Wolf Laurel Wedding

Every now and then you meet people and immediately understand that your paths had to cross and by doing so certain things are aligned and correct in the universe.  I didn’t know this in the beginning when I had planned to meet Cassi for coffee at one of my favorite places downtown Johnson City, The Willow Tree Coffee house ( RIP ) and if I am honest I wasn’t aware of this connection until the actual day of the wedding. As with all things, including the above mentioned coffee house, Covid has effected and altered it all.  When Cassi and I sat down and started the introductions she mentioned the details of the wedding as far as they had planned at least. They had planned a wedding near by in Gray but then had to take a step back and reconsider due to Covid but also because they were moving. Logan is from Memphis and they were headed there for his work. This meant they decided to look at planning their wedding a little differently. I would like to state that since Covid my weddings have needed to be scaled back and more elopements have happened, and I could not be happier. I find it so much easier to create intimate, meaningful work when I can focus more on creating and less on 200 guests to get in my frame. I say that to emphasize how thrilled I was when Logan and Cassi decided to have a small, intimate wedding at Wolf Laurel Community. This is a private community located near Wolf Ridge Ski resort and a beautiful place to declare their love privately amongst the small close group of friends and family they could include. This ultimately means it’s much easier to get to know those present, and also makes it easier to work closer with everyone than it might have been before.  My work needs this connection to be meaningful in my opinion. I hate when my work seems clinical, and without emotion. Not that I don’t connect to all of my clients but there are different levels of this of course.

Logan and Cassi attend the same church as my family and I. A different campus but the same network and this was one more way we were connected. They have been extremely kind and caring since knowing them. I owe them my gratitude for that alone as well as for the confidence that they have in my work but that they also encourage me to have in myself. They are beautiful people with wonderful senses of humor and gave me full reign over the creative process. Another reason I knew our time together would be unique and incredible. It was, for the record. I don’t have a list of vendors to include in this post or to tag because these two truly took care of everything themselves. The only vendor there was the hair and make up team and they did an incredible job while I weaved in and out creating a timeline of the day visually. 

I also experienced a first at their wedding that truly touched me and lit a fire in my faith all at once. They mentioned this to me on the day of the wedding and that threw me off for a second but only because I immediately put so much pressure on myself to make sure it was captured. If I could go back and change anything at all this part may be were I would have wanted something different but even as I type this out, I know in my heart that’s not true. Staging moments has its place but moments like this need to be fluid and unfaultered. Mid way through the ceremony the young couple moved to the side and took turns washing one another’s feet. They knelt without hesitation in claiming to put God first in this life. They were making a public declaration of not only faith, but of servitude toward and for the other person. I was speechless. Just as Jesus came and taught us to serve, they reminded us, this is Love in its truest form. Serving one another. 

The entire day was magical and so easy to be apart of and not only as the photographer, but as a friend. As a part of their day not disconnected and forgotten.  I can’t imagine a more perfect love story for Cassi and Logan than the one we shared on a mountain side among their people. 

This one was a little longer and I apologize but hey, I haven’t written in  a minute so I had some making up to do right?

I wish you forever Mr and Mrs Eavenson!

Kristi+Brynnan

Life is funny sometimes. You meet people, never knowing that not only are you making friendships, but you are creating opportunities to work with those awesome people down the road. That is exactly what happened. Kristi and I met when we worked at the same job, probably 18 years ago. Fast forward to now, and we have worked in the same store again, but this time at different times, but when she and Brynnan decided that a wedding was in the future, she messaged me on Instagram asking how I worked. Clearly if you are here you know that the images today are from an amazing afternoon in Knoxville, Tennessee where they live now.

Would you guess, they also love the outdoors, and kayaking! Win Win Meads Quarry!

We had tried planning a shoot for them for months off and on but planning anything this year has been, well you know how it’s been. 2020 has been trying at best. So after several attempts we decide that Knoxville is a go, now we have to figure out where in Knoxville. They are relatively new to town and I have only shot here a few times but those locations are not what we need today. No we need nature, wonder, and I think we found it. Clearly these two found this same wonder in one another, and that’s why this coming weekend is going to be so amazing as they say “ I Do”. So what do you do? No idea where to plan this shoot, well you do what any normal, fairly intelligent person does-Hey Google!

Some options came up but those are the basic, tourist attraction options that any basic search will provide so deeper I scoured. Long story short here, we decided to explore somewhere new to us all. Somewhere truly unique. We chose to meet up at Meads Quarry, in Knoxville. I had never heard of this place prior and was truly excited to visit, especially with them. So me being me, I got there a little early and well lots and lots of Chaco blisters , 20,000 steps according to my watch and one amazing day later we had their engagement session captured. I am a little biased but man, these are intense. New locations, with people I have never worked with before sure did equal something special.

As of officially putting these words to type, I have already delivered this full gallery to them. I usually like to write here first, as a sneak peak for them as well as anyone reading but the words wouldn’t come this time. That happens. I am far from being a good writer, though I love the challenge and the therapy of bringing these feelings and stories to life but sometimes we can’t force the work. We can’t force the song to be written, the words to develop in rhythm, or maybe you can’t express those feelings you feel right away, and i’m here to tell you- THATS OK.

Never feel like you have to rush your work, your art, your passion. I hope in my waiting that this short tale, has meaning, has character, and had your attention. Until next time.

JG

Tim + Brooke Downtown JC

I am very lucky in the fact that I get to do something I am so very passionate about while capturing passion for others. I start these blogs with high hopes of words of grandeur but always feel like my words fall short of the story I am trying to unfold for anyone reading. Thats because its not often, my story to tell so coming from me just doest’t feel right to me. My work and my vision that I infuse with these stories are a different tale all together. I don’t want to write here and tell you the love story between Tim and Brooke, but rather know that when you see these images below that you can not deny the way he looks at his soon to be wife, and how she lights up when he takes her by the hand. I always feel my visuals are my way of speaking the best that’s typically why I keep my entries so short. I want to respect the narrative of the story I am blessed to capture and record.

Brooke and I have be friends for a little while now and I was delighted when her sister emailed me to ask about my availability and especially when she stated I was Brookes first choice. This is why I get so excited to work with people. When I can get past my own doubts, I can see the world a little differently and then I can not help but create. With all the nonsense that 2020 has delivered on a sliver platter, I am so grateful that love wins. I am so glad that among the hurt in our world, that we can still find these pockets to of wonder to hold on to and to fuel our hope for a better future.

Brooke and Tim live 2 hours away and we planned this session several times but weather and pandemics spoiled our plans a few times, but I am confident that only happened to make this day so spectacular as a result.

The Things That are Left -

“The world made me cold. You made me water. One day we’ll be clouds.”

Iain S. Thomas

Tony + Summer

Every now and then you have a session that is just stupid fun. I mean the kind of day that makes you smile until your face hurts. Thats what happened while hanging out with Summer and Tony on this day. Summer was quick to let me know that I could include the out takes as they love them and she would post them, so I have included a couple here but that may give you a window into the overall joy of our time together. Tony and I have been friends for a few years after we met at the gym. At that time he and I both attended Crossfit Melee, which is now Mountain Top Crossfit and if you have ever tried Crossfit you know how quickly it is to make friends who are sharing the same sucky experience as you LOL. Fast forward to this session and all its greatness. They asked to meet up at Steele Creek Park in Bristol, TN and I was happy to oblige.

Back rides and forehead kisses for his lady.

Even in this first image above you can see the affection they share, but you can also see the laughter and how much we cut up for the entire session. We walked and talked and I got to know them both a little better. We avoided anyone that may be out ( be smart people ) and made our way around the lake. The lighting was a little tricky in the beginning but by the end of our session the light was looking pretty incredible.

I always want to leave my work for clients, and hope that above all else it creates a feeling. Stirs emotion, brings back memories of wonderful times they shared, and act as a reminder that its ok to slow down and be present. Its ok to be still and wait. Its also ok to laugh like children, and sneak those ever so subtle looks at your person while they are unaware.

Be safe, show someone you care, and sneeze into your elbow LOL

Colby Senior Portraits

As we are just 3 months into 2020, I can say for the first time in a very long time that I am pleased with my work. I am pleased with the fact that my artistic vision is pushing past my insecurities. I am so humbled that my work is being printed and shared. That alone will mean this calendar year is a success as far as my work is considered. That also means, I only have to create bigger goals starting now. I am very blessed to work with some of the most amazing people in different settings. I have made so many friends because of my photography, and vise versa, meaning I have friends that have also allowed me to capture moments for them, and their families. This post is about that specifically.  I had the pleasure of shooting some of my favorite session this weekend, a senior session, for my friend Betty. Her son is soon to graduate and I was honored to be asked, and even more so to have been apart of this milestone for her son Colby. 

Rocking his Dads belt buckle for his session.

I am persistent when getting to work with high school seniors. I know its not always comfortable to have your photo taken. I know that 17-18 years of age can be a difficult time for some. I always want to make our sessions relaxed but more importantly I need them to be genuine. Genuine to the individual. I want to capture them for who they are, not how the parents want them to look. I know this is a touchy area since parents are paying for the session but I need to capture the real personality. Lucky for my people, I am pretty laid back but also have a vision once I have spent a few minutes getting to know them. Colby is a great young man from where I stand, and even though guys tend to be a little more rigid in front of the camera, it wasn’t long before he was relaxed enough to make some amazing images. I will start below with my favorites, and then share more than usual as well. I never want to over share but I think its time I turn off some of the nagging voices in my head and just create. Whatever that looks like to me. So lets toss our mullets in the wind and Let Freedom Ring. ‘Merica

Make sure and scroll through those images of the Mullet in the wind HAHA.

Snow Day 2020

Home will always be here..

Well, its been awhile. I apologize for the long silence on my end but many of you know that life has been different for my family and I for a few months. I often enjoy writing here as a way to express my thoughts and get some stuff out and out of my head, but I just haven’t had the words of late. I have been trying to get out and explore more and more as time allows and I always have at least 1 or 3 cameras with me. I have been thinking a lot of late, and I realize how little I actually share my work with, well anyone. I post randomly from time to time and while I appreciate those of you that comment, and like all of this images, I also feel like I have much more to share. Maybe this is a selfish idea on my part, but I started the new year with a challenge to myself. I didn’t tell anyone about this but I am happy to say I set a goal and I crushed it. That goal was simply to post a new photo every day for 1 month. The month of January came and I didn’t miss a single day, and the response was wonderful. I have sold more prints in this calendar year than any other 3 years combined. This makes my heart extremely full. I love to capture the world as I see it, and then to have anyone ( in this case, several someones ) wanting to purchase a copy to display for themselves, well its humbling. So yes any image I post, unless of a model or person, is available for print. Any size and any format is available. I am planning on printing more and to have readily available and my goal has been but is seeming more needed, and that is to own my own printer. I want to be able to print anytime, for anyone and proof my images for myself. I recently posted a new print for sale and am glad to say its going to a friend of my that I consider family. We call him YOMO and he is an incredible person. So Yomo, if you ever see this, I can’t tell you how happy I am this is going to you.

Ok.. back to why Im here writing today. To share more, and let you in just a little bit more. If you know me at all, you know I grew up in Roan Mountain, Tennessee and while I didn’t take advantage of its beauty then, I am trying to make up for now. So below are all of the images I felt worthy of keeping and sharing. I hope you enjoy and I love to hear from each and everyone of you reading this. Tell me if you have a favorite. Let me know if you think it makes sense to own my own printer at home. Most importantly, let me know where I should capture next! HERE WE GO

Atlas- aka my hiking buddy

I apologize for the watermark over the images. I am testing a new service thanks to my friend, Katy. I didn’t realize they were watermarked until I have finished the entry so.. please pardon the nuisance this once.