| By Heart and Hand Photography

Welcome to By Heart and Hand's Blog...We are located in the Nashville area but work throughout the middle Tennessee area and are available for travel to other locations. We are a boutique style photography company that specializes in wedding photography as well as individual and family portaiture. If you like this little sampling of our work, please check out our website at http://www.byheartandhandphotography.com/.

We absolutely LOVE what we do! It is awesome to be able to share the excitement that accompanies such a happy time in people's lives. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your wedding or special event with you and see if we are a good fit. There are so many great photographers in the area that if for some reason we are unavailable or not a great fit, we are always happy to offer you a referral to some of our trusted friends! If you like what you see, shoot me an e-mail (info@byheartandhand.com) or give me a call (615-260-3093) and we can meet for coffee to chat!

Have a fabulous day!

Tia and Adam's Scarritt Bennett Wedding and University Club Reception Part 1 of 2

By ByHeartandHand | Published Monday, March 3, 2014

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:

"Built in 1928, this architectural treasure is on the National Historic Register. The chapel will seat approximately 300 and is the site of several special worship services each year. With its stunning gothic architecture and a 90-foot center aisle, this sacred chapel is one of Nashville's most popular wedding venues."

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!

I loved these copper chafing dishes. The mashed potato bar was a HUGE hit at the reception!

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!

Posted in Baker, Event Photos, Venue, Wedding | Leave a comment

Nashville Lawn and Garden Show and Wedding Florals

By ByHeartandHand | Published Sunday, March 2, 2014

Today after church, my husband and I went with my parents to the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show. I love walking throught the gardens and looking at all the over the top outside oasis spots that I long for creating here on our farm. I had serious longing for some of those outsdoor spaces which also made me long for Spring already! I know we have not had it as hard in the Nashville area as many other areas of the country have, but as we have a Winter Weather Warning and are expecting an ice storm tonight and 1-3 inches of snow (which is A LOT of snow for TN) tomorrow, I am seriously over winter and longing for warmer weather, budding flowers, and green grass! I love Spring around our farm, because everything that looks so dead and sad all winter starts to come alive. The whole place just looks happier!

One thing I love about weddings is seeing all the beautiful floral arrangements! There were some doozies at the Lawn and Garden show today. One of my favorite parts is walking down the blackened hallway and looking at the couple dozen huge arrangements by local florists, many of whom I have worked with on weddings!

Longing for warmer weather, I look forward to seeing daffodils, tulips, and hydrangeas soon!

Daffodils mean spring to me. Tulips and hydrangeas are actually my favorites (I even carried a simple tulip bouquet at my own wedding).

I actually am in need of some landscaping at my home because there wasn't much around when we moved here. Last year we poured a sidewalk and a couple of outdoor concrete patios and planted a bunch of fruit trees but didn't do too much else. Hopefully, I can get some landscaping done this year. One beautiful thing I did inherit when we purchased our farm just outside of Spring Hill, TN is a grouping of hydrangea bushes right outside my mud room door. They were gorgeous last year but unfortunately I didn't take any pictures...crazy, right?!? One thing I love is being able to cut the blooms and share with family and friends. I believe in spreading the love. That got me thinking about a wedding I did ~~forever ago~~ about 4 years ago. I remember it because the flowers were gorgeous but simple and understated (and used some of my faves). They utilized hydrangeas and succulents (I also LOVE succulents)...it was simple but pretty...understated and elegant.

The larger tables had the hydrangeas and succulents and candles (all of which I love) in these gorgeous wooden boxes. I loved the rustic of the wooden boxes and the simplicity of the clear glass. I have aways remembered those wooden boxes because I remember thinking that I needed to make some planters like that for my house (this wedding was about 4 years ago and I still haven't made any planters, but I swear I have good intentions about making them)!

Here are a couple of the bridemaid bouquets that the used on the cake table. As I said this wedding happened in 2010 so I wouldn't guarantee but I believe the florals for this wedding were done by Belles Fleurs. They are awesome so if you are in need of a florist in the Nashville area, definitely check them out!

This wedding took place at Two Rivers Mansion in Nashville and whenever possible, I always like to give credit where credit is due and plug other vendors. If you would like more information on renting Two Rivers Mansion for your event, you can check them out here: Info on Two Rivers Mansion in Nashville

Until next time, friends...have a fabulous day!

Posted in Florist, General Update, Venue, Wedding | Leave a comment

Giving Back with the TJC: Mother of the Year

By ByHeartandHand

I believe in volunteering. I believe in philanthropy. I believe that when I give a small measure of my time and talent to the benefit of someone else, I am always richer for the effort. Throughout my life, I have volunteered personally with numerous organizations. When I started my photography business years ago, I carried this spirit of volunteerism over to my business as well. Every year I look for a few opportunities where I can donate my photography services to a worthy cause...I like to mix it up so feel free to contact me if you hear of any opportunities I might be interested in! "It's not what the world holds for you, it's what you bring to it." #quote #volunteers

"It's not what the world holds for you, it's what you bring to it." #quote #volunteers

I have photographed numerous events as a volunteer such as the Nashville Lupus Walk at Centennial Park a few years ago and the American Heart Association Walk in Nashville by Vanderbilt. I may add some photos of some of those events later, but today I wanted to talk to you about my volunteer work with the Tennesssee Justice Center.

Here is some information about the Tennessee Justice Center from their website (www.tnjustice.org):

TJC seeks justice for Tennessee’s vulnerable populations through the courts, in administrative proceedings and before legislative bodies. TJC addresses needs not met by any other agency and supports the work of other advocates for equal justice under law, both in Tennessee and beyond. We provide technical assistance to client groups, consumer advocacy coalitions and other social service agencies. The media and policymakers frequently rely upon TJC as a source of accurate and reliable information and analysis on legal matters and on public policies affecting the poor.

Every year around Mother's Day, the TJC honors mothers (and at least once a father) who act as advocates for their children and/or families. They call them their "Mothers of the Year" and have volunteer photographers meet with the families and do a photo of them. I turn mine in to a full fledged Family Photo Session and provide the family with a disc of images after the session. TJC also provides the family with a print or two. I think it is so great to honor these mothers in this way and I was so happy to participate in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, I was unable to participate in 2013, but I hope to help again this year!

In 2010, I met Jannie and her step mother, Lourdes. We met in Murfreesboro and did a session with the whole family. You can read more about the story of Jannie and Lourdes on the TJC website. Here is a link to the 2010 Mother of the Year recipients website here...

http://www.tnjustice.org/clients/mothers-of-the-year/2010-mothers-of-the-year/

Lourdes and Jannie posing in front of tree

Jannie and Lourdes

In 2011, I met Stephanie and her son, Brysen, and the rest of their family and did a family photo session for them in Columbia. They are such a cute little family and I was so happy I got to work with them. You can read their story here...

http://www.tnjustice.org/clients/mothers-of-the-year/2011-mothers-of-the-year/

Stephanie and Brysen and Family

In 2012, I met with Sheila and her daughter, Chelsey (along with the rest of their family). Chelsey was so sweet and had a great sense of humor. She brought her pet Chihuahua, who she is clearly enamored with! We met at a park near their home and it was so neat to see how Chelsey could enjoy the time outside with her family, thanks in large part to the special "stander" wheelchair that her mother fought so hard to get for her. I was truly inspired by Sheila during our time together. I got a glimpse into her life...even just the simple act of loading and unloading the wheelchair from her truck and getting Chelsey in and out of the truck was a job...one which she did with a smile on her face the whole time. You can read more about their story here...

http://www.tnjustice.org/clients/mothers-of-the-year/2012-mothers-of-the-year/

Spain family. Photo credit: Meropi Falkenburg

Sheila and Chelsey and Family

I hope you take a moment to read the stories of these wonderful mothers and find out what the Tennessee Justice Center is all about.

Posted in General Update, Philanthropy, Volunteer | Leave a comment

Baby Girl Brenly's 3 month Photo Session

By ByHeartandHand | Published Saturday, March 1, 2014

If you know me or follow my blog, you know I pretty bad at updating it in a timely manner. It isn't that I don't want to share what I am doing, but more like I get so busy DOING that I run out of time to share what I have been up to. Over the next few weeks, I am going to update you on what I have been up to. The posts will include some weddings, some newborns, some family sessions, and even a couple of senior sessions. There is an assortment because I enjoy all facets of photography. I love weddings and do a lot of those, but I also enjoy newborn and family photography. I may even share some of my creative portfolio of landscapes and animals over the next few weeks in an attempt to share my love of all types of photograpy with you. Don't forget to like us on Facebook (see link to the right) and check out our regular website at www.byheartandhand.com.

Today I am going to share a 3 month session of Baby Girl Brenly from back in October...I know that was a long time ago. I have since done her 6 month and 9 month sessions and will update those later. I adore her family. They are such great people and they came almost 70 miles so I could photograph this little princess! I am so glad they did. She is a sweetheart!

By Heart and Hand Photography www.byheartandhand.com

What a princess!

I love the expressions!

We have done this same set up for her 6 month and 9 month pictures.
It will be great to show how she has grown through her first year!

A sleepy little angel.

Wide Awake!

Hoot! Hoo! Who is the cutest baby around?

Posted in Newborns & Babies | Leave a comment

Newborn Baby Brantlee's Photo Session

By ByHeartandHand | Published Friday, February 28, 2014

A couple of weeks ago, I got to photograph newborn Baby Boy Brantlee! He was such a doll and only 9 days old. He was so sweet...I was in love about 2.5 seconds after laying eyes on him!

His dad is from Arkansas and very into the outdoors and hunting so his mom had ordered the cute deer antler and Arkansas hats for him while she was pregnant. They were so cute!

After we got several pictures of the deer and Arkansas hats, we moved on to a few hats from my own prop stash including the adorable sock monkey hat and the baby boy pom pom hat. Then, of course we had to get some naked or nearly naked baby pics. I swear he is the cutest baby boy I have seen in a long time!