My Opponent

"I'm so paralyzed with fear of making a bad decision that I often make no decision." - Donovan Fannon

I just watched the winning entries for the Tamara Lackey Business Workshop on CreativeLive and when I heard Donovan say that I was all... f'real know what you mean dude.

In 5th grade I swam on the Wiesbaden Wahoos swim team. We had this awesome shirt that had a picture of a stop watch on the back and read, 'This is my opponent'. Super sass right? It said 'talk to the hand' to the swimmers on the other team. They might have been swimming along side us but we were racing the clock, not them.

Sometimes I feel like I need a shirt with a picture of my own face that reads, 'This is my opponent' so that when fear creeps in I can tell it to 'talk to the hand'. Fear might be swimming along side me but I'm racing myself. Sometimes, I need to push myself out of the way and make a decision.

P.S. Tamara's FREE business workshop will be streaming on CreativeLive Sept. 9th & 10th.

Pelham, AL | Wedding: Liv + Brian

"We are going to be married at the end of the day and that's all that matters"

Some things are easier said than done but for Liv and Brian this one was a breeze. They are simply THE sweetest couple. They were 'in the moment' all day and focused on their wedding marking the beginning of their marriage. Their day had arrived and nothing else mattered. They said 'I DO' in July at the First Baptist Church in Pelham, AL.

Time for the first look.  :)

Not only did Liv and Brian have a first look, but they also took time after their reception for a few more portraits at Aldridge Gardens. LOVE!

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Friday Faves + Raves

Happy Friday!!

Fave: Austin, TX
Gorgeous weather, friendly people, art, live music, water sports, keeping it weird, a major college campus, bats under a bridge, Texas BBQ and genuine Mexican food... what's not to love?  OK. I might get an argument about the weather because 90% of the time it's HOT all of the time, but I'd say it's a small price to pay.  And, shout out to Round Rock and Pflugerville cause y'all are pretty boss too.

Admittingly part of my affection for the city comes from the fact that my bestie from college lives there (lucky!). I went to visit her recently and we had time to explore. Photography is my favorite way to discover a city and since Becca also loves photography we spent some time just wandering around and taking photos. Every time I leave Austin I leave a piece of my heart behind so that I must return to collect it.

You may have seen these if you follow me on Instagram (which you totally should @jessidphoto). 

Raves: Fried Avocado Taco
Yes, it's as decadent as it sounds and I probably needed to run a 5k to burn it off but it was SO worth it. If you're ever in Austin, do yourself a favor and go eat at the South Austin Trailer Park. Walk up to Torchy's Tacos, order one of these and thank me later.

Clanton, AL | Wedding: Kristin + Van

If you follow me on facebook you may remember me saying in July that I was about to shoot 5 weddings in 5 weeks. I'm on the other side of the wedding marathon and I can't believe it's almost September. That's one way to fast-forward to football season :)

Kristin and Van kicked off the marathon in style. They said 'I Do' in Calera and celebrated their vows with a gorgeous outdoor reception in Clanton, AL.

One of my favorite moments from the day. How happy is he?!  I'm still amazed at how the energy of the whole day shifts when a couple has a first look. Kristin and Van were totally relaxed before seeing each other, and after the first look they were both glowing. So in LOVE and happy to be getting married. 

Van was smiling all day :)

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Friday Faves and Raves

Happy Friday!!!

This weeks Fave: The Father/Daughter wedding dance, or as we call it here in the South, the Daddy/Daughter dance.
This dance usually 'gets' me at weddings. It's the reason I carry a pack of tissues in my camera bag. It's always been a sweet moment but having a daughter multiplied my emotions. Imagining my husband dancing with my little Olive at her wedding... I can hardly type that without tearing up.

Well, Laura and Justin's wedding last weekend took the D/D dance to a whole new level. Halfway through the dance the DJ invited all the dads and daughters in the room to join Laura and her Dad on the dance floor. Seeing Laura's Mom and Grandfather dancing right next to a Dad with his three year old daughter. Let's just say that my pack of tissues needs to be replaced.

Blog posts are always better with pictures right? D/D 7.24.2010

This weeks Rave: LensProToGo
I recently rented a camera body and lens from LP2G and the experience was exceptional. Not only is the site super easy to navigate but so are the fees. They show you up front what it will cost with shipping and tax included. Love that.
After I placed the order I received a call from LP2G to let me know when to expect the package and they gave me a tracking number.
Right on time the package was delivered with a sweet treat just for me :)

Along with the items I ordered there was a letter thanking me for my business and giving me instructions for return shipping. The whole process was very easy. I will be renting from LP2G again for sure!!

Happy Birthday to the Ground. Blog... I meant blog.

"I am Jessi D. I'm a wife, a mom, a photographer and a poor speller."

That was my introduction a year ago. Can you even believe how much has happened in a year? I recently read the perfect quote for the birthday blog post...

On that note, some thank you's.

John - If I were to make a list of things to thank you for it would never end. And that.. would be on the list too. Today I'll say thanks for accepting the position of CIO and all the responsibility that comes along with it. You deserve a raise for sure :)

Alisa - Thank you for taking a chance and letting me shoot my first wedding with you. Thank you for your honest feedback after that wedding too! I could not have imagined a better mentor and I'm so happy we've become friends. You have not only made me a better photographer, but a better person.

Cason - Thanks for introducing me to CreativeLive and to Meredith.

Meredith - Thanks for letting me shoot with you as well. Hearing you call me a 'rock star' was definitely a highlight of the year :)

Zach and Jody - Your workshop opened my eyes to all the possibilities ahead of me. Y'all are a daily source of inspiration for my life and my business.

Mom - Thanks for babysitting at such odd hours :) "Sure I'll be there at 7:00am. No problem"

Katheryn, Augustine, Becca, Anna, Jeri, Rachel, Jill, April - Thank you for all the sweet comments and support this year. You'll never know how much it has meant to me. Love Y'all!!

Everyone else - Thank you so much for reading my blog and tagging along on this journey with me. I'm going to need all of you to reach the dreams I've been dreaming :)

Tuscaloosa, AL | Bridal Session: Lindsey

Y'all know how much I hate keeping secrets, right? Well, keeping bridal portraits under wraps until after the wedding is pure torture! It's almost worse than waiting for football season to kickoff. Almost.

Lindsey and Tyler said 'I Do' a few weeks ago and I can finally show y'all one of my favorite images of the year (if you can guess which one I'll teach you the Drosyk family handshake). Stay tuned for their wedding coming to the blog soon :)

Sylacauga, Alabama | Farmlinks Golf Club Wedding: Jenny + Matt

"Can I wash your feet?"
Matt led Jenny down to a stream in Chewacla State Park and sat her on a rock in just the right spot. He rubbed her feet under the water and explained the significance of Jesus washing his disciples feet and then told her that he wanted to be the servant leader in their relationship... forever.

Jenny and Matt's forever began Saturday when they said 'I Do' in a charming outdoor ceremony at Farmlinks Golf Club.

The girls practicing the wobble one last time.

This is exactly the reaction brides are going for when they pick 'The Dress'.

Jenny's 'sisters' adding some Chi Omega bling to her bouquet.

Jenny and Matt chose to have a 'first look' which I love. Neither of them seemed particularly nervous but it was amazing how much MORE relaxed they were after seeing each other.

About three minutes into their first look it started sprinkling. Five minutes after that it poured. And poured. Thank goodness the guy's cabin had a large covered porch!! We may have been confined to the porch for a while, but that was just fine by me... the light was gorge! And so were these two :)

Luckily the rain stopped and the sun came back out just in time for the ceremony.

Newlyweds!!

While their guests headed to the reception Jenny and Matt slipped away for a few more portraits. We hopped on a golf cart and made the 15 minute trek up to the 5th hole. All day I had been hearing about the view and it didn't disappoint! I could not be more grateful for their willingness to do this.

I'll end the post with a few shots of Jenny and Matt getting serenaded with the Chi Omega Wedding Song. 

Jenny and Matt, 

Congratulations!! John and I really enjoyed getting to know you and are blessed to have been part of your day :) We hope y'all are having fun in St. Lucia!