Dad's 60th Birthday!!!

Whoo!!!  It sure has been awhile.  I don't know about you, but the holidays were crazy and life hasn't really slowed down for me since then.

Before I update more katiejames images and news, I need to tell you about my last week.  My dad turned 60 and he, my mom, and some of their friends all met in Nashville to celebrate him.  My house was homebase, and we all really had a blast.

I recently joined Pinterest (I stayed away for a long time, but just couldn't resist the temptation anymore) and found the most amazing idea....so I stole it.  I contacted (with Mom's help) a bunch of Dad's friends and acquaintances from his high school days through today.  I told them that I was putting together "60 Years of Memories" for Dad, and I'd love their recollections.

It turned out awesome, and it was such a fun surprise and gift for Dad!!  I think I enjoyed reading the memories as they came in as much as Dad did.

My Dad is one of the most amazing men I have had the pleasure of knowing.  As we became adults, he  mastered the art of transforming into our friend and not just our parent.  He is full of fun, integrity, honesty, and he has been a living example all my life of the love of Christ.  I love you, Dad!!

John & Julia Reinert

John and Julia got married this summer, and man did they have a fun time on their big day!  Julia made my job so easy.  She had the biggest smile on her face all day and her laugh is SO infectious that I was usually laughing as I was shooting.  And John...John was so thrilled to first see Julia and then to be married to her - it was just beautiful!!!

Congratulations, John & Julia!!  Thank you so much for allowing me the honor to be a part of your day!

Kendall & Joci Wedding Preview

Kendall and Joci got married this weekend in Bloomington, IL.  It was such a fun and beautiful wedding!!!  They are actually jr. high sweethearts that survived together through highschool, college, the Airforce and everything else life has thrown at them since then.

It was so awesome to be a part of their day...you could really tell they know each other SO well...and their families do as well.   I don't know that I've ever had the opportunity to photograph a couple getting married that has been together for that long!

We had a little hiccup with a little rain, but it didn't stop the fun.  We discovered that in some cultures rain is good luck and can represent cleansing or stronger unity in the marriage.   The idea is that a wet knot is harder to untie and since marriage is often referred to as tying the knot....bingo!!  The mothers of both the bride and groom were quick to point out that rain was also a symbol of fertility to agricultural societies...I'll just say that the rainbow was awesome and the cooler temps after at the zoo were perfect! ;-)

Congratulations and best of luck to you both, Joci & Kendall!

Lindsey & Nick

Nick and Lindsey Davids.

What an awesome couple, with awesome families, in an absolutely idyllic location.

I had the wonderful opportunity to shoot Nick's sister's wedding about 2 years ago in Michigan.  It was so fun to get to know Lindsey a little bit there and then to be able to get to know her even better on her own wedding day!  Lindsey and Nick decided to get married on the Riviera Maya in Mexico.   It was a stunning location to photograph a gorgeous wedding.  In the weeks prior to the wedding, quite a few hiccups were presented...but I can honestly say that despite the hiccups and difficulties that were there, it was one of the least stressful weddings I have had the honor to photograph.

Lindsey was calm and gracious, and Nick was well...Nick was himself which was awesome!!  It was so incredible to see Nick so in love with the woman he had chosen to be his wife.  We grew up together, and I have to admit I wasn't sure he'd settle down, but he sure picked himself the perfect woman to spend his life with.

Congratulations Nick and Lindsey!!!  ;-)