (including clothing changes) typically lasts for 30 minutes or less.  Also, since the sessions are shorter, there is less editing time involved for me.  These savings in time and effort on my part can be passed on to the client in the form of a much more affordable session.  Typically these mini sessions still result in 10-20 edited images.  Here is a sample of a few images from a mini-session I did for Hannah...

So continuing from my last post, I am going to finish up coverage of Tia and Adam's awesome wedding at the gorgeous Scarritt Bennett's Wightman Chapel.  Their equally gorgeous reception followed at University Club of Nashville.  If you missed my last post (part 1), check that out for additional reception details. 

Blast from the past...a few years ago I worked Tia and Adam's wedding at Scarritt Bennett's GORGEOUS Wightman Chapel with a reception following at University Club of Nashville.  Scarritt Bennett's Wightman Chapel is stunning...really if you haven't seen it, you should check it out.  I am a sucker for architecture and historic buildings and the Gothic architecture of Wightman Chapel is one of my favorite types!  Here is some information for you straight off of the Scarritt Bennett website:

For more details, check it out here:  http://www.scarrittbennett.org/weddings/default.aspx

The bride and groom put a lot of thought into decor at their reception.  The table numbers were different pictures of the couple...so sweet!





The BEAUTIFUL cake was made by none other than Dulce Desserts!  Brides, if you have not checked out Dulce Desserts, they are a MUST TRY!  I attend A LOT of weddings (as a photographer) and although I am always offered wedding cake, I almost never partake...not that I am so uber healthy that I won't touch cake.  Don't get me wrong, I love some dessert, especially all things chocolate, but honestly I prefer cookies, brownies, pie, almost anything really to cake.  It just isn't my thing so I don't bother with it.  However, if you hire me to photograph your wedding and you have a Dulce cake, you better save me a piece!  Juanita Lane, the owner of Dulce is super sweet and helpful.  I highly recommend you make an appointment to meet with Dulce at their retail location in mid-town Nashville!  There are lots of pretty wedding cakes being made in Nashville, but not all of them taste fabulous and Dulce cakes taste FABULOUS!







Yum...now I am hungry for some Dulce cake!  In my next posting, I'll share some aspects of the super fun reception!  Make it a fabulous day!