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!

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!

Holly + Tim 03.29.08

We met Holly & Tim Noles through a friend referral from TNT Fireworks in Florence, AL.  The couple met and fell in love like many people do; in the office!  Holly has been one of our more bubbly brides.  She was always smiling and excited about everything from our very first meeting.  Tim took the typical "strong silent approach" that most grooms tend to follow, letting his leading lady run the show.

And what a show it was!  The wedding was held in the courtyard and ballrooms of historic Montgomery Place in Sheffield, AL.  Holly's vibrant personality was reflected in the bright pink and orange color scheme.  The radiant colors sure helped bring the feeling of sunny spring into an otherwise rainy afternoon.  We made it through the outdoor ceremony (barely) before the rain rushed in. 

Fortunately, guests were able to dance the night away at the indoor reception.  More personal flair added to the day was Holly & Tim's choice of a catered taco bar from the favorite local restaurant.  The couple and their guests continued the dancing, dining, and toasting festivities into the evening, ending with a special fireworks exit on a vintage get-away truck. 

Congrats to Holly & Tim on their 3 year anniversary!

Katie + Justin - Engagement Session

Bryan and I are probably closer to this couple than any other clients we have.  Katie and I have been friends since we were 7.  When we met Justin, we knew she'd finally met her match.  The two had been friends for years, so after they started dating, it didn't take Justin too long to pop the question.  About an hour after he did, Katie was standing in my foyer jumping up and down showing off her new ring.

Knowing the couple would have a destination wedding, they wanted something a little more personal for their engagement session.  We chose the Forks of Cypress as our location.  The ruins of this old plantation are within view of Katie's family farm.  We decided to have an autumn session so we could take advantage of all the foliage colors in the huge surrounding trees.  We also enjoyed catching the cotton before it was cut.

We had a great afternoon session.  The hardest part of the day was trying to keep serious faces during some of their pictures.  I'd have Katie and Justin look at each other, then 10 seconds later both would be laughing to the point of tears.

I've posted some of my favorites, along with their Engagement ArtBook slideshow.  More about Katie and Justin's beach wedding coming soon!

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

Ashley + Joe 06.09.07

Ashley and Joe have been Simpkins Photography clients since the beginning.  It takes a lot of faith to trust two fresh-out-of-college artists with such an important event, but Ashley never blinked.  We had worked together in the retail circuit for years, and she knew exactly how hard we'd work for her. 

We started with an engagement session in Spring Park of Tuscumbia.  Ashley's bright personality definitely came through in her color selections in their wardrobe for the day.  Of course Joe would have been happy with simple jeans and a tee, but oh the things we do for love...We had a beautiful spring day, and even got to walk with some of the visiting geese as we moved around the park.

For her bridals, Ashley stepped back and let us put our creativity to work.  She was fearless, letting us put her in some not-so-comfy spots so we could take advantage of the vibrant flowers that were in bloom all over the park.  This headshot is still one of my favorite bridal portraits.  The absolute calmness...

On the big day in June, hot would have been an understatement!  I'm pretty sure temperatures were grazing the 100 degree mark.  I can look back and pin point this as the day that my mother became my assistant.  Although she was attending the wedding as a guest, she decided to show up early to be a proud mamma and watch the photo shoot.  I remember glancing over to the 15 foot water fountain behind the alter and thinking how did I forget to bring a drink to an outdoor event.  Then out of the blue, my mom comes walking over with a cooler of water.  She started proceeded fluffing dresses, pinning boutonnieres, and rounding up people to have their picture taken.  An assistant that can read my mind and be two steps ahead of me at all times...priceless.  She's been with us ever since.  I like to say she traded in her "band/softball/volleyball mom" time for days as a photo groupie.

Once the ceremony began, however, the heat was forgotten completely.  Ashley and Joe's wedding was the closest thing to Cinderella that I've seen, right down to the horse-drawn carriage bringing the bride and her father to the end of the aisle.  Everything was absolutely perfect.  One of those sweet moments I love capturing during the ceremony was Ashley wiping a little tear from the tip of Joe's nose during the prayer.  It was a private moment that was missed by the crowd, but now they can remember that rush of emotion forever when they look back at their wedding album.  Congrats to Ashley & Joe, three years and going strong!

I've also included a slideshow of Ashley & Joe's wedding album.  The soft color them combined with washed grunge and artistic stamping has been showcased in our studio and at various bridal fairs for the past few years.  I call this our "happily ever after" look...

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

In the fall of 2010, Ashley and Joe welcomed their first child, Kadence Leigh.  See more of Miss Kadence in our next entry!

Becky + Dan

Becky + Dan  06.12.09

Becky and Dan have been Simpkins Photography clients since 2008.  We first met Becky at the WZYP Summer Bridal Fair in Huntsville.  After meeting a few times and getting to know us and our approach to weddings, Becky and Dan asked us to shoot their summer wedding, along with some autumn engagements.

Becky and Dan's engagement pictures were taken in Tuscumbia at Spring Park.  We had fantastic November weather and perfect timing to catch all the vibrant colors of the season.

Becky & Dan were married on June 12, 2009 at Doublehead Resort in Town Creek, Alabama.  On the day of the wedding, we started out with a perfect summer morning...that turned in to a surprise thunder shower about 3 minutes after "I do."  Since the ceremony was outside, and Becky and Dan opted for the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony, we decided to have another session after the wedding so Becky could have those beautiful outside images she had envisioned. 

The supplemental session took place about a month after the wedding in Nashville, Tennessee.  I was so pleased with this session, from start to finish.  We walked around the capital and surrounding areas, getting a nice mix of nature, architecture, and some iconic images that would make any couple (or photographer) proud to show off.  In fact, we liked these images so much, they made our feature couple shots for the 2009 WZYP Summer Bridal Fair, as well as our open house event that fall.

Click the video below to see Becky & Dan's favorite images that made it to their albums.  I've also included some of the great images that barely missed the cut.

Last November, Becky and Dan's family expanded with the birth of their son, Brody.  Check out his newborn pictures next time! 

To see full resolution video of Becky & Dan, visit us on YouTube or Facebook!