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Daniel Taylor Photography bio picture

Kelli Hewett Taylor's Wedding Blog

 

Indulge with our chic, magazine-inspired engagement or after sessions.

Welcome to the Daniel Taylor Photography blog! I hope you'll find inspiration for your own wedding with highlights from our beautiful wedding or details portfolios.

Daniel's years of shooting fashion and commercial photography in Australia are a major influence in our wedding photography. I love creating chic, dramatic, magazine-style photo shoots that uncover a bride's inner cover model. 

Know that when you select us to document your wedding day, you'll never be one of several weddings we'll photograph in one marathon weekend. We believe stunning photographs come only when when we dedicate our undivided attention and energy to just one bride and one groom. You'll enjoy the consistent quality of both Daniel and I behind the cameras, not a rotating slate of assistants with varying styles. With two established and experienced photographers, you can be confident we'll document every detail. Our extensive post-production editing ensures your photographs will be simply gorgeous.

Daniel Taylor Photography brings an international perspective to your wedding, no matter where in the world you choose to say "I do." We'll capture those magical, intimate moments in timeless ways that will be elegant for a lifetime. We want your grandchildren to see the work of art that was your wedding day.   

Call, e-mail or text us now to see if your wedding date is available. Schedule a complimentary photography consultation to us to see if we're the best fit for the most important day of your life. Packages begin at $2,999 plus tax. E-mail us at info@danieltaylorphoto.com. Call or text at 205.478.8019.      

Kelli

Shawna & Darrell’s Wedding Preview

We had such a blast photographing Shawna and Darrell’s wedding at Huckleberry Farm in Jasper! The weather was perfect and the details were just fantastic. Shawna and Darrell are such a fun couple. Their family and friends cheered them on as they danced their way down the aisle after the ceremony. And everyone loved the special touches of plenty of family photos on the tables at the reception.  Thanks, guys, for letting us photograph your amazing wedding!

Sweden’s Princess Victoria Weds

Ah, there’s nothing like a royal wedding, right? Over the weekend, Sweden’s Princess Victoria lived out a fairy tale wedding to her personal trainer, Daniel Westling. The ceremony that’s being compared to the nuptials of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. The wedding was at the stunning Stockholm Cathedral.

The thing every bride can glean from a royal wedding is the sense of timelessness. There’s very little that’s trendy in a royal wedding, though it may set trends afterward, such as the Par Engsheden bridal gown. Sticking with unusual styles that aren’t faddish, and clean, sleek, classic hairdos will ensure that your children aren’t loaded with ammunition to make fun of your photos 10-15 years from now.

Check out Victoria’s smile, just beautiful. You’d be surprised how many brides are so preoccupied and stressed on their wedding days that their smiles are hard to come by. Take a cue from the heir-to-the-throne, ladies!

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

Reuters

Getty Images

Jessica & Shane’s Wedding Preview

Jessica and Shane had a gorgeous wedding affair, with the ceremony at Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Vestavia Hills and the chic reception at The White Loft downtown. Jessica’s fab gown came from Bella Couture in Mt Laurel and the bouquets were by the amazing Vince at Flower Stems. The couple were surrounded by the love of tons of family and friends, including sorority and fraternity members who serenaded the bride and groom. We had so much fun getting to know everyone. Thanks, guys, for letting us document your special day!

Here are a few of the Wileys’ beautiful wedding previews:

Barkha & Sumit’s Indian Engagement Session

If it’s one thing I’m a sucker for, it’s Indian weddings. The colors, the ceremonies and the emotions are highlights for any photographer. Barkha and Sumit are having their long-awaited  two-day Indian wedding on July 23 and 24 at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala. Barkha has flown home for her bridal session is this weekend and we’re getting everything ready for the big shoot tomorrow at her family home. Barkha’s mom, Vandana,  and sisters Kanika and Rhadika, make us feel like family and we’re so thrilled to share this experience with the whole Manne gang. I can’t convey to you what an honor it is, for us as non-Indians, to be selected to capture an Indian wedding.

This weekend’s photo session will include multiple outfits from India that are to die for. I’m getting together our ideas for traditional Indian bridal poses, which are so elegant!  I can already promise gorgeous photos, and here’s why I’m so confident. Take a look at highlights of their e-session at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (a great spot for weddings, btw) and Sibyl Temple in Vestavia Hills. I love how Barkha is as chic in traditional Indian attire as she is in American clothes. And what fun for photographers to have such a variety! Stay tuned for pictures of MY Indian outfits in the works for the wedding!

Brogdons’ 1st Anniversary

Congratulations to John and Monica Guanche Brogdon, who celebrated their first anniversary on Sunday, June 13. We loved getting to know Monica and John and their families through their fabulous engagement session, bridal session, shower and wedding. Monica and her mom, Maria, left no details forgotten for this gorgeous event.

Take a look back at some of their beautiful photos!

We wish you many, many years of happiness!

Preview of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong!

Jennifer's Grecian-style gown.

Jennifer and James were married Saturday Saturday at the incredible Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral downtown. It was a beautiful Greek ceremony with plenty of Greek touches, from Jen’s Grecian-style dress to the ceremony to plenty of Greek dancing at the reception. Love from family and friends just filled the sanctuary and spilled over to the reception. And what a fun group! I should have known it was going to be fun when, during the formal portraits, little Catherine, Jen’s niece, decided to, uh, dig for gold. James never missed a beat and did a fake “dig for gold” himself. It cracked up the entire group and will probably haunt Catherine to her own wedding day!

Ken Kiester of Norton’s florist did one of his final weddings in Birmingham before moving out of state. We’re so sorry to see him go. James and Jen’s floral design was stunning in dramatic blues and cool greens. We also met Norton’s new event coordinator, Ross Railey, who has moved to the ‘Ham from Decatur. Can’t wait to work with him!

The beautiful and yummy cakes were from our friend Jan Moon of Dreamcakes Bakery in Homewood. Catering was by the Gourmet Pantry in Vestavia. Two of my favorites were the Asian chicken and the meatballs!

James and Jennifer are such an adorable couple! We wish them many, many years of happiness together. Can’t wait for our next photo shoot together!

First moments together.

James and Catherine lighten things up during the formal family portraits.

Jen and her dad, Andrew Collins.

Cakes by Dreamcakes.

Florals by Norton's.

Her sister's first dance brings Leah, in blue, to tears.

Mr. & Mrs. Pitts’ 1st Anniversary

Congratulations to Philip and Cassie Benson Pitts, who celebrated there first year of marriage over the weekend!

Cassie has been one of our most-talked about brides this year. Most everyone who has seen her photos on our web site, in our sample albums and in portraits at bridal shows has stopped to say “wow.” People have asked us for the name of her beautiful wedding venue (her parents’ home in Birmingham) and people have lingered over the images to take in every detail.

Cassie and Philip were so much fun to work with. Believe it or not, Cassie and her family say she hates having her picture made and they were all stunned by how much she embraced the camera on her wedding day. We’d like to think it had something to do with great photographers, lol!

My favorite thing about this couple was that they created a personal wedding that perfectly reflected their personalities. They didn’t load up on dozens upon dozens of posed family photos. Instead, they opted for more candids. Cassie walked down the aisle to rat packer Dean Martin’s “Fly Me to the Moon.” And Philip, his dad and a long-time family friend requested a photo of their long-standing tradition of drinking milk at special events.

Jill Sampson of Weddings by Jill, based in Montgomery, did a phenomenal job on the flowers, planning and overall event design. Jill has a sense of calm that relaxes her brides and an approach to planning that makes all the vendors certain that everything is under control. Plus, Jill is tons of fun!

All the best, Philip and Cassie. We wish you many more years of happiness beyond your wildest dreams!

Here are a few highlights from Cassie and Philip’s gorgeous wedding on May 30, 2009:

Brian and Rachel dominate Most Popular photos

Brian and Rachel have set a new record for photo popularity on the Daniel Taylor Photography web site, with 24 of their gorgeous images in the top 30 most viewed and liked photos, available for viewing on iphones or smartphones. And for the first time, a groom’s photo is No. 1 on our site (the second photo shown below).

This has never happened–the previous record  for popular photos was three from the same event. Check out what all the buzz is about. For Mr. and Mrs. Wilson’s full wedding photo preview, click here. For Friday’s original blog post on Brian and Rachel, click here.

Check out a few of the top  images:



Birmingham Marriott 280 Mother’s Day

We were so thrilled to be invited by Theresa Schaefer of the Birmingham Marriott on 280 to showcase event photography during their incredibly successful Mother’s Day brunch. Theresa is a newlywed, herself, so who better to help a bride plan her wedding?! Thanks to everyone at the Birmingham Marriott for inviting us to be part of such a great event.

Birmingham Marriott's Mother's Day Brunch special occasions display. Daniel Taylor Photography

Our photo collage will remain on display for brides-to-be at the Birmingham Marriott on 280. We photographed Neil and Jasmine's wedding events there, and the service is always stellar. Daniel Taylor Photography

Rachel & Brian’s Wedding

One of the biggest honors we have is to shoot the weddings of people who are passionate about photography. Brian Wilson is one of those people, so we were thrilled to photograph his wedding to Rachel Jacks.

We were also tickled to go back to the always beautiful Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church. Wedding director Sue Ann Oakes, of AVPC, always takes good care of us and makes sure everything runs smoothly. Having a team of wedding professionals who know each other is an added bonus on such a special day. Videographer/filmmaker Paul Bryant of Kinora Films manned the Super 8 film camera. We’ve gotten to know Paul, one of Brian’s good friends, in the last few months and it was really fun to be part of a team together. And the stunning orange and green florals were by Carolyn Crowe of The Pink Pear.

The gorgeous, yummy cakes were from Edgar’s Bakery and the wonderful food was from Creative Catering by Shirlee. The mini wheat pita sandwiches with grilled chicken and sprouts and the quesadillas were my favorites!

After the reception, Rachel, Brian, Paul, Daniel and I all headed to a nearby field for an after-session. Paul had the idea to go up on the hill and the results speak for themselves. Just gorgeous.

We wish Brian and Rachel a lifetime of happiness. Thanks so much for entrusting your memories to us!

A little of the back story: Brian and Daniel became friends at Daniel’s second home, Primavera coffee, in Cahaba Heights, where Brian is an amazing roaster and latte maker. If my husband goes missing, that’s where he is.

Brian and Rachel’s reception featured an art gallery theme with a very popular espresso bar. Brian even took a few minutes to make Rachel her first coffee as a married woman, complete with a foam heart!