Kelsie + Eugene | Cotton Field Engagement

Last weekend I got to spend the evening with Trey's cousin, Kelsie, and her fiancé, Eugene, photographing their engagement session at Hard Labor Creek State Park + the cotton fields of Bostwick, Georgia.  We are all so very excited for them and can't wait to see these two get married next fall 2015!  Until then, I get to share their love story and the beautiful images we captured that day. . .<3.

Eugene and Kelsie started talking on June 6, 2013. Her best friend Taylor was dating Eugene’s best friend at the time, (they are now married) and she gave Eugene Kelsie's phone number.  From their first phone conversation their connection was instant!  They began talking everyday.  Eugene was everything Kelsie wanted and had ever hoped for in a man and she knew he was the one.  

Eugene lives in Eastman, GA, and Kelsie lives in West Point, GA, which didn’t bother either of them because they liked each other so much. Even though they hadn’t met each other yet, they both knew what was started between them was a good thing. 

Eight days after starting their phone relationship, Kelsie + Eugene finally got to meet in person.  As she walked down the steps of her house she could see Eugene pulling into the driveway. They met at the door, he was holding a bouquet of flowers. <3.

Their first date involved dinner and a movie.  They were so comfortable with each other and he treated her like I she had never been treated before.  He still wasn’t officially her boyfriend though and when the weekend was over, he went home and they made plans to see each other again.  She asked him on June 23 to officially be her boyfriend and of course he said yes.

During their ten month anniversary of being boyfriend and girlfriend, Kelsie + Eugene were took a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee with their good friends.  Kelsie was hoping he would ask her to marry him, but when he didn’t do it the first day, she figured this wasn’t the right weekend.  

On the second day of their vacation they decided to go on the sky lift up the mountain.  While on top of the mountain, 1600 feet up, Eugene asked Kelsie to pose for some photographs.  Before she knew it he was on his knee, holding her hand and asking her to marry him! 

I can't wait to photograph your wedding at Del'avant in October 2015!
Love.
H.

Taylor + Chad | Piedmont Park Wedding

Taylor + Chad's story began in high school. Towards the end of their freshman year, they met each other on a church ski trip. They became close friends while taking a class together in their sophomore year. Chad had a crush on Taylor for months and eventually asked her out in April of their sophomore year. They dated all throughout high school and when it came time to go to separate colleges, they decided to continue their relationship. In that time, their relationship evolved and they began discussing the idea of a life together.

 

 

After graduating and getting jobs, they talked about marriage pretty seriously. In April of 2014, they decided to take a trip to New York.

On the day of their 8 year anniversary, April 8th, 2014, they took a romantic walk on the Brooklyn Bridge. While overlooking the Manhattan skyline, Chad handed Taylor a love letter. . .

Taylor knew what was about to happen!  <3.  After she finished reading the letter, with her heart racing, she looked down to see Chad down on one knee asking Taylor to be his wife.

 

After photographing the newly MR + MRS in the glorious sunset of Piedmont Park we headed to their reception at Monday Night Brewing.

Such a fabulous venue for a reception!

I loved photographing their first dance. <3.

I especially loved the tie wall!  We use it as our backdrop for the photobooth. . .so cute!

Congratulations Taylor + Chad!!! Thank you so much for having us there to document your gorgeous wedding day!!!

Love.

H.

Channy + Johnathan | Ashton Gardens Wedding

Channy met Johnathan a couple of times before they actually started acknowledging each other.  Her wonderful friend and bridesmaid, Tracy, invited her to a couple of parties that Johnathan hosted.  Channy paid him no mind in the beginning, but after crossing paths a few more times, Johnathan was adamant in getting to know her.   She turned him down a couple of times, but he was so persistent that one day she finally gave in.  They went on their first “date” at a sports bar; Hooters to be exact.  “Date” is in quotations because it wasn’t really a first date.  He was with his friends from college and invited Channy to join them.  They met up to catch the Auburn vs. South Carolina game.  It was an SEC Championship game that Channy didn't have much interest in.  Despite the whole sports things Channy had such a good time and she told him there would definitely be a second date!

The day before Channy's birthday on August 30th, 2013,  she made dinner plans in Midtown at a restaurant called South City Kitchen.  Originally, plans were to meet up at the restaurant; both taking seperate cars.  Channy kinda messed up Johnathan's plans by getting off work early and heading home so they would have plenty of time to get ready and ride together to her birthday dinner.  When Johnathan found out this change in plans HE made a quick change that got his plans back on track!  He made plans to meet up with his brothers in Midtown for some drinks, so they ended up driving separately to the restaurant.

Channy made it to Midtown earlier than their reservation time, so they met up at a bar next door for some drinks.  Johnathan's brother, Gary, was there and they invited him to join them for dinner.  Johnathan had to meet with his brothers before to have "that talk" and this is why Channy couldn't ride to dinner with him.  During drinks Gary kept talking about how he couldn’t wait to have Channy as a sister.   She thought it was the drinks talking, but Gary knew something!!

They all finally made it to dinner.  The majority of the time, Gary kept talking about the importance of family and love.  Next thing you know, Johnathan gets up and proposes. Yes, he STOOD UP and proposed!! He then decides to get on his knees!!  It was very sweet, and Gary was there to capture the moment.  It was the best early birthday gift that Channy has ever received.

 

Congratulations Channy + Johnathan!!!

Love.

H.

Braselton Christmas Parade and Festival

This weekend I was supposed to shoot two lovely engagement sessions.  One on Saturday at Piedmont Park and another in Good Hope.  The weather kinda messed up our plans for Saturday so Trey and decided to head to the Braselton Christmas Parade with our little fam of four.

It was like so cold!  We were all bundled up, cheetah suit, blankets and all!

This is my cousin, Christian! He is in the vest and cute hat. ;)

The Band!  Oh how I love a drum line!

Llamas!  They were every where!  Weird, right??? lol

Cutest little guy.  I don't know how his little car battery made it down this long, long road.

You know this girl loves a cow!

My babes!

I spy something creepy!!!

"I love you!" RyAnne is helping me write this blog post this morning.  She wanted me to write that under her photo.  <3.

She sure does love her daddy.

I sure did love this weekend with my fave people!  After the parade we met up with my aunt, uncle and cousins for a bit before heading over to the Braselton Festival and we even hit up some antique shops.  Can't wait to share what I found there!

Sunday I spent the evening photographing Trey's cousin, Kelsie and her love, Eugene in the cotton fields of Good Hope.  Here's a little sneak peek!  Look for more soon!

Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend!
Love.
H.

The Indian Headdress Styled Shoot | Covington, Georgia

I've been feeling extra inspired here lately.  After photographing RyAnne's dream session(check it out here) my brain hasn't stopped!

I started making this head dress about two weeks before the shoot.  And didn't finish it until my model, Tess, arrived at my home.  Sometimes I work best under pressure! Eeek!

Once Tess arrived, all of these ideas started flooded in.  Add beads to the leather, add the gold bands, make jewelry!  Thank the Lord for a hot glue gun!

I used felt and puff paint to create the look of the beading on the head band.

This necklace is special to me. . .Trey surprised me with it years ago.  It worked out so perfectly for our shoot.

Last minute we decided Tess wouldn't wear any shoes.  I needed leg jewelry!

Leather and beads. . .Bam!

Our horse model, Harley.

These have to be my most FAVE of Harley!  I fell in love with his blond lashes and nose whiskers.

Tess, thank you so much for modeling for me!  Mrs. Beth thank you so much for letting me use your baby Harley.  Gracie + Melissa, thank you ladies for washing Harley and making him so pretty for the shoot.  You ladies are awesome!

Love.

H.