Daniel Taylor Photography

Mr. & Mrs. Pitts’ 1st Anniversary

Monday, May 31, 2010 Posted in Vendors, Weddings

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

Tuesday, May 25, 2010 Posted in Vendors, Weddings

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

Monday, May 24, 2010 Posted in Happenings, Vendors

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

Friday, May 21, 2010 Posted in Vendors, Wedding After-Session, Weddings

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!

Tutwiler Hotel Wedding After-Session

Friday, May 14, 2010 Posted in Vendors, Wedding After-Session

Had lunch last week at one of my favorite hotels in town, the Tutwiler, with Trisha Conrad, director of catering. We had a great time talking about our upcoming wedding there, as well as some new promotional wedding photos for this gorgeous location.

In the meantime, I sifted through some of last summer’s wedding files and gave Trisha some highlights of our wedding after-session with Brittany and Johnathan, who spent their honeymoon night at the Tutwiler The couple had rented this cool car from Ron Marko’s Vintage Auto, but the trunk was too small for all their luggage.

Daniel and I drove over the extra luggage, and captured a few action shots along the way. Then we spent a few minutes capturing some of these stunning photos from the wedding after-session. Right after the wedding is a fantastic time to get some of those amazing, oh-so-intimate moments from a newly married couple, and we’re getting more and more requests for them.

Shawna’s Bridal Session at Anderson Gail Farms

Saturday, May 8, 2010 Posted in Bridal Sessions, Vendors

Daniel Taylor Photography

We felt like Christmas came early when Melanie, one of the new owners of Anderson Gail Farms in Shelby, invited us down for a photo session at her gorgeous mansion. We knew that Shawna was the perfect bride for this amazing place. Shawna is a all-American beauty and we thought she was a natural for AGF.

Shawna married her sweetie Darrell in a wonderful outdoor ceremony Saturday at Huckleberry Farm in Jasper. We can finally show off her stunning bridal session highlights. Stay tuned for some awesome wedding photos! Jackie Robinson was the make-up artist for both of Shawna’s photo shoots.

We wish Shawna and Darrell a lifetime of happiness. We know your families are thrilled by your union and we couldn’t have been more honored to capture your wedding day!

Daniel Taylor Photography

Karen’s Hollywood Glamour Bridal Session

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Posted in Bridal Sessions

Karen and Eugene have been one of our most creative couples to work with, beginning with our fashion farm shoot at The Great Pumpkin Patch in Hayden last fall. Karen picked Hollywood Glamour as her theme for her bridal photos in March, so we knew there was no better choice than the Alabama Theater in downtown Birmingham.

Daniel Taylor Photography

Newlywed Jessica Cannon, who manages events at the theater, inspired me with her gorgeous bridal session there just a few weeks earlier, captured by Jessica Wright Photography.

Karen dress was a true fairytale ball gown, worthy of Cinderella–or as her bridesmaids pointed out, Princess Tatiana from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. Karen has such a gorgeous smile–it’s hard to take bad picture of her! Jackie Robinson was the make-up artist.

Bridal sessions are such a great way to test run your hair, make-up, shoes, and moving around in your dress to minimize stress on your wedding day. It’s one of those little splurges that creates a lifetime of memories.

Daniel Taylor Photography

We also got a terrific surprise from our friends at Legacy Limousine, Eric and Michelle Hampton, who showed up with not one, but two limos for the session!

Daniel Taylor Photography. Limo courtesy of Legacy Limousines.

Tori & Mitchell’s “Sweet Home, Alabama” Movie Engagement Photos

Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Posted in Engagement shoots

Tori and Mitch during their engagement session at Old Baker Farm. Daniel Taylor Photogrpahy

A couple of weeks ago we got to enjoy the first real glimpse of spring with a way-cool couple, Tori and Mitch. We hit it off with them pretty quickly, hugging by the end of our first meeting at Engaged! wedding library in Homewood. Tori told me they wanted something rustic and vintage for their engagement photos, so we decided on the always-picturesque Old Baker Farm in Harpersville.Jerry Baker was kind enough to give us the run of his family-owned farm. I think it’s about 100 years old. Jerry and his wife host Civil War re-enactments there from time to time, which prompted Tori to nickname it her Sweet Home, Alabama photo shoot, for the Reese Witherspoon movie. By the way, that was the first movie I wanted Daniel to see when he made his first trip to the United States, not long after the film came out!

Daniel Taylor Photography

When you’ve been in the city for a while, seeing about a dozen animals march across the farm, unprompted, to the barn is quite a sight and we all just loved it. There were goats, sheep, horses, chickens, a mule teasing a couple of baby goats and a donkey bringing up the rear. The chickens wandered around us during the first photos, and one of the three adorable dogs brought Tori and Mitchell a fresh farm egg as a welcome gift. The red horse you see was quite the camera hound, popping his head into quite of few of the photos! We had such a great day and the photo opportunities were endless.

Daniel Taylor Photography

Mitch and Tori are getting married at Rosewood mansion in Pinson on July 31, 2010, and we’re also excited to be photographing their rehearsal dinner at one of our favorite spots, B&A Warehouse. It’s going to be a fantastic couple of days, I can already tell you. We so glad to be getting to know you both. Your love for each other and your families is just awesome. Thanks for picking us to be part of your special day!

Geoff & Heather’s Reception

Friday, March 26, 2010 Posted in Weddings

One of the coolest parts about being a wedding photographer is when a couple bucks convention and puts their own personal stamp on their wedding day. Geoff Gottlieb and Heather Letchman actually jumped their own gun, contacting us just before their February wedding date. They told us they ALREADY got married and would be hosting a fun, laid-back wedding reception at the Church at Brook Hills. The beautiful cakes were from Wedding Cakes by Kurt. The couple read their vows from their smartphones and wore the running shoes from the first marathon they ran together! And they absolutely thrilled their guests by taking stage with Heather’s Christian praise band. Heather was on drums and Geoff sang lead vocals for a few tunes. It was such a great night with tons of heartfelt emotion. We wish them a lifetime of happiness!

Heather's beautiful dress!

Heather & Geoff's first meeting.

Daniel Taylor Photography

Check out their shadows. Daniel Taylor Photography

The bride's cake, from Wedding Cakes by Kurt. Daniel Taylor Photography

The bride’s cake, from Wedding Cakes by Kurt. Daniel Taylor Photography

The rings.

Daniel Taylor Photography

Alek was very excited about the wedding and couldn't have been cuter. Daniel Taylor Photography

One of Heather's photo ideas. It's easy to look sexy when your feet are comfy! Daniel Taylor Photography

One of Heather’s photo ideas. It’s easy to look sexy when your feet are comfy! Daniel Taylor Photography

The happy couple. Daniel Taylor Photography

Daniel Taylor Photography

The first dance.

Heather and Geoff read their vows from their smartphones. Daniel Taylor Photography

The rock- star groom. Daniel Taylor Photography

The bride keeps the beat. Daniel Taylor Photography

Daniel Taylor Photography

Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb

The big finish! Daniel Taylor Photography

Maggie’s photo shoot

Friday, March 12, 2010 Posted in Babies

Is there anything cuter than a baby girl in fabulous clothes? Little Maggie Mitchell is adorable enough on her own,

but her mom/stylist Shelly brought an amazing selection of clothes and props fit for any pint-sized diva (and perfect for the camera). And what a fun day of dress up for a photographer! The best part was cuddling her between takes. What a little angel. Can’t wait to capture this little superstar as she grows!

Thanks so much to Maggie’s aunt, Cathy Alexander, for recommending us and letting us use her beautiful home for the Daniel Taylor Photography Mobile Studio. Cathy is mom to one of our favorite grooms of all time, Jason Sandlin. Jason’s wife, Mallory, and daughter, Addison, joined us for a second photo shoot the same morning. Stay tuned for those beautiful images, which are soon to come.