Updated: Jul 11, 2021
Ashley and Joel braved the blistering cold wind for this gorgeous engagement session! Shelby Farms' winter wheat was the perfect location for their fall engagement session. I can't wait for their wedding in September at Southern Grace in Arlington,TN!
-Shelby
Updated: Jul 11, 2021
Memphis, since the 1950’s, had always been the town that inspired so many to pick up a guitar and mosey on from town to town. Thats exactly what Nick and Keisha decided to do for their wedding day. Well, minus the guitar. Flying all the way in from South Carolina, we had the chance to take a foggy southern afternoon with them and photograph their love for each other. We met downtown for their engagement photographs near the famous Sun Studio. At the same door that The King walked through to record his first record all the back in July of 1953.
It should be said that when we first met Nick and Keisha over a FaceTime call sometime back, The King of Rock and Roll was was brought up in conversation quite a few times. Well, for a couple reasons really. The first being the fact that Elvis is The King, and one needs no specific reason to speak of him. Secondly, because Keisha happens to be the second biggest fan of Elvis, right behind Nicolas Cage in a long distant 1st place. (C’mon now.. The guy married Elvis’s daughter for cryin’ out loud)
Nick wore a classic Flat cap and vest while Keisha, with a lacy white dress, kept the two locked into a very elegant and charming mood. While wandering up and down Union avenue, we both could tell their love for the nostalgia of this town was only matched by their love for each other. Honestly, think of your favorite place in the world. It could be Paris, or even Tucson, AZ. Now couple that with your favorite person and Bingo! A recipe for cuteness perfected. Looking through this set gives you a nostalgic feeling. Almost like you’re looking at the photos of all the happy people at Disneyland in the 50’s.
After a few more close ups downtown, we headed to Elvis’ home state of Mississippi to find us some cotton fields! Yes ladies and Gentlemen living anywhere outside of the South, you’ve heard that correctly! Here in Mississippi we have hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds ( you get the idea ) of acres of cotton fields. This is not us throwing “shade” here y’all, but we’re convinced that Mississippi only has two things; Cotton Fields and Ole Miss. Regardless of how many things are in Mississippi, we decided to abuse one of them and trek onto one of these endless fields for some gorgeous photos. Nick and Keisha made a quick wardrobe swap into some down right adorable ensembles! Here is where our set really grew wings. Nick + Keisha were at their absolute best in front of our cameras when we just let them be them. Nick would hold Keisha’s hand, to ensure her not getting sucked into the quicksand that is Mississippi mud and they’d both giggle as they slipped and almost fell to their muddy dooms. Ok not dooms, but mud stains are hard to get out! #amirite
Nick and Keisha’s set overall is a fantastic blend of classical and contemporary photographic elements. The tone and the color achieved is moody, yet vibrant still. It's not underexposed and doesn’t feel “sad” in anyway shape or form, but has the contrasty elements of the very trendy “espresso” styles of the last 5 years. The composite of our natural inclination to keep every shot true to life and mother natures ability to give a genuine “moodiness”, we think hit the sweet spot here.
We adored working with Nick and Keisha, and we can not wait for their wedding at Graceland this upcoming year! Thank you both for choosing us as your Wedding photographers!
Love, Shelby and Rick
Updated: Jul 11, 2021
Happiness.
What is it and how is it achieved?
A collection of observations by Rick and Shelby
Chapter one
Happiness.
Is it an emotion that’s created or affected by an out side force? Or is it an internal acceptance and understanding of the outside?
Perhaps it’s only perception that creates happiness. The way a fire and pink set sky evokes happiness for one, and not for another.
Perhaps this is why we all find happiness in places that others wouldn’t think to look.
Perhaps it’s being the owner of the cutest bleeping puppy you’ve ever, ever seen.
Like... EVER!
Yes. We’re going with that.
Cutest puppy ever = Happiness.
Zen.
The End.
Thanks for reading our book, we hope that you found it insightful.
When we first met Hailley for coffee and to talk about wedding details, our conversation always seemed to lean back to our "Fur Babies". It's really hard not to talk about dogs in general, but when we meet someone who REALLY wants pictures with thier pup, its hard not to feel, well, all giddy and stuff.
( C'mon, we're photographers, not authors, ok? "And Stuff" is what you'll get, so don't throw no fit!)
Ehem...
Zeke, (that's the puppy's name *Giggle*) was almost as cute as Hailley and Carlos were. Hailley showed up to our session with her make up done professionally and may we say, perfectly. Carlos had his beard sculpted to the Greek God Standard. When we started our engagement session by brooks museum on a beautiful June day, we had no idea how beautiful the day would turn out to be. (Spoiler Alert : It turns out it was a really beautiful day. See below. Yes... This blog does indeed contain pictures.)
While we walked and played fetch with Zeke, we asked Hailley if she thought Zeke could balance her engagement ring on his nose, “We can try!" she said trying to harness her excitement. “But I’ve been practicing with him and I haven’t been able to get it right!”
In a slightly daring attempt, we took Hailley‘s gorgeous engagement ring and very carefully had Zeke sit and balance it on his nose, “There! Quick! Get the shot! Now grab the ring before it falls!”
Disclaimer: No Diamonds or Puppies were harmed in the making of this epic photo.
After Zeke's close ups, we had him head home with his Aunty, Hailley’s sister. From then on we focused more on just the bride and groom to be.
Once we were downtown alone with them, we found that Hailley and Carlos were a lot more comfortable with the camera than they thought they would be. It's funny how we all tend to think that we're not good at something before we've even done it, only because it's new. Well, darling dear reader, even with them being new models or not, i'm here to say that Hailley and Carlos need to be reconsidering careers.
I see.. yes... modeling in their future!
Without even knowing how charming and sweet they were, they fell into each others looks and had the camera melting. With no prompts from us besides the occasional spurring of a kiss, they were more natural being them and making each other giggle and swoon then when we asked them to pose.
Once they warmed up to the idea of the eye of Sauron staring into them, you could truly see how happy they are to be together.
Overall, This session turned into a very rewarding set artistically. We often judge our work very critically, but this set spoke to us in a inexplicable way. The way the way that Carlos and Hailley contrast each other is astounding. We feel proud that we were able to catch just even a flicker of that magic within these two. We hope you enjoy the set.
We'll leave you with this Riddle...
Whats grey and furry and in a hurry?
Happiness :)
Shelby and Rick
