Brooke & Omid: Cool, Calm & Extremely Photogenic

I had the honor of shooting Brooke & Omid’s engagement photos, and from the beginning of the conversation, I knew the shoot would be fun. They wanted to keep it simple and shoot somewhere they felt comfortable and a place that reflected them: we chose their home. Decorated with personal details, their lovely East Nashville home is gorgeous, airy and fun–the perfect place to showcase such a great couple. Brooke & Omid balance each other in a perfect  sort of way. They are both down to earth and are just so wonderfully comfortable with each other. Their love is easy; it seems to just flow from one to the other effortlessly like the two were meant to be one.

 

I can’t wait to shoot their wedding in June!

 

Baby Liam and the Haddens.

Liam Elliott Hadden newborn shoot with the fam.

Porter Flea Summer Market.

Porter Flea was back in June and I took pictures there. Just thought I’d share a few (albeit a bit late). Check out all the photos at www.facebook.com/porterflea. Enjoy!

Clara.

Clara is my boyfriend’s niece. And just about the cutest kid on the planet. I take a lot of pictures of her, as witnessed below.

Grassy Knoll Movie Nights!

Hey guys! Just wanted everyone to know I’ve been taking lots of photos lately for the wonderful organization Grassy Knoll Movie Nights run by the multi-talented Dycee Wildman. Here’s a teaser. You can see the rest of the photos at www.facebook.com/grassyknollmovies.

I’m also the official photographer for Porter Flea this Saturday at Marathon Music Works! Get over there and get you some crafts!

In other news, I got a 5D and I’m obsessed. I love it. The images I shoot with it have the best feel of any camera I’ve ever used. If you aren’t on the bandwagon yet, that’s fine. It will just make me look like the superior photographer. :]

See you guys at Porter Flea this weekend AND Grassy Knoll on Sunday for THE SANDLOT!

Nashville for the Savvy Few.

{My friends David + Patrice crossing Broadway in downtown Nashville.}

As a woman of much knowledge and appreciation for the authenticity in any place (despite how hard it can oft be to find), I am sometimes asked about the best things to do in said place.

Here’s a list of my favorite things to do, eat and see in Nashville, including some must-do’s, if you’re an out-of-towner (this particular list was compiled for “savvy ladies” so it is skewed in that direction), complete with addresses.

_Shopping.
Local Honey_ 2009 Belmont Blvd
Anthropologie_ 4031 Hillsboro Pk
Pangaea_ 1721 21st Ave S
Southern Thrift_ 5010 Charlotte Pk
Fanny’s House of Music + Vintage_ 1101 Holly St
Boomerang Finer Thrift_ 2207 8th Ave S
Pre To Post Modern_ 2110 8th Ave S
Wonders On Woodland_ 1110 Woodland St

_Eats.
Goldrush_ 2205 Elliston Pl
Athens Greek_ 2526 Franklin Pk
Loveless Cafe_ 8400 TN 100
Mikado Hibachi_ 410 Metroplex Dr
PM_ 2017 Belmont Blvd
Batter’d + Fried_ 1008 Woodland St
Rosepepper_ 1907 Eastland Ave
Mitchell’s Deli_ 1402 Mcgavock Pk
The Wild Cow_ 1896 Eastland Ave
The Silly Goose_ 1888 Eastland Ave
Bongo Java_ 2007 Belmont Blvd, 107 S 11th St
Fido_ 1812 21st Ave S
Sip_ 1402 McGavock Pk
Taco Mamacita_ 1200 Villa Pl
Las Paletas_ 2907 12th Ave S

_Exploring.
Lover’s Circle
Mercy Lounge
The Frist
Hillsboro Village area
Grimey’s
East Nashville area
12th Ave S area
Shelby Bottoms
Percy Warner Park
Radnor Lake
Country Music Hall of Fame
Broadway
Hatch Show Print

Best of Memphis.

{A touristy picture I took the last time I was at Stax, for posterity.}

Ok. I was just asked to compile a list of the best things to do in Memphis for some out-of-towners (from LA) and their parents. I love my city of birth to the core, so this was like a treat for me (aside from the fact that it just makes me wish I was there now!).

This is what I came up with off the top of my head (in no particular order):

• Civil Rights Museum (the Lorraine Motel–where Martin Luther King died)

• Memphis Zoo (there are pandas!)

• Stax Museum (where everyone cool recorded)

• Sun Studio (where elvis recorded)

• Brooks Art Museum (amazing Impressionism permanent collection)

• Graceland

• South Main Art District (galleries and trolley rides)

• Beale Street

• U of M Tigers basketball games at the Fedex Forum

• The BBQ Shop (on Madison–where the regulars go–also run by my friend Eric…tell him Emily Spence sent you!)

• The Rendezvous (for ribs–where the tourists go)

• Huey’s (for burgers)

• Central BBQ (for BBQ nachos)

• Tops BBQ (for quick BBQ)

• Bryant’s (for biscuits)

• Gus’s World Famous Hot & Spicy Chicken (best chicken ever)

• Overton Park (nice to walk around in after eating BBQ.. haha also next to Brooks)

• The Hi Tone (for music)

• Cooper Young District for good food/shops

• Cafe Eclectic (for good coffee/breakfast)

• Earnestine & Hazel’s (for a really authentic dive blues bar/used-to-be-brothel)

Real Friends, Real Love.

I love shooting pictures of my friends. Especially friends who have been incredibly good to me over the years. It makes me immeasurably happy to know that these two friends, Patrice and David, are so in love. Makes me have faith that the world is a good place. Congrats, you guys.

Chicago, This Year.

Sure, this was a few months ago, but I thought I’d share since I promised. It was a great trip.

Our lovely host, Eric.

A wide view of the greatest city in the world.

Chicago, how I love thee.

These are images of the place we stayed in Chicago last week. I actually took them last year when we visited, but I’m pre-empting that post with this post so you can gain some appreciation of this incredible South Shore historic condo owned by the lovely Charlie Vinz and Eric Rogers.