Garrett Nudd Photography | cobblestone rue Blog

Danoosh and Sam, Tampa wedding photography

2011-12-27T10:36:00.009-05:00

Danoosh and Sam were married in a beautiful Persian wedding ceremony

at the Tampa Marriott Waterside.

The details were exquisite and the pair made for quite a striking couple.

Frank and the crew at Concept Bait did a fabulous job with the decor.

Danoosh's father surprised them with a sunset yacht cruise

between the wedding ceremony and the reception.

Congratulations Danoosh and Sam!

Thank you for letting us be a part of your magical day.

We wish you all the best!

Ben and Davis, Chattanooga portrait photographer

2011-12-26T12:33:00.016-05:00

Ben and Davis came by the studio a few weeks ago to do a surprise Christmas session for their dad.

There was a lot of laughter and rolling around on the floor and we had a blast!

Ben is full of unbridled enthusiasm.

And I don't think Davis's smile ever left his face the entire time they were there.

Thanks Ben and Davis for stopping by.

We'll look forward to the next time.

Hopefully you'll bring mom and dad too!

Reese and Avery, Chattanooga portrait photographer

2011-11-15T11:12:00.000-05:00

It's extra fun when good friends come by for pictures.

Our daughter Graycen sure has enjoyed being classmates with Reese in kindergarten this year and we've enjoyed more opportunities to hang out with Reese's family.

Thanks Reese and Avery for sharing a little slice of life with us!

Aiden, Chattanooga portrait photographer

2011-10-01T23:22:00.000-04:00

I love photographing Aiden.

And even though he's still a little guy, I enjoy how comfortable he's becoming in front of my camera.

Check out that smile!

Thanks Aiden, for being so much fun.

We'll look forward to seeing you again soon.

Megan & Brad's Jacksonville wedding

2011-09-25T23:53:00.001-04:00

I don't know how these images escaped the blog,

but I was searching through old posts and found these "unpublished."

Megan and Brad had an absolutely lovely wedding

and they were such a fun couple to photograph.

Megan was a beautiful bride.

I love this tight shot from the dance floor.

You can feel the emotion without seeing their faces.

Oh, and yes, she changed dresses.

Congratulations Megan and Brad!

It was truly an honor to be there for your special day.

We wish you all the best.

The Crowe girls

2011-09-19T12:55:00.000-04:00

Sisters enjoying a summer morning tea on the back porch.

Followed by some silliness inside.

Such beautiful young ladies.

Thanks for letting us come visit for a few minutes.

JB and Wally

2011-09-18T12:54:00.000-04:00

I've enjoyed photographing JB three or four times over the past few years.

This time was even more fun because I finally got to meet his little brother Wally.

These two have so much energy it's unreal.

Thanks, guys, for stopping by! We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Hunter's senior session

2011-09-16T12:53:00.000-04:00

We really enjoyed working with Hunter and his family on his senior portraits.

If there was an award for best dressed, it would probably go to Hunter. You'll see.

We photographed at his family's home and then we went into the woods for some mountain-biking.

Hunter, you did great! Thanks for letting us share in your senior year. All the best to you!

Landon, Collegedale Academy senior rep

2011-09-15T12:59:00.000-04:00

Landon served as one of our senior reps this year and she was fantastic,

sending lot of her friends our way.

For Landon's senior session we did some at the studio and some outdoors,

where Landon loves spending her spare time.

She did great!

Thanks Landon, for letting us be your senior photographer.

And thanks for being such a great rep!

Congratulations on reaching your senior year.

We wish you nothing but the absolute best!

Little Emmie

2011-09-06T12:56:00.000-04:00

One of the most rewarding experiences is when wedding clients come back to us when they start a family.

I was so excited by the opportunity to photograph little Emmie and her parents, Erin and Mike.

How sweet is this...

Erin and Mike just moved a few weeks ago from Chattanooga to Orlando.

We wish them the best on their new adventure.

Kris's senior portraits

2011-08-20T22:44:00.001-04:00

Kris is a pretty cool, laid back guy.

But he sure did work hard for his session!

I really enjoyed how Kris designed his senior portraits,

combining the two things that he's most passionate about: weight lifting and music.

Thanks, Kris, for choosing us to photograph your senior portraits.

We wish you a fantastic and exciting senior year!

Sikes children

2011-08-19T12:55:00.000-04:00

It had been a couple years since we had the opportunity to photograph the Sikes children.

And I couldn't believe how much they'd grown.

It was fun to get together again and pretty much spend the entire time laughing.

What a beautiful family!

Thanks guys for sharing a slice of life with us.

We'll look forward to the next time.

The Critchfield girls

2011-08-17T12:58:00.000-04:00

Having two daughters of my own,

it's always exciting when we get a chance to photograph a family of THREE girls!

John and Theresa and their girls were an absolute blast!

So full of energy and life, with a bit of attitude and priss all thrown in.

Thanks, guys, for coming by and sharing a slice of life with us.

You have an absolutely beautiful family!

It has truly been a pleasure to get to know you and we look forward to seeing you again!

Sad and happy

2011-08-16T23:11:00.010-04:00

Does everything always happen at once?

Or maybe life moves so quickly that it just seems that way.

Two weeks ago I was in Washington DC photographing a wedding

when Gray called to tell me that she had lost her first tooth.

"Dad, I've been waiting for this moment for years and you're not even here to celebrate with me!"

I felt horrible. But then she said, "Oh well, I guess we'll just celebrate again, once you get back.

Two celebrations!"

Then last week we walked her up the steps and into the school,

down the hallway and into her kindergarten classroom.

Her first day of school, yet she walked into the classroom like she owned the place.

Obviously she wasn't nearly as nervous as I was.

And then yesterday, after a few months of mom and dad not making a big deal about it,

she casually asked if she should practice riding her bike without training wheels.

Boom! A few minutes of diligent work and she got it.

And then her first piano lesson...

What in the world is happening?

Tonight I sit at my computer looking through pictures from her first day of school

and it's left me sad and happy.

I'm sad that my little girl is growing up.

But I'm happy to see her blossom and stretch, learn and grow.

In the morning we'll wake up, get ready as quickly as possible,

eat breakfast, and then race out the door without a second thought.

But tonight, in this quiet place, with my girls asleep down the hall,

I'm giving it a second thought.

Not quite as enthusiastic as big sister.

You are special today!

This special occasion heirloom plate is available at the Paloma's Nest boutique at our studio.

Gray loves making cards for people.

But this time mommy made one for her.

She loved it!

Gray's excited that Sydney is in her class.

Sharing the card she made for her teacher.

One of the most poignant moments of the entire morning was when we got home

and Campbell went over and picked up Graycen's American Girl, Hadley.

She walked around the house for a few minutes mumbling something to Hadley

and then climbed up on the the sofa and started playing with her quietly.

Looks like she's getting ready to "teach class" to Rabbit and Hadley.

That's what her big sister does.

Seems like everyone's growing up.

Taylor's senior portraits

2011-08-15T12:51:00.002-04:00

I loved photographing Taylor's senior portrait session.

She's a dynamic young lady, lots of fun,

and she really invested a lot of effort into designing the perfect session for her.

There's nothing quite like the early morning light. I love it!

Congratulations, Taylor!

Thanks so much for letting us be a part of your senior year.

We wish you many more successes!

loss and a loss for words

2011-08-09T20:49:00.005-04:00

Sometimes the words just don't come, no matter how hard you try.

After three weeks of running non-stop, working every day from sunrise to sometime past midnight,

still feeling behind and trying to plot your next move,

news hits you square in the face and takes your breath away.

We've been blessed to work with some of the most extraordinary couples.

Daniel and Logan were no different.

I first met Daniel in 2006 when I taught photography at the School of Journalism & Communication

at Southern Adventist University.

Daniel always talked about snowboarding and wakeboarding

and all those other extreme sports that I'm not cool enough to do.

But every week he'd stay after class and we'd spend 15-20 minutes just talking about life,

school, business, and photography.

He was such a nice guy. So easy to talk to. An instant friend.

Shortly after our time together in class, doctors located a tumor on Daniel's brain.

But his determination and strength prevailed.

His beautiful and sweet lady Logan battled right along with him.

Sometime a year later or so, I bumped into Daniel and Logan on a flight from Orlando to Chattanooga.

It was an empty flight and I had two open seats next to me.

So the three of us sat together and I listened to the sweet story

of how they had just gotten engaged the night before.

Listen up guys, there aren't many who did it better than Daniel!

A couple months later they asked us to photograph their wedding in Asheville, NC.

Daniel was a handsome groom and Logan was one of the loveliest and most graceful brides I have ever seen.

A striking couple, even more beautiful on the inside than the outside.

When they married Daniel had a clean bill of health.

But his future was uncertain.

Over the next couple years they spent time living and working in Las Vegas and Utah,

enjoying the outdoors and living life to the fullest.

Daniel touched base from time to time via email and we enjoyed following their travels.

Some time ago Daniel's cancer came back, and this time with a vengeance.

Daniel and Logan were determined to beat it trying a host of natural treatments

coupled with every advancement of modern medicine available.

Daniel kept a blog journaling his experience.

He prayed for strength for his wife and family.

And he always held out hope that his public fight would increase awareness

and inspire others to join him in the fight against this terrible disease.

Yesterday Daniel was in the ICU.

And tonight we heard that he went to sleep.

What do you say?

What do you do?

Our prayers are with Logan, as well as Daniel's parents, brothers, and sister.

What a difficult time.

May God grant them peace and comfort and hope for tomorrow.

And may the love and prayers of friends and family bring them even just a moderate measure of comfort.

Positive momentum II: Paloma's Nest

2011-08-04T23:42:00.007-04:00

I hinted in my previous post about the new Paloma's Nest boutique in our studio.

Well, here's a sneak peek at what's happening.

We still have a few more final touches to add, but it's getting close.

And as of this week, our Paloma's Nest boutique is officially open for business.

Shoppe hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 am to 5 pm.

A couple years ago Joy and I fell in love with the one-of-a-kind

handcrafted modern heirloom pieces from Paloma's Nest.

Since then we've purchased several of their pieces

and we've been fortunate to become friends with the artists, Caroline and Jose.

It's quite a thrill for us to be able to offer their product in our storefront.

And it's even more special that we are only their second retail boutique.

Their flagship location is at their studio in Austin, Texas.

We are super-excited about this addition and it's been great

witnessing all the positive attention it's receiving

from clients AND passersby on Main Street.

Of course Joy and I aren't the only ones excited.

Gray and Campbell are pretty excited too!

So come on over and look around. We'd love to see you!

Positive momentum

2011-08-01T22:14:00.004-04:00

Joy and I are thrilled to introduce our new studio manager, Becky Sharp.

Becky started a couple weeks ago and we are

already wondering how we survived so long without her.

As studio manager, Becky will be assisting with scheduling,

client experience, and a host of other initiatives.

Additionally, you may have heard about our new expansion,

adding Paloma's Nest as a retail element of our studio.

More on that super-exciting bit of news later!

Becky will be leading out in our retail boutique as well.

We are excited to have her on board

and we're looking forward to kicking things up a notch

as we push toward the fast approaching holiday season.

Speaking of the holiday season,

we've already had several people contact us about holiday portraits.

Please give Becky a call at the studio (423.228.2860) to schedule your session.

Destination wedding photography

2011-07-26T07:43:00.007-04:00

As a child I didn't have the opportunity to travel much.

We had a yearly vacation, usually to South Carolina

or Florida or somewhere up in the Northeast.

It was always a fun and exciting experience

and I look back with the fondest of memories.

But there's something extra special and even quite thrilling about traveling overseas,

visiting a new destination, exploring, experiencing a different culture,

intentionally putting yourself outside your comfort zone,

and yes, maybe even getting lost.

I love this quote:

"Tis better to have traveled and gotten lost

than to have never traveled at all."

-George Santayana

Yesterday we were thrilled by the news that we have been selected by

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine among the

top 20 destination wedding photographers in the world.

The upcoming issue of the magazine, which will be on newsstands on August 8,

lists the Destination Weddings & Honeymoons A-List of Destination Wedding Photographers.

Thanks to Diane Rice and the rest of the crew at DW&H.

And thanks to so many of our fabulous clients who have commissioned us

in amazing locations around the country and abroad.

Dance

2011-07-21T22:53:00.002-04:00

Megan left her reception and came back a few minutes later wearing a fun little cocktail dress.

I loved the way it swooshed and flowed and photographed so beautifully.

But most of all I loved how all evening long, whenever they were on the dancefloor,

Megan and Brad buried themselves in each other's arms.

These two were so happy to get married.

At the end of the night, everyone left and lined up outside,

while Megan and Brad stayed behind for one last private dance.

Style and Sophistication, No.3

2011-07-18T14:27:00.000-04:00

Previously I shared a few pictures from a bridal fashion session,

with the lovely and talented Melissa.

Post 1 here.

Post 2 here.

Here is the third and final installment.

This is my favorite image from the session.

Model: Melissa Baker

Dress 1: Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard Collection

Dress 2: Vera Wang, Priscilla of Boston in Orlando

Accessories: Priscilla of Boston

Make-up/hair: Simone at Makeover Station

Bri & Michael's oceanside wedding

2011-07-15T13:18:00.000-04:00

Bri and Michael traveled from Chattanooga, Tennessee

for their lovely intimate wedding at

the Sand Pearl Resort & Spa in Clearwater, Florida.

Striking.

Bri and her little sister are super close.

It was so touching to see this emotion right after Bri and Michael were married.

Speaking of emotion...

There's nothing like the beach

Venue: The Sand Pearl Resort & Spa

Florals: Botanica

Happy!

2011-07-13T00:01:00.012-04:00

When I think of the word "happy" I think of this picture.

Captured last night just before bedtime.

Our girls play, fight, laugh and cry constantly,

but they are truly best friends.

I can't think about them without thinking of the

"why" and the "how" they are around.

Today is Joy's birthday.

She has been my best friend for almost 14 years.

And today I see some of her biggest strengths in our girls.

Her passion.

Her stubbornness...or maybe perseverance/drive/ambition would be a better description.

Her care and concern for others less fortunate.

The way she laughs and the way she cries.

Most of all, her grace.

So happy birthday, love. There's absolutely no one that makes the girls and me happier.

Style and Sophistication, No.2

2011-07-12T13:18:00.000-04:00

Previously I shared a few pictures from a bridal fashion session

with the lovely and talented Melissa.

Here is the second installment.

Model: Melissa Baker

Dress 1: Ysa Maniko, The Collection

Dress 2: St. Pucchi, The Collection

Accessories: The Collection

Make-up/hair: Simone at Makeover Station

Melissa & Brandon, just one

2011-07-11T13:09:00.000-04:00

"I was born to catch dragons

in their dens

and pick flowers.

To tell tales and

laugh away the morning.

To drift and dream

like a lazy stream

and walk barefoot

across sunshine days."

James Kavanaugh

Last weekend we photographed a truly beautiful farm wedding.

Everyone's been asking for a sneak peek and I'm just not quite ready.

But here's one.

The lovely Melissa & Brandon

Regal by the sea

2011-07-08T13:20:00.001-04:00

It was a combination of regal and relaxed.

In the midst of a couple days of relaxation and refreshment

at the exquisite Ritz Carlton Amelia Island,

Debby and Mike were married in truly spectacular fashion.

At the reception Debby's father shared the story of years ago

when they visited the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island.

Even as a young girl, Debby said to her parents,

"wouldn't this be a beautiful place for a wedding?"

Well, dreams do come true.

Debby's parents were celebrating their 37th anniversary that weekend,

so they shared a beautiful dance as well.

Venue: Ritz Carlton Ameila Island

Wedding coordinator: Lisa Stoner, E-events Design

Video: Jeffrey Stoner Video

Floral Design: Botanica

Lighting: Tommy Hart

Band: Fifth Avenue Band

June, high school senior

2011-07-07T16:55:00.003-04:00

I love photographing high school seniors.

This is June from Collegedale Academy.

Sofia and Emma in Naples

2011-07-05T21:28:00.005-04:00

"Sibling relationships outlast marriages,

survive the death of parents,

and resurface after quarrels that would sink any friendship.

They flourish in a thousand incarnations of

closeness and distance, warmth, loyalty and distrust."

-Erica E. Goode

I met these two beautiful young ladies last October at a wedding in Chattanooga

and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph them recently in Naples.

Karen & Jimmy's Chattanooga garden wedding

2011-07-01T20:19:00.006-04:00

"Garrett, if people are comfortable and relaxed at our home,

then Karen Elizabeth's wedding will have been a success."

Those were the words that Mrs. Clement, Karen's mom, kept telling me

when we visited together a few days before her wedding.

After visiting their gracious and charming home on Elder Mountain,

and witnessing what a consummate hostess she is,

I assured her that everyone would be quite comfortable.

No, I obviously couldn't speak for all of the guests,

but with fantastic food, great music, and wonderful friends and family,

I honestly couldn't think of any place I'd rather be

on a such beautiful spring Chattanooga evening.

A few days ago I shared a couple pictures of Karen's parents' garden

and the view from their home.

What a beautiful location!

Here are a few images from their wedding.

Who doesn't love a fabulous pair of Kate Spade shoes?

And check out the great detail on the front!

The perfect accent to compliment her stunning Monique Lhuillier gown.

Their first dance was so charming in front of the large wall of windows.

Karen's nephew was such a ham. I loved photographing this little guy.

The newlyweds stroll through the gardens.

Congratulations Karen and Jimmy! It was truly our pleasure.

Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Clement for being such fabulously gracious hosts.

And to Morgan and her Soirees team, we love you guys!

Acknowledging your fans

2011-06-30T22:16:00.002-04:00

Friends. Family. Colleagues. Mentors.

They cheer for you.

They lift you up.

And sometimes they are what keep you going.

No matter what you do acknowledge your fans.

Beautiful baby Alys

2011-06-29T14:34:00.005-04:00

It had been at least a decade since we'd seen Trisha.

In college to be exact.

When Joy and I arrived at the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman

for the Engage luxury wedding summit two years ago,

Trisha met us at the registration table.

Surprise!

We've thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting over the past couple years

and getting to know her husband Brandt.

She has her own graphic design business and Brandt is an architect.

They're a dynamic couple!

And a few weeks ago they became parents.

Little Alys is beautiful.

Congratulations Trisha and Brandt! We couldn't be happier for you.

Style and sophistication

2011-06-28T21:48:00.008-04:00

I remember when Melissa's mom called me nearly seven years ago

to talk about photographing her daughter.

She was getting into modeling and needed to develop a portfolio.

Unfortunately we couldn't get our schedules to align until three years later in NYC.

Melissa's career broke lose and in recent years she has traveled the world

modeling for some of the most popular labels and recognizable brands.

She's appeared in countless magazines and advertisements.

I was excited that she was available again, this time in Orlando.

Model: Melissa Baker

Dress: Badgley Mischka, Solutions Bridal

Accessories: Solutions Bridal

Make-up/hair: Simone at Makeover Station

Springtime in... Chattanooga

2011-06-27T20:36:00.011-04:00

"I never had any other desire so strong,

and so like covetousness,

as that.... I might be master at last of a small house and a large garden,

with very moderate conveniences joined to them,

and there dedicate the remainder of my life

to the culture of them and the study of nature."

~Abraham Cowley

Karen & Jimmy were married on the top of a mountain,

at her parents' beautiful home, the home she grew up in.

Could there be a more perfect place for a springtime wedding?

And the view!

Definitely a unique vantage point looking down over Chattanooga.

The event was coordinated by the fabulous ladies at Soirees in Chattanooga.

Congratulations Karen & Jimmy!

Celebrate summer

2011-06-26T11:11:00.003-04:00

Late nights and little league.

Graycen had a blast this season playing baseball,

and she was fortunate to be on such a fun team.

Coach Scott and assistant coach Isabel were great and her teammates were great too.

This picture is from the end of their final game.

After each game Coach Scott pulls them all together and they cheer, "rah, rah, rah Angles!"

And then they race to the dugout to get snacks.

I'm pretty sure that most of the players are in it just for the snacks.

But I guess that's okay.

Today we're going to a pool party for Graycen's baseball team.

Coach Scott and Jen invited the team over to celebrate the season.

We're all excited, especially Gray and Campbell.

But we're a little sad that the season's over.

It went too fast.

Congratulations Lauren and James

2011-06-24T20:25:00.002-04:00

I love this magical parting shot as the newlyweds headed from the

Sunset Harbor Yacht Club toward their get-away boat.

It's from one of my favorite weddings of the year.

Congratulations to Lauren and James who were married in Daytona Beach, Florida.

What a perfectly beautiful day!

The event was coordinated by the lovely and talented

Melissa DiStefano of Masterpiece Weddings.

Aiden

2011-06-01T23:56:00.002-04:00

Little Aiden is just 9 lbs but look at him sitting up so well.

Mommy and Grandma were right there ready to catch him, I can assure you.

I think he looks like royalty sitting there.

One more just for perspective.

Avery

2011-05-26T23:57:00.003-04:00

We first met Avery's parents when they asked us to photograph their wedding

five years ago in Orlando at Isleworth.

Since then we've become friends.

Kathryn has referred us weddings in Santa Barbara, Jamaica, Captiva, Santa Monica and more!!!

But even beyond that, Kathryn and David are the type of people that you just love to be around.

And they have the sweetest little family.

I love close family portraits like this because they're so real.

She's a curious little one, always checking everything out.

Aiden & Angelina

2011-05-24T23:57:00.002-04:00

Now I know Angelina Ballerina.

Of course, because of the two little girls who live at my house.

It was fun playing with Angelina and Aiden at her house.

This precious little lady sat there telling story after story after story.

Aiden and her mommy are best friends.

Landon, Cobblestone Rue senior rep

2011-05-23T20:26:00.003-04:00

We are excited to have Landon serving as a senior rep this year for Collegedale Academy.

Landon is super-involved with tennis and other activities at school.

We've known Landon's family for several years, going all the way back to when Joy was in nursing school

and Landon's mother was one of her instructors. ;-)

Joanna, Cobblestone Rue senior rep

2011-05-22T20:22:00.002-04:00

We are excited to have Joanna serving as a senior rep for GPS. Joanna's sister Kayleigh was a rep for us a couple years ago during her senior year. What a lovely family!

Michael, Cobblestone Rue senior rep

2011-05-21T11:01:00.003-04:00

Each year we find a handful of seniors to serve as Cobblestone Rue reps. We're excited to have Michael serving as a rep for Collegedale Academy. We photographed Michael's sister a couple years ago when she graduated.

Nadia and Kris, Ritz Carlton Naples

2011-04-13T10:28:00.001-04:00

We loved photographing Nadia and Kris's wedding at the Ritz Carlton Naples.

Nadia was stunning!

Their wedding was coordinated by the fabulous Heather Snively of Weddings Unique.

They had the most beautiful children at the wedding!

The florals and decor was by none other than Botanica International Design Studio.

The always inspiring Brett Culp provided video coverage of the event.

Thanks so much, Nadia and Kris, for letting us be a part of your special day. It truly was an honor!

Emily and Devin, married in Tampa

2011-03-29T15:09:00.004-04:00

I honestly don't think there has ever been a day that had more picture-perfect weather than Emily and Devin's wedding day. Emily was a radiant bride and Devin was a handsome groom. The day was beautifully choreographed by Zoe Gallina and her team at Zoe Gallina Events.

Emily told me that her shoes were kind of a big deal. I'd say so!

I love the "first look."

And I especially love this one.

Sometimes it's the moments between moments that make the best photographs.

Just moments before...

Here comes the bride

Just married!

Emily and Devin's wedding reception took place at the Tampa Museum of Art.

The florals were provided by the fabulous Botanica International Design Studio.

I sure do love a good father-daughter dance.

Thanks so much, Emily and Devin, for letting us be a part of your special day. It was truly an honor.

Dress: Peter Langner
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Hair: Elena Joseph
Make-up: Colours by Linny
Floral design: Botanica
Coordination: Zoe Gallina Events
Band: The Sultans of Swing
Reception: Tampa Museum of Art
Video: Voila Cinematic

Lara and Kris, Jacksonville wedding

2011-03-01T10:20:00.000-05:00

Lara and Kris were married in a beautiful ceremony in Jacksonville, Florida. I've known Lara for several years, since we worked together back in my corporate days. It was such a privilege to photograph their wedding.

Leading up to the ceremony, they were texting each other non-stop.

When they first saw each other.

I do.

Their reception was held at The Grotto, a fantastic little wine bar downtown.

Thanks so much, Lara and Kris, for letting us be there for your special day. We wish you God's richest blessings as you begin your new life together!

WPPI 2011: what a year!

2011-02-24T09:10:00.009-05:00

After four weeks in a row on the road, I'm so glad to be home. This week at WPPI was a great way to cap off my travels, at least for a few weeks. At the tradeshow on Monday I spoke at the GraphiStudio booth and worked at the Burrell Imaging booth. Both companies are such fantastic partners and we're thrilled to work with them. On Tuesday I had the opportunity to teach a MasterClass on Getting Published and the impact it can have on your business. I was excited to have Rebecca Crumley, Weddings Photo Director at The Knot on hand to help teach the class. And later that day I was honored to sit on a Panel at the Kodak booth with Don Burrell, Michael Taylor, Monica Sigmon, and from Kodak, Joe Paglia.

After fulfilling my responsibilities at WPPI, I headed home a day early, skipping the final day and the awards ceremony. We are celebrating Campbell's birthday this weekend and Joy has been working really hard on planning her party, mostly by herself. It's going to be great!

Last night as we sat in the kitchen working on our computers, text messages started coming, one after another. I was thrilled AND VERY SURPRISED to hear that I had won First Place in the Portrait: High School Seniors category and Third Place in the Wedding: Wedding Details category. Additionally, one of my other prints received an accolade of excellence.

Here they are:

Bethany & Torrie, first place, Portraits: High School Seniors

Manolos, third place, Weddings: Wedding Details (haven't heard this from official sources, just from a handful of friends who attended.... it could just be a mean trick! Hahaha)

Melissa & Brandon, Accolade of Excellence

I've always felt like the best award we as photographers can receive is a thrilled client, an emotional reaction, or even a referral. But when the top wedding and portrait photographers in the industry review our work and chose to recognize it at the largest international photography convention in the world, it's a nice reminder that we're doing something right when it comes to progressing creatively and advancing our art. Unfortunately, too many photographers of my generation don't care about that, but I've always felt it's important as an artist and we owe it to ourselves.

A big thanks to master printmaker Jonathan Penney for printing my competition prints. You are a true artist and your brilliance is unmatched.

Thanks to George and Arlene and the fine folks at WPPI. Thanks to our clients, you are truly the best clients we could ever imagine. Thanks to all of the photographers who have inspired and mentored us throughout the years. Your wisdom and counsel have proven so incredibly valuable. And a special thanks to my beautiful family for giving me permission to spend each day pursuing my passion and living out my dream.

Ashley & Steve's Charleston Wedding

2011-02-10T13:40:00.010-05:00

Charleston, South Carolina is such a special place to us. When Joy and I met in college, we would always go to her home in Charleston on breaks, during the summer, and any other time we could get away. It's truly one of the most charming cities we've ever visited. And it's where we chose to get married ourselves, even in July, and yes, even though it was 127 degrees outside!

Anyhow, enough about us. Ashley and Steve were married in Charleston, not in July, but in February. How wise of them. It was an absolutely spectacular day and we were thrilled to be a part of it. Ashley's brother and sister-in-law are our super-talented dear friends Brandt and Trisha, from Celebration, Florida.

Ashley and her mom had their make-up done at the Cosbar on King Street

And how perfect are these shoes?

Ashley was stunning in her lace Jim Hjelm dress from the Gown Boutique of Charleston.

The wedding ceremony was held at the French Huguenot Church downtown.

After the ceremony we walked one block over to get some portraits on one of our favorite little cobblestone streets in Charleston.

Steve is tall.

I love the London Black Cab going over the new Cooper River Bridge on their way to the reception.

A little back seat romance from the married couple.

Their reception was held at the beautiful Daniel Island Club along the marsh. Gotta love the South Carolina low country.

The Daniel Island Club at night, view from the marsh.

Ashley and Steve's reception decor was regal.

Truly one of my favorite parts of our jobs as photographers is being able to capture little moments like this, of Ashley's parents right after they were introduced and took their seats at the reception.

The story was explained of how Ashley's family always celebrated events with pies instead of cake. So they replaced the traditional wedding cake with a towering collection of little, individual wedding pies.

It was a great, delicious idea!

I love moments like this too, with Ashley and Steve listening to Ashley's father's toast.

The following morning, even with a 90-percent chance of rain in the forecast, we met downtown for some more pictures of the bride and groom. We dodged rain showers and huddled under umbrellas throughout the morning, but it was absolutely worth it.

Charleston is full of charming little alleys and lanes, you just have to get out and walk to find them.

A series of turns led us to this charming English-looking home. I wanted to knock and request a tour...and some morning tea.

Walking along through one of my all-time favorite secret cobblestone alleys in Charleston...

A little rain mixed with a little sun is ideal for outdoor portraits.

Congratulations Ashley & Steve! It was such a pleasure to be there on your special day. Everything about it, and I mean everything, was fabulous! We wish you many exciting blessings and adventures as you begin your new life together!

Patrick, high school senior

2011-01-24T17:24:00.001-05:00

Swim, bike, run, Patrick is a triathlete. He's already registered for several half-ironman's this summer. I suppose you could say it runs in his family.

Patrick's senior session was a lot of fun. Of course I couldn't keep up with him on anything, so I rode along in a car beside him, shooting out the window. It was very Tour de France. ;-)

Oh, and he also taught himself to play the piano just recently.

Congratulations, Patrick!

Lauren, high school senior

2011-01-24T16:25:00.000-05:00

Lauren was one of our senior reps this year for Collegedale Academy. She did great and we enjoyed working with her as a rep. Her senior session was a lot of fun too. Out on a boat on a beautiful fall afternoon...what fun!

Congratulations, Lauren!

If you or someone you know are interested in being a senior rep for your school, please contact us for more information. Applicant must be a current high school junior, class of 2012. Thanks!

Alex, high school senior

2011-01-24T15:23:00.001-05:00

I had a blast working with Alex on his senior session. Be brought along his mom and his brother and his girlfriend. They were a huge help, especially when it came to moving all the drums!!! He did great though, and the golden light drum shot is definitely one of my favorites from this season. Check him out...

Congratulations Alex!

Heather and Rob's Chattanooga wedding

2011-01-23T15:27:00.004-05:00

This post has been a long time coming. Heather and Rob were married in a beautiful autumn wedding at the Tennessee River Place.

Heather was a stunning bride.

Just married!!!

I love these classic cars.

Heather and Rob stayed at the Read House and we met the following day for some more portraits.

Congratulations Heather and Rob! It was a pleasure to be with you on your special day. Wishing you all the best on your new life together.

Morgan, high school senior

2011-01-23T15:22:00.003-05:00

I've known Morgan since she was just a little girl and it's hard to imagine that she's now on the verge of graduating from high school. She's a super talented musician, both voice and guitar, and it was fun working with her and her family on her senior session.

Congratulations, Morgan!

Jamie, high school senior

2011-01-23T14:26:00.000-05:00

Jamie is full of personality and has a lot of spunk. She brought along her mom, boyfriend and her adorable little dog, Prada. I love working with the seniors and seeing what they come up with to best showcase their personalities.

Congratulations, Jamie!

Education: taking your business and your art to the next level

2011-01-23T00:45:00.004-05:00

A few years ago Joy and I offered a series of multi-day intensive workshops, taking place in Orlando, Denver and Chattanooga. Each workshop was a positive and rewarding experience, but a couple years ago we put the workshop series on hold to focus on opening and expanding our portrait studio in Chattanooga.

Recently we have somewhat refined our teaching approach and I am excited to share the following speaking/teaching engagements over the next few months. The one at the bottom of the list, the Mid-Atlantic Regional School, is an outstanding opportunity and the cost-value is exceptional. The fee includes lodging, meals, and 4 days of small-group instruction in the beautiful and charming setting of Cape May, New Jersey.

The Five W's of Wedding Photography
Professional Photographers of West Virginia
February 13, 9 am - noon
www.ppwv.org
As a wedding photographer it is important to understand shooting, marketing and customer service. But it's how they all fit together that ultimately determines one's success. Join us for an exciting seminar as we explore the 5 W's of Wedding Photography.

Getting Published: It's easier than you think
WPPI Masterclass, Las Vegas
February 21 8-10 am SOLD OUT
www.wppionline.com

The Five W's of Wedding Photography
Professional Photographers of Michigan
March 21 2:30 - 5 pm
www.ppm.org
As a wedding photographer it is important to understand shooting, marketing and customer service. But it's how they all fit together that ultimately determines one's success. Join us for an exciting seminar as we explore the 5 W's of Wedding Photography.

The Complete Wedding Photographer
May 1-6 Mid-Atlantic Regional School
www.marsschool.com
LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE
This is a five-day intensive program offered by MARS, located in beautiful Cape May, NJ. Lodging and meals provided. This will be a very comprehensive course, with topics ranging from shooting and post production, marketing and business strategy. Join us at a mock wedding as we go through the steps just like it's a real wedding day. We will discuss developing a strategy for getting published frequently and the positive effects that can have on your business. We will take a candid look at some of my failures and victories as we discover that it's often the little things that make the biggest difference. This is a phenomenal value and I am super-excited about this week! Space is limited so sign up soon. This is an outstanding opportunity and the cost-value is exceptional. The fee includes lodging, meals, and 4 days of small-group instruction in the beautiful and charming setting of Cape May, New Jersey.

We have room on the calendar for a couple more seminars/workshops this year. If you are interested in hosting one of our seminars or workshops in your town, please don't hesitate to let us know. We also offer studio-to-studio consulting, custom tailored to a variety of topics of your choice. We look forward to meeting you!

Sabra and Ken, Omni Championsgate Orlando wedding

2010-12-03T16:31:00.002-05:00

Sabra & Ken are the embodiment of style and sophistication and their wedding at the Omni ChampionsGate was no exception. Sabra is a jewelry designer and Ken is a dentist and the couple makes their home north of the border in Toronto.

Ken anxiously awaiting his bride.

There they are, Barbie & Ken... I mean, Sabra & Ken.

With this ring...

Just married!

The evening light was perfect

Sabra and Ken's wedding reception was beautiful! Of course Sabra had designed all the jewelry in the centerpieces, so what else would you expect?

The wedding was flawlessly coordinated by the our dear friend, the fabulous Tracy Marini of Eventfully Yours.

Thanks so much, Sabra and Ken, for letting us be a part of your day. You are both truly beautiful people, on the inside and out. We wish you all the best as you start this exciting new chapter of your life together.

Erica, high school senior

2010-11-22T19:47:00.000-05:00

We've been fortunate to have Erica working as one of our senior reps this year at Collegedale Academy. She's done great!

Thanks, Erica, for all your help. Congratulations on your senior year. Best wishes!

Melissa and Brandon's e-session

2010-11-21T16:53:00.002-05:00

It's been fun getting to know Melissa's family after photographing her sister Bethany's senior portraits last summer. And now we're looking forward to Melissa and Brandon's wedding in July.

Melissa and Brandon found a great location, not far from Melissa's parents' house. And they did such a great job with their wardrobe too. It was an easy session....all I had to do was capitalize on the beautiful light that surrounded us.

Thanks so much, guys! We're looking forward to your wedding next July.

Reese and Jolie

2010-11-21T12:03:00.002-05:00

I sure have enjoyed photographing Reese and Jolie and their parents over the past three years. What a beautiful family!

Reese is looking so grown up!

Thanks Reese and Jolie for coming back. We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Cole and Brilyn

2010-11-21T11:58:00.001-05:00

We don't often post mini-sessions on the blog, but I couldn't help but post this picture from last week of my cousin's children, Cole and Brilyn. What beautiful children!

Meghan and Damien, Santa Monica wedding

2010-11-11T14:36:00.002-05:00

I've been lazy and haven't posted any weddings in a while. I'm thrilled to share Meghan and Damien's wedding from a few weeks ago in Los Angeles. Meghan and Damien were married at St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica and their reception was at the lovely Casa del Mar.

Meghan and Damien's "first look." I always love this moment!

A picture of grace.

Pretty dapper

St. Monica Catholic Church

Meghan's father is a very kind and sweet man. He's walking his third daughter down the aisle, God bless him! ;-)

Anticipation.

MARRIED!

Meghan is so beautiful.

Santa Monica Pier

Looking pretty carefree at this point in the afternoon.

The reception was beautiful.

The first dance.

After his toast, Meghan's father did a toast to his wife and brought her out for a special dance. It was beautiful!

A special thanks to my good friend, Regis Chen, for photographing with me. The event was beautifully coordinated by Maryam Forutan of Delecate Details.

Thanks again Meghan and Damien and both of your families for being so much fun to work with. We wish you all the best going forward.

Lauren & James' e-session

2010-11-07T16:50:00.001-05:00

We're super excited about Lauren and James' wedding next April. A few weeks ago I met them in Deland for their engagement session.

It was such a pleasure getting to know you guys. We can't wait for the big day next spring!

Nina, high school senior

2010-11-05T06:58:00.001-04:00

Nina is our neighbor. Her parents operate the amazing Bluegrass Grill right next to our studio. Nina is a senior this year at GPS.

Congratulations, Nina. We hope you have a great senior year!

Katie, high school senior

2010-11-03T06:54:00.001-04:00

I had fun photographing Katie. What a cool kid she is!

Katie is a photographer.

Thanks so much Katie, you did great!

Hannah and David and little Kates

2010-10-25T23:18:00.003-04:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again...there's something so extremely rewarding about photographing a couple's wedding and then several years later photographing them again with their child/children. Hannah was actually the first client we met with in our original Chattanooga studio. I don't even think we had pictures on the walls yet, but fortunately she saw the vision and booked us anyhow. Naturally, we've stayed in touch and we were thrilled when she asked if we would photograph their family this fall.

Thanks again, Hannah and David and Kates for letting us photograph your beautiful family. And thanks for making the trip back to Chattanooga. It's always great to see you!

Holly and Seth's engagement session in Chattanooga

2010-10-21T15:29:00.002-04:00

I was super-excited when Holly called and told me that she was getting married. Holly and I worked together briefly at Florida Hospital several years ago. She and Seth are absolutely wonderful and we had so much fun during their session.

Congratulations once again, guys. We can't wait for your wedding in just a couple months!

Erin and Rich, married in Savannah

2010-10-19T16:10:00.000-04:00

Erin and Rich were married recently in an intimate wedding for their closest family and friends in Savannah at the Avia boutique hotel.

I love all the wonderful opportunities for portraits that Savannah provides.

Congratulations Erin and Rich! We wish you nothing but peace and happiness in your new life together.

Annie and Juan, married in St. Augustine, Florida

2010-10-12T09:28:00.002-04:00

The weather was lovely in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida. Just a 10% chance of rain. And yet somehow, the tiny 10% hovered over us for the better part of the day, soaking the city through and through. But the persistent rain didn't even come close to dampening Annie and Juan's spirits on what turned out to be a magical and magnificent wedding day.

Their wedding ceremony took place at the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

Annie and Juan were so excited about portraits that they planned for two and a half hours of portrait time!

The reception was held at the beautiful White Room.

The wedding was coordinated Blush by Brandee Gaar and her fine team and they did a flawless job.

Thanks so much, Annie and Juan, for being so much fun despite the challenging conditions. You guys did amazingly well! We wish you all the best and we hope you're having a fantastic time in Sicily on your honeymoon.

Megan and Brad's e-session in beautiful St. Augustine

2010-10-10T21:23:00.002-04:00

I've always believed that we truly have the most amazing clients, and when I met Megan and Brad for the first time a couple weeks ago in St. Augustine they did nothing but prove me right.

Thanks so much, guys! I had so much fun with you and I can't wait for your big day in May.

Jonathan, high school senior

2010-09-30T21:12:00.003-04:00

I think the fall is my favorite time of year. I enjoy the change in weather and I enjoy the pre-holiday rush. And I enjoy photographing high school seniors. Jonathan's senior session was a blast!

These music shots were so much fun! And let me tell you, the kid can wail on the guitar!

Thanks, Jonathan, you did great! Best wishes on a fantastic senior year.

Heather and Rob's Charleston, SC, engagement session

2010-09-30T21:05:00.003-04:00

There are not very many places that I enjoy photographing at more than Charleston, South Carolina. So I was super-excited for Heather and Rob's e-session recently.

Thanks so much, guys. You did great! Can't wait for your wedding in just a few short weeks!

Isabella in Atlanta

2010-09-29T21:42:00.000-04:00

I recently had the opportunity to teach at a small portrait workshop in Atlanta. For two days, the mornings were dedicated to lectures and the afternoons were slotted for hands-on practice. I was fortunate to have a great little model, Isabella.

As I was photographing her I said, "Bella, you're beautiful," and she looked over at her mom and then back at me and said with confidence, "Beautiful on the inside AND out!"

Thanks, Bella, you did great!

Mitchell and Blythe

2010-09-27T21:28:00.002-04:00

It's easy to take family for granted. That is until they move 600 miles away. We enjoyed visiting my brother's family just outside of Chicago in August. For quite some time they had been asking for portraits of their children, and so we "scheduled a session" with Mitchell and Blythe. Little Brynley was too small to participate in an outdoor session. Hopefully we'll have some pictures of her to show around the holidays.

Blythe had just celebrated her second birthday that week, so the shoot was supposed to be about her.

But Mitchell was too much of a ham to let her have the spotlight.

The birthday girl, not to be outdone by her older brother....hahahaha. I think she got that pose from her father.

Samira, high school senior

2010-09-26T21:57:00.000-04:00

I had so much fun working with Samira and her mom. Samira had a great vision for what she wanted her senior portraits to be.

Thanks again, Samira, you did great! We wish you all the best for a fantastic senior year!

Kingston and Brooklynn, twins

2010-09-21T21:20:00.000-04:00

It's so rewarding when our wedding couples call us at some point down the road and ask us to come and photograph their children. That's when I'm reminded that we truly have the best job in the world.

Meet Kingston and Brooklynn.

And their proud parents, Kathy and Christian.

Oaky, fast forward a few months and here we go again...

These guys are so much fun! Thanks, Kingston and Brooklynn for letting me come and hang out. Here's hoping we can do it again sometime!

Ame, high school senior

2010-09-20T21:16:00.000-04:00

Ame has a million-dollar personality and we really had fun working together on her senior portraits.

Congratulations, Ame. We wish you all the best on an fantastic senior year!

Scott, high school senior

2010-09-15T21:49:00.000-04:00

Scott is a lot of fun, and I was thrilled to do his senior portraits.

My favorite... probably because I have absolutely no wakeboarding skills whatsoever.

Thanks, Scott, you did great! All the best for a fantastic senior year!

Naomi and Phil....and little Isaac

2010-09-12T22:06:00.000-04:00

We were really excited to have the opportunity to work with Naomi and Phil as they anticipated the arrival of their son, Isaac.

SURPRISE!!!!

And a couple months later... little Isaac

Thanks so much, Naomi and Phil and Isaac, for letting me document this exciting time in your lives.

"Little" Kaben

2010-09-07T21:53:00.000-04:00

I've enjoyed photography Kaben on multiple occasions and it sure has been fun to watch him grow. Recently we met at his mother's new shop for a portrait session.

I think I made him mad. Session over.

Thanks, Kaben and Tara. It's always a pleasure to see you guys!

Marley and Jimmy's University of Georgia e-session

2010-09-05T21:01:00.000-04:00

I had a blast photographing Marley and Jimmy's engagement session recently in Athens, Georgia.

Yes, they BOTH have Harley's.

We're super-excited about Marley and Jimmy's upcoming wedding in Savannah. We'll look forward to seeing the bikes again too. ;-)

Kim and Jamie, married in Virginia

2010-09-02T20:55:00.000-04:00

Kim and Jamie were married in a beautiful HOT outdoor wedding ceremony in Manassas, Virginia.

Thank you so much, Kim and Jamie, for letting us be a part of your special day. It was a privilege. May God richly bless you as you begin your new life together.

Jackie and Tony's e-session

2010-08-30T22:11:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share just one quick picture from Jackie and Tony's engagement session. What a beautiful couple!

Thanks again, guys, we wish you all the best!

Kristina, high school senior

2010-08-24T08:20:00.000-04:00

Kristina has a clear sense of style, that's for sure. She showed up for her session carrying her little pocket camera and on it was a snapshot of herself in each of the outfits so that we could see how they all looked and which ones we wanted to chose. Great idea!

What do you think?

Congratulations, Kristina! We wish you all the best and a fantastic senior year!

Natasha and Louis, married in Orlando

2010-08-20T10:27:00.003-04:00

Natasha and Louis were married in Orlando in a beautiful wedding celebration at Knowles Chapel and the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes. The event was coordinated by Lisa Konecny and the fabulous E-events team.

Natasha was a stunning bride.

Obviously it runs in the family.

Louis didn't look too bad either.

Finishing touches

It's time

Just married!

The Ritz Carlton

Congratulations Natasha and Louis. It was an absolute pleasure to be with you on such a magnificent day. We wish you the best and brightest future!

Bethany, high school senior

2010-08-19T00:29:00.001-04:00

Bethany and her family provided one of the most charming senior sessions ever. Not that 6:30 in the morning is very charming, but whenever I can talk a client into getting up and ready that early, the early morning light always enriches the images like nothing else.

Bethany is an animal lover and they certainly love her in return.

Bentley is still just a puppy, 10 months old.

Finally, one of my favorite images of the session. Magical.

Thanks again, Bethany. You did great! And thanks to your wonderful family, too, for being so hospitable and for breakfast after the session!

Taylor, high school senior

2010-08-15T09:43:00.003-04:00

Taylor came to us for her senior portraits and she had a clear and unique vision. Like everyone in her family, Taylor is an artist, and she wanted her artistic vision reflected in her portraits.

Thanks so much, Taylor, for allowing us to capture you. It was truly a pleasure. Congratulations on starting your senior year. We wish you all the best as you navigate this exciting time. Cheers!

Jake, high school senior

2010-08-13T14:27:00.001-04:00

One of our favorite seniors last year was Jenna. And we were thrilled when she sent her brother Jake to us this year. It's always fun to keep things in the family.

Jake likes sports: swimming, cycling, running, basketball, softball, just to name a few. So here you go...

Thanks, Jake, it was a pleasure working with you and you did great! Congratulations and we hope you have a fantastic senior year!

Caroline, high school senior

2010-08-12T12:29:00.001-04:00

We were super excited when Caroline's mom called us to talk about her senior session. During the consult it was obvious that Caroline already had specifics in mind for what direction she wanted to go with her pictures. "Vintage" was the theme that kept coming up.

Thanks so much, Caroline, you did great! Congratulations and have a fantastic senior year!

Emma, high school senior

2010-08-05T08:39:00.001-04:00

Emma will be a senior next week. It's hard to believe that school is already starting. When Emma and her mother came in for her planning consult she told me that she was a "jeans and basketball shoes" kind of girl. Well, I'm not so sure about that.

We started really early in the morning to try and avoid the heat. But it was hot anyhow. She did great!

Jeans and basketball shoes? Yeah right. ;-)

Molly, high school senior

2010-08-03T22:18:00.005-04:00

Over the past few weeks we've had the joy of meeting with and working with lots of amazing high school seniors. I really enjoy working with seniors because they're usually eager to do something fun that showcases their personality and whatever it is that they're passionate about. As an artist I really appreciate that.

We'll get things started with one that I held over from last year. Molly just graduated and she's headed off to Ole' Miss. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Molly and her mom and even her dad who pitched in and assisted with some of the lake images. They are a delightful, fun and talented family, and Molly is no exception.

Congratulations Molly on a fantastic senior session. We wish you all the best as you move on to an exciting new chapter in life!

Abby, high school senior

2010-08-02T01:17:00.002-04:00

Abby recently came to us for senior portraits. She has a very distinct style and we had so much fun working together.

Congratulations, Abby. Best wishes as you move on to the next phase of life.

Ten years...

2010-07-23T09:02:00.003-04:00

Over the past few years we've posted a lot of pictures on this blog of people in love. And occasionally we share personal images of our family. Well, today is a very special day for us. Today we celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe that 10 years have gone by so quickly. We've been fortunate to live a very blessed life, full of love and adventure.

Ten years ago in Charleston, South Carolina (photo: Rob Howell)

A couple weeks ago at home with the girls

Last week in Charleston, South Carolina (photo: Alice Park) Look, we're still happy! ;-)

A special thanks to each one of you, our clients and friends, who have shared yourselves with us. You have enriched our life and our love more than you can imagine. Cheers!

Marissa and Aashim, married in Charlotte

2010-07-15T09:13:00.002-04:00

We were thrilled to photograph Marissa and Aashim's wedding in Charlotte. I absolutely love the ceremonial customs and rich tradition of Hindu weddings. Combined with Marissa and Aashim's modern touch, it really made for a fun wedding day.

Beautiful...

The wedding ceremony

One of my all-time favorite bridal portraits...

Congratulations Marissa and Aashim! Thanks so much for letting us be a part of your special day. And thanks to my dear friend Bruce Mayhill for coming along and shooting with me.

Kim and Steve, married in Orlando

2010-07-06T09:01:00.001-04:00

Kim and Steve were married in beautiful fashion at the JW Marriott at Grande Lakes in Orlando.

You know it's going to be something when a beautiful pair of Jimmy Choos are waiting in the bride's room.

Just married...

I love these reception details.

First dance

I love the grain and movement of this image of Kim and her father during the father-daughter dance.

Congratulations Kim and Steve on your beautiful wedding! We wish you all the best as you begin your new life together.

Ashley & James's Chattanooga wedding

2010-06-14T00:58:00.001-04:00

Who doesn't love a Thursday wedding? Ashley and James were married recently in Chattanooga at the Patten Chapel and the DoubleTree. We were thrilled to photograph their wedding!

James was actually a groomsman in Jon and Sandra's wedding that we photographed in Florida about five years ago.

Isn't she a beauty?

James is pretty cool too. ;-) He told me that he had been practicing so that he'd look good in front of the camera. I appreciate him trying to make my job easier. I guess he's thoughtful like that.

I love these next two:

Ashley and Chip as they enter the back of the church

At the DoubleTree we were able to get some fun portraits.

One of my favorite images of the day is this one, grabbed while everyone was watching a slideshow of Ashley and James' childhood.

Congratulations Ashley and James. Your wedding was beautiful and it was a joy to be there with you on such an exciting day. We wish you God's richest blessings as you begin your new life together.

Lani & Scott's Winter Park (Orlando) wedding

2010-06-10T23:48:00.001-04:00

It's always an extra special treat when a bridesmaid from a previous wedding hires us for her wedding. I first met Lani at Maureen and Colin's wedding in 2006, and of course we were thrilled when she called to tell us that she was getting married.

The beautiful bride...

Married!

The florals were done by the talented Tommy Murphy from Greenery Productions

The newlyweds

I love the Winter Park Racquet Club

Lani's father also celebrated his 60th birthday that day

Lani and Scott's wedding was coordinated by the lovely and talented Dawn from Tickled Pink Brides. We always love working with the gals at Ticked Pink!

Thanks Lani and Scott for letting us be involved in your special day. It was truly an honor and we wish you many years of happiness and blessings together.

Cobblestone Rue BLOG :: lifestyle for the modern family

2010-06-01T09:01:00.002-04:00

Nothing is more important to Joy than her family. It has long been a dream of hers to launch a family lifestyle blog. And today I'm excited to introduce, www.cobblestonerueblog.com

Before I go on, the new blog is NOT a photo blog. We will continue to use this blog, www.garrettnudd.net, to share our latest weddings and portrait sessions.

Joy's new Cobblestone Rue blog will highlight a variety of things ranging from children's fashion, simple in-kitchen recipes, great family vacation spots, favorite boutiques and shopping excursions, interviews with notable moms, amazing giveaways and more. I couldn't be more excited for her and proud of her.

Please check in frequently as she will update often. Cobblestone Rue blog promises to be an exciting adventure.

Kristy and Johnny's e-session, just outside of Chattanooga

2010-05-29T21:49:00.003-04:00

There's a beautiful field that I started riding past on my bike route last summer. At 7 am the summer light coming across the tall misty grass is extraordinary. So I was excited when Kristy and Johnny said they wanted to shoot somewhere outdoors and in the country.

Thanks again, Kristy and Johnny. You guys did great! We're really excited about your wedding next July in Norway!

Allison and Reid, married in beautiful Captiva

2010-05-29T21:35:00.004-04:00

Ally and Reid could not have asked for a more beautiful wedding in Captiva, and we were thrilled to be there with them at the always fun Tween Waters Inn to celebrate.

Congratulations!!!!

There's something so comfortable and satisfied about Ally's expression here. I love it.

In case you're wondering, no, they are never not laughing.

Sunset...kind of

Hey, the guy likes his cake, so what?!?!

Thanks, Ally and Reid for letting us be a part of your special weekend. It was an honor to spend time with your amazing family and friends. We wish you all the best with your upcoming move to New Jersey. Cheers!

Marissa & Matt and little Livi

2010-05-20T07:21:00.002-04:00

There is nothing as rewarding as when our wedding clients return to us for pictures with their children. And it's even more exciting when they come all the way from New York City. Matt and Marissa were married a couple years ago in Princeton, New Jersey. And little Livi is just the cutest little thing. Seems she has her parents' sense of style too.

Thanks, Matt and Marissa for coming to visit and for sharing your lives with us. Until next time....

Jacqueline and Tony, married in Orlando

2010-05-12T23:44:00.006-04:00

We were thrilled to recently photograph Jacqueline and Tony's wedding in Orlando at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes. They are quite the sophisticated and stylish couple, and to make matters worse, they're just about as kind and fun as any two people you could ever meet.

Hello Jimmy...

Accessorizing

Jackie is absolutely stunning

...in case you didn't believe me the first time

I love her close relationship with her nieces.

Jackie and her mother have a very special relationship too.

The fellas

The wedding ceremony took place at Knowles Chapel

Back to the Ritz Carlton

The brilliance that is Botanica International Design Studio

The newlyweds

And this is one of my favorite images of the year. Images like this make me love my job even more. Thank you Jackie and mom, for your vulnerability, and for allowing us to capture this moment.

The bride and groom were amazing, but what made it even sweeter was the stellar team of professionals that they assembled. Lisa Konecny and Nancy Klein of E-events, Jeffrey Stoner of Stoner Video, Botanica International Design Studio, and Tommy Hart of American Audio Visual, John Beran of the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes, and a handful of others that we will add later.

Thank you Jackie and Tony for letting us be involved in your fabulous wedding. It truly was an honor.

Danielle and Matt, Negril Jamaica Wedding at Moon Dance Cliffs

2010-05-03T09:26:00.003-04:00

Danielle and Matt's intimate wedding at the Moon Dance Cliffs in Negril Jamaica was absolutely beautiful!

The beautiful bride.

Danielle and her beautiful daughter Thaila.

There's something extra spectacular about a Jamaican sunset!

Thanks, Danielle and Matt, for allowing me to be a part of your special day. It was an honor to be there and to spend time with your closest family and friends. We wish you all the best as you begin your new life together.