luxury weddings

Mary Wesley & Bradley’s Birmingham, AL Wedding at Cathedral Church of the Advent + The Club

Published on November 1, 2019November 1, 2019 by Heather Durham PhotographyLeave a comment

I loved getting to know Mary Wesley and Bradley and their family from their engagement to their classic wedding day. And, since we are all University of Alabama alums, we bonded over fun college memories and football.

Mary Wesley and Bradley’s classic southern wedding was a dream and they looked at each other so sweetly all day long, fully invested in every moment together. This translated into me being able to create incredibly authentic images of their wedding day, beginning at The Tutwiler Hotel, to Mary Wesley’s parents’ ranch to Cathedral of the Advent and finally The Club. Their day was flawless. And, Mary Wesley looked absolutely regal in her 2-piece gown by Martina Liana from Ivory & White. She was able to have two different looks by just removing the lace bodice worn for the ceremony to reveal a simpler sweetheart neckline with banded waist.

M.Elizabeth Events and AG Event Design wow’d guests, transforming the ballroom for the reception at The Club. It boasted florals in shades of white with greenery, and so many orchids! Greige linen seating areas encouraged guests to sit, relax and stay a while. Mirrored tables reflected light from the flickering candles and offered a resting spot for drinks.

I’m so excited to share this October wedding with you. It was a sweet, southern stunner! And…sometimes in this industry we feel pressured to show only the pretty, perfectly styled images. I do love those (alot), but there’s SO much more to the story… family, friendships, laughter, hugs, tears, joy…that’s what wedding days are all about. Relationships and moments are what you want to remember and treasure for years to come. That’s what I want to share…the complete story. YOUR story.

(Sorry, not sorry for the lengthy blog post. I couldn’t help it. Let’s just say that when it comes to images, I’m better at novels than Cliff’s notes. ;))

M. Elizabeth Team in action with all hands on deck for help with the dress.

I loved the color edit AND the black and white edit of this shot! Couldn’t decide so I posted both! 😉

Mary Wesley & Bradley’s Wedding at Advent and The Club by Heather Durham Photography

Film Images from The Hybrid Collective Workshop Hosted by Lauren Fair in Nashville, TN

Published on June 18, 2019June 29, 2019 by Heather Durham PhotographyLeave a comment

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…

Nashville Wedding Styled Shoot at Green Door Gourmet Farm by Heather Durham Photography Hosted by Lauren Fair

Credits/Vendor Team + Instagram Accounts:

Workshop: The Hybrid Collective @TheHybridCo

Workshop Host + Lead Photographer: Lauren Fair @laurenfair

Photographer (Images shown here): Heather Durham @heatherdurhamphotography

Film Lab: Photovision @photovisionprints

Creative Direction: RSVP Events @rsvpeventdesigns

Floral Design: Melissa Broadwell @melissabroadwell

Venue: Green Door Gourmet @greendoorgourmet

Bridal Gown: Monique Lhuillier @moniquelhuillier, @moniquelhuillierbride

Hair & Makeup: Erin Ryser @erinvryser

Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes @bellabelleshoes

Paper Goods: Ink & Press Co @inkandpressco

Lingerie: Girl & A Serious Dream @girlandaseriousdream

Garters: The Garter Girl @gartergirl

Jewelry: Walton’s Antique & Estate Jewelry @waltonsjewelry

Menswear: Street Tuxedo @streettuxedo

Tabletop Rentals: White Glove Rentals @whitegloverentals

Linens: La Tavola @latavolalinen

Cakes: Copper Whisk Cakes @copperwhiskcakes

Styling Surfaces: Locust Collection @locustcollection

Mixology: Bar Magnolia @barmagnolia

Ribbon: Tono & Co @tonoandco

Furniture Rentals: Please Be Seated @pleasebeseatedrentals

Candles: Creative Candles @creative.candles

Colorful & Modern Wedding Inspiration Shoot at the Hybrid Collective Workshop Hosted by Eric Kelley

Published on June 9, 2019 by Heather Durham Photography1 Comment

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 & Taylor’s Cocktails and Rehearsal Dinner at Moonshine at the Elyton and Café Dupont, Birmingham AL Wedding

Published on May 10, 2019July 7, 2019 by Heather Durham Photography1 Comment

Jane Elizabeth and Taylor’s Rehearsal Dinner started with family portraits in the Elyton Hotel’s gorgeous lobby (I’m a little obsessed with its blue walls.) Then, champagne and a sunset view of Birmingham at Moon Shine, the rooftop lounge at the top of the Elyton. Everyone enjoyed a delicious, candlit dinner seated at tables with monogrammed napkins and beautiful florals at Café DuPont. We left with full stomachs and full hearts. Guests parted with a monogrammed gift box of roasted pecans from the groom’s family ranch in Arkansas.

Virginia & Matthew’s Cathedral Church of the Advent and Birmingham Museum of Art Wedding

Published on March 29, 2019April 8, 2019 by Heather Durham Photography2 Comments

My first wedding of 2019 was Virginia and Matthew’s beautiful Birmingham, AL wedding planned by M. Elizabeth Events in shades of smoky blue, white and greenery.

Maria & Matt’s Downtown Birmingham Engagement Session

Published on January 23, 2019January 22, 2019 by Heather Durham Photography1 Comment

The day after Christmas I had the pleasure of photographing Maria and Matt’s Engagement Session, and y’all they are so sweet and full of joy! Since they are both from Birmingham, they requested iconic city spots to be included in the images as part of their story, so we strolled all over downtown as they laughed and snuggled. And, we had the most perfect December day…sunny and unseasonably warm!

I can’t wait for their December 14, 2019 wedding at Prince of Peace Catholic Church and Vestavia Country Club. It’s going to be a fun one!