From time to time, I'm asked if I went to school for photography. I've always been creative and loved art class in high school, but I, like many great photographers, didn't study photography in college. I considered it, but the classes being offered at that time were still film oriented topics like darkroom technique. If they had offered photoshop classes or digital workflow then it would have made more sense.

Althought I didn't take college classes for it, I wouldn't say that I'm exactly self-taught either. I use all sorts of educational resources (magazines, books, forums, DVDs, tutorials), and in that way I am constantly learning from some of the best photographers around.

This week I will be attending a workshop by Kevin Kramer and David Beckstead (who was named one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world by Photo Magazine this year). The workshop will cover a growing trend in the wedding industry, fashion photography. I will be watching two amazing photographers work on location and will have my own opportunities to practice what I've learned. When I return home, the fashion style will be another part of my shooting repertoire.

I am leaving tomorrow and will return to work June 25. I don't expect to have access to email while traveling so all calls and emails will be returned next week. I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Yesterday I photographed the wedding of Emily Morse and James LePage in Jefferson City. The ceremony was held at Hebron Presbyterian, a quaint, rural church established in 1875. Afterward, the couple traveled by horse and carriage to the LePage's Mountain Valley Farm where a sit-down dinner was served under a large tent with fantastic, pastoral views.

Moments after being pronounced...

Magnolia Manor in Lenoir City was the venue chosen for the 2005 afternoon wedding of Jiun-Fei Wei and Michael Beeler. Jiun-Fei's father walked her down the garden path to Michael who waited in front of the gazebo. The cake and hordevours were set up inside the mansion, and the guests were seated under an open pavilion outside. Jiun-Fei later tossed her bouquet from the second story balcony.

The next morning, I joined the couple again in Fort Sanders near the University of Tennessee for more couple photos.

Danielle Embry and Rashaan Backers of Kentucky had a 2005 destination wedding on top of a mountain near Gatlinburg. These are two of the most beautiful people inside and out, and they had a perfectly beautiful wedding. After getting ready with her girls in a cabin nearby, Danielle was driven to the ceremony/reception site where her mother walked her down the aisle to Rashaan. When the officiant asked for the rings, Danielle surprised Rashaan with a diamond band instead of the plain band that he was expecting. With tears of joy, they exchanged their vows and then jumped the broom before heading up the aisle as man and wife.

Also memorable were the delicious caramel apples that the guests received as favors, the program printed on fans for the guests, the groom acting as DJ, and a beautiful sunset over the mountains.


Danielle getting laced into her dress




The cloud cover helped keep the temperature comfortable and created dramatic skies.









This isn't exactly what I was expecting when Rashaan asked me to take a photo of him with one of his students...

In June 2006, Josh Price wed Kristen Davis at Christ United Methodist Church of Chattanooga. The couple chose to meet before the ceremony for a private moment together, and then we did the formal group photos. After the ceremony, the guests were treated to a buffet reception by candlelight in the church's gymnasium. The buffet included a pasta station, and a live band played while everyone ate and socialized. After changing into their going-away outfits, the couple exited through a tunnel of sparklers to their very well-decorated car.