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

Josie | A Preserve Portrait Session in Birmingham

What better way to celebrate your first birthday than with a portrait session involving your two favorite people & a smash cake?! If you ask Josie it’s the best birthday present, I mean just check out that adorable smile.

I met this girl a year ago for her newborn session & it has been a joy to watch her grow. Check out a few of my favorites from this Alabama lifestyle portrait session & don’t miss the smash cake at the end!

Happy First Year Josie! 🎉 Thanks for letting me celebrate with you.

Kylie & Ricky | Auburn, Alabama Engagement Portrait Session

I never thought these words would come out of my mouth, but this Alabama Wedding Photographer misses one of the loveliest village on the plains. That’s right, I miss Auburn, Alabama. So when two of my favorites requested their engagement portrait session in the town they call home, I said ABSOLUTELY!

Last time I was in this college town was for their proposal earlier this year! And now they are planning a wedding…in the middle of a pandemic! Who would’ve guessed it?! But they have taken it all in stride.

Every time Ricky smiles at his fiance, it’s like she’s the only girl in the world. He is smitten & I love photographing them together. And Kylie has the best laugh paired with the sweetest personality. P. S. She’s a dog mom too! Keep scrolling to see her precious pup & all of my favorites from their Auburn, Alabama engagement portrait session.

I am so, so glad that we rescheduled after first getting rained out because this light is GORGEOUS!

Isn’t he the absolute cutest?! Give me all the pups please!

AH! I cannot wait to celebrate the two of you very, very soon!

Benjamin | Lifestyle Newborn Portrait Session

I’ll be honest, this Alabama photographer once avoided newborn portrait sessions UNTIL my couples & best friends started having babies. There’s no greater joy that cheering my clients on throughout life’s journey. Who says we have to stop being friends after the wedding day?!

Now I’ve only known Kylie & Kyle for a year, but when I found out they were adding to their family I was so excited!!! Benjamin was born right at the beginning of this pandemic & since being home have only welcomed a few guests at a safe distance.

I suggested we do a front porch session to keep everyone safe & pop inside for a few in their ridiculously adorable nursery. And the best part?! Their house has so much great natural light that it made my photographer heart very happy. The view from their front door to the couch was perhaps my favorite part.

Can you believe that Kyle made this porch swing for his family?! Just imagine the fun memories that’ll be made out here.

Welcome home Benjamin! You’ve got two of the best parents & I cannot wait to watch you grow up.

How to Honor Your Father on Your Wedding Day | A Personal Post

Photo by Elizabeth Gelineau

Welcome to a new series about my story as an Alabama Wedding Photographer.

Ten years ago this Daddy’s girl unexpectedly lost her father. It was the hardest season I’ve had to walk through & for the longest time I hated that his death was a part of my story. It wasn’t until I starting building relationships with other girls that I realized that I can use this hurt, this pain for His glory.

I would not wish this upon anyone, but being able to connect with my brides who also lost their fathers is such a God thing. I know how hard it is to not have him there & in that moment standing in your dress of white, I know exactly how you feel.

Today, I want to tell you how I honored my father at my wedding day & give you ways that you can honor yours as well.

1. Wear his shirt while you get ready.

2. Place a charm with his picture or special token or bouquet so that he’s with you every step of the way. Family handkerchiefs come in handy too!

*I had saved several of my dad’s shirts that I remember him wearing. There was this one blue stripe that was special, so I wrapped it around my bouquet. My sweet mother-in-law also made ring barrier pillows for my nephews to carry out of the same material.

3. Sing a special hymn or song during your ceremony.

*A family member of Callie’s saved these petals from her dad’s funeral. The flower girl sprinkled them down the aisle, so Callie’s dad was in a way walking her down the aisle. How so very special!

4. Create a photo display at your reception.

*Photos mean the world to me. So I sprinkled in photos of grandparents’ on their wedding days, along with memories of other family weddings like my brother’s.

5. Share a dance with your brother, father-in-law or father-like figure.

*When I was a little girl, I remember twirling around the dance floor to “My Girl”. So to honor him at our reception, I chose to invite all girls & their dads out onto the dance floor. I began dancing with my step-dad, then concluded with my brother. Both wore two of my dad’s ties; it was extra special & a memory I will treasure forever.

Sweet Girl,

Whatever you do to honor your dad on your wedding day, just know that he is there in the sunshine, in your smile & in the joy of the day! I’ll be right there by your side, holding your hand & cheering you on (with a bunch of tissues too)!

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Happy Father’s Day

…to all the dads who have kissed every booboo, embraced all the pink & lace & been our biggest cheerleaders since day one. Happy Father’s Day to those who stepped in when you didn’t have to, you loved us as your own & we can never express how thankful we are. And Happy Father’s Day to those rough & tough brothers that we’ve watched grow into the best of dads.