I love taking pictures of this family.. not only because they are MY family.. but because there is such love between them. Not having any children yet myself I love watching the bond between parents and their kids. It gets me very excited about being a mother one day! I remember the last time I shot a family session for these guys… it was when I first started this business. I can’t believe I asked them to meet at a park at 3pm in the summer. It was the absolute WORST time of day to shoot. The sun was out of control bright and it was so stinkin hot.. we were all miserable. When it came to editing the images most of them were blown out by the sun and I thought they were pretty good. lol. I’m thankful for all I’ve learned and am continuing the learn about light. I wonder what I’m going to say next year about the way I shoot now. I’m sure there are several things I’ll wish I hadn’t done and say “I can’t BELIEVE I did that!” haha.I’ll be sure to share what I’ve learned and if any photographer newbies are out there wanting to know the tricks and rules of lighting that I’ve learned from trial and error.. I’d love to share! Just email me!

Oh man!! Have you ever typed out the best story ever told that was so long but worth it and then your computer looses connection?? THIS JUST HAPPENED! I’ve got this HILARIOUS story I’m going to share in tomorrow’s blog because I can’t possibly sit here a type it all out again! Man.. frustration here at the Hensley House!

Anyway..  being able to post these next shots makes things all better.  Tonya, who is a photographer in the Johnson City area, called me up a few months ago with this killer idea! Since her dress was just sitting in the closet.. why not put it to good use and get some great pictures at the same time. I’ve seen a-many trash-the-dress sessions.. most of which were beyond cheesy so I’ve always replied to anyone interested in a “Trash The Dress” session, “Only if you REALLY want to trash it! None of this wading in the water stuff.” Sometimes I get another email.. sometimes I don’t. So, if after seeing these you want to do the same BRING IT ON! I’d love love love to! However, you better be ready to really trash the thing.. I’m thinking: rain storm, dirt, beach/sand, gallons of paint being thrown at you, ripping, burning… trashing the thing! If interested.. let me know! Think of the dirtiest place possible and I’ll meet you there!

This idea was all the brainchild of my new friend Tonya. I couldn’t wait to shoot this “rockstar” session from the moment we got off the phone. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Location: Bristol, TN

Meet the Laynes! This is a sweet family that we had the pleasure of meeting a One Life Church in Powell, TN! Sweet, sweet family! Chloe is an adorable 1 year old who has the most beautiful hair and cutest laugh. Kevin and Emily are church planters and with the hearts that they have for others, I know they will impact lives wherever they are led. Emily is quite the crafty one with a knack for making the cutest little hair pieces for woman and little girls you’ve ever seen. You can find her adorable work on her facebook fan page. Go check it out!

For this session we met with Emily’s adorable parents at the World’s Fair Site here in Knoxville. Here are a few of my favorites from the day!