Darlene and Tim were married on the magical day of 09-09-09. It's not uncommon for our brides to book their Smoky Mountain weddings up to a year in advance, so Darlene and I were able to communicate with each other for quite some time before the wedding. I was able to talk with Tim quite a bit, too.

Tim and I got into mischief. We arranged for a gentleman to be present to "object" at the appropriate moment during the ceremony. Before you catch your breath, keep in mind that it is common for Darlene and Tim to play practical jokes on one another...and I was more than happy to join in! Our good friend, Ian, played the part of the "wedding crasher," running across our bridge at the designated moment yelling, "What about Myrtle Beach? Wait! What about ME?" Truly hilarious...with much animated laughter following this display!

Tim has a favorite Playboy Cigar box that he likes to "keep Darlene." I suspect there is a very private, inside meaning for this metaphor. However, I was more than happy to create a signature art collage with Darlene and the box.

I can't wait to see Darlene's photographs on Facebook from the REAL honeymoon trip to Myrtle Beach!

Wow. What an incredible year it has been so far at Honeysuckle Hills! As many of you may have noticed, we have not been as diligent posting blog stories for 2009, especially since the addition of our facebook page at www.facebook.com/regina.woods. Despite the slow economy, we have been blessed with a multitude of clients who realize the importance of commissioning a true, professional photographer to capture the most important moments of their life. These days it seems there are "photographers" on every corner slinging a camera in "P" mode, and selling their images on CD at ridiculously low prices. That's A-OK with me. Those photographers realize the value of what they're selling to you, and they also know they will never have to deal with you again. I think it is also safe to say that they care very little about whether or not they deliver quality images or if you are happy with the results.

The number one request at Honeysuckle Hills this year has been our signature art themed images. There is a unique story behind each and every one, and I have been on a natural high all year getting to know all of you! These art pieces fill my life with variety, and put a smile on my face every single morning.

Heather and Jerry love The Wizard of Oz movie so much that she even has a yellow tree skirt on her Christmas tree to represent the yellow brick road. After their wedding, a quick change of clothes and the addition of ruby red slippers, I photographed them in the field by our barn. Thank goodness the tornado wasn't really there! I love Photoshop...

Natalie and Kevin sell gore costumes for a living, on top of Natalie's nice hobby of roller derby. Can you imagine running into her on skates weilding a hockey stick over your head?! Natalie scheduled an engagement session with us the day before her wedding, and I photographed them in the graveyard of my church while Bible school was going on. (Don't worry, they all know me well and just rolled their eyes...) Naturally, this image isn't for everyone, but it meant a great deal to Natalie and Kevin because it reflects an aspect of their life that is extremely important to them.

I look forward to sharing even more of these stories with you on the blog...and maybe even your own!

Many times during a wedding family members will request a portrait. Because so much of my energy is solely dedicated to the bride and groom, I always offer other family members to schedule an alternate day with us for their own portraits. The Great Smoky Mountains is a fabulous vacation spot, so usually our families are here for a few days, anyway.

Brianne was part of Jill and Taylor's wedding family. I'm so glad they scheduled a portrait session with us! Spring is the perfect time of year for a family picture, and coming with a wedding party usually means the clothing issue is well taken care of!

Jill and Taylor were married on May 2nd when the buttercups in our fields were in all their glory! They spent three hours with us for photography and socializing with their family, then retired to their lodging at the Von Bryan Inn for the reception.

I have photographed Faschyn for a long time. I've photographed her as both a Sweet 16 and a high school senior. She even modeled for me in a bridal gown when we first opened Honeysuckle Hills. Now, it's time for her own dream wedding with Derrick! To tell her love story completely required beginning with an engagement session in the City of Pigeon Forge. Faschyn and Derrick spent most of their courtship in the locations we photographed.

These images were done on location in Pigeon Forge at the Old Mill and at the Pigeon Forge Greenway.

Heather and Tim raise sheep together on their farm back home. They enjoyed getting married on our little farm at Honeysuckle Hills on May 1st!

These images are from a few pages in the wedding album we designed for them.

Krystle brought the red chair with her specifically for her bridal photography session. I was more than happy to include it! If we are known for anything at all at Honeysuckle Hills, it's for our unique, "out of the box" photography!


We also incorporated her other number one man, John Colby. It was a gorgeous April day at Honeysuckle Hills with the smell of spring in the air and billowing clouds in the sky.