The Adventure of a Lifetime | Grand Canyon Travel Photographer

Someone please pinch me, because I still can't believe it's real. I've been going over the images from our trip to the Grand Canyon we took a few weeks ago and it still seems like a dream. 

On September 1, 2010, nine friends - both long-time and newly-made - embarked on an incredible journey together. One that would take them to the bottom the Grand Canyon and back up again. As we traveled from Phoenix to the South Rim, with a brief stop in Sedona, none of us knew what the trip would hold. Or if it would even mean the same to any of us. All we knew was the feeling in the bottom of our very souls - that we'd return to our Nashville home impacted by our experience; changed. Thanks for joining me (and being patient) as I relive the greatest adventure of my life.

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Leslie and Mike | Spring Hill Couples Photographer

I love any excuse to capture sweet moments between couples with my camera. For Leslie and Mike, the reason was simple. Just because. And I can't think of a lovelier reason. 

Leslie and I talked a lot about the difference between couple photos and engagement photos. Although Leslie and Mike are not engaged (yet - I'm just sayin'), why should that stop them from having a fantastic photo session? Engagement photos, though I absolutely love taking them, tell a different story. They're about a couple beginning a journey of a lifetime together. Couple photos, on the other hand, are most often about the here and now and can really happen at any point in a couple's relationship. They're more like a celebration of the seemingly everyday moments that many of us take for granted. At least, that's how I like to look at it.

So I give you Leslie and Mike. A sweet couple who is hopeful for the future, but yet doesn't let a single opportunity to enjoy today pass them by. And who, with much laughter and silliness, let this photographer into the realness of their lives. This is completely and totally why I love what I do. 

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Leah | Franklin Fashion Photographer

My friend Leah recently mentioned her desire to have some headshots taken. And I had to hold myself back from jumping up and down with my hand in the air, shouting, "Me! Me! Me! Pick me!" 

You see, not only is she a wonderful friend, but she is absolutely one of the most gorgeous girls I know. And she also has one of the best wardrobes around. So she and I (and a fabulous Betsey Johnson dress) spent a lovely morning together a few weeks ago. Paired with a little Jane Austen - Leah's a lover of great literature, particularly Pride & Prejudice - and one of her favorite teacups, we had a blast at what I have to say is one of my favorite shoots yet.

Leah has a bucket list on the side of her refrigerator. On it, she vows to do things like go to England and drink tea and to do a voice-over for Disney (which she'd be great at). She also has a desire to use her life to impact others by becoming a Big Sister and volunteering for Meals on Wheels. She really does love deeply. Leah's a true beauty, by all accounts. And I'm so glad we were destined to be friends.

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Rebecca, Alli & Kennedy | Spring Hill Family Photographer

When I sat down to write this post, I was looking for something special. A quote, maybe, or something that could encapsulate exactly what I wanted to say in one eloquently-written sentence. I couldn't find what I was looking for. So here's my attempt at being delightfully articulate:

"Beautiful, unique femininity is best described when one is willing to give of herself unconditionally, share in the joys of another and laugh always, sometimes even uncontrollably." 

- Kimberly Barnes

How'd I do? 

Because that's exactly how I feel, now having spent a glorious hour photographing Rebecca and her two beautiful daughters, Alli and Kennedy. Each one unique and beautiful in her own right and magnified when they're all together. Each one continually seeking out those in need - especially those who may go unseen by others. And laughing. I don't know if I've ever seen a family laugh so much, so often, with each other.

There's Rebecca, who's the root of strength for her family...

...beautiful Alli, such an incredible young adult...

...sweet Kennedy, who never fails to light up the room...

...and the family dogs, because we certainly wouldn't want them to feel left out.

Another fabulous afternoon with some amazing women...it doesn't really get much better than this.

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