Joy Wilson Photography

{joy} new blog soon to come...

2010-03-03T18:31:00.005-06:00

Hello loyal readers. It has been brought to my attention that I have not been blogging enough lately. I do apologize. However, I am in the process of creating a new blogsite. Yep, a blog and website all in one! The process has taken quite a bit longer than I had hoped (I wanted to launch it on January 1st....) but things have since taken a new direction and I am excited about where it is going! I will be putting all of the finishing touches on in the next few weeks but would love your input. Other than photos, what would you like to see me blog? Any photography related topics you want me to discuss? Any non-photography related? Any personal things you want me to blog? I want to write what you want to read, so please leave a comment and let me know what you like most!

Until then, I am signing off. Check my twitter and facebook for updates on when the new site is ready!

{joy} happy 27th my love

2010-02-26T09:04:00.005-06:00

27 years ago the wonderful Janet Wilson gave birth to twin boys (which made her third and fourth child in two years....she is a superwoman in my book!). One of those baby boys is now my wonderful husband. I wanted to share some of the things I love oh so much about him...

his eyes. kids in middle school used to make fun of him and if i could find them now id surely give them a word or two. i love his eyes!

his passion. if you know brad you know he is a passionate person- about music, his friends, and the Lord.

his hands. he has the best man hands ive ever seen. seriously, i never see him manicure his fingernails but they are always perfectly smooth and clean and strong.

his voice. even though his voice has been known to disturb my slumber when he is on a phone call in the other room, I love his voice. it is strong, and full, and perfect for radio.

his affection for all things nostalgia. our future children will surely watch The Archies, Conjunction Junction, and old Charlie Brown...and I am perfectly ok with that.

his love for my family. he really loves my family and even enjoys when my mom comes to stay for a few days. im lucky!

his competetive nature. we have to be on the same team when we play games otherwise there will surely be a fight at the end of the night. (to his defense, i am just as competetive when it comes to games)

his encouragement for my business....he always pushes me and challenges me and wants me to succeed.

his fedora. i hope he still wears it when we are 80 years old.

him. i love him. i love all of him.

{beloved} Nashville Boudoir

2010-02-24T09:12:00.013-06:00

Alright Ladies! My Nashville dates have been set for your Beloved boudoir portraits at the beautiful Hutton Hotel. You will see all the information below so please let me know if you have any questions or if you are interested in scheduling your hour session.

I am teaming with Marie McKinney-Oates of the Nashville Marriage Studio to host this boudoir event. We are both young marrieds and understand the importance of intimacy in marriage. While having consistent intimacy in today's busy world might not be the easiest thing to accomplish, these photos will surely give a boost to your marriage in ways you never expected. I have done over 30 of these sessions and every single time I get similar comments from my clients. They always tell me that their husband was floored, he had no idea she would do something like that but loved it, his mouth hung open and he was nothing but smiles all night, etc. Not only will these photos make your husband happy (obviously) they will make you feel beautiful as well. My clients tell me that they ended up having so much fun at the session, regardless of how nervous they were to start with (which I completely undertstand). I think it helps that I am a woman, a married woman, a romantic woman, and an insecure woman. I take all of those things into account when I am photographing you. I want to find the most flattering angles and lighting and want to build you up with sincere encouragement. I am a vocal photographer...if something looks good in my camera I will tell you....and I will tell you often. So be prepared to be gushed over! :) I personally think that laughter is one of the sexiest things a woman can do, and friends always make us laugh like no other. So feel free to share your hour with a girlfriend and we will take $25 off the session price for each of you!

Marie McKinney-Oates is a premarital counselor here in Nashville and has very quickly become a dear friend of mine. We met via twitter....oh how I love twitter. She saw that I was offering boudoir portraits and was curious about them for her clients so she sent me a message and we instantly hit it off. We met for lunch and talked and laughed and planned and dreamed....you will love her too! If you are newly engaged and are looking for quality premarital counseling she is your girl. You can check out her information here at her blog. I find her posts super witty, insightful, and encouraging. I pray that you do too! She will also be offering a discount as well: $25 off the Bound Together Workshop or 10% off of premarital counseling. Gotta love discounts!

The most romantic book in the Bible describes it best..."my beloved is mine and I am his..."

{joy} Valentines Day

2010-02-14T12:34:00.004-06:00

I am a self proclaimed hopeful romantic. However, Valentines Day is not one of my favorite holidays. I personally cannot enjoy anything when I feel like my husband is obligated or guilted into doing something. I like to think of myself as a very low maintenance wife, so my husband should consider himself very lucky (I can't say he would always see it that way though!) :) I don't like the thought of him doing something sweet and romantic for me JUST because it is Valentines Day. I much prefer those random acts of sweetness on any other random day of any other random month. It means more to me that way, like he thinks of me because he loves me not because the entire American culture is telling him to. To be fair, I do like the fact that Valentines Day causes many men to think outside of their comfort zone of romanticism and actually make some effort to please their wife. I am grateful for anything that can increase romance in a marriage. I just am not a fan of the "expectations" that come along with this holiday. All of that being said, use this day as a good excuse to do something extra, but do not let this count as a good deed you can check off your list of things to do for your spouse. This should be extra, a bonus love notion, a special something out of the norm, but should not replace any of the normal things you do to love your spouse. Because men, loving your wife consistently is the best gift you can ever give her. It doesn't always mean buying gifts, and flowers, and diamonds, and romantic getaways (while those are all nice, and my husband did buy me flowers a few days ago that made me smile big time!). Women love to feel loved. And trust me, when SHE is loved, YOU will be too ;)

Happy Valentines Day! (celebrate tomorrow too, and the next day, and the next....)

{babies} Camden 6 months

2010-02-12T19:03:00.004-06:00

This little cutie is growing way too fast. Before this session I asked Kerry if Camden was sitting up on his own, a very typical question I ask before any photo shoot of this age. She laughed, and said yes...he sits up on his own, pulls up on his own, crawls around, etc. He is a super mobile baby! I guess it is because he has his big brother Coleman to keep up with, but I was not expecting him to move around so much until the next session! I adore this family and these precious boys. They definitely got their mama's blue eyes. I have a feeling their next baby will be a little girl with daddy's brown eyes. :)

here are a few of my favorites

Kerry you are stunning.

Look at all those teeth!

I looooove little boys in overalls!

{family} Sapp

2010-02-10T10:11:00.005-06:00

I honestly did not know what to expect when I scheduled this session for a family of 11. Yes, you read that correctly: 11! I must tell you that my mind was racing with possibilities of how it could go. But Oh my goodness, was I ever blessed by this family! This ended up being, by far, my most fun family session EVER. Sapps, you rock! From groups of people dancing behind me, to everyone singing "pants on the ground", I was doing everything I could to keep my camera in my hand and not just stop and start dancing with them. I had so much fun and am grateful for a fun family that was willing to brave the cold morning air for some fun photos. Here are a few of my favorites.

and here is a slideshow if you want to see more!

{babies} Major newborn

2010-02-09T14:05:00.004-06:00

You might recognize this sweet family from a post last year. They welcomed little Major into their family and I was so excited to go meet him and photograph this family of four. Major has the sweetest personality, he was the calmest newborn I have ever photographed. And by far has the coolest hair around! :) Here are a few of my favorites from the Bultman Family.

{babies} Sawyer 6 months

2010-02-03T13:18:00.004-06:00

Baby Sawyer steals the show again!

My precious nephew, Sawyer, is 6 months old! I decided to do a shoot (or two, or three...) of him while I was in town last week. We had to recreate some photos Jamie had done of the older boys from Portraits by Faith several years ago, so that is what the formal set up is about. The ones of him on the bed were done for me. :) I stayed at the Georgian Terrace for two nights while I did my Boudoir sessions there, and Jamie and Sawyer came to slumber party with me one of the nights. Of course Sawyer had to take his turn posing on the bed, and boy did he rock it. I just love him! Here are my new faves of sweet baby Saw.

{joy} my friend Sarah

2010-02-03T10:20:00.004-06:00

Sarah and I have been friends for about a year now. She came to me a while back to ask photography advice because she wanted to start her own business. I helped her the little I could and loved getting her help as well. She has assisted me at weddings and other shoots and I just love her! She came to the Georgian Terrace to assist me with my day of boudoir sessions and we grabbed a few headshots of her as well. I am completely in love with the Georgian Terrace and am really hoping to get some 5 year anniversary pics of Brad and me there soon. We were married there 5 years ago on April 2, wow time flies! Sarah and I had fun walking around the lobby for these shots, and she even got a few stares from some single young men....I think she needs to hang out there more often! :) Hot single business men? I am sure she wouldn't mind!

Here are a few of my favorites from Sarah's session.

{joy} Boudoir success!

2010-02-01T14:37:00.004-06:00

A few weeks ago I re-started what I now hope will be a long future in boudoir photography. These sessions are so much for for me because I love helping women see how beautiful they are and doing my part to add a little romance to a marriage.

I reserved two nights at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta (also where my husband and I were married almost 5 years ago) and schedule 15 ladies for their boudoir sessions! I was so excited about the sessions and was so anxious to get settled in the room and get it decorated for the ladies. I wanted them to walk in and instantly feel at ease, relaxed, comfortable....and romanced. I had candles and music and flowers and snacks and lotion and jewelry. I wanted these women to feel beautiful and special while they posed for the photos for their husbands. I know these photos made many husbands very happy this Valentines Day and I have already had some email me to say thank you! I have also had many of the women send me several notes to say thank you as well. Here are a few exerpts from their notes:

"I loved the book! I couldnt wait till Valentine's Day so I gave him the book last night before we went out for a romantic dinner. He completely flipped out over it! He loves it so much!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
You were amazing!!!!"

"Oh my!!!! I just got my book.... It's even more incredible than I thought!!! You are amazing girl and my husband is going to FLIP OUT!!! Giving it to him on Thursday so I'll let you know how he liked it, if he doesn't first :) "
followed by:
"So he totally flipped over the pictures!!! I will never forget the look on his face... He LOVED them!!! Thank you so much ;)"

"thanks again for a great experience! I had a blast and would love to do it again in the future!"

"I love them! You did such an awesome job capturing Me!"

"thank you for making this so fun and comfortable, I honestly did not think it would be so rewarding for me! I know my husband will love these, and am so glad that I do too!"

I took a few photos of the room so potential clients can get an idea of the set up from this session. Each hotel will be different, as it will also be if the session is in your home. But here is a sneak peek into my first Atlanta Boudoir day. My Nashville dates have been set and I will get those details out soon. If you are in Atlanta, or any other city for that matter, and are interested in scheduling a boudoir day for you and some friends let me know! Feel free to email me at joy@joywilsonphotography.com

{joy} flea market fun

2010-01-23T11:10:00.005-06:00

I adore flea markets, antique stores, and yard sales. I love to find treasure in someone else's trash. I like to see it as my contribution to the green movement, recycling old goods into something new and fabulous. Nashville has a big flea market one weekend every month and I thought it was about time that I visit this place that I have heard was so wonderful. I met my brother and his wife there and we set out for some fun. It was quite a bit colder outside than we were expecting, so we did not stay as long as hoped. But we are definitely planning a second visit soon. I brought my camera along and got a few pics as we walked. Next time I hope to really have some fun with my camera. But until then, here are some pics from the flea market.

I love old letterpress letters! And of course anyone that knows me knows how much I love the letter "w"

I got mirror happy at the flea market.

self portrait while on the phone with brad :)

lovebirds

for laughs!

{babies} Layla

2010-01-18T20:25:00.004-06:00

Beautiful baby Layla is the second adopted daughter for my sweet friend Kandra and her husband Stephen. The Lord has given them an incredible heart for these girls and I am proud to be their friend. I was ecstatic when Kandra asked me to come photograph their family and especially their new daughter. Little Layla is one precious and happy baby, she smiled and was wide eyed the entire time...except when she fell asleep (as if on cue) when we did some cuddling pics with mom. I am excited to watch this family grow and document such a sweet time in their lives.

Here are a few of my favorites of precious Layla Benton.

I love little feet, couldn't decide which of these to post....so I went with both of them.

Don't you just love these curls?

I simply adore this image...

{joy} shades of blue

2010-01-17T18:00:00.005-06:00

If you know me at all, you know that I adore Karen Kingsbury and ALL of her books. She came out with a new one in the fall that I had been anticipating for months. I had to wait until Christmas so my mom could put it in my stocking (side note: my mom and dad do THE best christmas stockings...I mean wow....they always packs them full of amazingness). Let me say, it was worth the wait because my dad pulled some strings and got me a personalize autographed copy of her newest book! I was going to spare you this amazing photo of me (sans makeup obviously) with my fancy new book, but I am just so proud of it that I had to show you. It reads "Joy, love to my friend. - Karen". I mean we are practically best friends right?! I was also going through my parents basket of Christmas cards and found this beauty....along with a delicious box of cookies that she sent to my dad. I squealed at the note and my husband loved the cookies, so thank you Karen for making our Christmas just a bit brighter.

Shades of Blue was a great book, as always. I literally started and finished the book within a four hour timeframe. But....now I am itching for more good books. I am up to date on all of my bff Karen's books and need some new suggestions of what I can read. I love me some christian romance books but would love to hear suggestions of ANY sort of book. Books about life, love, business, friendship, or romance. Got any good books to tell me about? Leave a comment and let me know which books I should pick up next. My plan is to read as many books as I possibly can this year, I would love to start with some of your favorites.

{joy} SnowJoy

2010-01-08T11:58:00.006-06:00

It has been pretty cold here in Nashville the past few days which I love as long as I can stay inside wrapped up in cozy clothes with a nice cup of coffee in hand. I don't mind the cold, and would honestly rather be cold than hot. I have recently learned that Nashvillians are much like Atlantans in that they waaayyy over react to a weather prediction of snow. I had to go to the store the other night for a bag of spinach salad and it took me 10 minutes to find a place to park. (I was tempted to completely scrap it and head home but I had already prepared the rest of the meal and really needed that spinach...) Once inside I was welcomed by crowds of scared and hurried people frantically filling their carts with anything they could get their hands on. I laughed a little inside because most predictions of snow in the south do not really mean snow. I quietly wondered though, if I should pick up a few other necessities while in the store just in case? But as soon as that thought popped in my head my pride rushed it out and just to spite, I grabbed my one bag of spinach and headed to the checkout with nothing else in my cart. Needless to say, we woke up to NO snow on the ground. But to be fair....I was proven wrong around 9 am when it did in fact start to flurry. It pretty much ended with flurries but the ground was covered none the less and that was enough to satisfy all of the frantic shoppers who surely will lock themselves inside for days until the "snow" is completely melted away and it is safe to drive again. Also to their credit, I went out yesterday and hit a couple ice patches on the road, so I guess I can see what the fuss is about. Maybe its not just the snow that scares them but the possible dangerous driving conditions? I guess I learned my lesson...I stayed home today.

I ventured outside this morning with the hopes of making a teeny tiny snowman with the teeny tiny amounts of snow that remained. I am pretty proud of my creation, her name is SnowJoy :)

and because I did not want my sweet husband to be left out, I made a SnowBrad version as well. if only I had a teeny tiny fedora...

{joy} Boudoir

2010-01-07T11:16:00.007-06:00

It was about 7 years ago when my girlfriends all started getting married when this idea popped into my crazy romantic head. "Why don't we take some sexy pics of you to give your new husband as a wedding gift?" Needless to say it was a success. That initial session was followed by several more. So many more that I was scared that I would be labeled around town as "that" photographer. I was still new in photography and did not want to be labeled with what I thought was a bad stigma. However, all these years later and I am super proud of this idea and am confident enough to out it back out there. I see so many other photographers that showcase their Boudoir sessions and I kick myself for not pursuing it more back then. But alas, even with a few year break I am back to offer these wonderfully fun and romantic session. Just in time for Valentines Day too! :)

I will be hosting a two day Boudoir Extravaganza in Atlanta on January 25, 26, 27. This is my first event of this sort and I am so excited about it. What started out as asking a few friends if they wanted to gift these to their husband for Valentines day has turned into a fabulous two day Boudoir party. I will be reserving a room at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta for these days and am scheduling an hour of time for each client. If you want to share your hour with a friend to make it more fun, please feel free! I will have my assistant, Sarah, there with me to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. We are prepared to pamper you so you feel beautiful, confident, and sexy. If you want to know more of the details please email me at joy@joywilsonphotography.com

If you are not available on the dates listed above but still want to schedule a session, have no fear. I will be in Atlanta the entire week and would love to find a time that works for you.

{joy} 2010 goals

2010-01-04T22:40:00.011-06:00

I love making lists. I have about 10 of them right in front of my computer as I type this and four different list apps on my phone. I love writing them and feeling organized and especially love checking tasks off as I complete them. I feel more productive and accountable when I have a list to work from. However, I never write my lists on my blog for the world to read. I definitely think it would increase my accountability if I knew you all had an eye on my list as well! I have seen several friend post their monthly goals and I am going to attempt my first list of goals, all of which I hope to do in 2010. So- in no particular order, here are my goals for this year!

1. be more intentional about telling those that i love, that i love them.
2. take my husband out on a surprise date.
3. book at least 5 more weddings for 2010.
4. update and refocus my blog/website by February 1.
5. lose 20 more pounds.(to be back at what I weighted at our wedding!)
6. live like no one else, so later i can live like no one else.
7. spend an entire day with my nephews.
8. go on a road trip.
9. plan a girls weekend with my besties.
10. write at least one handwritten letter a month. and snail mail it.
11. go antiquing with my mom.
12. run 2 miles without stopping or passing out. (thats a hard one!)
13. shoot at least one roll of film at each wedding.
14. finish my personal wedding video (5 years later...)
15. throw a tea party.
16. shoot more boudoir sessions. girls...these are really fun! seriously. (and your husband will love you for it!)
17. go out shooting for myself at least once a month. just me and my camera.
18. go to goodwill, find some fun clothes and refashion them into something fabulous.
19. get pregnant. ( big smile here !)
20. move into a house. either one we buy (woohoo) or renting is fine.
21. create an office/studio/gallery space where my clients can come.
22. visit each of my girlfriends in their towns and photograph their babies for them. (st. louis, brooklyn, atlanta, charlotte, etc....)
23. meet my sister jamie in the middle (chattanooga) at least two times.
24. sell my 99 audi a6....anyone interested?
25. read at least one new book a month (any suggestions?)
26. get my photos published on at least 5 blogs (southern weddings, green wedding shoes, etc...)
23. write a fan letter to Karen Kingsbury.
24. second shoot with at least two other professional photographers.
25. order some new, uber fabulous business cards.
26. double date often with my brother and his wife.
27. host game nights at our place.
28. host at least three "shoot and learn" sessions for new photographers. (i need a great name for these sessions...ideas?)
29. buy my husband a gift that makes him say "i can't believe you did this!" (i love when he says that)
30. put my wedding dress on and actually zip it up. then scream "yeeeessssss!" :)

Ok, I think 30 will do for now. I may start a monthly goal list, or I might just update this at the end of the year and see how good I did. If you have any you think I should add on here, please let me know. Also- let me know your goals! 2010 is going to be a great year!

and because I am recently super nostalgic of my wedding and some of my goals revolve around our anniversary....here is one of my favorite photos from our day. my sweet friend Stephanie fluffing my dress....notice how beautifully it is zipped and bottoned up the back? thats my goal. :) (and dang, look at my short short hair!)

{joy} my love

2010-01-02T12:26:00.004-06:00

Despite the fact that is was freezing outside today, my handsome husband and I ventured outside with the intention of playing with my new camera. Yes...I got a new camera (the amazing Canon 5D Mark II) and I am completely over the moon about it! We lasted about 10 minutes before we ran back to our house for warmth but I was able to capture his lovely face in a few frames before we called it quits. Here are a few of my favorites....I mean seriously, how'd I get so lucky?

{joy} and the winner is....

2010-01-01T10:36:00.002-06:00

Coming in with a whopping 24 out of 38 voted was the lovely Mr. & Mrs. Bursmith! Their gorgeous wedding photo in front of the old rustic barn was voted the best image from Joy Wilson Photography for 2009! Congrats Austin and Neely! I will be getting the final touches on their prize and as soon as it is ready I will blog it so you all can see.

I hope 2010 starts out with all kinds of love and blessings for you and your families. I am so excited about all that is to come in this new year!

{joy} Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-23T10:31:00.007-06:00

Merry Christmas from Joy Wilson Photography! I hope you all enjoy time with your family and reflect on THE reason that we celebrate this holiday. Our dear Peanuts friends clarify it all quite nicely....

Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about. Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Merry Christmas dear friends! I pray this day is filled with love and laughter!

{Family} Frost

2009-12-22T07:20:00.002-06:00

The sweet Frost family was down in Franklin from their home in Denver, CO and wanted me to take some photos of their growing family. Karen and I met a few years ago at work and have kept in touch via facebook. She and her husband Ben adopted a precious little boy, Ethan, earlier this year. Shortly thereafter they found out they were pregnant! Isn't God great! She is about 20 weeks along and will soon find out what they are having. We met up at the Factory and grabbed a few photos of their family. I mean seriously, how handsome is Ethan! :)

{joy} My 10 faves of 2010

2009-12-17T11:30:00.012-06:00

As I was reflecting on this year I thought of all the amazing shoots and weddings that I was blessed to be a part of. I honestly do get to be a part of my clients most important life moments and I truly love it! My clients become my friends and my family and friends become my clients, its a beautiful cycle that I hope continues year after year. I thought to myself- "I wonder what my favorite image was from this year?" Of course I could not narrow it down to just one image, so I settled on choosing my top 10 favorites. Choosing 10 was even a daunting task, there are so many great shoots to choose from! I even had to throw in three bonus pics too! I chose these top 10 on the criteria: if I had a studio or gallery, what images would I want to showcase there? These images represent love, marriage, new life, and fun! I would love to know if you have a favorite image (or session) from this year?

I would also love to know which of these is your favorite! The image that gets the most comments about it will win a special prize from Joy Wilson Photography. I have a new product that I want to integrate into my sessions for next year and would love to give one to the most loved photo from this group. So, if you are represented here you better get your friends and family to comment on this blog so you can get a free gift! Trust me, it will be worth it!

UPDATE: I will announce the winner on January 1, so all votes must be in by December 31!

I hope you all enjoy seeing a few of my favorites from this year!

(these are in no particular order)

This wedding was so sweet and beautiful. This barn was across the street from the church where they married they were amazing to brave the hundred ant hills to get this photo. I adore this couple and was so honored to be a part of their day!

I have a soft spot for brown eyed, brown haired little girls. I think Berkley is just beautiful! I adore this image of her climbing the fence, I mean seriously....how cute is she?!

This is possibly my favorite maternity image ever. It is soft and subtle and perfect. We were about to pass this field completely when Kerry said "why don't we do some there?" and of course they ended up being my favorite. This is one I hope to "copy" when I am pregnant.

Stunning right? This was the hardest shoot to choose JUST ONE image from. Heather was a beautiful bride! Her bridal portraits session was one of my favorite shoots ever. Ever. She woke before sunrise with me to ensure we had the best light, let me do her hair and makeup and was the worlds best sport about it all. I love the classic feel to this image, the veil over her face (which sadly not many brides do anymore) and the demure yet sexy expression on her face. Stunning.

Little Loretta turned ONE today (December 22). Happy Birthday! This image screams perfection to me. The light (its amazing), the thrift store quilt (it is so great that I want to steal it), the timeless bonnet (I bought it and held on to it waiting for the perfect subject to put it on, thanks Loretta!), and her grandparents fields in the background all mesh together to create this sweet image.

Chad and Kelly have the most amazing eyes- his bright blue and hers warm brown. I love the way they are starring at the camera with such seriousness with their closest friends around them. Everytime I see this image I think of this wonderful couple and how Kelly kept making ME feel special on HER wedding day. If all my brides could be like her I would be the worlds happiest photographer.

Ahh...the light at sunset is just so wonderful! Wonderful is also the expression on Harper's face in this. She is so happy swinging by her parents hands and her smile lights up this entire image. I adore the warm colors and tone of this image.

Fox and Freddy are by far the coolest couple I know. This shoot was so much fun and this image represents them so well. Sexy, unique, in love, creative, and fun.

Jillian was another of my stunning brides this year. These bridal portraits were done in Centennial park a few weeks before their wedding in April. Her dress was gorgeous, her eyes were bright, her smile contagious.

I mean, how fun is this image? There are alot of others from this session that I loved but this one just stood out to me with the colors! It is fun and flirty!

Now for my BONUS three favorites! These are my family, of course you know I couldn't do a top 10 without some of my family! :)

My amazing mom and dad, still in love after 30+ years of marriage. They are the definition of love in my eyes.

How to choose just one?!? Matt and Fran are beautiful and their engagement session was one of my favorites ever! This one is sweet simply because they are both musicians and it plays such an important part in their lives. I am so excited for my big brother and his new bride!

And last but certainly not least, baby Sawyer. My third precious and perfect nephew. This shot was taken on a family outing at the lake when he was just a couple of weeks old. I am in love with this little guy. I want to frame this image in my house and pretend he is my own. :) I am pretty sure he or his two big brothers will forever be on my top 10 every year to come! Can you blame me?

Ok, now get to commenting so your favorite image can win a very special Joy Wilson Photography prize!!!!

{joy} 2009 in a nutshell

2009-12-15T18:01:00.007-06:00

As this wonderful year is coming to a close I find myself reflecting on 2009. This was such an interesting year for me as a wife and as a photographer. My husband graduated from college (woohoo) in December of last year. In January of this year we decided it was best for me to quit my day job (another big woohoo) and we packed up and moved to Atlanta to hang out with family while we waited for Brad to get an amazing job offer. Little did we know that the economy was not doing really well (you can insert a big DUH here) and it ended up taking quite a bit longer for that great job to come calling. While he was struggling every day to feel like a provider for our family I was loving every minute of not working at a job I hate. I was finally able to put all of my time and energy into my photography and was doing it full time in Atlanta. Ahhhh I love my Atlanta clients more than words can say. That 6 months was definitely not an easy time for Brad and me as we lived with my family and while he was searching for work. We felt encouraged and challenged by so many others that were in very similar situations. As hard as that time was, it was also such a refreshing and encouraging time for me in every single aspect you can imagine. I was able to rest and relax and hang out with my friends and family and laugh alot....none of which I had been able to do much of for the three years prior. Exciting things were all around us - my oldest brother and his wife welcomed their third beautiful baby boy, my middle brother found the one that made him come alive and married her in August, Brad's brother married the love of his life in July, and we were able to be in town and celebrating with our family that whole time. Then finally in early August Brad got a wonderful job offer that brought us back to TN. Thank you Lord for answering our prayers! Now we are in Nashville loving life, making new friends, settling into a wonderful church that we love, and making this town feel like our home. Since I was working full time while we lived in TN before, I was not able to put any energy into building business here. I knew regardless of where we moved after graduation that I would be able to keep business in Atlanta though so that is why I traveled back and forth so often. So now that we are back I am still trying to find my place in Nashville and really start to build my business here. We love this town and would be happy to live here forever.

2009 has been a big year of change for our little family. Changing jobs, changing cities, changing houses, changing roles, changing churches, changing attitudes. Although this has certainly felt like a roller coaster year I am so thankful for every hill and every valley that we have passed through. Our GOD is truly amazing and knows every single step we will take. HE has guided us through and we continue to put our trust in HIM. We are praying for an equally amazing 2010....but hopefully it will be a slightly smoother ride. :) Come to think of it....I am sure there will just as much chaos next year as well. We hope to buy a house, possibly start a family (another huge woohoo!), and who knows what else. Regardless of what next year brings, we are looking forward to it and are so thankful for this amazing year in 2009.

What were your favorite memories from this year? What are you most looking forward to next year?

Stay tuned....I will soon be posting my top 10 favorite images from this year! :)

{joy} shoutout

2009-12-07T10:21:00.005-06:00

Whew, I just posted the last of my sessions and my checklist is complete! This has been an amazing, busy, fantastic season for me and I feel so very blessed. I am excited to get ready for 2010 and the slight changes that will hopefully be coming to Joy Wilson Photography. My blog might be low on content for the rest of the year, but I promise to write some here and there so you don't forget about me and I don't forget about you, precious readers. Please don't hesitate to let me know if there is anything you want me to blog about. I love writing about what YOU want to read, so please send over your ideas, questions, comments. I hope everyone has a relaxing and fun December.

Just a few shoutouts before I log off for the day:

Happy Birthday to my amazing Mother-In-Law- Janet! Jan- you are such a fabulous mother in law and I know I do not tell you that enough. You deserve all the happiness in the world! Hopefully we will give you a grandbaby someday soon that will give you an excuse to stop working so hard and just make time for play. I love you so much and am so grateful for you!

Congratulations to my sister-in-law- Francesca on her GRAMMY nomination!!! Francesca Battistelli (Goodwin) was nominated in the Best Gospel Performance category. Franny, we are all so proud of you!

Congratulations to two of my sweet friends who have recently told me they are pregnant with their first babies! I am so excited for you girls as you start your families! I have dibs on maternity pics! :)

And to all the rest of you that have wonderful things to celebrate....yay! Our God is good and I am continuously amazed at the blessings I see around me every day. HE is THE reason for this season and every season of our lives, let's always remember that as we celebrate with our families and friends.

{Family} Wakefield

2009-12-03T10:17:00.004-06:00

I am a sucker for little girls with brown hair and brown eyes...Harper was just too cute for words! I met Justin and Jennifer and little Harper at their home in Adairsville, GA. We piled in a truck and drove over to the other side of their property to this fabulous old barn. We caught the sun just as it was setting and it gave us perfect light! This was my last shoot of my most recent trip to GA and it was such a fun shoot to end on. Here are a few of my favorites!

{Babies} Mimi

2009-12-02T17:26:00.003-06:00

My best friend since childhood, Stephanie, had me come to their home for a few Christmas card photos of her precious daughter Mimi. I love Mimi and had so much fun with her. Here are a few of my favorites!

{Family} Pernell

2009-12-01T08:46:00.003-06:00

I have known Daniel and Cami for years....like since I was in middle school and they were in high school. We all went to the same church and were in youth group together. Time sure has flown since middle school because now they have two beautiful children! We met at my new favorite Atlanta spot and walked around in the perfect sunset light. This is one cute family, here are the faves!

{joy} Give Thanks

2009-11-26T11:18:00.002-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving friends! I hope each of you will be surrounded by love this holiday. And a little yummy food too :)

I am thankful for my salvation and my Lord, my handsome hubby, my loving family, my fantastic friends, and my loyal blog readers! Have a fun and fabulous holiday with your family.

What are you thankful for today?

{Engagement} Jessica & Preston

2009-11-25T09:38:00.002-06:00

This sweet couple will be getting married in the fall of 2010. I had already been looking forward to their wedding, but even more so after we did their engagement shoot. We met in the lovely Piedmont Park and they brought their dogs with them as well. It was a gorgeous day and we caught some beautiful light in some of these photos. Here are a few of my faves!

{Babies} Grant 6 months

2009-11-24T09:04:00.003-06:00

Other than my nephews, this sweet baby might be one of my favorites! Grant is now 6 months old and I always look forward to seeing him. This time we met in the park for his session and he definitely brought out the smiles for me. Last time he was a bit timid, but not this time! I loved all of his outfits and faces and laughs. He is so cute! Here are a few of my favorites of Grant (and his parents too)

{Senior} Lauren

2009-11-23T09:48:00.003-06:00

She had been waiting for two years to smile without her braces, and today was her day. She already had the most beautiful smile but now it was not hiding behind every teenagers nemesis. Lauren is so sweet and lovely and kind. I have known her since the day she was born and am proud of the woman she is becoming. She will start college next year (tear*) and begin that new wonderful chapter of life. In the meantime, she will enjoy her senior year of high school with her boyfriend James and a braces-free smile.

here are a few of my favorites of the beautiful Lauren

{Family} Edwards

2009-11-22T09:17:00.004-06:00

For their mother's birthday, Sarah and Anna wanted to do a big family photo shoot. They all met me in Marietta and we set out on our journey of getting everyone to smile for Grandma. We definitely got some silly faces along the way, but hopefully she will be happy with her birthday gift. Here are a few of my favorites!

{Family} Baker

2009-11-21T10:29:00.005-06:00

I met Michelle and her family of four a few years ago and have worked with them a couple of times since then. I love repeat clients! She found out I was in GA for the week and contacted me to squeeze in a shoot and of course I obliged :) Here are a few of my favorites from their session by the lake.

{Family} Johnson

2009-11-20T10:36:00.003-06:00

Before I met anyone else in the Johnson family I was already fast friends with their 4 year old, Sam. You see- he is best buddies with my nephew Spencer. Everytime I go to their house Sam is over playing, and every time Spencer introduces him to me. "Hey Aunt Joy, did you meet my friend Sam?". Either he forgets that I have in fact met him about 25 times, or he is just so proud that his good friend is over that he has to make a big deal about it. Either way, I am pretty tight with Sam so it seemed only natural to meet the rest of the family. They live in Acworth so we met in the downtown area and had some fun. This is one adorable family! I loved the fact that he kids "posed" themselves for some of the photos. "you stand here, I will go here, etc.". Love it! Here are some of my favorites of my friend Sam and his family.

{Family} Terrell

2009-11-19T09:41:00.004-06:00

I went to high school with this sweet couple. I just love getting to see old friends and their babies!

I am a super warm blooded lady, meaning- it takes alot for me to get cold. So I offer early morning shoots to clients without really thinking about how cold it might be in the morning. I felt so bad when I saw this precious little girl just shivering away at 8 in the morning. :( We took "warm up" breaks and offered to sit in the car, but she seemed to be having fun so we kept on going. She is too cute for words, and even with a pink nose she smiled so great for me! We hung out at the park for a bit, watched a 5 K run by, then hit downtown Acworth for a few more. Here are some of my faves!

{Family} McGrew

2009-11-18T09:15:00.004-06:00

Samuel gets cuter every time I see him, if that is even possible! I did Stephen and Jennifer's maternity pics, and Samuel's newborn pics as well. We also met up to do a suprise shoot of Samuel and Mommy for Father's day. This time we got the whole family and boy are they cute! Here are a few of my faves.

{Maternity} McGrew

2009-11-17T10:53:00.003-06:00

I felt like I already knew Andrea and Warren, I have photographed her sister and his brother so we practially felt like old friends. :) They are expecting a baby boy and were excited to have me photograph this special chapter in their lives. They are such a sweet and loving couple, this baby is getting a great pair of parents! Here are a few of my favorites

{Maternity} Swinehart

2009-11-15T07:12:00.007-06:00

To say my friend Candace has a pretty house is quite the understatement. I drove to Baldwin, GA for maternity portraits but definitely should have taken some of their beautiful custom home. Nestled in some 300 + acres, Adam and Candace built a forever home in the woods with a breathtaking waterfall in their backyard. This aint no trickle fall, this is a full blown waterfall and it is gorgeous! They piled me, a city girl with a bag full of cameras, in their jeep and we drove over the river and through the woods for these photos. I have adored my friend Candace since we were good friend in high school but there is something really special about seeing her happily married with a sweet baby on the way! Here are a few of my favorites from their shoot.

{Family} Sizemore

2009-11-12T17:33:00.007-06:00

These precious sisters kept me laughing through this entire session! As if their beautiful blue eyes weren't enough, they have the cutest giggles and dimples. And check out these outfits....adorable! I love seeing different colors and patterns and fabrics. I had so much fun with Phil and Connie and their girls- Grace and Noelle. Here are a few of my favorites.

{Family} Nolan

2009-11-12T17:28:00.008-06:00

We prayed, chanted, and sang for the rain to go away....but it was quite stubborn. Even though we had the entire Piedmont Park to ourselves, we were slightly limited by the on and off drizzle. However- this family is amazing and did not let the rain stand in our way of getting some fabulous family photos. All four kids were complete troopers through it all! If there was ever a reason for a child to get annoyed with a photo shoot this rainy situation would have been it, but they did not let the rain dampen their spirits. You guys rock!

I adore the Nolan family for more reasons than I could possibly list here. They are a godly beautiful encouraging and fun group of people and I consider myself a better person for knowing them. Tony and Tammy welcomed their fourth child, Joy Fei Fei, into their home earlier this year. They had been awaiting her arrival for such a long time and to have her finally in their family was an amazing blessing for them. She is simply delightful and kept me smiling throughout this shoot. She was surely the ray of sunshine on an otherwise gloomy day. And her name is Joy, so of course I love that! :)

Here are a few of my favorites from our rainy and fabulous shoot!

{Babies} Sawyer 3 months

2009-11-10T12:47:00.003-06:00

I am leaving tonight for a week in GA and I am most excited about seeing this adorable guy! My precious nephew Sawyer smiled for his 3 month photos last time I was home and I am taking my camera back over for a few more shots this trip as well...can you blame me? I mean seriously, I just wanna squeeze his chubby cheeks!

the Goodwin boys have THE best profiles.

melt my heart...

look at those cheeks! they are just calling out my name! "squeeze me aunt joy, kiss me!" I am on my way buddy :)

{joy} changes, they are a brewin'

2009-11-06T09:54:00.005-06:00

With 2010 quickly coming around the corner I have been thinking alot about where I want my business to go, how I want to change and grow and I have several ideas floating through my head. I will be making some slight changes, possibly some larger ones, to my flow/process/and prices. So- my advice to anyone sitting on the fence about wanting a photo shoot....book it now if you want a huge bargain! My prices will not sky rocket so don't get too scared, but they will begin to reflect more of what you are actually getting when you schedule a session with me. 2010 will be a big year for me as a business owner- I will be officially official as a full time photographer (even though it definitely feels like I have been full time for 5 years now!) and with that comes new responsibility. Yikes...that word scares me. But alas, this business is my passion and I have to do it justice by making it my priority. So stay tuned for updates and information on where Joy Wilson Photography is headed!

For those interested: here are my current prices. All portrait sessions booked and completed between now and December 31, 2009 will be at this current price. All weddings booked between now and December 31, 2009 for weddings in 2010 will also honor this pricing as well. As of January 1, 2010 there will be new pricing for portrait sessions and weddings!

I am looking forward to the new things ahead!

{Babies} Fletcher

2009-11-04T09:37:00.005-06:00

Aaaand the award for best post baby body goes to Fletcher's mommy- Kellyn! Seriously, how amazing does she look 13 days after giving birth! Way to go Kellyn, you rock.

Kellyn and Josh welcomed their precious little girl into the world just two weeks ago. I was so excited to meet her and get some newborn photos....especially since Kellyn claims to only be a cell phone camera mom. I told her that is no way to capture a baby's first days on earth so I gladly came to the rescue. I met them at their beautiful home in Franklin and grabbed a few shots of sweet baby Fletcher (and some of Ruby the dog too). Kellyn's parents joined the party as well and made quite the audience for Fletcher's first photo shoot. You can clearly tell who is the star of the show in their house now. Congratulations Josh and Kellyn, Fletcher is beautiful!

Here are the faves:

{joy} happy halloween

2009-10-31T17:09:00.003-05:00

Although Halloween can be a rather scary holiday there are so many wonderfully happy things about it! The smells, the pumpkins, the costumes, and of course the candy! I hope you all have a fabulous day with your families and children. I can't wait to see pictures on facebook of all the great costumes your babies will be wearing tonight!

{joy} Give Yourself Away

2009-10-30T08:35:00.003-05:00

I am so excited about going to see NewSong tonight! They have finally made a new record and it is amazing! Their last full length album was about 5 years ago so it is time for NewSong to have some new songs. (couldn't help myself) They are playing in Murfreesboro tonight and I am so anxious to see their new show.

I am so unbelievably proud of my Dad and the wonderful ministry he has been involved in for almost 30 years (NewSong is 6 months younger than me). He has allowed God to work through him selflessly and a rediculous number of people have given their lives to the Lord through NewSong's ministry. I always feel so proud of my Dad anytime I watch him sing. He rocks it. Every. Single. Time. He might not be a spring chicken anymore but boy can he belt out a tune! He is amazing and I am honored to be his daughter. Congrats Dad on the new record. I love you!

{joy} Ask Joy

2009-10-28T09:25:00.015-05:00

Some questions I get asked all the time are "what should my family wear for our photo shoot?" "how should I dress?" "what colors photograph well?"

Aimee asked: "Since we have an appointment with you in the near future (yay!) can you tell us all your tricks, hints and recommmendations for dressing/make-up/hair/etc. for a great looking photo?"

Yes, Aimee, I can! :)

First of all, choosing clothes should not be a scary or daunting task. You should look and feel like yourselves so that your true personality comes across in your photos. If you never dress up in heels or a suit and tie, don't don them for your photos. While the most important factor is that you and your family feel comfortable I must say that I am not a huge fan of super "matchy matchy" as in jeans and white shirts, khakis with black shirts, etc. If this floats your boat, go for it. However, it will inevitably not produce the kind of images you hired me for (relaxed, candid, full of emotion). Jeans are fine, but don't force the white shirt issue. It looks too planned and white is honestly not the best color for outdoor photos anyway. So- avoid this if you can.

check out awkward family photos for more examples of what NOT to do. :)

So let’s get started on what you should do:

1. Everyone in your family should be dressed according to their personal style. Try not to force your children or husband to dress in a certain way. Trust me- EVERYONE will be happier if they feel comfortable! If your son has a favorite pair of old rugged converse let him wear those instead of the squeaky clean new black dress shoes you got him (even though I am sure they are lovely).

2. Instead of trying to "match" try to "coordinate". This is a classic fashion mistake...things don't need to match precisely, they just need to compliment the overall look that you are going for. I like to tell my clients to choose a color or pair of colors and build the family's look around that. For instance: If you have an amazing outfit for your one year old that is green and brown plaid try to build around that. Dad can wear jeans and a brown or green shirt, mom can wear khakis/brown pants with a cream (not white) top and big brother can wear overalls and a green shirt, etc. Also, don't be afraid to think outside the normal color box either. My brother and his family recently chose grey as their color scheme and it turned out beautifully. They all have jeans on but it does not come across as too matchy because their jeans have different washes (some darker, some lighter, etc). They paired different stripes with solids and it looks great!

{some other color combinations that look well together: brown and blue, green and brown, yellow and gray, navy and pink, navy and red or yellow}

3. Wear things that are comfortable, functional, & fun! I encourage people (not usually with large groups for lack of time) to bring a second outfit to give a different look to some of the photos. You can do this easily with adding a hat, changing shoes, etc. I love to have fun with my shoots so if you have something fun or interesting you have been wanting to wear but have had no excuse...now is the time!

4. Think "timeless". I know we all have those family photos from Olan Mills where we are wearing huge 80's glasses and have a bowl cut and everyone is wearing mauve. Those are not necessarily timeless photos unfortunately. Now, while I have a huge respect for those photos because it clearly shows that time period in our lives, it is not timeless. I know it is hard to avoid dating a photo at all but be considerate of the little things. Try not to be too trendy in your choices, keep it basic and simple so the focus is on you not your clothes.

5. Add personal touches. I enjoy when a couple brings something special with them to an engagement shoot. For example: a picnic basket and blanket that the guy used when he proposed. So sweet! I also love using old baby blankets and toys when I photograph children. Search your attic or your grandma's house and take a stroll down memory lane to find a few things here or there that mean something to you or your family and add those in your photos. I am not a huge fan of using props in the traditional sense. Sorry, no holiday scenes or fake backgrounds for me. I like to use items that mean something to you or that have a unique look. I have an old quilt that I bought at an antique store that I completely adore. I use it in shoots because it looks old, loved, and is full of character.

6. Hair/makeup: Again, the theme here is to keep it simple. For the most part, I shoot in natural light. I do not use external lighting or a flash so you do not need to add extra makeup. Wear it the way you normally wear it or however feels comfortable. Same goes for your hair, be yourself. And let your kids be themselves too. I am not a huge fan of tons of gel in a little boy's hair, it kind of photographs looking wet. But, if that is how he wears it every day- go for it!

I found a great website for getting outfit ideas, check it out at Boden . com. Go there and click on men or women or whatever you need, then look at the outfit ideas. Here is one group of outfits that I completely adore together with navy blue as their unifying color. I am a huge fan of different textures of fabric and having varying patterns/colors throughout the group. It is visually interesting and instantly gives your photo some depth and character.

Don't be afraid to think outside the box and definitely don't be afraid to be yourself! I want my photo shoots to be fun and relaxed and something you will truly enjoy. I hope these tips help. I have so many more thoughts on the issue but tried to keep it as short and sweet as possible. If you have further questions, leave a comment or shoot me an email. Happy coordinating! :)

Here are a few more examples of recent shoots where the outfits photographed really well. Notice the different patterns and colors and styles.

The Van Buskirks
The Williams
The Hills
The Woods

{joy} all caught up!

2009-10-27T14:03:00.005-05:00

ahhh...it feels so good to be caught up. I mailed out the last of my recent shoots today and spent this entire morning cleaning our place. I had no idea how messy it really was in here (sorry honey!). It has been too long since I have had enough time to really put everything in its place, and man it looks good! Now- since I am up to date on blogging recent shoots, I need some new things to blog about. Do you have any questions for me? Anything you want to know about photography/life/joy?

Because every post is better with a photo- here is one of my fabulous Williams Sonoma apron that my sweet friend Kerry gave me....just because. She rocks.

{Babies} Eden

2009-10-27T08:54:00.005-05:00

Eden is by far one of the happiest and smiliest babies I know. Everytime I am around him I just smile from ear to ear just like him! His mama and daddy are a fairy tale romance- met in europe, fell in love, were married in a fabulous castle in the hills of Slovakia, and now live in the states with beautiful baby Eden. Bekah stopped by Piedmont park as my Portraits in the Park were coming to an end just to hang out with me for a few minutes (I love her!), but of course I had to snap a few pics of Eden's baby blues. There was very little sunlight left so I couldn't shoot as long as I wanted, but here are a few fun shots of Eden and his beautiful mommy.

{Family} The Woods

2009-10-26T09:32:00.008-05:00

My brothers and I consider Samantha our big sister. She has been a part of our family since way before any of us kids can even remember. She sang in the choir when my Dad was the music director at her church, she babysat my brothers and me, she even lived with us for a year (my favorite random memory- watching professional wrestling with her in her room!), and has been at every graduation/wedding/big event in our lives. She is married with four wonderful children! Her oldest is a senior in high school and that fact seriously makes me feel ancient. I remember going to the hospital the day she was born. Now she is a grown up! Yikes! They came to the Portraits in the Park and here are a few of my favorites. I adore this family!

{Family} The Angeli Family

2009-10-24T10:41:00.004-05:00

Papa Angeli is totally outnumbered in his family full of girls! But he doesn't seem to mind one bit! I met the Angeli family on facebook as we have several mutual friends. They came to the Portraits in the Park and brought smiles, costumes, and even a few pouts (which I love!). I had such a good time meeting and photographing this sweet family of 5. Here are a few of my favorites!

{Family} The Matiaks

2009-10-23T11:50:00.004-05:00

I looooove repeat clients! Last year I shot Heath and Tiffany's wedding and earlier this year we met for maternity pics. They decided to bring their precious new baby Ayva to Portraits at the Park for some family photos. We had the whole Matiak clan there, what a good lookin' family they are huh?! It is easy to tell that baby Ayva is the star of that family now! Here are a few of my favorites.

{Children} The Adams

2009-10-22T06:21:00.003-05:00

Tonia was my 7th grade sunday school teacher. My friend Laura Ann and I pride ourselves on setting her up with her husband. Yes, even in 7th grade I was quite the romantic. :) Thanks to our scheming and plotting, they are now happily married with four beautiful children! They came to the Portraits in the Park (with their sweet niece as well) and we had a great time trying to get all five of them to sit/look/smile at the same time. It is times like this when I wish there was a camera on the back of my head to snap a few photos of the crowd behind me helping to get a smile or two.

I had so much fun with this precious family, here are a few of my faves!

{Lovebirds} The von Ovens part two

2009-10-20T11:06:00.003-05:00

You wouldn't believe how many times I hear parents say "we haven't had our pictures made since our wedding day". So- I usually try to get a few photos of mom and dad alone when I am shooting a family session. I mean, there we are getting family portraits done, its clear that mom and dad are still in love! ;) Well, let me tell you- this lovebird couple was too cute for words. After we finished with their family portraits they changed clothes real quick and we did their lovebird photos. I adore this couple and how clearly in love they are! You can just see in both of their eyes that they are over the moon in love with each other. Here are some of my faves

{Family} The von Ovens part one

2009-10-20T10:58:00.005-05:00

I had so much fun meeting this gorgeous family. Their three kids are precious and so cooperative and kept making me laugh. We walked around Piedmont Park and enjoyed the beautiful day. Here are a few of my favorites of their family!

{Family} The Hughes

2009-10-19T10:53:00.004-05:00

Three words to describe this family and their shoot: fun, fun fun! I had a blast with this sweet family. Their two boys are so different in personality and I loved it! We walked around the Marietta square and by the end of the shoot I felt like I had just made a great new friend. There are times when I hate for the sun to go down and a shoot to be over, and this was definitely one of those times! Here are a few of my favorites of the Hughes family.

{Family} The Gwinns

2009-10-18T17:29:00.005-05:00

Aside from my brother and his family, the Gwinns are probably one of my favorite repeat clients. I saw them every three months to photograph their son Coleman's first year, and am excited to be doing the same thing for his little brother Camden. Scott and Kerry are one of my favorite couples to work with ever, and I mean ever. They are funny, laid back, and Scott is always cooperative in front of the camera (sorry guys, but most husbands roll their eyes at least three times during a shoot and Scott never does!) Here are a few of my favorites of the Gwinn family!

{Family} The Goodwins

2009-10-17T08:42:00.004-05:00

It's Christmas card time again! Will and Jamie brought their three boys up to the Smith Road B&B and we got some family photos. I completely adore this family, as any of my loyal readers know, and was super excited to get to see my babies again. We even snapped a few of baby Sawyer just for fun (you will see his official 3 month photos soon). When I say "we" I mean that my brother Will grabbed my spare camera and was having fun shooting some pics of sawyer. I get to photograph lots of cute families and babies and kids....but I have to be completely biased and say this family ranks #1. Come on, they are my family- I am allowed to say that right? :)

Here are a few of my favorites!

{Family} The Bultmans

2009-10-16T10:46:00.004-05:00

I went to high school with Lexi and Jonathan and was so excited when she contacted me about doing family photos. Lexi had seen some photos on my website at the Williams' home and wanted to do their family photos there as well. (Thanks Tony and Pam!) It really is a fabulous place to do a photo shoot, I love that they let me come there sometimes. :) So we braved the early morning wet grass, fought the rain, and begged a horse to smile for us. I love the way these turned out, hope you enjoy!

{Lovebirds} Billy & Annabeth

2009-10-15T11:09:00.014-05:00

This past weekend I went home to Georgia for a total of 16 photo shoots (3 ended up getting rained out, bummer!). I arrived in town late thursday night and started first thing on Friday morning with a very special photo shoot. I have been wanting to get my parents in front of my camera for a while now but with my Dad's crazy schedule it has been a little hard to work out. I was SO glad when they said they would get up at sunrise with me for this shoot! We put on our boots, piled in the golf cart, and drove up the street from their house in the country for these photos. If I have ever learned a life lesson from my parents it is this: love. Love the Lord, love each other, love your family, love life. I am not gonna lie though, I definitely used to get grossed out when I was a kid and I saw my parents kiss. But now...I completely adore it. They have been married 36 years and are more in love now than ever. I look at them and see where I want to be in 30 years. I am blessed with AMAZING parents and I admire them more than words could ever describe. It was so fun putting on my photographer hat and doing this shoot for them (even though every once in a while the daughter hat would come up too and I would just look at them and stand in awe of them, especially when my Dad would wink at my mom.....too cute).

I could not pick just a few favorites, so I made a slideshow with several of my faves.

note: I asked my dad to send me "their song" so you will hear it playing in the slideshow. These lovebirds met in college when my Dad was playing King Arthur in Camelot...so that is part of the significance of this song. I remember always seeing this funny looking picture on my mom's nightstand of dad dressed up...it was a photo of him singing in Camelot....so sweet. now I feel the need to find that old photo and post it on here...stay tuned for that. Until then- enjoy the video of the world's best parents.

update: here is the photo of my Dad as King Arthur in Camelot when my parents met. It's so funny to see him without a beard! :)

Ask Joy

2009-10-08T09:31:00.005-05:00

I looooove answering your questions. It gives me a few minutes to break away from work and get to be your friend for a moment. I love what I do, but breaks are always welcome. Coffee date anyone? ;)

Ashley asked: "I am curious what music you listen to while you work at your computer? "

This is a wonderful question! I have been surrounded by music my entire life and even married an avid music lover. Most of the music I love has been introduced by someone in my family....or is someone in my family. My Dad is a singer, my oldest brother is a singer/songwriter (he wrote and sang a song for our wedding....I would love a copy of that song, it was perfect), my middle brother is a musician who married a beautiful singer/songwriter. And if that wasn't enough- my father in law is a musician and used to be in a band back in the day (and he wrote and sang a song for our wedding...im desperate for a copy of that one too), my brother in law in a singer/songwriter who proposed to his wife by writing her an amazing song! That is where I will start my playlist....

To keep things interesting I usually put it on shuffle

Top Albums:
1. Billie Holiday- Billie Holiday Remix fantastic spin on classic songs.
2. Brooke Waggoner- Go Easy Little Doves
Brooke is an amazingly talended artist and a good friend of my husband. She was recently married to a Brad as well and I am excited to double date with the newlyweds. You must check out her record, it is beautiful, epic, enchanting, romantic.
3. Copeland- The first band my husband introduced me to, our song is "Priceless". I am smitten with their music.
4. Dave Barnes- if you have a chance to see this guy live, do it. His music is pretty sweet, but he is so funny too!
5. Francesca Battistelli- My Paper Heart. Go buy it, love it, tell your friends.
6. Jason Faulkner- Bedtime with the Beatles. I plan on playing his two Bedtime with the Beatles records non stop once we have a baby....perfect lullabies.
7. Mat Kearney- City of Black & White Brad gave this to me and I completely adore it.
8. NewSong- Give Yourself Away NewSong's new songs! They are incredible and I can't wait for the world to hear them.
9. Ray LaMontagne- love love love his voice.
10. Watermark- All Things New. This is an old record but I can't seem to delete it from the playlist.
11. Will Goodwin- Taste . This is also an older record too but I love this, probably won't ever take this off my playlist. and it IS my brother too...gotta love that. :)

Top Singles:
1. Brian Wilson- "Favorite One"
2. Lauryn Hill- "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You"
3. Leigh Nash- "My Idea Of Heaven"
4. Ben Folds- "The Luckiest"
5. Marc Cohn- "True Companion" This song was played at my dear friends' wedding where Brad and I met and fell in love.
6. Patty Griffin- "Heavenly Day"
7. Phil Whickam- "Divine Romance"
8. Jason Morant- "Make Us One"

Ok, that is all for now. Obviously I have WAY more music than I listed, but these are the ones I have been putting on repeat lately. What are your favorite songs to work to? Cook to? Dance to? Drive to? Sing along to? :)

And because every post is better with a photo- here is one of a sweet note my husband left on my desk today (I am leaving tonight for GA for 5 days). I love him.

The Latham family

2009-10-05T13:16:00.003-05:00

When I first moved to Nashville I offered a free shoot to someone in the area who commented on my blog (I keep telling you that commenting has some great benefits!). Well, the seriously cute Latham family won! Unfortunately, we had to postpone the shoot twice due to rain....I hate when that happens! I have actually been very lucky as a photographer, and have only had to reschedule due to weather a handful of times. Once the rain stopped and the ground dried up we were able to finally meet up for their shoot. We decided on Seveir Park which is just a block from my house. As soon as we moved here I knew I wanted to do a shoot there, such a great spot. I had a great time getting to know this sweet family and their precious little boys. As usual, their two year old was way more excited about running around than sitting still for photos. Luckily, mom is a genius and whipped out the fruit snacks and I captured some incredible smiles while he sat and snacked. I adore getting to meet new clients and see them play and smile and have fun in front of my camera. I even snapped a few of mom and dad just loving on each other, and laughing...I love seeing a couple laugh. Seriously, I think laughter is one of the keys to a happy marriage. I mean, who doesn't love to laugh?

Here are a few of my favorites from the Latham family shoot.

{Wedding} Mr. & Mrs. Adcock

2009-10-02T11:49:00.007-05:00

Amanda and I met a year or so ago in a small group at church. We chatted about our mutual love of photography and became friends (and facebook friends too of course-oh how I love my facebook friends!). I was so excited to read on her facebook status that she was engaged!!! And then I was even more excited when she called me to talk about photographing her wedding. I have been looking forward to it all year!

Even though the rain had been hanging around for several days...and days and days...it held off just long enough for us to get the outdoor photos we needed. I was so thankful! Michael and Amanda had a beautiful wedding at the Factory in Franklin (amazing wedding venue!). I adore all of the back alleys and nooks and fabulous places for photos. So much fun! They laughed and cried and danced and loved. I was glad to be there capturing it all. I chose a few of my favorites and whipped up a little slideshow for you. Take a look and leave a comment, I love to hear your thoughts.

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Adcock!

hello fall!

2009-10-01T22:19:00.006-05:00

Without a doubt, Fall is my favorite season of the year. I love living in the south, where we have four very distinct seasons.

Winter is my second favorite season. I just love all of the cinnamon smells and family get togethers and sweaters and the dream of actually going skiing some winter soon.

Spring is my least favorite because I have unfortunate allergies which inevitably cause me to be that person that sneezes 1,357 times in a row. I have strongly considered getting a shirt that says "save your 'bless you's" but have not gotten around to it yet.

And Summer is just way too hot for me, but I do enjoy the laid back feel of summertime though.

So back to my very favorite season of all- FALL. I adore the smell of cool air (yes, air smells cool!), the fabulous warm colors that are everywhere in stores and on the trees and even the food. I love apple pie in the fall (my father in law totally wins the prize for best homemade apple pie....delish!) And I love the fall because it means I get to start planning for Christmas gifts, where to spend the holiday, and how to start planning for 2010. I am a planner....to a fault at times. I actually already have things on my calendar for NEXT October (a wedding in GA, yay!). I am looking forward to a weekend in GA soon and can't wait to go pumpkin pickin' with my nephews. I can't think of any better way to start this Fall season than spending time outside with my three amazing nephews and some big fat pumpkins...and maybe a fried apple pie from a roadside stand....mmmmm

What are your favorite things about fall? Do you have a great apple pie recipe? insider note: my father in law's has tiny bits of caramel in it....wowzers

I will leave you with my favorite fall photo of all time (one many of you have already seen I am sure). This is an image that my camera took of my husband and me while we were in Europe photographing a good friends wedding. I adore my husband for humoring me and my silly idea of setting the camera on a bench, running all the way to the other side of the field and kissing him hoping it was caught on camera. This was the one and only shot we tried, and it was a pure success. It is my favorite photo, of my favorite guy, in my favorite season. Triple yay!

{Lovebirds} Bryan & Elizabeth

2009-09-26T14:27:00.007-05:00

Bryan and Elizabeth had planned a birthday weekend trip to Nashville and I was so excited when she contacted me about getting some photos of the two of them while they were here! We met in Franklin at the Factory- one of my favorite places to shoot....even though it was raining. I mean, seriously- I think I have had just about enough of this rain! But because the Factory is so fabulous inside and out, we were able to get some great shots. I adore being around couples that are so obviously in love. Bryan and Elizabeth laughed and kissed and made funny faces....we had a blast. Here are a few of my favorites!

client love

2009-09-23T16:11:00.006-05:00

I am confident that I have the worlds best clients! Honestly- I love my clients. I love that they become my friends, and even when my friends become my clients. Such is the case with Kelly. She and I have known each other since we were little and I photographed her beautiful wedding earlier this year. I got a sweet note in the mail yesterday and had to share it with you because it seriously made my day.

"Joy- Just wanted to let you know how thankful we are that you were a part of all of our fun wedding events! You worked tirelessly & went above and beyond for us. You truly captures ALL of the excitement, love, & joy of such a happy time in our lives. Words can't express how BEAUTIFUL your work is and how very much it means to us & our families! i am so thankful you were able to join in the celebration of this time in our lives! You are the BEST....and I'm not biased at all :) Love- Kelly"

See- I told you I have the world's best clients. Those words are what keep me loving what I do. I am so blessed!

quad cam

2009-09-19T09:15:00.007-05:00

Some call them addicting, others call them annoying....I call mine necessary....and fun. I am talking about my beloved iphone. I should definitely give him (or her) a name because I spend more time with it than I do actual humans. Suggestions?

I wanted to write a quick note about my favorite app- Quad Cam. As you know, I have a tiny crush on all things photography related so when I saw this app I had to have it. It is the only one I have actually paid for by the way, and it has been totally worth the 99 cents! I love documenting life, even if it is often with an iphone camera. I say any camera is better than no camera. I use this little app to snap away at some of the little things in life and I love the result I get with it, especially because you can take more than one photo at a time! Oh the possibilities!

Here are a few of my favorites. What is your favorite iphone app?

Portraits in the Park

2009-09-18T13:02:00.005-05:00

Fall is upon us and it is already time to start thinking about Christmas cards! I just love the smell of cider, apples, cinnamon...mm...I wish it was fall all year round!

My friend Sarah and I are going to be hosting Portraits in the Park! It is a new venture, one that I have been wanting to try for quite a while. Since moving to Nashville I have had several Atlanta families contact me about doing family portraits. I have the weekend of October 10th booked to come to town, but have filled it up so quickly that I had to add this in as well. On Sunday, October 11th I will be hosting Portraits in the Park. This will be a time for quick family photos at half the price of my regular shoots. These sessions will only be 30 minutes (unless you want to book for an entire hour for $50 extra). We are meeting in the lovely Piedmont Park where there are lots of great photo spots. Feel free to bring anything with you that you want in your photos. Keep in mind that this is not just for families- we can do couples, children, etc. Just email me if you have any questions! Once we book your time slot we will go over details of where to meet, etc.

I am so looking forward to Portraits in the Park! Book your time slot quickly, they will fill up fast. Hope to see you there!

The Butler family

2009-09-12T08:43:00.009-05:00

I mean, come on- how could this family get any cuter? By adding an adorable baby girl to the mix maybe?! Matt and Ashlee (and brig brother Miles) welcomed Emilee Micah to their adorable family earlier this year. She was anxious to make her debut and even showed up a somewhat scary 10 weeks early. But with lots of love from mom and dad and prayer from people all over the country, she is healthy, happy, and home.

I have known Matt and Ashlee for years, as he plays music with my dad. I was even on the cruise where they met and fell in love! They are such a kind and godly couple and have been blessed with two precious children. I adore this family and I am sure after you see these pics that you will too. Enjoy!

Where were you?

2009-09-11T18:23:00.004-05:00

I had been at the dentist that morning getting a tooth pulled. It was one of my baby teeth. I was in college. Yes, I had two baby teeth still in when I went to college. Very random, I know. I had driven home from the dentist in a daze of Novocain and all I wanted to do was take a nap and skip class for the day. Little did I know that as soon as I walked in the door of my apartment I would be wide awake for the rest of the day.

I walked into our apartment in Boonsboro to find my roommate sitting in front of the TV and talking on her cell phone. It was the look of fear and confusion that caught my attention. I turned to the TV and saw the smoke coming out of the building. I cannot remember exactly from there if I saw the other plane hit the second tower but I know I definitely saw them both come down. I seriously thought it was a movie or some kind of joke, I could not wrap my novacained brain around what was happening. The more I watched, the more I realized it was not a movie or a joke but a horrible act of terrorism and my eyes were opened for the first time to the true crazies of this world. I was instantly saddened and wondering if I knew anyone that lived in the city. I am sure I called my family and spent much of the rest of the day talking to them and praying and asking lots of questions.

8 years ago some really horribly mean people did an unthinkable act and caused unmeasurable pain to so many Americans. Today, I am remembering those who lost loved ones and am praying for those that thought this was all a good idea. It was not a good idea. Not at all.

But I believe in the God of miracles and HE is capable of turning this all around and being glorified through however much smoke this world can make.

{babies} Piper

2009-09-10T17:56:00.008-05:00

Courtney emailed me about photographing her little 2 month old baby girl. She wrote to me and told me that Piper was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome and how she is a beautiful blessing from God. Let me tell you, she was right! She is one cute and sweet sweet sweet little girl. I met the White family at their house and we basically hung out in Piper's fabulously decorated nursery for this shoot. Her parents did such a great job of making her room pretty and chic and perfect for her. I immediately felt at home with this sweet family of three and am blessed to have stepped into their world for a little while. Here are a few of my favorites of Piper and her amazingly beautiful blue eyes.

coolest pacifier ever....its attached to a stuffed animal. genuis.

a mid-shoot nap never hurt anyone :)

secret to a happy marriage

2009-09-09T12:43:00.002-05:00

I stumbled upon a great blog today and have enjoyed reading the recent entries- all entitled "the secret to a happy marriage". Every marriage is different and wonderful and unique, so are the responses these people gave. Some people need romance for a happy marriage, some people need vacations, while others just need breakfast in bed once in a while. I would love to know what your secrets are to a happy marriage!

I am 4 and a half years into marriage and am definitely not an expert. However, over these years I can choose two words that I would say are the most important secrets in Team Wilson (as we like to call ourselves) having a happy marriage:

Laughter and Prayer. Even at the same time occasionally. My husband can make me laugh like no other, even though most of the time he is making fun of me, I still love it. We love playing board games, card games, guitar hero, the name game, and playing with photo booth. We consider ourselves the unbeatable team because he brings logic and I bring common sense to the table....together we are unstoppable. Others can make me laugh, but it never feels as good as laughing with Brad. Prayer is no secret to a happy marriage, it is a necessity. Pray often. Pray together, pray for each other, pray for your family and friends. Pray for your future, pray for your marriage, pray for future children and dreams. Pray and thank the Lord for all the blessings that surround you. Laughter and Prayer are key in my opinion....with these two things being a constant in your marriage, it will be nothing less than happily ever after.

Click here to check out some of the other secrets and feel free to share your secrets with me!

The Hill Family

2009-09-08T15:58:00.004-05:00

You know those families that you sometimes secretly wish you were a part of....well, this is one of those families to me. Beth and I have known each other for....lots of years. I met her way before she had her wonderful husband and three cutie kids. In fact, I feel old when I look at them and how much they have grown! Beth and Shawn are such fabulous people (Beth even helped my husband find his job that got us moved back to Nashville!). I was so excited when Beth said she wanted some family photos, I knew they would be a fun family to shoot.

We met up in Murfreesboro at Cannonsburg and did my typical "walk and shoot as we go" session. Her little boys are full of laughs and funny noises and if it werent for the fact that I was working, I might have rolled on the floor laughing at them a time or two. Their sweet daughter is quiet and so pretty. Watch out Shawn....you'll have your hands full one day when she comes out of her shell!

I adore this sweet family and am excited about being back in Tennessee, so hopefully Beth and I can go yard sailing (sale-ing? hhmm..) together again soon.

Here are a few of my favorites!

Happy Birthday Erica!

2009-09-05T09:01:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to wish my sister-in-law Erica a fabulous 29th birthday!!! Girl- this is your LAST year as a 20-something, so live it up! I wish I was there to celebrate with you and the Wilson Family....but here are a few photos just for laughs that should help ease the pain. :) I miss you and your funny faces and your fabulous jokes and your dinner table workout routine...whatever it's called...I miss you! Maybe you should come to Nashville this weekend so I can tell you in person! Just a thought. Loves!

apparently I am a much bigger fan of the bunny ears pose than I realized....

and the winner is...

2009-09-04T09:28:00.004-05:00

I received several emails and a few comments regarding the free photo shoot, and have since picked a winner. I am happy to say that Gaylene Latham and her family of four will be my receiving free Nashville shoot! Gaylene- please feel free to email me at joy@joywilsonphotography and we can discuss details. I am looking forward to meeting you and your family!

"Hi Joy!
I just received a link to your blog from my friend Esther Elmer. She told me that you are friends with her cousin and that you just moved to Nashville. I'm so excited that she gave me your info-your pictures are amazing!!
My husband, Jason, and I have a 2-year old and recently had our second child in June. Our energetic toddler makes it hard to snap our own shots. We would love to have some great photos of us and our new little one!
Thanks for considering us!
Jason, Gaylene, Adam, and Austen Latham"

locket love

2009-09-03T19:39:00.007-05:00

I adore lockets. I have always loved them and just think they are the perfect accessory with any outfit. I rotate between my favorite large one and a small one I "stole" from my mom. The large one was such a happy find on etsy.com but recently I had to mourn the vanishing disappearance of that beloved locket. As I was driving my parent's car, I went to turn the wheel or change the radio station or something and clumsily my hand got caught in the necklace chain and it broke and sent the locket flying....into space. We looked everywhere for that silly locket but it was literally no where to be found. I kept hoping my Dad would volunteer to remove the driver's seat completely to look for it, but alas there was no time for such nonsense. So, my favorite vintage locket (that happened to be sold with my husbands initials already engraved in it) is no longer with me. I found my mom's old locket from when she was in high school and started wearing that one again. I feel so special when I wear her locket, but I feel odd when people want to see whats inside and its a baby photo of me. it is a "book" locket, with three pages of pictures so there is one of my Dad and one of my brothers as well, but it still feels weird to open it and show off how cute I was as a babe. So, I am on the hunt for a new locket. Here are some that I recently found on my beloved etsy. Which one do you think is best?

Locket One

Locket Two

Locket Three

Goodwin wedding vendors

2009-09-02T13:54:00.007-05:00

I have had a few people ask me about some of the vendors from Matt and Fran's wedding. I thought I would blog about them so you could have the info and pass it along to any Nashville brides out there as well. Their wedding was so beautiful and every person listed below brought something special to the table. Here they are:

Venue: Factory at Franklin . This is a great venue for ceremony and/or receptions. Building 8 has high ceilings with exposed brick, original wood beams, and tons of character.

Photographer: Jose Villa Photography. All of my photographer friends adore his work (as do I of course), and most were jealous that I got to meet him. He is a super nice guy, easy to work with, and most importantly- his work is beautiful!

Wedding Planners: Defining Moments

Caterers: Brentwood Catering. The food was beautiful and delicious!

Musician/Band: Randy Mclellan. This was one of the best wedding band's I have heard...and I've heard alot of them! If you want live music at your wedding, rather than a DJ, this is the guy for you.

Florist: Branching Out. The floral arrangements were unique and lovely.

Cake: Ivey Cake. Ivey specializes in cupcakes. I had been told that these were the most amazing cupcakes I would ever eat....and I was not disappointed one bit! I am desperate for a reason to go to Franklin so I can stop in and pick up one...or two...or a whole dozen!

my new camera

2009-09-01T17:54:00.007-05:00

My new sister in law got all of her bridesmaids a special necklace as a sweet gift for us to wear in the wedding. I instantly had a huge smile on my face when I opened my tiny little box. There was the worlds cutest camera just for me! I have worn it a few times since the wedding and every single time people stop me to tell me how cute it is. I agree. Here are a few pics of my new camera...and my bridesmaid bouquet just for fun. Maybe next time someone will get me a slightly bigger box....I'm just sayin' :)

Ask Joy

2009-08-31T15:52:00.006-05:00

I am excited to start answering your questions on the blog. I have had a few people email me with questions (I still want people to comment on the blogs though!) so I will answer those first.

Jennifer from Canada (how cool is it that I have readers in Canada!) wrote: "I stumbled across your blog a few months ago, and I have been hooked ever since. You have some absolutely gorgeous photos, and I always love seeing the new things that you have posted. From baby photos, to engagement shoots, to weddings (those are my favorite photos to see... Something about weddings I think =P), you are talented in every area.
If you are fielding questions, then I do have a few for you if you have time to answer. =)
First of all, how DO you work? It always seems that when I'm looking at the photos that all of the people you photograph are extremely comfortable, so you must be really good at making people feel at ease! Also, why did you decide to become a photographer? Obviously, the talent was there, but were there any other motivating factors? I also wondered what you mean when you say you edit the photos... What exactly do you do to them when you edit, and what programs do you use?

How DO I work? Well, let's see if I can answer that for you. Most of my shoots initially contact me via email. I actually enjoy this because people can ask all of the questions they want without feeling silly, and it gives me time to respond thoughtfully as well. I usually correspond a few emails back and forth with clients and then either set up a meeting in person or just meet on the day of the shoot (weddings I prefer at least one face to face meeting, if not a pre-wedding shoot such as engagement or bridal portraits to get to know the client and let them get to know me). I would say the majority of my clients know a friend of mine or a previous client, so they come to me already having an idea of how I work. All of my shoots are done on location, meaning I do not have a studio. I chose this route because I feel that it enables the client to instantly feel more comfortable than they would in a room with no windows and all kinds of lights pointed at them. We meet, chat for a minute, and begin to walk around. I like to shoot in different areas with different looks so I will tend to walk from spot to spot so we can have a variety of looks to choose from. I really try to engage my clients in conversation and encourage them to just have fun, laugh, walk, talk, etc. I do not want stiff, posed portraits if I can avoid it....its just not my preference. The purpose of my photography is to capture the emotion of the moment. I really try to give as little instruction to my clients as possible, I want them to act natural, smile naturally, laugh naturally. It just creates a better image that way.
Why did I decide to become a photographer? Honestly, I never thought I would become a photographer until I was out of college. I have always loved photography, or "taking pictures" as I used to call it but never had any idea you could make a career out of doing something so fabulous. I took a couple of photography classes in college but it wasn't until I graduated that I realized a hobby could truly be a job, one that I could be passionate about. I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a great photographer in Woodstock, GA at her studio- Portraits by Faith. She was actually the mother-in-law of my best friend. It was through watching her do what she loved that I knew I could do it too. I worked there for a couple of years and learned so much from her. After my husband and I got married I ended up working somewhere else and missed Faith all the time. I credit her so much for helping me see you can follow your passion.
What do I mean when I say "edit" the photos? I take all of my photos in RAW format, then upload them to my computer and immediately put the RAW unedited photos on my external hard drive. Then, I import the photos into Adobe Lightroom 2. This is where I will "tweak" the photos. I might change the exposure or contrast or play with the coloring, but for the most part I like to leave my photos as untouches as possible. I am not a huge fan of the really photoshopped looking images. From here, I make a new folder for the "edited" photos on my external hard drive, make a DVD for the client, and then begin the blogging/facebooking/etc process. That process includes putting a watermark (the little leaf thing with my name on it on all of the photos) and resizing them and uploading them to the web. Whew....I am tired just thinking about all of it!

Jamie commented on the blog and said: Hey! I have a couple questions...
1. What do you love about shooting weddings, couples, families and babies?
2. How do I know what speed to take a picture on? I don't know when to change it depending on lighting and whatnot.

1- I love so many things about all of the shoots I do. I will narrow it down...if I can!
Weddings: I love how every single wedding is unique. The colors, the music, the dress, everything is so special and personal to the bride and groom. I love seeing how the bride and groom interact with each other and with their families. I love seeing groomsmen act silly...they are always so much fun to photograph! I love the romance that weddings are full of. I am a total hopeless romantic so I am always so wrapped up in the romance of a wedding!
Couples: I love to hear their story. I enjoy engagement shoots (or materntiy or any other couple shoot) because I really get to see what makes this couple...well...a couple. What drew them to each other, how they look at each other, where they have been and where they are going.
Families: I am very blessed to have a wonderful family, so I love getting to spend time with other families. I know how special family photos are to me so I take special pride in getting the perfect shot for a family. There is nothing more priceless in this world than family so photographing that is an honor to me.
Babies: I feel like I should squeal every time I say the word baby! I adore babies! I have such a soft spot in my heart for babies and cannot wait to have one of my own. Until that day, I will continue squealing at other people's babies. :) One thing I love most about photographing babies is that I know how fast time flies. Seriously....a 4 week old baby and a 6 week old baby look totally differnt. You have to capture all of the moments before they slip away. Every time I photograph a baby I think to myself "this picture would very well end up on his or her wedding video one day" so the pressure is on to capture the child in every single detail.
2- I assume when you say "what speed" you are referring to the ISO? The ISO is the "films" sensitivity to light. The brighter it is where you are shooting, the lower you want your ISO. Likewise, the darker it is where you are shooting- the higher you want your ISO. In a dark room, you need a high ISO because you need the "film" to be more sensitive to light. When shooting outside on a sunny day- you do not need the film to be extra sensitive because there is already so much natural light. Example: when shooting outside on a sunny day you can use ISO 100.

The good thing about digital is that you can play! Play with your camera, read your manual, and try out all kinds of settings. There so much fun to be had!

Thanks for the questions ladies! Keep the em' coming!

100 posts = FREE shoot!

2009-08-29T11:32:00.008-05:00

This is my 100th post on this blog! I have to admit, I thought 100 would have come alot sooner than it did...but alas, here it is. I love sharing my photos with you and will soon share answers to your questions you have sent. But while I am getting those ready...let's see if we can get some lucky person a FREE photo shoot!

As most of you know, my husband and I recently moved back to Nashville. We are SO glad to be back and finally feel settled somewhere. The only problem is- I do not have a huge client base here. I was hesitant to really build business while we were in the area before because we did not know where he would get a job after graduation (New York, LA, and Seattle were all possible options) Praise the Lord, he got a great job at BMI and we are here for good! Now- my goal now that I am back in Nashville-for good- is to finally build my business! YAY! Other than facebook and this blog, I have not done any marketing or advertising for my photography. All of my business has been from word of mouth (which is the best advertising anyway!) I am beyond grateful to all of you who show your photos off and tell your friends about me! All I need to do is get some people to "spread the word" in Nashville. So....I am giving away a FREE photo shoot! Yes, you read that correctly: F-R-E-E !!!

Here is the criteria for getting the FREE shoot for you or a friend:

1- You (or your friend) must live in the Nashville area (Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, etc.)
2- You (or your friend) must be engaged, pregnant, or have a family with little children.**
3- You (or your friend) must be willing to do the photo shoot in some fun location around Nashville or surrounding areas that I choose (unless you have some killer idea!)
4- You (or your friend) must have a facebook page, so we can tag/brag/etc.
5- You (or your friend) must comment on this blog and tell me WHY you should get the free shoot!

I will choose a winner this Friday- September 4 so you better start commenting. After I choose a winner, we will set a date/time for the shoot. I would like to do it within the next couple of weeks so consider that when commenting. Go ahead, tell me why you want a FREE shoot! :)

**Update: I had a sweet friend write to say she was sad because she wanted a free shoot but did not fit into the "rules" I laid out.....so, if you are in Nashville and want a free shoot- for any reason - comment on the blog regardless of your photo needs (all those listed above, or - high school senior, couples, single chick just wanting to have some fun, headshots, etc). Anyone could be the winner!

and because all posts are better with a photo- here is one of my handsome hubby and me from the photo booth at my brother's wedding. I suggest any future brides out there to consider this for your wedding. It was so much fun!

"getting to know you, getting to know all about you...

2009-08-29T11:08:00.004-05:00

getting to like you, getting to hope you like me..."

Since I can't see who you are through my computer screen....I would love to know who reads my blog! I hear people say to me all the time "I love reading your blog, I like this photo you posted, we read your blog at work...."etc. However....very few of you sweet people ever comment so I have no idea who you are! I am a huge fan of feedback and comments and hearing what you think of the photos and posts on the blog. I would love to start some blog dialog with those of you that are frequent readers. I have also recently had several people ask me specific questions about my work- how I work, my workflow, my albums, vendor recommendations, how to operate a camera, etc. Are there any questions you have for me? Any topics you want me to discuss on the blog other than just posting photos? I would really enjoy getting to know what you want to see on my blog. I am happy to write about anything- photography, weddings, family, movies, recipes, shoes...you name it. I want to write about what you want to read. So- if you have any questions or topics you want me to address, please leave a comment on this blog post (or you can email me at joy@joywilsonphotography.com) and I will respond to your comments accordingly.

I can't wait to see what you say....there should be some fun posts to come out of your questions!

Mr. & Mrs. Goodwin!!

2009-08-29T09:53:00.010-05:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me announce the fabulous newlyweds- my brother Matt and his beautiful bride Franny! They were married on Thursday at the Factory in Franklin and had one of the most gorgeous weddings I have ever seen. Even though I was looking at this wedding through biased eyes, it really was stunning! It was elegant and rustic and formal and relaxed and romantic and fun. My brother looked so handsome and his bride was breathtaking. I was honored to be a bridesmaid in the wedding, so the following photos were taken just for fun. As I have stated before, it is usually pretty difficult for me to just "be" at a wedding rather than photographing it. This time around though, it was really wonderful. My big brother was getting married, friends and family were in from out of town, I was overwhelmed with emotion....so it was easy for me to live in the moment. It also didn't hurt that they had the amazing Jose Villa come out from California to photograph their big day. I have admired his work for a while so it was a treat to meet him and watch him work first hand. I am super anxious to his photos! I know some of my loyal readers will be curious to see those photos, so as soon as they are ready I will post a link to them so you can admire Jose's work as well.

Matt and Franny are now on their honeymoon to St. Thomas and I am praying for them as they begin this journey as husband and wife. My family is so grateful to have Francesca join the Goodwin family! We are now complete! Well....except for all the babies that I am sure are to come between my husband and me and Matt and Fran. :)

Enjoy this slideshow...(they walked out of the ceremony to this song "Until You" by Dave Barnes.

Wakefield boys

2009-08-29T09:51:00.005-05:00

These precious little boys are brothers and were so much fun to photograph. We met at their grandma's house (she has great photo spots in her yard!) and basically just let them walk around and I shot as we went. These two look so different but definitely share the cuteness factor. Here are my faves!

The Greene Family

2009-08-26T10:24:00.005-05:00

The Greene family reminds me of my own family....sweet mom and dad, two big brothers, and the baby girl...who know you has everyone wrapped around her little finger! I am not sure I ever had anyone wrapped around my little finger, but I do have a pretty sweet mom and dad and two older brothers. I met this precious family at the Marietta square and we had a good time getting their family photos. The boys brought their cowboy hats, mom brought books to read, and the cutie baby girl even posed with mom's wedding veil for some! Here are some of my faves of the adorable Greene family!

The Ayers Family

2009-08-25T10:32:00.008-05:00

Little kids love to explore and these two are no exception! I met the adorable Ayers family in Canton for some family photos. Their two cuties just loved everything around us too much to sit still for very long....but we ended up with some great photos anyway! One good thing about working solely on location is the freedom children feel to be themselves. I adore the running away photos and the laughing ones when daddy tries to catch them. I would take those any day over "posed" shots that all end up looking the same. I love meeting my clients out and about and capturing them as they really are. This family shoot was so much fun....and so hot....but so worth it. They have baby #3 on the way so we grabbed a few maternity pics along the way. I loved getting to hang out with this sweet family of four...almost five. Here are some of my faves!

Harrison

2009-08-24T08:54:00.006-05:00

Harrison is One Year Old! This little cutie (and his mommy and daddy and grandparents) came to Ball Ground for some good ol' country photos. I set up my grandma's old quilt, he put on his cowboy boots,and we had some fun. Harrison is such a cutie and loved being in front of the camera. I had so much fun with him and his family. Here are my faves!

Grant 3 months

2009-08-23T09:40:00.008-05:00

Cutie baby Grant is 3 months old! I met his mommy and daddy when they were pregnant with him, and have done newborns and now 3 months. He will become a regular on my blog as I will be hanging out with him every three months of his first year! I recently went back to their place and got these 3 month photos. He is such a cutie, even though he kept his smiles from me until the very end! :) Here are my faves