Ok. I’ll be totally real: I think it’s the best thing ever when a good ol’ country boy who loves racing cars and hunting deer can also be man enough to let his emotional guard down and just speak out loud how much he loves his bride and even shed a tear or two in the process. Davey is that kind of guy. And he’s got a lot to love in Jessica. She’s the kind of girl that keeps an internal calm regardless of what’s happening around her. She’s confident and steady. She’s not going to make a big deal about herself, but that’s ok since her groom takes care of that for her.

Their wedding was at a quirky residence outside of Meridian called Pierce Castle… and it’s exactly that, I big ol’ castle in the middle of the country. The vibe was quaint and you could feel the love folks had for these two… and for their two adorable sons, which you’ll see in a few of the images here.

Jessica’s sweet little boy so excited to see his mom looking “Like a Queen” as he put it.

Jamie & Jordan walked into my studio a few weeks ago, us never having met in person, and in mere minutes (in an almost strange sort of way) I felt like I was just laughing my way through photographing an engagement session with close friends.

THEN I found out that Jamie’s dad is a psychologist or something. So, CLEARLY she was playing some sort of crazy mind tricks on me. And they totally worked. So, suffice to say, I can’t wait to spend the day with two of my newest friends when they get married this fall. Here are a few of the photos from my fun time with Jamie & Jordan.

Kelli & Derek are hilarious together. Kelli’s, well, quite together and Derek’s just plumb crazy. I love how silly things can be between them, but how even crazy Derek slows down when it comes to caring for and loving on his bride.

They’re wedding was right here in Jackson at the FBC Jackson Chapel with a super fun reception at The South. Having known Kelli since college, it was a blast to be around old and new friends and about four past wedding clients!

Had the most lovely afternoon with these two a few weeks back. Jaclyn & Frederick, thanks for being so goofy and lovable and downright sweet together. I look forward to seeing you again this Fall!

Lake Forest Ranch is a campground in north Mississippi that is super special to me. Not only because of the dynamic spiritual growth that happened in my life while I worked there as a camp counselor back in 2005, but also because of the many, many relationships I formed that one summer. In fact, it was at this camp that Jess and I started dating (well, sort of, it was against camp rules to date a fellow staff member). Long story short, I made friends that have changed my life and made me a better person.

Hannah, the bride in today’s post, was a camper that one summer I worked, but has connections to Lake Forest Ranch that run far deeper than mine. Her love for this special place nestled in the woods of Mississippi was so profound that she and Josh decided it was the best possible place for them to marry, despite it being a far trek from their home in Colorado.

Knowing Hannah and her family as well as I do (I photographed her brother’s wedding several years ago), I was so excited about how relaxed and meaningful I knew everything would be. It would be a joyful celebration completely centered on Christ: exactly what a wedding is meant to be.

Things didn’t go exactly as planned when rain forced the ceremony to be moved inside a barn (like, a real barn… moved the horses out and the white chairs in) at the last minute, but nothing could take away from the sweet, sweet love between these two. Even with the smell of horses and dusty air, everything was completely perfect.

First up in the post are images from the 2 mile fun run that started the day for the bride, groom and their closest friends and family…

Probably my favorite moment of the day… Just a few minutes before the ceremony, Hannah and her dad were tucked away in the camp office playing a game of thumb wrestling–something they’ve done since she was a little girl.

I just finished photographing Jennifer’s bridal session which reminded me that I hadn’t yet posted her and Chris’ engagement session–shame on me! “Jenni” as she’s known among her best friends, apparently has quite the dynamic personality that she really only lets out once she’s super comfortable with you. I feel like I’m getting close to seeing it. All this came out because three of Jenni’s bridesmaids/college friends joined us for the bridals and they were completely outrageous. And hilarious. I love how friends rat you out in front of other people in the most loving sort of way.

Jennifer and Chris had a great engagement session. It was a little warm, but they were more than a little cooperative and were up for pretty much anything. See you two again in just over a month!

Caroline and Bennon are just so cute together. I’ve known Bennon since he was around 13, so while it’s a little strange to see him graduating college and getting married, I couldn’t be happier that he ended up with a gal whose family I’ve come to appreciate so much. I photographed Caroline’s sister, Kathryn’s wedding a couple years back, so I’m thrilled to be back with two families that I love when I photograph their wedding this summer.

I think Allison and John’s session was the first recently where I was like, “YES! Spring is HERE!” Now, unfortunately the temps have jumped up to high 80s, but, I enjoyed Spring for the few days we had it. :) I had such a good time with these two. They are two helplessly classy individuals, and that makes me quite certain that their summer wedding in Louisiana will be exactly that: helplessly classy. Can’t wait to be a part of it!

If you didn’t know, Jess and I really really love where we live; so much so, Jess has started a blog about our personal lives, entitling it “Life on Lawson” [Street]. This pertains particularly to the couple featured in this post as they live directly next door to us. It wasn’t long before their wedding that they moved in, so, we’re still getting to know these two, but there’s probably no better way to get to know a couple than to dive in as their wedding photographer.

Their wedding was sweet and simple, and it was clear that Marianna had one and only one care on that day: spending it with Thomas. I loved that about her… and about them. While so many couples can get lost in the sea of attention that swarms them on their wedding day, Marianna kept laser-like focus on her groom. And him to her. Here are just a few of my favorite images from their wedding day…

You’re going to see a trend here on the blog over the next several months. I’ve got a number of MC friends getting married this year who have given me the great privilege of serving as their photographer… such is the case with these two. Elizabeth and I actually met before college in a high school choir in which we both sang. So, in essence, she was really one of my very first college friends. Our love for music has kept us connected in a variety of ways, and it’s a no brainer that my favorites memories with Elizabeth have been those when we’ve worshipped together, on different stages here and there, over the years.

Chris is Mr. Smooth. He’s kind of so cool it intimidates me. He was a few years ahead of us in school, but I”m so excited to get to know him more as their relationship grows. Suffice to say – they’re beautiful separately but dynamite together. Enjoy these few from their engagement session…