"Facing South"

Through my college career and while earning my degree in art one thing the university makes all us do is look outside of the "box" that all of the incoming students have around their art. Mine was photography and honestly had never really ventured outside of the realm of a camera. Luckily for me I ended up in a wood shop with around 15 other strangers, many of whom had probably never touch a power tool, for "Sculpture 1." Really long story (sculpture 1, 2, and advanced studio classes) short I found a new passion for working with my hands on everything from plaster, metal, wood, clay, and anything our professor put in front of us. 

A post college wood project (coffee table) of my own.

This professor I am speaking of is Mr. Critz Campbell. Over the years and semesters of studio classes a great friendship and a huge  respect for his work was built. (click his name it'll show you his website/portfolio) Not only a great professor but just an awesome guy and super patient.... no telling how many fingers that guy has saved from a table saw throughout his career.  Over the past few years I noticed him making this series "Facing South" which I ended up being asked to photograph while on display at The Depot on the campus of Mississippi State University. Needless to say it was incredible. For those who haven't seen it he creates scenes from nothing but wood. Every line, plane, tone, and color change is an individual piece pieced together by him. Craftsmanship to the max!!! (he even does commission work so if you're looking for that one special piece to go in your home.... send him an email!)

I was even lucky enough to end up with a piece to call my own. I am proud to welcome "Nita's Memory #2" to it's new home in my studio! Shoutout to Joyce Li for the studio picture (below)!

And a few images of the gallery itself.... Be sure to go check it out if it's on display near you!
 

Megan and David | Engagement

Any day in Starkville is a good day! Especially when you have great company for an engagement session. I met Megan a few months back at her consultation with her mother and we all hit it off! We ended up going out for a steak dinner afterwards and talking about non-wedding subjects for hours! Loved getting to know them. Fast forward a little bit and I get to finally meet David along with Megan for their engagement session. They made my job easy! They were genuinely happy to be there and especially together (they've been dating since November 6, 2006!!! I have a picture from their very first date too!!! ). It was an obvious chemistry that helped the made it easy and more fun for me! We explored Starkville for the afternoon and even had a four legged celebrity show up (Both Megan and David are both proud MSU alumni and worked at the vet school so he was a familiar face) Excited to be a part of their big day this upcoming year! 

Funny story to end this session: We ended our session with the sunset at the Noxubee County Refugee where they had done (what I assume to be) a controlled burn of a large field. Me not thinking very clearly walked off into this field crouching, walking, pushing my way through brush to get the perfect shot. As I approached Megan and David they basically just laughed at me. To my unknowing I had COVERED my legs, pants, shoes (which were white), basically everything in black suit. Needless to say I went through the drive through on the way home rather than going inside to eat. Regardless though it was a great day! Love this couple. 

 

(the picture I mentioned earlier (↑) from their very first date on November 6, 2006)

Molly

For those of you who don't know Molly, the best way to describe her is an absolute ball of personality! I love to talk... and lucky she did too! We met for the first time, and it was like we had known each other for years! She was such a good time during her session in which we discovered freakishly huge pine cones, explored a creepy abandoned barn, and just explored Amory a bit!  

Hidden Garden | Wedding

The "Hidden Garden" styled wedding! I recently attended my first hands on photography workshop and this was some of the results. I've been to classes where people speak (wppi) but nothing like this where you actually have a camera in your hands along side of other like minded photographers being taught by one of the best! The workshop was taught and styled by Hunter Leone and his team! (whom to me is one of the best wedding photographers currently in the business) in Shreveport, Louisiana. I met some amazing people from literally all around the world! From Texas, Los Angeles, Canada, Europe (she had a killer accent), and literally everywhere in between! 

It was an information overload for 2 days straight. I learned so much that I am going to start putting into my style and business as well, it was almost a good recharge for myself and my photography. I highly recommend if you ever get the chance to take a workshop from an artist that you look up to, do it! 

I am currently in the process of planning a few styled sessions like this myself! So if you are a vendor out there or know of one that would be interested (florist, makeup artist, hair stylist, event rentals, etc) let me know! I'd love to chat!

MUAH: Meka Reliford

Chris

Everybody meet Chris! (Wally (Chris' best four legged friend) makes an appearance in there as well!) It was a great day getting to hang out with Chris, Wally, and Penny (mom) for a day of photos. Getting to be a part of somebody else's family for an afternoon sounds a bit weird as I type it but it really is an amazing thing. Hearing family stories about Elton John concerts, meeting family members, and hearing their story (like Wally.... he's been in their family for YEARS! He's named walt because they found him at Walmart. Fitting right?) It's sessions like this where I get to meet amazing people, see new places, and experience new things that makes me love my job even more.