Full Circle | Franklin Family Portrait Photography

I distinctly remember the day Evin and Luke shared they were having a baby with our Sunday School class. As was the custom, munchkin donuts - or rather, donut holes - were involved in the reveal. And let me tell you, we were all consuming our fair share of fried sweet dough on most Sundays throughout 2007.

At the time, many couples in our nearly/newlyweds class, the one in which we met people like the Krehbiels and the Grays, were showing up with donuts. It was an exciting season, and so when Luke and Evin, in early 2008 came in bearing delicious gifts - it was icing on the cake, or rather, donut. Not only would this little one on the way be one of the most beautiful children ever, but also a wonderful soul - as Cohen has proved to be.




We had found in Evin and Luke, even just sitting with them in class every Sunday, a true example in our lives for what a young, strong marriage should look like. They are the epitome of a team, sharing in the places where the other is weak and loving them so much in those places they don’t even know it is weakness. It just happens to be the place where the other person gets to give a little bit more.



And they give. And give and give, and always have. And I’m grateful that three years later we still call them friends. And that we can still learn from and be inspired by not just the two, but the three of them together.








Because now as parents, Luke and Evin encourage us even more, especially as I watch Evin juggle the life of a mother with that of a wife, photographer, and business owner. All of which she does an incredible job balancing, even if she can’t see it herself.





Taking the first offically official family portraits of the Krehbiel family was most certainly a joy, if not just for their company, the beautiful weather, and a stop at Sweet CeCe’s!










I never imagined that life would come so full circle, even in just three years, but I am thankful that it has.

Father and Son | Nashville Family Portrait Photography

I really love being a part of surprises. There’s a hidden joy in the ability to be a part of doing something unexpected for another person. So it was without hesitation that I gladly agreed to get some photos of Ryan and his dad, Dick, in honor of their wonderful mother and wife, Kathy, for Mother’s Day.

The hardest part, though, to surprises - is always the waiting, as it has now been almost three months since our session on a blustery February day. A day that seems so long ago and yet not.



Though I've known Ryan for years, I first met Dick and Kathy just a few months ago when they hosted Natalie and I at their beautiful home in western North Carolina. There is nothing like skiing with your best friend and then coming "home" to an incredible pair like the two of them. Dick was to me, at the time, an incredible source of wisdom and thoughtfulness in a season where there was a lot going on inside my head. A writer at heart and a man whose garden puts me to shame, you can't help but feel like you've known him your whole life even after just two days together.

Meet Dick and Bud...







As I said, I have known Ryan for years, and in that time was certain that it takes a unique and wonderful pair to raise such a great guy. A guy that has been such an incredible source of strength and support and love, himself, to my best friend and has become someone we can't image our lives without. Someone's whose humor brings life to every situation, and is seriously one of our favorite people to be around. Ever. And we've got a 52+ hours (driving time) road trip to prove it!

Meet Ryan and Bodhi...







I'm inspired by good men raising good men who will one day raise good men. There's a shortage in this world, but I'm grateful it's not in my own life.







Loving that we had the chance to incorporate Ryan's beloved Scout in the session!





The chance to take these photos, as simple as it was, of the two most important men (and their loyal companions) in Kathy's life is such an honor.



The three of them, together, are collectively some of the most fantastic people I know. Warm, inviting, caring, intelligent, and thoughtful.

The kind of people you just feel beyond grateful to know.

An Honor Indeed | Nashville Portrait Photography

I don't know why I remember that it was the day I gave my notice at work, mid-January. I think it was probably the pieces of a day full of emotion, different kinds of overwhelming emotions, that added up to cementing such a simple inquiry into the file cabinet of my mind. I guess, I remember stuff like that anyways, as the subject of this entry knows firsthand.

Needless to say, when Evin let me know of the updates taking place on her beautiful new website and blog, which were just released today, and asked if I was interested in getting some shots of her to update the site... I was obliged, elated, ecstatic to say "Yes! Absolutely!" To have someone I look up to, ask me to do for them what they are so successful at doing for others - at a time when that affirmation was more than needed - was an honor indeed.

And as the last couple of months have unfolded, Evin, a dear friend who has become even more so, dreamed and planned and worked laboriously to launch an updated and even-better website and blog. Which is saying a lot, because for five years already, Evin has established such a name for herself in our area for wedding and portrait photography.

And her character, her fun and lively personality, and her true ability to relate to and love people makes it that much easier to understand why. And to understand why the couple of hours we spent together last week were a wonderful highlight to my week.



















Truth be told, I look up to Evin for so much more than her successful photography business. And I always have. And because the reasons why deserve to be told, I plan to share more in an upcoming entry featuring Evin... and the two leading men in her life. Stay tuned...

And lastly, thank you Evin for the joy it is to be your friend. And for an afternoon, to have been your photographer. The new site is wonderful, and your hard work and patience have definitely paid off. The best is yet to come!

Certain Perks | Nashville Portrait Photography

Life as a member of the Gray Photography team is such a beautiful thing. When I put the last almost two years of my serious foray into the world of photography into perspective, I have had two of our closest friends - our very own wedding photographers - as teachers, employers, and ultimately, cheerleaders.

When I came on as a Shooting Intern for Zach and Jody, all of the self-teaching I had done for sometime on my own was only modified and enhanced by the technical wisdom they had to offer. And having been an Associate with them now, for a year, I can say it's only continued. There are certain perks to our partnership that have empowered me to succeed in my work with them, and ultimately, my work on my own. I love how our relationship has evolved, and I love the recognition they give me as an artist in my own right. Someone whose love of photography made an expression my profession and more.

With every wedding shot, Zach and Jody take the time to go over my work and to encourage me to continue to bring clarity and skill to my vision - my voice - of photography. With many of my own sessions, they applaud and commend. And in their own work, they invite both myself and Jessica Rai along for the ride.

Which is why, when it's workshop season for them, I get to play and refresh and be reminded all over again of the most basic and fundamental pieces of what I do - technically speaking - so that I can continue to grow and learn and serve my clients. Following are some of my shots from the Shooting & Post workshop they hosted at the end of March...

My lovely fellow Associate Jessica Rai. Love her!







The beautiful Kayla, a new friend from our new church. She saved the day!









If you are a photographer out there who is looking for a cost-effective way to get that boost, whether it be in your shooting or post or your understanding of lighting, I'd highly encourage you to keep up with the In-Camera Workshops series they offer... and go.

And as always, thank you, Z & J, for investing in me. It means the world!