Erika and Tim's e-session in Chattanooga

We were in Switzerland when Erika and Tim booked us to photograph their wedding that's coming up in September in Daytona Shores. The following week we visited together for the first time in Orlando. And I never imagined that their travels would bring them all the way to Chattanooga this weekend for a wedding...a wedding that we're photographing no less. It all happened so quickly.

Christina and Albert will tie the knot this afternoon, and we can't wait! And we were thrilled that Erika and Tim are two of their guests. On Friday we met together and photographed their engagement session, dodging rain showers and thunder storms, they did great!

These two are a real blast! Check out Erika's dress...we're trying to talk her into wearing it again for the wedding, but I guess she has something else already picked out.










"Can we take some spicy shots?", I believe was the request.






How many guys can pull off a Seersucker suit this well? I know I sure can't. But they looked great! They even got a "congratulations" by one of the passersby on the sidewalk who assumed that they had just tied the knot.


Thanks Erika and Tim for making time for us this weekend. You're a blast to work with and we can't wait for the big day in a few months!

Amber and James, e-session in Chattanooga

The other day we spent the afternoon with Amber and James for their engagement session in Chattanooga. It was a beautiful afternoon and they were absolutely fantastic to work with.

We hit several wonderful locations that Amber had suggested.










This image and location are especially meaningful for Amber and James because they both work with power. James develops safety devices for transformers and Amber sells power. They had done their homework and picked out this particular transformer on the side of the mountain to photograph. We were hoping for lightening, but no such luck. :)


Then we added their chocolate lab, Ana Belle.






Thanks guys, for such a fun session. We can't wait for your big weekend in October.

Jessica and Aaron's e-session in Chattanooga

The other day we had a wonderful afternoon with Jessica and Aaron in Chattanooga. As we expected, they did great! Check out their fantastic style...













Then we headed out on their boat to spend some time on the water. And these two...talk about planning ahead, they brought along an extra boat that we could shoot from. It was fantastic!


In the background, two of Chattanooga's best known landmarks, the Walnut Street Bridge and the Hunter Art Museum overlooking the bluff, where they will host their wedding reception next weekend.




Thanks so much for a great session, guys. We can't wait for your beautiful wedding in just a few days!

Brandy and Sticky's Wedding in The Knot Georgia

We are so excited for our awesome friends, clients, and photographers, Brandy J and Sticky Rammel! Their beautiful destination wedding has been published on The Knot Georgia magazine for the Fall/Winter Issue. I really love the cover and color of this issue. Check it out!



Read their story and check out the details:






The Knot has also been gracious to include our work in The Knot Best of Weddings 2008. It is in stores nationwide.



Pick up a copy of both for ideas and inspiration!

Tracey and Pete, married in Interlaken, Switzerland

We were thrilled to accompany Tracey and Pete on their beautiful wedding day in Interlaken, Switzerland. We first met Tracey, who is a fantastic photographer from New York, in January at the DWF Convention in Tampa, where we were mentoring. She let us in on a little secret, that she and Pete were planning a small intimate wedding in Switzerland and no one knew. We were excited for them and quite flattered when she asked if we'd consider photographing it.

So six months later we found ourselves in Switzerland. Tracey and Pete had just traveled from southern Italy, where they had photographed a beautiful wedding just two days before. We were excited to see them and especially excited to finally meet Pete.



Their flowers were absolutely amazing! She described everything she wanted in an email to the florist and this is the result...wow!




En route to the ceremony.


Pete set his iPod on Jack Johnson's Angel while Tracey entered the room.






It was a brief ceremony, but very beautiful and personalized. We were flattered that they asked us to be their witnesses. I think I was more nervous signing their marriage license than I was signing my own!






Tracey is quite the dog lover. Fortunately there were many dogs to chose from so we waited until the perfect K9 came walking by.


Classic Hepburn


Cows, of course. We told you the cow would make another appearance.


He was quite curious about Tracey's red umbrella.




We found this charming Swiss villa the day before and had to return with Tracey and Pete






Thanks so much Tracey and Pete for letting us capture your beautiful wedding day. It was indeed an honor. May God richly bless you as you begin this exciting new journey together.

Goodbye Switzerland

We're sitting in the Philly airport waiting for our return to Atlanta. Switzerland was beautiful. And Tracey and Pete, what an amazingly cool couple! Wedding pictures to come...

For now, here are a few mini canon snaps from our tour.

First of all, security in the Atlanta airport added a kiosk that displays everything that is NOT allowed as a carry on. In case you were wondering, Liquid Drano and chain saws are not allowed!


Downtown Zurich. The country was abuzz with football (soccer) fans from all over Europe as Euro2008 was being contested. I've never seen such passionate sports fans! It was amazing. Though this image was taken while everything was closing up so people could go watch the football games.


Dessert on Sunday. Yummy.


A night view from Interlaken. This was taken at about 10 pm, with light still hitting the mountain peak.


Dessert on Monday. Chocolate fondue with swiss dark chocolate!! Yummy.


A cow in Interlaken with a very loud bell around his neck. Actually, all the cows there had bells on them. He'll make another appearance in a post to follow...


A flying cow


A close up of the flying cow


Yesterday on the drive back from Interlaken




Thanks to Tracey and Pete for bringing us to such a beautiful place! We can't wait to someday return.

Joy's Perspective:

1) Switzerland is uber clean...especially the bathrooms! Amazing!
2) People in Switzerland are the quietest people (except for the football fans!). You can hear a pin drop in the baggage claim of the airport.
3) It's cold in Interlaken in June and the weather is unpredictable. When we arrived it was in the 50's! But when the sun was out it was absolutely gorgeous.
4) We rented a car to drive from Zurich to Interlaken, about a 2-hour drive. Rent a
GPS, (we have one, but it doesn't have the European maps). Its also fun to stop along the way and take pictures. Riding the train we hear is a good option as well. They are also amazingly clean.
5) I fell in love with the cows, you can hear their bells a mile away.
6) The mountains are majestic.
7) Chocolate is everywhere...every other store. I was in heaven.
8) The spaghetti and pizza were amazing and so was the dessert (see pictures above).
9) Tracey and Pete are the best clients and now the most wonderful friends. We were so honored to be there with them.
10) Motorists are very courteous with pedestrians. Garrett nearly hit several pedestrians and bicyclists because he's not used to yielding every two minutes.
11) Zurich has fabulous shopping. They have a four story Zara, heaven I tell ya.
12) I really really really wanted to go paragliding off the side of the mountain...but someone didn't want to go with me.
13) We went for a carriage ride around Interlaken instead. Garrett enjoyed it.
14) Have you made it this far? Bored yet? Oh well, I'm journaling our trip :)
15) Most of us Americans are way too casual and need to take care of how we look more often. I can spot an American tourist with their tennis shoes so easily. I can watch Europeans walk by all day long with their awesome sense of style and fashion.
16) German is the main language, but many people spoke back French, Italian, etc.
17) No matter how beautiful a place is, we missed our daughter Gray so much, and to make up for her not being with us, especially when we are in Europe, we buy her fun clothes :) Be on the lookout for photo sessions of her soon!
18) We are in Philadelphia airport now, its good to almost be back home.
19) New York, Las Angeles and Zurich within less than three weeks time is too much travel.
20) Our next wedding is at home. Hurray!

Maybe that upgrade to the European GPS wasn’t a bad idea afterall

This post is dedicated to our great friend and my worst driving critic, Jim Cook.

I recently discovered the following quote, adapted from the famous “Tis better to have loved…” This morning I keep repeating it to myself. It’s comforting.
“Tis better to have traveled and gotten lost than to never have traveled at all.” -George Santayana

Today we head back to Zurich from Interlaken. The following is our route. And for the record, I can’t pronounce these road names for life of me!

1. Start out going NORTHEAST on BAHNHOFSTRASSE
2. Enter next roundabout and take 1st exit onto CENTRALPLATZ.
3. CENTRALPLATZ becomes CENTRALSTRASSE.
4. Turn LEFT onto 11 / 6 / ALPENSTRASSE / JUNGFRAUSTRASSE.
5. Continue to follow 11 / 6.
6. Enter next roundabout and take 2nd exit onto 11 / 6 / LINDENALLEE.
7. Turn LEFT to take the ramp toward BERN / THUN / WILDERSWIL / ISELTWALD / LUZERN / BRIE NZ.
8. Merge onto 11.
9. Merge onto A8 toward LUZERN / GOTTHARD / MEIRINGEN / BRIENZ / ISELTWALD (Portions toll).
10. Merge onto A8 via EXIT 30 toward GOTTHARD / LUZERN / BRÜNIG / HASLIBERG / BRIENZWIL ER / BALLENBERG-OST / A8 (Portions toll).
11. A8 becomes VERZWEIGUNG LOPPER.
12. Merge onto A2 (Portions toll).
13. Keep RIGHT to take A14 toward ZÜRICH / CHUR / ZUG / SCHWYZ (Portions toll).
14. A14 becomes A4 (Portions toll).
15. Merge onto A4A (Portions toll).
16. A4A becomes E41 / 4 / SIHLBRUGGSTRASSE.
17. Enter next roundabout and take 2nd exit onto E41 / 4. Pass through 1 roundabout.
18. Merge onto A3 via the ramp on the LEFT toward TRANSIT / ZÜRICH-CITY (Portions toll).
19. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto E41 / MANESSESTRASSE. Continue to follow MANESSESTRASSE.
20. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto STAUFFACHERQUAI.
21. Turn RIGHT onto SIHLBRÜCKE.
22. SIHLBRÜCKE becomes SIHLSTRASSE.
23. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto BAHNHOFSTRASSE.
24. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto URANIASTRASSE.
25. Turn LEFT onto BAHNHOFQUAI.
26. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto WALCHEBRÜCKE.
27. Turn SHARP LEFT to stay on WALCHEBRÜCKE.
28. WALCHEBRÜCKE becomes BAHNHOFQUAI.
29. Keep RIGHT at the fork to continue on BAHNHOFQUAI.
30. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto BAHNHOFPLATZ.
31. Make a U-TURN at BAHNHOFPLATZ onto BAHNHOFPLATZ.
32. End at Zurich, Zürich CH

Chichi and Jonathan, married in Southern California

We left New York, spent one night at home, and then headed to Los Angeles for Chichi and Jonathan's wedding. We had been talking about this wedding for a while...about two-and-a-half years to be exact, when one of our first ever brides and grooms, Kelli and Matt, moved to California for medical school and referred Chichi to us.

At the time Chichi was living in California and traveling around the world as the newly announced Miss Africa International. In 2006, while we were out west for a workshop, we met with Chichi and had a photo session.

So finally the long awaited and much anticipated day arrived. And we were thrilled to have our good friend and fellow photographer Regis Chen along to document the day.

Let Mama have a peek...


The bride cometh, get your cameras ready!




During the ceremony.


The rings.


Just married!


After the ceremony we stopped off at an orange grove for some portraits.










The first dance


I'd say this wedding cake would certainly win a contest for creativity...14 African huts of various sizes, complete with doors and windows and thatch roof-tops.


The groomsmen serenaded Chichi.


After dinner, while the bridal party was changing into their African outfits, this fantastic dance group entertained the guests




Their African outfits






Once everyone changed, the party really started!


The last dance.


Thanks so much, Chichi and Jonathan for letting us be a part of your special day. We wish you God's richest blessings as you being this new journey together. Enjoy your month-long honeymoon in Africa and best wishes on your move to Mexico.

On our way to Interlaken, Switzerland

We will be out of the country until next week. We will definitely have internet access, just limited use. No cell phone coverage, although we will have our international phone with us for emergency use. Thank you for your patience and we will be in touch as soon as we can! Hopefully we can post photos soon :) We hear Interlaken is super gorgeous in the summer.

Chasing Harry Winston Contest Winner!

The winner is Lauren Wright from Atlanta, GA! Congratulations!

Please email us with your current mailing address at info@garrettnudd.com.

We are so excited for you and hope you enjoy the book!

Below is a video of Lauren Weisberger being interviewed by Barnes and Noble Tagged:


Thank you to all who participated and for making this contest fun! Be on the lookout for more in the near future :)

Down the Aisle at the Ritz Carlton Denver

Joy and I are thrilled to be involved with Down the Aisle, on July 9 at the Ritz Carlton in Denver.


Led by event designer Lisa Konecny, of E-events Design and Kristy Chenell of the Ritz Carlton, they have gathered a fantastic team of uber-talented wedding professionals. The event is sure to be spectacular for the second straight year.


The event features the highly celebrated Austin Scarlett, lead designer of the Kenneth Pool collection of designer gowns, also of Project Runway fame.

Video credit from above: The amazing Jeffrey Stoner, who will once again be covering the event. If you didn't watch the video, scroll back up and WATCH IT!

Also on hand will be Ryan Joseph, DJ Carl and a host of others. Stay tuned for more.

Marissa and Matt, married in Princeton

We had so much fun with Marissa and Matt last weekend it was great! Their wedding took place in Princeton, New Jersey, and then the following day we headed back home with them to NYC for another session.

One of my favorite getting ready shots in a long time.


Her stunning Reem Acra gown




The groomsmen met and got ready at Matt's parents' house. These two were taken down in the basement against the plain white wall.




Matt with his wedding gift.


Just seconds before she walks down the aisle.






Just married!


Let's party!


On campus at Princeton University.




The reception took place at the Westin in Princeton, and nearby there was this little boutique make-up store. The walls and the decor were too fun to resist.








The first dance.


Marissa and her father.


Matt is quite a musician (check him out here). He and his new father-in-law sang to Marissa at the reception and it was beautiful! And then Matt followed it up with a solo piece that he had written.


The last dance.


Back in NYC the following day, Grand Central Station.


Matt's best man and band-mate, Robert, was our personal chauffeur all afternoon, which made getting around the city so much easier. THANKS ROBERT!




In the Meatpacking District with some of the most harsh light ever, but making it work to create a fantastic portrait of the bride.




Pier 17 in Manhattan.








Thanks so much, Marissa and Matt, for letting us be a part of your special weekend. The entire time we felt like we were guests instead of photographers. We had a blast working with you and we can't wait to hook up again next time we're in NYC or when you visit Chattanooga.

Also, and thanks to Matt and his father-in-law, we have a new favorite song...the one they sang to Marissa at the reception.

NYC, The Chasing Harry Winston tour, and a CONTEST for blog readers

On the heels of Marissa and Matt's beautiful wedding in Princeton, NJ, we've been having a fantastic time in NYC for the past couple days. We're staying at The W Hotel on 49th and Lexington and they have this great partnership with Acura, where they take you anywhere you want in the city for no fee whatsoever! Gotta love Acura...we've sure enjoyed ours the past few months.


Then we were on the subway yesterday heading down to SoHo and we saw this. Fortunately it was already on our calendar.


We were thrilled to be on hand this evening for the official kick-off of the Chasing Harry Winston tour. In case you didn't know, today, May 27, 2008, marked the official release of Lauren Weisberger's third novel, Chasing Harry Winston. Also to her credit are the wildly successful novels, The Devil Wears Prada and Everyone Worth Knowing.




Lauren and Mike were married in early April on the island of Anguilla in the West Indies, truly paradise on earth.

We were thrilled to be there to photograph their special weekend, and we've been even more thrilled to form such an instant connection. Of course it could be Mike's love for photography (he's an outstanding amateur photographer) or their quick wit and cynical humor, but whatever the case, they're great people and that's what matters most.

On Monday evening we were able to steal them away for a quiet dinner in Little Italy and a chance to relive their wedding weekend and talk about their amazing honeymoon to...everywhere! (The Maldives, Botswana, South Africa, Dubai, etc.)

(This is absolutely not a flattering picture of any of us, but it sure was a great concept...thanks Lauren. ;-) )

Tomorrow Lauren heads out for the rest of her tour. If you're a fan (come on, you know you are...), below are the dates and locations for the Chasing Harry Winston Tour. Go out and meet her, visit, talk about her new book, ask her about her wedding photographers (LOL...just kidding). Seriously though, she's great!

!!!!SPECIAL CONTEST for ALL BLOG READERS!!!!
Of course many of our blog readers may not live close to one of her tour stops. So to sweeten the deal, everyone who leaves a comment on this post will have their name included in a random drawing. The drawing will take place one week from today and the name that is selected will receive an autographed and personalized copy of Chasing Harry Winston. EDITED: Please leave your complete name and location to insure a fair selection process.

The Tour

Detroit, MI
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
12:00 PM
Women's World Luncheon
Congregation Shaarey-Zedek
Detroit, MI

Tampa, FL
Thursday, May 8, 2008
6:00 PM
United Way of Tampa
Pepin Hospitality Center
Tampa, FL

New York, NY
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
7:00 PM
Barnes & Noble
97 Warren Street (at Greenwich Street) in Tribeca
New York, NY
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

Louisville, KY
Thursday, May 29, 2008
7:00 PM
Louisville Free Public Library
301 York Street
Louisville, KY
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning. Free tickets available online or by calling (505) 574-1644

Dallas, TX
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
7:00 PM
Borders Books & Music
10720 Preston Road, Suite 1018
Dallas, TX
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

Austin, TX
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
7:00 PM
BookPeople
603 North Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

Houston, TX
Thursday, June 5, 2008
7:00 PM
Blue Willow Books
14532 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

St. Louis, MO
Friday, June 6, 2008
7:00 PM
St. Louis County Library
1640 South Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

Chicago, IL
Sunday, June 8, 2008
1:00 PM
Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Festival
Dearborn & Polk (More information to come)
Chicago, IL
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

San Diego, CA
Monday, June 9, 2008
7:30 PM
Warwicks
7812 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

Newport Beach, CA
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
7:00 PM
Newport Beach Public Library
1000 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, CA
Free & open to public. Make a reservation to guarantee a seat by email (info@nblibraryevents.com), by phone (949-644-3296) or in person to guarantee a seat.

Los Angeles, CA
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
7:00
Book Soup
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

Corte Madera, CA
Monday, June 16, 2008
7:00 PM
Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Boulevard
Corte Madera, CA
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

San Francisco, CA
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
6:00 PM
Commonwealth Club
595 Market Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA
Ticketed event. Tickets can be purchased here.

Philadelphia, PA
Monday, June 30, 2008
7:30 PM
Barnes & Noble
1805 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

Washington DC/Virginia
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
7:30 PM
5871 Crossroads Center Way
Baileys Crossroads, VA
Free & open to the public: Conversation/Booksigning

NEW WORKSHOP ANNOUNCED!!! elevate4:chattanooga

We are excited to announce our fourth intensive workshop, elevate4, coming to Chattanooga on Sept 9-10.

Each workshop that we've hosted has been special and exciting, but this one is even more so because it will be held at our home studio (due to open in early August) in Chattanooga. We'll also be having everyone over to our home for dinner one evening.

For more information, please check out the workshop site at www.garrettnuddworkshops.com. Also, check out the early bird rates. Space is limited to 10 attendees.

Celebrating 22 years at Bowman Hills

This morning before we headed out of town, Joy and I were able to pop in on the last day of school program at Bowman Hills elementary. It always feels funny walking back into the school where I attended grade school. But today was especially different. It was my mother's last day of school...after 22 years of teaching. I believe I was in the third grade when she started at Bowman Hills, and over the years she has taught kindergarten and pre-first, fifth & six, third & fourth, and for the past several years, first & second.

First, a few shots from the classroom. The pre-program had already begun so we were just snooping at this point.










Now to the program. The children's choir was recognized for all their work and dedication throughout the year.


The students and teachers and several of the moms had designed some skits for her. This cute little girl sang a song about Hawaii because one of the options for her going away gift was a partial trip to Hawaii.


Then they did a skit and these two students pretended they were my parents eating out at a fancy restaurant. It was hilarious!


Twenty-two years is a lot of love.




They also presented her with a nice gift and a scrapbook the chronicles all her years of teaching. And then Mr. Robbins, the school principal, presented her with one final gift.


And finally, this poster, which someone had placed on the door to the first and second grade classroom.


My brothers and I spent a lot of time at the school growing up. Early in the morning, late in the afternoon, such is the life of a teacher's kid. We usually filled the time with sports or homework or something far from mischievous.

We may have complained a little bit at the time, but looking back, she did a fantastic job balancing family priorities and responsibilities at work.

Everyone says that teachers have it made because they only work nine months out of the year and have three months of vacation. Well, I'll be the first to say, that's far from the case. Over the past few years she has worked countless weekends, long days in the summer, continuing education, serving on boards, leading out in committees, and a whole lot more that I don't even know about. And not because she had to, but because she wanted to.

Now it's time to relax, celebrate and take it easy. Congratulations, Mom, we're proud!