abbeydeerestphotography

Megan Waycaster | Bridal

November 19, 2015 in wedding photography

i'll be honest. megan is a dream. maybe even the dream.

whenever i shoot bridals i ask a couple questions about the dress, timeline, thing like that. then i round it all up with my favorite question of all, how adventurous are you?

megan is stunning, funny, southern and sweet and her answer to my favorite questions was, "VERY" i miiiiiiight have clapped my hands like a child and squealed! adventurous brides are really just SO fun and i think laughter makes anything more fun!

we started our session at Riverbed Nurseries where i got a little giddy with the lady behind the counter over weddings and all things girly. (she was almost as excited as i was!) the people at the nursery were SO kind to let us shoot there right before closing, i have gone back twice to buy plants because i like them so much! we had a great time shooting there and let me tell you, megan is a champ at walking on gravel in high heals. whew!

next we piled in our cars and drove to a small field down a random road. (hence the adventurous question...) once we pulled off the road i dropped my tailgate and megan's mom and friends sat down while we drove to the back of the property to shoot. i couldn't help but get the giggles as we bounced along through the tractor ruts. no one even fell off!

that field was magic let me tell you. aside from one (VERY) large spider crawling up megans dress, (if felt like i was hitting a bird when i smacked it off...) the rest of the shoot went amazing.

i'm so thankful for days like this one, for beautiful, fun brides, and for adventurous spirits that don't mind going for rides in the backs of trucks...thanks mom!

Greg & Janeil | Married

August 29, 2015 in weddings, wedding photography

what a sweet, sweet day to celebrate Janeil and Gregory's commitment to each other. it was a warm spring afternoon full of family, friends, and special touches that made the day uniquely their own. this wedding was so special for me because Janeil was my first roommate in college. from the first time we ate dinner together, i loved her and knew we would be friends. she has taught me so much about life and joy and friendship.

i always cry at weddings. but my tears this day were a little different as i watched my sweet friend pledge her life to the one she was(and is!) so sure God made for her. my dad and i were talking after and we both commented on the fact that the ceremony was so reverent as they said their vows we knew they were saying it before the God they love.

everything was beautiful right down to the light in the chapel. the reception hall was decorated with yellow accents including a huge tower of cupcakes. (praise hands!) and gosh i have never had such fantastic wedding food. (double praise hands and blessings on the head of the chef!) and then we got down. i have never know such a party. it was literally the most fun ever. to this day i can't get over how much fun we had.

here are the highlights from J&G's fantastic day!

Mama | Portrait

June 25, 2015 in Portrait

all i know is that i loved her the minute she kissed my cheeks.

all i know is that she is beautiful.

all i know is that she is colorful.

all i know is that her eyes hold many stories.

all i know is that her cheeks have smiled over and over.

and that her strength shows in the way she walks.

all i know is that i wish we spoke the same language because i would sit down for hours with her and listen to anything she said.

all i know is that i could do this sort of thing for the rest of my life and be happy.

thank you so much mama for letting me photograph you and i hope you know by my (huge) smile, that i loved every minute of it. you are lovely.

Kelce & Austin | Married

June 23, 2015 in wedding photography

oh where should i start? kelce has been one of my dearest friends for quite a while! we have done life together so much and drank many a cup of coffee. we always have the best adventures and the first time she talked to me about austin i remember smiling so big because he sounded perfect.

getting to know austin (spastically!) has been so fun! i love the see the way he loves kelce and the little things he does for her. their life together is so perfect for them and its amazing to see the kind of guy God picked out for Kelc. we truly had no idea in all our giggly silly girl talks during sleepovers.

now lets talk about this wedding day. i wouldn't exactly label the day perfect. it was uh, a little warm to say the least and have you ever heard of may flies? well i hadn't but they are a thing and i got quite the arm workout waving my hands around my head. but all that to say, the ceremony was a top a hill kelce had dreamed of getting married on since she was little, and it really was lovely up there. the pictures are beautiful.

the wedding party was the most fun! we laughed so much and those silly boys kept me on my toes for sure! the girls were beautiful deck out in mint and not to mention the bride and groom clean up pretty well.

the reception was in a barn at the front of the property and during all the festivities and hugs, some children found a pile of dirt and started throwing it high in the air and running through it. it was the most perfect day for this couple! everything was laid back and fun. i would fight those flies to do it all again!

congratulations again kelce and austin! may the Lord bless and keep you!

Brooke | Maternity | Part I

June 12, 2015

i traveled to florida a while ago to shoot another well thought out maternity session. this shoot was so fun because we really got into planning it and even spent time that week making the amazing headboard you see in the picture above. Brooke is so detail oriented and i love working with clients like that. the quilt on the bed is made by her incredibly talented mother and when we pulled it out of the box we couldn't help but squeal over it. its truly lovely.

Brooke is such an adorable mama to be! i couldn't stop talking about her cool hair cut and we just had the best time being creative together. she was so easy to photograph and be inspired by. i loved this shoot and i'm so happy with the way it turned out! here are a few of my favorites from this portion of the day!

Prints For Events | Party For Mia!

May 25, 2015

in honor of summer, or maybe the fact i wish the weather was summery today, (its cold and rainy!) i thought it was time to share this amazing party by Prints for Events! my friend Audrey is a super talented creative who designs party and event printables. i love her work and each time she is throwing a party i am (far too) excited to be a small part of it!

this party was for her daughter's 2nd birthday and can i just say i would be okay if my wedding looked this cool? i was geeking out the whole time and seeing everything come together was amazing. all these details and the colors make me crazy and can i just say to the summer light, i love you, stay forever.

if you are throwing any kind of event this summer be sure to check out Audrey's etsy and make your parties pop!

Venders:

Party theme | Printables: Prints for Events

Cookies: The Flying Cookie

Photography: abbeydeerest Photography

Wednesday Sessions | Brittany's Bridals

April 17, 2015

every time i get to be a part of another wedding i can't imagine a more beautiful bride. i will tell you though, that Brittany will be a hard bride to contend with. i have never worked with a bride who knew her angles so well! she kept moving and every way she moved was just stunning. i was swooning (still am honestly) over these shots and i have kept them to myself because i'm so proud of them.

dang girl.

Brittany's dress shows off the power of a good fit. she was flawless.

Jon & Hannah | Married

February 05, 2015

Hannah & Jon were married on January 17th in the hills of Madison Virginia. the weather was beautiful, the people were beautiful, the wedding was beautiful. it was my first wedding of the year and i couldn't help the tears that popped into my eyes throughout the day. i love weddings and the symbolize behind them. this was such a good wedding to be a part of, and the Lord was truly glorified in the day.

music was definitely a theme on this special day and i felt like i needed a recording of the day when i left. the bride stood with her sisters (and sister in law,) and maid of honor (her brother!) and it was so sweet to watch the closeness. the groom stood with an assortment of (silly) friends and the best man his brother. i loved watching them interact and cut up!

both sets of parents were so kind and truly honored by their man and woman they raised. i love seeing that at weddings! it makes everything a bit more special.

i loved this wedding so much! i love the way these images turned out and i love the people in them!

(also megan be my best friend forever okay?)

want to see some?

"okay guys, make a really manly face..."

Hanna | Maternity

January 27, 2015

yesterday i rolled out of bed, drank some coffee and headed out the door in my pajamas. i stopped by the donut shop and then drove the hour and twenty minutes to my sweet friends house to spend the day doing pedicures and having girl talk. my friend is a week late with her first baby and everyone keeps nagging her about having it already. news flash, its not like pooping duh.

anyway, we had such a good time giggling and doing her toes. i worked on the pressure points in her feet/ankles and we even went for a (cold) walk. we ate mexican food for lunch and looked through old photo albums. today my hands are tired but i am happy that i live close enough to be able to go down for visits like that. i thought today i would share sweet Hanna's maternity photos since she will be having little baby bean any time now!

i love the way these turned out!

Wednesday Sessions | Simon

January 21, 2015

i've heard a million times, "you can't meet people on the internet." there is danger there for sure, but in the business i'm in, that's where you meet most people...

Simon was no different. he emailed me about booking a session and after thorough stalking (hehe sorry buddy.) i determined he was a real person and even better, that he loved Jesus. after booking we assured each other neither of us were axe murderers and coffee in hand we (and also camera in hand...my hands were full...) we started a walk. while shooting we talked about all kinds of things, nashville, coffee, orphans, placements we are in the family line, (yay fourth kids!) where we went to college, and the list goes on.

after that chilly day i can assure you i'm keeping him as a friend, anyone who shares a love of donuts and crazy socks is someone you need in your life. Simon is the first official "new" friend i made in Nashville and he's neat, just like nature.

also can we talk about how fantastically winter ish these are. love that winter light so hard.

Wednesday Sessions | Crozier Family

January 14, 2015

talk about a sweet family! i was so excited to photograph this bunch back in December since i got to tennessee, this family has welcomed me in. then i broke a window in their house...long story. but none the less, they teach me things about the Lord i've never thought about, encourage me with the love they have for each other and occasionally give me the puppy fix i need to continue life without pete. i love this family a lot.

Wednesday Sessions | Madill Family

January 07, 2015

hi. let me tell you about this little family right here. they are the sweetest, funniest little bunch and photographing them this past fall was just the best! i romped all over a field, got plenty of burrs on our jeans and i practically died over the lighting. there is something magic in this wheat. the haze and glow it casts was enough to get me dancing.

i was able to be a part of such a special moment here. Jacob and Audrey told their daughter that she was going to be a big sister! they said, "mia! guess who has a baby in their belly?!?" she thought about it and looked at them and they said, "mama has a baby in her belly!" then she checked.

i cried of course. i love my job.

Family

December 16, 2014

i don't think there has ever been a picture that more accurately describes my family. sure we are missing a couple, (me included!) but every time i see it i laugh.

its the middle of an argument. we do that uh...on occasion...

we forced everyone to the deck behind my parents house after thanksgiving dinner this year and though we were still missing a couple of people, it was good to get a family picture.

i'm not one of those people who dislikes family gatherings. i love my family! no one knows you like your family, no one presses your buttons or (to be honest) pisses you off quite like family can. but i wouldn't trade mine for the world! all of the quirks, weirdisms and laughs. you really don't know how good i have it. my grandma and i were discussing this after dinner and i lamented the fact that not everyone has a family like ours. not everyone gets excited to see their grandparents or crazy uncles. not everyone is part of a family of good cooks and funny faces. not everyone gets to make fun of the old men grouching about politics or look through old photo albums and see pictures of their great(x4) grandmas who look like great(x4) grandfathers.

and what a shame that is because its actually quite a ball and i feel bad that they don't get that. so if thats you, feel free to join my family because we are pretty fabulous. both sides.

speaking of grand people (oh we weren't? well we are now!) my grandparents are some of the neatest people i know. full of stories and knowledge and fun facts i believe this family wouldn't be nearly as cool if they weren't the start of it all.

i said, "p! lean over and look like your like your wife!" he then smashed his shoulder into her cheek making her giggle. what a pill. i'll keep them i guess...

i love you all!

McMahon Family Session

December 12, 2014

i remember sitting on the floor of my living room, flipping through old photo albums i had looked at a million times and marveling at what i looked like as a baby. i loved seeing the goofy old glasses my parents wore when they were young, the houses we used to live in and the dogs that had long passed. i love pictures. i love them printed out and scrapbook. i love holding old, brown, falling apart photos of my great, great, great grandparents and laughing at what people used to wear.

this all leads to the belief that family pictures are so important. even if you hate getting your picture taken (cough cough nina mcmahon...) one day your children might sit on your floor and look through them and laugh and love it so much they come back and hour later to do it again.

i always tell people we aren't taking pictures, we are catching memories. and if you look at it like that, it really isn't that bad at all.

here are some memories i caught, er...forced on one of my favorite little family's in the whole world. i love you guys!

Heather & Carlos | Engagement | Charlottesville VA

June 11, 2014

i really like this couple! they are so funny and totally in love. and such troopers! it was freezing cold this day and you can't even tell how cold they are. we went up to Monticello for this January engagement shoot and i am so happy with how they turned out! the colors were beautiful, (thank you winter light!) and i had never been up there so it was such a treat for me as a photographer! thank you both for inviting me to capture your engagement and for thinking of such a fun place to take them! i am so excited to see where the Lord will take you and i can't wait for your wedding! here are some of my favorites from the day!