Amber & Blake | A Farm Engagement Portrait Session

After months of planning, the day Amber & Blake have waited for is finally here! They will be saying “I Do” this Saturday on what is guaranteed to be a beautiful fall wedding day.

Luckily I had the opportunity to hang out with them before their big day. Amber suggested The Farm in Akron, Alabama and I was blown away. This was my first time to this venue (that isn’t far from where I grew up) & it made for the perfect backdrop to their engagement portraits.

I left this engagement portrait session feeling like I’ve known them since high school & I cannot wait to celebrate them very soon! Enjoy a few of my many favorites from their engagement portrait session.

Let’s get the two of you married!!!

The Crawfords | An Uptown Birmingham Alabama Elopement

Overlooking their hometown of Birmingham, Jen & Stanley exchanged their personal vows during an intimate ceremony with just their parents & siblings in attendance. It was exactly what the bride, my sweet friend, had always dreamed of. ⁣⁣

Who knew that a year later, small intimate weddings would be what most brides would turn to in light of COVID19. And I must confess, I am a big fan! A year ago, Jen chose to get ready at her favorite hotel in the downtown Birmingham area, the Tutwiler, & it made for the best backdrop for their special first look.

Their ceremony was held at Vestavia Temple of Sibyl followed by a reception at the Southern Kitchen & Bar in Uptown. There they were introduced for the first time as husband & wife as their family & friends cheered. What a sweet celebration indeed. Happy First Anniversary to the Crawfords! 🎉

Vendors for the Crawford Wedding

Photography: Deborah Michelle Photography

Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal

Bride’s Hair & Makeup: Christi Hall with Boulevard Salon

Bride’s Greenery Bouquet: Debby Cullum

Getting Ready, First Look Venue: Tutwiler Hotel

Ceremony Venue: Vestavia Temple of Sibyl

Ceremony Musician: Blake Creel

Reception Venue & Caterer: Southern Kitchen & Bar

Cake Artist: Donna Clements

The Baileys | Demopolis Alabama Wedding

I don’t know about you but I am a BIG FAN of reminiscing over photos from my very own Alabama wedding day. Today, Anna Ruth & Adam celebrate their FIRST anniversary as husband & wife!!!

On a spring day in late April, surrounded by their dearest families & friends they exchanged vows in Anna’s home church. Vows that meant they would weather all of life’s highs & lows together. I know they have lived this out in just the last 365 days.

I remember the buttons on her dress, the look on her brother’s face when he saw her for the first time (I cried), the laughter her girls so graciously gave me when I asked them to lean in a little bit closer, Adam’s hand that ever so softly lead her around throughout the day, the moment the church doors opened & my childhood best friend walked down the aisle, the smiles of Adam’s grandfather who couldn’t help but be proud to be a part of the day & the dance party that took place later that night.

Looking back through these portraits have brought my heart much joy today & I know they will do the same for you. Happy Anniversary to two of the kindest souls that I am honored to call my friends.

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Vendors:

Photography: Deborah Michelle Photography

Ceremony Venue: Gallion Baptist Church - Gallion, Alabama

Reception Venue: Demopolis Civic Center - Demopolis, Alabama

Bride’s Dress: Bella’s Bridal - Birmingham, Alabama

Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Jos A. Banks

Caterer: Evelyn Seale

Cake Artist: Shirley Boyd

DJ: Elevated Entertainment

The Rowells | Hermitage-Rippy Estate Mobile, Alabama Wedding

Two high school sweethearts tied the knot on a lovely spring Saturday in Mobile, Alabama. The Hermitage-Rippy Estate served as the perfect host to their out of town guests with its Southern charm, grande oaks and blooming azaleas.

Kaileigh & Blake simply wanted to share their wedding day with those closest to them. From the moment he watched her walk down the aisle to the end of the night as he twirled her around on the dance floor, their dreams came true. Congratulations to two of the sweetest people I’ve been able to work with. Enjoy your new adventure as husband & wife!

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Loved this moment between the bride & her mother.

Ah! One of my favorite portraits from the entire day!

*Also LOVED the soft color palette that Kaileigh chose for her bridesmaids dresses & bouquets.

Story behind the cake: Blake recalls meeting Kaileigh one day at school. She was dressed up as a pirate & some flirting was involved. How cute to include that “meet-cue” in their wedding day?!

Vendors who made this wedding day a dream come true for the Rowells:

Photography: Deborah Michelle Photography

Photographer’s Assistant: Ellen Talbot

Venue: Hermitage-Rippy Estate

Cake: Ginny Blackburn Parker

Styled Shoot | Farmer Florist Birmingham, Alabama

Styled shoots weren’t much of a thing when this Alabama Wedding Photographer got her start. Maybe they were, I just wasn’t in “the know”.

Doesn’t matter because now I am hooked on all things styled shoots! Here are three reasons why:

1. I had the chance to release my creativity. There’s no pressure to get the perfect shot. You are simply encouraged to be the artist that you are. A nice little breathe of fresh air.

2. I mingled with the best of the best. On this Farmer Florist Styled Shoot in particular, I got to reconnect with some photographer friends & meet new ones. I got to meet some of the vendors & personally thank them for gifting us with their talents for us to photograph. I also encouraged real brides as they plan out their very own wedding days.

3. And if those two reasons weren’t enough, I got some really gorgeous images from the day. Ones that I can share with all vendors & ones that will be great for my portfolio!

Now for the real reason you are here - scroll through for all the prettiness that made this Farmer Florist Styled Shoot amazing!

This Build-A-Bride gown & Preslie were a match made in heaven! Gorgeous!

Deyvon was the absolute sweetest & wore a beautiful piece from Made in the Deep South jewelry. Wouldn’t you agree?

Madison & Tristan are a real life couple! Aren’t they adorable?! Tristan was such a good sport & absolutely adores his girl. Cannot wait to see portraits from their wedding next summer.

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Huge shout out to Meagan of Alabama Eden Flowers for putting together this amazing styled shoot. She had a vision & ran with it. She chose to support local Alabama farmers to create all the bouquets & arrangements - which I absolutely loved! So naturally I had to take a few fun behind the scenes shots. All vendors are tagged below. Cannot wait to work with some of these incredibly talented people again soon!

Farmer Florist Styled Shoot 2019 Vendors:

PLANNING & FLORALS - Alabama Eden

RIBBONS - Honey Silks & Co.

GOWNS - Felicia Lane, Build-A-Bride

INVITATIONS - The Invitation Loft

SHOES - Bella Belle Shoes

JEWELRY - Made in the Deep South

TABLEWARE - Tea & Old Roses

HANDLETTERING - Jessica White Hand Lettering

RENTALS - The Mayo’s Homestead & Something Borrowed Two

MENSWARE - Jos. A. Bank

RINGBOX - The Velvet Garden Ring Box

VOW BOOK - Wedding Story Writer

CAKE - Sugar & Stems

LINENS - Nuage Designs

CATERING - Local Joe’s Catering

DRINKS - Alabama Sweet Tea

HAMU - Ashlyn, Beloved Beauty by Britt & Jordan Molock

MODELS - Devyne Mayo, Madison M. Barron, Preslie Gifford & Tristan Kirk

FARMERS - Deep Roots Flower Farm, Bel Air Farm, Magic City Flower Market & Sanctuary Farms

Styled Shoot | Swann Lake Stables Birmingham, Alabama

From the moment Hannah texted me to the moment I was standing in a creek, I absolutely loved every second spent being a part of this Birmingham, Alabama styled shoot.

I met Hannah while speaking to a photography class at the University of Mobile. She wanted to shadow me at any weddings I had coming up that season to which I gladly replied, YES! I got my “start” second shooting for someone in Mobile, Alabama, so why would I not return the favor?! Hannah actually helped me with the wedding where I ended up meeting my husband! I remember giggling with her about how cute the brother of the bride was.

Since that wedding day, I have watched Hannah develop her passion of photography. She absolutely loves documenting people’s stories & it shows in everything she produces. Seriously follow her @tharpvisuals!

One of Hannah’s business goals for this year was to create & execute a styled shoot. And she put together a really awesome crew of vendors that I loved connecting with too. Okay enough chit-chat…let these photos speak for themselves about how stunning this Swann Lake Stables styled shoot was.

The Creative Team who made this styled shoot happen:

Planning & Main Photographer: Hannah of Tharp Visuals ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Second Photographer: Debby of Deborah Michelle Photography ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Venue: Swann Lake Stables ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Florals: Maddie of Kindred Events⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Models: @stacibledsoe & her handsome hubby⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Dress: Imperial Formal Wear⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Hair & Makeup Artist: @hairandmakeupbyak⠀⠀