I remember the first time I met Colby and Kelly for their wedding consultation here at my studio. Cool and friendly from the get go. They also had their new pup join us. She was just a few weeks old at the time; you can see their family portrait below from the engagement session a few weeks later. But it wasn't long before this pup mistaked my artificial turf (I photograph athletes in the studio on it) for real turf during her bathroom break. Call me soft but I couldn't even be mad at a dog so cute. However, it makes for a good story and definitely an unforgettable moment - like Colby and Kelly's wedding day.... but way less "crappy". It was a beautiful day filled with great weather and great people. Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Ponder.
Wedding
Carlee and Dave's Rainy Day Wedding /
Question: What do we do if it rains on our wedding day?
Answer:
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. We all have heard that saying used throughout our lives but how often do we really get to live that out? Carlee and Dave got the chance to on their wedding day and it turned out for the better. Most couples (and photographers alike) cringe at the thought of a rainy wedding day and even more if it's an outdoor wedding. I will admit Carlee and myself without a doubt cringed a bit when we looked outside 30 minutes prior to the ceremony and it was an absolute downpour. Dave (the groom) was a champ keeping her calm and happy though, props to him! The weather channel app (we all became meteorologists that day) said there would be a 30 minute break in the rain and the option for moving the ceremony under the awning, "plan B," was out due to the guests outnumbering the space available. When the ceremony started it was a light rain/sprinkle. No big deal! (Shoutout to Canon cameras weather seal!) As the wedding party entered, the rain thickened. As a photographer, my nerves heightened slightly but still, I can handle this! As soon as Carlee entered the wedding area the bottom fell out of the sky. I was jumping from random guest umbrella to the next borrowing umbrella space (you know who you are and I thank you for that) to attempt to stay dry which did not work... I was soaked already. When the ceremony started I honestly was thinking..... "What?!" but by the end I was thinking "This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever photographed." It genuinely was amazing to be a part of that special moment that I GUARANTEE every single person in attendance will never forget, myself included.
Later that night when I was talking to Carlee and she mentioned to me that she had unfortunately lost her father at the age of 13. She said, "The rain was nothing more than my father watching me and crying down from heaven." There was even a clap of thunder (true story) when they kissed. It gave me chills and still does to this day. Carlee and Dave are an amazing couple who didn't let a little rain mess up her perfect day. Life gave them lemons.... and they made the best lemonade anybody could ever ask for.
Also I want to send a special thank you to Old Waverly workers who were SOOO helpful the day of, from drying attendants seats, getting me bandaids for my blisters showing up from new shoes, to just being supportive all around. ALSO a big shoutout to Renee Reedy Videography for not only just being an awesome human being but also spotting me AA batteries when I was in a bind.
And just incase you are curious as to how I turned out during the ceremony. The umbrella at that point was strictly for the camera gear. I was soaked. Like literally taking out socks and ringing the water out of them soaked. Luckily I had packed an extra change of clothes (I always do because I sweat a lot and it's Mississippi) And a special thanks to Joyce Li for being the best second shooter ever.
Thanks to Marc Liza Miley for the picture.
Chelsea and Michal | Wedding /
"Bol to krásny svadobný deň." translates from Slovak into "It was a beautiful wedding day" and that is what it truly was. Chelsea and Michal's day was absolutely perfect. Filled with perfect people from literally all over the world (Michal is from Slovakia and so were his family and friends in attendance). Even with a language barrier a smile always translates. Glad I was able to spend the day with this group of people.
Cody and Madison Carson... from day 1 /
There is so much I could say about these two amazing people and their journey that I have been lucky enough to witness literally from day 1 of their engagement. I was there from the moment Cody proposed to his fiancé to the time he kissed his wife for the first time. Looking back on watching this chapter of their lives makes me feel really special that I was lucky enough to be a part of it.
Now their story
Cody planned his proposal as a surprise to his then girlfriend, Madison, at a private home where she was completely unknowing that 20+ members of both sides of the family were hiding in the backyard waiting.
For those that do not know, Cody and Madison both played soccer. And Cody coached on a collegiate level. So it was only fitting to finish out their session with a 1 on 1 soccer match. Madison won....
Hidden Garden | Wedding /
The "Hidden Garden" styled wedding! I recently attended my first hands on photography workshop and this was some of the results. I've been to classes where people speak (wppi) but nothing like this where you actually have a camera in your hands along side of other like minded photographers being taught by one of the best! The workshop was taught and styled by Hunter Leone and his team! (whom to me is one of the best wedding photographers currently in the business) in Shreveport, Louisiana. I met some amazing people from literally all around the world! From Texas, Los Angeles, Canada, Europe (she had a killer accent), and literally everywhere in between!
It was an information overload for 2 days straight. I learned so much that I am going to start putting into my style and business as well, it was almost a good recharge for myself and my photography. I highly recommend if you ever get the chance to take a workshop from an artist that you look up to, do it!
I am currently in the process of planning a few styled sessions like this myself! So if you are a vendor out there or know of one that would be interested (florist, makeup artist, hair stylist, event rentals, etc) let me know! I'd love to chat!
MUAH: Meka Reliford