Mint & Sage Photographic Artists

We Have A NEW Blog!!!

2009-03-06T01:11:00.004-06:00

That's right! We have a brand spanking new blog, so you will need to update your RSS feeds, Google Reader or any other reader accounts with our new blog address! It's super easy to remember too. Are you ready? It's www.mintandsage.com/blog .

We will no longer be posting to this blog, and all of our posts made in 2009 have been carried over to the new blog and removed from this blog. Anything 2008 or previous, will remain here......forever and ever. :)

Again, the new blog address is WWW.MINTANDSAGE.COM/BLOG

Here's a screen capture of the new custom blog, which is also a sneak peek at our new website, currently in development!!!

Spring Photography Classes

2009-02-27T07:35:00.003-06:00

Mint and Sage is proud again to offer Little MoMints Photography Classes. Our desire is to equip moms and dads to take great photos of their growing and unpredictable children. The classes are designed to help you learn basic fundamentals that will help you capture your own little moments every day!
Note: While the focus of our content will be for moms and dads, anyone is welcome to join us!

We've restructured our classes! Each month we will offer a ONE-CLASS Basics of Photography. This will be the same class each month. In the class, students will learn basic functions of the camera and gain a basic understanding of exposure through shutter, aperture and ISO applications. We’ll give you great resource suggestions to continue developing your photography skills and end with a Q&A time. Then, each semester we'll offer a Creative Class to further build on your skills. This semester, we will offer a BASIC PHOTO EDITING CLASS: Intro to Photoshop Elements.

Here is the class schedule:
Creative Class: Intro to Photoshop Elements
Tuesday, March 10th 6:45 pm – 9:30 pm

Basic Photography Class (each class is the same content)
Saturday, March 14th 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tuesday, April 14th 6:45 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday, May 12th 6:45 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday, June 9th 6:45 pm – 9:30 pm

All of our current classes require NO previous photography experience. Due to the content, it is recommended that you bring a digital SLR camera and manuals. Students attending the Creative Class this semester will need to bring a laptop with Photoshop Elements.

Tuition: All Classes, $75
Spring Semester Specials:
• “Bring A Friend” and receive $10 off tuition OR
• Register one week prior to the class for a 10% discount
• All students will receive a $25 gift certificate to use towards a regular-priced portrait session, print product or collage

Little MoMints Class Options:
Little MoMints Basic Photography Class
Students will learn basic functions of the camera and gain a basic understanding of exposure through shutter, aperture and ISO applications. We’ll give you great resource suggestions to continue developing your photography skills and end with a Q&A time.

Little MoMints Creative Class
Each semester we will offer a different creative class during the first month to further build on your skills. This semester, we will offer a BASIC PHOTO EDITING CLASS: Intro to Photoshop Elements. All previous students are welcome to join us for the creative classes.

Requirements & Equipment:
All of our current classes require NO previous photography experience. Due to the content, it is recommended that you bring a digital SLR camera to use. Students attending the Creative Class this semester will need to bring a laptop with Photoshop Elements.

Registration & Payment:
Register online at www.mintandsage.com/workshops, or call us at 615-469-5897 to reserve your spot. Payment is required at the time of registration. Or email amelia@mintandsage.com

Location:
Classes will be held at The Factory in Franklin, Buildling 8, Suite 805.

Monthly Photo Contest:
Little MoMints will be hosting a monthly online photo contest. Each month feature have a different theme; details will be posted on the blog. This will give you an opportunity to put into practice what you learn in class and share it with others. The contest will be open to current and previous students as well as the general public (non-professional photographers). Check back on the first of each month to see the month's contest theme!

About Mint and Sage Photographic Artists:
Mint And Sage Photographic Artists is a collection of photographers who specialize in a blend of classic and modern portaiture and wedding photography, which we call, “photos with flavor.” We are pleased to share our gifts with you through the Little MoMints classes. Krystal Mann and Amelia Moore are the co-instructors for these classes.

The First Annual Mintastic Awards :: And The Nominees Are.....

2009-01-05T12:26:00.172-06:00

Welcome to the First Annual Mintastic Awards!! Our clients worked hard to have the beautiful weddings they did, and we thought it would be fun to have a little friendly competition and show our couples how much we loved their weddings!

We've created twenty categories for you to vote on ranging from attire to locations and we've nominated our favorites in each category. It's now your turn to pick your faves of the year and cast your vote!!

Each category lists 3-6 nominees (some were just too hard to decide on!). Your job is to select your favorite for each. To vote, click on this link and please try to be fair and only vote once. :) You may, if you so choose, email this blog post to your friends and family, or post it on MySpace, Facebook, TheKnot, wherever you want, in order to get more people to vote for you!

Winners in each category will receive a small custom art collage designed by Mint & Sage! We reserve the right to add other prizes if we see fit. :)

One more note before we get started......this is all in good fun, so please no hard feelings on which category you're up for, , no complaining, whining, yada yada yada about the nominations, winners, etc. Let's just have a good time and take a look back at the year in review. :)

Voting will close Inauguration Day (and my dad's birthday).......January 20th!

Click here to go to the ballot! And may I suggest you open it in a new window so you can vote as you go. :) Are you ready? Ok, GO!!

FAVORITE ENGAGEMENT SHOT

Carmen and Jeff :: Fall Splendor

Kerrie and Chris :: Standing Here With You

Melissa and Steve :: I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Brian and Erin :: Sunset Fields

FAVORITE BOUQUET

Melissa's Peony Mix

Amie's Blush and Pink

Shanna's Orchids

Clenna's Coral and White Mix

Allison's White Fall Mix

FAVORITE COLOR PALETTE

Carmen and Jeff's Blue, Green and Gray Lines

Amie and Ryan's Pink and Brown Romance

Michael and Lacey's Tropical Dream

Matt and Allison's Fall Beauty

FAVORITE WEDDING GOWN

Holly's Strapless Ball Gown

Melissa's Mermaid Gown

Erin's Classic Lace A-Line

Mary-Evelyn's Greek Inspired Gown

Audrey's Something Blue

FAVORITE SHOES

Rachel and Alex's Vintage All Stars

Audrey's Blue Suede Shoes

Holly's Hot Pink Stilettos

Melanie's Sparkly Slingbacks

Erin's Cute Peep Toe Flats

FAVORITE GROOM'S SUIT

Jeff's Slate Gray Pin Stripe Suit

Michael's Casual and Chic Suit

Craig's High End Black Suit

Stephen's Perfect Kilt

Alex's Simple Rocker Suit

FAVORITE BLING, RING OR ACCESSORY

Libby's Hollywood Inspired Veil

Melinda's Vintage Inspired Solitaire

Mary-Evelyn and Jay's Classic Rings

Stephen and His Groomsmen's Swords

Erin's Chic Fleur de Lis Inspired Necklace

Shanna's Brooch and Sash

FAVORITE HAIRSTYLE

Callie's Side-Swept Pony

Carmen's Pulled Back Pin Curls

Jenny's Classic with a Twist Updo

Erica's Romantic Loose Updo

FAVORITE WEDDING PARTY ATTIRE

Tom, The Ring Dog

Michael and Lacey's Tropical Heat Wave

Jenny and Stephen's Fairies

FAVORITE LOCATION OR DECOR

Brooke and Codey :: Old Natchez Country Club

Nathan and Libby :: Sandy Beaches

Audrey and Tedd :: Traveller's Rest

Michael and Lacey :: Cedarwood Turns Pacific

FAVORITE KLEENEX MOMENT
(This is a moment that might bring some tears to your eyes.)

The Blessing

May I Have This Dance?

This Moment

Here She Comes

My Little Girl

Heavenly Father

FAVORITE KIDDO(s) MOMENT

Where's My Pants?

Bunny Ears

Young Love

That Cake Was Good

First Kiss

FAVORITE FUNNY MOMENT

I Am Your Brother
This cracks me up because I never expected to hear this American Idol song at this wedding. Google it!

Cake Cutting Switch
Ryan and Amie pulled a switch and smashed cake in the faces of the Best Man and Maid of Honor!

Tongue in Ear?

Bridesmaids Caught Wind

Funky Bloomers
David pulled a fast one by pretending to pull these crazy bloomers out from under Melanie's dress!

MOST MEMORABLE GUEST

That Bouquet is MINE!
We love this one! She really wanted this bouquet and she wasn't afraid to let anyone know it!

Julia
Julia helped coordinate Melinda and Michael's day and was an absolute sweetheart! She has a heart of gold and loves to have fun, and we caught her having some!

Mr. Worm

MOST ORIGINAL IDEA OR PERSONAL TOUCH

Jenniffer and Stephen :: A Medieval Theme
Jenniffer and Stephen met at the Renaissance Fair and so they wanted to throw their personal touch and love for all things Medieval into their wedding. Everything from their attire, to their reception menu was a personal unique touch to the two of them!

Amie and Ryan :: Humbled Before You
Amie and Ryan are full of personality and love to have fun, so they hired a balloon guy to entertain all the kids! But when it comes down to their wedding and marriage, they are completely sold out for their Lord and Saviour, and their foot-washing was one of the most amazing moments I've witnessed in my career so far.

Brian and Erin :: Your Dog is on My Table
We loved Brian and Erin's originality in their seating cards and table numbers. It's always fun when couples put their personality into the table settings and we loved how they used their love of dogs! They took photos of the family canines with table numbers around their necks and each guest needed to match their canine to the canine on the table. So cute! :)

FAVORITE CAKE

Mint with Purple Flowers

A Little Something Blue

Fall Squares

Red and White Tiers

FAVORITE COUPLE SHOT

Jacob and Shanna

Jessica and Adam

Melissa and Brian

Ashley and Rodney

Clenna and Shawn

Erica and Jeff

Melissa and Steve

MOST DARING COUPLE

Nathan and Libby
Libby said she was up for anything when I spent a few days in Florida with her and Nathan, and she wasn't kidding!

Melinda and Michael
Before their wedding, I drove down to Camp McDowell with Brad to shoot Melinda and Michael's couple session. They knew they wouldn't have time the day of the wedding to shoot all of the portraits Melinda wanted in the places she wanted them, so Melinda and Michael went hiking (no lie) in their wedding attire. And at the end of the day, they jumped at the idea to shoot some photos in one of the canoes!

Marissa and Adam
Before her wedding, Marissa went hiking through a creek and climbed up into a barn loft in her dress! And, on the wedding day, she and Adam braved rain and extremely frigid temperatures for some outdoor fun.

FAVORITE GETAWAY MOMENT

Kerrie and Chris

Amie and Ryan

Brian and Melissa

Rachel and Alex

David and Melanie

FAVORITE GETAWAY RIDE

Carmen and Jeff's Classic Cadillac

Ned and Mandi's Horse and Carriage

Chris and Kerrie's Blue Convertible

Ryan and Amie's Wheelbarrow

Ashley and Rodney's Black Corvette

FAVORITE SLIDESHOW/OVERALL WEDDING
Each nominee in this category had a photo nominated in each of our other categories in our preliminary round of picks! So, rather than add their images to each category, we created the all encompassing category for Favorite Slideshow which should be voted on the overall wedding. You can choose to watch the slideshow or click through the images by clicking on the arrows in the bottom center of each show.

James and Callie :: Sweet Love and Fun Friends

Mandy and Zach :: A MidSummer Night's Dream

Erica and Daniel :: Shabby Chic and Loads of Fun

Jenny and Chris :: A Vineyard Romance

Ready to vote? CLICK HERE!

Mint & Sage Superlatives ::: Coming Soon!

2009-01-05T12:02:00.002-06:00

Remember those senior superlatives that were done in your high school yearbook that everyone voted for and only few took home the prize? Well, here at Mint & Sage we are going to put a twist on the Superlative idea and award some fun prizes to our winners. Stay tuned for the nominees, details on how to vote and all the fun! :)

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & More....

2009-01-01T21:21:00.002-06:00

It's been a very long time since I've posted thoughts or musings, or anything personal really. This year has been a year of ups and downs for me both personally and with my business. When the holiday season rolls around, I always ponder on things of the year, dreams and wishes for the future, where I want to be, what I want my family to be like and all of the great plans I have for my life.

I find, over and over again, that I am not in control of these things as I thought I was (or as I would hope to be). I can't keep the sky from falling in and I can't help when things go over-the-top exciting! It's a very hard concept for me, much easier to say than to follow through on, trusting God. It's a hard lesson to learn when you find that you have no control what-so-ever over certain things.

I take responsibility for a lot of mistakes, things I've fallen into that I'm not so proud of, and I know God allows these things to happen so that I can learn and grow in all areas of my life. But the blessings in my life always make the hard parts worth it. I have an amazing family, a husband who adores me and who I love more than I can say, a little girl who makes me smile every morning and though she is a wild and crazy little girl who gets into everything, was one of the best surprises of my life. I've got a small and humble home.....it's not my own, but we've made it ours and the love inside it is worth more than the equity we have yet to build someday.

Most importantly, I have a saviour and a God who loves me, unconditionally, no matter what I do, what mistakes I make. God is my everything and I often take this love for granted. You may be reading this and may not believe in such things. I can't convince you of anything, but I can tell you from my own experiences that God is the sustainer of my life, the one who is always there, the one who is gracious, merciful, beautiful, everlasting, and the best teacher of life. I pray that if you do not understand, you will ponder the idea of what an amazing God I serve and the joy that is found in Him.

I hope your Christmas was filled with love, family and joy. I pray that your new year will be healthy, happy and full of life's most important things, the blessing of family and friends. We are looking for a great new year with all of you!

--- Krystal

Jeremy and Sarah :: Best Friends :)

2008-12-20T11:55:00.006-06:00

I love watching Sarah and Jeremy together. They have known eachother for years and it is so obvious that they are totally in love and also the best of friends. They are perfect compliments to one another and I always find myself laughing when I'm around them! For their fall wedding, Regina and I (Shannon) traveled to nearby Kingston Springs, TN. This town is tailor-made for wedding photos, complete with a small church, a main street and an old fashioned train depot. Add in the fall foilage and a fun group of family and friends and you have a perfect recipe for some great photos! Jeremy and Sarah - thank you for inviting us to be a part of your wedding day! Enjoy your slideshow...

Cookie Jar

2008-12-12T23:04:00.003-06:00

Thanks to Braeden for this post. I saw this on his Facebook page and was curious about what my iPod would say about me.....

Directions:
1. Put your iPod, iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS
4. Pick ten Random friends who like music as much as you do and tag them.

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Busted - Matchbox 20

2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Better - Plumb

3. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
Irish Hymn - Kevin Max

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Live Like You're Dying - Lenka

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE PURPOSE?
The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
False Alarm - KT Tunstall

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
I Can't Hear You - Matthew West

8. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
1000 Miles Per Hour - ok go

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Undo Me - Jennifer Knapp

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Jungle Boogie - Kool and the Gang

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Good Things Get Better - Keaton Simons

13. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Zac and Sara - Ben Folds

14. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP?
All You Can Give - Aaron Sprinkle

15. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

16. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Impacilla Carpisung - The Ting Tings (what???)
(we didn't dance at our wedding, but maybe we should dance now.....and we could do the robot)

17. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST
A Spoonful of Sugar - Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins Soundtrack) I Laughed out loud at this!!

18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Torn - Natalie Imbruglia

19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
The Joke - Lifehouse

20. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Exo-Politics - Muse

21. SONG THEY WILL PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
My Offering - Nichole Nordeman (I can only pray this song will sum up my life)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR ROOMMATE?
Come Over - Estelle
(good thing my roommate is my husband, or this would be very wrong!)

22. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Cookie Jar - Jack Johnson

Now, I am going to see if Amelia and Shannon will do this too. :) Let's see what's on their iPods!

Carolyn and Isaac :: A Love Story

2008-12-12T22:42:00.005-06:00

Weddings often leave me without words, but this one is truly one of the most special that I (Shannon) have ever had the privilege to photograph. I have known Carolyn since she was in 6th grade and became part of the girls' discipleship group I led at my church.

Along the way, her family became like my family and I got to watch her grow into an amazing young woman who loves God and other people with passion. She and Isaac had a middle school romance that came and went as those relationships often do. As they grew up and grew strong in their faith, they reconnected in high school and dated through college. Six+ years later, they were married before a standing room only group of church, high school and college friends and family who were there to celebrate the culmination of a couple that God so obviously ordained for one another.

Carolyn and Isaac - Amelia and I were so blessed to be able to capture this day for you. Thank you for your years of friendship and faithfulness. We love you both! Enjoy your slideshow. ..

Adam and Marissa :: Sweet As Can Be!

2008-12-08T00:59:00.002-06:00

Adam and Marissa had a beautiful wedding just north of Nashville on a chilly and rainy November day. And I have to say, though the weather was cold and dreary, their love for each other was the exact opposite, lovely, warm and endearing! Enjoy the slideshow!

David and Melanie :: Opryland Fabulousness!

2008-12-01T21:36:00.007-06:00

David and Melanie had a wonderful wedding at the Bridal Path Chapel and The Opryland Hotel. It was a destination wedding for Melanie with much of her family coming from Canada to take part in their celebration! We had such a fun time with them and I'm so glad that I could be a part of their day!

I couldn't resist snagging this one of the flower girl peering down into the Cascades area of the hotel from way up above it. I'm sure she was awestruck by everything that was going on. I know I would be at that age!

A shot of David just chillin'......

While Melanie was waiting for the ceremony to start, she was reading a letter David had written to her. The way the light was shining in the room was so beautiful and I knew this would be one of my favorites. :)

David actually went to Build-a-Bear and built Melanie a bridal bear and as if that wasn't sweet enough, the little bear was wearing a pearl necklace and pearl earrings for Melanie to wear down the aisle. I heart sappy love stuff!

Melanie had her dress custom embroidered with the date and her new name.

The ring bearer's pillow was too sweet.....

And carrying it made for a tiring job. : D

Regina captured this fab moment as David and Melanie were tucked away into their limo ride from the chapel back to the hotel for the reception.

Love the emotion in this one!

And the emotion in this one too!

Enjoy the slideshow!

Mary-Evelyn and Jay :: Soul Mates

2008-11-22T00:41:00.003-06:00

Mary-Evelyn and Jay are one of the sweetest couples I've photographed this year. Their spirits are joyous, caring, genuine and they are without a doubt, each other's soul mate. God brought together two amazing people, and their friends and family couldn't have been happier for them and their new family! :)

Mary-Evelyn was absolutely radiant, and the excitement as she was getting ready was contagious!

Jay's boys having fun before the ceremony......I love it!

I've just discovered that sometimes, the greatest reaction is from one of the bride's closest friends. Of course, Jay was beaming when he saw Mary-Evelyn, this was just a more unexpected catch for me since I don't usually get to see the reaction of the guests. :)

Beautiful!

I loved this moment I was able to catch of the happy couple, who in this moment, were completely oblivious to the room full of people surrounding them, and I love it!

Jay and Mary-Evelyn, it was an honor to be a part of your day. May your new family be richly blessed by God's grace and love. Your love for each other and the brief stories I heard from your friends and family were inspiring. Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy your slideshow!

Matt & Allison :: Fall Elegance!

2008-11-21T14:10:00.003-06:00

Allison and Matt had a gorgeous wedding at Scarritt Bennett with a fabulous reception at their home in West Nashville. Their home was transformed into an elegant pattern of fall colors with unique details, such as a carved out pumpkin for bottles of water and fall colored Christmas tree ornaments that hung from a large wrought iron tree that was the centerpiece in the living room, as well as the favors for all of the guests! Enjoy some of my faves, followed by their slideshow!

The ring bearer carried this white pumpkin with the rings attached! How creative is this?

I thought this was way too cute, the girls peeking over the balcony in Wightman Chapel before the ceremony.

Allison doing final touch-ups on Ellie, the flower girl. :)

The bouquets were amazing, with details down to the bottom of the ribbons tied around them.

Ornaments hanging on the tree! (I love this idea by the way!!)

Allison and Matt outside their home! The light was beautiful!

Bethany and Craig :: The Luckiest

2008-11-21T10:11:00.005-06:00

Bethany and Craig had an amazing wedding at a private residence in Franklin, TN. The sun was warm and glowy, the sky was so vibrant blue and the air was crisp and beautiful. The details were original and were reflections of them as a couple and it was so fun to see, from the wrapped sheet music cones to hold rose petals the guests would toss, to the centerpieces that featured music wrapped around votives and vases. Red roses were placed around the reception and I loved the votives that hung on ribbon from the willow tree where they said their vows. What a day Mel and I had! Enjoy some of my faves and their slideshow!!

A few candid moments:

I love this moment between Bethany and her dad. Makes my heart smile!

This image makes me smile too. I'm just picturing a little wedding foreshadowing, "I've dreamed of this moment since I was a little girl...." Aren't they the cutest?

Bethany and Craig enjoying a sweet moment together.

The first dance with all of the guests looking on. How fun!!

Holiday Photos

2008-11-17T14:42:00.010-06:00

Over the past few weeks, I've (Amelia) been taking lots of family portraits. Most of these photos will be used for Christmas Cards and Holiday gifts. It's been so fun to work with a variety of families. I couldn't have done it without great assistance from Rachel & Kayla (both from the Little MoMints Photography Class)... who made the kids sit, laugh AND smile, in addition to helping with lighting. Here are some of my favorite photos:

Marissa is Married....Now Check Out Her Bridals!

2008-11-16T22:01:00.003-06:00

Marissa and Adam tied the knot yesterday and I've been waiting so long to share some of the images from her bridal portrait! Here are my favorites, enjoy them until I post the wedding pics! :)

Jeff and Erica: High School Sweethearts

2008-11-10T10:48:00.006-06:00

I (Shannon) had the privlege of spending a weekend in Memphis photographing Jeff and Erica's wedding. We first met this fun couple when Erica came to Nashville for Cara and Aaron's wedding. She was so full of life and energy when I talked to her that I knew I would have an absolute blast capturing their special day. When I met Jeff, it became even more obvious how in love the two of them are.

The wedding and the reception took place at Memphis National Golf Club, where Erica's dad has been a member for years. It was such a beautiful day and we had fun moving all around the course and the grounds (and using some golf carts!) while we were taking portraits. Jeff and Erica have dated since they were in high school so everyone that surrounded them was celebrating the culmination of years of waiting to finally be married. Congratulations, Jeff and Erica! Enjoy your slideshow!

Ashley and Rodney :: Cedarwood Fun!

2008-10-30T23:56:00.007-06:00

Ashley and Rodney had a beautiful wedding at Cedarwood. They had such great attention to all of the details that made their day so fun and colorful! The flowers were colorful, the people were friendly and the day was beyond gorgeous! Here are some of my favorites, followed by their slideshow. :)

The gang at Cedarwood does such a great job getting everything set up so beautifully and the sunlight for Ashley and Rodney's day seemed to shine a little more magical than usual, so here are some of my favorite details with that sweet sun!

I love this! This little guy's pants went missing but he did not want to wait to make his appearance for photos and he came running out the door as we were shooting. So cute! Brad's angle on this was best, and I love it!

I love the mood of this one!

And a fun exit with bubbles and backlighting!

Enjoy the slideshow!

Lyrical Brilliance

2008-10-30T09:44:00.007-06:00

Kyle has been listening to Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip a lot lately (warning, there are some wordy dirties, they're british). Actually I bought it for Kyle because Thou Shalt Always Kill is one of Kyle's favorite songs right now. And no, it's not what you think it is when you see the song names or listen to the beats. It's much different. This guy is brilliant with his lyrics, and after Kyle showed me some of them, it's what intrigued me to know more. What I want to look at, is an excerpt from Fixed.

who am i better than, im better than i used to be,
im gonna keep on getting better so you better just get used to me

if you think thats a cop out then hear my point
truthfully cos chances are deep down this is how you used to be

if your aim is to be as good as scroobius pip,
once you finally achieved it your standards will slip

but if your goal is only to improve on yourself
then the quest is never over no matter how big your wealth

This rings true for me in many ways. No, I don't want to be a rapper and be as good, or better than Scroobius Pip. But I think any time we look at our gifts and talents, we can apply this. We always look at someone else and wish we could be as good as them or that we'll make it when we're better than them and so on, until we crush our confidence so much that we don't think we are any good to begin with.

So what I take from this lyric is that I can aim to be as good as Mike Colon, Jesh de Rox or The Image is Found, but what will I have gained when I get there? My goal is not to be like them, or as good as them (as great as they are!). The only thing I can do is to be as good as I can be. I can constantly improve on myself and get better than who I am now and then next year, be better than I will be tomorrow.

I think this can apply to all of us. If we only worry about being better than we are now, and improving on our current skills, then we are far better off. For starters, we aren't comparing ourselves to others and getting caught up in a subconscious competition of who's better than who. And that never works, because there is always someone better than you.

So, be who you are and tomorrow try to be better than you were today. And it's okay to be inspired and thrilled by those you admire, we all need to learn from someone, but we should also have our own twist on things. Be relevant to yourself, inspired by your soul, made better by your circumstances and life lessons. If we spend our time wishing we were as good as so-and-so, we won't accomplish much. But if we spend our time improving on ourselves, we're always accomplishing what we set out to do.

God has blessed me greatly with the ability to do what I love. It's selfish of me to wish I could be like someone else. I've been immensely showered blessings upon and I can see time and time again how God has been the one who weaves together so many open doors in my business and my life. I am so thankful for this, yet I often take it for granted.

I can only be as good as I am and only improve upon what I know now. It doesn't seem like such an intimidating mindset when you look at it this way. I don't have to be the best in the world or the US or be known by other photographers, I have to be reliant on God, trust in Him and believe that he will give me the strength and courage to help me grow in my business and as a woman of God. It's easy to get our priorities misplaced and get caught up in who has what camera, editing software, house, car, etc. But these things are not what life is about and I'm not going to continue to let myself get caught up in these things.

I am Krystal Mann. I am a photographer. I love what I do. I love my family more. I am a sinner and I make a lot of mistakes. I am saved by grace and God is my number one priority.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

A Mini Chapter of Life......

2008-10-27T11:01:00.000-06:00

A new chapter in life is not something we take lightly, not something we necessarily think about or something we mean to do. Sometimes, while we go through these chapters, we don't realize the implications of the choices we make, how the story is being written and how the time to write the perfect novel seems to pass faster than we can blink an eye. This, a metaphor for the last year and a half can sum up a lot.

I've managed to let time slip away, in more ways than just one. With family, with business, with life in general. Looking back to see the fullness of these passing moments can be overwhelming, exhilarating and cause such joy that I could burst. These moments of unexpected growth, successes and failures have brought me to a moment of stillness, a chance to evaluate and re-define my goals and priorities, in life and in business.

I am an ambitious person. I am an idea person. I like to dream. I am a perfectionist. I am slightly obsessive compulsive. Kyle would call me a little untidy and I will be the first to admit that I am forgetful and easily distracted. These things individually are not bad qualities to have. Even together, they are a fine assortment of uniqueness that makes me who I am. However, not balancing them out with some stability can lead to a disorganized mess of things undone, unraveled and one heck of a to do list, and lets not forget about the list of ideas, dreams and plans for tomorrow. :)

Realizing that I am not perfect, and only human, is hard. I don't like to to admit that I can't do things on my own, but trying to do things on my own has left me somewhat frazzled, discombobulated and generally disconnected from what needs to be done. I've been working hard to try and let go of some of things. This has never been more evident than the last few weeks when Kyle and I experienced some very rough bumps in our own road.

Over the past few weeks, I've experienced God as a strong and steadfast God, who lifts us up when we fall on our face and we feel like we can't get up, who loves us and nurtures us when we are weak and is a bond that sticks like the strongest crazy glue you could ever imagine, but you have to LET HIM.

There are many things that I want to share, joys and sorrows, excitement and frustration, but my ideas and thoughts come and go like the wind, most often the uncontrollable hard to hang on to kind of wind and I can't compose sentences that make sense.

So, for now, I will leave you with a note of encouragement for those of you who may be like me. Enjoy your life, and make time for the things that you take for granted. Allow God to hold your hand and be a support to lean on. And, sometimes, it's those events in life that pull you down so far that you feel like there's no getting up that actually are a reminder that you're off course, you've lost touch with what's important and will make you better and prevent you from going down a much more destructive path than you thought. So enjoy the ride, even if it's not what you thought and there are tears, the smiles will come and the next days is much brighter than you thought.

Brian and Erin :: Classic Beauty

2008-10-24T22:33:00.004-06:00

Erin and Brian had a stunning wedding on The Square in downtown Bowling Green, KY. Erin was a classic beauty with an amazing dress, an amazing group of girls and an eye for classic design with a modern twist. Brian was excited as could be to marry the love of his life. He and Erin had a beautiful day! :) Here are some of my faves:

I love the selection of flowers Erin used for the guys. The touch of wheat gives a modern feel to a classic looking boutonniere.

Erin was an a brilliant bride. She had this wonderful glow about her all day and I know Brian's heart must have been racing as she came down the aisle toward him. :)

The guys looking very handsome. And, let's not forget Cobber, the best dog!

I love these two kissing shots!

This little guy was dancing with every girl under the age of 6 he could get. They were shaking it on the dance floor! How cute is this?

And one of my favorites from the night time session. Love it!

Brian and Erin, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your day. It was a pleasure! Enjoy your slideshow! :)

Become A Fan of Mint & Sage on Facebook!

2008-10-20T21:30:00.003-06:00

Are you on Facebook? If so, you should become a fan of Mint & Sage! We started our very own page on Facebook and it's a little lonely right now, but I know you all will change that!

Here's the link: Mint & Sage Facebook Page.

CD Winner is Amy Cupp!

2008-10-16T19:03:00.001-06:00

Amy, you win the Joy Whitlock CD! Email me at info@mintandsage.com to claim your prize! :)

Ring Around the Rosie......

2008-10-16T18:44:00.001-06:00

Pocket full of posies.....

Keira must have learned this song at pre-school. There is one slight problem - she only knows the words "ashes, ashes, we all fall down". But, she can't quite make the 'sh' sound, so it sounds like she's saying something completely different. Enjoy!

Nico is 6 Months!

2008-10-13T18:37:00.004-06:00

I've been following Nico since birth and his six month photos were taken over a month ago and I've just been waaaay behind on blogging, so I wanted to share these few faves with you. :)

In mommy and daddy's footsteps, Nico is becoming quite the Auburn fan!

Look at those eyes! He is toooo cute!

I couldn't resist a detail of his foot. :)

Super stylin' in his custom embroidered onesie!

Shawn and Clenna :: True Companions :)

2008-10-03T14:45:00.005-06:00

I (Shannon), first had the pleasure of meeting Shawn and Clenna at Ned and Mandi’s wedding in April. How excited I was to get to photograph their wedding as well! They were such a fun couple! We had a great time shooting pictures at the Brownstone where Shawn and Clenna first met. It was so picturesque, with a courtyard and a fountain – full of opportunities for us to capture all their pre-ceremony excitement. Then, it was on to an intimate ceremony in Ned and Mandi’s backyard. It was such a celebration of their love for each other and the love their friends and family had for them. Congratulations Shawn and Clenna - thank you for letting us be a part of your day!

Enjoy the show!! (Just a reminder, the shows now pre-load before playing.) Click, play at the bottom left to start the loading process. :)

Daniel & Erica :: Shabby Chic & LOADS of FUN!

2008-09-30T14:04:00.015-06:00

Amelia and I had the pleasure of shooting Daniel and Erica's beautiful wedding at Traveler's Rest in Nashville. Erica spent lots of time planning details that were unique to them. The whole theme was planned around inspiration of guests seated on hay bails, interspersed with some chairs. It was very shabby chic, and anyone who's been around me long enough to hear me talk about my plans for Keira's room knows that I LOVE shabby chic decor, so of course, this wedding had some of my favorite little details and fun ideas! And catering was by Famous Dave's, so that made it that much better!

And before I jump into our favorite pics, I need to give a little shout out! Check out how awesome Erica's hair looks as you are browsing the photos! She is a stylist at Dion's South which is located in downtown Franklin, and Bethany Schwieterman (see the staff page) styled Erica's hair to perfection. While on the staff page, look for Erica's sweet credentials (she did hair for Lance Bass of 'NSync Fame, and you can laugh, it's okay, but Lance was my favorite 'NSync member back in the day!). And if you're curious, Amelia and I are both fans of Dion's -- Bethany also does Amelia's hair and Matt Fine is my stylist (more on this later ;), we've got some wedding pics to share!).

These shoes are fabulous, Amelia and I both agree......all of the girls had blue shoes, aren't they wonderful?

I love the mood of this shot of Erica, gorgeous!

Daniel is handsome, and I love the suspenders. :)

Amelia spent time with the girls while I was hanging with the guys, and she got this great moment with the girls, so relaxed and fun. :)

We did not trespass to get these shots......

The awesomely fun wedding party!

Erica and her dad before the ceremony! Her dad was so much fun!

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!

This is Bethany and her husband sitting on one of the fun hay bails that inspired the theme for Erica's wedding. :)

One of the personal things Erica and Daniel did was have all of their guests sign pieces of fabric which will be sewn together as an heirloom wedding quilt. The fabrics were similar to those that were draped on the hay bails to make sure everything tied in!

This is one of my favorite moments of the ceremony......Erica and her dad as he's giving her away. :) I love moments like this and Amelia grabbed a great one here!

Some fun couple shots on the truck that was provided by Ragtop Picture Cars. David was fabulous to work with, so if any of you are looking for unique options for your getaway car or for props, give him a call.

Another cool detail that Erica had was using a multiple candle holder as a cupcake holder! Here is a close up, you can see some of the details of the candleabra, it was way cool!

A sweet dance with the guests looking on. :)

There is so much more in the slideshow, so check it out. We're doing things a little differently and the slideshows will pre-load before they play, so enjoy the image below as the slideshow is loading. Click the play button (lower left hand side, it's the triangle), you can see the status meter loading, it may take a minute or two depending on your internet connection. Turn your speakers up and get ready to jam, this song has a great beat, I promise it's worth the wait!!! :)

You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet!

2008-09-25T14:34:00.001-06:00

Enjoy Sam and Holly's slideshow which was not posted with the original blog post. But now it is here for your viewing pleasure! :)

God and a Girl by Joy Whitlock is Available Now!

2008-09-21T20:46:00.005-06:00

The end of last year you guys may remember an album shoot I did with Joy Whitlock. The album was released on Tuesday and I am so excited about it! Joy is such a great girl with a beautiful heart and it was so much fun working with her. I encourage all of you to check out the video I snagged from her website (hooray YouTube!) and see what she's about. I will be giving away a copy of her record to one lucky blog reader, so if you want it, leave a comment below and I will pick a name out of a hat. :)

Melissa and Brian :: Beauty in Miami

2008-09-19T00:20:00.005-06:00

My closest friend Megan (who was also my first associate with Mint & Sage) came down to join me in Miami, FL for Melissa and Brian's intimate ceremony. It was such an honor to be with these two as they celebrated their day with their closest friends and family. Brian and Melissa are a brilliant couple - loving, timid, beautiful, and focused on what's most important - their love for each other, and the delight of being with family and friends.

We started the day at The Biltmore Hotel, which is a spectacular display of traditional spanish style architecture and world class service! The ceremony was across the street at the Coral Gables Congregational Church, which was gorgeous, inside and out! And, the reception was right on the water, with a distant view of downtown Miami and a private beach at The Red Fish Grill, and I have to say, this was one of the best wedding meals I've had, just awesome!

The day started with cloudy skies and pouring rain, but the skies parted just as Megan and I arrived at The Biltmore. In Florida, a rain storm leads to some pretty ridiculous humidity. Jumping from air conditioning inside to the outdoors with 150% humidity provided some excellent lens blur and funky time. And this was the result.....

Melissa's shoes, hanging from the door. I thought the rain drops on the glass made for a beautiful shot.

Melissa is beautiful. Her dress was fabulous and I love this shot in one of the outdoor hallway's of The Biltmore.

The ceremony from the balcony of the church.

After the ceremony, the guests gathered outside for a bubble send off. Bubbles everywhere!

Some fun action with the palm trees in the background. I love palm trees!

My favorite from the day. :)

You are always guaranteed a magnificent sunset in Florida. I grew up there and so I am familiar with the heat, humidity and rain, which I don't necessarily miss. However, sunsets over the water, I will take it any day. Whether it's a radiant late afternon glow or a vibrant dusk backdrop. Beautiful.

Brian and Melissa, it was a pleasure serving you! Enjoy your slideshow!

Holly & Sam :: Love, Always

2008-09-16T22:49:00.010-06:00

Sam and Holly are high school sweethearts and it was such a joy to get to celebrate the culmination of their journey together to marriage. Weddings are about enjoying a couple's lifelong commitment to one another, and it was clear that Sam and Holly are deeply loved by everyone who knows them. Every seat in the church was filled with their friends and family. It was an especially sweet day because Sam's dad (Sam Sr.), who had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, was able to be there as Sam's best man. The photographs we took of him are some of our favorites and are priceless because they are some of the last taken before he passed away a few weeks later. The whole day was beautiful and we were so blessed to be a part of it. Here are some of our favorite photos...

We sometimes have to get creative with where we photograph the dress. This one was hung from a flourescent light, which made it look very cool!

Holly and her three beautiful sisters...

The guys were nothing short of hilarious! Without us asking, they were constantly dancing and cutting up for the camera. And the thing is, they could all really dance! Makes for some great groomsman shots!

Holly's parents were as much fun as the guys! Here, we caught them laughing together as they watched Holly do her bridal portraits.

Sam and his dad

Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words...

Just to be clear, this was NOT Sam's face when he saw Holly walking down the aisle! :)

Backlight is a wedding photographer's best friend! Here, it lights up a silhoutte of Sam and Holly and illuminates Holly's gorgeous dress.

Noelle captured this great shot in front of the livery stables. She got the lens flare just perfect!

I love photos where you can really see how much the couple love and enjoy eachother. The looks on both Sam and Holly's faces say it all...

The sunlight off the bubbles made for a magical exit as Sam and Holly stopped for a kiss. I love all the different poses of the people blowing the bubbles as well!

Michael and Lacey :: A Tropical Day!

2008-09-16T11:17:00.005-06:00

Michael and Lacey had a beautiful tropical themed wedding at Cedarwood in August. Even though it was hot, it was a gorgeous day! Cedarwood did a fabulous job (as always) arranging flowers and decor and providing fabulous service to everyone in attendance. Here are a few of my favorites from the day. :)

Cedarwood set up a cool lemonade stand for early arrivers. Lacey's bouquet was absolutely gorgeous! I love it!

The kiddos are always a great photo. These two didn't say a word to me. I must be really scary. ;)

The lighting for the ceremony was so fabulous. Warm, glowing sunlight, with a nice wind and trees for shade. It was wonderful.

I love bridal parties with a lot of personality! This group was so much fun. Love this shot of Brad's!

Cedarwood has a lot of options and spaces for great photos. My favorite though is the big open field out back. You can see their new truck in the background to the side of the barn. I love this shot though. I think it's very romantic feeling. :)

One of my crazier moments for sure is the shot below! I grabbed Michael & Lacey's rings (though they had no idea I was going to do this. I asked for some ribbon from Cedarwood Brad helped me tie the rings up, and we dropped them into the cool vase with the goldfish and lit it from behind. Definitely fun!

Michael and Lacey, enjoy your slideshow, and thanks for being such a wonderful couple! :)

Family Mini-Sessions for a Limited Time! Just in Time for the Holidays!

2008-09-11T13:11:00.014-06:00

It's time to start planning your family portraits and Christmas cards. Can you believe Christmas is only a little over 3 months away??!!!

To celebrate, the Mint and Sage photographers will host three Family Portrait Days this Fall at The Factory (where our new office is located!!

Saturday, September 20th, 10-1
Saturday, October 25th, 10-4
Saturday, November 1st, 10-4

Join us to get your family photo taken in time for the holidays! Our sessions will be offered at a VERY discounted rate for these 3 Saturdays only, it's our gift to you for the holiday season!

Each 30-minute session is $75 and includes an online preview gallery of 20 images and one high resolution image (of your choice) that will be edited creatively with minor retouching. A print release for this image will be included so you may print the photo at your leisure. You will be able to purchase all of your images in digital or print format.

We are also introducing our new line of beautiful Christmas cards through Mint and Sage - here are few examples of what these cards will look like. :)

EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL!
If you register by Sept 19 for our Sept 20th date, you can get 20 Christmas cards for $15 (This is a $25 savings!)

To register for your portrait session, just fill out the information below! (Simple, huh?) These sessions will book up FAST, so don't hesitate to book! We start shooting this Saturday!

If you have any questions at all, you can give us a call at the studio 615-469-5897 or email us at info@mintandsage.com.

We can't wait to see you!

Try Little MoMints Photography Class for FREE in September!

2008-09-11T05:35:00.003-06:00

We are really excited about our Little MoMints Classes that we will be offering our September class for FREE - so you can see what Little MoMints are really all about! Think of it as our Little MoMints open house. So come and bring a friend! But remember, space is limited, so please pre-register at mintandsage.com/workshops. Classes start next week :)

This One is For You, Mrs. Jennifer Creed!

2008-09-02T16:01:00.014-06:00

It's always a treat to shoot a wedding, I absolutely love it! It is also particularly flattering when the bride who has chosen you is another photographer! :) Say hello to the new Mrs. Jennifer Creed! Isn't she stunning?

Okay, but before I get ahead of myself, we should start at the beginning. Where all good things start. Regina and I had a great time shooting, so get comfortable, there is a lot of ground to cover!

You have to know that when a photographer is planning a wedding, there is no picture worthy detail that is overlooked, so of course, it is another photographer's dream! From the location to the programs to the cake and, did I mention the location? We will start with the dress. Isn't it splendid?

Jenny and Chris selected theTalon Winery and Vineyards in Lexington, KY for their ceremony and reception location. And I've got to tell you, it was beyond breathtaking! Here is a little package they put together for the girls. :)

And no vineyard ceremony would be complete without the ring shot set in the grapes. These looked so good I could have eaten them from the vine, but I was a good girl and restrained myself.

The barn was the backdrop for a few of Jenny's photos and with the girls.

And, the open fields were nice for some dramatic negative space. :)

This is a great vintagey shot of Chris and I love it!

The silhouettes of the guys. A different take on the guys shot. :)

And of course, the guys had a little fun, too!

Before the ceremony started, Chris and the groomsmen hung out in one of the vineyards to keep hidden from the guests. We found them though!

Jenny had a fairly lengthy walk down the aisle, and half of it was through open grass between the vineyards. I love that I was able to have fun getting a variety of angles, it's a rarity to have as much time as I did. This was my favorite!

One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was when the pastor said the final prayer. The best man and maid of honor laid hands on Jenny and Chris as a sign of support and faith together as friends. I got a little teary-eyed. I love the emotional stuff, these are the things that make each wedding memorable and unique for me.

A walk down the aisle as husband and wife....

Followed by a private moment hiding out in the vineyards. :)

The super fun wedding party!

And a close up of the little ones. This is one of my absolute favorites! Don't they look so happy to be together? (It took a little coaching...)

Some of my favorite couple shots......

The next two are a tie for my absolute favorites from the day. I love the emotion in the first and the beauty in the second. It's hard to pick, don't you think?

Young Love!

The marriage certificate, accompanied by the pastor and witnesses. :)

Jenny planned for a beautiful backdrop for her first dance with Chris. It doesn't get any more beautiful than this, a first dance at sunset. I love this idea!

Jenny and Chris weren't allowed to have sparklers at the vineyard, but I think Jenny got them anyway....(yes this is going to sound so silly), but Jenny got a beautiful sparkle anyway, provided by God's beautiful creation.

Jenny and Chris, it's been a pleasure serving you. I hope you enjoy the slideshow! It was a beautiful day....... ;)

Brian & Erin :: Engaged (and loving life!)

2008-08-27T19:22:00.006-06:00

I love Brian and Erin! They are full of energy, full of life and full of love for each other! On what seemed like the hottest day of the year, I headed up to Kentucky to shoot Brian and Erin's engagement shoot. Brian wanted to start off at his parents property and then head down to a park by his and Erin's house, and it was sooooo hot, but we had such a great time and they were great sports about the heat! They even brought their dogs along for some fun!

As always, I love the flare! :)

I love how Brian and Erin interact with each other, their smiles are so real and you can tell they have a lot of fun together!

This creek is within walking distance of their house and it is so beautiful! I couldn't decide which I liked better of these next two...

How cute!

More personality......:)

I just think this is a great shot of the two of them.

Erin's beautiful engagement ring (nice job Brian!) ;)

I just like this one. It's completely different from all the rest. :)

And my FAVORITE of the day.......... Sunset Fields. :)

Happy Birthday Shannon!

2008-08-25T19:39:00.004-06:00

Keira has a special birthday message for our wonderful associate photographer, Shannon Brasel. Today is her birthday! Hooray! Shannon, you're such a wonderful addition to the team, and I'm so excited for what lies in store as Mint & Sage continues to grow! Love you!

Just in case you didn't get that, it was her rendition of Happy Birthday, but we're not quite sure how she knows this song because no one has had a birthday in the family since May, and she wasn't Little Miss Repeat Everything then. :)

Weddings The Bridal Show!

2008-08-24T16:54:00.002-06:00

Thanks to all of you who stopped by and chatted with us at our booth today! It was great meeting all of you and hearing so many fun proposal stories and sharing ideas about your wedding day. Now, take a deep breath and relax because it's all over! :)

Sweet Baby Emma

2008-08-22T14:25:00.003-06:00

As promised, a sneak peek of Emma's One Year session. Isn't she a doll?

Too Many Hard Drives

2008-08-21T19:38:00.001-06:00

I signed on with the intent of posting photos of Baby Emma. But when I was getting ready to upload them, I realized the final edits I wanted to post are on my other hard drive at the office. I'm still getting used to working in a new place! So, I will post them tomorrow after lunch! :)

Stephen + Melissa :: Then Comes Marriage!

2008-08-20T20:20:00.004-06:00

You all saw the recent post from Stephen and Melissa's engagement session and what a fun and lovable couple they are! The wedding was a continuation of beautiful moments. There is waaaay too much to fit into just a few of my favorites, so you will definitely need to watch the slideshow for a lot of the fun stuff, especially the reception!

This post is dedicated to some of the beautiful emotional moments that happened. It seems that every time I go through a wedding, I find myself being brought back to the radiance of the day and how much in love the couple is. These moments remind me how blessed I am to have the absolute best job in the world. I love weddings!

This is Melissa enjoying some final moments before the ceremony! I love this smile, so real, so excited!

The rings! (I know it's not an emotional shot, but I love it all the same).

Brad caught these next two! Beautiful laughter during the ceremony. The way the ceremony was set up, all of the guests were seated around Melissa and Stephen at the Opryland Hotel. This allowed Brad and I two very cool views during the ceremony. I love it when that happens! :)

Love this of Stephen and Melissa right after the recessional. They are a beautiful couple, inside and out!

Okay, so all this little girl is thinking as she's gazing at the bride is "I want to be a bride as beautiful as Melissa one day...". Wel, you know we girls plan our weddings from the time we can play with Barbie and Ken. So cute.

Even though they had their closest friends and family members with them, they definitely were enjoying their day as if there wasn't any one else there.

After the reception we explored the Opryland Hotel at night for some fun photos. I've been wanting to shoot near these fountains for a long time, and it's even better at night!

Enjoy the slideshow (with another one of my fave images on the cover). Did someone say elevator?

What Gives?

2008-08-19T13:41:00.004-06:00

I know that God is never going to give me more than I can truly handle, BUT it would be nice if everything didn't seem to happen all at once! I've had more technical issues, urgent deadlines and crazy Keira days than I care to count these days. And the last straw was about an hour ago when my iPod decided to erase itself. Really...what gives?

So, it all comes down to me getting hit on the head and God tugging on me saying "check your priorities, take a deep breath, come to Me". I tend to get so caught up on what's going on that I forget life at home and life in the Word. And, when that happens, life just takes too many turns that I don't like and get stressed out about and then I just want to bury my head under the covers and stay there for a week. Or a month. Or maybe till Christmas.

I need to constantly remind myself to take a deep breath and press on, knowing that things are never as bad as they seem, and maybe I just need to delegate a little bit. I am such a perfectionist and sometimes a litttle on the OCD side, so I have a VERY hard time letting anyone else do anything for me. And it is so hard to let go, but I will not survive without a little help on the battlefront. I'm working on this, by the grace and blessing of God, I am starting to feel like things are coming together.

So, to all of you who are experiencing a little delay in seeing slideshows, images and albums, I thank you so much for your patience and your understanding as we adjust to our new office, I adjust to having some free time with Keira in pre-school (which allows me time to work!) and for just being the wonderfully amazing clients that you are. You are all such a blessing to me and I have been immensely moved by each of you in more ways than you know, so thank you.

Little MoMints Classes Start September 16!

2008-08-14T12:28:00.010-06:00

THIS FALL Mint and Sage is proud to offer Little MoMints Photography Workshops! Our desire is to equip moms and dads to take great photos of their growing and unpredictable children. We are parents too and know the importance of capturing the little moments of our children... and how difficult it can be! Our classes are designed to help you learn basic fundamentals that will help you capture your own little moments every day.

Note: While the focus of our content will be for moms and dads, the concepts can be applied to any type of photography. Anyone is welcome to join us.

Classes start September 16th (with a variety of options)! So, grab your camera, check out the schedule at www.mintandsage.com/workshops and register today! Then, check The Little MoMints Blog for the latest photo tips and answers to you photography questions. You may also submit questions to us to answer!

Here are some examples of our (Amelia & Krystal's) Little MoMints from birthdays to backyard fun to snow days...

Amie and Ryan :: Humility & Grace

2008-08-13T20:15:00.012-06:00

Some weddings can capture your soul, more than they can be shown in photos. There is much beauty in humility and grace. No pride, no boasting. Rather, pure, unashamed love for each other, their family, their friends, and their Lord & Saviour.

I love Amie and Ryan for their spirit, their love for each other and their joy of life! Their wedding was also the setting for the Mintastic Experience, our wedding photography workshop. And, in addition to a beautiful couple, I had four beautifully gifted photographers along for the ride as we embarked on a learning process --- Emily, Regina, Crystal, and of course, Andrea.

There are so many photos that I want to share because I have faves from each of my attendees + myself, so we'll just get right down to it. So here we go, my favorites, in no particular order, with processing a la Mint & Sage vintageness. :) But, before I go any further, I must say a huge THANK YOU to Ashley Barker who did an AMAZING job on Amie's hair and make-up, she was stunning! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! :) If you'd like Ashley's info, shoot me a message or give me a call. She was awesome!

First up is Andrea. I love this shot of the girls. They all have such joyful spirits, and of course Amie is just glowing and radiant. :)

By far, one of my favorite parts of the day was when Amie and Ryan washed each other's feet at the end of their ceremony as Byron (our pastor, and their officiant) talked about how Jesus washed the disciples feet. An amazing symbol of humility and love for one another. I absolutely loved this part of the ceremony because it reminded me of what Christ has done and was just a beautiful testament of the love Amie and Ryan share. Andrea captured this detail so well.

To play on Amie and Ryan's fun side, they hired a balloon twister (I don't know the proper name), but anywho, he made fun balloon things for all the kids. I love Andrea's capture here. She left enough space around the subject to just show how in awe these kids were over these balloons. I love it!

Moving on to Crystal's images (yes, another Crystal, but we spell it differently, so it wasn't too confusing!). I love this capture of Ryan and Amie, so innocent, but we see Ryan here whispering sweet somethings in her ear!

Love the detail of the hands. Hands can show a lot of emotion, if you look for it. :)

Oh, to be five and the fields are your playground in the late afternoon sun! No worries, just pure joy!

I love Emily's catch of Amie tugging on Ryan's tie. With that look, I'm sure Amie could talk Ryan into just about anything she wanted. Plus, I just love that pink tie!

Emily has such a great eye for capturing detail and I love these two. It really shows the beauty of Amie's hard work, and of course Melissa Spaid's wonderful flower creations. ;)

Regina sat up front with the musicians hiding behind bushes and music stands and got some very sweet and emotional moments. There's the hug just after they say I do......

And the happy guests after the kiss! Every chance I get, I go to the front and hide inconspicuously. That's how to get in on the emotional action that takes place during the ceremony. However, one must be discreet, or it's not worth it. The last thing you want to do is be a distraction to the couple or the guests. Regina did a great job. I didn't notice her at all!

A great couple shot of Regina's.

And, now....I shall share my favorites of my very own images. :)

Here's a little something we photographers call the wonderful f/1.8. Amie in 1.8.....

And Ryan in 1.8.

Perfect, joyous, emotion. Happy!

Glorious backlighting. I will take it any day!

One of my absolute favorites! Pensive, glowy, goodness.

The backdrop for the ceremony was the beautiful Ellington Agricultural Center in South Nashville. The ceremony and reception were both held in The Iris Garden.

Yummy details of Ryan's tie and especially Amie's bouquet.

One last shot before the were wheeled away in a wheelbarrow for their grand exit (you'll have to see the slideshow). :) A funny thing, Amie pulled up to the ceremony driving this convertible all by herself, with the top down. I love how laid back she is!

Okay, on to the slideshow! Click the play arrow (bottom LEFT arrow) to watch the show. :)

It's Been A While!

2008-08-11T09:12:00.004-06:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I've updated the blog. We've been busy taking lots of pictures and working on albums, AND working on the new studio, so I've been a little MIA. Don't worry friends, it's not for long! We'll have some new slideshows and fun album stuff to post this week and next. So, stay tuned!!

Oh, and did I mention I just got back from shooting a great wedding in Miami? I was up at 4:00 AM EST, which means on my clock, it was 3. So I'm playing it cool today and will catch up with you again tomorrow. :)

First Comes Love....

2008-07-27T15:01:00.003-06:00

Melissa and Stephen were married last week, but I never had a chance to post their engagement session. Stephen spent about 8 months in Iraq and so I wanted to do their engagement session super close to his return home because I knew emotions would be running high! They are such a great couple and we had a wonderful time, even though it was super duper hot and the ticks were out! Thanks for being such a great couple you too! Wedding images to follow soon! :)

I Got Distracted.....

2008-07-25T23:42:00.002-06:00

Being distracted isn't really that unusual for me. I do suffer from a bit of self-diagnosed ADD. However, tonight, I was very distracted and probably the only time I can ever truly justify my actions and not getting as much done as I wanted to.

Earlier tonight, Kyle and I put little girl down for bed and then Kyle went to the studio because he had work he needed to do and so I thought that I would take this time to catch up on editing that is a little overdue. So, as I was exporting images from Mandy and Zach's wedding to post to their gallery, I decided that I would read a few chapters of a book. As I was browsing my bookshelf, I was reminded that Randy Pausch passed away yesterday and I had yet to read his book, which I bought a little over a month ago after watching The Last Lecture.

If you don't know about The Last Lecture, well, number one, where have you been, and number two, you're missing out. To preface this video, you should have a little over an hour to devote to it. Randy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was only given months to live. He was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University and was asked to give a Last Lecture as part of a series of lectures they were doing. This video has become a viral sensation on YouTube and as a result, Randy wrote a book, a supplement of sorts.

That's all I can say. But it definitely makes you think. And it will hopefully inspire you to be better and to value what's truly important.

Please keep his family in your prayers.

Allison: 1 year old!

2008-07-24T10:52:00.002-06:00

Time for me (Shannon) to blog again! In addition to our Mint and Sage weddings, this summer has been full of family portraits. This one was one of my favorites! I loved meeting this laid back, easy-going family and watching them all interact with Allison. Believe it or not, she lasted for over 2 hours of photos! Those of you with toddlers can attest that this was a minor miracle! She was so cute and the family such a joy to work with that I had to share some of my favorites from the day.

One of the things that was fun about this shoot was all of the different items around the house we found to use. I spotted this old trunk and though it would look classic with Allison's white dress. Love the blue eyes!

This was one of those impromptu shots that you just can't plan. Once Allison was in the trunk, everyone wanted in!

I love the look on mom's face..

Too cute! Little Allison had finally had enough!

Melinda and Michael :: Lovely!

2008-07-23T21:35:00.006-06:00

You'll probably recognize Melinda and Michael from this post. They are the couple with the fun adventure shoot! I love how laid back they are and they both just love being with friends and family, having a good time. :)

Melinda and Michael had a wonderful ceremony in Alabama at Camp McDowell. Melinda has been going to camp there every summer since she was a little girl and knew that this was the exact place she wanted to say I do to Michael. Before the ceremony started, this year's campers sang some camp songs for all of the guests. It was just one of the things that made their day so special!

I have so many favorites of the adventure shoot that I had to throw a few more in here. :) I love this shot of Melinda. It's just so mysterious to me and very moody.

Here are a couple from the suspension bridge. These two are definitely in love and they both have wonderful, fun-loving spirits. It made my job so easy!

I love this shot Brad grabbed from his view in the canoe. I think it's a bit dreamy and I love the flower floating in the river.

The tent was decorated so beautifully! Lights like these can add a very dramatic touch to a tent reception. These lights were fun and whimsical!

A few fun reception shots!

Enjoy the slideshow! I wish I could include more, but the song is only three and a half minutes. :)

My First Art Collage :)

2008-07-23T19:07:00.003-06:00

I've been wanting to sit down with Amelia for the longest time to do a collage with her because she rocks at them. However, schedules lately haven't been conducive to just being able to hang out and try something new. Lately I've been a little overwhelmed though and I really needed to sit down and just get my creative juices flowing and so I decided to just sit down and work through a collage.

So, I did. And here are some pics of my final piece, which is of Keira. I'd love to do more. It was a relaxing time and just what I needed to breathe and take some time to myself without working. We all need time for ourselves to let our minds wander and just enjoy doing something new. :)

The Franklin Bridal Ball

2008-07-23T18:56:00.003-06:00

Last week Amelia and I were able to meet with a bunch of wonderful brides and grooms at The Franklin Bridal Ball at The Factory in Franklin. We had such a great time meeting with everyone and it was such a unique show. The fine people at Premier Bride and The Pink Book. I hope all of you who attended had a wonderful time! Here are a few photos from our booth, which looked so wonderful thanks to my new friends at The Antique Shop in The Factory. They are a building over from our new office space and they've been extremely wonderful tomorrow and have a wonderful selection of furniture, jewelry and all sorts of antiques. Be sure to check them out when you visit our studio! :)

Lady Jenny & Sir Stephen :: A Midieval Time!

2008-07-15T12:57:00.004-06:00

Megan and Shannon shot a beautiful midieval themed wedding at Blackhaven Wedding Gardens in Lebanon, TN. Jenny and Stephen, as well as their attendants and families, wore period attire which set a wonderful tone for their wedding. Since the couple met at the Renaissance Fair in Tennessee, it only made sense that this was the perfect wedding for them. :) Jenny was preceded down the aisle by a bagpiper, they had a fun butterfly release and the officiant stayed true to the theme with a celtic hand tying during their vows. It was a perfect day and Jenny and Stephen are so very much in love and so grateful to have found each other. So wonderful! :)

The gardens at Blackhaven are absolutely breathtaking. :)

I love kilts.

Jenny and Stephen chose to dress their flower girls as fairies! How fun is that?!!

Jenny's dress was handmade just for her. It is very true to the Renaissance theme and was so cool.

After the butterfly release, the gardens were just full of them! This one chose to say thank you to the bride for releasing it. What a perfect idea!

One photo Stephen really wanted was of his bride dubbing him a sir. The sun was hiding behind clouds for much of the day, but during this moment, it made a grand appearance. What a dreamy moment!

Sir Stephen steals a quick kiss from his Lady Love. :)

The skies turned very dramatic as the sun was setting. I couldn't decide which of these last two I liked more. They each have their own surreal and dreamy quality about them and each shows a different emotion. I love the peacefulness of them walking, but I also love the dip.

What a fun wedding! Congratulations you two! Enjoy the rest of your time across the pond. :)

She Makes Me Smile :)

2008-07-14T21:48:00.003-06:00

No matter what happens. No matter how rough the day. I see her, and I smile so big it must reach to the moon.

Need Help! :)

2008-07-14T17:04:00.002-06:00

Andrea called this morning to tell me that her sister (who is quite pregnant) is on bed rest and needs some help. So, tomorrow Andrea is flying to Virginia to be with her sister and their family to help give some much needed help and releif. Please, please keep her in your prayers because a delivery would be much too early at this point.

So, while Andrea is gone, I have an urgent need to fill some childcare Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays until Andrea returns (which at this point may not be until the second week in August). Please shoot an email to info@mintandsage.com if you are able or know someone who is able to help me out during the next few weeks. We've got several out of town weddings, bridal fairs and a final move to the office so things are a little nutty here in Mint & Sage land. :)

I love you all and thank you so much and appreciate you taking the time to read this! :)

Additional Note!

2008-07-08T01:06:00.004-06:00

I was so excited about the studio that I completely forgot to mention that God worked out the child care for me as well! I've had quite a few emails tonight about childcare and I feel so loved, so thank you so much for all of my wonderful blog readers who were interested in watching my little munchkin. I had no idea so many of you were wanting to hang out with my Keira. You are all so wonderful! :)

Mint & Sage News!

2008-07-07T12:59:00.006-06:00

Sooooooo, a lot has been going on with Mint & Sage lately! In addition to our busy shooting schedule, we have been working on getting caught up with customer albums and getting an effective workflow system set up. Any of you moms know that it's very hard to accomplish a lot while you're chasing around a toddler all day. So, I've been looking and praying for the last 10 months or so for an office space and for a good childcare plan so that I could be more productive and available to my clients during the day, and more importantly, being available to my family in the evenings and weekends (when I don't have weddings, that is!).

There are many nights I'm up until 2AM just trying to get things done because I was spending time with Keira all day and then trying to catch up with Kyle in the evenings. This isn't good on many levels. And, as much as I love waking up and not having a schedule to keep, I've found that I really NEED a schedule to keep and set work days and family time. I spend way too much time working during family time and carrying my lap top with me everywhere in an effort to try and fit in editing or design time whenever I can. The problem is, when you work from home, you never STOP working, at least I don't.

I am tired of my family suffering and my lack of prayer and devotional time and feeling overwhelmed with my ever growing to do list. So I came to the conclusion a long time ago that I needed to do something, but had no idea what would happen. Then I was faced with finding a place and experiencing major disappointment when it fell through. :(

You know how you feel when you get super excited about something and then it falls through and you feel sooooo discouraged? Well, when am I going to learn that when that happens it's for good reason and to just trust God? Soooooooo, after much looking and prayer, and looking and prayer, and thinking I had a space, finding out I didn't, and then praying and looking some more, and FINALLY.......God proved once again that his timing and plan is perfect.

I am so unbelievably excited to announce that Mint & Sage has moved into a space at The Factory in Franklin! We've partnered up with my friend Mel from The Velvet Trunk and have moved in to a very cool space in Building 8. Mel needed a studio space to shoot in and I needed a place to work from and meet clients in, so we hashed all of the details of the how and why and are super excited about our joint space!

In addition to having this new space, I will be implementing new office hours, as follows:

Monday : OFF
Tuesday : 10-5
Wednesday : 10-5
Thursday : 10-5
Friday : 10-5
Saturdays : OFF (Out Shooting!)
Sundays: OFF

NOTE: These hours will start officially in September and may be a little scattered for the next month or so as I don't have childcare 100% of those times right now, so please bear with us! I will try and update voicemail and email to let you know when I'll be unavailable. :)

Additional hours are available by appointment only and should be scheduled in advance. I will be able to serve our clients during these times via email and phone and we will also be open in the Factory for you to come visit us, commission one of our cool new art collages or set up a consultation.

Our studio space will also be available to rent out to local photographers or for meetings/small events, so if you need a space, just let me know and I can forward your info to Mel who will be handling space rentals. Amelia, is also working on putting together our fall schedule for our Little MoMints classes so I'll have her post that when she has the details worked out! :)

Oh, and one final note, we will be having an office/studio open house some time in October so be on the lookout for an announcement on that sometime in the near future!

Kerrie and Chris :: Oh, How Lovely!

2008-07-04T20:04:00.004-06:00

Kerrie and Chris had a beautiful wedding at beautiful Cheekwood! It was a hot day, but absolutely perfect for a wedding in the beautiful gardens at Cheekwood. The reception was at the cool and very chic Cabana Restaurant in Hillsboro Village. So fun!

I love this picture of Kerrie. She was so excited for everything to happen and if you just said "Chris", her eyes would light up. It also helped that she got a wonderful handwritten note from Chris just before we did some photos. :)

Megan got this great shot of Kerrie's sister and one of the flower girls checking out Kerrie as we were shooting some fun bridal portraits!

This is a very cool portrait of Chris. The sun was just so awesome and I couldn't resist some very fun manly images. I love the lines in the photo and I'm so glad I was able to make such wonderful use of the sunlight!

Again, playing up on such wonderful light! The musicians graced by the warm glow of the sun!

When everyone else is looking at the bride, I still say the best view is of the groom when he sees her for the first time!

Cabana had some very cool photo spots around it. This little alley way was my favorite!

And, another one of my favorite sparkler shots. I love the atmosphere in this one. :)

Kerrie and Chris, enjoy your slideshow and CONGRATS!! I hope you're enjoying Australia!

Mint & Sage :: Introducing Our Custom Art Pieces!

2008-07-02T13:26:00.006-06:00

Amelia has been making some super awesome collages for a while now and I am pleased to announce that we will be making these art pieces available to all of you!! These are one of a kind pieces that we can incorporate images and textures from your wedding day or we can incorporate a baby's first year into one piece. The options are endless and each one will be handmade and unique to you!! Check out these super cool pieces below!

This first piece was a design commissioned from a recent portrait session that Amelia shot. :)

This one is a very personal piece to Amelia because she made it in tribute to her wedding anniversary. :)

This is a recent wedding couple. Amelia incorporated flowers from the wedding day, as well as some lyrics an quotes from the ceremony and reception. This is an unframed collage so the art actually flows into the edges. You definitely need to see them in person to really see the detail for yourself! :)

And last, but not least, a collage Amelia designed as a gift to me to commemorate something very exciting for Mint & Sage! Details on this will come soon. :) The detail in this one is just so perfect to Mint & Sage and my vision for the business so I probably over did the photos, but I'm so excited about the piece and what it signifies that I just can't help it!!

Mandy + Zach :: A Mid-Summer Night's Dream!

2008-06-25T14:57:00.005-06:00

Mandy and Zach had a brilliant mid-summer night's dream of a wedding at her parents home in Kentucky, dubbed Moonshadow Hollow. What a gorgeous property it is! The altar was set up a deck overlooking the woods. There was a natural slope down to the altar, providing every guest with a great view of their vows. Amelia and I were at a creative peak as we wandered the property and enjoyed hanging out with the Mandy and Zach's friends and family! Here are some of our favorites:

I love Mandy's dress. It was beautifully detailed with a lace overlay and it was just so perfectly her. She purchased her dress from The White Room located in Lebanon, TN.

This is probably the coolest garter I've ever seen! Really, it's quite awesome! Mandy also put a very nice twist to her throw bouquet. She added lottery tickets to the bouquet. You know the girls ALL wanted that bouquet!

Here is Zach, pre-ceremony, getting a nice squeeze on the cheeks from his mom, who was extremely thrilled for them. :)

Mandy and Zach's first look. There were no words. The long embrace said everything. It was wonderful!

A nice flared up portrait before the ceremony! My favorite yummy late afternoon light!

Mandy and Zach gave honey jars and blackberry jam as their favors. The blackberry jam was made by Mandy's grandmother and was a special touch to the reception. Check out how beautifully the altar was decorated. I didn't catch the florist's name, but she was amazing. Mandy, you'll have to post that in a comment below when you're back from your honeymoon!

The first dance! I love it. Zach's sister accompanied Mandy and Zach with her beautiful rendition of At Last, by Etta James. No lie, Rachel's voice is soooooooooo amazing. The mood was perfect and what a personal touch. :)

Zach and Mandy (and your family and friends), please enjoy your slideshow. (Click the triangle at the bottom left to play.)

Lots of Images Coming Soon....!

2008-06-24T16:30:00.000-06:00

I'm editing up a storm and will be posting Mandy and Zach's slideshow tonight, followed by more shows from the weekend later this week. Stay tuned! Woo Hoo! :)

Brooke and Codey :: Fore!!!

2008-06-23T10:48:00.004-06:00

Brooke and Codey had an amazingly wonderful wedding at The Old Natchez Country Club. It was a beautiful day, even though it was quite hot! However, they were great sports and everything ran smoothly thanks to the wonderful Mary Alice of A Delightful Day.

I love this image that Brad took of the ceremony site before things got started. The brown ribbon stayed tied until just before the processional. You can see the beautiful sky in the background!

This was Brooke and Codey's first look! I love the private meeting time because it gives us a chance to step back and capture pure emotion. I love this picture!

You can see the awesome view of the grounds from this ceremony shot. A perfect day!

A fun reception shot of the dancing feet!

Sometimes my wonderful second shooters take some pretty fun images of me shooting. I love this one Brad caught.

Enjoy the slideshow! :)

Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-15T22:32:00.002-06:00

To all of the dads out there -- Happy Father's Day! I hope you enjoy(ed) a wonderful time with your loved ones. And, here's to my dad, who gave me my first camera. Who knew that it would take me to where I am now?

And, of course, my wonderful and most handsome husband, Kyle. I love you for the joy that you bring to my life and the way you love our little girl. My heart smiles knowing how much you love her and would do anything for her. The most precious gift I know is the way you adore your munchkin, and I know she adores you. :)

Audrey & Tedd :: Awesomely Beautiful and A Blast!

2008-06-06T21:47:00.004-06:00

Yes, I know. The blog posts are few and far between these days, but I'm still showing everything, just a little slower than usual. :)

Audrey and Tedd had a kick-butt wedding at Owen Chapel with the reception at Travellers Rest. I have to say, I've never laughed so hard at a wedding or a reception. Tedd and Audrey are blessed with a wonderful family and fabulous friends. We had a great time enjoying the scenery, the vows, the toasts, and just had an overall fabulous time!

Susan Abel from Elegant Weddings by Angela did a fantastic job putting everything together and keep everything running smoothly. She was excellent to work, so be sure to check out the site and give her a ring if you need help with your wedding plans!

Now, on the photos!

This was the tone of the ceremony, lots of laughter, but through it all, Tedd and Audrey are 100% devoted and adored by one another.

I love this picture Andrea took as Tedd and Audrey were leaving the church!

You can't help but love Audrey's shoes! And her dress was so awesome with the blue and white petticoat. Such a fun detail! :)

Traveller's Rest has these beautiful gardens all over the place. This was great because it was hidden away from everyone else. This was such a quiet moment! (shhhhh)

Audrey and Tedd didn't miss a detail! I thought these favors for the younger crowd were sooooooo cute! What girl wouldn't love that?

I mentioned the laughter, but I really do mean there was laughter. And lots of it. I never expected to hear "I Am Your Brother" (the crazy song from the dude in white outfit and cape from American Idol) at a reception. If you don't know what I'm referring to, there is a clip below the image.

From laughing your head off to beautiful sentiment. This image means a lot to me because this couple reminds me of my grandparents. They danced so gracefully with each other and you could tell that after years of marriage they are still completely taken with each other. I've become way more emotional since I've become a mom, but this is one of those teary eyed moments that makes me smile very big inside.

Audrey's daughter, Courtney (right), and her friends gave a wonderful rendition of Taylor Swift's "Our Song".

A true music star moment!

After Courtney and her friends had their rock star debut, we took a few minutes to do a mini shoot with them!

So, those are some of the highlights, though I wish I could post more but it is late and I've got a wedding tomorrow! Woo Hoo!

Enjoy the slideshow! (click play triangle - bottom, all the way to the left)

An Adventure Couple Shoot!

2008-06-04T20:45:00.006-06:00

Melinda and Michael knew they wanted some great photos of their wedding, but they also knew that the location that their wedding will be is far too large to accomplish the photos they wanted on the wedding day. Sooooooo, we went out with them on a pre-wedding couple shoot! It was loads of fun! I can't wait for the wedding! I don't want to reveal too much since the wedding isn't until the 28th, but I wanted to share a snippet of images from the fun Brad and I had in Alabama!

There were a lot of elements for me to have fun with! The hike to this waterfall was pretty intense (well, we WERE carrying gear and I don't hike often, um, ever), but it was sooooo very worth it!

Brad had no idea he'd be canoeing. Good thing he knew how!

Here's a shot of Melinda's gorgeous ring. Kudos to Michael because it's delicate and delightful. Yes. Delightful. :)

And here is a sneak peek at the happy couple (this was taken from my view in the waterfall pool!).

And, one last shot. This is from my view of the canoes atop the suspension bridge that crosses the river. I've dubbed this shot "Canoe Hooray". Check back later this month fore much more on this adventure!

Nico :: 3 Months!

2008-06-04T14:56:00.004-06:00

Nico is growing so fast......and he's so darn cute! You can check out his newborn post to see how he is changing.

Couldn't you just kiss those cute little cheeks?

Shhh! Baby's sleeping, but that won't stop me from having fun with some family portraits! :)

Check back in August for his six month photos! :)

--Krystal

I Promise I've Not Fallen From the Earth!

2008-06-03T21:43:00.002-06:00

Yes, wedding season is in full force and that means we are busy bees at Mint & Sage. I've got a ton of fun things to share with you, but it's late and I need a bit of sleep. So, updates are coming, I promise. Good night moon!

Alex and Rachel

2008-05-29T12:10:00.000-06:00

When I (Shannon) first met Alex and Rachel a few months ago, I knew that I was really going to enjoy photographing their wedding. They were both so genuine and it was clear how much they loved each other and couldn’t wait to be married. The setting was the historic Rippavilla Plantation in Franklin, TN and it was a true family affair. Rachel’s father performed the ceremony and Alex’s mother made the most amazing wedding and groom’s cakes – they were SO good! Brad and Andrea came along with me and we had a great time!

Fail and Succeed

2008-05-29T09:10:00.003-06:00

So, I was going through my Google Reader this morning and stumbled on a post from my friend DJ about failure. This video was attached and I thought it very cool.

My friends, don't be afraid to fail. It grows character, makes us stronger and just around the corner, you may succeed. :)

Nathan + Libby :: Fun in the Sun!

2008-05-23T23:51:00.013-06:00

Destination weddings. I have to say, I love them! Especially when I get to bring Kyle and Keira with me (that's another blog post though!).

Libby and Nathan had the most laid back and relaxed wedding weekend in Sandestin, FL and they allowed my family to be a part of it. We had such a great time swimming and hanging out on the beach (minus the small sunburn I came home with).

So, this is a great story, because Libby and Nathan have been dating since they were like 16! And so they FINALLY tied the knot with their closest friends and family by their sides. Of course, when you plan a beach wedding, you never know what the weather will be like. So, when we showed up Wednesday for a wedding on Friday, May 16th, the forecast was pretty gloomy. It was cloudy most of the day and there were some storms on Friday so while I was preparing to shoot in the rain, Libby was making plans to surprise me and moved the wedding to Saturday! It was so fun and I'm so glad they moved things because it was a BEAUTIFUL sunny beachy day, perfect for a wonderful wedding for such an amazing couple! It was just perfect in every way and it was everything they could have hoped for!

I've got so many favorites, so you'll have to bear with me. All of the faves are in the slideshow below, but I pulled out a few of my favorite faves in case you don't want to watch the whole slideshow. I don't often get to shoot on the beach (or in the water) so there are a lot of those. But, first things first -- the beautiful Libby as we were driving to the ceremony site.

Immediately after the ceremony, Libby and Nathan wanted a big group picture with all of their friends and family who attended. I love this one, because it's just their style. :)

Shortly after group picture time, one of Nathan's friends saw this guy fishing and asked if we could use his fishing pole in a picture. It was totally his friend's idea! How fun is this?

This pretty much sums up their personality! Loads of fun and just so excited to be married! I heart fun!

Starfish have such a lovely texture! Growing up in Florida, my grandparents used to take me to the beach and when there was a sandbar, my grandfather would take me out to it (I was little, like 5 or 6) and he used to dive under and find starfish and sand dollars. So, this brought back lots of memories and I thought it was a great backdrop for Libby and Nathan's rings.

Nathan's niece, Callie, is such a ham! She was particularly excited about these flip-flops.

Libby had a less formal dress for her reception and so we took some fun photos in both dresses, but the dreaminess of this one is so fun.

After the reception, everyone just had some fun hanging out on the beach or in the pool, but just before sunset, I took Libby and Nathan out on the beach for some sunset photos. I knew they wouldn't want to miss the beautiful light late in the day. And it was so worth it! These are some of my favorite faves from the sunset shoot! (Jumping for joy!!!)

Libby and Nathan, thanks for such an amazing time in Sandestin! We had a blast and it's been so wonderful being able to spend time with your friends and family. I share in your joy and I'm so excited to share your slideshow with you......enjoy!

(click play, the triangle at the bottom left to view the show)

Kerrie + Chris :: Lovely

2008-05-20T23:50:00.007-06:00

Before leaving for Florida, I had a wonderful time photographing Kerrie & Chris at Cragfont for their engagement session. It started out looking like rain, but turned into a wonderfully lovely day with bright blue skies and lots of sunshine. Yes, I broke the photo rules and shot in midday sun. Shame on me! Here are some of my favorites.....

Just lounging around...pretty comfy!

I love this image because they both look so peaceful and just in love and so happy in each other's presence. I've dubbed it "joy". And not every image gets a title, so hurrah!

I love Kerrie's expression in this one. And, by the way, she's got some pretty flawless skin!! Whatever she's doing for that, it's working, but I won't ask her to give up her secret unless she wants to. :)

Kerrie loves weeping willow trees. Who doesn't? They will do a number on your plumbing though, so if you like them too, keep them away from pipes and sewer stuff. That's your tip for the day. Back on track.....the weeping willow shot.

I told you the sky was amazing. I wasn't kidding. It's a pretty rad looking sky!

Mint & Sage will make you, jump, jump. Kerrie and Chris jump, jump! (Am I showing my age by parodying a Kris Kross song?)

Where Has Krystal Been?

2008-05-19T07:56:00.005-06:00

I spent the last week in Florida hanging out with Kyle and Keira and also shooting a pretty funtastic wedding! Here's a sneak peek of the wedding images! I've got some great things to blog including Chris and Kerrie's engagement shoot, Libby and Nathan's beach wedding and Shannon will be posting up her wedding from this weekend too! Plus, we've got a review of some of Gigi's cupcakes for you. Yum! All coming this week, so stay tuned....

Friday's Fabulous Five :: Ways to Waste Time

2008-05-09T21:02:00.007-06:00

I'm not really sure how I ended up on this site, but I did. And I found an a post about five useless ways to waste time, so I'm borrowing their list and adding my own comments. Because I like their list. So, here we go!

1. Ask 500 People
This is fun because it is surveys in real time. You can ask or answer questions and see real time how the poll is shaping up, what part of the world the answers are coming from and browse different questions. The site can be a little tricky (or at least it was to me) but once you get the hang of it, it's really pretty cool. :)

Visit www.Ask500People.com.

2. Guess-the-Google
This is way too fun! I love it. You are given 20 image blocks and you have 20 seconds to figure out what the keyword is that matches all of those images. You could totally get stuck doing this for an hour or more, no problem. Have fun!

Visit http://grant.robinson.name/projects/guess-the-google/game.php?l=5

3. TasteSpotting
Oh delicious food! You can browse images that take you to recipes, articles and products of food. You can add your own too. Yummy!

Visit www.TasteSpotting.com

4. Not Always Right
Just go here. You'll get it and you'll laugh. Add your own if you want! I'm sure some of you have great stories. :)

Visit www.NotAlwaysRight.com

5. LiveMarks
Check out sites that are bookmarked in real time. How cool is this?

Jessica and Adam :: Fun Overload!

2008-05-06T22:03:00.008-06:00

One thing I've gotten to know about Adam and Jessica is that they like to have fun, lots of it! From the time I showed up until the time I left, the girls and guys alike were a blast to be around. And I loved how much time they gave me for photos at Crockett Park after the ceremony. WOAH! Despite the fact that my feet were tired and I came home and just about collapsed, it was a fun day and a beautiful union! Tears and smiles all in one day -- all out of pure love and excitement. :)

The ceremony was at Holy Family Catholic Church in Brentwood and the reception was at the Vanderbilt Legends Club.

I love this image of Adam just before the ceremony started. Just a quiet moment alone right before he walked down the aisle with his parents to await his bride.

After the ceremony, we had a full hour to shoot at Crockett Park. There are so many fun places to explore there. I love the tunnel because it's just so different from the usual outdoor stuff in tasty light. It's also fun because every few minutes a walker or bicyclist would come through to add to our photos!

This is another great thing about tunnels, fun silhouettes of love.

And, of course, my favorite -- beautiful tasty-riffic afternoon light. :)

Adam and Jessica had a polaroid guest book and so at the end of the night, I stole a quick shot of them on the dance floor with their polaroid camera, just so I could do this.

I'm really, really loving night time shots. When I get to do them, it's one of the best things of the night. The bride and groom usually could use a break from the crowd to reconnect again and they are super relaxed! I showed this back to Adam on the LCD screen and he flipped out. Adam, I hope you still love it!

Now, enjoy your slideshow. Click play (bottom left corner of the show).

Shoe Wheel Winner :: Wade Mann

2008-05-05T14:53:00.003-06:00

The shoe wheel wasn't nearly as popular as I thought it would be! But, late last night, I received the one and only entry from my brother-in-law, Wade, who will be going into sixth grade next year! (Where does the time go!)

So, even though we are related, how could I say no to this email?

"Help! I desperately need the shoe wheel because I love buying shoes. And, if I don't keep my shoes in some kind of order my parents are going to kill me. (Or at least throw out some of my favorites!) I think this shoe wheel is really cool, and may just save my life. I love shoes and am buying shoes basically once a month. So, attached is a picture of my toxic shoe mayhem.

Wade"

So, Congratulations Wade! You don't have to throw out any of your favorite shoes! :)

And, in the spirit of celebrating Wade, here are some of my favorite images from a shoot we did a couple months ago for Wade's acting headshots! Isn't he cute?

Ned and Mandi: Simply Classic!

2008-05-05T11:06:00.009-06:00

This is my first wedding to blog about on Mint and Sage and I could not have picked a better one - this one was out of a storybook! I have been so privileged to get to know Ned and Mandi over the last few months, so it was a true joy to photograph their special day. The setting was Ned’s family farm – 400 acres of rolling hills, barns, and a classic white house with a wrap around porch. Who could ask for anything more? It was absolutely beautiful! To add to the romance, a horse and carriage brought all of the guests over the hills to the ceremony site (Ned’s idea!), which overlooked a large pond. The guests enjoyed a reception of dancing under a tent and delicious food catered by the always incredible Puckett’s.

Krystal, Amelia and I spent all day trekking across the property and having lots of fun creating memorable shots for this special couple. There is something extraordinary that happens when it’s just the two of them and Ned and Mandi were so patient to let me try to capture that magic through the lens. Here are some of my favorites from the day…

Ned and Mandi were being rushed to the reception when we asked them to stop and take some pictures here. I'm so glad we did!

Mandi was very sweet to trust me with her dress.

I wasn't sure the branches would hold, but lucky for us, they did!

Love this shot!

I couldn't resist adding this great photo that Amelia took of the horse and carriage. It really captures the feel of the day.

Mandi's bouquet toss was hilarious! The girl doing the jackhammer dance (or is that the sprinkler?) made everyone laugh with her excitment and anticipation...

And she caught it!

I love the look on both Ned and Mandi's faces. Mandi's laughing at something Ned just said and Ned is just looking at her with delight as she laughs.

Congratulations Ned and Mandi! Thank you for letting me be a part of your wedding.

Enjoy your slideshow!

Mandy and Zach :: e-session

2008-05-02T18:40:00.004-06:00

We've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to post up a few of my favorite photos from Mandy and Zach's Engagement Session. We had such a fun time just walking around and exploring all of these cool spots and shops. I'm so excited for their wedding, which is June 21st. :)

I absolutely LOVE hanging out with Mandy and Zach! Amelia and I had fun with them and their cute dogs, even though it was soooooo cold outside.

Friday's Fabulous Five :: Cupcakes

2008-05-02T14:04:00.003-06:00

So, today I found out about Gigi's Cupcakes. Oh, how much I love cupcakes! And to discover that there is a superb little cupcake shop right in Nashville is just so wonderful.

So, as an ode to cupcakes, here are the five flavors I want to try first (in no particular order)!

1. Apple Spice Everything Nice
Apple Spice cake with raisins and pecans topped with Cream Cheese frosting.

2. Boston Cream
Yellow cake with vanilla filling dipped in Chocolate Ganache.

3. German Sweet Chocolate
German chocolate cake wth German chocolate frosting. Garnished with chocolate filigree.

4. Lemon Dream Supreme
Lemon Cake with lemon filling topped with lemon butter cream frosting.

5. Top Hats
Devil’s food cake piled high with butter cream frosting dipped in chocolate ganache.

Oh Beautiful Shoe Wheel!

2008-04-27T17:49:00.003-06:00

Q: What's the best thing a shoe lover could have who is short on space and storage to house her beautiful shoes?

A: The Shoe Wheel!

Yes, I said the Shoe Wheel. It's about one of the coolest things I've ever seen for beautiful shoe storage. It holds all sorts of shoes and is adjustable to fit your shoes. Holds men's shoes up to size 11 (if you have to share. The wheel tucks neatly in a closet, taking up the smallest bit of space. Of course, if you have the prettiest, most colorful shoes, you can just put them on display. :) I've added it to my ThingsIWant.com List!

Want to win a Shoe Wheel? Send me a pic of your shoes, accompanied by a short paragraph of why YOU need a shoe wheel! Email to info@mintandsage.com. Winner will be announced May 4th. :)

Friday's Fabulous Five :: It's Back!

2008-04-25T17:36:00.002-06:00

Yes, that's right! Friday's Fabulous Five has been on a hiatus. Not on purpose, but time flew by as things got a little crazy here in Mint & Sage land, but rest assured, it's back and better than ever! To kick things off again, here are some random facts you might find pretty funny. Or at least a little interesting. :)

1. Big Mac Random Fact
There are an average of 178 sesame seeds on a McDonald's Big Mac bun.

2. Stupid Law
In Reno Nevada it is illegal to lie down on the sidewalk.

3. Ostrich Fact
An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain.

4. Paper Fact
No matter its size or weight, no piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven times!

5. Long Word
The longest word in the English language is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.

Wild Turkey?

2008-04-24T18:23:00.002-06:00

No, not the liquor, but this was pretty random when I looked out my window this afternoon and saw this:

Jeff and Carmen :: Woo Hoo!

2008-04-23T00:02:00.008-06:00

Jeff and Carmen had the most wonderful wedding at Belle Meade Plantation on Sunday. Everything was oh-so-perfect, from the weather to the food. My friend Zach came along to second shoot with me and we had such a great time!

On to the photos!

I love this one of Carmen, it's so dreamy!

And this one shows just how radiant Carmen looked!

Jeff, taking a moment before the ceremony. He was stoked to be marrying Carmen and couldn't wait until the ceremony!

The ring bearer, Tom!

Wasn't the light just beautiful? This is the best light for photos!

I love how peaceful and relaxed Carmen and Jeff look in this one. So sweet.

Enjoy the slideshow!

Passion, Devotion, or Just Plain Crazy?

2008-04-21T22:36:00.006-06:00

Carmen and Jeff had a beautiful wedding yesterday! I'm working on the slideshow now and expect to have it posted tomorrow, but I wanted to share this fun story. We snuck out of the reception and were down at the bridge at Belle Meade Plantation shooting some fun night time photos.

As I was getting things set up for the bridge shot, Carmen saw me eyeing up the stream below and said "Uh oh!". She knew what I was contemplating, but I'm not sure she knew that I would actually go through with it. While Zach shot a few more images of Carmen and Jeff, I wandered down to the stream to check things out.

I saw a shot that I was really excited about and so I asked Carmen how she felt about it. I have to say, Carmen is awesome for trusting me, because despite the fact that she knew her dress **might** get a little wet/dirty, she and Jeff were troopers in allowing me to have fun! And though I almost gave Carmen a heart attack when I decided to wade in the water, I had to do it to shoot what I wanted, and I'm sooooo glad we did!

Thanks to Zach for shooting this fun pic of me. Doesn't this light make me look scary? Ha ha!

Thank You!

2008-04-21T22:35:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who posted here or sent me an email of encouragement as a result of my last post! I know it's been a while since my last post, and yes, things are going well, I'm just starting to get super busy with wedding season in full kick off! So thank you again for all your love and prayers and thoughts. I love you all!!!

Today Is Just One of Those Days :(

2008-04-11T15:49:00.004-06:00

So far today, I've had an album come in that wasn't right, and it's my fault. Actually, it's Adobe's fault because their programs didn't import the exported PDF properly and it wasn't a noticeable difference on my screen, but it's a huge difference in print. But that teaches me not to try and get things done at 2AM. So, I cried a little.

Then, there was a huge misunderstanding which cost someone a gig and even though the air is clear and I know I'm not to blame, I still feel horrible because my actions indirectly caused the loss. Then, I cried a little more.

Then Keira hit her head on the coffee table and I hate it when she's hurt. So, I cried again, and she was crying and then Kirby joined it.

But now Keira is playing with my phone and I don't care if she calls China. So if she calls you, I apologize, just entertain her and say hello. She likes to listen.

Yes, I'm a little overwhelmed, but things will eventually settle down and I'm looking forward to having pizza night with Kyle when he gets home and we put little girl to bed. And we can finally watch a movie. But that won't be until next week. :(

This too shall pass.

I Switched!

2008-04-02T19:28:00.003-06:00

Now, this will only be a big deal to you photographers who check my site, but to the rest of you, it means I've got what I believe is the best equipment available to a professional photographer. Of course, this will be a long-standing debate among photographers, especially since the digital age has brought the competition between Canon and Nikon to a whole new level of back and forthness.

So, ladies and gents. I've switched from Nikon to Canon and I'm super excited about it! Now some of you may be saying "Well Nikon just released the D300 and the D3, are you crazy?". For me, I feel that Canon still has the upper hand in image clarity and lens availability and yes, I'm super impressed with the tight grain in the 5D vs. the D300, and for the price of the D3 compared to the 5D (which are both full frame cameras), the 5D has the edge in my book, not that the D3 isn't a great camera. And you may argue with me, but in the end, it's what's best for each photographer, and I'm super excited with my decision and couldn't be happier. :)

Of course, this means I've been shooting Keira like crazy since my new cameras arrived. So, here's my little munchkin from the inaugural Canon shoot!

A Mintastic Experience :: Launching July 5th & 6th

2008-03-25T20:10:00.005-06:00

Hello friends! So, we will be launching our very first real live wedding workshop on July 5th! It's going to be so much and a great chance for you to learn the ropes at a live wedding, gain some real world experience and some great portfolio images for your website. We're still hashing out some details, but here are some basics.

The wedding will be held at the Ellington Agricultural Center here in Nashville. The couple is going to see each other before the ceremony so we will have a good amount of time to shoot portraits and actually have some Q&A time during the wedding. They are up for mostly anything, so I know it's going to be fun!

The day after the wedding, we will meet up and share photos, have a Q&A on processing and a little critique. We may also set up a day after shoot.

The workshop is open to at least aspiring photographers who have a desire to shoot weddings. Attendance is limited to a maximum of 8 photographers. The cost is $350 per person. Register by May 1st and registration is $325.

We are reserving one additional spot for a deserving photographer to attend for free, so if you want to be that person, send a quick email about your photography experience and why you are deserving to info@mintandsage.com.

We'll keep you posted to all of the latest info on the workshop, so keep it tuned to the blog for more!

Long Night

2008-03-21T01:45:00.001-06:00

I just returned from my first shoot with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. When I signed up, I knew this was something that I wanted to be involved with, but I wasn't quite sure how I would be able to manage it. There isn't really a way to know until you've experienced it. I can't really put into words what I saw tonight, because honestly, I'm not sure how I got through it as composed as I did. God was really with me, making sure I could work and give the family something truly wonderful, the gift of photos. It seems something so small, but I know how much it means to them. I feel blessed that I can give back in this way, though I'm not sure how I possibly kept it together. I was definitely shooting through tears at times. Like I said, I'm at a loss for words. It's been a long night and I'm really not able to sleep just yet.

Please keep this family in your prayers. It's been a very rough few days for them and I know there are more to come. Thank you.

If you're a photographer who would like to be involved with NILMDTS, please don't hesitate to fill out the necessary information and get on the list. It's not an easy task, but it is much needed for many families, and surprisingly, the hospital had no idea about the program, so there is still much to do as far as awareness of the organization. If you know someone who is in need of this service, please direct them to the NILMDTS website at www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.

Saturday Ramblings :: What is YOUR Passion?

2008-03-15T15:13:00.004-06:00

I've been thinking a lot about what moves me lately and how this affects my business and my life. I'm all about the emotion and looking back on the details and remembering a specific moment with an image in my mind or that's laid out in front of me. I get excited when I can look back at the weddings I've photographed and I'm able to tell exactly what happened, what the feelings around the image were and how that affects me in life.

If you think about it, we are all snapshots of this big world we're in. Every thing we do, at some point, to someone, is captured in someone else's mind for safe keeping. What we do stirs emotions in other people, whether we mean to or not. Sometimes these snapshots trigger joy and elation. Other times, it can be sadness or heartbreak.

Obviously, as a wedding photographer, I choose to bring back the good memories for my clients with what I'm capturing. And that brings out the best in me, knowing that I've been chosen to preserve these snapshots of life. But I wonder, does everyone feel this passionate about they do?

I've been working on growing my business in a unique way that encompasses all of my loves of art and relationships with photography. This is a blessing in itself and I get super excited about it when I think about it. Does this happen to other people as well?

I think that when you are truly passionate about something, your work reflects that. There is no amount of training, work or skill that is going to benefit you more than your true passion. When you are passionate about something, you learn more because you immerse yourself in the waters of this love, this desire to move. You work on getting better because you want more from yourself. Your skill level increases because you're doing what you love again and again.

My hope is that everyone can find this passion in what they do, but I also think it's important to maintain this passion in your relationships. Are you passionate about your husband or wife? Do you get excited when they succeed? Do you get excited to be with them? Sometimes the busyness of the world around us can distract us from the basics of our inner workings. We were made to love. We are made to be passionate and get excited.

Take some time to think about what moves you and what you're passionate about. Is it evident in your work life? Is it evident in your relationships? If not, what's holding you back? Are you fearful of the future, of what you can't see?

Your outlook is what you choose. Find something to get excited about and nurture those relationships. The beauty of life is the adventure of living in it and getting excited about it. No matter how large or how small, there is always beauty to be found and relationships to care for.

If you've lost your passion about something, it's time to rediscover it. It's time to heal what was missing. It's time to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and move ahead with the zeal and excitement God created in us!

What is YOUR passion and what are you DOING to move ahead?

--Krystal

Songs That Take Me Back to Fun Times!

2008-03-14T12:59:00.004-06:00

I love music, who doesn't? Someone asked me the other day what type of music I like and, honestly, I really do love it all. So I got to thinking about all these great songs I love, loved, listen to and enjoy. Let's start with the middle school and high school years. These are some songs that bring me back to fun times, for whatever reason.

There are some that have good stories. For instance, Matchbox 20. My friend Jamie and I used to blare their first record in her car as loud as it would go every morning on the way to school. Her car alarm was broken and so the lights would blink along to the music as we'd drive down the street. And of course, I was the avid 'NSync fan (and I still have my autographed copy of the first album, that they signed in person), and who doesn't love that bass line in BAD? And then, there are just some fun dance songs from the middle school dances and homecoming. There are a lot more, but here are a few that if I heard them on the radio today, I'd still stop and sing along! :)

Welcome to the World Nico.....

2008-03-13T23:12:00.002-06:00

Congratulations to Lindsey and David on the birth of Nico! Isn't he just adorable? If you don't remember these guys, check out the maternity blog post here. :)

---Krystal