Heather Durham Photography Blog
Heather Durham recently photographed a day in the life of country music artist Chris Janson and family at their farm in Franklin, TN and backstage before his performance at The Grand Ole Opry. Check out the behind the scenes video at the end of this post, see the cover and be sure to read the full story in the October 2019 Issue of Covey Rise.
Baby Hunt’s lifestyle newborn session at home in Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga by Heather Durham Photography.
It’s that time of year again when I get back to the roots of where my business started over 16 years ago with kids and family portraits. Over the years my business has grown into weddings, commercial… More
Photography by Heather Durham on location at Nelson’s Green Briar Distillery in Nashville, TN.
Story by Jake Emen.
Photography by Heather Durham on location in Nashville at Peg Leg Porker
Story by Steve Coomes
Art Director Laura Buchanan
Last month I invested in me. I invested in my business. I surrounded myself with hundreds of incredibly talented photographers from all over the world. I met with owners of film labs to learn more about their processes and how I can deliver the best images to my clients. I met with print labs to discuss new partnerships for the fine art prints I have always offered my clients, since the beginning of my business over 16 years ago.
It’s always important to me to attend at least one industry conference each year. Continuing education is invaluable. I never want to feel like I’ve learned everything there is to know. I want to always be a student, honing my skills. Conferences are always a shot in the arm of inspiration, but sometimes they can also make you feel “less than” or overwhelmed with information and how to apply it to your business right away. As soon as those feelings creep in I try to realign them with the truth that I am enough. My worth is in Christ and I am created to be me, not anyone else. I do me. I stay true to my style, my goals and my desire to keep learning and pursuing the best ways to serve my amazing clients. Then I stop for a minute, take a deep breath and realize how deeply grateful I am that THIS is what I get to do every single day. It brings me so much joy.
I already shared the shoot hosted by the talented Eric Kelley and you can see that post here. Now, I want to share some of the film images from an inspiration shoot and workshop hosted by another leader in the wedding photography industry, Lauren Fair, who has been named Top Wedding Photographer in the world by BRIDES and The Knot. I enjoyed meeting her after following her work for a while now. She and her husband Tim are kind people and wonderfully humble educators. I love how this shoot turned out because of the efforts of an incredibly talented vendor team. My business started with film exclusively over 16 years ago. After a long sabbatical, it feels good to slowly weave film back into my workflow as a hybrid shooter, which just means that I’m an artist who chooses the medium (film or digital) that best suits the client, the situation and the light. I hope you enjoy this lovely wedding inspiration shot on film…
Credits/Vendor Team + Instagram Accounts:
Host Photographer: @erickelley
Photographer: @heatherdurhamphotography
Producer and Set Designer: @type_a_society
Floral Designer: @melissabroadwell
Wardrobe Styling: @lexfordays
Hair: @locksbyleslie
Makeup: @jordanbyers
Cake: @trouvaillebakery
Jewelry: @sarahojewelry + @trumpetandhorn
Couture Bags and Jewelry: @mindylamjewelry
Shoes: @badgleymischka
Earrings: @jenniferbehr + @lili_claspe
Backdrops: @telicialee styling mats @jrd_artshop
Rentals: @maykercreative
Plates, Silverware and Glasses: @greystonetable
Stationary: @yonderdesign + @aerialistpress
Ring boxes: @voeu_du_coeur
Floral Pedestal Columns: @lavendersflowers
Jane Elizabeth and Taylor’s April wedding….it was stunning! Just wait to you see the reception floral design. It’s next level gorgeous! The couple even brought their lab “Honey” along for portraits after their First Look. My favorite image of the day? As you are scrolling, look for the black and white, wide reception room shot with JE and Taylor in a moment as if they were the only ones in the room. That image is what I look for at every reception. It encompasses the story of the entire day from planning and design by the talented Meghan Cease of M. Elizabeth Events, to all the important people in your life celebrating with you, and most importantly your joy and emotion in the midst of the moment of it all coming together. It’s everything!
I loved spending the day with this Alabama girl, Arkansas Razorback and their sweet families! I say this every time, but y’all my brides are the sweetest! I feel truly blessed to be invited into your lives.
Photographer: Heather Durham | Assistant Photographers: Emily Kicklighter & Rizza Phillips | Planner: M. Elizabeth Events| Floral Design: Mary Donald | Wedding Gown: Custom redesign of bride’s mother’s dress by Katherine Vier | Bride Shoes: Stuart Weitzman|Tuxes: Mr. Burch | Bridesmaids Dresses: Amsale from Bella Bridesmaids |Wedding Invitations: The Scribbler| Bride Hair Stylist: Melissa Bogardus| Ceremony: Cathedral Church of the Advent | Reception Venue: Mountain Brook Club| Cake Artist: Magic Muffin| Lighting, Draping and Rigging: AG Lighting | Rentals: Prophouse Birmingham |Entertainment: Atlanta Groove Factory
My daughter Olivia and I volunteer for Saddle Up, a therapeutic horseback riding program for kids with disabilities, just down the road from our neighborhood. We’ve seen first hand how caring for the horses and riding soothes these kids and brings them so much joy. It’s truly an amazing place that gives so much to families in our community.
Last Saturday I had the privilege of photographing the Music Country Grand Prix, sponsored by Tractor Supply and benefitting Saddle Up. This event is held at beautiful Brownland Farm here in Franklin, TN.
It was an absolutely perfect first day of June on the farm with sunshine, blue skies, fluffy clouds and nice breezes. I won’t share all of the jumpers, because this blog post would be too long; but I will share an overview of this wonderful event and the winning jumper, David Jennings, owner of Full Circle Farm Jumpers here in Franklin, and his horse Caddie R. Congratulations! If you are in Nashville and have never attended this event, I highly recommend putting it on your calendar for next year. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday with the family!
