I love this couple – seriously, they are one of my faves!!  I’ve known them both for about a year and think of them like family now.  The last professional photos they have had was seven years ago when they got married.   They were due- overdue :) !!   Just a side note, ladies for when you want to do this – give your husband some advance notice – lol.   I mentioned to Josh two days before their photo shoot, so ‘are you ready?”   He had no clue.. haha and Rachelle had this planned for weeks.  Luckily, he’s a good guy who will do photo shoots because he loves his wife.  :) In fact,  they might still be a little smitten with one another and they are definitely giggly around each other just like newlyweds.  AWW!!!  you can say it – too.   It’s true.   They are not always the most affectionate in front of people but as I’ve been around them and seen them more and more together, they definitely are crazy about each other.   There is nothing better as a photographer to celebrate those love relationships and to catch that emotion.   The first part of their photo shoot was taken at the Scarlet Hope House –  this is the part where I get to brag on my friends.   About 3 years ago, Rachelle felt called to impact the sex entertainment industry with a message of hope and love.  From there Scarlet Hope was founded and the Scarlet Hope team has been sharing the hope of Jesus Christ in strip clubs every week.  You can click on one of the links to check out this ministry in more detail, and in case you are wondering who made the awesome website – that would be none other than Josh, yep – he is crazy talented and has his own business called, Solid Giant.   Without his support, Rachelle would not be able to devote the time and attention to this ministry.  It truly is a labor of love for both of them.

Speaking of LABOR– for the last two months,  they have been working diligently to get the Scarlet Hope House in shape.  Recently, someone donated a house to Scarlet Hope and the building will be used as a resource center for women who wish to change their lives for the better.   So, for the first part of the shoot – we thought we would show what life has been like  trying to get the house ready.  

They were sweet to humor me with some artsy pictures in the house, but this last one.. i kinda felt like that they were saying, ok, Julie, let’s go outside now.  Haha.   So, we trekked on over to Garden Court which is just absolutely beautiful –  and I would highly recommend for weddings!  Here are some of my faves from their photography session with me in Louisville’s Garden Court.    He pretty much makes her laugh all the time.  

Here’s to seven more years!!  love you both – you are an awesome and amazing couple!!  

Stephanie and John are such a fun and amazing couple.   They were first neighbors and friends and then it turned into romance.   Such a sweet relationship and watching them together-  giggle and delight in one another was endearing.  At one of these giggly moments, Stephanie looked at me and said, “he’s my best friend.”  A-DORABLE!!  Recently, they entered a contest with THE KNOT and THEY WON!!!  They are getting married on the top of the Empire State Building and they have a free honeymoon in the Bahamas.  I would say that is pretty sweet.   We went to the Louisville Seminary since it represents so much of their relationship – it’s where he first asked her to be his girlfriend and also where he asked her to be his wife.   Here’s some from their amazing engagement photo session.  The following are some my absolute faves – from the Southern Seminary Chapel – we may or may not have snuck in there.   haha.

I sheepishly asked, afraid I might sound like I’m stereotyping “Do you know any Karate?”  John is in the military and when he said he knew some – I had no idea he had so much “ups.”  I told Stephanie to give me a look like ‘yeah, my man has got this.”  Stephanie, if you ever do get in a tough situation – let me just say HE DOES! haha!

Thanks Stephanie and John for allowing me to celebrate with you!! So excited for your up and coming wedding!!  For more of their pictures – click here.

What can I say about Amanda and Brett?  They are just a genuinely likeable couple.  They laugh a lot and they love deep.  It’s a great combination.   I loved being there as their wedding photographer.  I met them about a year and half ago in Louisville shortly after I started to seriously consider making photography a profession.   Amanda is the type of girl who is a planner and detail oriented and it meant a lot that she entrusted me with her wedding photography.  And we just worked well together – it was a joy.   I was also thrilled that she chose one of my favorite Louisville venues – The Garden of Ray Eden.  Outdoor weddings are my absolute favorite!!  Here are some highlights from Amanda and Brett’s gorgeous outdoor wedding at The Garden of Ray Eden.

Congratulations Amanda and Brett!!

Venue:  Garden of Ray Eden

2nd shooter: Geni Bean

Band:  Amanda Lucas and Amanda Cecil

Here’s a senior photography session i am working on….

LIAM is 1 years old and he just moved away from Louisville. Well… i couldn’t miss him turning 1 – i’m his personal photographer.. haha. I have been able to photograph him twice so far in his life and hopefully many more years to come. Check out his earlier baby photography session. He is adorable and i so loved getting to celebrate him turning one!! Here are some of my favorites. Say hi to the folks, Liam.

he is still learning to walk.. so he alternates between the crawling and walking.. here he is in what i like to call a ‘cralk’. one of my faves.. Thanks Liam and Happy Birthday!!

There are some brave souls out there… willing to go out into the wintery mess of Louisville and play in the snow for some fun-filled engagement photos. After seeing an amazing engagement photography session IN the SNOW!!! – by the fabulous Bobbi + Mike – i was so inspired to do some myself. So, you can imagine how thrilled i was to have Jenna and Nate call me and ask if they can get some photos in the snow!! woo hoo They were pretty excited too!




Look at this girl work it!! gorgeous!!




These two are adorable.. Nate is so into Jenna.. He loves to make her laugh and he does it well.



of course, when he got stuck in the pipe.. i may have laughed too.

still stuck :D

Yay- he made it.. he deserves a little reward!!



We had to warm our toesies and hands.. so we ducked into a bridal boutique with tons of fun wedding things. Jenna even found her wedding dress… jk.






a little bling :)

Thanks for a FUN winter engagement session!! Looking forward to your big day :) Thanks for letting be your photographer!!

I went out with my roommate the other day to capture some images for a new church plant that she is going to be involved in. She asked me to tag along and shoot with her all around Old Louisville. Jessica is an amazing photographer and i know she did not need me to get amazing shots… but sometimes it’s just fun to have another photographer with you to gain inspiration and ideas from. So, we traipsed all around the University of Louisville and Old Louisville to grab a photo or two or 300 :)

Here are some of the images I caught of Old Louisville and at the University


I kind of have this thing for bikes.. I think it is kinda symbolic with it’s flat tire and beat up frame.



The assignment was to get an vintage feel.. so you may notice many of these look similar in feel. I love these shadows on the elevator.


Found a few students outside.. but mostly inside :) i wonder why? could it be -warmth :)


We just had to go up this stairwell.. nevermind that there was caution tape everywhere and rusty cracked steps …


I did get a little sidetracked :) these barrels were just fun.

lots of fun old churches in Louisville with lots of character

speaking of character



There are so many amazing homes in Old Louisville, i actually have done some photography here before with Shelly and Jeremy for their wedding photos. So you can see lots more of the homes by clicking on their name.

It was a good day.. any time i get to go practice photography is good :) I love this last picture..

Have a great week!!

Who doesn’t love a weekend with the girls?!! This past weekend, i went to a women’s retreat at Kavanaugh Retreat Center right outside of Louisville, KY. I must admit it was great to unplug from cell and internet and just laugh and eat and enjoy the company of other women. There were women from all walks of life – grandmothers to college students. After sharing, laughing and crying together – I have bonded with all these women. I have such a deep gratitude and appreciation for the privilege of knowing their stories and the opportunity to share mine as well. I just can’t say enough about this little retreat at Kavanaugh. Women at the Cross put all of this together.. they have retreats in Louisville, Colorado and soon to be Alabama. I would recommend anyone to sign up!!! I just thought you would like to meet some of the amazing -truly authentic -women that impacted my life this weekend.
We were so busy that i didn’t get a lot of time to take photos (although they did ask me to do all the group photography) – I was able to get away for about 5 minutes to take these photos around Kavanaugh Retreat Center.


I spent the little time i had to play with photography, looking for signs of life admist the deadness of winter. Here is a sign that there is life in this broken dark branch. GREEN :) which is also my favorite color.

And for the WATC ladies: One of the common sayings for the weekend.. just click and download.. it is yours to use however you like :)

Introducing my friend Julie…. i’m kinda partial to her name for obvious reasons. She has a heart for missions and is planning on working overseas in a few months. We decided to get together to work on photos that she can send to family and friends while she is away. We had so much fun… and yes, we kept singing that song (singing in the rain). I’m sorry if that tune is now in your head… because it is totally in mine!!! :-P

WE thought about canceling because of the rain.. but my friend julie loves umbrellas. I mean LOVES them… ha, i had to make sure it wasn’t in every photo :). So, we went around Louisville avoiding the puddles and trying to stay dry. Isn’t she just so cute.

This is her Russian dictator look.

Julie is such a playful person…. i loved it!! She would do any crazy thing i wanted her to do including riding a pretend bike that was painted on this random wall in Louisville.

I love this picture :) beautiful!!

Let’s see if you can tell what her personality might be like….



You can just imagine how much fun i had being her photographer all around Louisville.

These really show how beautiful she is…

She has an infectious personality.. it’s easy to be drawn to her smile and humor.

Thanks for letting me be your photographer for the day. It was so much fun. You are such a great model …. i have proof.

Julie is a dear friend with a really cool name ;) and a heart for missions. So, we got together to work on her prayer card. This is not one we are using… but just wanted to give you a sneak peak at our little afternoon photo shoot in Louisville. Fun. Fun.

i think i was in trouble here or something :) I’m trying to think of a good caption — she is such a sassy pants :) love it.