Little Levi

My sweet photographer friend Anna (Anna Shelnutt Hall Photography - Check her out here) told me about her little bun in the oven while shooting a wedding together last year. She was over the moon and couldn’t contain her special news! At first I heard a little hesitation in her voice as she talked about her growing baby for fear something could change, but as he grew and grew I watched her fear fade as she fell more in love with her baby boy. It’s magical to meet a new little human fresh from heaven, but I believe it is even more so to meet a new momma! A mother’s love is strong, unconditional, and ever growing! It’s a beautiful - beautiful thing!

Read More
What I've Learned From Running an Emotion Based Business UnEmotionally

As a photographer I am warmly welcomed into the most precious moments of stories! I am able to slip into the heart stuff that no one outside the tight circle of friends or family is allowed to witness! I love this aspect of my job! I love being able to capture the emotion of a story for my clients! I can’t even begin to explain how wonderful it is to hear a client remark on how beautiful they feel in their images, but this can be dangerous territory for me. The opposite can also happen leaving me feeling responsible for another person’s insecurities or unrealistic expectation. I value feedback and take all of it in with a gain of salt and as much understanding as possible! Being a photographer can often look like balancing my own emotions with the emotions of my clients. I can’t be destroyed by a lack of response, or tough feedback, or even a simple mistake of my own doing! I sell people artistic representations of themselves - their connections and emotions. I don’t create anyone. I just see beauty and connection and craft images around them.

Read More
Never Go to Iceland!

Wow. What a place! My advice: Never go to Iceland. Why? Because if you go there then at some point you’ll have to leave again, and man oh man, you won’t want to! Every nook and cranny of this country probably could kill you with fire, ice, water, wind, hail, snow, hot water, gravel, or some other natural hazard, but if you have a sense of adventure you will LOVE every second of staying alive there! It’s an amazing, truly astoundingly beautiful place overflowing with adventure.

Read More
Under The Falls

A few years ago Stephanie and I were walking through the streets of Antigua, Guatemala when she asked me where I wanted to see my photography business go. I told her about my dreams of becoming a wedding photographer, of painting the stories of people who just want to do the rest of their lives together, and capturing deep emotion. She helped me plan a path towards wedding photography while speaking life and promise into my heart. It was amazing to have another human listen and dream alongside me. Fast-forward to April 14th, 2019 in Toccoa, Georgia where I was able to photograph HER as she married her God-given soulmate under the highest waterfall in the state!

Read More
Dear Moms,

Dear Moms,

As a photographer I hear from you the most. You reach out to tell me your children have reached another milestone. They started crawling… walking… lost their first tooth… It’s their first day of school... They’re growing so fast. I am often struck by how motherhood grows your woman’s heart bigger and bigger as your little one develops and changes. I see you give until I think you’ll run out of steam, but then you just give some more. I know you give part out of selfless love and part as a result of amazing self-discipline! You’re real women who choose to nurture and love another human for the rest of forever through the good and the ugly. I’ve seen how much you do and want to give you a little gift this Mother’s Day.


Read More
Baby Ellie

Every session has its own story to tell and this one is no different. Sweet baby Ellie’s newborn session was done in her own little nursery in the house where she will grow up! I LOVED finally getting to hold this sweet beautiful baby girl, and I can’t wait to watch her grow! <3 I don’t think it’s really possible to say how grateful I am for the tiny part you all allow me to play in your amazing love stories!

XOXO

~Katie

Read More
Dennis and Kate

Dennis and I met at a mutual friend’s 21st birthday in 2010. The house was full of people neither of us knew, and we somehow gravitated towards each other in the midst of the craziness. After talking all night, I had to slip away to give some friends a ride home, but I made a near-tragic mistake by giving Dennis the old “Irish goodbye.” He wound his way through the crowd, trying to get my number before I left, but I was already off! Persistent as ever, he found someone at the party with my number, and we went on our first date the next weekend—BINGO at a Knights of Columbus outpost. We were the youngest people there by about 50 years. I fell for his humor, authenticity, dedication to his friends and family, and his beard.

Since that night, we’ve exchanged our “I do’s,” moved across the country and back again, brought a magical little baby girl into the world, and now we’re embarking on our next journey—baby number 2! Through sickness, health, laughter, tears, and all the wildness of babies, I am so thankful to live this life with Dennis by my side.

Read More
The Little Sailor

The absolutely amazing thing about life is that we get to truly know each other. We don’t have to do all the things alone! I have known this momma-to-be since I was born. As my cousin and lifelong friend we’ve laughed way too loudly together, blonded (our definition of acting the fool) after 9 p.m. together and cried together. I was in her wedding and she’ll be in mine. I remember when she went on her first date, had her first kiss, found out she’d have difficulty conceiving (we both cried about that one for a while) … Then she met Drew, fell hard, got married and proved all the doctor’s wrong with this sweet baby she is carrying.

Read More
January Lasts Forever

It feels like January 271, 2019… I don’t know how you are feeling right now, but for me it feel seems like this month may never end. This may have something to do with all the rain or the fact that I am on the Whole 30, but whatever the case my poor little heart has been a bit down in the dumps. To be honest, since starting the Whole 30 my body does feel healthier, I sleep deeper, and I wake up with more energy. I’ve LOVED finding Whole 30 recipes on Pinterest and have created a few myself which has been fun, but as a whole I really miss cheese. All you amazing human’s who do this thing over and over again - I just want you to know how much respect I have for you! You’re pretty amazing! I’m just trying to be you. As I write this today, the sun is out and man oh man am I enjoying it!

Read More
Still drinking the FrouFrou stuff? I didn't think so...

The beginning of a relationship is like drinking one of those delicious froufrou drinks at your favorite coffee shop! It smells amazing. It looks yummy. It probably has a shot of espresso giving you a burst of energy. It just makes you feel all the warm fuzzies! I get it; I’ve been there! Another human thinks you’re amazing and that just feels all the happy feelings!

Read More
Guess what????

Last year was a gift! The year 2018 started on a couch in my best friend’s basement in Kokomo, Indiana. Haha It was wonderful! From Georgia’s pines to Chicago’s wind to California’s coastline to Thailand’s warm sun… It’s been a crazy adventure! I don’t think 2019 will be anything less.

2019? Iceland! This year in May, I am actually going to Iceland! Eeeekkkkk! I have travel buddies, and tickets to fly! We are all still doing a lot of planning and chatting about what we want to see/do/explore while there, but it is going to be a blast and I CANNOT WAIT to take you all with me through posts and blogs!

Read More
Dangerous Words

“I want my senior pictures to be a dream come true for you. If there is a shoot you’ve been planning in your head, and have been waiting for an opportunity, I’m your girl.” These are the dangerous words Brennah said to me while chatting about her senior portraits a few weeks ago. DANGEROUS WORDS… words I am ALWAYS over the moon to hear! I could see the excitement and passion in her eyes as we planned out the location and the dresses. I knew this one would be one I print out for me and hang on my wall to remind myself how lucky I am to be a photographer!

Read More
Dear Emmerson,

Dear Emmerson, 

I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited to meet you!  I first heard you were on the way while sitting in a Mexican restaurant on the way home from one of my adventures.  One of your other aunts spilled the beans over beans and rice, hehe.  She was a bit mortified to have told me the secret she thought I already knew... The secret of you.  I spent a little time processing what it would mean to be aunt and how I would work on being a good one for you.  Baby girl, you are changing our story.  You are growing our hearts!  Your momma called me to tell me about you a little later.  She was and is and will always be thrilled about you.  We all are! 

Read More
Nathan and Hannah

A few years ago my friend Nathan packed up his minivan and moved to Nashville, TN to pursue his dream of helping refugees integrate into the US.  A short time later the program was shut down leaving him with the choice to tuck tail and head home or stick it out and find a new job in his new home.  He called his mom and told her he was going to stay.  He had not been in the Nashville area long, but had already found a church and was plugged in there.  He was helping with the parking ministry and needed to be there every Sunday to direct the able bodied youngsters to the back of the parking lot so the elderly and pregnant women could park close!   Knowing her son all too well she simply asked, " Nathan, What is her name?" 

He replied, "Hannah." 

Read More
Now There are Three

I met Anna at a church function in high school.  Being a little older and a lot less awkward than I was, she became a very dear friend to me.  

I met Glen after a little secret communication involving photography and a wedding ring for Anna!  Oddly enough I was temporarily deaf  during their proposal which made things a tad more interesting! DO NOT get on an airplane without taking a decongestant if you have a bit of a cold.  It does not end well.  Take my word for it!   

I met Clark Jaymes on a Saturday morning under the Parthenon in Centennial Park, Nashville, TN.  She was perfect in all the ways a two month old little girl can be.  I have not met another baby who loves to be so closely held.  She was content to sleep anywhere as long as her loving parents wrapped their arms around her.  What a gorgeous little love.  

Read More