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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Knoxville Wedding and Portrait Photography :: Coming Soon

I need to start this post out with a wordy announcement! This summer has been my busiest ever so I need to be sure that everyone is aware of a few schedule changes. In the past most of you have called me a week or two before you want to schedule your session and I usually try to fit everyone in to suit their calendar best. I can't do that anymore! I have to stop overbooking myself so I can stay on top of all the post processing that goes into every thing I photograph. So in order to get everyone's pictures turned around in decent amount of time I am only going to be taking two portrait sessions a week.

That's the big announcement: Only two a week. This means one major thing for my clients now: You have to book your session much further in advance. I am already booked through September. So there are eight spots available for October and seven for November. To schedule a session please contact my office manager Sarah (sarah@julierobertsphoto.com).

I also want to announce that I am through the computer funk! (I HOPE!!) In the last month my website was attacked by mal-ware, my email was black listed, my computer got a virus, and there was an incident involving a thunderstorm, lightening, and my computer's memory board. Awesome! Needless to say its been very debilitating and massively frustrating!!! Mostly because all of these issues were totally random and unrelated to each other and all of it was completely over my head. Thankfully I am blessed with a genius boyfriend (who I like to call Eugene-You-Genius even though his real name is Nick) who was able to swoop in and over time single handedly solve all of my problems. He is a true hero. Not just my hero, but also the hero of everyone in the following photos. Everyone's photos were backed up and there was no problem in the way of losing images (praise Jesus!). But because of Nick, my computer is now back to working and everyone below will see their pictures soon.

Thanks for reading my essay! Here is what you'll be seeing soon:

Brand new Baby Cooper:

Taylor and Russell's sweet engagement session:

Valerie and JP's wedding:

Jane & Craig's Wedding:

And WARNING!! There is something in the water! Three maternity sessions in a row!!!

Tamara:

Staci:

And Ashley & Ray:

The Menefee Family

Lisa & Jordan's Wedding:

Kari & Louis's adorable engagement session:

Katy's bridal session ... peaches and cream:

Amy & Matthew's engagement session in the woods:

And I'll leave you with this gorgeous shot from an engagement session I did last night with Andy & Kelly. Lovely!

Posted at 11:02:37 AM

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

George & Maria :: Married :: Gatlinburg Wedding Photography

I am so happy to be posting this wedding! George and Maria got married in June on George's family farm. That property is unbelievably beautiful. Its set in the heart of the Smoky Mountains so every where I turned there was something amazing to photograph.

Maria was the most calm and lovely bride. Despite many obstacles (thunderstorms and ruined flowers) she remained pleasant and undisturbed. She had one thing in mind and that was marrying the love of her life and nothing took her focus away from that.

In addition to having just an awesome personality ... she just so happens to be completely gorgeous. I adored her hair. This is one of my favorites from the whole day.

Can you believe this view? Welcome to my home town.

Oh, did I mention that I've known the groom since grade school? So, it was pretty special to be a part of this day. He was also undisturbed by all the obstacles of the day. Ready to marry his best friend ... George was looking great!

There were so many fun details at this wedding. George and his family actually built the benches and the platform where the ceremony was held. Amazing!

Maria has a Greek heritage ... so there were many Greek traditions incorporated into their wedding.

This was one of the most fun receptions I've ever been a part of. The party lasted late into the night and everyone danced!!! Please watch the slide show to see all the reception fun.

Posted at 9:05:16 PM

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Jonathan East and Brooke Cenicola :: MARRIED :: Knoxville Wedding Photography

This is the wedding post you've all been waiting for!!!

Ever since this adorable couple's engagement session (http://www.julierobertsphoto.com/jonathan&brooke/) so many of you have asked me "when is that cute couple's wedding?" Well I was just so thrilled about this wedding and I have been so anxious to share the photos here. Brooke and Jonathan are such an unforgettable couple ... not because they are stunningly gorgeous, not because they are photogenic, not because they have great style. Though they do have all of those things ... the reason they are so wonderful to me is because they have a love that is evident and beautiful. Their entire wedding day was centered solely on their love for each other. They were so focused on making their wedding day a genuine experience and not a production or a circus. They were surrounded by so many people who loved them and who took on all the planning and details. Brooke and Jonathan focused only on getting married to each other. It truly was a wonderful day.

Brooke actually made the veil herself. Beautiful and vintage!

I think Jonathan was a little nervous. These shots were done by my intern Sara Arms. She did a great job shooting with me that day. You can see the images that belong to her by noticing her little name on the logo.

Jonathan presented his mother with a rose to honor and represent his father. So that set the mood for a very emotional ceremony from the very beginning.

Why have one or two flower girls when you can have a parade of flower girls and ribbon dancers?

Below are Jonathan's brothers, sister and Brooke's brother ... they sang in perfect harmony "How Great Thou Art".

When I first met with Brooke and Jonathan they shared with me how all of their wedding plans had come together so easily. They didn't have a ton of money to spend so they agreed from the beginning to just let the details fall into place. As a result it worked out that so many people who knew them and loved them wanted to be a part of the wedding in some way. The location of the wedding was given as a gift by their friends Henry and Jonelle Wooldridge. This is actually their home ... but it made an amazing and intimate wedding venue.

I just want to state that I love this couple. I love the way they love each other. Everything about them is just true love to me and I can't get enough. The next two images are just my favorite ceremony kiss shots ever. I love how they look at each other, kiss each other, respond with their hearts on their sleeves. They are inspiring!

A little collage of family shots ...

(A note, Jonathan's sister Kimberly and Brooke's sister Jennifer were really instrumental in helping to make the wedding day go smoothly. They did a wonderful job.)

And this lovely bridal party portrait. Perfect!

Flowers done by Chester McCurry. Stunning!

TWIRLERS!!!!!!!!!!!

First dance ... so lovely ... so sincere ...

A really sweet dance with Jonathan and his mom Joyce.

Brooke had prepared a two-song dance with her dad. It began with "Baby Mine" ... very emotional ...

And then ended with a blast from the past "When I see an elephant fly." Which resulted in the best father/daughter "dance" I've ever witnessed. Please watch the slide show at the bottom to see these two really get down.

The reception was held in the back yard of the house ... and the inside too.

My favorite shot from the day:

Dress- Borrowed from Carol Taylor

Jacket & Alterations - Tracy Roy

Tier Cake: Chester McCurry

Service Cake- Tully Wilson of Tully's Bistro

Food & Decorations- The AKIMA Club

Posted at 6:42:33 PM

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

BrokenFork Design :: Unique Homes :: Lexington, Kentucky

This is just an opportunity for me to brag a little bit about my boyfriend, Nick. For those of you who follow my blog or facebook ... you've heard about Nick before but here is a chance for me to tell you a little more about what he does. Although this is just a portion of how he spends his time ... its super impressive and I am SO PROUD!

BrokenFork is a home investment and restoration company that takes totally crap old houses and makes them like art. That is my official description of the company! I should stick to taking pictures right?! You will find a much better telling of what Nick and his business partner do on their new website that just launched. Here is the link:

http://www.brokenforkdesign.com/index.html

Nick's official role in all of this is more along the lines of property investor and financial guru. But you should also know that he totally put together the website. And a lot of times he takes a break from the office to get his hands dirty sanding floors and staining cabinets.

On to the good stuff. Here are just a few photos of some of their projects over the last year:

This is one of my favorite houses ... the inside is so bright and lovely. Here you can see the original hardwood floors that have been restored.

I am a sucker for a good kitchen. Give me counter space and lots of storage and I am a happy camper. I particularly love the brick detail that they kept in this one.

One of the most important qualities of a BrokenFork home is in the thoughtful details that make each home completely unique. I'm totally sold on this stuff. Found objects and craftsmanship come together to transform an ordinary home into a piece of art.

So I am now wishing that I had been brave enough to take the "before" pictures ... just so you could see the impressive transformation of these places. But honestly ... the "before" conditions are stinky and icky and I just didn't want to go inside!

This one has gorgeous custom built shelves. And this is one of my favorite kitchens! Nick actually created a home-made stain that he used to color the cabinets in this kitchen. Also notice the stained glass panels at the top of each cabinet door. And again, the brick detail left in to give it more texture in the room. I LOVE this one!

Here is one of the more recent projects they finished. This is Nick's first commercial property. It is being rented by Superlative Coffee Roasters which is a place to buy locally roasted, ground and packaged coffee which is organic, free trade and high-quality. Here is a link to visit their website: http://superlativecoffee.com/

Here is what you really want to see ... me and my honey (I'm so proud of him!):

Once again be sure to visit the BrokenFork website: http://www.brokenforkdesign.com/index.html

AND!!!! They were recently featured in The Chevy Chaser Magazine, a popular Lexington publication featuring local businesses:

http://www.chevychaser.com/Articles-c-2010-06-29-93429.113117_From_Eyesore_to_Artisan.html

Posted at 7:54:42 AM

Sunday, July 11, 2010

The Comer Family + Grandparents + Auntie = One Gorgeous Bunch!

This is the Comer Family :

Aaron, Katelyn, and of course their shining star Addalyn Clark

We did their recent photo shoot including the whole family ...

Sweet little thing looking up at her Papaw ... love that one!

Here are some really great looking grandparents!

Seriously ... if there were ever grandparent super models ... here you go:

Little Stinker!

Aunt Olivia gets in on the fun in the bird bath. Ew!

Posted at 7:32:16 PM

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Kati Sanford & Nathan Goodner :: MARRIED :: Knoxville Weddings

On June 6, 2010 Kati Sanford and Nathan Goodner made it official! It was one of the hottest day's I've experienced this year but thankfully the wedding was indoors! The first half of the day was spent "getting ready" at the beautiful farm of the Sanfords'. When I saw this giant magnolia tree I had a vision. I mean, can you think of a better place to hang the wedding dress? Oh ... and those gorgeous flowers ... yep ...http://www.lisafosterfloraldesign.com Lisa Foster Floral Design. xoxo!

We went over to the church for Kati and Nathan to have their "first look". I love it when couple choose to do that! Just a few portraits of Kati first ...

Then it was time for a few portraits back at the farm ...

A few last minute touch ups before the ceremony ...

And a prayer with her dad. I LOVE this shot by Sarah. Isn't this just a perfect moment!

I'm not sure why I love this photo so much ... but I think its so beautiful! I love Kati's dress!

Off to Hunter Valley Farms http://www.huntervalleyfarmtn.com/ for the reception. But first, we had to take advantage of the gorgeous property there for a quick family photo: