If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a hundred times…my Brides and Grooms are handpicked just.for.me. That’s ever true with the beautiful Melissa, and her handsome fella, Jordan.

Her awesome family recently got me access to one of my bucket list shoot locations in her brother’s Senior session, and their whole family session out in Reliance, TN.

For their engagement session we headed back to the river that’s played such a huge part in her childhood, and back to that fabulous old hotel. They got permission to shoot inside AGAIN ya’ll! I was ECSTATIC!

The river was lower than it was the day of their family session so we got to walk out in it to capture a few images in the rocky river bed.

We exploited the GORGEOUS Pink Dogwoods, and Red Bud trees that were in full bloom, and walked away with my favorite image being taken in the back of an old pickup truck surrounded by a backdrop of pink and lavender blooms.

We purposefully avoided the old Schoolhouse as we’ll get PLENTY of images with, and IN, it come November for their big day.

I have to give major applause to Jordan who powered through a migraine…and I didn’t even know until towards the end of their session. Now that’s love folks! He clearly loves his Bride to Be, and she’s simply smitten with him.

Seeing them together as a couple for the first time gave me new excitement for their wedding day, and I’m ever looking forward to seeing them become husband and wife!

Thank you Melissa + Jordan for allowing me this glimpse into your lives…and for the hook-up on some of my all time favorite Southeast Tennessee historic landmarks!













These tree roots have grown in and around this rock wall!





This White Room…by far my favorite room I’ve ever photographed in!!






































That pick-up truck and those trees though…


This Pink Dogwood Ringshot…tis my new favorite!! Mmmm!









And this right here is just sweet, southern, AWESOME! A boy, his girl, and his pick-up truck!