Mr. and Mrs. Puckett

The best thing about Carmen and Gage was they wanted a stress free day and they achieved it better than any couple I’ve ever photographed. They turned traditional upside down and here’s how. They opted out of a bridal party and instead got ready with close friends and family around, but with less chiffon and boutonnieres. Carmen said nah to a traditional bouquet and instead carried a clutch, so smart right?! They originally wanted to have their ceremony on the stairs at Palladium in Carmel IN, but turns out there was a graduation that moved us just to the side in the garden area which was just as pretty! They didn’t fuss over ceremony music or programs but instead gathered up their family and friends and did the dang thing! The reception followed at Sun King Brewery, cocktail style and the pizza they served hit the freaking spot! Peep their day below! They killed it!

Warren Dunes and Babes

My neighbor asked me, “who were those exotic looking people you took photos of recently?” I immediately knew it was Amanda and Austin. We met for the first time at the dunes and they freaking made dreams come true. Amanda is the most self confident, spontaneous and down for whatever person I’ve ever met and her Jesus looking boyfriend Austin was also there along for the ride. Basically they were a match made in heaven and a photographers dream. We ran out of breath hiking up the dunes, frolicked through the cold beach water, took shots of whiskey and got sand in some not so pleasant places. Magic basically, that’s what we did. Peep these steamy babes below!

Frolicking into mentor sessions like…

I always love meeting people that jump full force into their dreams. They have that no fear attitude and are ready to go full force into something they really feel pulled to do. Meet Natasha. She owns Natasha Renae Photography. She’s an artist and such an incredible human being. She reached out a month or so ago about one of the mentor sessions I offer. She traveled to me from the Indianapolis/Avon area and freaking killed her mentor session. We got the opportunity to work with two sets of couples and it was serious magic.

My favorite thing after these sessions are seeing the photos from the night that each mentee has done. I woke up this morning tagged in her previews and you guys. Holy whoa! I’ve tagged her social media handles below so you can go check them out and show her all the love!

I’m an open book during these sessions and love connecting with each and every person I get to experience these sessions with. I love being a part of their journey as they continue being bad asses. I love that we become a small community, friends and collaborators. I love seeing people freaking go for it. Peak my previews below and make sure to visit Natasha on her social pages!

“I have a history of not asking for help and feel like I should “figure it out” on my own – why? Beats me. Abbey 100% took me under her wing and shared all the knowledge and truth bombs (like I should NOT do this alone 😂) and I am forever changed.”

-Natasha  

Models: Adrienne + Wade and Jess + Adam, Venue: Progreen Garden Center, Welcher home, Social Media: Abbey Elaine Photography @abbeyelainephotography and Natasha Renae Photography @natasha.renae.photography

BoomShakaLaka Workshop!

You guys, it went down Sunday!! Cait, Cait Morgan Photography, and I teamed up to mentor some crazy amazing gals in our first every BoomShakaLaka Workshop! It was truly the best girl gang we could have ever asked for. We loved educating them and giving them the confidence to use their cameras. Even more so we loved empowering them to just go for it, to kick off the dust on their cameras and take epic photos. We can’t wait to see the magic they create with these baby models!!

Are you interested in a workshop? Let us know by commenting!

Sammi // 2019 //NMHS Senior

You guys, seniors this year have been killing it! They make me want a redo senior year as far as style goes that’s for sure. Sammi was freaking fire as we wondered the urban streets our small town has to offer. We couldn’t have asked for a better day to shoot and she even brought her son, Koda, along whom also had epic style. Peep her session below!

Mentor Sessions had me like…

“We live in such a selfish society. People believing that the world revolves around them or owes them something. That there’s not enough room at the table for everyone; therefore, her success diminishes my own. Yes, this experience was centered around photography, but it ended up being so much more than that. As we weaved the ins and outs of camera settings, location selection, posing, editing, and my technological inefficiencies I became very aware that I held a spot at Abbey’s table. And for that confidence boost, I am so incredibly grateful!”

-Ashley Leader, Mentee/Boss Babe

I recently rolled out the big news that I was going to start offering mentor sessions. I honestly sat on this idea for awhile, wondering why would anyone would want to learn from me? Second guessing my craft and deciding whether or not my knowledge was valuable for others. Then I thought, heck! At the very least I could pass along some confidence to others to really go for it, to start investing in them. Learn how to connect with their clients and pull out that emotional side of people that allows them to be vulnerable with you.  I learned so much when I interned, when I did hands on photography and wanted to give that opportunity to others who are wanting to better their craft and straight have a dang good time learning!

Ashley messaged me pretty much right away after I posted about these on social media and I couldn’t have had the most rad time with her. She was everything I hoped a mentee would be that would take on these sessions. We started off the day talking business, editing scenarios and then hopped on over to a live session. My personal favorite part! You guys, we had the best weather and two of my fave models to work with. The cool thing is, you don’t become a stranger after the day is over. Ashley and I have texted back and forth screen shots of our photos we took day of and she even popped in a few days later, during an editing day for me, just to see what I thought of some work she was working on. Not only will you walk away with some further confidence to do some magical work, but you’ll gain a community! Here’s some photos of mine taken during our session. I’m super stoked for future mentor sessions and to see Ashley’s images beautifully showcased in her portfolio!

Here’s to rad people and to sharing the love! 

Kylie + Ben

Honestly, I don’t know how I go so lucky to hang with some of the raddest couples on the planet. I knew Kylie, Ben and I were supposed to work together from the get. Their energy was incredible and it literally made session not feel like a session at all. We were just all hanging out running, jumping and sitting in the weeds!

Darby + Taylor Engaged

You know what they say about the Midwest and weather. It’s unpredictable, we can have multiple seasons in one day. Most of my winter sessions look like fall sessions, but honestly I’m okay with that because who doesn’t love fall?

Enough about the weather though, let’s talk Darby and Taylor! I had the best time with the two of them during their engagement session. I guess this blog post would be really awkward if I didn’t ha! I really love engagement sessions because it gives myself and the couple a chance to interact, talk about the wedding but without the chaos or stress. I get to know them even further and vibe with their personalities. Darby and Taylor frolicked up the side of a hill for me, sat on wet grass and drank some beers. Basically they were freaking awesome and they say their friends are just as fun so be on the look out for that wedding preview in August! But for now, take a peek at their mega fun engagement session below!

 

Deadman’s Cove with the Baumgardners

Funny story, I rolled up right beside a car I thought held Kiyana and Dregan (yes, they have the coolest names) and yelled, not whispered, YELLED “Yall here to get some pics taken?!” Long story short it wasn’t them, that wasn’t their car and that was really awkward, but also really funny so here we are! I eventually located them and we hiked all over Deadman’s Cove. Going against the better judgement of the park ranger. We then headed up to the Cape Disappointment lighthouse where I about died from lack of oxygen, but we had the best views. Peep their engagement session below. In a later post I’ll tell their wedding story!

Adventuring with the Hickmans

I asked a question on Facebook the other day about how those who have been married or who might be planning a wedding might be breaking away from the traditional, breaking the rules on their day, making it totally them. The Hickman’s broke all the rules and made their day completely about them in the best ways.

They eloped in Washington state which made all of our dreams come true.  Cait and I flew in a few days prior to the day of the wedding and got to explore Olympic National Park and Cannon Beach with the two lovebirds. I don’t think I can actually write down and explain how special these few days were with them and their family. We’d shoot and then come back to their little cabins and have a bonfire on the beach with everyone. It was about family. About everyone being together, coming together and it was incredible to not only be their photographers for the day, but really feel apart of their family and witnesses to their love. Peep these magical moments we captured a few days prior to their day!