A Downtown Mobile Engagement

In Mobile, Alabama we typically roll right from the Christmas season into Mardi Gras. This year things are a little different. With no parades filling the downtown streets this year, it makes it possible to shoot in the middle of the city during the months that our downtown is usually overflowing with everyone enjoying all the festivities. Even though Mardi Gras can’t be celebrated in the traditional ways this year, the spirit of Mardi Gras is alive! Just do a quick search of “Mobile porch parade” and you’ll see what I mean!

Mardi Gras Park is one of my favorite spots in downtown Mobile. It’s hard to believe this place didn’t exist a few years ago! Ashley and Tyler were only in town for a short time and this was the only date we could align our schedules. I suggested shooting in downtown and Ashley was totally on board. It wasn’t until I arrived at the session that it occurred to me that it was nearly a year ago that I last shot an engagement session in downtown Mobile. How crazy is that?!

Ashley and Tyler are high school sweethearts. Even though they’d been together for seven years when Tyler proposed, he still managed to completely surprise Ashley and sweep her off her feet! He asked Ashley to be his wife in front of the fountain at Forsyth Park in Savannah. If you’ve ever been to Savannah, you know this park is a magical location for a proposal! Fortunately, Tyler also planned to have a photographer capture the moment!

These two now live in Savannah, but when it came time to plan their wedding day, Ashley knew she wanted to get married in the Mobile area. When she and Tyler toured Little Point Clear, they immediately knew it was the perfect spot for their special day! Ashley is so bubbly and cheerful. I just knew after the first few minutes we were on the phone together for her consultation that she was going to be fun to work with.

January Weather

On the Alabama Gulf Coast, you never know what the weather will be in January. Seriously, it could be freezing cold, or slightly warm and anywhere in between. We had the most perfect mild weather the day of this session. When we first arrived at the park, I noticed some golden glow streaming through the trees. I had noticed the clouds rolling in earlier in the afternoon, so I wasn’t sure we would even get any of that dreamy glow, but I’m so glad we did!

After spending some time soaking up that golden glow in Mardi Gras Park, we headed down to Cooper-Riverside Park. If there is one positive thing the pandemic is doing, it’s that it’s getting more people outside to enjoy our local parks. The park was a bit more crowded than usual, so I searched out a few spots I hadn’t used before. Thank goodness for the crowds, because I love these new spots that I used for some of these portraits!

Ashley and Tyler, thank you for such a fun session! I can’t wait to see you two in April for your wedding day!

Makeup Artist | Mackenzie Harrison

A Bragg-Mitchell Mansion Wedding

I kicked off the 2021 wedding season last Saturday at one of my favorite wedding venues in Mobile! I always say I never tire of photographing weddings at The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion and it really is the truth! This place is beautiful in every season, even in the middle of winter when it’s freezing cold outside like it was at Eden and Hunter’s wedding.

Despite the chilly temps, we had the most deliciously golden light for almost all of portrait time. Talk about a photographer’s dream! I am still so impressed with this bridal party for braving the cold weather for outdoor photos. It was definitely worth it considering we had perfect outdoor lighting conditions!

Eden had a stunning cathedral-length veil. I love that she chose to do some portraits with it and some without. This gives so much variety to the look of their bride and groom portraits. It also allowed us to get some portraits that really showcased the detail on the back of her beautiful wedding gown.

Shortly after Eden put on her wedding gown, she asked if I could take a picture of her mom putting lip gloss on her lips. The photo was a nod to a memory of Eden and her mom at her parents’ wedding. I love when clients share stories with me like this one! It was so special to recreate this moment that these two women treasure from when Eden was a little girl.

I have so many favorite moments from this wedding day, including Eden and Hunter’s first look, Eden’s first look with her dad and brothers, and Hunter’s dance with his grandmother. You can tell that these two are so loved by their family and friends. The whole day was full of joy!

Vendors

Second Photographer | Alexis Williams

Photographer’s Assistant | Regina Gomez-Guillen

Getting Ready + Reception Venue | Bragg-Mitchell Mansion

Ceremony | Springhill Avenue United Methodist

Caterer | Naman’s Catering

Florist | The Flora House

Bride’s Cake | Cakes by Judi

Groom’s Cake | Underground Custom Cakes

Hair Stylist | Becca Townley

Makeup Artist | Courtney Matthews

Band | Real Deal Band

Rentals | Port City Rentals

Bride’s Gown | Bliss Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses | Bella Bridesmaids

Groom + Groomsmen Attire | Francia’s Formal Affair

Calligraphy | Southern Calligraphy

Lighting | Willow Bridge

Transportation | Old Shell Trolley

Cups + Huggers | Sally I Creations