Just the dreamiest sun filled happiest engagement portrait session of Brian & Sue Ann on the iconic Pedestrian Bridge in Nashville, TN.

It’s all in the details- look at the sequence of her gorgeous outfit - the wardrobe selection was perfect and look at that beautiful engagement diamond.

Sue Ann competed for Ms. North Carolina pageant and am absolutely not surprised. She is stunning inside and out. Brian, you are one blessed man. :)

We danced our way through this session with our own personal band serenading us right on the riverfront. What a fun birthday surprise for Brian!

Model couple, much?! This downtown location was the PERFECT location for these couple photos.

I don’t think there’s much sweeter than forehead kisses.

Brian & Sue Ann are just out of a movie. Absolutely adored this downtown nashville photoshoot.

We had such a lovely time photographing the beautiful Clara! ;) She came from Knoxville to get her portraits done and she is absolutely radiant inside & out! 

Her outfits were super fun & she had a perfect variety of elegant, classy & urban and fun! 

Clara is about to graduate from West High School in Knoxville this year. Not only is she graduating Class of 2018 but she also is AMAZING and will be graduating with her IB diploma. I know how much hard work and dedication it takes to be an IB student so it is a really big deal!

So fun doing her some of her images inside Frothy Monkey in Downtown Franklin. She's the absolute cutest. Congratulations Clara on graduating and I'm so excited to see what all you do in the future - whatever you do you will excel!! 

Hayden Kelly, you are a stunner!! Wow, we had SO much fun!!!

When Hayden smiles, she sure lights up a room! Isn't that smile contagious!? 

Hayden's shoot was SO much fun the perfect mix of natural with golden sunlight shooting through the trees at illuminating her gorgeous hair to a more urban industrial look on Clinton Street. We had originally tossed around about the idea of doing them over fall break on the beach in Florida. Obviously, it's not the same but this was the perfect location to capture her personality & style. Maybe next time on the beach pics though ;) 

Aren't her outfits just ADORABLE!? A mix of soft classic + trendy causal... the perfect combo! 

No big deal, Hayden just walking the streets of Nashville like a BOSS. 

100% yes to the glitter!!! Marathon Music Works on Clinton Street was the perfect spot to get the retro urban look we were going for. :) 

Okay, Hayden... maybe you should think about a career in modeling and fashion!? 

I've got to say, Hayden's mom Mary was absolutely incredible!!! She had the entire trunk set up like a portable wardrobe + brought props of our dreams. So prepared and all the hard work totally paid of in these lovely pics!! 

Take a look at these fantastic retro shades ;) 

When Hayden isn't working it as a model, she also happens to be a Centennial High basketball star! :) 

One of my favorite shots ever... golden glitter glory! Funny story, the Emily Anne Senior video has Hayden featured with her blowing glitter. The day we set for Hayden's veiwing/ordering session, I happened to run into her before at CVS and she was covered in glitter- I get to their house later that evening & she's COVERED in what... GLITTER!! I hereby have named her "Glitter Girl." :) 

In all seriousness though, Hayden is truly a remarkable girl. I am so excited to see what she is going to do an accomplish in her lifetime. This is only the beginning!! 

Congratulations, Hayden!!! :) 

Jen is just an absolute treasure! As soon as you meet her, her warm smile lights up a room! 

The most amazing thing is that she is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. When she is not killing it on camera, you can find her caring for and rescuing elderly people in the cardiac ICU. 

This Brazilian beauty truly kicked this shoot out of the park!! 

AND, when she's not slaying it on camera or saving lives she likes to spend time with her family or exploring/traveling the world and around Europe!! Next time, I want to go with!! Sao Paulo Brazil, Athens, Greece, Barcelona, Spain... wherever. You name it, I'm there. :) 

Also, not to mention, her wardrobe is top knotch! If you are looking to hire a model for your new clothing brand, commericial...anything, look no further than Jennifer Ludi! She's the one! :) 

Jen did an absolutely stellar job on this shoot and I look forward to hopefully working with her more in the near future! 

This GORGEOUS couple is amazing!!! I had so much fun creating these beautiful wedding pictures for them. They actually married back in India and recently moved to the states but wanted a more  Americanized look for their wedding photos, so that's exactly what we did! 

Check out this stunning 2nd outfit look!!! Perfect for their anniversary engagement shoot at Centennial Park! Look at how dreamy their 2nd outfit was! 

The Parthenon in Nashville was the perfect place to shoot for a classic romantic shoot. :)  

Check out this beautiful bride's bridal portraits HERE> 

These engagement was seriously so much fun! Joe and I had been in communication weeks before the shoot planning and coordinating the time and place for his perfect proposal to Marilyn. 

They flew in from California for this special night and he told Marilyn he was going to take her out for dinner so she had to dress up... perfect setup. :) 

Sure enough, I was standing in the area I assumed he would propose at looking like a total tourist incognito and all of a sudden I saw them walk by and he did this!!!

How sweet is that!?! Look at the look on her beautiful Irish face and that gorgeous rock on her hand!! 

So sweet!! I wish them the best of luck on their journey towards marriage. :) 

Tianna is one of the most authentic, delightful people to be around. Just an honor to be able to photograph Ms. Fisk University commemorating such a joyous occasion. 

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. "

- Jackson Brown Jr. 

She's just so stylish we just laughed the whole time and had a blast!! 

This lovely lady is a Fisk University graduate and is SUCH a doll. She graduated with a Bachelors in Businessand how she juggled rigorous academics with pageants, shows, and banquets, I have no idea!!

It was such a privilege to capture this STUNNING couple's artist photoshoot! These talented musicians also happen to be husband and wife and are releasing their VERY FIRST CD under the Harvest Sound Record Label in Nashville, TN! Link will be below for you to download and pre-order! 

Golden sun kissed beauty!!! 

Their CD STRONG will be released November 29th, so be sure to check it out because it is an incredible worship album with songs from the heart!! Funds from the CD will go to support their lives as full time missionaries, or should I say "Musicianairies" in the heart of downtown Nashville. Both Austin and Courtney are full-time staff at Provision International, and they are the on-campus pastors and assistant directors of a creative arts and evangelism equipping school in Nashville, TN called Thunder School. 

So much fun shooting at dusk at Bicentennial Park. We had this super fun but crazy idea to get pictures from a top of Capitol Hill and so the last half of the shoot, I spent panting out of breath, haha! :) 

Click to pre-order their album Strong HERE! 

Bennett's session was an absolute blast! This Class of 2017 Brentwood High School graduate has a bright future ahead of him!

Bennett just recently received his Eagle Scout award. Not only is brilliant but he is also persistent and dedicated having pursued this achievement! 

High school is a HUGE part of life. 4 years of your life spent engaging in team activities, Friday Night Lights, honors societies, ACT prep, late night Sonic drinks, pep rallies... the list goes on. We focus our intent on walking across that platform on graduation day with a diploma in our hands for hard work, but what next? 

Choosing a university can be a daunting experience, but with proper guidance, you can have rewarding results. 

Just Make Up Your Mind!!! 

Believe me, you're not the only one. Many studies have gathered that approximately 50% of students that enter college declare "undecided." That is 1 out of every 2 people you meet that walk the halls of your college campus do not know what career path they would dedicate their lives to. 

AND, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 80% of students change their major at least once. Changing your major at least once can result in additional semesters of schooling, delaying graduation and accumulating even more debt. 

What's the Point? 

Well, the point of asking the question is to at least address it! Why are you going to college? Is it for a social connection? To meet a future spouse? To party and maybe kinda figure out life? To escape from your parents grasp? Maybe it is to get a well-paying job and start an independent life of your own? Whatever the reason, it would just be down right miserable to waste 4+ invaluable years at the prime of your life on something you do not love or can even see yourself doing. 

Let's break down some of the stereotypical assumptions about college and start helping you figure out what is the best path for you. 

1. Be Proactive. Do Your Research. 

I know this is not what you wanted to hear, but, as in anything in life, if you want it you have to work for it. 

Thomas Jefferson once wisely said, "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."

While you're in high school, over summers, during breaks, when you have spare time, make a list of anything and everything that sparks your interest, even things that are remotely fascinating to you and begin exploring those possibilities. 

For example, if you feel drawn to the medical field, why not volunteer at your nearby hospital, a nursing home, ask for some shadowing experience. I cannot tell you how many times friends have told me about beginning their career on a pre-med track and then as soon as they saw blood, they were grossed out and couldn't handle it anymore. How to prevent this? Check it out on the front end! Even maybe try watching some medical TV shows (I haven't personally done this so I can't recommend any and I know they are not always accurate) but at least you get a better idea of the field and mentality. 

If you are drawn to the arts, try experimenting with all different mediums: maybe you're good with pencil, but have you tried sketching on an iPad? Watch Photoshop or Graphic Design Illustrator Tutorials on YouTube? An IMMENSE amount of knowledge is at the TIPS of your fingers! Try to engage in the arts communities by joining local art gallery events or showcases, networking with other artists or photographers could give you an advantage and more experience than others entering it blindly and studying theories in class. 

2.Have a Goal

 Many people claim that you can "figure it out" in college, you can be clueless about what you want to do in college, just GO. 

Well friends, that is a MYTH. In reality, all you will be doing is wasting time confusing yourself, spending unnecessary amounts of money to go in circles on something you are not even certain about. 

According to the US Bureau of the Census in 2011, only 27% of college graduates actually used their college major degree in their level of profession. Thinking of the 50% of students who even change their majors multiple times before they achieve this is risky.

In the United States, we are given the privilege to create our own image. The brand we wear, how we walk, how we talk, how we apply ourselves... all creates a unique individualism. In some cases prove the "rags to riches" story. However, let us not take this privilege of education lightly. 

3. Visit Campuses. 

Based of personal experience, a university may appear to be your dream school on paper, but you may be missing out on the entire picture if you go off the impression the college administration and web designers want you to see. 

Choosing a university is a holistic process. Logistically it should make sense with what career goal you have in mind and ideally not make your grandchildren still have to pay off your debt. However, no matter how good it looks on the website, your own intuition and emotions may compel you love or hate you school choice. 

Lining up a school tour or simply stepping foot on a university campus may save you years of regret or give you a serene confidence that bolsters your college decision all the more. 

4. Explore Other Possibilities. 

Some people believe that college straight out of high school is the only option. Familial pressure or traditions based on previous notions may influence a teenager's decision on college entry. Also, quite candidly, college is not for everyone. Yes, it can help to have a degree for some higher paying jobs, but a degree in itself is not everything. 

However, there are other alternatives to mediate the gap between attending or not attending college. Recently, the term "gap year" has become more prevalent in modern culture. A gap year or two is simply a time frame in which a high school graduate can work, study, travel or do things otherwise they would not be able to do while at university or afterwards. 

While gap years are not for everyone, they can prove to be an excellent alternative for students not quite certain about a major or career path. In this time, the student can explore different possibilities in the forms of: internships, unique jobs, volunteering, mission trips, religious ministry opportunities, etc. For example, some excellent world wide missions and Christian evangelism training base schools that focus on community, self-discovery and identity, include: Thunder School in Nashville, TN, YWAM, Hillsong College and many more. 

These valuable years could be spent experiencing real-life applications to interests and generating authentic interest or disinterest in subjects. After these few years, students could then apply for university and know exactly what goal and direction they have in mind. Not to mention, it's always handy to save up a little extra cash for school on the front end while narrowing one's focus. 

5. Consider the Costs. 

Education is valuable, but is it worth years and years of debt? Unfortunately school in the twenty-first century is NOT CHEAP. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2015-2016 year at private institution was $32,403, $9,410 for state residents, and $23,893 for out of state tuition at a public institution... For ONE YEAR. Tell me that is not ridiculously expensive!? 

Thus, it is crucial to take college seriously and to know what you want and understand how you can get it. Planning out financially with your parents how much they can contribute,  how much you are expected to cover, and how much you can can obtain from scholarships and grants is especially helpful when determining a school. 

Sometimes, making certain accommodations such as living at home or attending community college for general ed. courses may be wise, frugal decisions that save in the long run. 

Well I hope this was insightful for you! Good luck on your college journey! 
Feel free to email me at emilyannephotoart@gmail.com and let me know your thoughts about this article, how it has helped your, or your own personal struggles and I would be delighted to hear. 

Love and Light Forever, 

Emily Anne 

Want to see a beautiful shoot of a stunning senior in High School?? Meet Marcella... Class of 2017 Top at Nashville School of the Arts. 

We shot at Watkins Park in Nashville as well as on Clinton St. near Provision International's Foundry and the Fortress on the corner of 16th. 

Marcella is passionate about music and theater arts and is a talented actress in the Nashville area herself! Look out... you may see her one day on Broadway. She's the best!! :) 

Beautiful Amy. Radiant inside and out. 

Aboslutely capturing Amy's compassionate, outgoing nature through portraits. Officially being a senior at St. Cecilia Academy Class of 2017 is absolutely an occasion to celebrate! 

Isn't she just the best? Simone de Beauvoir once stated that "One is not born, but rather becomes a woman." I believe this statement is true of Amy, she carries her self with such dignity, poise, and elegance yet with an endearing aura. I am confident she will succeed at anything she puts her mind to pursuing. Sky's the limit. :) 

This family so dear to my heart, and I am absolutely thrilled with how theses photos came out. Shot on a beautifully cloudy day in Biel (Bienne) Switzerland near Lac Bienne. 

The Swiss landscape never ceases to amaze me. The gorgeous lakes rippling the reflections of the magisterial Swiss Alps in the background are breathtaking. However, nothing fills me with more joy than capturing love and the people that make the scenery all the more beautiful. 

This sweet little one month old baby girl is absolutely gorgeous. Although, my dream is to shoot Swiss weddings... or a romantic dreamy wedding in the Swiss Alps one day, I am completely satisfied capturing newborn life.

Would you just look at those beautiful eyes. She's absolutely adorable!! 

"The littlest footprints make the biggest footprints in our hearts." - Anonymous 

Love is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children. Love and nurturing... there's no bond as special and as unique as a love of a mother for her daughter or son. What an absolute blessing it was to freeze in time these special family moments. 

Traveling is one of my greatest joys in life, so this trip to Switzerland was absolutely over the top! I love when my work brings me to different nations.