SMF Photographs

I’ve been taking my camera on walks again—just wandering, looking, and finally seeing what’s been right in front of me all along.

No agenda. No pressure to "create content." Just finding the art in the small, quiet moments of the day. It’s a reminder that beauty isn’t always in the big, loud things; sometimes it’s just about slowing down enough to notice the textures and colors hidden in your own area.

This is my version of a creative reset. It took a few walks, a lot of stillness, and a few hundred shots to capture the feeling of the land again.

What’s one thing you’ve walked past today that you didn’t actually see?

Go out, find it, capture your favorites, and tag me. Let’s brighten up some feeds with our art. 🎨✨

More to come!

Am I in East Tennessee or am I looking at the Atlantic Ocean right now? 🌊🌴

I absolutely love these Mimosa trees. 🌳 Honestly, maybe they look so tropical because you’re supposed to be sipping a mimosa while dreaming you’re sitting by the ocean. 🍹✨

Fun fact 🧠: They are native to Asia 🌏, and in traditional Eastern medicine 🌿, they are actually called the "Tree of Happiness" because the flowers and bark have been used for centuries to relieve stress and anxiety. (Practitioners actually brew the dried flowers like tea or simmer the bark to make a calming tonic! ☕)
..So maybe that’s why you want to drink a mimosa. Their presence just makes you happy, I might try that tea! 😏🥂

Man, I could go for some actual Chicago deep dish pizza right about now. Since nothing around here even comes close, it’s time to whip out the cast iron and make it from scratch.

Cast your vote below:
👇 Drop a 🍕 if you think deep dish is elite.
👇 Drop a 🛑 if you’re wrong and think it’s
just a casserole.

It’s my birthday! 🎈 Zero sales pitches today. Just a massive thank you to everyone who keeps me behind the camera doing what I love.

Last year I was able to capture a beautiful wedding which is the best birthday gift I could ask for, this year we are relaxing. 🥂✨

(Fun fact about the photo: This was taken on vacation here, 10 months before I actually moved to Tennessee!)

I was digging through my old Facebook photos and found my very first cover photo from 14 years ago. Back then, I was hands down all about the city skyline.

Fast forward to today, and love the mountains view!🏔️ Especially capturing memories 💍🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒

It’s wild how much your "happy place" can completely shift over a decade-plus. It got me curious about where everyone else stands...

Drop a Comment below
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Big shoutout to Trotter Bakery & Co in Athens! 🎂✨

This cake was so incredibly cute and absolutely perfect! Not only did it look amazing, but it tasted great too. The best part? The sweetness wasn't overpowering at all—it was just right.

If you need a gorgeous (and delicious) cake for your next event, definitely check them out! 🙌❤️

Happy 230th Birthday, Tennessee! 🎂✨

Today also marks my official 5-year "state-versary!" I know I might technically be a "transplant," but after five years of building a life here, this state completely has my heart.

There is nothing quite like a Tennessee wedding—the rolling hills, the mountain backdrops, and that gorgeous, glowing natural light. As a storytelling photographer, my absolute favorite part of the last five years has been chasing that perfect golden hour and using it to capture your raw, real memories.

Documenting your love stories naturally against the backdrop of the state I now call home is the absolute best job in the world. Thank you to all the amazing couples who have trusted me to tell their story. Here’s to many more years of Tennessee magic! ⛰️💍

https://smf-photographs.square.site

Happy June! ☀️✨

The male lead for my upcoming Stranger Session is officially locked in, and he is ready to trust the process. Now... I just need to find his leading lady.

I am looking for one fun, adventurous, and genuinely single female (ages 23–30) in East TN who is down to meet a total stranger behind my lens and see if summer sparks fly.

Here is the vibe on our bachelor:
He is between 26–30, deeply values family, and is just as comfortable wearing boots as he is walking through a theme park (where he feels most himself). If your perfect morning involves a Disney movie and a large iced caramel coffee, you might just be his perfect match. ☕🏰✨

No awkward app messaging—just a gorgeous June evening, a cinematic setup, and a killer story to tell.

👉 HOW TO APPLY:
Click the link below to fill out the quick application form, or tag that Disney-loving, single bestie in the comments who needs to be swept off her feet! 👇

https://smf-photographs.square.site/strange-i-sessions

Let’s see if we can make some magic. Applications close soon! 🎬🔥

The feeling of defeat when it seems like all you get is scam after scam after scam... It’s exhausting.

I absolutely love capturing memories for you all, but man, these scammers are relentless lately. Every time you think you’re connecting with a real client who values your work, it’s just another fake script, a high-pressure trap, or a sketchy payment stunt.

To my fellow small business owners and creatives: trust your gut, never let anyone rush you into a contract or a retainer, and don't hesitate to lean on your community to double-check things.

Scammers work both ways—they love to pose as fake vendors to trick clients, and fake clients to trick vendors. Let’s work together and take that trash out. Look out for each other, double-check the details, and block the nonsense.

I’m incredibly grateful for my amazing, real clients who make this job worth it. But tonight? The phone is going on silent, the boundaries are up, and the trash is officially blocked. 🛑✨🩷❤️🩵🩷🥰