Amanda's Bridal Portraits in Franklin

Amanda chose to do her bridal portraits in downtown Franklin and nearby Pinkerton Park.  We met at the Starbucks in 5 points place and then started at the church accross the street and took advantage of the colorful storfronts and afternoon light.  One nice jewelry store owner who was already closed allowed us to come in for a few shots and I had Amanda stand in an empty window like a mannequin for a few shots which were silly but fun.  Once we got to Pinkerton park I did my best to capture some beautiful sky in the background and light Amanda enough to overpower the sunset a little so we got at least 100 magic hour shots with and without sunflare.  They were beautiful.  Check 'em out!

The wedding took place the following week (Sept. 4th). I'll have more about that soon!!
-Matt

Wedding Ceremony at Aerial with a Cannery Ballroom Reception

It was such a blast to get to be a part of this wedding.  Kevin is an old friend of mine from college and I spent the night on his couch at least a dozen times.  I knew several members of the wedding party and at least one couple who attended the wedding as guests are future wedding clients.

I met the girls early in the day at the salon in Hillsboro Village and then followed them over to Union Station Hotel where they began to get ready.  The room had amazing window light and we got some great shots of the girls in the bathrobes they were given as bridesmaid gifts.  Also, this was the first time I ever heard of a charm cake and it made for great photos!  Each of the bridemaids pulled a ribbon from the cake with a unique charm that they could each wear down the isle that afternoon.

It was hot so I did some shots of the wedding party indoors at Flying Saucer before we ventured out into the humidity.  Flying Saucer was a tough place to shoot but I got a few really colorful shots on the pool tables.  Next we piled into a giant limo and hiked to the top of the pedestrian bridge.  We fit in a few more shots by Riverfront before making our way to Aerial.  I photographed a reception at Aerial back in April but this was the first ceremony that I shot there and once again I was really impressed by Deanna and the staff at Aerial.  The transformed the place overnight and after the ceremony it served as a really great place for the cocktail hour.

The reception took place at Cannery Ballroom.  I've photographed weddings at Cannery before and love it as a reception venue.  Its pretty dark in there so you can let the background disappear and not have to worry as much about distractions and there is plenty of space for my photobooth.  I was able to set up a couple of strobes near the stage where the 80s band "Bueller" performed and did a great job filling the dance floor and making it easy for me to get great party photos!

The couple on the blue backdrop here is my Saturday, Oct 9th bride and groom!

View the rest of their wedding photos at the following link:

http://pictage.com/896041

Knoxville Wedding for Amy & Nick

Nick and Amy were married on July 17th at Greystone Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN with a reception at Calhoun's on the River.  The newlyweds live and work in Nashville but thought a Knoxville wedding would be appropriate since they met and fell in love at UT.  Everyone was all smiles despite the heat and very gracious in letting me get so many silly shots in the children's theatre section of the church.  Also, I bought a UT football helmet for the occasion and got some fun shots of the bride and groom wearing it and it was a hit at the photobooth!  

Nick and Amy were referred to me by Nick's boss Matt Irwin whose wedding I photographed 2 years ago.  Matt and his wife Michelle worked as the DJs for the wedding and I have to say they did an amazing job.  www.irwinentertainment.net  This is the 2nd time I've had the opportunity to work with them (other than their own wedding) and I would recommend them as DJs anytime.  Matt was fun and engaged with the crowd from announcing the photobooth to having the guests circle around the bride and groom for their first dance and then to rush them for a giant hug which worked out great for photos! 

Proofing Site:

http://pictage.com/878837

Click Here To View Slideshow

Wedding in Estes Park, Colorado

Kati and Mark were married on June 26, 2011 in Estes Park Colorado, just outside of the entrance to Rocky Mountain State Park.  We were able to get some of the pre-ceremony portraits at a lake with Long's Peak (the highest mountain in Colorado) in the background.

This has been a big year for destination weddings for me.  In past years I have had a couple of weddings in Knoxville, Chattanooga, or Oxford Mississippi but this year I have already shot weddings in 5 states and turned one down in the Hamptons b/c I was already booked.  This is pretty exciting for a guy who loves to get away and discover great new locations!

Click here to see more:

Mark & Kati Slideshow