Highlight Studio Maternity || Mary & Tyler

A Highlight Studio Maternity Session

Over the years, I have built a REALLY great AMP team. People regularly ask how I find such great people, and my answer is never very helpful because it’s not a step by step list of do these things. It’s just the Lord. It’s prayer and trust and faith that when I need someone else’s help, He already knows. He already goes before me, and He has a plan for AMP. I can trust He is going to bring the right people in and out at the right time. I bet you know where I’m going with this. Okay, okay, spoiler. Mary is on the AMP team. That’s why when she asked me to take these Highlight Studio maternity pictures for her and her husband Tyler, I was TOTALLY honored!!

My path crossed with Mary’s last year. She was a budding photographer, and she asked if she could second shoot for me. When photographers reach out with this question, I tell them all the same thing. I’m ALWAYS looking for great second shooters, but they have to “try out” first. Sit in, unpaid, as a third shooter on a wedding day I’m already booked and show me what they’ve got. See how much value they can add to the gallery by being a 3rd shooter and not having any lead time. Depending on how well they do, I have them sit in a few more times to learn the ebb and flow of a wedding day. One of the things I need in my seconds is fluidity. They know the moments unfolding in advance and know what I’ll be focused on so they can be focused on other things. I don’t like when my second shoots the exact same thing as me. I’ll focus on the bride and groom and let them focus on the parents clapping or crying or hugging. I’ll focus on the ring exchange while she focuses on guests’ reacting. So, you can see how it may take a few “trainings” to really get it before I can fully rely on my seconds beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Well, Mary did a training day at the end of the season last season and came back in early 2023 ready to train some more. Only she found out she was pregnant, and it was even more important for her to get her own business up and going quickly! 9 months to be exact. As time passed, I began to need other things. Random culling on certain Sundays when my typical culler couldn’t do it. Reel creation after my last reel girl got a full time office job and couldn’t do it. All the while, Mary needed to grow her equipment, knowledge, and experience. The Lord went before me, a whole season before I knew I needed it, and began building the relationship between Mary and me. I adore this woman and respect the crap out of her work ethic and dedication to figuring out the world of entrepreneurship. All while being nauseously pregnant. I’m so thankful for everything she does for AMP!

I’m excited for this little family. Excited for them to meet their sweet baby girl. Excited for Mary to blossom as a photographer herself. What a happy season they are in right now! And I’m just honored to get to photograph it for them.

I’m a Knoxville Wedding Photographer that loves to travel. I shoot anywhere! Click here to contact me with any questions you have about pricing or booking! If you liked what you saw above, go ahead and follow me on Facebook or Instagram to see my daily updates of the latest sessions!

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Wedding Planning 101: Repurposing Decor

Engagement Session at UT Gardens

Wedding at The Press Room