Candace lives in Chicago. Enri lives here in Memphis. Their relationship, for now, is a long distance one.

This couple is super cool. Way fashionable. So in love. I had talked with Candace over the phone and through email on several occasions, and I had met Enri briefly by the time their engagement shoot rolled around, but I could tell already. They decided they wanted to start their shoot at the airport, which has become an icon for their relationship. I loved the idea! I simply adore when couples choose a location that means something personal to them (yes, I make my clients choose the locations so that they will have more meaningful photos later).

We met at the airport, and I would have been able to pick Candace out of a crowd, even without ever having met her. I just knew she would be fabulous! And let me tell you, this girl did not disappoint. She knew how to work the camera, and made my job so much easier. Oh, and Enri? He’s not half bad either! Rarely are the men this comfortable in front of the camera.

Bling and baggage. Yum.

We left to head downtown, but I had to snap this one in the parking lot, with the control tower in the background. My favorite from the whole day.

Downtown after a change of clothes, we started at the Madison. Yes, I asked the front desk for permission, and they gave me the go-ahead, only to come back 5 minutes later and decide that we couldn’t take photos after all, unless we were a guest. Memphis photographers take note. I did get this one before they kicked us out!

We then took to Main Street and captured some Memphis moments.

Rawr. Oh yeah, babe.

This pink bike was just sitting on the street and happened to be the perfect pink that matched Candace’s dress. No way am I passing that up!

Enri. Dude. You are one dapper fellow.

Candace and Enri really wanted those Madison rooftop photos. I really wanted them to have them. We brainstormed for a few minutes. The front door doesn’t open up right on the front desk. If we walked in and made our way straight to the elevators, they would likely never even see us. I hear you, I hear you… “oh no, you didn’t!” Oh yeah. We sure did. Snuck right in, went straight to the roof. Snapped some gorgeous pictures before anyone even knew we were there. Now that’s what I call vigilante photography!

Candace and Enri, thank you for being so willing to take risks and for trusting me! I cannot wait for the wedding! I’ll end with this moment that captures their passion perfectly. Here’s to getting kicked out of the Madison! Cheers!

Most of clients come to me via my website or email, which means I have no clue what they look like until we meet. 9 times out of 10, this first meeting is for their engagement shoot. This means I have to show up at the location and hope that the clients have looked at my online photo and will recognize me! Lily and Bryan are a prime example, with one exception. When I saw them from across the street, I knew it was them. Not because they had included photos of themselves in their emails so that I would recognize them (some do). Not because they were waving frantically at me (they weren’t). But because they were so engrossed in each other and so obviously in love.

I got more giddy the closer I got to approaching them. These photos were going to be fantastic! Not because they are the cutest couple ever (they are). Not because I am an awesomely talented photographer (I’m not). But because I could already tell it would be super simple to capture their love. It radiated from them.

We started out downtown, where they have recently rented an apartment. The arts district in Memphis has a wall that is covered in painted icons. So. Cool.

Bryan loves to look at Lily, and really, who wouldn’t?

The light in these shots just makes me so darn happy!

How perfect is this sentiment? Perfect. Especially since Bryan is from Nashville.

I adore the arts district. So many cool murals and colorful walls!

Sigh. Yum. Late afternoon sun, I love you.

It wouldn’t be downtown without a trolley shot:

Bryan and Lily then ran home to their apartment to change and pick up their puppies. We met at Shelby Farms to finish up the shoot. How cute is this face? Drool. And I don’t mean the dog.

Oh, did I mention that they brought balloons! I love them!

Bryan’s students (he’s a teacher) would snicker if they caught him doing this!

At the end of the day, Bryan and Lily wanted to release the balloons. What a fabulous tribute to their engagement!

Yowza. Gorgeous couple.

And my mostest favoritest shot from the whole day. Double sigh.

Bryan and Lily, you two are beautiful, inside and out. Thank you so much for letting me capture your engagement! Cheers!

They met in their college library. Both in line to return books. They talked a bit while waiting, then he turned to leave. He got to the door, turned back and rushed back over to her to ask her out. She accepted. Years later, Alaina accepted Tyler’s hand. Fate? Yes, I think so.

It was literally pouring when we met in downtown Memphis to begin their engagement session. We waited for the rain to subside, then ran down the street, snapping as many photos as we could before the clouds released their deluge on us once again. We were lucky enough to find an empty trolley to take us back toward the parking garage, and captured these:

Unfortunately, it was pouring again by the time we dismounted. You can see it coming down here behind Alaina:

But it only lasted a couple minutes, then we were at it again.

I love a good rooftop with the Memphis cityscape behind. And the clouds and rain made for lovely lighting.

What’s a good downpour without puddle jumping??

A change of clothes, then out to Shelby Farms. Luckily it had not rained there yet.

Alaina and Tyler, you guys got it in spades!

Ah, shoes. I love shoes. Always gotta have my shoe…er… boot shots.

And the final, and perhaps my favorite, from the day. It’s so hard to decide!

Alaina, you are gorgeous. Tyler, you are one lucky man. Thank you for letting me share your love! Cheers!

I immediately knew that Michael is going to make an awesome husband. He’s so relaxed, happy, and most of all, “whatever you want, dear.” They’re set. They look and act like they’ve always been together, and the world is right when they are. They laugh, laugh, and laugh some more, and balance each other perfectly. Oh, and did I mention that they are a beautiful couple? Just take a look…

I was thrilled when Marianne said she wanted their engagement photos downtown on Mud Island. Lots of my favorites – doorways, bricks, and architecture. I love this one of the Memphis pyramid in the background.

You can even catch a glimpse of it in this one. And check out Marianne. Rawr.

This cup of coffee went everywhere with us. It got put down before every photo, and picked right back up after. I don’t drink coffee, so I can’t commiserate, but to each their own!

I loved how natural they were in front of the lens:

This is one of my favorite shots. I could not pass up this little chair. Look! A heart

A change of clothes, then down to the river. Marianne, you are gorgeous.

My favorite shot of the day. Sigh…

Thank you, Michael and Marianne, for letting me be a part of this beautiful day! I can’t wait for the wedding! Cheers!

My hometown of Cleveland, MS is a small college town, and everyone knows everyone. There may not be a mall, a Target (gasp!), or lots of chain restaurants, but you can bet you can find groups gathered around bonfires on weekend evenings. We could always find something to do.

Sherri and Nate are getting married there in June, and I was honored to go back to Cleveland to capture their love. Sherri is the most joyous, laughable person you could meet, with eyes to die for. Nate is so easy going and adores her. It is written all over his face.

We started downtown, comprised of two strips of locally owned shops lining the old railroad tracks that run through the center of town.

I think we walked from end to end to make sure we found each and every good spot.

Like this old hardware store:

And this alleyway:

Sherri and Nate are a very happy couple, and they laughed and smiled the entire time. I love that!

Another thing I love – this old train station remodeled into a small museum:

We walked the alley behind the shops and Nate was nice enough to entertain us with a few riffs on the guitar.

We then made our way to Cleveland High School, where they (and yours truly!) attended before college. These metal picnic tables were adorned in the school colors, gold and black. Go Wildcats!

There’s no way I’m passing up a school bus!

And my favorite shot of the day:

Thank you, Sherri and Nathan, for allowing me to capture your engagement. You are truly a delight to be around. I can’t wait for the wedding! Cheers!

I had the extreme pleasure of traveling to Oxford, MS this past weekend for a very special engagement shoot. I had to risk life and limb to get out of Memphis, since we had just been hit with an ice storm and the roads were a bit slippery. It actually wasn’t that much of a risk, other than sliding down my driveway sideways!

Oxford is the cutest little town, and a photographer’s dream. And NOT covered in ice. Visitors should definitely check out the square, and eat at the original Old Venice. Be sure to get the crawfish rolls and the Chicken Tuscany pizza. Yum. Seriously. Double yum.

Todd and Andrea met in Oxford while attending school at Ole Miss, so they wanted their engagement shoot to represent that part of their life together. We started at Rowan Oak, the home of the great William Faulkner. They are the most adorable couple. Ever. Don’t believe me? Just look…

You can see a bit of the house in the background of this one.

The light filtering through the trees was divine. And so was the moss covered brick walk. Yum!

They were truly happy to be around each other. Smiles were easy to come by.

But it’s the little offhanded moments that I love so much!

After we’d had our fill of the grounds, we ventured on to the square, for a few urban shots. The square was full of perfect photo possibilities, and we tried to capture them all.

How great is this old phone booth??

We almost passed this yummy stairwell. And right around the corner? Iron tables and chairs!

The shops along the square provided the perfect little nook for a quick kiss.

Don’t even get me started on the many little alleyways. Andrea is a natural in front of the camera. My job was so easy!

It wouldn’t be a square if the courthouse wasn’t in the middle, right?

My favorite shot of the day. Andrea, you are model material, girl. The love between these two was so obvious and beautiful.

Todd and Andrea, thank you so much for letting me capture your love! I truly enjoyed my stay in Oxford. I would wish you luck, but you don’t need it. Cheers!