Homecoming Queen Kara Lane

What a weekend it has been. A whirlwind of photo shoots, ranging from Watauga Lake in Hampton Tennessee, Marion Virginia, Kingsport Tennessee, and Gate City Virginia. In just 2 days. Im pooped but I love it!! Yesterday was spent driving to Marion, VA to meet my niece Kara. She won homecoming queen the night prior, was attending a dance last night and asked that I drive up to take photos for her. I have a hard time telling her no. Period. I love her tons. She is wonderful and I only wish her and her brother Kyle were around more often but Kyle is serving our country and is currently stationed in Japan. ( I may be a little jealous of that one )

So let’s talk about the photos. I shared a few on last nights entry ( did you see it? ) but these are all for her. Her date joined us as well as seen above. I had the honor of shooting her senior photos a few months ago where I had her all to myself for an afternoon of adventure, traveling, Mcds, and lots of laughing. There was some Drake too but that’s al Kara. We planned her session last night at Hungry Mother State Park which I love. The fall colors where dancing across the water, reflecting from the tress above. I am running on fumes so this one is short and sweet. Photos below :)

Deckers Maternity session at Roan Mountain State Park

Hey, I am glad your here!

I hope while you are here you take time to read the other entries. For now though let's concentrate on the reason your here Photo's! Not just any photos of course. You are here to see the latest images I captured for Anton, Julie, and the kids. (one to be introduced very soon)

Lets slow down for a moment though and reflect. I have been extremely fortunate to capture many moments for this amazing family.

Engagement session-✓

Wedding-✓

Minis -yup

Maternity-✓

The last of which I am thrilled to share with you now. Anytime I am approached to shoot, there are things I always consider- location, mood, and I want to know the why behind our moments. Julie and I spoke about her vision and I knew that I wanted to be there. In case your new here or to my work, I love All things outside and adventure. We spoke about location's that may convee what she and I wished for. We quickly decided Roan Mountain State Park fit the bill perfectly. We walked among the trees', we played in the creek in the park, but most importantly, we documented their love-Again. For one another. for their family, and for this life they have built together.

This is something I learn more and more. To keep the moments. To stop worrying about how sharp the shot is. If it resonates emotion with my client, audience or myself-that is always enough! It has to be. If the moments we capture fail to tell a story or remind us of a better time then why do it at all? I understand the importance of documenting for history purposes but that is completely different. I want to document all things in this life, the Happy, the sad, the unjust, the breathtaking, and I want to do that with and for each and everyone reading this. What are you waiting for? Hit the contact me button already!

Let see those images already!

““The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” - Audrey Hepburn”

— https://lifehacks.io/inspirational-love-quotes-sayings/

Tony + Summer

Every now and then you have a session that is just stupid fun. I mean the kind of day that makes you smile until your face hurts. Thats what happened while hanging out with Summer and Tony on this day. Summer was quick to let me know that I could include the out takes as they love them and she would post them, so I have included a couple here but that may give you a window into the overall joy of our time together. Tony and I have been friends for a few years after we met at the gym. At that time he and I both attended Crossfit Melee, which is now Mountain Top Crossfit and if you have ever tried Crossfit you know how quickly it is to make friends who are sharing the same sucky experience as you LOL. Fast forward to this session and all its greatness. They asked to meet up at Steele Creek Park in Bristol, TN and I was happy to oblige.

Back rides and forehead kisses for his lady.

Even in this first image above you can see the affection they share, but you can also see the laughter and how much we cut up for the entire session. We walked and talked and I got to know them both a little better. We avoided anyone that may be out ( be smart people ) and made our way around the lake. The lighting was a little tricky in the beginning but by the end of our session the light was looking pretty incredible.

I always want to leave my work for clients, and hope that above all else it creates a feeling. Stirs emotion, brings back memories of wonderful times they shared, and act as a reminder that its ok to slow down and be present. Its ok to be still and wait. Its also ok to laugh like children, and sneak those ever so subtle looks at your person while they are unaware.

Be safe, show someone you care, and sneeze into your elbow LOL

Colby Senior Portraits

As we are just 3 months into 2020, I can say for the first time in a very long time that I am pleased with my work. I am pleased with the fact that my artistic vision is pushing past my insecurities. I am so humbled that my work is being printed and shared. That alone will mean this calendar year is a success as far as my work is considered. That also means, I only have to create bigger goals starting now. I am very blessed to work with some of the most amazing people in different settings. I have made so many friends because of my photography, and vise versa, meaning I have friends that have also allowed me to capture moments for them, and their families. This post is about that specifically.  I had the pleasure of shooting some of my favorite session this weekend, a senior session, for my friend Betty. Her son is soon to graduate and I was honored to be asked, and even more so to have been apart of this milestone for her son Colby. 

Rocking his Dads belt buckle for his session.

I am persistent when getting to work with high school seniors. I know its not always comfortable to have your photo taken. I know that 17-18 years of age can be a difficult time for some. I always want to make our sessions relaxed but more importantly I need them to be genuine. Genuine to the individual. I want to capture them for who they are, not how the parents want them to look. I know this is a touchy area since parents are paying for the session but I need to capture the real personality. Lucky for my people, I am pretty laid back but also have a vision once I have spent a few minutes getting to know them. Colby is a great young man from where I stand, and even though guys tend to be a little more rigid in front of the camera, it wasn’t long before he was relaxed enough to make some amazing images. I will start below with my favorites, and then share more than usual as well. I never want to over share but I think its time I turn off some of the nagging voices in my head and just create. Whatever that looks like to me. So lets toss our mullets in the wind and Let Freedom Ring. ‘Merica

Make sure and scroll through those images of the Mullet in the wind HAHA.