Shelby Farms Engagement Session | Amanda & Clayton | Memphis Wedding Photographer

Sometimes it’s hard to depict the emotion we feel with our photos and clients in written form.

It can feel like trying to describe the color blue without using, well, the color blue to describe blue.

Go on. You try. I’ll wait...

(Jeopardy music starts playing)

I know what you’re thinking.

pIcTUrEs aRe wOrTH A tHoUSaNd wOrDs!

But even ten thousand words couldn't describe how amazing Amanda and Claytons engagement session was!

We started off our set in the most beautiful open field covered in yellow Spring flowers. The scene was painted for us in an almost classic American Folk styled painting. Blue skies, and open fields as far as one could see.

The photos will show the stark contrast in size between Clayton and Amanda without words, but we have to state, that with opportunities like this one, we did not let it pass us by. All we had to do was barely hint at Clayton picking Amanda up for some shots, and in a New York second, he scooped her up like a pretty doll with the ease of the breeze. It was actually quite humorous watching Amanda's reaction as she was lifted off the ground like Dorothy’s house!

Yes we laughed at her expense... sue us...

*Giggle*

When we noticed the sun setting, we wondered until we found the perfect field of Winter wheat. The suns golden fingers touching the dancing wheat seemed to feel so classic, and warm that every shot we took was absolute Gold. The way they snuggled, silent and understanding of each other was unspeakable. Some couples need no words, just touch. Amanda and Clayton exude a silent love, the kind that make you want to know the whole story behind who they are, and their love as soon as you meet them.

Amanda and Clayton really let us explore our Artistic side in this set, and for that we couldn’t be more grateful. The warm and moody tones speak to us in ways we hadn’t thought possible before.

To Amanda and Clayton, thank you for letting us be your photographer.

We hope you love the photos.

Shelby and Rick

Downtown Memphis Engagement Photography| Memphis Wedding Photographer| Alaina and Cody

What is it that actually separates the past from the present?

I know most would quickly answer, "Time".

True. Time is the actual determining factor of the two.

What i meant to ask is ,what are the actual differences in the world around us from the past versus now?

Think about this.

The technology of yesteryear was more basic than what it is today, correct?

A Film Camera is a great example of that.

The way we see the past through that old tech gives us the illusion of the world being different somehow.

Maybe it's the tone of the photographs. Maybe it's the Architecture in them. Maybe there is something truly different about being alive during a specific era, and somehow it's captured and remains alive in the photos.

Take for example the photograph of your Dad, or Grand dad in his 1940's Military portrait.

Does the tone, color and overall look of the photo give the illusion that if somehow he were to step from that photograph right now, he would somehow look like he's out of place? Different perhaps?

What about the photographs of the men building rail roads through the American west in the 1800's?

A picture of a group of muddy, dancing Hippy kids at Woodstock?

How is it that these photographs gives the illusion that the world was different?

Let's be realistic here; The world looked no different then than it does now.

Same blue skies.

Same green Forrests.

The world we live in now is really a very interesting one. It has all the benefits of a modern world and with all of the knowledge of yesterday at our disposal. Yet here we are, longing to hang onto the past.

Or, at least I do.

Allow Moi to explain...

I was downtown Memphis recently filing some paperwork at the court house.

It was quiet early in the morning at the court, so naturally I watched all the attorneys and paralegals file into the court house by the hundreds it seemed. By filing in I mean stand in line to the good ole metal detector. Oh yeah, you know the metal detector, don't ya?

After I'd finished my business with the very friendly *cough* clerks office, I'd stepped out of the south side of the building. Now, I've been downtown plenty of times in the morning, and I know this city quite well, but for some reason today, the city, it just looked different. As if through the lens of an old film camera.

The low morning sun split off the pillars of the old Adam's Court House, and fanned across the building's Greek facade. The buildings around were casting long defined shadows that would separate the light so much you could almost see the difference in temperature between light and shadow. For some reason, today felt different. it was like i could almost close my eyes and see the lawyers and police officers of the 30's and 40's marching up and down the stairs on their official duties.

Let's cut our scene to a week later.

Enter scene: Alaina and Cody. An extremely sweet couple who booked with us for their May wedding of this year.

Alaina and Cody also happen to have extremely good taste. I mean they booked us, you know? No pictures Dahhling.

Alaina and i are texting and confirming their engagement session date and time.

We've discussed a few potential locations, bu no location ideas had "stuck" yet, if you will.

So, randomly, the thought of that beautiful morning downtown comes to mind!

I took a shot.

I asked if we could do their engagement session downtown.

In the morning.

and....

Held my breath and waited for her to reply...

She said yes!

See what i did there? *Giggle*

9am. Downtown. Coffee Shop. Yes! It's all set.

Finally, the morning comes and we could not have asked for a better one! The sun was cutting across the old brick faces of the buildings, the sky blue and the weather was a perfect 75 degrees with a breeze. The kind of weather that people pay millions of dollars to live in shoe box for.

*Cough* Californians

Alaina and Cody had already had a Proposal/Engagement shoot at the beach where Cody had proposed, but we wanted to take the time we had with them before their wedding to really get to know how they would feel in front of our cameras. And would you believe it if i told you, they was like peas and carrots together? They were so natural and fun that it was hard not to smile and laugh with them throughout the whole set.

We all strolled together through the splendid buildings of yesteryear down Main Street when we came across the most adorable coffee cafe I've ever seen downtown. Boasting the flags of Europe, it truly has an old world vibe. The vibe that one longs for when peeking through time via old photos. The charm of the past in that building was giving us the fuel to launch an adorable engagement session. Alaina and Cody must have nerves of steel, because believe me, when the cameras start clicking in public, the public starts watchin'! Small kisses and foamy Cappuccinos tickled their noses while passerby noticed their charm and smiled as they walked along. The whole cafe' may have fallen head over heels for Alaina and Cody that morning.

So to conclude an almost serious blog;

We've always heard that the past is gone. the future is to be decided and the present is all that should ever matter. What if we instead took that concept, crumpled it up into a little thought ball, and chucked it into the proverbial waste basket?

We thought, what if we were able to blend the charm of yesterday, with the sophistication of todays technology, and hopes and dreams of tomorrow and present them in a stunning visual medium?

Over all, I think we'd achieved what we were aiming for. We wanted to blend the nostalgia of yesterday with the production of new memories. New born of old. I think the photos in the cafe scream this exact sentiment.

May 18th, May 18th wherefore art thou May 18th?

Dixon Gardens Engagement Session| Jessica and Mitchell | Memphis Wedding Photographer

"I've done it! Rikgor, my wonderful lad! I have done it! Do you know what this means for the world? For humanity?!” Shouted Dr. Shelbnstein.

Thunder clapped and echoed through the old castle’s walls. The flicker of the lightning revealed the smirking hunchback Rikgor’s face in the dark of the morter and stone built room.

“What is it, Master?! What is it?!” Asked the hunchback with a heavy accent.

"I have discovered the perfect solution for...” with a restrained laugh through gritted teeth, Dr. Shelbnstein continued, “for...dare I say this out loud?! Yes...NO! YES! I must! I have discovered the perfect formula for heart wrenching cuteness!” Her eyebrows now gathering together with a look of mania about her eyes. “This simple solution has been here in front of us all along! Need you not look about for things bearing magical qualities, no! Must you only find two things! Yes! Two things! The first, a vivacious and charming couple!”

"Rikgor like charming couple!"

"Yes, yes, Rickgor, now calm and quiet yourself... But the second thing! Oh! The second thing you must find is a field filled with the freshest flowers of spring’s bloom! Then, and only then do you have the recipe for pure heart wrenching cuteness! Hark! Perhaps some champagne also?... Yes! Only three things needed to create this heart wrenching monster of adorableness! Muahahaha!”

*Cricket chirps*

*Cough*

What?... you’re not taking notes? Look, it’s pretty simple.

1. Charming lively couple. Check.

2. Beautiful tulips in bloom. Check.

3. Champagne and a night on the town. Check.

It doesn’t take a mad scientist to see that this engagement session was more than we could’ve dreamed for!

When Jessica and Mitchell reached out to us for their Dixon Gardens Wedding in June we knew that we were the fortunate ones on the side of the deal. When we talked about where they wanted to have their engagement session, Jessica mentioned that she wanted to shoot at the Dixon Gardens. A better place to take engagement photos than the beautiful tulip filled gardens, there is none. As we walked into the gardens it was more beautiful than we had even imagined! We had visited the gardens a time or two before but never when the tulips had been in full bloom! Jessica and Mitchell are so in love that they took to our directions naturally. Actually, we‘ll be honest here. The best photographs we took were when they thought we weren’t looking! They didn't need any encouraging when it came to embracing each other. We found the greenhouse and took the opportunity to let them, "Fog the windows up”. Oh come on, like you don’t remember that scene in Titanic with the foggy windows. Yeah right.... As the sun started to go down and the garden closed up, we made our way to Harbor Town by the river where Jessica will move in with Mitchell in just a few short months as a newlywed couple! If you've never been to Harbor Town let me just tell you it is hands down something out a filmmaker and photographers dream. The sun sets through the artisan crafted houses and shops, and gives everything a very “filmy" 1950's All- American dream vibe. That paired with Jessica's one of a kind green button down dress, and Mitchell's suave attire gave the couple the chance to paint the town red with the uncorking of some fine champagne, and a his and hers pair of champagne glasses. An absolutely perfect ending to our session. Grab your own glass of champagne and enjoy this gorgeous set of this adorable couple’s photos!

P.s. Don’t let the adorably heart wrenching cute monster get’cha!

-Dr Shelbnstein And Rikgor.

(aka Shelby and Rick)