Dogs of Birmingham | Rotary Trail Birmingham, Alabama

By now it should be no surprise that this Birmingham, Alabama photographer loves pups! Small fluffy pups to dogs of great size. It does not matter, I love them all. So an idea was born, I should host a day of mini sessions in my new city because there must be others that love their pups as much as I love mine.

One Saturday in February, I met 9 of the most adorable Birmingham pups along with their humans too. It was woof-tastic! So without further ado, enjoy a few of my favorite portraits from the first of many Deborah Michelle Photography pup mini sessions.

---

First up is Bentley. He is a 4 year old Cavalier King Charles Cocker Spaniel who adores his humans, Brittney & Trey. I may or may not be biased because my Elliot is a Cavalier too!

I had to steal them away for a few portraits just because they were the sweetest!

---

Theo’s parents might look familiar if you’re a follower of DMP. Sydni & Colton got married nearly 3 years ago & since then have adopted the most precious pup. I mean just check out that bow tie!

---

Brace yourself this next pup will make you surrender all of your treats.

Meet Sosa. The tiniest pup of the day! He helped his mommy, Haley, through nursing school & is the fiercest protector.

---

Mac & Maisy introduced me to their parents, Micah & Bailey. And boy were they a bundle of energy! Maybe one day I will share the progress of the photo above because it literally had me laughing out loud while editing. I loved catching up with a past DMP bridesmaid & receiving suggestions on her favorite Birmingham spots.

P. S. Micah wore socks with labs on them! How stinking adorable?!

P. S. S. One of my favorite couple pics is this next one.

---

Everyone meet Cosmo whose namesake comes from Seinfield (Cosmo Kramer). Samantha loves the show & knew it’d be the perfect name for her furry companion. He may me small but he is precious.

Samantha introduced to her beau, Peyton, who is also a great dog dad too!

---

His name might be Diesel but I shall call him the Gentle Giant. Diesel is a 5 year old Great Dane. His proud parents are Lea & Barry. Luckily his parents have several acres of land for this pup to roam, although I am certain he enjoys the comfort of the couch too.

---

Yall, it just keeps getting better!

Next up is Miss Lanie & her rather new best friend, Gunner. He is a 3 month old Goldendoodle & oh so fluffy! He was so small that I could’ve easily carried him away in my camera bag but I don’t think Lanie would’ve approved. One of Gunner’s goals is to be a service pup for his owner which will be so awesome. I am eager to watch these two grow up together.

---

And last but certainly not least is Zoey. She is a 6 weeks old German Short-hair Pointer. This sweet girl belongs to Matt, Ashley & Zane. Sidenote: Zane is so great in front of the camera because his aunt is also a photographer (oh hey, Ashley Brooke Photography). I enjoyed meeting this family & their newest furry member.

---

Many thanks to FETCH - A Treat Truck for Dogs for making custom treats for all of the pups photographed during Deborah Michelle Photography’s first pup mini sessions.

I just had to sneak in one for my sweet pup too!

Spoiler alert: Pup Mini sessions coming to Mobile, Alabama & Tuscaloosa, Alabama very soon!

Email me now to get on the list. I cannot wait for another afternoon of tail-waggin' & sweet puppy kisses.

Anna & Adam | Downtown Tuscaloosa Engagement Session

Who would’ve guessed that as we stood in line as kindergartens that one day I would become her Alabama Wedding Photographer as she marries the love of her life.

Anna Ruth and I basically grew up together. She shared the love of softball with me & I gave it my best attempt. We cheered underneath the Friday nights lights together for 6 years. We shared many joys but also stood side by side during life’s toughest days. I am thankful for her caring nature & it seems someone else has also grown attached to the sweet blonde who once adorned pigtails & a homemade pink watermelon dress.

Adam & Anna both serve the City of Northport as police officers. They met at work one day…and that’s when the chase began. What started out as a friendship turned into something much more. One of the things that Adam loves most about his fiance is that she loves passionately & holds tight to her family. So much so that Adam included all of her nieces & nephews in their proposal! Anna was completely shocked as the kindest man she’s ever known pulled off the best moment of their lives.

She said YES & now they’re planning a Spring wedding. I loved every moment of catching up with one of my longtime friends & getting to know the man who treats her how she deserves.

Ya’ll their outfits choices paired with the stone of the Tuscaloosa City Hall was a photographer’s dream. Oh & Anna did her own makeup. Sign me up for a tutorial please!

---

Engaged & planning a wedding?

Let’s grab coffee & chat! I would love to capture your love story just like Anna & Adam’s.

Based in Birmingham, Alabama but eager to travel!

Auntie Debs + The Faught Family | A Personal Post

Alabama Wedding Photographer, Pure Barre Instructor and Chick-fil-A Team Member are just some of the titles that I have held in my lifetime, but out of all my titles Auntie Debs is certainly one of my favorites. (*Wife recently taking the lead! Love you husband!)

I grew up with a camera in my face, thanks Dad, so I feel it’s only natural to do the same to my brother and his family. Randle gave me the title of Auntie Debs almost six years ago and I never knew how I could love a brown eyed boy so much. He keeps me laughing and my knowledge of all things Thomas the Train has never been greater. Ryan is the second brown eyed boy to steal my heart. He is one of the sweetest baby boys, yet keeps everyone on their toes. I love spending summers with this beach babe and his older brother.

Thankful to have a job that allows me to visit them and spoil them as an aunt should. Family portraits have become a yearly tradition for the Faught Family with Deborah Michelle Photography - tickle fights included. Today I am blogging a few of my favorites from their latest Mississippi family portrait session, while also looking back at some of my favorite moments with them over the years.

---

---

Randle and Ryan, I have loved every minute of watching you grow up. Thanks for the endless belly laughter and I cannot wait to see the young men that you will become. I just hope you’re never too cool to hang out with your Auntie Debs!

Looking for a family portrait photographer? I’d love to connect with you and your family. Contact me!

Shelby & Bryan | Springhill College Mobile Alabama Engagement Session

The love story of two athletes was revealed to an audience of one Alabama Wedding Photographer and several of Mobile’s grand oak trees that line a drive on Springhill College’s campus in south Alabama. Shelby a softball player. Bryan a baseball player. These two met in high school and Bryan recalls the moment he first saw Shelby, “She was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen.” To which she now smirks and holds his hand a little tighter. He would later sneak a kiss in the hallway and take her to a school dance.

A couple years later, Bryan planned the perfect proposal with two diamonds in mind. One made of dirt and grass and the other sparkled. That’s right, he proposed to Shelby before one of her softball games that she helped coach. He completely surprised her by involving players and former teammates. Talk about the perfect proposal for these two! Getting to know them throughout their session, I can tell they balance each other out well. She holds the quiet, nurturing spirit while he is the most outgoing gent who brings a smile to anyone who will look his way.

I am delighted that they chose me to capture their love story that is four years in the making and look forward to having a front row seat at their June wedding day.

---

Ah! Forehead kisses are my favorite. So gentle, so kind.

Bryan picked out the prettiest ring for his girl. Wouldn’t you agree?!

Natalie | Springhill College Mobile Alabama Maternity Portraits

Watching a Deborah Michelle Bride take on the role of motherhood with much grace is one of my most favorite things about being a Gulf Coast photographer. Not only do I get to watch them marry their best friend, but a few years later I witness them kiss boo-boos and create belly laughter with their little ones.

If you read my last blog you know last year was sprinkled with doubts. Am I even supposed to be a photographer? Well those lies were silenced by numerous clients turned friends, including Natalie.

I met Natalie two years ago when she asked me to be her wedding photographer for her October day. Now she’s a mommy and has given the sweet opportunity to capture her first and now second maternity session. Plus I met her first born, Justin. And he is absolutely precious. I loved catching up with a past DMP Bride and look forward to meeting Baby #2!

---

I am telling you - this little boy is full of personality! And loves exploring new places, Stewartfield at Springhill College included.

#tbt to Natalie’s wedding day | Apalachicola, Florida. 

AND #tbt to Natalie’s first maternity session as she awaited her first baby boy!

*Thanks for asking me to be a part of your different seasons of life; I have enjoyed cheering you on!

A Year in Review | 2018

So you know how everyone is doing their Top 9 right now? Well of course I did mine and it was all pictures of me and none of my work. And honestly that hurt as an artist. Did no one like my work? Did no one see all the portraits I captured this year? Lies. All lies. You, my friend, spent the past year celebrating with me as a person. Sure you loved my work but you were invested in my personal highlights even more so. 2018 was a big year for just that. I got the chance to be the bride for once and wear the white dress. I walked down the aisle and exchanged vows with my best friend.

Even though this past year was a great year personally it was not my favorite professionally. Moving my small business was hard, but luckily I have a team here to help me. If I could put a title on 2018 for my business it would be, ‘Growing Pains’. Stepping back and reevaluating everything is not easy. You are a failure. You are not good enough to make it. Lies. More lies. As I type this I hear my best friend say, “Not today Satan, not today!” Y’all it’s hard. And it’s taken me awhile to realize it’s ok to admit that. One of the many reasons I adore established photographers like Katelyn James and Jenna Kutcher is because they are so open and honest about their struggles both personally and professionally.

Often times I question why I am a photographer, but then I am quickly reminded why. I have a faithful few clients who I photograph year after year. One I have photographed for 10 years and three children later! They are the reason why. They believed in this girl with a camera and continue to support me.

One photographer I follow posted this the other day on Instagram and I completely agree. “If 2018 taught me anything it’s to feel the moment - the hurt, the disappointment - forgive (yourself or others) and MOVE ON. Stop living in a permanent state of punishment for a temporary choice. You’re allowed to fail. Hell. You NEED to fail. Failure teaches us grist and purpose more than success ever will.” (@alisha_crossley_photography)

Goodbye 2018, this girl is eager and expectant of good things to come in the new year. Some might even say magical (*hint to where DMP is relocating to).

---

Highlights of 2018

• Photographed 7 DMP weddings & second shot with Elizabeth Gelineau Photography & Anna Filly Photography to bring my year total to 9 weddings!

• Created laughter between a bride and her best friends.

• Captured 12 families during this season of life. A few brought me to the sea shore where I could wiggle my toes in the sand, another allowed me to announce their families’ big news, and all brought about tickle fights and mighty laughter.

• Played dress up with three of my Deborah Michelle Brides as we awaited their wedding days.

• Shared quite a few tears. Moments shared between a bride and her mom get me every time; first looks too!

• Fueled my love of floral design by assisting Lisa of Thorne and Thistle for a couple of weddings in Auburn, Alabama. Upon arriving to a new city, I reached out to several local vendors to try to connect. Lisa took me in and showed me a different side to weddings. It was a treat to work with such a talented floral designer. I could not help myself but to take a few iPhone pictures here and there.

• Celebrated two college seniors from opposing universities.

• Consumed a lot of coffee and several slices of wedding cake. After all that’s the REAL reason why I shoot weddings. Ha!

• Photographed the most dapper of men.

• Reconnected with DMP brides as they take on the role of mommy!

• Worked with some of the best in the business. Shout out to Toni Goodie, Joanna Lee, Ashley Mason and Sara Grace McClain for helping me out this year.

Not only did Ashley assist me this fall during wedding season, but she gave me the honor of photographing her fifth anniversary with Weston. They are the cutest!

• Encouraged as many puppy kisses as possible - after all the canines are part of the family too!

• Cut many rugs on the dance floor!

• Shared this season of wedding planning with several couples and discovered what they love most about their partner.

• Was invited to be a part of the most intimate moments in one’s life. And I will forever treasure those opportunities to capture their beginning as husband and wife.

---

2018 will be a year to remember. A year full of hard lessons mixed sweet memories. A year where I learned I cannot do it on my own and lean heavily on my greatest team member, my business savvy husband.

Babe, thank you. Thank you for letting me soak your t-shirts in tears split over my business. Thank you for driving me to my sessions and reminding me of my talent. Thank you for pushing me to keep going when I was ready to quit. I know it has not been easy but I would not be the photographer I am today with your love and support.

To my clients, thank you. I started my business because I wanted to share my talents with people. I wanted to capture moments that you would treasure for a lifetime. For several years, I have poured out my passions to you over coffee and you invited me into your season of life. I will forever find joy serving you and walking alongside you in this journey called life.

*Oh and I bet you are dying to know where DMP is going next……

HELLO BIRMINGHAM! Alert the presses, DMP is in the Magic City. My husband and I are super excited about moving as newlyweds, establishing some roots and making this Alabama city our home.

Cheers to a New Year and a new city!