RIK Photography | Bluff Mountain Inn

New Blogsite!!!

2009-05-03T16:35:00.002-04:00

If you are one of those people who regularly check in on our blog, first of all Thank You!!!

Our blog is moving to a new address. Please check out the new version...

www.rikphotography.com/blog

All of our new posts will go there, so please bookmark the site.

Beth and Gibbs' Wedding

2009-04-28T11:29:00.005-04:00

Beth and Gibbs met 5 years ago at a Montgomery Gentry concert. It wasn't long after that they knew they wanted to go to more concerts together, and started dating. Both from Illinois, they found us on the internet and that's how we ended up with the honor to host their wedding and reception.

You'll notice a little 15 month cutie named Taylor in a lot of these images, she was the star of the show on their beautiful wedding day. After Beth and Gibbs started their beautiful family, Gibbs dropped the question by presenting Taylor with the ring, (which ended up thrown to Beth). Of course she said yes.

We wish this beautiful family many smiles and much laughter in their future together. (After meeting Taylor, we doubt they will be lacking in this field for many years to come). Thanks for choosing Bluff Mountain Inn!

In Living Color

2009-04-22T20:17:00.007-04:00

It was a beautiful spring day and the colors were just popping everywhere, so I had to get out and take some shots around town. Since I've been getting up into the mountains quite a bit lately I decided to head into town just to see what I would see.

Problem is, when you start this sort of project you seem to get wrapped up in it...

Of course, at the end of a long day of shooting it's always great to get back home to black and white...

Lilly update

2009-04-22T02:20:00.002-04:00

She wasn't smiling and she wound up in jail...

Cynthia and Jeffery's Wedding

2009-04-22T00:38:00.004-04:00

Cynthia went to elementary school with Jeffery's younger brother 30 years ago. Now, 1 year ago today, the two of them met at a singles church group and haven't parted since. The two often leave messages for one another in their busy worlds on a marker board on the fridge.

Sept 7th of '08 Jeffery wrote "will you marry me?" on the board... it's still there today. Cynthia said yes, and that's how we ended up w/ the honor to host their wedding and reception.

Rings... Strang has Irish heritage and to celebrate that, the two donned genuine Irish bands.

The reason they ended up choosing us was b/c Jeffery's a photographer himself and had admired an image we took of a church @ Cades cove that just about matched one he'd taken himself.

Best wishes for a blessed future for Jeffery & Cynthia as well as their wonderful friends and families. It was a pleasure to host your wedding and reception here at Bluff Mountain Inn!

You can see more of these images on Facebook.

Easter Dress

2009-04-18T00:53:00.003-04:00

Lilly paid us a visit today and modeled her new Easter outfit!

Gatlinburg Trail

2009-04-16T12:34:00.005-04:00

When you come to the area for a wedding or other special occasion, I highly recommend getting out for a hike in the mountains. One of our favorite trails is easy to get to and a pretty moderate walk (ie. you're not hanging onto rocks!).

Just drive into Gatlinburg, veer right in front of Ripley's Aquarium to get onto River Road, and in just a few minutes you'll see the Happy Hiker on your left.

You may need some snacks for the trail, some sunscreen or hiking boots... stop by the Happy Hiker. It's a fun place just to walk around and run by great folks who know where all the great trails are.

Just across River Road from the Happy Hiker is the entrance to the Gatlinburg City Trail. You can park on River Road in front of the water plant. This trail will take you 2 miles (if you go all the way) to the Sugarlands Visitor Center in the GSM National Park.

All the trails in the park are marked very well so you can always figure out where you're going.

I can't tell you how many times we've taken a late afternoon walk along the river on the Gatlinburg Trail just to smell the flowers, watch the rapids, get a little exersize and come back refreshed. Here are a couple of shots from my walk yesterday...

Enjoy...

It's Official...

2009-04-10T16:47:00.003-04:00

Spring Has Sprung!

Lauren and Scott Engagement Shots

2009-04-08T22:06:00.006-04:00

Lauren and Scott came over on Saturday for an engagement session. What a great day for photos! Congrats to the happy couple and we'll see you in just a few months!!!

Stacey and Shane's Engagement Session

2009-04-07T12:50:00.005-04:00

Even though the weather wasn't really cooperating with us, we had a fun afternoon shooting with this fun couple. Congratulations and we look forward to seeing you in October!

Amy and Johnny

2009-04-06T21:47:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to Amy and Johnny on their April 3rd Wedding Day! We wish you the best in beginning your new life together.

Amanda captured all the images from this wedding and did such a beautiful job. You can see more of these images, when they're released by the bride, at Pictage.com

Kassadi's Photo Session

2009-03-30T23:51:00.004-04:00

Here are some shots we did today of Kassadi, a friend of ours who's a local entertainer (can you tell???) We had a great time shooting this session and since we've been working on some new lighting techniques, this was a great time to experiment. Thanks to Liz for coming in to do the hair styles and to Amanda for some cool poses and just for doing what she does.

Kassadi is a natural entertainer and model. Can't wait til she gets her own tour so we can go along and get the back stage shots!

Gillian and Zach

2009-03-24T00:39:00.008-04:00

What a great couple... what a great family. All smiles all day.

Congratulations and many happy returns of the day to Gillian and Zach, their family and friends... We wish you the very best.

You can see more photos from this even on Facebook.

Jennifer's Model Session

2009-03-18T23:29:00.004-04:00

Today our good friend Jennifer came over to model for us so we could try out some new photo techniques.. We had a great time. What a natural!

Jennifer is an entertainer who has traveled around the world singing and dancing. We worked together for quite a few years at the Louise Mandrell Theater in Pigeon Forge. And she also has some great deals on Cabins in the Smokies.

Here are some of my favorite shots from the session...

Mom's In Town

2009-03-14T20:49:00.004-04:00

Mom's in town for the weekend so we sent her over to Fringe Salon for a new doo... then we had a little portrait session just for fun.

Here's the proud Grandmom with her grand-dogs. Nice looking bunch, huh?

Thanks Mom for the piano lessons and for being a great model (in more ways than one) and for being a great Mom! We love you!

Ashley and Frank's Wedding

2009-02-23T18:57:00.006-05:00

It was the most beautiful sunny day in the middle of February. Ashley and Frank had a beautiful outdoor wedding at the pergola and a great afternoon/evening reception. They danced the night away... Luckily the snow waited til midnight!!!

Congratulations to the happy couple. They'll be back from their honeymoon/cruise in about a week. In the mean time you can see more of the photos from the day at our Facebook page. Check it out...

A Valentine's Day Wedding

2009-02-16T18:24:00.008-05:00

Congratulations to Nicole and Justin who were married on Valentine's Day! They wanted to have a Catholic wedding, so this weekend was a little different than our norm.

First stop was Bluff Mountain Inn for the bride and bridesmaids.

Then a ride up to Gatlinburg for a beautiful church wedding...

We don't get the chance to shoot weddings off site all that often, so we took advantage of all the great background opportunities.

Then it's back in the Packard and the limo for a quick trip back to Bluff Mountain for the gala reception!

This was another of our great military couples. Nicloe is a Captain in the Air Force and Justin is a Major, and getting ready to go overseas for tour. Thanks to you both for finding us, bringing your lovely family and friends, and just for being great folks. Godspeed to you in your travels and your missions. And our best wishes for a long and happy life together.

Chasing the Moon

2009-02-12T17:18:00.003-05:00

I walked outside last night to see this beautiful orange moon coming up on the horizon so I decided to run up the mountain to try and get a cool night shot. By the time I got gear together and made it up to a good place it was quite a bit higher, but still made for a fun view of the mountains and the Pigeon Forge night lights. You have to be quick when you're chasing the moon...

What a great day for photos!!!

2009-02-07T23:43:00.007-05:00

Meet my cousin Jesse and his fiance Rachel. They came to visit this weekend and we wound up doing an engagement shoot. Have you seen a more photogenic couple?

It's February 7 and the weather couldn't have been more gorgeous. 60+ degrees. Just goes to show you can't predict the weather in these mountains. At the top of Bluff Mountain there was still ice from earlier in the week..

All I said was "have some fun". Seems to come naturally...

This is Jesse's sister, and future photographer extraordinaire, Minda. We had a great time shooting these folks today.

Congratulations and best wishes to this happy couple who will be married in Memphis this August. Come see us anytime. We're always in the market for great models!

Snow Day on the Mountain

2009-02-03T00:49:00.005-05:00

When I woke up early this morning the sun was just rising across the mountains to the east making a beautiful sky.

But I went back to bed!

A little later the whole scene changed...

Better for some of us than for others...

Happy snow day from Bluff Mountain!

Bluff Mountain Video

2009-01-25T19:08:00.004-05:00

Our friend Tammy over at Sweet Tea Productions recently uploaded a video to YouTube where you can see what a typical day at Bluff Mountain Inn looks like. Linda and Tim asked Tammy to shoot the video of their wedding day. What a great talented lady she is, and what great subjects she had to work with that day!

This isn't the edited video that Linda and Tim received, but actually a behind the scenes look at some of the things we do in a day here. Take a look...

And here are some fun YouTube photo shows...

More videos like this are available on YouTube. Just Search for Bluff Mountain Inn.

Lee and Thomas

2009-01-22T16:08:00.006-05:00

Congratulations to Lee and Thomas who had a beautiful winter wedding here last week. Thanks for finding us online and inviting all your friends and family. We really enjoyed hosting your wedding day.

OK, it's official. The pooches are going on the rental program for photos!!!

Our best wishes go out to the happy couple and many happy returns of the day.

Fringe take two

2009-01-15T23:52:00.005-05:00

It was a fun day for us to experiment with lots of things. Liz talked Amanda and Crystal into being models for the day and used her talents to turn them into glamor queens. Amanda (above) being a good sport as the camera is turned in the other direction for a change...

Then I got to experiment with some lighting techniques I'd been wanting to use.

We plan to use these shots for the art pieces at the salon. You need to stop by in the near future to take a look. And just for the record, we'd love to make some art pieces for your house as well. Just give us a call...

Cute Pooch Time

2009-01-15T16:52:00.002-05:00

I thought it was a good day to grab the camera and catch a couple of cute pooch shots. They know they're working the camera... I have no doubt.

You always hear that dogs have no sense of time. I guess that's true cause just the other night our girls thought it was Halloween!!!

I knew it way too quiet in there....

Kyla and Tom Elope to the Mountains

2009-01-11T12:57:00.009-05:00

Congratulations to Kyla and Tom, a great couple who came here to elope on New Year's Eve! Happy New Year, and the very best to you in the coming years together.

Happy New Year

2009-01-10T02:38:00.008-05:00

So here's the combination... you take a gorgeous bride and a good looking groom. Add in some way cool family and friends, a pretty substantial bridal party... book the inn on new year's eve (major ingredient). Get a couple of cabins for easy access. Throw in a couple of guys in kilts. Add one wedding and one new year's eve party. Mix it all up, and you've got one very nice event.

They say a picture's worth 1K words, so here's about 40K worth of words and we'll just let the pictures do the talking...

Happy New Year and congratulations to Britteny and Daniel on a beautiful wedding and one great party!

Fringe

2009-01-09T20:36:00.006-05:00

Congratulations to Elizabeth on the opening of her new salon! It's called Fringe, a cheeky hair salon... 513 Wears Valley Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN. 865.428.1690.

She along with the help of friends and family decorated this place from scratch (and I mean from scratch!) over the past couple of months and today they're open for business. She's a great artist and an innovative stylist. The salon will also specialize in make-up, manicures and pedicures.

It's just a fun little funky place. Stop by if you're in the neighborhood and check it out. From traffic light #3 in Pigeon Forge, turn onto Wears Valley Rd. Just as you go over the bridge, take a look on the left for the new sign.

Dana and Ben

2009-01-09T14:24:00.008-05:00

While I was out of town Amanda decided to get a little creative with the piano shots...

We'll just call the one above one of those once in a lifetime things..

But I have to admit these are fun. (Don't try this at home...)

It was a beautiful day to photograph a beautiful bride.

And here's a fun fact. The couple above had so much fun they decided to have their wedding here next July! We can't wait... what a compliment.

I asked Dana to tell me a little about how they got together... "Well actually Ben and I and were boyfriend and girlfriend in the 8th grade. After 8th grade, my family and I moved away and I didn't talk to Ben for about 10 years. We got reconnected via Facebook. We talked and realized we still had a lot in common. Luckily, his job brought him to Tuscaloosa, Alabama last January. That was only 2 1/2 hours away from me! We were both eager to meet up and continue getting to know each other again. We hit it off immediately... and here we are one year later, as happy as can be!"

It was a small group but they had a blast.

And I love the Charlie's Angels thing.

Here's our latest discovery for a ring shot. We love to experiment with light and angles. Basically, we just love what we do.

And everyone loves our pooches. No extra charge for pooch hugs...

Congratulations Dana and Ben. Thanks for coming to Bluff Mountain for your special day, and we look forward to seeing you again in a few months!!!

Cherish and Hunter's Wedding Day

2009-01-07T20:18:00.005-05:00

Best wishes to this great couple on beginning their new life together. Amanda had a great time working with these folks, and it shows in the photos, no?

Christina and Jamey

2009-01-02T15:12:00.005-05:00

Here are some fun shots from Christina and Jamey's wedding day. We're still a little behind from the holidays, but now we're catching up. Thanks for your patience.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-22T12:07:00.006-05:00

Happy Holidays from everyone at Bluff Mountain Inn.

We're running a little behind on getting recent weddings online just because of our schedules, but we promise to get them going right after Christmas.

In the mean time, here are a couple of warm and fuzzies for you....

A Little Nashville Christmas Fun

2008-12-02T23:15:00.005-05:00

Happy Holidays from Gaylord Opryland resort. What a great place to walk around with a camera and take some shots of the 2 million lights! (not sure I got them all, so I shot a couple more than once to make up...)

Don't you love these big bag of lights over the trees? Not only do they light up, but when the leaves are ready to fall off... just think about it. Wish we'd done this to the maples at the inn. Could have saved us a lot of cleanup!

This is the old main entrance. Not too shabby an entrance even today.

Even when you get inside there are lights! More Christmas trees than you can shake a stick at, but I'm pretty sure they'd take your stick away when you came in the door. Security and all...

Dancing fountains in vivid colors. Looks a little like the Grinch got in on the fountain colors tonight, no?

I told you there were a lot of trees. Some aren't even trees. They're big tree shaped things made of potted plants. Go figure...

Oh, and there's a big Christmas Show going on. You should check it out if you get the chance.

Hey, who's taking the photos??? Sometimes, when you know you can't be two places at once, you just have to get a little help. Thanks to Rusty Miller for shooting these from his cush seat in the audience, and he even got free dinner!

It's good to be the King! But seriously, if it weren't for Rhonda, Amanda, Jennifer and our incredible staff at Bluff Mountain Inn, I'd never get the chance to go back into musical mode and do shows like this. And if I didn't do shows like this, they couldn't come over and hang out during the holidays! It's a win-win thing, and we're lucky it works that way.

Renee and Tim's Engagement Photos

2008-11-28T11:20:00.003-05:00

These guys were so much fun at the engagement session, we can't wait to see them again next fall at their wedding!

Amy and Joel Elope to the Mountains

2008-11-28T10:57:00.003-05:00

This amazing couple from North Carolina came over with just a few of their close friends to have a beautiful fall wedding day. Congratulations to Amy and Joel on their new life together.

First Class

2008-11-26T23:25:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to the first class of Wedding Coordinator/Consultant Course of Walters State Community College in Sevierville, TN, and to our own wedding guru and Certified Wedding Planner, Rhonda King, for teaching her first course in this field. From what we hear everyone had a great time, learned and shared a lot, and the classes went way overtime... that's when you know it's good stuff.

When people take the time to learn and study their craft it makes a difference in the lives of others they will serve in the future. Our best wishes to everyone who completed the course and to Walters State for offering this great opportunity to the community.

Cassie and Robert's Wedding

2008-11-23T11:35:00.005-05:00

Congrats to Cassie and Rob on a beautiful (if a little chilly) autumn wedding day. The guys seemed to have dressed for the weather better than the girls. I suppose being in the Army helps you prepare for those type things ;)

When I mentioned they were in the army... well, take a look at the ribbons on this guy. These are special forces guys who jump right into the middle of really nasty stuff to keep us safe.

As proof of how tough they are, notice how this guy hardly flinches as ElleJae´, our resident terrorist, tries to rip off his ear!!! She can do it too! trust me...

And then give the innocent "who me?" look...

Seriously though, thanks to these folks for what they do for all of us. Both the guys and the ladies, cause it's tough on both sides of the world when things are going on. Thank you many times over for the service you do, and thanks for coming to Bluff Mountain for this most special occasion. Be safe and be happy!

Christine and Brooks

2008-11-22T12:51:00.004-05:00

We seem to get a lot of military couples these days. Probably because their families are spread all over and we happen to be in a great place that's centrally located. So we're happy that this young Air Force couple found us. Congratulations to Christine and Brooks on their new life together, and thank you for serving your country. We're very proud of you.

Lacey and Mark Elope to the Mountains

2008-11-21T22:09:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Lacey and Mark who recently Eloped to the Mountains! What a great couple and we wish them the very best.

Julie and Brad's Wedding Day

2008-11-18T14:15:00.004-05:00

We had a real problem with the photos from this wedding, as in how to choose just a few to put on the blog!!! They picked a perfect autumn day for this special event, and the bride and groom were just naturals in front of the camera. Can you tell???

Congratulations to the happy couple! We wish you the best in your new life together.

Josh's Senior Portraits

2008-11-18T14:06:00.006-05:00

We got a call from Josh's Mom a few weeks ago saying that they were coming up to our area for a wedding (Josh's brother, Kasey from the last post) and would like some unique senior photos. So we took a little trip up and down Bluff Mountain to find some really fun shots.

Josh is a senior this year at Winston Academy in Louisville, MS, enjoys baseball, 4 wheeling, mud riding and dirt biking. We kept him out of the dirt for a little while to get these photos, and he didn't seem to mind....

Had to get Mom in on the action since she set the whole thing up.

Congratulations on your Senior year and we wish you the best. Send your friends up! We love this stuff...

Tiffany and Kasey's Wedding

2008-11-18T13:36:00.006-05:00

Tiffany and Kasey met while serving in the Army, which is why she's so good at the salute you'll see below (also looks pretty good in her new uniform...)

They were a great couple and we really enjoyed having them at the inn. Congratulations and many happy returns of the day.

Sandy and Trae

2008-11-15T17:08:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to a beautiful couple (inside and out) from Clarksville, TN. We wish Sandy and Trae the best in starting their lives together.

Lani and Jake

2008-11-13T00:54:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Lani and Jake who came down from the mountains of West Virginia to the mountains of East TN for a gorgeous wedding day. Most of the family rented cabins in Smoky Cove and made a weekend affair out of the trip. We thank them and their families for choosing Bluff Mountain Inn for their special day.

Jake and Lani made a special request for a mountain top shot, so we took a drive up Bluff Mountain to find some incredible color and views...

Kimberly and Rob's Fall Wedding

2008-11-12T16:04:00.003-05:00

You couldn't ask for a more beautiful day or a more fun couple. It was our pleasure to have this great group of people at the inn for this joyous occasion. Here are some of my favorite images from the day...

Yvonne and Terry

2008-11-08T00:11:00.003-05:00

These guys had a great time with their friends and family here on Bluff Mountain. We wish Yvonne and Terry the very best in their new life together...

Brandi and Greg

2008-11-07T12:36:00.003-05:00

Congrats to Brandi and Greg, a great couple from Nashville. Here are some highlights from their recent wedding...

Stacie and Van

2008-11-02T21:59:00.004-05:00

Here are some of my favorite images from Stacie and Van's recent wedding. We wish the best to this lovely couple and hope they've returned safely from their happy honeymoon!

Personal Update

2008-11-02T19:33:00.004-05:00

Fall is the busiest and by far the most beautiful time of the year here. It's been crazy with photo sessions as well as preparations for a big Christmas Special that begins in Nashville on November 15 for which I'm the musical director and arranger.

So with all that said, let me apologize for being behind on our wedding posts. Let me assure you that this will be my catch up week. I'm sure by the end of next week I will be totally caught up, so if you're looking for your event, thank you for your patience.

The weather and the leaves have been beautiful, but I'd like to share with you something else that's beautiful. That would be the hearts of two of our upcoming clients who will be getting married here next July. Giena and Billy came down this week for a planning meeting, and to bring along a little friend. We couldn't believe it...

Meet Ms. Little Jeanie (LJ for short, or LJ cool pooch if she ever becomes a recording artist...)

Giena booked her wedding with us in early September and had seen the blog posting about our lost Snoop who we still search for daily. It made her sad for us and wrote us the most thoughtful email, but we never expectied this part. Billy works in animal rescue and had been looking for a Jack Russell for us, not to replace, but to help fill a void in our family... we had no idea.

This is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for us, and we can't tell you how happy we are to be able to give LJ a new home, where I'm sure she'll be running the place within just a few weeks.

Here's a shot of Giena and Billy presenting us with this wonderfully thoughful gift. And now for a few baby pictures...

LJ and Zoe, her big sister, all dressed up for Haloween. We're not letting them out to trick or treat though... they'll just have to settle for the treats we always give them, and they need to learn some tricks anyway.

Amanda, my assistant photographer, brought her baby Baxter over for a few family shots since we were all in the pooch photo mode.

So here we are getting close to the end of our third season here at Bluff Mountain Inn. Thanks again to everyone who reads this blog and for all the support in emails and phone calls we recieved about Snoop. And thanks to all our great brides and grooms for finding us, for letting us share your most special day, allowing us to photograph your most intimant moments, having us meet and enjoy the company of your family and friends, and letting us share this wonderful place we live, the beauty of the mountains, the changing of the seasons, and the big hearts of our wonderful staff and vendors. That's what makes it all come together.

And a special thanks again to a couple we'd never met who went way out of their way to share a special gift they were able to give with people who appreciated and were so touched with their thoughtfullness. Is that not what makes the world a better place? We think so.

Whole lot of Love

2008-10-29T01:00:00.006-04:00

Amanda and I had a blast going out to Dandridge to photograph Victoria, her Mom, and some really amazing members of their family. We look forward to seeing these folks in July for a wedding date, and really enjoyed them sharing some time with these great animals. They said it was their first family portraits, so we were quite proud to play a part.

Emily and Eddie

2008-10-24T21:26:00.007-04:00

Here's Emily and Eddie. With these images, less words are probably appropriate...

Congratulations to the happy couple, and happy honeymooning in Gatlinburg!

Lisa and Randy in the Magic Kingdom

2008-10-22T22:21:00.005-04:00

Well, it's not exactly "the" magic kingdom, but it was pretty close this weekend for Randy and Lisa's Disney themed wedding! From what I understand, they were engaged during a trip to Disney World and just decided to keep the theme going... it was a fun day and a fun group. Take a look and you'll see a little magic along the way...

Congrats to Micky and Minnie, or whoever they are...

Kellye and Brian's Wedding Day

2008-10-20T13:19:00.005-04:00

Kellye and Brian had a beautiful wedding and a ceremony to blend and unite two great families. We're happy to have been a part of the celebration and wish them many happy years together.

Christy and Nick

2008-10-19T20:26:00.005-04:00

Christy and Nick are a great couple from West TN who came over to take advantage of the beautiful fall colors for their wedding day. Here are some highlights. Click on any photo for a larger version...

Leann and David Elope to the Mountains

2008-10-16T22:00:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to Leann and David, our eloping couple from this afternoon. Thanks for driving all the way from MN for your wedding, and a special thanks for being good sports on the motorcycle shots!!!

Be safe on the road home and come back to see us sometime. We wish you many years of happiness.

Beth and Pete's Portrait Session

2008-10-15T17:35:00.004-04:00

If you haven't seen our website in a while, take a look. We have a new look and all new packages, including a portrait session package where we might even take a field trip to find some great mountain scenery. Thanks to Beth and Pete for being our first daring subjects! We'll be seeing these guys again in May.

(click on any image to view full size... )

Becca and Devin's Engagement Session

2008-10-15T13:40:00.004-04:00

Congratulations to Becca and Devin on their engagement! We look forward to seeing you again for your June wedding!

Lauren and John's Wedding Day

2008-10-14T22:01:00.003-04:00

Seems like it was only yesterday when Lauren and John were here for their engagement photos, but it was actually July. Time flies when you're having fun, and we had some fun with these folks. Lauren even talked us into a trip to the creek... take a look below. Congrats to the happy couple!

Sarah and Andrew's Wedding Day

2008-10-13T23:27:00.004-04:00

Sarah and Andrew came to us from St. Petersburg, FL, but their families came from around the world! It was quite an interesting mix, and a fun day for us. Take a look at the highlights...

Jamie and Christopher

2008-10-12T22:07:00.006-04:00

The British are coming! Actually, they were just here... Jamie and Christopher live near Detroit, but Chris's family came over from the UK to celebrate this very special occasion. We had a smashing time with them and wish this lovely couple the best in the years to come. Check out the pics...

Well, it is my blog....

2008-10-11T22:07:00.003-04:00

We have hundreds of visitors every year here at Bluff Mountain, and some may not be as attractive (in the sight of the beholder...) as others, or as well dressed, but we like to give every unique visitor equal opportunity for the spotlight. So a big Hello to Mr. (maybe Ms., who knows?) Grasshopper who showed up on our back porch today just begging for a photo op. Well you got it... you will probably never see it, but maybe a few folks will who might appreciate your unique beauty. Or maybe not... but it is my blog ;) .... so here are some very cool (imho) grasshopper shots.

Melissa and Russ

2008-10-11T14:08:00.005-04:00

Not everyone looks great while getting their hair and makeup done...

From the long shot to the extreme closeup, what a pretty bride.

As you can see, some things run in the family.

Throw in a few autumn leaves and some fall colors... oh yeah!

Just a little subliminal message here we assume...

Then you throw in a good looking groom...

And a little more fall colors...

And a beautiful ring for his soon to be daughter...

And you have a beautiful blended family.

Congratulations to Melissa and Russ and their lovely families... thanks for coming to Bluff Mountain to share this most special day!

Stephanie and Ralph's Engagement

2008-10-11T11:45:00.005-04:00

Stephanie and Ralph are students at VA Tech and will graduate soon. They'll also be married soon, as in next spring. So they decided to take a trip up to the mountains to take a look around and take advantage of the beautiful mountain colors for their engagement photos. It was a fun session for me because they required no coaching at all! "Just do what comes natural", and they did... and it shows, no?

Heather and Josh

2008-10-06T20:10:00.007-04:00

Heather and Josh picked a gorgeous fall day for their wedding, complete with complimenting colors, a cool cake, bubbles and a Packard Departure! Amanda had a great time shooting this couple and their party. Here are some highlights...

Congratulations to the happy couple and many happy returns of the day!

Seadina and Chris

2008-10-05T17:06:00.010-04:00

We knew back in July that Chris and Sedina were going to be a lot of fun to work with, but had no idea they were going to bring the kind of crowd who's not afraid to have a conga line in the middle of the afternoon!!! Congratulations to this great couple, and many thanks to their family and friends for coming to Bluff Mountain for this special day.

Jessica and Daniel

2008-10-04T23:01:00.007-04:00

What a lovely family... we had Jessica and Daniel here just a few months ago for some engagement photos. At that point we knew they would be a great couple, but the family and friends that came along just added to the dynamic. It was a beautiful day for a wedding of some beautiful people, don't you agree?

Congratulations and many, many happy returns of the day....

UPDATE!!

Here's something fun.. Jessica and Daniel had their friends and family back over for a departure/morning after brunch on the lawn. What a nice touch...

Robin and Jason

2008-09-29T00:45:00.010-04:00

Here are some shots from a fun group of people. Congratulations to Robin and Jason. We had a great time photographing you and your family.

Victoria and Martin

2008-09-28T20:04:00.004-04:00

Say hello to Victoria and Martin. They recently came by for some engagement photos for their upcoming wedding here next year.

Thanks for a fun afternoon, and we look forward to seeing you in July.