Shaina and Trent: a Gettysvue wedding 2011-05-20

Shaina and Trent were married in a gorgeous ceremony at Cornerstone and celebrated at their reception at Gettysvue on a beautiful day last week. I was completely honored to be part of the day. It was not only beautiful but filled with love for this amazing couple and there love for God.

this one my amazing second shooter Michelle got and I just love it!



Shaina and Trent did a first look which worked out amazingly since we then had time to get some beautiful pictures around Gettysvue Country Club (complete with golf carts to which Michelle and I decided we need a golf cart for every wedding!) Here is the first look, Trent waiting for his bride!



a fave of mine from the day!



then before the ceremony the girls surrounded Shaina and prayer for her. It was quite possibly the coolest moment I have ever experienced before a ceremony.

I was in the mood for some black and white so some ceremony pictures for you in black and white. The ceremony was held at Cornerstone Church of Knoxville and let me just say that worship during a wedding should be a new trend, it was amazing to watch.





and I’ll end with this awesomeness. It’s a tradition with Shaina and Trent so of course we had to do it on their wedding day:)

Haitian American Institute 2011-05-21

My friends are getting on to me because they know I’m behind in blogging so thought I better dedicate the next few blog posts to catching up:) While I was in Haiti we had the chance to stop by the Haitian American Institute and take pictures for some new things they have in the works.  The school is a college that teaches English and prepares students to be successful in their careers.  World Wide Village is working with the Haitian American Institute to get their alumni association together. The campus and teachers and staff were phenomenal.

leaping 2011-06-01

The other day I posted this on facebook. Because it was glaringly real to me in that moment. And I was grateful.  Forever grateful.

But its not like that every day. Sometimes its hard. Often it’s scary. Then some days I forget how tough that decision and risk was, like it was another life ago.  And then other days I feel like I’m doing it all over again. Daily risking it all to do what I love. Daily jumping and hoping for those wings. Most days I feel inadequate and question it all. Then soon after I realize its not about me. Its about purpose. What God made me for. When you are walking in God’s purpose for you its amazing to see him build your wings. It’s not your doing, its His.

I’m not sure what the future holds but I do know that I’m ready to leap.

Source: thecollegeprepster.tumblr.com via Shannon on Pinterest

engaged: Laura and Aaron 2011-06-01

Laura and Aaron are getting married in July and I am honored to get the part of photographer at their wedding. Can’t wait! I have known them for a couple years now after photographing a friend of theirs wedding (yay Courtney and Casey!) and they are such a delight. You can’t be around these two and not have a good time! After dodging storms and rescheduling we finally got a couple hours to get there engagement pictures, sweat a little, and have a good time:)

Hope you enjoy!

a new chapter… 2011-06-17

Today marks a bittersweet day.  Years ago I bought this domain with hopes and dreams of being able to do what I love to do and lots of fear.  Although I am far from perfect and nowhere near where I hope to be, I feel like I can say I accomplished that.  Mostly through the help of this blog.  This blog was a place for me to share pictures, my passions, blog invasions, put way too personal ramblings that I just needed to get out, share my hopes and my hurts, and best of all, to share my little amazing family with you.  I plan on continuing to do all of it, now just on a different platform, with a little different look:)

and thank you.

Thank you for reading this little blog, for caring enough to ask me about Lena when you meet me in person, for loving me for who I am, for reading my ramblings.

So today is a new chapter of which I am back to the basics of hopes and dreams of the future and trying to feel the fear and do it anyways. To be able to do what I was meant for, my purpose.  I pray that this next chapter is even half as good as the last one.  And here is hoping that you’ll follow me over to it.

www.shannon-kelley.com/blog ( we have some details to do but its about 95% done and I couldn’t help but share:) )