Olivia | Summertime Birthday Portrait Session

My how fast a year goes by! Olivia turned ONE & brought along her parents to celebrate.

You might recognize her parents as one of my DMP couples. Two years ago, the Roberts danced the night away on the boardwalk of the Five Rivers - Alabama Delta Resource Center. And a year ago, we snuck away to Dauphin Island for their maternity portrait session before their baby girl’s arrival.

Olivia just so happens to be my niece & it has been so much fun to watch her personality develop over the year. Excited to see her grow up!

Ruffle butts are hands down the cutest thing ever! Add little thigh rolls & you’re golden!

You know I had to sneak just one couple photo in their family session.

Happy One Year Olivia! Excited to watch you grow up!

Shelby | History Museum of Mobile Bridal Portraits

A dream come true is what this Mobile bridal portrait session was. For years, Shelby has dreamed of a portrait on the grand marble staircase at the History Museum of Mobile in downtown Mobile, Alabama. Now you might be thinking, that’s an odd request…until you see it.

Shelby just received her education degree from Springhill College with a focus in history, so this session combined all of her worlds. And to top it off, All A Bloom made a stunning bouquet centered around the bride’s favorite flower - a sunflower.

Oh & her dress! Ya’ll, it’s what every Southern girl dreams of. Shelby, I had so much fun playing “dress up” with you before your June wedding day.

In case you were not aware, the History Museum has the cutest little courtyard that we just had to take advantage of. Hello white walls with greenery growing up it for days! #photographersdream

As we were about to make our transition to a new location, a small rain shower came out of nowhere. #soMobile We pulled together resources & umbrellas & made a move across town. Huge thanks to the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion for having one of the best covered porches in Mobile, Alabama. Eventually the rain stopped & we got a few more lovely bridal portraits along the oak drive.

Vendors for Shelby’s Bridal Portrait Session

Venues: History Museum of Mobile & Bragg-Mitchell Mansion

Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal

Hair & Makeup: Taylor Ladnier at Salon Whairhouse

Florlist: All A Bloom

The Davidsons | Greensboro Alabama Wedding

Katie’s dream was to walk down the center aisle with her dad by her side in the church she grew up in. And sweet Katie got that dream on a Friday evening in October. Surrounded by their closest friends & family, Katie & Brandon tied the knot.

I, too, grew up at Greensboro Baptist Church in Greensboro, Alabama & have known Katie for years. When she asked me to be her photographer, I was delighted. I knew the man who hold stolen her heart would be special indeed. Brandon brings out the crinkles in her nose every time she laughs. I have never seen a bride so smitten.

Katie & Brandon’s wedding day brought me back to my hometown & made me feel like part of the family. It’s funny how coming home will do just that. I loved every moment of this wedding day from the first look in a local coffee shop’s courtyard to sweet momma zipping up her gown in the most fabulous white walled bathroom to dancing to jazz music at their Beauty & The Beast themed reception, it was the day every little girl dreams about.

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Ya’ll won’t believe that these getting ready images were taken in a bathroom! Yes, you heard that correctly. A bathroom, ugly toilet & all. See my Instagram post to see what it looked like without a blushing bride involved.

The sweetest first look! I was in tears too!

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Shout out to The Stable for allowing us to crash their beautiful courtyard for these portraits.

Katie framed pictures of their grandparents who are no longer with them & I absolutely loved that idea.

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Vendors who made Katie & Brandon’s wedding day a dream come true.

Photographer: Deborah Michelle Photography

Photographer’s Assistant: Ashley Mason

Wedding Ceremony Venue: Greensboro Baptist Church - Greensboro, Alabama

Getting Ready & Wedding Reception Venue: Martin Stewart Building - Greensboro, Alabama

Bride’s Dress: David’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Hair & Makeup: Brittney Johnson

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Cake: Kelley Whatley

Caterer: Evelyn Seale

First Look Venue: The Sable - Greensboro, Alabama

Lauren | Spring Hill College Avenue of Oaks Bridal Portraits

Did you know that bridal portrait sessions date back to WWII? You see it was rare to have a photographer at your wedding back then, so the bride would go into the photographer's studio a few weeks before her wedding for a portrait in her wedding gown. And those portraits would become family keepsakes adorning the hallway of the bride's home for all to see. *Read more about this tradition over on Southern Weddings!

I have no doubt that Lauren's granddaughters will one day see these portraits of her & gasp at how beautiful of a bride she was. So elegant & timeless in her ballgown dress, yet young & romantic with her hair up & long veil drifting about in the breeze.

Do you ever think of the legacy you will leave behind? The memories that you will create with your family that will be shared with generations to come. The laughter. The joy. My prayer is that the portraits I capture for my brides will remind them of this special season in their lives. And with their hair all grey & laugh lines surrounding their face, they will tell stories to those gathered around her rocking chair of how she once fell in love in the most magical way.

Lauren is one of my most joyful brides. I absolutely loved spending time with her & her mother at the Avenue of Oaks on Springhill College's campus one Sunday afternoon. Overcast no doubt but made radiant by the bride's smile. I had way too many favorites from this bridal portrait session, so enjoy a few of them!

I cannot wait to share Lauren & Justin's wedding day with you soon! Stay tuned!

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Bride's Gown & Veil: Bliss Bride Fairhope, Alabama

Venue: Spring Hill College Avenue of Oaks Mobile, Alabama

Hair & Makeup: Mallory Gleason Root 43 Salon

Florals: Trayce Mathis

Ring: Lou's Jewelry

Tracy & Jonathan | Dauphin Island Portraits

Funny story: this sweet girl right here was once my bride & is now my sister-in-law. I doubt she meant to be a matchmaker at her own wedding but she was. Now I’m excited to watch her become a mommy & welcome a niece into the family.

Tracy & Jonathan’s maternity session took place at one of my favorite Gulf Coast locations, Dauphin Island. From the mighty oaks in Cadillac Square to the seashore near Fort Gaines, this little island creates a magical place for portrait sessions.

Congrats to this DMP couple! I cannot wait to cheer you on in this new little adventure of yours!

Natalie | Awaiting Baby

Last year Natalie & Ryan embarked on life as newlyweds. And this year they will welcome their first child, a sweet baby boy. Ah! I remember the moment I saw their announcement. It felt just like a family member telling me such exciting news. I adore all of my clients & Natalie was one of the sweetest & most carefree brides. So I was delighted when she reached out again & asked me to capture a few portraits of her to remember this sweet season of waiting.

Justin Blake, you are already so loved.

Natalie, you are going to be the best mommy to your sweet baby boy. I loved reconnecting with you for this session & thanks for enduring an afternoon in South Alabama during June at almost eight months pregnant. You look absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait to encourage you & Ryan along in this new adventure!

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Interested in seeing how far the Galloways have come???

See Natalie & Ryan's wedding photos from last October here!