Erika & Jimmy | Vulcan Park Birmingham, Alabama Anniversary Portrait Session

The city of Birmingham provided the most perfect backdrop for this Alabama anniversary portrait session. And after a little bit of research, I discovered that for your sixth anniversary you are to exchange gifts of iron which symbolizes strength & the durability of partnership. So how absolutely fitting was it that we took Erika & Jimmy’s portraits at Vulcan which the largest cast iron statue in the world!
⁣
Seriously, I let out a squeal when we stumbled upon this spot with these two. Being new the largest city in Alabama, I loved meeting two locals. They shared some of their favorite restaurants with me that I made sure to add to my on-going “must-try” list! Seriously, BHM has an incredible food scene in case you were wondering.
⁣

Oh & as if getting to know these two awesome people wasn’t enough, they brought their sweet pup, Charlie, too. *Warning: more squeals are likely when you see how cute she is! Keep scrolling for proof.

Isn’t Charlie the best?!

Happy Anniversary you two! Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your yearly tradition & showing me a different part of the city that I now call home too!

Venue: Vulcan Park & Museum Birmingham, Alabama

Talbots | Washington Square Family Portrait Session Mobile, Alabama

“Can you believe that we’ve never had professional family portraits taken?” was what Ellen, an Alabama family photographer, confessed to me. To which I responded, “let’s fix that ASAP!”

We started discussing locations for her very own family portrait session, when we settled on this quaint little park nestled in between the most beautiful oak trees away from the busyness of downtown Mobile, Alabama.

*Quick tip to all the sweet moms out there: parks provide some of the best locations for family portraits with small children. I love shooting in local parks because it allows us plenty of room to roam about & get some of that energy out! ⁣

Enjoy a few of my favorites from the Talbots family portrait session. I know you’ll fall in love with their little boy just like I did.

This kid! Absolutely precious & equally hilarious.

I just adore this sweet momma! Isn’t she gorgeous? And so loved by her two boys!

*Sometimes mom & dad need a few portraits of just them. Because, let’s be honest, the last time they probably took portraits together was on their wedding day!

The Rowells | Hermitage-Rippy Estate Mobile, Alabama Wedding

Two high school sweethearts tied the knot on a lovely spring Saturday in Mobile, Alabama. The Hermitage-Rippy Estate served as the perfect host to their out of town guests with its Southern charm, grande oaks and blooming azaleas.

Kaileigh & Blake simply wanted to share their wedding day with those closest to them. From the moment he watched her walk down the aisle to the end of the night as he twirled her around on the dance floor, their dreams came true. Congratulations to two of the sweetest people I’ve been able to work with. Enjoy your new adventure as husband & wife!

---

Loved this moment between the bride & her mother.

Ah! One of my favorite portraits from the entire day!

*Also LOVED the soft color palette that Kaileigh chose for her bridesmaids dresses & bouquets.

Story behind the cake: Blake recalls meeting Kaileigh one day at school. She was dressed up as a pirate & some flirting was involved. How cute to include that “meet-cue” in their wedding day?!

Vendors who made this wedding day a dream come true for the Rowells:

Photography: Deborah Michelle Photography

Photographer’s Assistant: Ellen Talbot

Venue: Hermitage-Rippy Estate

Cake: Ginny Blackburn Parker

Chyna & Hampton | Moss Rock Preserve Engagement Portrait Session

From our first phone conversation to meeting in person for the first time, I knew we’d have the best time capturing their love story. We bonded over our love of pups & how great our fellas are.

Chyna always dreamed about having a Christmas wedding but being a school teacher, she knew that’d be tough. So Hampton decided to grant her a Christmas in July proposal! How stinking cute is that?!

These two have been together for nearly 10 years & just like the United States Postal Service that Hampton works for nothing, not even a flat tire*, can stop him from being with his girl. Their love story is pure & loyal. And it is my joy to be their Alabama wedding photographer.

*Hampton told me about the old truck he used to drive hours to see Chyna with. On one of the trips, he got a flat tire & she thought he wouldn’t make it that weekend. Then much to her surprise he figured something out & made it to her. I think it was then, that she just knew he wasn’t going anywhere.

Ya’ll these portraits were taken in Birmingham, Alabama! Can you believe a place like this exists right here in our backyard.

Most days you can find her cheering on her alma mater, the University of Alabama, while he rocks a ball cap. I love that they chose to highlight their fan “loyalties” with their casual outfit at the end of their engagement portrait session.

If this engagement portrait session was any indication of what their wedding day will be like, bring it on! I had the most fun roaming about the Moss Rock Preserve & cannot wait to spend a Saturday in July laughing until my cheeks hurt with theses two again.

Abbie | Birmingham, Alabama Bridal Portraits

Finally! Alabama wedding photographers can relate to keeping bridal portraits under lock & key until the bride’s wedding day.

Abbie is one of my sweetest friends. I’ve been photographing her & her family for a few years now, but being asked to be her wedding photographer was a dream come true! Abbie & her fiance met in Mobile, got engaged across the bay in Fairhope (see their ridiculously adorable engagement session here) & started planning a wedding in North Alabama for the first of the 2020. When it came time to book her bridal portrait session, she knew she wanted them taken in her hometown of Birmingham.

In true Alabama weather fashion, the weather drastically turned cold the day before her session was scheduled. But being the champ that she is, Abbie endured the 45 degrees for some of my most favorite Birmingham bridal portraits.

---

Bride: Abigail McAuley Henderlight

Photography: Deborah Michelle Photography

Dress & Veil: Bella's Bridal and Formal

Hair Stylist: Olivia Robinson

Makeup Artist: Ellen Hunter Darty

Venue: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Florals: Debby Cullum

A Year in Review | 2019

Birmingham, it’s been so nice to be here!

2018 knocked this little photographer down, but I came back fighting this year. *cue Destiny’s Child, Survivor. Deborah Michelle Photography moved to a new city full of new opportunities in 2019. Birmingham, you welcomed this Alabama Wedding & Portrait Photographer with open arms. You introduced me to an incredible community of creatives & sent some of the sweetest souls my way. Each client showed me a different part of the city that allowed my heart to fall more in love with this new city I now call home.

2019 took me to new places & provided me reasons to revisit some of my old stomping grounds. My bustling skills came in handy multiple times, I shared life over cups of coffee with others in the wedding community, continued to veil toss like a champ (lol), stole so many puppy kisses, created two unique bouquets for my brides, hide behind church pews to capture the sweetest proposal & so much more!

Thank you, sweet client turned friend, for trusting me with your sweet season of life. Whether I cried with you on your wedding day because you missed your daddy too or wiped snot from your son’s nose during a family season, I have throughly enjoyed this year of growth. Cheers to an incredible year!!!

---

Weddings

Kaileigh & Blake | March 16, 2019

Hermitage-Rippy Estate Mobile, Alabama

Two high school sweethearts tied the knot on a lovely spring Saturday in Mobile, Alabama. The Hermitage-Rippy Estate served as the perfect host to their out of town guests with its Southern charm, grande oaks and blooming azaleas. Kaileigh & Blake simply wanted to share their wedding day with those closest to them. From the moment he watched her walk down the aisle to the end of the night as he twirled her around on the dance floor, their dreams came true.

---

Anna & Adam | April 27, 2019

Demopolis Civic Center Demopolis, Alabama

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. One of the sweetest wedding days that I’ve been a part of. These two celebrated their day with great food & dancing into the night.

---

Shelby & Bryan | June 8, 2019

Christ United Methodist Church Mobile, Alabama

Shelby & Bryan are high school sweethearts who tied the knot this summer; sharing the same wedding date as the bride’s great-grandmother. Shelby stood surrounded by her girls as she married her prince. This wedding was special because the bride is family. It was such a treat to return to Mobile, too!

---

Jennifer & Stanley | July 12, 2019

Tutwiler Hotel Birmingham, Alabama

Overlooking Birmingham, Jen & Stanley exchanged their personal vows during an intimate ceremony with their parents & siblings. It was exactly what the bride, my sweet friend, had always dreamed of. ⁣⁣The newlyweds proceeded to the Southern in Uptown to celebrate with extended family & friends.

---

Kayla & Garrett | October 12, 2019

Old Time Fireman’s Lodge Tuscaloosa, Alabama

In case you didn’t know, they’re kind of a big DEAL! I cannot take credit for that pun, it was on their cocktail napkins. The weather could not have been more perfect for this fall wedding day. Not to mention Kayla’s dress was absolutely stunning!

---

Grateful for the chance to second shoot five weddings with 4 of the kindest photographers this year, too!

Brittany Jayde Photography, Abigail Wellinghurst Photography,

Ashley Brooke Photography & Gray Images Photography.

Donavann Inn Marion, Alabama | Aldridge Gardens Birmingham, Alabama | The Sonnet House Birmingham, Alabama

---

Engagements

2019 brought about some of the most fun engagement portrait sessions that I’ve ever done. Being new to Birmingham, I asked my couples to show me some of their favorite parts of the city. Together we explored places like Railroad Park, the Theatre district, local breweries, Moss Rock Preserve & the cutest greenhouse in Forest Park. I was also lucky enough to return to places I’m familiar with like Tuscaloosa & Mobile.

---

Portraits

DMP celebrated so many exciting seasons with so many wonderful clients. Everything from adoption & moving announcements to college graduations & first birthdays to a gender reveal & a sweet proposal. I also got to meet up with several returning clients for updated family portraits.

---

Newborns

I confess, I took a break from newborns for awhile. But when asked this year, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to serve clients during one of the sweetest seasons of life. Instead of all the props, I like to use blankets & bows unique to the family. This makes each session one-of-a-kind. And there’s just something lovely about capturing their newest arrival in their own home.

---

Pups

And we cannot forget about all of the precious pups that I met this year! Goodness, what a treat it was to create such special portraits for families that included their furriest members. Not to mention being a sponsor for two of Hand in Paw’s events this year too.

---

Styled Shoots

Joining forces with other creatives in the wedding industry is so much fun! One of my dear friends, Hannah, asked me to be a part of her styled shoot this spring at Swann Lake Stables. *See full blog post here!

And then this summer Meagan with Alabama Eden Flowers invited myself & 30 others to her home for a Farmer Florist Styled Shoot. The coolest part of this shoot was that all flowers were grown locally!

---

Shout Outs

Special thanks to my husband.

Babe, you pushed me out of my comfort zones this year & much of my success I credit to you. Your kind words remind me of my talent & you never shy away from giving me the feedback that I need to hear. You continue to accomplish your dreams while also supporting mine & for that I am grateful.

Thanks for driving me to sessions & hearing out my crazy ideas. I appreciate you more than words can express. I thank God daily that He made me a wedding photographer which ultimately led me to you! I wouldn’t trade this adventure for anything in this world.

Let’s continue to make some waves in 2020, what do you say?!

Debby

*Shout out to all my photographer friends who make Community over Competition a real thing. Thanks for lifting me up this year. Ya’ll rock!