Rich Smith Photography » Engagement Pictures

Savannah and Jeffrey » Engaged!

Rich — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:47:55 +0000

I always, always, always try my best to emphasize, encourage, and capture beautiful and authentic connections between couples. That’s what I’m more passionate about than anything else. It’s (hopefully) what I’m known for at Rich Smith Photography. To me, this approach is more interesting and tells a much more accurate picture of a couple than with them actually looking at my camera and smiling. Anyone can do that, ya know? But having a couple that’s willing to tear down the “stranger” wall and give my camera a glimpse of who they really are, that’s so special! Each of my clients have a story to tell. A story that I’m anxious to capture and “write” — with photos being the medium.

Thankfully, Savannah and Jeffrey are definitely on the same page as I am. They have such a wonderful connection with each other and I was inspired photographing them!

If a a picture is worth a thousand words then here’s a 27,000 word essay of their love. Enjoy and take a second to tell me what you think in the comments!

Jeffrey and Savannah, I had a blast photographing you and cannot wait for your wedding!

Felicia and Rob » Chattanooga Engagement Photographer

Rich — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:41:00 +0000

Loved going to Ringgold to photograph Rob and Felicia at a cabin which Rob and his dad built! It was such a beautiful place and we had beautiful weather! Really loved hanging out with these two. Together we bribed a horse, avoided a REALLY mean goat and tried not to have our heels bitten by some very small dogs (thank you invisible fence). We really did have a blast! Check out some of my favorites below!

Jensen and Alan » Post Proposal photos!

Rich — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:58:19 +0000

On Saturday, I had the privilege to photograph a post-proposal! And after an awful few days of “wintery mix”, I was so thankful that Saturday gave us beautiful blue skies.

This was an unusual shoot since neither the groom-to-be (Alan) or bride-to-be (Jensen) knew I would be there! That’s because Jensen’s mom was the one who contacted me. Alan knew both his and Jensens parents were going to be there to surprise Jensen but that was it.

So Jensen had no idea what was about to happen. We knew that Alan was going to propose on a hiking trail on Raccoon Mountain and they would then enjoy the walking bridge afterwards. In anticipation, the parents of stood ready to jump behind the columns when they saw them approaching.

After we had waited around for a while, the happy couple came and were very much surprised. Love Jensens reaction!

I think this encapsulates how they were feeling…

Thanks again for letting me be a part of this very joyous occasion!

Emily and Jack » Chattanooga Engagement Photography

Rich — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 22:05:31 +0000

Meet Emily and Jack!

I had met Emily at a coffee shop to talk about her wedding before she hired me but Jack didn’t get to come. So this was the first time seeing BOTH of them and see how they interacted with each other. They filled out a questionnaire which included adjectives of how they were together.

“Comfortable, peaceful, and adventurous.”

And they totally were just that during our session. I would have added “hilarious, outgoing and awesome” to the set of adjectives to describe them. We had such a fun time together!

Later, Jack described their engagement session with me as “going on a date with Emily and you were just along taking photos of it.” Perfect description.

Check out their photos below!

Love this photo of them. The way Emily is looking at Jack right now… I feel that’s a look she reserves only for Jack. :)

Ducks and deuces. We’re such gangstas. Or something!

Loved hanging out and having a blast with you two! It really was a ton of fun and I’m so thankful that we’ll get to do it again on your wedding day!

Jennifer and Kyle » Chattanooga Engagement Photography

Rich — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:41:38 +0000

Kyle and Jennifer traveled from Atlanta for their engagement session. They had hired me a few weeks prior and I was excited to meet them in person! We had a ton of fun while wandering around Renaissance Park…lots of laughs as the photos below will attest to. Check our a few of my favorites! Beautiful couple and great interaction!

Jennifer and Kyle, I had a blast with you both and can’t wait to photograph your wedding in 2013! It’s going to be amazing!

Christen and David » Chattanooga Engagement Photography

Rich — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:11:09 +0000

It’s always fun but a bit nerve racking when you don’t ever meet a client before their first shoot with you. Normally I have a meeting with them at a Panera or Starbucks… just to get to know each other. So if I’ve never met them, there’s always that question on whether we’ll hit it off or not. If we don’t hit it off, then it makes my job a whole lot harder since they’ve GOT to be comfortable in front of me and my camera to get the type of emotion I love to capture.

Well, I didn’t need to be nervous. Christen and David were naturals in front of the camera and we shared a LOT of laughter together. David had a secret word he would whisper to Christen to make her laugh but she wouldn’t let him tell me what that word was! I’m still curious but I’m okay with it as long as that word still works on their wedding day!

We met up at Walnut Hill Farm, the site where they’re going to get married in June of next year. I had never been there before. It’s a BEAUTIFUL place where they used to raise prized show llamas. Who knew? They recently decided to change course and turn Walnut Hill Farm into a wedding venue. And what a venue it is! It’s huge. We literally had to drive around to get to each place we wanted to photograph.

Check out some of my favorites from their session below!

Probably my favorite photo from the session!

Got a chance to break out the ol’ external lights for a couple shots at sunset. I HATE how long it takes to set up but LOVE how beautiful the result is on David and Christen!

Spiked hair. Gotee. Yep, David and I could be brothers. I believe this is my first ever self-portrait with my external light!

Loved meeting, hanging out, getting to know and photographing you two! Hope you’ve enjoyed these photos. Lots more coming!

Brittany & Jason » Chattanooga Engagement Photography

Rich — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 19:38:05 +0000

I’ve known Brittany for a while. You might recognize her from this mom/son session she did with me a while back. I was so excited when she contacted me and wanted me to photograph her wedding down in Florida! It’s going to be amazing.

Had a blast photographing Brittany and Jason in the St. Elmo area and then on top of Lookout Mountain. They had a wonderful connection that I loved capturing! Check out some of my favorite photos of these two below!

Alex & Todd » Chattanooga Engagement Photography

Rich — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 22:41:02 +0000

To anyone who’s followed my blog will recognize this couple. I was privileged to document these two becoming engaged on Walnut Street bridge a few months back. Since then we’ve been talking about doing their engagement session. Finally the day came and they did NOT disappoint! Check out the photos of this beautiful couple!

Yes… not one thing in this photo is in focus. Yes, it’s on purpose. Yes, I love it.