Spry Media Photography | Louisville, Kentucky

Hey everyone!

Finally got the chance to get all these photos together from our Gatlinburg, TN & Smoky Mountain National park trip from Oct 28-30th.  It seriously was an awesome little getaway adventure for the both of us. We had fun hiking the beautiful trails, and experiencing two seasons in one day. We witnessed beautiful landscapes, wonderful people, and a little fuzzy black bear. The weather was fantastic closer to sea-level, 60′s and a sunny blue sky, spotted with white puffy clouds. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions. We stayed in a condo in Pigeon Forge which was not too far from Smokies. We rode around the loop for some time just taking in all the beautiful fall colors, stopping to just breathe in fresh air and to relax. On Saturday, we drove around for awhile thinking of where we could go and what we could see.. Since this was such a spontaneous trip we didn’t really have any spots planned before hand, so we stopped in the heart of Gatlinburg, grabbed some breakfast and one of those little trail guide books, and came across a few pages with popular trails. Clingman’s dome caught our eye being the highest elevation point to experience the Smoky Mountains.. and soon enough we were on our way! As we slowly made our way up, we stopped a few times to venture off-the-beaten path, to grab some waterfall shots. Seriously couldn’t tell you what waterfall it was apart of but it was gorgeous anyways (you’ll see it later). I’m realizing in the middle of writing this, I’m telling you everything we did, and probably should just let the photos do the talkin’ But one last important thing on Sunday, our last day, we got up early and hiked up The Rainbow Falls trail, a 5.2 mi long trail roundtrip, that leads to an 80ft waterfall. It seriously seemed forever long due to elevation, but it was a great and eye-opening experience for both of us. We got to talk and bond, and just breathe and be happy together. Nothing to worry about besides how far we were from the top and where we place our foot next. No time restraints, no computers in front of us, no phones half the time. Just us our cameras, and mother nature. When we reached the top, we just so happened to be at the right place at the right time. One mantra I (Lauren) alway try to live by is everything happens for a reason. We were meant to be there at that time, when a couple asked us to take their portraits below the falls. Again, I’ll let the photos do the story-telling and you can put together the pieces when you see the photos near the end. Sorry this was such a long blog post, so much to talk about, words just aren’t enough really. If you haven’t ventured to the Smokies, what the heck are you waiting for?

Enjoy the weekend,
Lauren & Ryan

We were fascinated with the gradient of winter and fall in the same setting. It was just awesome!

Yea it was that cold at the top…

The photo on the left may make it into a large vertical print  

Why so many dead trees (fir)? An insect imported from Europe called the “adelgid” injects the tree with toxins, and the tree virtually starves to death. Super sad, but makes for interesting photographs.

One for the memory book  

Loved the lines the trail made against the snow-blanketed fir.

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Behind the lens of Lauren!

Behind the lens of Ryan! 

If you look close enough you can see Herbie… lol

HERBIEEEE’s closeup!  :) our little owl buddy we rescued from Clingman’s Dome. 

WE SAW A BLACK BEAR tearing up a log for insects. Ryan captured this, and he said he felt his heart drop when it stared at him! lol

Yep, Rainbow Falls was only 2.6 miles to the top. But it sure felt like a damn lifetime lol. Fun nonetheless

A few of Lauren’s macro shots!

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

The colors you see in the smokies this time of year is just simply incredible.

Bokeh bokeh bokeh!! 

Funny/amazing/cute story here.. A random couple asked us for some portraits below the 80ft Rainbow Falls. 

Oh yea… then this happened  

You can’t see us here.. but this is the same reaction we had on our faces.. lol 

Dannnnggg girllll such a beautiful ring.

We’ll end it on this one Thanks for viewing guys! 

Hey Again,

So Saturday October 15, 2011 turned out to be a fantastic day to get married. Perfect weather, the trees were starting to change colors, there was a crisp breeze. Couldn’t of asked for a better day to shoot a beautiful fall wedding. We were so excited to shoot this wedding, immediately when Debbie and Mike asked us to do coverage. We were already giddy when we heard it was in October and at the Conrad Caldwell House. It was a new adventure for us, and that’s what we love!

We started the day out early at New Attitude Hair Salon where we met up with the girls. I think this is one of our favorite parts of the day, it’s so fun watching each girl get made even more beautiful by Kathryn, in their own way.  We took a few sweet portraits in the salon, and made our way to the Conrad Caldwell House. The house was awesome… if you haven’t been in it you should, everything is so vintage and delicate looking, perfect for wedding photos. After the I do’s and shedding tears of joy, everyone went down the stairs, (or the creepy elevator.. lol) to party!

Anyways enough rambling, I’ll let the photos tell the story now! Enjoy guys, feel free to leave us some love below, we always love hearing from you all.

Q: How gorgeous is Debbie???  A: Completely gorgeous. 

A few details for ya!

Helllloooo ladies!

For all you photogs out there, here’s a beautiful HDR of the Conrad House.

Ryan loved the pumpkin.. haha, You can see the rooms were enchanting though. 

Simplicity is key!

We look forward to doing ring shots every wedding, where both of our creativities can run wild. I suppose it’s pretty easy when you have rings like these. :]

The wallpaper in the bathroom was simply awesome, and we want it as a backdrop!! The color & pattern was perfect for Debbie’s finishing touches.

The moment is here. When the bride puts on the dress, is when everything comes together, family, smiles, and emotions like this are one of our favorite things to capture.

The light in this room is just off the charts, Mike you rocked’ the handsome look. 

First look for Mike, and for everyone else. 

Love is forever, from here on out.

You two look so good together. 

Our Facebook Teaser! Head on over and “like it”! 

The cake was beautiful, and the cupcakes were too cute!! Such a good idea. 

Lovely first dance.

Y-M-C-A!  haha! 

We’ll end it on this one. Thank you two, for letting us be apart of your special day. It means so much! Enjoy each other, laugh, love and be forever happy.

Hey guys!

What a crazy busy weekend for us, had two beautiful weddings to attend and we were so honored to be apart of both. The Stickler wedding was so much fun! Katie was such a gorgeous bride, and David was the center of the party! It started out at Sola Salons in Louisville, on a beautiful day. The sky was a brilliant blue, with white puffy clouds you could almost feel. The wind was a little out of hand but it made the day memorable for sure. After Katie and her ladies got “beautified” we headed over to St. Rita’s Catholic Church to relax and get ready. The ceremony was full of love and just adorable. After the “I do’s” friends and family made their way to Southpark Country Club for some wonderful food, cake cutting and of course dancing.

We hope you enjoy the photos! We had such a great time you two, congratulations again!

Simple and beautiful finishing details!

A cute little helper joined us.

LOVED her shoes.

Ryan’s snagged this one. So gorgeous. 

Some helping hands never looked so gorgeous.

Katie, you rocked it!!!

Yea.. your beautiful, you know it. 

How handsome, the purple calla lily was such an elegant touch.

This one makes us laugh, such a fantastic group to photograph. 

Some more details, and of course the Tom’s shoes. 

Definitely was a little windy that day, they still all look handsome though! 

Her bouquet was gorgeous and bedazzled, haha!

Turnin’ heads! =]

The moment is here..

Before the reception, now off to dance! 

Some special elements to their marriage! 

Pretty sure this was one of the BETTER cakes we have ever seen. David’s sister definitely rocked it. (Still can’t believe she only does this on the side). 

Some good times were definitely made!

We’ll end it on this one, thanks for letting us be apart of your special day.  Live together – happily ever after!