Kaitlyn and Brett Sneak Peak

Because I cannot wait until Monday to show you some of the amazingness that is Kaitlyn and Brett's wedding, I thought I would share a little something something from their beautiful day in September! A full blog post will be ready to go on Monday so be sure to come back to check out the Stewart's awesome family and fun bridal party! 

Smiles,

Kayla F

Everything I Know

Everything I know about photography I can pretty much say I have learned from one fantastic lady. This photographer took me under her wing and literally threw me into the crazy world of weddings.

I am asked ALL the time, "How did you get to work with her". All I can say is LUCK. My best friend Bekah met Jennie through a family member. Bekah talked about how she was interested in photography and Jennie said she was actually in need of an assistant because her cousin would be going off to school. Bekah, being the best friend that she is, told Jennie, "I'll only do it if my best friend Kayla can do it too." And thats how the magic happened ladies and gentlemen. ;)

2009 I shot my first wedding with Jennie. And let me just say, I was terrified. Absolutely, positively terrified! I barely knew anything about my small little camera and then when I got to the church, Jennie handed me her BIG camera. Eeek. I could have died. I had to ask her probably 10 times how to change the aperature.

Move forward 4 wedding seasons later, and I can genuinely say I have an amazing friend who just so happens to be the BEST wedding photographer in Knoxville (she's so awesome, she's shooting MY wedding). Just recently, I was having a get-together with some other photographers here in Knoxville and I had a question I absolutely NEEDED the answer to. I had no one else to ask so I just called Jennie. One of the photographers even said, "I can't believe you can just call Jennie Andrews and she'll answer the phone." I honestly had never thought about it like that before. It made me really think about her, what she's taught me and all she's done for me. She's lent me equipment, taught me how to edit, showed me what products she uses and loves, who to look to for advice and inspiration (hello Jose Villa) and even burnt me some awesome editing jam sessions. Not only is she amazing business/photography wise, but she and I have had HOURS of conversations on the way to and from weddings. I recently texted her and said, "this not seeing you on a Saturday basis is horrible." So before I begin a sob fest, I just wanted to give an little shout out to the girl I love, who taught me how to actually DO my passion and who has supported me the ENTIRE way.

Miss Jennie Andrews.

The Nunley Clan

This family was SO.MUCH.FUN! I don't know if I've ever been around a family that jokes around so much and has so much love for each other! It was pretty awesome to be a part of! So on this here day that Jamie, Brian and Evan get to go down to San Antonio to see Del (oldest brother), I thought I would share what an awesome family they are!!

Del and Evan are super close. I absolutely LOVE the pictures I got of the two of them! Katie, Del's girlfriend joined the family fun as well and we all had such a blast!

Ok, so I have a thing for little old men...isn't Mr. Nunley the most adorable thing you've ever seen?!?!? He and his wife Mrs. Nunley were just too sweet! 

Smiles,

Kayla F

Amber and Jamie - The Clan

I had the absolute PLEASURE of photographing a old friend, her husband and her adorable pooch earlier this summer at Ijams Nature Center! I can remember the first time I ever met Amber. It was the summer before 4th grade and we had just moved into a new house. A whole gang of kids showed up at our front door and asked us to go ride bikes. :) (Do kids even do things like this now-a-days?) I thought I would be cool and ride my bike up our driveway....and thought I was going to die at the end. Only those who know my parents driveway would get a chuckle out of that. Amber was the cool kid. The leader of the pack. And I wanted SO bad for her to think I was awesome...well, many many MANY years later, I was tickled pink when Amber contacted ME to capture her incredibly awesome family! :) Does that make me cool? I think SO! 

Amber and Jamie are the absolute cutest! Not only are they adorable (and so incredibly into each other) but their little puppers, Roxy is pretty stinking awesome as well. She really did steal the scene! 

Amber wore the BEST shirt ever! Not only is it orange and white (LOVE) but its so bright and vibrant. Perfect for pictures! 

See what I mean...she's adorable!

I had such a blast with you three that (incredibly hot) summer evening!!! Lol! You all are so awesome!!! 

Jack's UT Session

What better way to celebrate UT's first home football game than with the littlest Volunteer fan?? Jack and his parents are AWESOME Volunteer fans! And coincidentally, Jack's birthday will probably always fall on the first football weekend for UT! Coincidence?? Maybe...or maybe Carla and Tony planned it that way! :) Jack may be a future football star or maybe just a future VOLUNTEER, but either way, I know UT will have a big place in his life!

I absolutely love any chance I get to see this incredibly adorable family! So when I tossed the idea of a stadium session, I was so happy they jumped on board! Our goal was to be in the stadium, up in the seats, but we have come to find out that is a hit or miss with Neyland Stadium. Next time, we will make it happen! BUT who else can say they have had their pics in the halls of Neyland?? We were so stoked to get out of the crazy East TN heat for a few minutes and chow down on some cheerios!

And since it is the first home TN game for the 2012-2013 season, lets hear a resounding GBO!!

  How perfect is this picture??

Love love this family!!! 

If you are interested in a session down on campus, make sure to book soon for the amazing fall colors! I would LOVE to do a session right in the middle of a BIG UT Home game...can't you imagine? An adorable couple kissing in the crazy crowd of tail-gating UT Fan's????

My Love for Engagement Sessions

Engagement sessions are my favorite! There, I said it! Whooo! They really and sincerely are so much fun and so relaxing and just all-around awesome!!! I highly, highly recommend to every couple that I book that they have an engagement session! If you’re out of town, and you feel like there is no way you can fit in an engagement session, let’s a least talk about it! :D  Let’s take 2 hours the week of your wedding and just hang out and take pictures. You don’t need to get all jazzed up; it can be a fun, laid back session that also serves as a nice break from all the crazy-week-of, last minute details and also allows you and your love to spend some fun, “un-wedding” time together…leave the tool and ribbon at home! :) 

I know a lot of grooms (and even brides) don’t see the benefit of doing an engagement session. This just absolutely breaks my heart! Let me tell you firsthand how beneficial engagement sessions are. Robby and I had an awesome engagement session. Now, it wasn’t with our wedding day photographer, but still being in front of the camera made us learn a lot!! Here are some things that you might not have thought about!

1.      I have never (and I say never) had a bride or groom say they regretted doing the engagement session. They are so.much.fun! Not only do you get to hang out with me for 2 hours (just kidding) but you also get to hang out with your love! There are no expectations, no rules, no limits!! It’s just you guys having fun! Who could ask for anything more?

2.      It allows for me to get to know you even more for the big day! It lets me learn what makes you comfortable and uncomfortable and allows for you to better understand me and how I work. Plus, when I tell you on the wedding day, “Oh, remember that pose we did at the engagement session that you totally rocked,” you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Or if I say, “Oh James, remember that cute little thing you told Ashley that made her feel absolutely stunning…tell her something else”, you won’t feel silly. It sounds corny but we will have a connection on the wedding day! This in turn makes wedding day pictures go SO much more smoothly!

3.      You can use the engagement pictures FOR the wedding day! Need an announcement for the paper? Want to send out photo Save-The-Dates or Thank You cards? Want to have a photo guest book? There are so many fun things you can do with your engagement photos that make your wedding day even more unique.

4.      If you are able to do an engagement session…and it doesn’t frighten you ;), it is a fantastic time to do a trial run of your makeup! Having your makeup done will not only make you feel insanely beautiful, but it will LAST through the engagement session. No raccoon eyes in the middle of July or barely there lips in chilly November!

My amazing December bride, Keely, was insanely sweet and wrote a little something something about her engagement session:
"Our session for our engagement pictures was AMAZING with Kayla! Scott sometimes gets tired of having his picture taken, so I was initially concerned with how long his smile would last, but Kayla kept us laughing the entire session so he had a great, natural smile throughout all of the pictures! We also felt completely comfortable with Kayla. We took our pictures outside near the Grist Mill at Norris Dam, and Kayla took us around to multiple spots and just observed us how we are. She got great shots that did not look posed at all. Needless to say, the pictures turning out wonderful and the quality was so great we printed them on magnets to send out for our save the dates. Can't wait to see how our wedding day pictures turn out!!" - Keely

And because I absolutely LOVE my engagement pictures, I thought I would share one that shows just how much fun we really did have! :D

So if you are a future or current bride, please definitely consider an engagement session! Its a great time for you and your love to spend some time together just having fun, and in the end...you'll have some amazing pictures! :)
Smiles,
Kayla F

Little Miss Aidyn

Its crazy to think that I took Aidyn's newborn pics 1 year ago!!! Its amazing how time flies AND how I'm able to see these adorable kiddos grow up through my camera! I love taking pictures at places that mean something to the family, and we took these photos at Aidyn's aunt's house! She's absolutely ADORABLE in that straw hat and with her big ole' pink elephant! 

My absolute FAVORITE shot from this session! I can't get enough of it!