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!

Josie | Lifestyle Newborn Portrait Session

There’s just something so sweet & special about being invited into someone’s home. Into a season of life that is changing yet beaming with excitement. Perhaps that’s why I enjoy love being a photographer. I can choose to be a part of the bustling wedding day or spend an quiet afternoon getting to know a family who just welcomed home their littlest member.

Miss Josie recently made her arrival into the world a few weeks ago. Changing a Birmingham family of two into a family of three. For nine months, Chelsey & Sam made preparations to their home, read all the books & even received advice from family & friends. But nothing could prepare them for that first moment when they met their baby girl. So without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to baby girl Josie.

Trooper was a little bit unsure about the his baby sis’s arrival. He had to check out everything we put her in & of course had to remind us all that he was here first. Isn’t he just too cute?!

Congrats Chelsey & Sam on the arrival of your baby girl!

Thanks for inviting me into your home & sharing this season of life with me.

Interested in booking your very own in-home lifestyle portrait session? Email me! Simple as that.

Jen & Stanley | Rotary Trail in the Magic City Engagement Session

Momma always said you’ll “just know” when you meet the right person. And if I’ve learned anything in my 29 years of life, momma is always right.

Jen met Stanley almost two years ago at a local gym in Birmingham, Alabama. It was after their first date at IHOP (brunch dates are the best!) that she just knew. He makes her laugh & takes care of her. After a year of dating, Jen became paralyzed. Stanley never left her side & became her main source of support. It is because of him that she will be able to walk down the aisle on their wedding day.

And girls just remember, listen to your sweet Southern momma. She knows best.

Love this black & white portrait of these two!

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Jen & Stanley both love their universities & love sports, all of them. So for the second half of their engagement session, we decided to highlight those two passions. I love how playful these portraits turned out at a local football stadium. Should make for an interesting football season in the soon-to-be Crawford household.

Addison | Tea Party Portrait Session Downtown Tuscaloosa

Addison celebrated her first birthday as any little girl should - with a tea party. She rolled into a park nestled in Downtown Tuscaloosa in a carriage. Yep, you read that right. This princess arrived in her own carriage that once belonged to her mother & grandmother.

This girl is full of personality which comes as no surprise if you know her daddy, Joseph. And she’s got her momma, Meg, to thank for the the prettiest eyes & smile. From engagement portraits to wedding day to awaiting baby to smashing cake with their sweet baby girl, I consider it a treat to watch this family grow over the years.

Happy First Year, Addison! Thanks for letting me come to your Tea Party - it ‘twas delightful.

You know there’s a Southern momma involved with all the monograms - cute little bloomers included! Peep those sweet chunky thighs, too!

It should also be noted that Meg made this cake & wanted to incorporate her grandmother’s china into Addison’s birthday celebration. Love all the family touches in this portrait session. Now let’s eat cake, shall we?!

We just had to get in a few mother/daughter portraits too! Meg, thank you for allowing me to love your family as it grows. I love watching you & Joseph parent Addison well. Ya’ll are rock stars. And well Addison is so stinking adorable of course!

Anna & Russell | Anniversary Portrait Session Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens Birmingham

“I love it when my two worlds collide!” exclaimed Anna as she got out of the car at the Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens. And I have to agree! Anna & I grew up in the same small town of Greensboro, Alabama & now we find ourselves in the big city of Birmingham.

She married her best friend last spring & decided to celebrate Year One with a portrait session. And I think that’s the best idea! “He keeps me laughing,” Anna remarked about her husband when I asked what’s one thing you love about Russell. During premarital counseling, our pastor told us that laughter is very important to which I would agree. Many say that the first year is the hardest, while others say it’s what you make it. Either way, Russell advised that the key to making it work is work on your schedules and ensure that they mesh well.

They enjoy traveling down HWY 280 to attend Auburn football games & finding local restaurants that serve the best craft beers. Goodness, they said a lot like my husband & I. Ya’ll, it’s so fun to be married to your best friend!

The Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens has so many great locations for portraits! Huge thanks to Tahara for letting us come by.

This porch was totally made for Anna & Russell, wouldn’t you agree?!

These blooms were my favorite!

Anna & Russell, thank you for trusting me to capture your first year anniversary portraits! I had a blast getting to know the both of you & cannot wait to see what year TWO holds for ya’ll!

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Venue: Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens Birmingham, Alabama

Jen & Chris | Downtown Birmingham Engagement Session

This Alabama Wedding Photographer met her husband at a wedding of all places! And I love hearing how other couples find their way to each other. For Jen & Chris, they met at church here in Birmingham, Alabama. After several conversations, they discovered that they had many things in common like their careers, interests, & values. They spent many weekends going on outdoor adventures, brunch dates & seeing shows at local theaters. Jen mentioned in our initial email that, “It was such an amazing year getting to know each other more.”

After nearly two years, Chris purchased a ring that he just had to give to her. Like absolutely couldn’t wait to give it to her. So within a few days he had asked everyone for their blessings. Chris proposed in Atlanta, Georgia in front of the Fox Theater. Talk about the most thought out, perfect proposal for these two!

I admit I was a little anxious about showing up to this downtown Birmingham engagement portrait session, but after nearly 10 minutes I felt like an old college friend. Jen went to the University of West Alabama (Go Tigers!) & Chris went to that other university in the state….Auburn. (My husband is an AU alumnus too!) Their smiles are contagious & their love for one another is evident in how they serve one another. He supports her dreams, while she does the same.

One thing that I absolutely loved about their portrait session was how Chris could not wipe that grin off of his face when he looked at his girl. And I love how Jen laughs from deep within her soul. In our chats Jen mentioned that they were both nurses & love the arts. So I jumped at the chance to plan out their unique engagement portrait session. Railroad Park provided the best cityscape for their scrubs - which I adore BTW! Aren’t they so stinking cute in their Converse, too?! And then we ending the evening in the Birmingham Theater District with the lights of the Alabama Theater marquee sign adding a little sparkle to their already incredible love story.

Without further ado, I present to you one of my favorite engagement portrait sessions since moving to my new city. Let me know in the comments which set of portraits is your favorite! Team Scrubs or Team Theater?

Ok - fine we may have laughed some during this session. And by some I mean a lot. So much so, my cheeks were sore too!

Ah! The most perfect springtime blooms! Thank you Railroad Park for welcoming the new season so well.

Ya’ll, I just adore these two so much.

Jen! You look absolutely stunning in that dress, girl! I can only imagine how beautiful you will be in your wedding gown this fall. And Chris, you are so dapper!

To the soon to be Martins, thank you for allowing me to serve you well during this exciting season of your life. I wish you the best as you begin this new adventure - trust me, it’s one of the best!

Vendors to thank for their awesomeness:

Photography: Deborah Michelle Photography

Makeup: Made by Jhae

Dress: Lulus

Hair: Erica McNeil of Integrity Salon Spa

Venues:

Railroad Park & Alabama Theater - Downtown Birmingham, Alabama