Painting my dog with light

Today, my mom came over and she and I had fun painting my bathroom a pastel green (pictures later). Growing up, for whatever reason, we never painted walls. We decorated around the stark white walls with other decorations to create color in a room. But since moving into my own place last year, I was determined to step outside the box and experiment with painting walls. When I moved in, I painted my bedroom my signature color, pink. (My bedroom in this couple's engagement shot!)



And now a year later, I decided to give my bathroom a make over with the pastel green as part of an overall make over I've been working on the past few months for my whole place to now create a studio space to meet with future brides. I can't wait to show you pictures when it's done!

Anyways, back to the topic of painting. When I got done painting the bathroom today, I sat down at my computer to finally relax and I ran across a video by photographer John Michael Cooper about the beauty of painting with LIGHT. John Michael Cooper is the king of thinking outside the box and is known in the wedding photography world as the photographer who sets his brides on fire.. literally.

Though I was pooped from painting my bathroom all day, I couldn't help but want to jump up and experiment with this concept to maybe incorporate into my photography in the future. So here it was, midnight, the only model I had was yet again, my dog, Rhett, and his new "girlfriend", Georgia.

I didn't quite nail the concept, but I did get some really cool shots that I wanted to share with you guys. Enjoy! By the way, these are straight out of the camera, no editing done.

Father's Day in Jekyll Island

In September, I will be shooting a beautiful wedding for Tara and Robbie at the historic Jekyll Club in Jekyll Island, Ga. When I met with Tara and Robbie about their wedding, I knew walking around the grounds that it was a place I wanted to bring to bring my parents back to. Started in the 1800s, the hotel is full of prestigious Southern history that I knew my Southern history buff dad would truly love.

So for Father's Day, my parents and I took a day trip to the hotel and I treated my dad to dinner at the Grand Dining Room on the grounds. Before dinner while we were there, my mom requested a quick portrait session of her and my dad amongst the beautiful landscapes and sweet smelling flowers, which are below.


For Father's Day, my mom got my dad a new fishing pole and gear for him to get back into his love of fishing now that he has retired. And mom couldn't resist getting a pink fishing pole so she can join him. I also might steal the pink rod sometime because one of my favorite memories growing up was fishing with my dad.

Also in the background, I can never settle on one card when it comes to buying cards, so I bought my dad about 10 cards.



Showing off his new fishing rod.



Let the romance begin!






My mom, the supermodel.


Ok, so we this fountain and my mom yells "Ooooh, Scarlett turn around, get a shot of me trashing my dress!" I was like "Heck yeah, get in there!" And she was like "Heck yeah, here I go!" And she takes off her shoes, and puts her in toes and chickens out! I was like, "Come on, mom! Just do it!" But she got too nervous, so we compromised and she posed next to the fountain instead.

Of course my dad was in the background rolling his eyes, knowing this is business as usual. Wherever we have gone over the years, his girls never cease to amaze him always looking for the perfect photo ops.



My "cool old dude."



Daddy's little girl.



My mom has this painting on her wall, and she wanted to try to recreate the the picture.



More romance.








The three of us! Even though we were celebrating Father's Day, I'm so thankful for both of my parents love. It rocks having them as my best friends too!