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Dallas and Austin’s engagement photos were an actual BLAST.

One of my first thoughts when I met Dallas and Austin was “Do y’all have a dog named Waco?” Do me a favor everyone, and pretend I’m funny, thanks!

Sweet Dallas and Austin have been together for 5 years on April 7, 2018. Dallas started a part time job at a family owned pharmacy in their hometown which ended up being part of Austin’s family that owned it. They were both working there at the time, which is how they met. As fate would have it, these two love birds would both end up in the medical field. Both Dallas and Austin are both selfless nurses and their passion is serving others.

When I asked Dallas about their first date, she said this:

“Our first date was at Casa Mexicana (which he doesn’t like but didn’t mention that until years down the road) Thankfully he can talk to a brick wall because I was so shy and my face was beat red the entire time.”

Isn’t that what a big part of true love really is all about? Eating at restaurants you don’t love cause you know your partner does?

During Dallas and Austin’s engagement session, I naturally couldn’t help but comment on Dallas’ gorgeous engagement ring. I told Austin what a great job he did, and he told us the MOST incredible story about how he actually got her ring FOR FREE. You read that correctly. FOR. FREE.

Here’s the story told by Austin:

“The day I chose the diamond to go on the ring, I went up to the counter to check out. The manager of the store informed me of their biggest promotion of the year and that it was occurring with purchases made Monday through Friday of that particular week only. The promotion was going to occur when the university of Memphis football team played there opening football game of the year at home. Specifically to win the promotion, the university of Memphis had to either: return the opening kickoff to start the game in the first half for a touchdown, or to return the opening kickoff of the second half if they were the team receiving the ball first to start the third quarter. The university of Memphis played defense to start the game, so the promotion all relied on the second half kickoff. To start the third quarter, the university of Memphis football player returned the kickoff 80+ yards for a touchdown and sealed the deal for the ring purchase to be 100% covered. Bottom line, free diamond engagement ring.”

My jaw is on the floor too.

Dallas and Austin are getting married next weekend at The Mill at Plein Air and we cannot WAIT to be a part of their special day. We’re so excited to work alongside Southern Sparkle Wedding and Events, VMWeddings Studio, and Emily Cohen.

Also, Dallas was absolutely DAZZLING at her engagement session compliments of Kasey Acuff and Emily Cohen. 

You guys enjoy!

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Caroline and Whit’s Dixon Gallery and Gardens engagement session makes us ridiculously happy.

I first met Caroline years ago back at Spring Creek Ranch when she was working there, and John and I were shooting a wedding. She needed a quick head shot to apply for medical school, and I was more than happy to help her out. Here we are three + odd years later, and now John and I have the complete HONOR of capturing Caroline and Whit’s wedding NEXT WEEKEND.

After Caroline and Whit officially booked with us, we decided it would be fun to go grab dinner together to get to know them and hear all about their proposal and plans for the wedding. It was so fun sipping wine with them at Ecco at Overton Park. Caroline and Whit are honestly just good company. They have a natural chemistry about them that just makes you feel so comfortable around them. I’m sure all of their friends would agree. Both Caroline and Whit are absolute bell ringers. Beauty and brains. Caroline is currently killing it in medical school, and Whit just finished OT school and is working full time. These guys don’t have a ton of free time to spend together, but when they do, you can find them sneaking wine into Disney movies, or at home where Caroline secretly recording Whit crushing it at PUBG.

I ask all of our couples about their first dates, and I absolutely love reliving it through their words. Caroline and Whit’s first story date has got to be the best thing on the internet. Move over Laurel and Yanny, because this story is about to break the internet.

Caroline and Whit’s first date as told by Caroline:

It’s not the most romantic way to meet, but it was still really special. We met via a dating app. I saw his profile and that he was new to the area and he was attending UTHSC. Me, nerd-minded and impressed, was instantly interested. It helped that we was extremely easy on the eyes, too! I actually dropped the first lines to him and started up the conversation. I’m pretty sure I asked him out for drinks 3 times in the course of one short conversation. He finally said yes & I decided that for our first date I wanted to show him around Memphis and go to a few of my favorite places. While getting ready I had the TV on the History Channel (again, nerd-minded) and there was this super interesting documentary on about Roman history. So, me being true to my nature, I watched it until the end and ended up being late for our first date. When I showed up I was expecting to have to make up some amazing story about why I was late – but turns out he wasn’t. even. there. yet. I got us a table and was sitting by myself for a few minutes until he showed up. I still remember what he wore: a red plaid shirt, Braves hat, and dark blue jeans. He looked reallllll good. He apologized for being late, and to make him feel better I told him that I was late, too, so he didn’t have to make me feel better haha but PLOT TWIST: He told me he was late because he got caught up in watching a cool documentary about ancient Rome….the SAME one that I was watching & that made me late! I pretty much knew instantly that this was going to be the beginning of something amazing. It’s not everyday that I find someone as nerdy as myself. Later that night we actually ran into my BEST friend from school (we’ve known each other for almost 20 years) so it was almost fate telling me that if he was able to hit it off with my best friend, then this was the man I was supposed to end up with. We all ended up talking for hours and hanging out! It really was such a perfect first date in my eyes. I knew from that night that I wanted him to be mine, so I deleted my dating app that night when I got home. Now whether he felt that strongly right away, I don’t know. BUT, He did end up giving me a ring so he’s stuck with me now 😉

Is that not the very best thing you’ve ever heard? These soulmates were both late to their first date because they were geeking out over the same ancient Rome documentary. They win at life.

Caroline and Whit are getting married next weekend at The Dixon Gallery and Gardens and we are simply thrilled to be a part of their special day.

You guys enjoy.

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Christine and Andy’s downtown Memphis engagement session was legendary.

Did you know your soul could have a twin? I have no evidence or studies to prove my theory, but I am convinced Christine is mine. Christine and I connected from our very first email. John and I were thrilled she and Andy decided to hire us to shoot their wedding THIS month at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Christine and I both love Taylor Swift, glitter, (all things sparkly, really), cooking, and dogs. Christine has a way of making you feel like you’ve known her for years, and those kind of people are just my all time favorite.

Christine and Andy’s engagement session was FRIGID. I am talking, as hot as it is today, it was equally just as cold. Christine and Andy were such good sports about it and actually never complained. These guys wanted their favorite city to be well documented in these photos, so we spent an entire afternoon downtown with these two and had an absolute BLAST laughing with them. Kasey Acuff (as Christine and everyone else calls “Queen Kasey”) did Christine’s makeup and added a touch of sparkle that made such a statement. It’s funny now as I look back at these images they feel so warm. That should tell you what type of people sweet Christine and Andy are. So genuine, so lovely, so warm.

Like John and I, Christine and Andy are getting married on their five year anniversary. They met while both working at the Malco Theater. When I asked Christine about their first date, I couldn’t help but laugh. She said:

“Our first date was after us both pulling a double at Malco on the exhausting opening weekend of Man of Steel, and he was supposed to come over around mindnight after his shift to watch Captain America (my favorite movie). After such a long day and about five to ten minutes into the movie I fell into one of those not gunna wake up even if coffee was being waved under your nose sleeps with my head in his lap. To this day I still think he fast forwarded through the movie so he didn’t have to stay the whole time with a sleeping girl in his lap.”

I am confident we can all relate to Christine in that moment!

I asked both Andy and Christine what their favorite memory of each other was, and while I loved both answers, I think Andy may have won this one:

Andy: “My favorite memory of her has to be our first date, she had laid her head down and I started running my fingers trough her hair with my other arm around her. It changed my perspective of not just her but of myself with her feeling safe and protected within five minutes of me being with her.”

It’s evident these two are simply meant for each other. We are so thankful we get to call them OUR couple. Christine and Andy will be tying the knot in a little less than two weeks, and we just cannot wait to celebrate with them!

Enjoy!

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Jolie + Trae’s downtown Memphis engagement session is one of our very favorites, and is sure to be one of yours too.

I never knew I would meet someone who loves celebrating with champagne and confetti as much as me, but with Jolie, I may have just met my match (just wait!) Jolie and I actually met a few years back at Natalie and Kevin’s wedding. I remember commenting on her tattoo on her arm, and talking about our mutual love for the Golden State. Now here we are three years later, and now John and I have the honor of capturing Jolie and Trae’s wedding.

Here’s how Jolie and Trae met, as told by the happy couple:

“Trae and I went to the same high school, but he was a year older than me so we didn’t really meet until college. We both went to UT Chattanooga and ran in the same crowd. We remained friends throughout our years there (through 21st birthdays, break ups, funny nights, not so funny nights) and both moved back to Memphis at the same time in 2012. We continued as just friends until June 2013. I remember telling my mom how much I liked him, but how worried I was that it would hurt our friendship. I ultimately decided to confess my feelings (with the help of one or two gin & tonic’s) and the rest is pretty much history.”

Jolie and Trae were so natural together during their engagement session, because they are totally just made for one another. Jolie and Trae’s sweet mom came to help with their precious pups, Bear and Duke, who totally stole the show. Our puppy loving hearts always love including fur babies into engagement sessions. We started at Overton Park and then stopped by Jolie’s house, (where the champagne and confetti show happened) and then finished off the session at Beale Street landing. It was a BLAST.

When I asked Jolie and Trae what their favorite thing about one another was, here’s what they said:

Jolie: My favorite thing about Trae is how great of a friend he is. We were friends before we were in a relationship so I have been lucky enough to see this on 2 different levels. He will bend over backwards to help you out in any way possible, never question it and doesn’t expect anything in return. I am so lucky to call him my best friend for life!!

Trae: My favorite thing about Jolie is how caring she is. Not to say I do a lot of dumb stuff but I do and she always puts up with my ideas and supports them. I’m a nerd at heart and she will put up with my zombie movies or discussions. Jolie is a great friend and I am so happy to have her in my life.

Jolie and Trae are having a backyard wedding in TWO WEEKS and we are so dang pumped about this wedding. It’s going to be epic, just like this engagement session!

You guys enjoy!

 

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  • May 29, 2018 - 1:58 am

    Tara Cameron - They picked the perfect pair to immortalize their most precious day. Thank you both for so beautifully capturing their love ❤️ReplyCancel

  • June 5, 2018 - 5:40 pm

    Victor G - Love your colours… keep the good work!!
    Cheers from London!ReplyCancel

Mimi and Grant’s Memphis engagement photos are sure to blow your mind.

We’ve been photographing amazing couples for over six years. Mimi and Grant are the very first couple whose love story started with a fractured ankle. You read that correctly. Mimi and Grant were on a group camping trip, and Grant accidentally rolled a log onto Mimi’s ankle, which then fractured it. The irony of him “sweeping her off her feet” isn’t lost on me. After getting Mimi taken care of, Grant FINALLY worked up the courage to ask her on an official date. Mimi said that they went to Local for dinner and then to a Grizzlies game. They had so much fun chatting and just being together they can’t even remember who they Grizzlies played or the score. Mimi said that Grant is typically not very chatty but on their first date he was “incredibly charming and articulate.”

The first time we met Mimi and Grant, we KNEW they were our couple. Their connection was undeniable and their energy was next level. We are so thankful we get to photograph their wedding THIS weekend at Cedar Hall. It’s funny because before typing this post, I asked John to describe Mimi and Grant in one word and he said “selfless” which was the exact word I had in mind. I asked Mimi and Grant what their favorite thing was about each other, and they had similar answers to ours. Mimi said: “My favorite thing about Grant is his humility. He is genuinely one of the brightest and kindest men I have ever met. Yet, he never brags about himself or his accomplishments. He is constantly so humble and when he is complimented, he blushes. In the field of medicine with many arrogant personalities, it was so refreshing to meet someone who was dedicated to his work not for the prestige but for the patients. We both have goals of serving lower income families in the states and doing medical mission trips together in the future. I am so lucky to have found someone who is as passionate about giving back as I am.” And Grant said this about Mimi: “My favorite thing about Mimi is her selflessness. Every day, I witness her rush to the aide of her family and friends. She has dedicated her life to helping those around her, and even with her incredibly busy schedule, Mimi is able to make each person that she comes in contact feel like they are her number one priority. There is no limit to what she will do for a fellow human being, whether she has known them for 5 minutes or 5 years. It’s a quality that I continuously strive to emulate.” I mean, could the be any more perfect together?

We had an absolute blast shooting their engagement session at The Brooks and Overton Park. Queen Kasey Acuff did Mimi’s makeup, and she was completely radiant. We had so much fun laughing with them and reliving this session has made us so excited for their wedding this weekend. You all enjoy this sweet engagement session.

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