Lauren + Jeff 05.10.08

We're back with Lauren and Jeff, and their adorable back yard wedding.  All of the pomp and circumstance with weddings is a beautiful thing, from the satin and lace to the confection cake concoctions.  But every now and then, it's refreshing to see a couple approach their wedding with elegant simplicity and really focus on the ultimate agenda of joining two lives forever.  Take a look at some of my faves from their day, and keep reading for more on the Larkins and their expanding family!

Introducing Maleigh Jaye!

I'm excited to introduce the newest edition to my extended family, Miss Maleigh Jaye.  Maleigh is the daughter of my cousin, Misty, and her husband, Jason.  She is also the fourth great-grandchild, and the only girl on that list.  So that means pink is a must after having such a long run of little boys!  We had a fantastic newborn session, bringing in some vintage elements, and a lot of girlie accents.  Below are some of my favorites, as well as a slideshow of their session highlights!

 

Krystal + Ron 05.10.08

We're back again!  Summer is always our busiest season, so blogging is starting to become more of a luxury these days.  Just to keep the flow going, some of these entries over the next few weeks are going to be short and sweet, letting our readers get to know our work, as well as a little about some of our clients.

Krystal and Ron were married in 2008.  They were our first wedding at the beautiful Historic Lowry House in downtown Huntsville.  It was a gorgeous day, and the Smith-Evans guests enjoyed the afternoon sun during the outdoor reception.  Every wedding has something unique and memorable to us.  For this event, it was the food!  Krystal's mother catered the event.  As an avid sampler of wedding cuisine, I can say with confidence that wedding food is either tasty or pretty, rarely ever both.  However, that day, not only did everything look awesome, it was sinfully delicious.  Five stars for Mrs. Smith!

Expecting Ernestine Camille

We're back again with Charlene and Trey!  The Barneys are expecting their first little bundle of joy any day now.  The couple asked us to photograph this next big event on the anniversary of their previous family milestone; the couple's 2 year wedding anniversary.  We enjoy a spring stroll through the park, talking about doctor visits and family names, and the general excitement of anticipating that first child.  Charlene and Trey are going to be wonderful parents.  We can't wait to meet Ms. Ernestine Camille!

Charlene & Trey 04.04.09

Charlene and Trey have been another fantastic couple that has stuck with Simpkins Photography over the years.  We met Charlene at a Huntsville bridal fair.  After our first consultation, we knew it was going to be a great fit.  They are just wonderful, sweet people; the kind of clients photographers hope for.  We were invited to photograph their Birmingham wedding in the spring of 2009.  Charlene had prepped for the big day down to every last detail, including finding a beautiful spot to take the wedding party for some fun photos.  This still remains one of my favorite outdoor locations.  Just the size of the fountains bring an epic feel to the whole session.  My favorite point during the whole day was the private time with just the couple.  Charlene and Trey were truly enjoying their experience, laughing and being so affectionate.  You can tell that each of them knew how lucky they were to find their perfect match.  Have a look at some of our favorites from the Barney wedding, and keep reading to see the Barney maternity session as Charlene and Trey prepare to welcome their first child soon!

Introducing Emma Kate!

Miss Emma Kate is one of my favorite clients.  We've been photographing her since she was born, and she's always so sweet every time we see her.  Although she's naturally a timid child, we've been able to build a good relationship with her so that each photoshoot we have seems like "play time" to her instead of a pressured session to sit still and smile pretty for the camera.  Although the Underwoods have been friends and clients for years, I thought we'd introduce them from that very first sessions.  Check out Emma's 3 and 6 month session, and keep reading for more about the Underwoods in coming posts!

Hats off to the Grads!

This past weekend, we got to return to my alma mater and take part in the Pinning Ceremony for the Spring 2011 graduates of the University of North Alabama's nursing program.  We've been fortunate enough to follow along with the group in their final days of collegiate life, photographing their composites and individual professional's portraits.  Of course, we've been observing our youngest sister, Lori (below), as she's went through the RN program of the past two years.  We're proud of all the graduates because we've watched firsthand the effort involved in this immense milestone.  Good luck to you all!

So if this whole medical thing doesn't work out, you think she can get a job as the next Vanna White?

We're Back!

Hello Bloggers, we're finally back!  It's been a crazy busy spring.  Between natural disasters and our busiest April on record, we're just now getting back into the swing of things for web publications and updates.  

This spring, we've got to visit with some of our past clients, as well as greeting some new ones.  We are excited to announce that Simpkins Photography will be the official wedding photographers to new clients, Leah Hodge and Devon Franks.  Congratulations to the UNA Nursing Class of 2011, whose pinning ceremony and graduation we will be attending this weekend.  Special congrats to my little sis, Lori, who will be graduation and joining to work force! We also have a new baby arrival, Miss Maleigh Jaye Caperton, who will be featured shortly on the Blog.  More samples of our April "shower" of sessions to come!

Another big addition this month is the expansion of our product line.  We are introducing custom frames from Wild Sorbet!  As most of you know, we have not carried framing in the past.  However, when we saw this unique company's frames, we just fell in love.  These stylish frames not only compliment our portraits, they also help support our local economy!  Wild Sorbet is a home-grown Alabama company, based out of my hometown of Florence.  Visit their website (http://www.wildsorbet.com/) to learn more about their story and gorgeous products!

Also new to our ArtBook series is the new Accordion ArtBook!  This sleek new twist on our current ArtBook line allows for session highlights to be wrapped in an eye-catching book, while being a little kinder to the wallet.  The Accordion ArtBooks are 4x8 with custom covers and an accordion pop-out center.  Ladies, want something that can easily travel with you in your bag to brag about those beautiful children and grandchildren?  Try our Accordion ArtBook Minis!  The Minis come in 2.5x3.5 or 3x3 sizes, with the same great custom cover as our other ArtBook but small enough to put in your pocket.  These make fantastic gifts and can be purchased individually or in a 3-pack.

Want to see a product we don't have?  Send us a suggestion email so we can research your idea!

Katie + Justin 04.03.10

Salty breezes and aquamarine skies set the mood of the Lovelace-Faires wedding a year ago today.  Weeks before the infamous oil spill that polluted Alabama's gulf coast, we were blessed with clear water and beautiful weather for Katie & Justin's big day. 

As we've mentioned before, this is a special couple for Simpkins Photography, not just clients but good friends as well.  Any time you take on a client on a personal basis, the stakes are raised significantly.  Katie had seen everything I'd done in my career, even volunteered to help us a few time with Bridal Fairs and other events.  She'd watched us produce unique work for people that started out to us as strangers, so what could we do for a couple that we knew so well with a close understanding of their personalities and interests?

We started by talking to Katie and Justin about why they chose Gulf Shores for their destination wedding, and what elements they wanted to incorporate into their photography.  Obviously the beach was key, but the couple was also interested in having a tropical appeal to some of their work.  The day before the wedding, Katie and I scouted the whole city and surrounding areas for somewhere special to bring in some color among the serene pastels of the beach.  We hit photographic gold when we came across a beautiful plantation-style venue at The Wharf in Orange Beach.  There were bright pink roses bushes, enormous hundred-year-old trees, and a wrap-around porch that gave the feeling of vintage Southern charm.

On the morning of the wedding, we brought the entire wedding party to The Wharf for their group pictures.  It was absolutely worth the effort.  We ended up with some of my favorite group shots of all time, as well as some images of Katie and Justin that show off their tropical venue.  We also got to have fun with some casual set ups, including sunglasses and Adirondack-style beach chairs.

The ceremony was held on the beach; the reception following at the beach house.  We took a break from mingling and dining to get some couple shots at sunset.  Katie's favorite image resulted from this time.  "Aqua Afternoon" now graces the cover of the couple's wedding album, as well as her walls in a stunning canvas print.

Take a look at my favorite images from the day with video highlights, as well as the couple's Wedding Album and Engagement ArtBook slideshow!

The Wedding - To see in HD, visit us on Facebook or YouTube!

Engagement ArtBook & Wedding Album

To see in HD, visit us on Facebook or YouTube!

Riley - 3 Months

Miss Riley was my first client with our "Beautiful Beginnings" program.  This program is designed to follow a child through his or her first year.  She and I learned a lot during that year together.  She mastered sitting, walking, and how the Lovelace family around her little finger.  I learned that a full tummy goes a long way towards a positive session, cold surfaces equal cranky babies, and bubbles are the key to happiness with 9 month olds.  It's been four years and a lot more lessons learned, but this is how our Portrait Department began.  Thanks to the Lovelaces for the opportunity...

Lauren + Jeff - Engagement Session

We don't write or talk too much about it due to unnecessary confusion for new clients, but...

Once upon a time, Simpkins Photography, formerly known as Innovative Imaging, was made up of two partners:  Ashley Daniel Simpkins (that's me!) and Andrea Simpkins Lavender.  We met in art school, became friends/lab partners, started a business, then I married her brother.  You know, the usual.  We were a dynamic business duo for 2 great years.  Then came along our sweet nephew, (Andrea's son) Eli, which prompted Andrea to opt out of the business to spend more time with her little man.  Her shoes were somewhat filled by Bryan (my husband, her brother), bringing us up to speed on Simpkins Photography history.  As you can see, when we say we're a family business, we mean the WHOLE family participates at some point in a jumbled web of Simpkins/Daniel/Lavender mass confusion.  ;-)

Having said ALL that, we now have the story of Lauren and Jeff.  This is one of two couple that were "Andrea Clients" that I did not work directly with during their wedding contract duration.  However, we have since done work with their beautiful daughter, but more on that another day... 

Lauren and Jeff's engagement session was strictly studio.  Andrea got some great serious shots, followed by the customary "cracking up" laughter that tends to follow.  The couple also brought along their pretty parakeet, Chicken.  Check out some of my faves from the Lile-Larkin engagements, and keep reading for more on their wedding in the coming entries!