Monthly Archives: July 2008

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best friends

July 31, 2008 – 12:00 pm

These girls are best friends, and I had a great time walking around downtown Nashville with them earlier this week! There’s something really fun and special about your best friend in high school. Mine was Karen Kilgore, and we were inseparable. She was there for all the crazy emotions that accompanied me during that time of my life. We laughed so hard it hurt together, and she was also there when I needed a shoulder to cry on. It’s likely that I wouldn’t have started dating Brad if it wasn’t for her, too, so I’m forever indebted to her for that! I’m so thankful that we’re still friends, and she’s actually a photographer, too! So now we talk shop (and kids) together on the phone when we get a chance.

These girls had no problem “working it” for the camera! They did a great job, and I think they had a lot of fun, too. Hopefully they’ll look back on these images in the years to come and they will bring back memories of all the good times they’re having together right now. So, without further ado . . .


By Katie | Posted in {teens} | Comments (5)

bride-to-be

July 28, 2008 – 10:00 am

I had the privilege of photographing Daley at her grandparents’ farm on Saturday. She and Jim are getting married in September in Hawaii, and she wanted to have some bridal portraits done prior to their big day! It was hot and humid, but we managed to get some great shots. I’m not done editing, but these are a few early favorites.

Check out the lighting on this one . . . sweet!!!

And because I love a good detail . . .

Thanks, Daley, for trusting me . . . even when it meant going out in the field amongst the cow patties :) . I told you it would be worth it!

By Katie | Posted in {weddings} | Comments (4)

doing our part

July 26, 2008 – 3:01 pm

If you’ve never heard of Aldi before, you should check it out! My friend Uschi was the first person to introduce me to shopping there, and I’m so glad she did!  It’s a little different than most other grocery stores, but the prices and quality are really good.  I went in yesterday for a few things and noticed that they have these great reusable bags now!

We’ve started recycling and trying to be more conscious of our impact on the earth, so I was excited to see these!  I’ve been amazed at how much we’ve cut down on the garbage that ends up in our dumpster each week.  We’ve literally cut our waste in half (at least . . . maybe more). It’s always so fun to go to the recycling station and see lots and lots of people dropping off their stuff.

In other news, Cole got his kindergarten shots yesterday.  I couldn’t bear to take him, so Brad graciously did.  I think I would have passed out . . . which would have been lovely, I’m sure.  His little legs are sore today, but he got some cool Narnia toys as a reward, so he’s happy :) .  School starts back in 16 days.  I can’t believe the summer is almost over!

And lastly . . . I completely busted and fell down our stairs a couple of days ago!  The stairs turn, and right after I made the turn, I slipped and bounced down the other half . . . HARD.  It totally knocked the breath out of me, and I am so sore!  I had been cleaning the house that day and was running down the stairs to take some cleaning supplies back down to the kitchen.  My back and ribs are sore, but I’m glad I didn’t get hurt any worse.  Needless to say, I’ve slowed my roll on the stairs!  I’ll be thirty in a few weeks, and I’m already feeling older – falling and all!  I’m off to do a bridal session in a couple of hours.  I hope I can hobble around and get into all the crazy positions necessary to get some really good shots!  More on that session to come . . . stay tuned!

By Katie | Posted in {news}, {the dunlap family} | Comments (2)

little fish

July 22, 2008 – 5:37 pm

For those of you who don’t know him already . . . this is my 7.5 year old, Riley.

He and my 5.5 year old [Cole] are taking swimming lessons this week.  They’ve taken for several summers now and have even been swimmers at various points along the way.  Somehow they seem to forget it all between the end of one summer and the beginning of the next, though, so this is our attempt to help them learn it so it sticks!  I found a GREAT swim teacher that does private lessons for a very reasonable fee.  If you’re in the Nashville area and want her number, email me and I’ll give you her information.  Anyway, back to the picture . . . I snapped this one today when they were done.  I tried to get one of Cole, but he wasn’t cooperating . . . which is no surprise.  Maybe I can showcase introduce him next time!  I discovered a new technique for post-processing that makes skin look smooth and creamy.  I tried it on this image, and I am really pleased with the results.  I can’t wait to use it on the images of the bride I’m photographing this weekend!

I’ve always loved Riley’s eyes and his eye lashes.  They’re really long, and I think I might have to chase the girls away one day!  Our boys have very different personalities.  After three lessons, Cole is swimming like a little fish, and Riley’s still trying to make sure that the bottom of the pool isn’t going to magically get deeper while his feet are on top of the water!  He’s our cautious one, and he gets it honestly.  I see a lot of myself in him sometimes.  He’s making progress swimming, though, and I’m proud of them both!

By Katie | Posted in {kids}, {the dunlap family} | Comments (0)

glad you made it over!

July 21, 2008 – 1:47 pm

Hello dear family, friends, and fellow photographers!  I’m glad you found your way to the new blog!  One of my favorite things about it is its ability to display large images . . . pure bliss for a photographer.  No more adding *Click on image to see larger version* to my posts!  So, stay tuned for some sneak peeks.  I have a bridal portrait session this weekend.  We’re meeting at the bride’s grandfather’s farm north of Nashville.  I love the fact that the location is a place that’s near and dear to her heart.  Hope you all have a good week, and thanks for checking out the new digs!  If you have a chance, visit my website to see the new Product Guide and to hear a couple of really fun songs!

By Katie | Posted in {news} | Comments (1)

i {heart} this girl

July 11, 2008 – 9:58 am

This is my niece, Olivia, and I love her to pieces.  She and her parents were here last weekend, and I miss her {and her parents, too!}.  I love this image of her.  So fun and carefree and not the fake smile that I usually get from her!  I hope she will always know how beautiful she is . . . but that she’ll also remember that a beautiful heart is what matters most. I think I might have to get an enlarged version of this one to go in our house so we can see her everyday!

By Katie | Posted in {kids}, {the dunlap family} | Comments (1)