Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens Tennessee is a beautiful campus.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a graduating senior, engagement session,
or wedding party being photographed …
the location offers so much variety that no two sessions ever look the same.

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Makenzie graduates this spring from Walker Valley High School,
a fact which is kind of amazing and ‘sad’ at the same time …
I’ve been her piano teacher since she was in first grade.
I still remember those first lessons where she would quietly talk to herself
as she worked things out on the keyboard … “Is that it? …
No … that’s not right … this one … oh …wait …”
I loved it!

Have said it before and it remains a truth …
time flies … I love seeing these young people grow up but it sure does
something to you when they do!

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Grow your own stuff, support your neighbors, shop local …
photograph local.
Sometimes we forget there are plenty of beautiful picture spots
right in our own neighborhood because we think ‘landscape’
instead of beautiful ‘pocket spot’.
Unless the goal is to get a complete scenic spot for a specific purpose,
“look in your own backyard” and you’ll be surprised.
It’s beautiful there.
We’re in the middle of a drought right now … wild fires
burning near Chattanooga, Knoxville, Oak Ridge and the Smokies.
And since we can’t remember the last rain … it has been HOT all summer …
fall color was bound to be a little ‘ick’ this year.

Light and color was still available at Athens Regional Park.
The walking trail, two or three bridge areas, open field,
and (a little) running water yielded some great pocket spots.
Thomas …

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and Mattie …

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Athens Regional Park …
one more thing to add to the “Why I Love My Small Town” list!

I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite part of any wedding day.
I love the prep, the details … seeing family and friends together … cake!
But if I had to pick, along with departure down the aisle,
‘dances’ would be in the top 2.
Mother of the Groom … and Philip:

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A special moment … once in a lifetime …
kind of like seeing a whole ‘lifetime in one moment’.
There is no proper description – it’s just really good.

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And while we all know that no one has the perfect ‘smooth sailing’ life,
for all the smiles, hugs, and happiness that show up in pictures like these,
you know that at least in this 5 minutes life is perfect.

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