Sarah Barlow ::: BLOG

Jason Dowd ::: Fashion ::: West Hollywood

2012-01-19T10:00:00.000-06:00

Recently shot my friend Jason Dowd while out in LA. He's an incredible musician and is working on his modeling portfolio right now. We shot a bit around his house, then out and about in LA... the areas to shoot are limitless. Even after dark when we had zero lighting but was able to find the raddest places. He was so fun to work with and I think I was laughing 100% of the time. ha! So excited to see him KILL it in this industry.

Gretta Solie ::: Fashion ::: West Hollywood

2012-01-17T16:48:00.000-06:00

Last month I did a shoot for up and coming NEXT model Gretta Solie in West Hollywood. My amazing friend Alexa Younger and I collaborated on this shoot...her on the art direction/hair & makeup and us both on the styling. It turned out to be one of my fav most recent shoots..especially to work with Gretta, she has QUITE the future in this industry. Kinda obsessed with her look...and versatility!

Emily & Bryan ::: Wedding ::: Pensecola

2012-01-10T19:07:00.004-06:00

In December I headed down to Pensecola, Florida to shoot Emily & Bryan's wedding! The day turned out perfect starting out on Pensecola Beach overlooking the gulf, then heading to the old Christ Church that is over 100 years old and has weathered quite the storms. The night ended at the most adorable little venue that used to be called Sarah's which I thought was quite appropriate;) This wedding was THE perfect way to end the season, the family and friends surrounding this couple along with they themselves made for the most memorable time. Sometimes I had to remind myself that I was the photographer I felt just like one of the guests, everything was so personal in everything that was done. You could feel the love so present which is the key ingrediant in the start of a beautiful future for Emily & Bryan. Check out their slideshow ***HERE*** and a few of the favorites below!

Korey ::: Fashion

2011-12-16T08:55:00.000-06:00

Several weeks ago I did a shoot for Macs|Amax model Korey along with the dream team Stephen Schofield as art director and Jazz Davis on hair and makeup it made for quite the amazing day and in the process ended up with some of my favorite new pictures! Korey is about to make the big move to NYC where I know he is going to KILL it in modeling! Keep an eye out for his face!!

Andrew & Kimmy ::: Engagement ::: Santa Barbara

2011-12-04T16:27:00.001-06:00

Wellll this is a crazy post for me to do. I do so many different shoots and with each one write a little something about the people that I'm photographing..I have so much content for this one it could be a book. Because it's my BROTHER and his beautiful fiance! Crazy that we're in THAT season of life now...seems like it was just a few days ago that I was chasing him around the house fighting over a calendar & about exactly when his birthday was! ha! But now he's gone off figured out really when his birthday is and a wife as well! So grown up;) He moved out to California last year and about 2 months later called me telling me he had met this amazing girl playing volleyball and they went bowling together...soon after they knew they wanted to get married! Me being the protective older sister was like whooaaa slow it down...but once I met Kimmy and got to know her over this year I fell in love too! They fit each other perfectly, have the EXACT same sense of humor(not sure how that happened, clearly a miracle) and have a beautiful relationship they have created centered around God and amazing purpose. I'm inspired to see it. So excited for their wedding coming up next month in Texas!! Love you both!

Joanna + Alex ::: Wedding ::: Tofino

2011-11-22T12:25:00.000-06:00

I headed out to Vancouver earlier last month to help shoot a wedding with the amazing Jamie Delaine! We drove, took a ferry, and drove some more to the northwest part of Vancouver Island for the most beautiful rainy foggy wedding in the little town of Tofino. The couple, Joanna + Alex were super rad and had amazing taste in all the details...! Makes for some fun times shooting! The wedding was supposed to be on the beach but because it rained about 2-3 inches the day before it had to be moved inside but it was no less beautiful with panoramic views of the ocean inside a warm cinnamon roll smelling lodge. It was so cozy yet spectacular with the views! I'm so blessed to be able to travel and visit my friends plus incorporating doing what I love... here are some of my favorites from the day! Hope you enjoy!

Rick Seibold ::: Music Editorial ::: West Hollywood

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

The last trip out to LA I was able to shoot incredible musician Rick Seibold! I heard of his music several years back after a sidebar on FB kept recommending his new single to me because of the music I liked! Sure enough I loved it! Too funny that later on we would become friends and I would be taking his photos! I love how small the world gets! We shot some photos in and around his home & studio in West Hollywood...a day in the life of Rick! Check out his awesome music while you’re at it too!

Also follow Rick on twitter: www.twitter.com/rickseibold

Gemma Soldati ::: Editorial ::: Los Angeles

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

I met up with my cousin Gemma while out in LA for a fun afternoon of driving around site seeing and hiking up at Griffith Park. She asked if I could get some head shots of her but in the process I got some laid back photos too while on our trek. She just moved out there and the area fits her and her giftings so well as an actress and comedian! She's one of the funniest people I've ever known so it made this shoot waaayyy too fun... plus she has such a great old hollywood look it made my job quite simple. Check out my favorite pics of her here!

Devan DuBois ::: Visions ::: West Hollywood

2011-11-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

Recently I shot actor/musician Devan DuBois in Los Angeles! We had such a great day shooting around his house and neighborhood from afternoon till dark! I was really looking forward to shooting him because of his ability to transform as an artist plus him having such a great eye for exactly the look he wants to display it became an awesome team effort that is such a key role to play in his industry. Keep an eye out for him!Devan is currently producing a short film project that is set to release in December. I also did a little post of him hiking Runyon last week, check that out as well!

Check out these and more photos from the shoot on my facebook page!Twitter: www.twitter.com/thedevandubois

Jeremy & Bianca ::: Wedding ::: San Antonio

2011-11-09T01:42:00.000-06:00

Two weeks ago I headed to San Antonio to shoot my old friend Jeremy’s wedding. He met his beautiful, now, wife Bianca after moving down there to help start a bible schoool! All during them getting to know each other and into the start of their dating relationship Jeremy and I would stay in touch about everything going on. To see it start several years ago, to where it culminated in them getting married was one of the most beautiful things to watch! The love that has been developed between these two is incredible. Such a respect and love, which I believe is exactly the way God created it to look. The wedding took place at one of THE raddest places I've ever been, The Serengeti Resort. Complete with giraffes, zebras and camels roaming the property! Made for quite the photos!! Check out their ***SLIDESHOW*** here!!

Josh King ::: Fashion

2011-11-07T15:56:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago we did a shoot for the newly Amax signed model Josh King along with Stephen Schofield as the art director. The minute I saw his look I knew we should go super raw with the photos and with this being one of his first shoots we were able to cover a lot of styles with that concept. Plus he was so fun to work with! Check out some of the favorites here or more of them on my Facebook page!

Runyon ::: Editorial

2011-11-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

Last week my friend Devan DuBois and I decided to hike Runyon Canyon in LA one foggy morning. Of course I had to bring my camera and we ended up with a little editorial spread. Look out for a full shoot of Devan coming in the next fews days. He may be a little bit of my muse...!

October ::: THE interns

2011-11-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month I had my first Nashville internship in a year and a half! I've been doing most of them in Chicago or other places but hosting it here made me love my city even more all over again. I was sooo blessed by the two girls that came in for the 4 days to learn how to further there businesses plus shoot a wedding in Memphis with me! We had such a blast working our minds till they were mush then going downtown Nashville a few nights for an outdoor show and then at a fancy old fashioned diner called Merchants. I didn't realized until the day before that both were from Texas and near where I was heading for a wedding the next week so the internship reconvened there which made it all the more fun hanging out knowing we would be doing it again soon!

Rachel Durrent: A quiet boldness. She has one of the most incredible stories I've heard of growing up all around the country and in all forms of homes, boats, campers. Everything. The way she sees the world is limitless because of it. Such a servants heart and willing to go the extra mile people can feel her genuine concern for their good. It's an incredible gift to be given. And to see her have that in furthering her call in photography I know she'll make such an impact in peoples lives just from her being around them! Corpus Christi doesn't know what's about to hit it!

Kristy Carlile: The minute that I read her application for the internship I KNEW I had to have her come! She talked all about wanting to make an impact in the world and knowing that she was called to teach other people as well. Since that is one of my biggest passions I knew this was going to be an awesome new friendship! Sure enough we got to talk so much about teaching and duplicating yourself. Her gift in that as well as her awesome eye for photography is going to be an incredible unstoppable force in her life. She is bold and very comfortable in her own skin. I love that! Also, because of that people will feel how genuine she is and be able to be that much more comfortable in front of her camera or just in life in general! I'm so excited to see her business in San Antonio take off!!

Sarah & Adam ::: Engagement

2011-11-01T14:36:00.001-05:00

A couple weeks ago I did photos for my old intern and now friend Sarah Pence! She’s an incredible photographer in Franklin, TN and as always it’s SUCH an honor to have another photographer ask you to shoot there wedding and engagement pics! This was my first time meeting her HILARIOUS fiance Adam..I had heard so much about him and he lived up to all of that and more! We had SO much fun all day going to Steeplechase where they have annual horse races, a pumpkin patch and the hub of the city Fido. I sometimes couldn’t even take photos cause I was laughing so hard. These two are destined for an almost tooo exciting hilarious life together!! SO excited for them! Plus of course they are adorablee together! Check out the ***SLIDESHOW*** here!

Emily & Bryan ::: Engagement

2011-10-26T11:46:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago Emily came in town from Florida and Bryan from South Carolina for Emily's sister Liz's wedding. Who just so happens to be one of my beautiful friends! I met Emily back a few months earlier and since then could not WAIT to shoot their engagement pics and sooon their wedding! These two were so absolutely adorable. Besides the most perfect day and lighting for this shoot plus finding secret forest type locations documenting there love for each other was so simple as it was so evidently there, and so perfect to see. Check out the favorites ***SLIDESHOW*** and a few below!

Joy & Minsu ::: Wedding

2011-10-15T10:03:00.000-05:00

This weekend the interns and I headed to Memphis for a quick day and a half trip to shoot Joy & Minsu's gorgeouss wedding!! I got connected to Joy through one of my favorite wedding's that I shot a couple years ago, Emmy & Alan, who were also at this wedding which made the day even better!! I went out to DC earlier this year which is where the Joy & Minsu live, to do their engagement photos and after spending the whole day with them around town and having some of the best sushi and ice cream at an adorable ice cream shop I fell in love with them and could not WAIT for the wedding! The wedding and reception were both at her dad's church that he's been at for several years and the minute that we walked in I wanted to melt...in the dining hall area everywhere there was a electrical outlet there a was a little cooking station with two ladies per station cooking up some of THE most amazing Korean food I've ever had! Whew! Best start to the day and knew it was just going to get better!We shot around Memphis and along the Mississippi River on THE most gorgeous day probably of the entire year. These two were SO amazing to work with...so laid back but with such rad style too made the day SO much more fun to shoot! Plus the love that they show towards each other is the type you just watch and giggle out of sheer happiness for them...that they found someone who fits them so absolutely perfectly. Here are some of the favorite pics of the day. And the ***SLIDESHOW*** of pics too!

Jamie ::: Editorial

2011-10-11T19:55:00.000-05:00

While up in Vancouver Jamie and I decided to shoot some photos of each other! We trekked out in the POURING rain and switched holding the umbrella and camera to posing real quick under trees or in between downpours. It made for quiet the interesting/FAST photoshoot but I'm so excited how they turned out! Plus Jamie is sooo freaking adorable so couldn't really get a bad shot. Here are some of the favs!

Ellie ::: Editorial

2011-10-07T10:33:00.000-05:00

While I was out in Seattle last week I stay with my great friend Ellie... one of THE funniest people I know the laughing was continuous... to the point at the end when saying goodbye I almost passed out in laughter. She has such an amazing aesthtic and has created the cutest little haven in Lower Queen Anne. I was in Seattle for a mini-internship and we needed a model to do a test shoot with... and she was perfect for the job;) Check out some of these pics of her!

Tianna Creative ::: Design

2011-10-06T10:10:00.000-05:00

The past several months I've been working with my incredible and super talented roommate, Tianna, on developing her brand and website for her hair & makeup business! She is already really successful in it but we decided to take it to the next level with an awesome web presence.

I'm so excited with what we came up with and excited to see her company be able to take her to places she's never even dreamed! She's one of the best hair&makeup people I've worked with as I worked with her on my most recent photoshoot...(you can see the photos on the header). We tried to figure out how to combine her love more modern bright bold colors with a shaggy chic Anthropologie type feel. With the website we went with more bold and her upcoming blog we tied the two styles in even more together. We also did a little bio shoot of her so I attached a few photos below of that...but all that to say check out her awesome BRAND NEW WEBSITE and if you have any need for hair&makeup for your wedding/photoshoot/videoshoot contact her!!

Seattle mini internship

2011-10-04T09:22:00.000-05:00

I've done internships now for 4 years and love it sooo much still...I've started doing more accessable internships that are for shorter amounts of time rather than the original 2 weeks or 10 days type of thing...it's easier on me and the people as far as taking that much time off! This was my first time doing a 2 day internship and even better in a place I'm totally not familiar with! I've been dreaming of going to Seattle for the longest time so when I finally got the chance to I couldn't have been more excited! Beth and I had been talking for awhile about me coming out to Seattle to do this internship but the timing never lined up..so this was a long time in the making! I honestly think a little internship is THE best way to see a new city as well! I'm not usually into tons of tourist type things..I love just going to the local coffee shops & cafes and sit watching people of the city walk past. I think you get the very best feel of the city that way. The night before the internship started I asked my friend Ellie and her roommate Bekah where we should go while exploring the city, while we were hanging at King's Hardware(a vibey bar food type place owned by Linda... apparently a successful restaraunt founder of some of the best places around town)

...they gave us the very BEST list of Seattle and each place topped the one before that I decided to give you a little sample just incase you are ever there and need the best places to go...!We started off the first morning at Citizen a cute little coffee shop/cafe near the Space Needle in an area called Queen Anne. They have an upstairs balcony area that's more quiet and a great place to work. I ordered some incredible oatmeal with cranberries and walnuts.

After working at Citizen for a few hours we headed to a book/coffee shop called Bauhaus in Capital Hill. Probably my favorite place in town... there are some of THE coolest people coming and going out of it constantly and I would really like to photograph ALL of them. The place has the feel of a little library but then sells Koolaid/coffee/hohos/italian sodas/& donuts. AMAZING. We went there twice in one day.

Now don't hate at the fact that the 3rd place we went that day was yet again a coffee shop...but I COULDN'T go to Seattle with out going to Stumptown coffee..I first tried it while in NYC earlier this year and it has completly changed my life, coffee wise. I got regualar roast the first day and a toddy cold brew the second. Couldn't be more in heaven.

That evening we headed to Phinney's Market for an egg salad sandwhich and some of the best fries. Total splurge. but really amazing.The next morning we met up at Oddfellow's right off of Pine Street. WOW. Serving stumptown coffee and a open air feel I ordered the fruit french toast and I thought I could die right then with a smile on my face.

Afterwards we headed to Pike Place of course which is neccessary for going to Seattle...got to see the farmers market and the tossing of fish as well as the first Starbucks..then ate Smoked Salmon chowder at Iver's which I guess is known as the best seafood in town...it was prettty incredible!!

All this touring of the city was made complete by have my intern/tour guide Beth along side! She's amazing and has such an incredible heart. We got to talk awhile about life and her outlook and perspective on it is one of the best I've seen. She has an awesome eye for photography and such an eager mind to learn that I KNOW she is going to succeed in this so well and with the passion for life that she has it will push those around her to go sooo far as well! So excited to see her thrive!

The Northwest ::: Travel

2011-10-03T09:53:00.000-05:00

Late July I was getting THE bug to travel...on my list of goals for this year I had written that I NEEDED to go to Seattle and Vancouver cause I for some reason out of everywhere I've traveled somehow managed to never get up that way! I wrote my friend and past intern Jamie Delaine who is from Vancouver to see when exactly I would see her next...she mentioned having a wedding up on Vancouver Island that I could come shoot with her at the end of September and I was like DO NOT TEMPT ME I will come!!! haha..well she tempted me enough that I went!

It was one of the best trips in awhile! Her and I...I don't know what it is...but whenever we get around each other it is INSANE. Unexplainable really..we talk about everything from changing the world to boys to singing at the top of our lungs to bad rap music & laughing so hard about the stupidest things hoping we'll make it to the bathroom in time. lol!

I LOVE her. Her drive and passion for life I don't think I can compare her to anyone...THE most disciplined person I've ever met it blows me away and has brought her so much success in so many areas of her life because of it. I'm so proud of her and inspired at the same time. During our time we explored Vancouver a bit then headed over to Tofino on Vancouver island, which took driving an hour, a 2 hour ferry ride and a 3 hour car ride up to the tip of the island.

It was one of THE most beautiful places I've ever laid eyes on. The drive up was unreal and once getting there it was just as I envisioned and more...fog everywhere, rainy most of the time and moss covering everything in the forest areas.

The town was a huge surf town filled with hippies which provided some of the best people watching and conversations.

The wedding was absolutely perfect which I'll post about in a few days. But the time around it was just perfect...reading, talking, taking pics and just relaxing at a little beach cottage that smelled like smoked salmon. I wanted to lick the cedar walls. hahah.

What I trip I can not WAIT to get back and experience more of British Columbia...one of my new favourite(like the way I spelled that?;) places.

Jason ::: Film Editorial

2011-09-20T19:46:00.002-05:00

Last week in my film shooting extravanganza I was able to document my dear friend Jason...he's an awesome writer/musician here in town. Pretty stoked how these turned out from just around his house.

Josh ::: Film Editorial

2011-09-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

So after shooting the pics from the last post I've become obsessed with shooting film again! My friend Josh and I decided to do a last minute shoot with our film cameras on Monday for new pics of ourselves and to get back to the fun of doing photography! Here's the ones I shot of him. He's a phenomenal photographer here in Nash! Check out his work BTW!

Chelsea and Marisha ::: Film Editorial

2011-09-14T10:30:00.000-05:00

On Sunday I decided to get out my first camera...a film camera that I got for my 8th grade graduation. Shot my first two weddings with it..sold my first framed print with it...it's what got me to where I am today. The minute that digital started taking over our industry I of course switched over for the speed and convienience but there is still no way that the latest technology can reproduce the stunning grain of film. So beautiful. My besties are some of the most pretty people I know... so of course they had to be documented on this lazy afternoon.

Marta & Josh ::: Wedding

2011-09-12T12:55:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I headed to Chicago to shoot Marta and Josh's wedding downtown! It was such a beautiful wedding! Josh's sister Beka is like one of my sisters..so when they asked me to shoot theyre wedding I seriously couldn't wait! Marta is orginally from Poland so much of her family came in from there and even the ceremony was at a Polish Catholic church which was one of the most stunning church's I've been in and adding to that the fact that we got to shoot downtown at Union Station most of the afternoon made for a photographers dream. So blessed to be a part of their amazing day! I know they'll have an AWESOME future together:) Check out the **SLIDESHOW HERE**

Sinead ::: Music

2011-08-26T10:49:00.000-05:00

Did a little mini shoot for my friend Sinead awhile ago with Jazz Davis on hair and make up once again! Sinead is a phenomenal singer/songwriter in Australia who we would love to kidknap and bring here to America but in reality only get to see her about once a year sadly...but love her sooo dearly...plus she's freaking hot!!

Neulore ::: Music

2011-08-24T12:28:00.000-05:00

A few months ago I did SUCH a fun shoot for my friend Adam Agin and his incredible band Neulore. Seriously check them out...really amazing music! We ran all over downtown Franklin for these shots one day and I love how they turned out! I don't shoot bands thattt often cause it's quite the production...but these guys made it so easy and made me possibly want to get more into this! Hope you enjoy!

Kami ::: Editorial

2011-08-22T13:56:00.004-05:00

Shot these a little while ago of my dear friend Kami for a make up and glitter test shoot with the amazing Jazz Davis for our portfolios! So blessed to be surrounded by such creative... and gorgeous people!

Isabella Margot ::: Editorial

2011-08-19T13:22:00.004-05:00

Did a little editorial portfolio test shoot last week for my friend...so excited how these turned out...and with part of the dream team...Jazz Davis on Hair and Make up! Was a fun afternoon!!

The Blanket ::: Life

2011-08-15T16:34:00.002-05:00

My sisters are the cutest little girls of my life.....here is why....

Sarah Pence ::: Life

2011-08-02T16:39:00.004-05:00

A couple weeks ago my past intern, friend AND future bride Sarah called asking for some new pics for her amazing new photography site! I'm sooo proud of her and her growth in her business! She's killing it! We literally met up for half an hour one morning and got a few quick shots which I ended up lovinggg!!! Check her out!

Liz & Kris ::: Engagements

2011-07-29T13:00:00.003-05:00

Earlier this month I met up with my amazinggg friends Liz & Kris for some pics! I love these two so so much! I met both about a year after moving here to Nashville...liz and I were practically neighbors so we would hang almost 24/7 making breakfast together, working out, having home church together, laying out..just everything. I LOVE her. After a bit her and Kris started working together and ended up starting an incredible salon, Yellow House, together here in town and the rest is history! They're getting married in October and I couldn't be more happy for them. They absolutely complete each other. And whenever I'm around the two of them my side always hurts by the end from laughing so hard...always the best kind of friends:) Check out their pics!! They're just slightttly good looking too;)

Leona en Pastel ::: FASHION

2011-07-27T08:40:00.004-05:00

We worked with another amazing AMAX model earlier this month with the help of quite the dream team and Rachel from AMAX I think we pulled off one of my favorite shoots so far! And probably the most fun shoot ever too. I think I can do this forever. Enjoy: Leona.

New internship dates!!

2011-07-24T12:38:00.005-05:00

I was looking over this fall's schedule and decided to add a wedding internship in September in Chicago and one here in Nashville in October! These are only available for 2 girls each and fills up fast so if you are interested CLICK HERE and send in your application or if you have already applied send another quick email saying that this is the one you'd love to attend! Can't wait to meet the next future interns! It's always SUCH a blast!!! And if you have NO clue what I'm talking about check out THE interns website for all the details!!

Genesis & Matt ::: Wedding

2011-07-20T22:56:00.003-05:00

Last week I went back to Chicago to shoot an amazing wedding for my friend Genesis and her new hubby Matt! The day turned out to be so beautiful, surrounded by amazing friends and family. The ceremony was one of the most emotional I've ever been too. I had to try to hard to keep back tears. Matt wrote Genesis the most beautiful song and how he got through the entire thing I will still never know. They were made for each other. So clearly. You can tell it in the way the look at each other...it made me giddy the whole time shooting just the two of them. Just how beautiful their love really is. Plus them being so insanely funny made for the best of days. So excited how these pics turned out too! Check out the ***SLIDESHOW HERE***

Afrocka ::: The world

2011-07-19T13:19:00.000-05:00

My sister helps head up an incredible non profit in Chicago called Afrocka. Her and a bunch of kids all 21 and under have spearheaded this group. An organization that puts on a yearly event to send support over to Africa. They've had SUCH success over the past few years and are even going over on a missions trip this fall to be a part of what they are investing in! While I was in Chicago they asked for me to take there new group photos for the website which of course I wanted to be a part of! I'm so proud of them and the impact they want to and are having on this world! NO one is too young. Check out their awesome **WEBSITE** to find out more about them!! And the event that they put on is coming up this weekend soo exciting! They're raising support specifically this time to build a school in Kenya to get orphans out of the slums. SO inspiring! Check out the amazing team below!

THE interns ::: May 2011

2011-06-15T11:01:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago I hosted an internship in Chicago during Sarah & John's wedding. During the wedding internships I have just two interns only cause bringing more than that to a wedding would be pure insanity! ha! It's also fun being able to really focus then and get a lot more done in a shorter amount of time... plus the girls getting a wedding to ad to their portfolio! This time I already had incredible past intern Megs Colleen scheduled to shoot alongside me for this wedding and it was perfect to have her join in on some of the intern days around it...like a little reunion! The new intern Stephanie was incredible. She got the first day all to her self which always makes things nice and personal & we were able to work on her blog and brand and pinpointing really who she is. Always my favorite day of the internship! After shooting the wedding the next day we did a little engagement shoot for Hillary & Jorge... and the girls got to watch me under pressure at a shoot and a difficult location because of the weather. Quite the learning experience which wasn't part of the plan but worked out great! So happy how this time turned out and ended up with and awesome new friend and being able to reconnect with an old one! Love my job.
Stephanie Dougher:
LOVE HER. Steph blew me away in how she picked things up so quickly... during one part of the internships I literally thought I was going to have to ad more to the curriculum cause we were finishing things so quickly... and I usually cover that stuff in 6 days! Crazy! She jumped right into my family life right when she got in and we even had a crazy dance party one night with my sisters friends and she busted out her dance moves... which is a big time requirement of an intern. She had already "passed" the program in my eyes from that moment;) She has such a fun spirit and I love her sense of humor. We would just be in regular convo and then she would say something totally random and keep going with the conversation which then laughing would follow like a minute later. Always the best. She has such a servants heart as well helping wherever she could at the house and even in conversation is filled with such wisdom. All that and her photography is amazinggg too! So I know that this next season of biz is going to be soo great for her! Can't wait to see where she goes!!
Megs Colleen: So glad she was able to join in for the wedding and hop on the bio shoot too! She has SUCH a beautiful heart that is so sensitive to peoples needs. I love her so much and am so blessed to call her a friend and graduated intern;)

Hillary & Jorge ::: Wedding

2011-06-13T09:33:00.000-05:00

Last weekend before I headed back to Nashville I shot Hillary & Jorge’s incredible wedding in Oak Park at St. Giles! I grew up next door neighbors to Hillary so it was so much fun to catch up after all these years...and to shoot in my old romping grounds! There were forecasted to be bad storms all day but thankfully it only poured during the ceremony and then was the most beautiful lighting the whole rest of the day! Incredible! The reception was then at The Lodge in Oak Brook which is attached to the McDonalds headquarters which even though the place is super classy it has little mcd’s surprises here and there including passing out cheeseburgers at the end of the reception! So hilarious! The day flowed so perfect and to see the two of them catch the sweetest glimpses at each other or make each other laugh so hard made my heart melt. Also seeing how much the families were involved in the day was so beautiful and showed where the priorities were! Loved it! Here are some of my favorites from the day below and the **SLIDESHOW HERE**

The Lookbook!

2011-06-11T18:59:00.003-05:00

Back in December my beautiful friend Sierra and I sat down for coffee to catch up and to also talk biz... she was getting ready to put together the second edition of her Nashville fashion magazine The Lookbook... an online and in print magazine feature all the local and international designers and stores with incredible editorial stories throughout. It's genious! I've seen her build this from the ground up, from a simple idea one day last year to now her second publication and SUCH a successful release party as well! We decided to team up during that meeting and I started doing little videos for the lookbook featuring the looks that were IT now as well as being able to advertise in the latest magazine! I was so happily surprised that the ad made the second page too! This was my first advertisement ever so I was prettty excited, especially cause it featured one of my favorite weddings...Kevin & Karen!
So proud of Sierra and all that she has accomplished! Check out her site **HERE** and be inspired!

The interns ::: April 2010

2011-06-07T16:07:00.004-05:00

Back in April I once again headed to Chicago...I know I know...pretty much every post here lately is heading to Chicago...but I still work a lot up there as well;) Plus it's nice to be able to spend time with my family while there as well!
I have been doing wedding internships which is the same internship that I have been teaching for the past several years but minimized into 4 days and based around shooting a wedding. So many of the past interns had come out again after the longer internships to shoot weddings with me so I figured why not combine it and make it more personal just having two girls at a time? It has worked so well that way! Even though it is a JAM packed couple of days it is so much fun and as always getting to know these girls on a much more personal level makes it that much more exciting! We shot Esther and Dave's wedding which I posted back a few posts ago then spent the rest of the time developing their brands, photography skills, and biz savvy. So great! Plus we had the internship at my family's house so of course my fam of 9 adopted these two as there own and didn't want them to leave!
Even when I went back last week my little sisters were asking about these girls! I love them!

Amanda Megan Miller
Amanda has such a passion to learn and grow that I loved to see. Originally having an art major and not really wanting to get into "this" type of photography as it was usually looked down upon in the art world she realized she had such a passion to capture people and real emotion rather than bare landscapes. I think she chose so well as she is so gifted with people already and has such a beautiful heart that drawing out people's real sides I'm sure will be no hard task! Plus she just released an incredible new brand and site so check it out at the link above!!

Sarah Pence
Ahh Sarah...I actually met her several months before the internship at her dad's chiropractors office. I had heard all about her through her dad and then to finally get to meet her and talk photography was a treat! She is so so precious and has one of the sweetest spirits I know. I love that really every little thing she has learned she has taken and run with it. Even once she got to the internship she had applied the few things we had talked about at our first meeting. I love it. She has quite the eye as well and surprised me at her skill especially justtt starting out! She is going to go far I know...and I can't wait to see how she thrives in this art!

Sarah & John ::: Wedding

2011-06-06T22:51:00.006-05:00

Last weekend I headed to Chicago to shoot Sarah & John's wedding! The day turned out so beautiful, despite the rain we were able to find some great places to shoot! Probably the best part of the day was when they told me that the church that the wedding was being held at was the same place that Sarah's grandparents were married years ago...they had booked the church not even knowing that! What a perfect coincidence!
Sarah and I grew up together, so being able to be a part of her wedding day was so special and the fact that she found such an awesome guy who compliments her so perfectly couldn't make me happier!! It was absolutely beautiful to see the family and friends all come together even all the way from Italy to celebrate the day! Here is a slideshow of the day ***CLICK HERE*** and some of the favorites below.

Hillary & Jorge ::: Engagement

2011-06-01T19:24:00.002-05:00

This past Sunday my two interns, who were in town, and I headed to gorgeous River Forest and my old neighborhood to shoot Hillary & Jorge and hang before their wedding this weekend! They are so so much fun...I literally almost couldn't shoot a few times because I was laughing so hard! Sadly the rain put a little damper on the day as it got almost as dark as night at one point but we got a few great shots in between the rain bursts! Can't wait for the wedding this weekend! If it's anything like this shoot we will have hurting sides and smiles by the end of the day;) Check out the **SLIDESHOW HERE**

Josiah ::: Fashion ::: HIGHLINE

2011-05-20T08:39:00.003-05:00

A couple weeks ago while in NYC we met up with AMAX model Josiah who was out there for a month working! I was a little worried we wouldn't get to shoot as the weather kept not cooperating. But the last day everything worked out for a good hour so we headed to the Highline park in the meat packing district. It's an old raised railroad that they have not converted into a several block walkway. Soo brilliant! I'm excited about the shots we got!!

Stephen ::: Fashion ::: Desert Sweater

2011-05-16T14:24:00.002-05:00

Totally forgot I hadn't posted these yet. Did some location scouting one day down in Franklin & randomly decided to do a shoot with everything we had in our cars...ended up into one of my favorite shoots...as well as some hookah smoking at the end. Quality.
A woman or man dare not be called a worthy model so long as they are ignorant of the spontaneous nature of art.(David Allio)

Esther & Dave ::: Wedding

2011-04-23T19:44:00.003-05:00

Two weeks ago I headed back to Chicago to shoot the incredible wedding of Esther and Dave. The day was absolutely perfect surrounded by crazy weather days the rest of the week. Couldn't be better! They were married at the same church that Dave's parents were married so many years before which made it even more memorable!! The ceremony was one of the most emotional I've ever documented. Barely any dry eyes in the crowd! Almost cried myself! So precious! I'm so excited for these two's future together! They compliment each other so beautifully!! Check out some of the favorite pics below and the **SLIDESHOW HERE**

Joy & Minsu ::: Engagements

2011-04-18T22:01:00.002-05:00

This past week I flew out to Washington DC to shoot the amazing Joy & Minsu before their wedding in October! We spent the whol afternoon and evening seeing the very best parts of town with the most beautiful light and documenting the love between them. These two I could just talk with for hours...and we did! So super down to earth and so welcoming..was sad I didn't live there as I know we would hang out! The ONE request for the whole time besides driving to different location spots was that ice cream was a MUST. Ok. Easy enough. No complaints here! Hopped into a cute little ice cream parlour for some mint ice cream and to shoot them feeding each other ice cream and laughing hysterically. Perfect start to the day and that's pretty much how the rest of it went as well! Ending with one of THE best sushi meals I've ever had. Love these two so much and am sooo excited for their wedding! Check out the **SLIDESHOW** here or some of the favorites below!

Mat ::: Fashion ::: Smoke + Shadows

2011-04-07T18:17:00.004-05:00

Here is the continuation from the last Bocce ball shoot with Mat. So excited about these...the overall feel we were trying to get was lots of shadows..and throwing in smoke here and there. We found an old building that was being reconstructed to shoot some of these dark shadow pics in! Love location scouting right during a shoot! You sometimes find THE best places!

Stephen ::: Fashion ::: Concrete & Stripes

2011-03-31T07:00:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite fashion shoots to date. Stephen and I headed out to take some more editorial type shots around downtown Nashville last week to expand his portfolio... shot far too many but the end product I'm so happy with! I'm so excited to see his modeling career take off! He was just added to the Amax site and is already getting some sweet gigs! You'll see plenty more of him in the future.

Mat ::: Fashion ::: Bocce

2011-03-28T20:52:00.002-05:00

Last week I shot Mat at the Werthan lofts here in Nashville! It ended up being one of the coldest days of course in Nashville this spring but the shoot turned so wonderful! Mat is a model for Amax and we were working on adding to his portfolio as well as mine. Everything came together so well... and thanks to Stephen for styling and setting up the shoot! Here is the first set of pics! More to come!

Stephen ::: Fashion ::: Grit Rock

2011-03-21T10:30:00.000-05:00

Finishing up from the last post the second look that we tried was a very old rock, Marc Jacobs sort of feel. Absolutely LOVE how they turned out. I'm learning more and more about directing as well. With all other types of photography most of the emotion is there. But with this more editorial/fashion style where it could just be the photographer and model and some music you have to really create the emotion that is needed. A challenge but a good one that got me to think outside of the box so much more.

Stephen ::: Fashion ::: Yacht Club

2011-03-18T12:10:00.001-05:00

Lately I have really been getting more into fashion & editorial photography and am LOVING it. The creating and concepting everything to the post processing afterwards has open my eyes to so much more and brought back a lot more passion to my art. After shooting for more than 6 years it can start getting mundane here and there but to throw in a new style and and avenue is so exciting. Then to be able to bring that through to all my other areas of photography is even more exciting!
My friend Stephen has been helping me a lot in this area as he has been working on his model portfolio for his agency but then also has an eye as far as art direction goes.
While creating a concept for another shoot we stumbled upon a spread that we HAD to recreate. The first one here is more Yacht club/old hollywood style. Let me know what you guys think, lots more to come!

Esther & Dave ::: Engagement

2011-03-16T20:51:00.002-05:00

This past weekend Esther & Dave drove down from Chicago for the weekend to do a little photoshoot here before their wedding in April. We met up at the local coffee shop Fido and hung out for an hour getting to know them a little better! I LOVE them! We hit it off so well and my favorite was how they met...Dave hearing Esther's laugh in the library at school and peaking around the corner to see her to then them becoming friends and he constantly hearing her laugh from the dorm above. They fell in love and make such a beautiful couple that compliment each other so so well. Here are some of the favorite pics! Can't wait to shoot their wedding in a few weeks!! **CLICK HERE** for the slideshow too!

Grail Ives ::: Music

2011-03-01T11:00:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, my friend Stephen aka Grail Ives released his first single: Wrapped in Shadows on iTunes! I am so so excited for him as it's been a work in progress and to finally see it all come together is so amazing! Plus it sounds killer! Go buy it NOW!!!
I did the cover artwork for this project: photography and design. It's a really different style for me..but I'm LOVING branching out more and more! We had the concept of doing something very greek mythological, like the old romantic paintings. It was fun just making things up as we went along, this shot was more of a mistake then anything...but it ended up being our favorite!

Also, I was also able to shoot in the studio, during the creation of this song, several different days to get some super raw photos...check those out below as well!

Aliegh ::: Fashion

2011-02-14T15:26:00.003-06:00

A couple weeks ago my beautiful friend Aliegh asked if we could collaborate on a shoot together just for fun and to try out some crazy new looks. Her friend Giovani Diaz is a hair and make up artist did a ridiculously amazing job! We shot for a little bit yesterday then literally edited for about 4 hours last night through these because I was SO crazy excited for how they turned out! Check out some of the favs! They are crazy edgy and I LOVE it!

Chelsea & Brock ::: Wedding

2011-02-07T18:37:00.006-06:00

Back in December my amazing friend Jamie Delaine asked me to help her shoot a beautiful wedding down in Alabama. I of course agreed as I rairly EVER get to see Jamie and any opportunity for our crazy times together is always welcome! When I picked her up from the airport she explained the details about the wedding and who we were shooting for... hilariously the bride and I were already friends on fb as she is a fellow photographer! The wedding was on SUCH a perfect day and every detail planned out so well! SUCH style I couldn't handle it! Photographer weddings are always some of the best because they know exactly what details are important! The wedding was at Auburn University in the theater...and the ceremony was put on as almost a play! It was brilliant! The reception was at a beautiful church up on a hill by a lake. SO. Perfect. I'm so excited for these two and their beautiful life together!! Check out the **SLIDESHOW HERE**

Emilia ::: Life

2011-01-19T16:22:00.002-06:00

In all the shooting that I've done down here in Nashville I never got the chance to document my beautiful friend Emilia! She is so beautiful and has such an overall amazing aethstic in her style. It was one of the easiest shoots I've ever done and felt so creative throughout. I guess when our styles mix they explode or something! Emilia is one of the most beautiful souls I've ever met...I can sit and talk with her for days... which I have..and not run out of things to talk about. Just one of those sort of friends that you will have for life! I love her! Check out some of my favorites from the shoot:)

Genesis & Matt ::: Engagement

2011-01-08T12:00:00.003-06:00

When I was back in Chicago over Christmas I did a SUPER fun shoot for my friend Genesis and her fiance Matt. I don’t know how I even met Genesis...I think may have always known her... ha! She grew up with my cousins and yet she was super close with one of my best friends, so many crossed paths makes it impossible to figure out how I know her! ;) And Matt I realized after shooting the two of them was in a TON of plays that I watched as a kid at a local theater group. Crazy small world. These two were one of THE most fun couples I’ve ever shot. Literally laughing almost the whole time yet sooo VOUGE when they needed to be! These two grew up together as friends then were out of touch for a few years around college then two years ago reconnected at The Baker Hotel while ballroom dancing which is where we decided to do the shoot! Such a fun quick shoot but we got what we needed and have plenty more time when their wedding comes up in July! I’m so so excited! Check out their **SLIDESHOW HERE**

Jazz Davis ::: Design

2011-01-03T13:06:00.006-06:00

A little less than a year ago my wonderful friend Jazz asked me to start helping her build up her business. I first gave her a bunch of business books to read and after awhile she was ready to officially launch her freelance hair and makeup company. The first task I gave her was to really find out WHO she was by asking some very specific questions...who are you, why do you do what you do, what is your vision and purpose... and then writing down some of her favorite things in the world.
We came to a very distinct Jazz Davis that she could start marketing... especially in a service business that she was wanting to get into it is so important to give the experience of YOU through the entire process. After finding the deep stuff we started to discover what all the writing would look like if it was in pictures... so we created a brand board with colors, pictures, textures, and fonts.It was hard narrowing it down but once we did it said her to a T.
After working through one website design that we scrapped after almost finishing it because it just didn't yell JAZZ at me. We went to Andy Warhol for inspiration which is one of Jazz's favorite artists. After studying him for awhile we finally came up with a brand and website that I felt totally said Jazz through and through.

Afterwards we did a little bio photoshoot so people could see who she really is... as well as a few test shoots to fully display her work.

I'm SO excited how her business and brand has developed.. she's so creative and ready to take on the world of style by storm!!! Check out her work and if you are in Nashville and need a good makeup or hairstylist check her out!!

Celebrate the day....

2010-12-24T21:28:00.003-06:00

I'm back in Chicago for Christmas and it's been just beautiful. Beautiful to see my family, snow, amazing friends, downtown shopping, hugs, back rubs, and laughing non stop. It's always an insane time in the Barlow home as EVERYONE is musically inclined and inclined to share at the SAME time. Constant noise ensues. But I love it. And it's probably the thing I miss the most about being here.
I was sitting here in my pj's thinking about this past year and the people in my life, how things have changed and how I've grown and what I've learned... while I was deep in thought this song came on which perfectly says my heart this year. Relient K was always one of my favorites when I was younger.... no wonder why!! Here is a cheesy little You Tube video that I found with the song and lyrics...I hope it makes your night and that you take some time to just get quiet during all this craziness to remember why you are here and WHO you are here for.
I love you all.

Love Fades ::: Favorite things

2010-12-20T16:33:00.003-06:00

One of my all time favorite stores in Nashville is called Imogene & Willie. A store completely dedicated to jeans and the culture of them. A lot of the jeans are made or customized right there in the store, which used to be an old auto repair shop. The entire esthetic of the place is unreal. You feel like you walked into someone's home the minute you step in, including an old yellow lab who roams the store greeting customers.

Today though, I found this wonderful project, LOVE FADES, that photographer Joshua Black Wilkins put together with I&W.... documenting the life of the jeans and their wearers...who just so happen to be some of my friends!
I had no idea that there was such a science to denim, but just take a look at the beautiful character and age of these jeans! Plus the gorgeous photography! **CLICK HERE**

Harpoon Leather ::: Design

2010-12-16T14:34:00.001-06:00

Several months ago my friend Stephen texted me his brilliant idea of starting a leather accessory company... he had never done anything with leather before but dove head first into it and found out he has an amazing knack for it! A couple months later he had developed a couple different products and the demand for full branding and a website arose.
Because I work with my interns all the time on their branding and websites I decided to help him out... since then I've been working on several different projects with a bunch of my different friends that I'll be showcasing in the next couple weeks!
For right now though, I'll show you the process of this brand and what we've come up with through out it all.

Usually in the development of the brand I build an overall brand board with styles, textures and colors but we had to get the website up so fast and Stephen already knew the look he was wanting to go for: very nautical and sea based with the darker colors used in his leather designs. We came up with a logo pretty quick and is pretty self explanatory:

A nice clean business card:

After the logo was finished and a basic website was put up we started working on the grander scheme of things in product photos and prettying everything up to really get the dark nautical feel across.

Finally we completed the **WEBSITE** with a full brand and look, he wanted it to look like we just shot a picture of an uncompleted wallet with a brand stamp right on it! Check out the site!! GREAT Christmas gift ideas!

I LOVE how it turned out and I'm so so excited for this new business to explode! Stay tuned for more great projects with this great company!!

Spring 2011 internships!!!

2010-12-07T10:00:00.002-06:00

Okk... Well you all have been begging for some spring dates for the internships so I decided to release them sooner than I usually do! Next year I'll be switching things up a bit... there is only one normal 6 day internship so far on the books and the other two are just 4 days, but you'll get to shoot a wedding with me to add to your portfolio plus learning most of the things they work on in the full internship! I'll also be releasing a few 2 day mini-internships in different cities: NYC, Denver, Seattle, and a few others..if you'd like one in your city let me know too!
Sooo excited about this next year and all the beautiful people I get to meet!!
CLICK HERE to look into all the details!
I'll leave you with a music video we made for one of the internships....craziness ensues all the time.

Some testosterone for you.... ::: Favorite things

2010-12-06T16:16:00.006-06:00

....if there is not enough in your life or too much...look at this. Some of my fellow photographer friends have done these trips now for the past couple years and it is UNREAL how they document it and the crazzzyyy amazing adventures that they partake in and let you have a say in as well! They are now basking in the crazy Hawaiian rays this week so follow them all at www.mammothmen.com. Treat yourself for 10 min.

Kevin & Karen ::: Chicago Wedding

2010-11-24T20:11:00.002-06:00

Last month I shot one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been too. I was pretty much freaking out the entire day from how beautiful everything was, how fun the bridal party was and how incredible the venue was that we shot at. THE photographers dream.
Karen and Kevin had such the wedding day. All at Salvage One on the west side of Chicago, it is a vintage furniture store during the week and a event venue on the weekends! UNREAL. Probably photography wise my all time favorite wedding. Took me forever to go through the pics!!!
The love that these two have for each other, paired with the amazing family and friends that they have around them make for the perfect concoction for such a happy life together! I'm so excited for these two!!
Check out some of the absolute favorites from the day and the ***SLIDESHOW HERE***!

The Frosty.

2010-11-21T12:34:00.002-06:00

While I was in Chicago at the beginning of this month I took my little four year old sister, Jules, out to her favorite place for dinner: Wendy's. She ordered a Frosty and told me before eating it that it was going to take her ALL night to eat. I promptly got out my iphone and documented the whole half hour process of the frosty eating. She is quiteeee the character. Gah I love her! Click HERE for the hilariousness!

Abby + Jonathan ::: Nashville Wedding

2010-11-19T10:15:00.001-06:00

Last month I shot Abby and Jonathan's absolutely gorgeous wedding at the Country Music Hall of Fame! I met these two through Abby's sister, Jordan, who I've shot a couple times before for her book! Jordan worked with Jonathan and kept thinking how amazing he would be for her sister! Finally they met and within a verrry short time they knew it would result in marriage! The most hilarious part is that I visited the church they attend on THE day that they met and sat right behind them...not even knowing it!
Usually with weddings I can kinda disconnect a little emotionally so that I can really focus on that amazing shot but so much throughout this wedding I almost started crying because of how much love these two have for each other and the way they express it! SOOO beautiful. Even editing through them I started choking up. I know these two are destined for such an amazing life together! Check out the pics here and the **SLIDESHOW HERE**!

Monica + Federico ::: Mexico Wedding

2010-11-17T09:57:00.004-06:00

Back in September I flew down to Juarez, Mexico to help my amazing friend and past intern, Ana Rebeca, shoot a beautiful wedding for some of her close friends! It was probably one of the most spectacular weddings I've ever shot. Dang do they know how to party and the sweet love all throughout was felt greatly!! The party went until about 3 in the morning and they ended up serving breakfast around then so that everyone wouldn't go home hungry...haha! It was quite the experience and I LOVED being about to get to know Monica and Federico! Check out the pictures below and a **SLIDESHOW HERE**!!

FALL-sale.

2010-10-19T11:45:00.005-05:00

Earlier this year I released a big giant sale for Nashvillians and it was SUCH a hit and I met SO many amazing people that I decided it's about time I do something like that again!! Book while you can cause after Nov 15th it'll be back up to the regular prices! I can't wait to get connected with so many of you!!! ***BOOK HERE*** Also, I'll be in Chicago this weekend...so these rates apply there as well just for Saturday and Sunday!

THE interns ::: July 2010

2010-10-15T16:38:00.003-05:00

I know it's been FOREVER since July but better late than never! The past internship we held at my family’s home in Chicago, at first I wasn’t quite sure how it would work out..but then I remembered that the first two years of internships were held there! ha! So it went great! We set up shop in the lower level of the house, each girl having their own work area and sleep area. It was a blast! We headed to downtown Chicago the first day to get to know each other better and work on the beginnings of their branding. The rest of the time was spent doing photoshoot after photoshoot and working until 1 in the morning on getting everything completed...it went by SO fast but was such a beautiful group of girls and I learned so much from them as well! Here is the lineup:

Charity:
Charity was just such a ball of joy! I LOVE her enthusiasm for life and her amazing stories of everything that God has done in her life...it got me so inspired! I want to live more like that everyday. She joined in last minute and was the perfect addition for the week! She has a very giving loving heart that shines through everything that she does! Plus she’s already been HARD at work in her business and I can’t wait to see it thrive all the more! Check out her blog **HERE!!**

Christina:
Christina is just so wonderful! She was the first to come and we got to really get to know each other really easily! I love when a person is just so down to earth and instantly your friend because you relate on so many levels! It’s beautiful...I think her gift with people and servants heart shine through in everything she does. I love it. She has a very natural eye for photography and I know she’s gonna take it far with her amazing way with others...just feeling comfortable and at home around her! Check out her blog **HERE**!!

Kristin:
Kristin looks like she walked right out of the 40s or 50s...I swear she was meant to live then...her overall style in photography and life just exudes class and Jackie O’ness.. hahha I LOVE seeing a person bring that through everything they do! Plus her having such a sweet spirit tops it all off I knowwww that with all her amazing life experiences and amazing eye for photography she is going to go SO far! I mean who wouldn’t want a Jackie replica, in every way, doing their photography?? I love it!! Check out her blog **HERE!!**

Natalie

2010-09-28T08:26:00.003-05:00

Back during the last internship I was thinking through who I should have model for the test shoot... well having the internship in Chicago it made my decision super easy: my sister!! I think she gets prettier every minute...it's kinda stupid...hahah. Plus her being an amazing model in general made the shoot probably too easy for the new interns...haha..but we had perfect light and outfits that day so how could you pass it up?
Can't believe I still remember holding Natalie when she was justttt born...it feels like last week! I'm so glad we have become best friends now, she's one of the most amazing and wisdom filled people that I know.
Check out some of my favorites from the shoot.

Sophia & Cassi

2010-09-22T12:00:00.003-05:00

I grew up with Cassi and her family back in Chicago... our mom's were bff's for the longest time! I remember days when it would be rare if we didn't see them at some point during the day! ha! I loved it as their family is sooo funny and extremely welcoming you feel like you are a part of it instantly! Cassi emailed me last month asking to take pics of her and her new little daughter Sophia and of course said...OF COURSE!! We had so much fun catching up on Labor day and taking pics all afternoon with a bbq to top it off with friends! I LOVED IT! Check out the favorites below...and the slideshow ***HERE***

Jennifer & Steve ::: Engagement

2010-09-20T14:08:00.004-05:00

Jenny and I hit it off about 15 years ago or so...sounds like not that long ago but when you're only 23 it adds up. Our parents got together one day after church for lunch or something and we roller bladed in her basement. I don't really remember knowing her that much before that...but after that we hung out a ton! Had tea parties, our mom's switched up teaching different homeschool classes to us and we had times that we we probably never even talked...just laughed most of the time! We've stayed in touch even after all these years...and I was sooo excited when she called me one day saying she was dating this guy and it could really go somewhere!! I couldn't believe it! What we had always talked and dreamed about for years was actually happening to her! I was so excited to meet him and when I finally did...definitely approved. He ADORES Jenny to the max....like every guy should take lessons from him. She picked a good one...as well as did he;) Love you Jenny!! Can't wait for your wonderful new future together with your very Mr. Right! Check out the pics that they modeled at the last internship for!
Ps. I know it says Jennifer at the top...and that is what she goes by now...but I have always known her as Jenny so that's what she'll always be known to me as;) hehe!

Today.

2010-09-18T22:07:00.004-05:00

Today was what some might consider too overwhelming to handle, glorious, yet lonely. I'm feeling vibrant tonight for no apparent reason and decided to do a more personal blog than usual... which is what I used to do back in the old days of this blog but have since gotten away from it due to quick blogs...aka twitter and facebook.

SO. I started the day with wanting to go on a hike.
I have to get out of this place and go on adventures a lot more than I do. It brings out a side of me that I've just been discovering and wanting to live out a ton more.

Well after picking out part of my outfit I realized that most of my clothes are in my car...due to the fact that allllll that I own is in my car and storage unit from my travel sabbatical and since I'm staying with one of my friends I have to use the car as a sort of closet. ha! After walking outside real quick to figure out if I dropped my keys out there(I couldn't find them anywhere inside) I turned around to discover I had locked myself out of my friends house! OH SNAP!

No keys to my car. No house keys. No wallet(I left it at my friends house accidently). And best of all in my pajamas. BUT I had my iphone thankfully. After sitting outside trying to get ahold of my friend at work and talking to everyone else on the phone to kill time I finally realized that this is a life that millions of people live each day. Just the clothes on my back. No car. No money. No house. And all the time in the world. I enjoyed it for a while. Simple nothingness.

After getting everything figured out thanks to my amazing friends, rides to places and borrowed cars. I was able to get back to my STUFF. All of it.

Later on I met up with my best friend to go for a hike and during it we talked about whimsy. About never ever ever ever ever wanting to grow up. About building tree-houses. Having a baby deer for a pet. Sleeping under the stars. And throwing tea parties with big hats. Yes to all of the above. Yes. After the hour hike of my soul being completely rejuvenated I was ready to fly again.

We said goodbye then headed home to my other best friends... we talked about how much we had missed each other and the insanity of the day. Laughing. She called it a night in. I have to be out. Always. With people. Non stop.

Tonight was a bit different though as everyone had work or plans. So. Sushi and Elle magazine for one. This is NOT me. Not a bit. It's like taking a piece of cake from a 5 year old. Not fun. Nor desirable. But it was absolutely beautiful for some reason.

Maybe I'm heat stricken from being outside too much today and my mind is turned upside down but it was perfect. The conversation about new adventures with the guy who works at the coffee shop and free drink. To now just feeling so full. Full of life. For absolutely no apparent reason except deciding to.
With all my heart.

The Garon Family

2010-09-17T11:11:00.003-05:00

A little while ago my best friend from growing up, Debbie, came and visited down in Nashville! After talking for awhile she was like "You're gonna be back in Chicago?? You'll have to shoot my brother and sister in law!" I got so excited as I hadn't seen her brother, Chris, in forever or met her sister in law, Linn, or their kids! It was such a treat! These guys were so fun to chase around Fabyan Woods... with all it's little alcoves and old bear cages. We had such a great day in the sun! Here are some of the favorites!! And the slideshow ***HERE***

The Dill Family

2010-09-14T17:36:00.001-05:00

A couple years ago I had such the privilage to shoot Marlene and Jeremy's wedding in Chicago! It was one of the best weddings I've shot as everything revolving around it was awesome! We became great friends with these two and hung out before and after the wedding as well as the 3 days surrounding it! I LOVE these guys! Well they just had their first little one, Bailey, who is so super precious! They had me come out and hang out for the day to do some photos of their family as well as teach Marlene some photography as well! I LOVED being able to reconnect... THE key reason why I love my job so much is these relationships that are built are so much fun!
Marlene's one wish was that we shoot on a row boat so we headed to a little lake nearby to rent one! I'm so excited how everything turned out!! Check out the favorites!! And the slideshow ***HERE***

Kevin & Karen ::: Engagements

2010-09-02T17:36:00.000-05:00

I shot Kevin & Karen's engagement pics back a couple weeks ago in Chicago and did not want to stop shooting at the end! That's always such a good sign! These two were so much fun to get to know and I seriously now can not wait for their wedding in October at a rad place called Salvage One, downtown Chicago!
We literally walked all over the city and followed the gorgeous August light then took a break for some tapas at The Purple Pig. It made for the perfect evening with wonderful, in love, people!!
Counting down the days until I get to take pictures of these two again! Check out the slideshow **HERE**!!

Sarah & John ::: Engagements

2010-08-31T17:37:00.003-05:00

A couple months ago I received an email from my old friend Sarah that she had gotten engaged!! Gah! I was so excited! And even more excited that she asked me to shoot her wedding next year to her amazing fiance John! I grew up going to summer camp with Sarah and her sisters as their grandparents were our pastors...their family would babysit me and my siblings and I always just loved going over to there house to play with their cool toys;) haha! We have so many fun memories! I was so excited to be able to reconnect after several years! I am beyond excited for these two! They fit so very perfect together. I love how they bring so much out in each other. It's so beautiful to see! Check out the favorites from their shoot downtown Chicago! And check out the slideshow **HERE**

Allison & Leo

2010-08-02T12:54:00.003-05:00

Last internship my old neighbors, Allison and Leo, allowed us to take pictures of them for a model shoot which turned out so beautiful! It was a BURNING hot day so we only shot for about half an hour but it turned out awesome! The two of them met in Acapulco at a resort that my intern Kristin had just been raving about a day earlier...we compared notes and figured out it was the same exact resort! Such a small world! I love it! These two were brilliant and modeled like pros! So cute together!;)

The interns ::: June 2010

2010-07-31T11:54:00.005-05:00

Wow. What an internship....it was my very last one at the ICON where I lived for 2 years downtown Nashville. So we lived it up. Enjoying every waking moment of the place. It was a jam packed week with shows of course, photoshoots, and crazy dance parties...pretty much the norm around any internship. There were two girls this time and both were very opposite each other but very alike in the same way! We all got along so well and I loved seeing their personalities come out more and more. I think that is my absolute favorite part of the internship: watching the beginning awkwardness of living with complete strangers, to the end being amazing friends and knowing so many quirks about everyone! It’s a blast! To top off the internship we kept the tradition going with a music video..each one seems to get more and more intense as we go! This one was no exception..we did it to the song Airplanes. And let’s just say we took it pretty seriously too.

Airplane craziness. from Sarah Barlow on Vimeo.

Ashley Pinda
Ashley is such a beautiful soul... such a heart for God and a desire to become all that He wants her to be. It was so evident of that even from the time she wrote me to apply. She has such a great attitude for learning, as well, and picked everything up quickly! Both her and Kristin got everything done so fast I was in awe! She is young but has an awesome drive to really move forward in her passion...while still juggling so many things in her life! I seriously don’t know how she does it with a job, school, and starting a biz! I know if she just keeps that persistence up though she will see it accomplished beautifully! I can’t wait to see all that she does and who she becomes...if it’s even a small percent of what I’ve already seen it will blow people away! Check our her blog **HERE**

Kristin Sanders
Kristin, I actually had been talking to for months before the actual internship...trying to figure out the best time for her to come and she made it just in time!! I was SOOOO excited to work with her as I had finally met her a couple months before while out to dinner with some friends and I instantly loved her! I knew she would be a perfect fit for the internship and boy was she. Her spirit is so vibrant and joyful, I love it, and her endurance and strength in all that she’s gone through is baffling to me. The love that she has for people made me want to straighten some things in my life as well! She is so much fun to be around, so I know that she will have customers galore soon and she won’t be able to stop them cause of her infectious spirit! I can’t wait to see her fly! Check out her blog **HERE**

Raven & Jon ::: Engagement

2010-07-07T14:23:00.004-05:00

A couple weeks ago I headed out to beautiful Radnor Lake to meet up with Raven and Jon for their engagement shoot! They are getting married in Florida in a few months but live here so decided to have engagement photos in this lovely town! I was so happy to work with them as they were a blast to work with and anyone that finishes a shoot off with a game of Frisbee is a winner in my book!! Those are the times in my job that I love the most... when the couple has something so fun that they love to do together and I get to be the paparazzi to document it! SO fun! I'm so excited for these two and their future together!
Check out the photos below and the ***SLIDESHOW HERE***!!

Sinead Burgess

2010-06-30T11:59:00.001-05:00

Back about a month ago my friend Ben and I were planning on getting together to plan his brother Stephen's birthday party... he walks in and in walks this tall Australian girl right behind him who had recruited for the party planning committee as well. I had met her before briefly but after this afternoon of party planning for about half an hour and the rest of the hours laughing, talking in accents, exchanging music and drinking tea we became fast friends. I knew we were destined. ha! She is one of the sweetest people I've met with such an amazing heart and already one of my great friends even after just a few weeks!
Sinead is an incredible musician back in Australia as well and is here to record her album which she just finished! I KNOW the album is going to blow peoples minds! I'm sad to be loosing her back to her Aussie state next month but I'm soaking up every minute that I have while she's here! Of course one of the ways to do that is do a photoshoot which she was gladly willing to model for the internship this past month! Gah! One of my favorite photoshoots ever for sure. Check out the beautiful Sinead Burgess below!

Alison Parson

2010-06-28T12:23:00.003-05:00

Two internships ago I finally got to shoot my beautiful friend Alison Parson! We've been talking about doing a shoot for forever and finally the stars aligned for it to happen and boy am I glad it did! Definitely one of my favorite shoots! She is such a classic beauty and for a second I thought I was back in the 50s cause she just has that look sometimes. Gosh I love it. Alison is an awesome musician as well as being awesome at modeling! Check out here music **here**!!

Alyssa & Jarred ::: Engagement

2010-06-26T11:33:00.003-05:00

A couple internships ago I talked to my past bride Shana to see if she knew of anyone who would be a great couple to model for us! She immediately sent me a list of people who would be great to shoot with! She later said she thought Alyssa and Jarred would be just the fit and they WERE! They were so adorable together had such a beautiful love for each other that was so evident throughout the whole shoot that it made it impossible to get a bad shot...not to mention how beautiful they themselves are!! I'm so excited for them getting married next month! I know they will have an AMAZING future together.
Check out the pics!!

Chicago, interns, traveling ::: Update on life!

2010-06-24T11:18:00.004-05:00

This next week I am moving out of my place in Nashville and packing everything up to travel for a few months! I am super super excited about getting up and going! I'll still be completely based in Nashville but have had so many places I've wanted to go lately that I just decided now was the time to do it! I'll be posting all about the places I go to! It'll be exciting! In the meantime though I still wanted to offer internships as I get requests for it all the time!
I just released one in Chicago as I'll be going back there a lot this summer! The date is July 29th-August 3! I'm super excited about it! Check out the intern site for more info!! http://interns.sarahbarlow.com Can't wait to get back there for a bit and visit my family(especially my sisters-ABOVE) as well as make new intern friends!!

Also, as I'll be back in Chicago a lot in July and August I'll be open for weddings, photoshoots, mentoring sessions! Contact me on my site if you want to schedule something! www.sarahbarlow.com
I'll also be going to California, Colorado, New York, and possibly Seattle so all of the above is available for those places as well!!

Sarah & Andy ::: Engagement ::: Chicago

2010-06-18T12:00:00.001-05:00

I met Sarah...well I don't even remember I think I've just always known her! ha! She used to teach my class in children's church when I was little and was always so sweet! I totally looked up to her at that young age:) We reconnected a couple years ago through our passion for photography as she works at a studio near her house in Chicago! Then last month she asked if I could shoot her engagement pictures as she had found the one! We shot all around there house in Crystal Lake as well as in their kitchen which is where he proposed while they were renovating it. Such a labor of love. I'm soo excited for her and Andy as I know they will have such a beautiful life together. Check out there pics here! And the **slideshow HERE**