Hand in Paw's 10th Annifursary Mutt Strut | Birmingham, Alabama

If you know me or have been following me for sometime, you know that I love all the pups. I love being an Alabama wedding photographer BUT I love being a dog mom, too.

One of the first things we noticed about Birmingham, Alabama was how dog friendly the city was. My husband & I love taking our Cavalier King Charles Cocker Spaniel around with us especially to TrimTab Brewery on Sunday afternoons. I found out about Hand in Paw when searching for upcoming dog events & fell in love with what they are doing in our community.

Hand in Paw’s mission is to improve human health & well-being through Animal-Assisted Therapy. They currently have 150 professionally-trained volunteers that bring comfort and joy to people who need it most. One of their biggest fundraisers of the year is the 5k Mutt Strut; just picture Christmas morning but for dog lovers & that’s how I would describe it.

It was an absolute joy to be a sponsor of the 10th Annifursary of Hand in Paw’s Mutt Strut. Huge round of applause to the staff who worked so hard (even in the rain) to make this event happen.

Proceeds from Mutt Strut benefited Hand in Paw’s Animal-Assisted Therapy programs. I cannot wait for next year, perhaps I should train my pup so he can participate too!

Full Gallery of this event can be viewed here.

*If you were a participant & are looking for a photo I snapped of you & your furry family member, email me & I’ll send it to you!

Jen & Chris | Downtown Birmingham Engagement Session

This Alabama Wedding Photographer met her husband at a wedding of all places! And I love hearing how other couples find their way to each other. For Jen & Chris, they met at church here in Birmingham, Alabama. After several conversations, they discovered that they had many things in common like their careers, interests, & values. They spent many weekends going on outdoor adventures, brunch dates & seeing shows at local theaters. Jen mentioned in our initial email that, “It was such an amazing year getting to know each other more.”

After nearly two years, Chris purchased a ring that he just had to give to her. Like absolutely couldn’t wait to give it to her. So within a few days he had asked everyone for their blessings. Chris proposed in Atlanta, Georgia in front of the Fox Theater. Talk about the most thought out, perfect proposal for these two!

I admit I was a little anxious about showing up to this downtown Birmingham engagement portrait session, but after nearly 10 minutes I felt like an old college friend. Jen went to the University of West Alabama (Go Tigers!) & Chris went to that other university in the state….Auburn. (My husband is an AU alumnus too!) Their smiles are contagious & their love for one another is evident in how they serve one another. He supports her dreams, while she does the same.

One thing that I absolutely loved about their portrait session was how Chris could not wipe that grin off of his face when he looked at his girl. And I love how Jen laughs from deep within her soul. In our chats Jen mentioned that they were both nurses & love the arts. So I jumped at the chance to plan out their unique engagement portrait session. Railroad Park provided the best cityscape for their scrubs - which I adore BTW! Aren’t they so stinking cute in their Converse, too?! And then we ending the evening in the Birmingham Theater District with the lights of the Alabama Theater marquee sign adding a little sparkle to their already incredible love story.

Without further ado, I present to you one of my favorite engagement portrait sessions since moving to my new city. Let me know in the comments which set of portraits is your favorite! Team Scrubs or Team Theater?

Ok - fine we may have laughed some during this session. And by some I mean a lot. So much so, my cheeks were sore too!

Ah! The most perfect springtime blooms! Thank you Railroad Park for welcoming the new season so well.

Ya’ll, I just adore these two so much.

Jen! You look absolutely stunning in that dress, girl! I can only imagine how beautiful you will be in your wedding gown this fall. And Chris, you are so dapper!

To the soon to be Martins, thank you for allowing me to serve you well during this exciting season of your life. I wish you the best as you begin this new adventure - trust me, it’s one of the best!

Vendors to thank for their awesomeness:

Photography: Deborah Michelle Photography

Makeup: Made by Jhae

Dress: Lulus

Hair: Erica McNeil of Integrity Salon Spa

Venues:

Railroad Park & Alabama Theater - Downtown Birmingham, Alabama

Kasey & Dylan | Moss Rock Preserve Birmingham Alabama Engagement Session

Two years and thousands of long-distance miles later, these two are getting married this fall. Kasey & Dylan are planning a destination wedding in the mountains of Tennessee, so I found the perfect little location for them. The Moss Rock Preserve in Hoover, Alabama gave us an outdoor element along with a quaint little neighborhood tucked away from the bustle of the city.

Upon getting to know Kasey, who won my New City New Year Giveaway on Facebook, she told me that her & her fiance LOVED adventures. So it was no surprise to me when they agreed to go hiking through boulders for their engagement portrait session.

Dylan loves Kasey’s spontaneity. And Kasey adores how well Dylan cares for her & her family. I only spent a couple of hours with these two, but I witnessed how well they complimented one another. I consider myself lucky to have clients that trust this Birmingham, Alabama Wedding Photographer to document their season of life. Do you care to join me on an exploration of Kasey & Dylan’s Moss Rock Preserve engagement session in the images below, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Bonus: there’s a waterfall involved!

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I don’t know who’s more smitten, Kasey or Dylan?! I’d say it’s a close tie!

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Kasey & Dylan are planning a destination wedding in the mountains of Tennessee this fall, so I found this second location at the Moss Rock Preserve perfect for them. They also LOVE adventures & nothing says adventure like hiking through boulders to discover a waterfall!

Shout out to Kasey for hiking through the rock preserve in wedges! What a champ!

Kasey & Dylan, thank you for trusting me with your love story.

I am excited to watch ya’ll move mountains over the years together. It’s going to be the best adventure yet!

Engagement Session Location: Moss Rock Preserve | Hoover, Alabama

Engagement Ring: Diamonds Direct

Kasey’s Black Dress: Two Sisters Boutique | Marion, Alabama

Kasey’s Pink Blouse: Lavish | Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Grubb Family | Birmingham Botancial Gardens Greenhouse Family Portraits

Have you ever tried to coordinate eight different schedules for one hour? Let me tell you it ain’t easy. But Deborah Michelle Photography’s New Year New City Giveaway winner, Morgan, made it happen.

Most of you probably remember or participated in that giveaway. I thought why not do a free session in my new city of Birmingham, Alabama?! This opportunity allow me to make new contacts & visit a new location for portraits. Talk about a win, win! But I knocked it out of the park with this one.

Morgan is the absolute sweetest soul. Upon winning she decided to include her entire family in on her portrait session & what a treat. I got to meet not only her & her husband, but also her parents, sisters, nephews & even grandparents! Rain may have dampened our original plan but thank goodness for the greenhouse at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Morgan’s nephews ended the session as every rainy day session should by jumping in the puddles outside.

Thankful that I was able to capture some long overdue family portraits for Morgan & her sweet family.

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Morgan’s mom & dad have been married for 31 years. The secret, I asked them, “Keep God first.”

Thirty-one years later, Rob & Shawn, have three beautiful girls; two of which have married.

But it doesn’t stop there - their oldest child has three of the most adorable boys. And bonus, two of the great-grandparents were able to be there at the session. So we had to include them in a couple of portraits as well.

The ladies. Love them so much! And can we just talk about their outfit choices for a second? So perfect.

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Meet Morgan’s oldest sister, Jordan. Jordan & her husband, ?, have been married for six years & have the three curly haired boys you see throughout these portraits. Let’s just say the greenhouse had so much for these guys to explore!

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Met Morgan. Morgan was tickled to have won DMP’s New Year New City Giveaway. Herself a newlywed as well, we shared stories of our hubbies via email & found out we shared a love for missions. Morgan & her husband, Jeffery, are currently renovating a house to flip & told me it’s been a great teaching tool for marriage. I can only imagine the ideas & compromises that have to be made when working on a project that big.

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Meet Erin. The younger sister. She may or may not model for a few local boutiques hence absolutely killing her portrait time. Her & her oldest sister, Jordan, have started a hair & makeup business called Dearly Beloved Hair & Makeup. Their work is stunning; you should definitely check them out.

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We couldn’t leave them men out of course.

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To the Grubb Family, thank you for sharing your rainy afternoon with me at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. I left with sore cheeks from all the laughter & felt like one of the family. I hope you treasure these family portraits for years to come.

When’s the last time that you & your entire crew got dressed up & took family portraits? If you can’t honestly remember, then it’s time for a session to update those frames on the mantel. Simply email me & we will go from there.

Kaileigh & Blake | Hermitage-Rippy Estate Mobile, Alabama Engagement Session

Two high school sweethearts are beginning their forever this Saturday with a Mobile, Alabama Wedding day. It’s wedding week for Kaileigh & Blake & I am thrilled to be their Alabama Wedding photographer.

A couple of weeks ago, I met up with the two of them for their engagement session at the same spot they will say I Do! They chose the Hermitage-Rippy Estate in Mobile, Alabama because of it’s Southern charm & its gracious hosts. And I consider the Hermitage-Rippy one of Mobile’s hidden gems. The extravagant white columns invite you in, while the oak trees encourage you to stay awhile.

I love engagement sessions because they give me the opportunity to get to know my couples before their big day. For this Alabama girl & a tall farm boy from Idaho, it all begin in one Math class at Baker High School. Blake recalled, “it’s the only bad grade” that he had in high school…perhaps because he was a little distracted by the pretty brunette next to him. It didn’t take long before they began dating, followed by a Bellingrath Gardens & Home proposal two Christmas’ ago.

Her favorite thing about him is that he keeps her laughing & how he cares deeply. And he loves that their souls feel connected way beyond their years. They share the same morals & values & will vow to keep them as they build their very own family.

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See ya’ll in just a few days! Kaileigh, you’ll be the one in white. Blake will be waiting for you at the end of the aisle. And I’ll be the lucky one capturing your day one as husband & wife!

Venue: Hermitage-Rippy Estate

Church Family | Birmingham Botanical Gardens Family Portrait Session

I grew up with a brother but always wondered what growing up with a sister would be like. Sharing clothes, arguing over who gets to take the car out for a movie night, and calling dibs on the cutie down the street. Emmeline & Eleanor will share lots of memories as they grow up. But for now they spend their Sundays at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens before heading over to the Birmingham Zoo.

Emmeline celebrated her half birthday recently, so a family session was in order. She has the best of parents, Kevin & Kelsey. I loved capturing their family of four during this sweet season of their lives.

Emmeline loves her big sister!

I can just picture this recreated at her wedding one day!

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Happy Six Months Sweet Girl!

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Of course I had to steal Mom & Dad away for a few portraits too!

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