When we first met with Maggie and Blake we talked all about the wedding plans, but once we started talking about engagements, everybody got really excited. Blake was telling us about how much they love Jason Isbell in particular the song “Traveling Alone”. We used this as a fun jumping off point for a road trip engagement shoot through Lauderdale County and down the Natchez Trace. Blake found a friend with a 1934 Hudson and we were off!
Photographing friends weddings is always a bit terrifying because you really want it to be perfect. So we were thrilled and a little bit nervous when Alison and Browan asked us to photograph their wedding. The ceremony was a crisp beautiful fall day at the perfectly quaint Avondale Villa in North Birmingham. The dusk time ceremony was led by Alison and Browan’s dog Jake pulling the flower girl down the aisle which made everyone laugh. The reception was full of local treasures including a mexican food truck, Steel City Pops for dessert and a healthy dose of the best of music in Alabama including a set from Browan’s band, Saint Paul and the Broken Bones.
A few weeks ago the guys at Single Lock Records put together a fantastic lineup of artists on their label and played the UNA homecoming concert. We were jazzed to be able to be backstage doing portraits of folks in the bands. There was a slew of talent on the stage that night from bands such as Belle Adair, Steelism, Dylan Lablanc, The Pollies, The Bear, John Paul White, and the legendary Donnie Fritts. There were even a few other Muscle Shoals music legends playing. All in all it was great music, great folks, and a great night!
I have always wanted to document the entire WC Handy Music Festival. This was not that year. We were however fortunate enough to catch a handful of great shows and even see some new acts. We did photograph some of the shows that we attended. This week left me exhausted, but also so excited to see so many people on the streets of Florence and packed into fantastic new event spaces! I am already ready for next year!
JO Johnson Marching Band
Daniel Elias and Exotic Dangers
