A fine art photographer specializing in young families and intimate gatherings

Leisa+Leon, A Beautiful & Heartwarming Barn Wedding

I am honored to get to share this special wedding with you all. I was contacted my Leisa’s daughter Brooxie back in December of last year about shooting her Mom’s wedding in January. Brooxie and I went to school together at the University of Memphis and we were both in the Greek community, and I remember when Brooxie went thru recruitment! She was one of the girls everyone wanted in their chapter.

Brooxie was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2015. I remember hearing the news and just being in complete shock because she was too young for this diagnosis. I kept up with her treatments and progress through a Facebook page her wonderful sister created. My fellow photographer Kelly Ginn did a fundraiser for Brooxie with mini sessions and I signed up immediately, and not much longer after that Brooxie would start a trial treatment in Nashville. I remember reading one of the later updates from Christy and crying at my computer screen. Even though I wasn’t close with Brooxie she touched so many lives. It was just so hard for me to understand why this was happening to her and her sweet family.

Brooxie was given a very grim diagnosis and wanted more than anything to see her Mom marry the man of her dreams. The wedding was set and ready for the end of January and Brooxie took a turn for the worst. I remember talking with Leisa on the phone for quite some time and just praying she would have the strength for the wedding. I was completely heartbroken for everyone when that did not get to happen. Brooxie was soon completely healed and walking the streets of gold with our Heavenly Father. I am so thankful she is no longer in pain and is completely healed.

Leisa and I had discussed possible dates to honor Brooxie’s wishes and have the wedding day she wanted for her mom and Leon. June 3, 2017 it was. It was a beautiful day filled with so much love and memorials to Brooxie. Her dress was made into her mom’s garter, Leon’s handkerchief, and the flower-dog’s dress. Brooxie’s best friend Morgan played the violin for the ceremony, and Brooxie’s cups were everywhere. One of the most moving moments was right before the ceremony. We had clear skies the whole time during portraits but 15 minutes before the ceremony the bottom dropped out! Lots and Lots of rain (wait til you see the picture of the rain) and Leisa was up at the main house and would have to get down to the barn, but then all the sudden as the ceremony began the rain just stopped. Not even a sprinkle and the sun was out again. I just had chills and really felt it was Brooxie saying hello!

You won’t meet better people than Leisa and Leon. They are so in love and I am so unbelievable honored to have been invited to witness God’s work. Thank you so much Leisa, Leon, Christy and Brooxie.

VENDORS:

Venue: Family Friend’s Barn

Caterer: Family Friends

Florist: BettsMade

Dress: Barefoot Bride

Hair and MakeUp: Melissa Gail Simpson

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Fresh 48 Session, Baby Brother is Here

So if you have been following along you may have noticed that I am blogging more… its always been something I have meant to do but with the countless deadlines, emails, running a business and a household, and needing to actually sleep… its the thing that just didn’t happen. I have “restructured” my workflow a bit to ensure that I am blogging close to all sessions and weddings. I am about 3 years backlogged so I am playing a little catch up with some favorites from the past as well. Thanks so much for following along and taking an interest in what I do. It means more than you will ever know, ok enough about that! Lets talk about that cutie up above!

I met the McCrary family when Ann Elizabeth was just 6 months old, and immediately fell in love with them. Something about Ann Elizabeth reminded me of my oldest and Meghan and I just clicked. I have had the pleasure of documenting all the milestones since then. I was so excited to hear they were expecting again and a little boy this time, and when they asked me to document his first moments with a Fresh 48 session I was beyond thrilled.

It was such a sweet time with Big Sister meeting baby Mac as well as all the grandparents and even the great grandparents getting to hold him and meet the newest addition. Thank you McCrary Family for having the cutest kids and the best humor, and for allowing me to get to be apart of your lives!

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Julie + Mark, A Good Time Memphis Wedding

Julie and Mark are FUN, plain and simple these two like to have a good time and they know how to throw a party! I loved being a part of this wedding, the details were on point and the wedding party was top notch! Lets not forget about their family either, what wonderful people we were surrounded by all day. This wedding was put on by a dream team of vendors, my favorite people to work with on wedding day.

BettsMade had everything organized and decorated perfectly with beautiful florals hand picked for the bride. The staff at Maggie Louise bridal helped Julie find the perfect dress for the big day. Jena Bruback worked her magic yet again and had Julie looking her BEST! I was so excited to finally get to work with the ever so talented 22 Magnolias on this wedding as well. CFY catering delivered with the most tasty food and sweets while The Soul Shockers kept the dance floor full all night long.

Thank you Julie and Mark for being so wonderful and sharing your day with me.

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Laura+Alex, Spring Heartwood Hall Wedding

Laura and Alex tied the knot at the end of May at the beautiful Heartwood Hall. The weather was just perfect for the outdoor ceremony in the garden. Laura and Alex were so appreciative and just a wonderful couple to celebrate. They opted to do a “first look” and it was just one of the sweetest. I am so thankful that Alex’s dad reached out to me about a year ago to shoot his son’s wedding. I hope you guys enjoy this sweet wedding as much as I did! Thank you Laura and Alex for being so wonderful and thank you BettsMade and the Ladies at Heartwood Hall for making the day run so smoothly!

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Newman’s Beautiful Birth Story

I had only talked to Blair on the phone prior to Newman’s birth but we instantly clicked and I knew I was going to LOVE this family. It was getting very close to her due date and at her last appointment her water broke and she was sent to the hospital. Being a first time mom, things tend to progress a little slower so I was thinking we would have a baby sometime in the late evening. Boy was I wrong… Blair was amazing and tolerated the pain so well.

Family and friends were surrounding them as they awaited for the nurse to tell her it was time. Dean and Blair’s family is also amazing and I enjoyed meeting and spending the day with them. Everyone was so excited for the birth of the first grandson. One of the moments that stuck out to me from the whole day was when everyone had cleared out of the room and Dean’s sister came in to say hello and bring them a few things from home. Before she left for the waiting room she grabbed Blair’s hand and led them in prayer. Prayer for Newman’s safe arrival and for his life, it was an absolutely beautiful moment that I was so glad was captured.

It is the utmost privilege to be invited into such an intimate moment with families as they bring life into this world. When Newman came out screaming their wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Witnessing God’s miracle is just hard to describe in words, but I am so thankful that they have these images to remind them of this glorious day!

Like I said, something just clicked between Blair and I… she jokingly calls me her doula, lactation consultant and photographer, and I like all those titles 🙂 I was also able to document Newman’s newborn and 6 month photos as well before they moved away from me 🙁

I hope you enjoy!