Nashville Wedding Photographer, Nashville Portrait Photographer | Mark Denman Photography » Live, Laugh, Love

“Sweet Baton Rouge, my Baton Rouge.” Its a place with so much culture and history. I was born a raised there.

I love it.

I went home for Thanksgiving and thought I would (to some degree) document in pictures my hometown. I want to share with my daughter a little something about me. I wish cameras were more available when my parents were growing up. I would love to see how things were in their time. This was a very fun and sad venture. Some of the places I visited I could see myself there again so many years ago. I could smell my kindergarten classroom and feel the cool air inside of Winbush’s corner store across from my elementary school. I could see myself, a little kid, running across the school grounds at recess. It brought back some really wonderful memories. Some I wish I could relive for just a day. Oh well. I have some great stories to tell her when she’s older.

This is just the beginning. I hope to add to this collection of images each time I go back. I’ll also continue documenting Gloucester, UK, my wife’s hometown. Stay tuned for some of those images.

[caption id="attachment_1169" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="I was born in a hospital across this lake"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1122" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Louisiana State Capitol - Richard Pryor did a scene in this very spot in \'\'The Toy\'\' "][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1173" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="State Capitol Building"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1127" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="The Kingfish - The first US senator to be assassinated."][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1126" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Visual depiction of Huey P Long\'s Assassination."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1172" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Senator Huey Pierce Long"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1125" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Louisiana State House of Representatives"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1124" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Louisiana State Senate Chambers"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1132" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="View of downtown Baton Rouge from the steps of the State Capitol"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1133" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Another view of downtown Baton Rouge from the Mississippi river"][/caption][caption id="attachment_1135" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Such a Louisiana name!!! Pronounced Boo'-dro and Ti'-bah-doe"][/caption]

She said she was going to wear a silver dress and red shoes. I had no idea what to expect. I’d never seen a bride in silver and red. Oh well. She did tell me that this would be a bit non-traditional. But when Michelle stepped out of the car at Sevier Park in Nashville, TN, I immediately thought to myself, “Why don’t all brides wear silver and red?” She was as lovely and elegant as I have ever seen.

My camera smiled…because it was going to be a good day!

We had an absolute blast photographing their wedding. I kinda wish they were getting married again so we could do it all over. (Hey! A photographer can wish!!!) Ooooor! maybe one of her lovely sisters or sister in law? Hmmmm!. Anyway, The Franceson and Brown family are wonderful people and its such a privilege to be forever a part of their lives.

Thanks Michelle, Keegan and Judy for trusting me with this awesome responsibility.

Big thanks to Sionnie LaFollette for capturing some great shots also!

[caption id="attachment_1033" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Tale of the bridesmaids - Nashville Wedding Photographer"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1045" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Groomsmen - Nashville Wedding Photographer"][/caption]

IT’S MY HONOR

It’s such an honor when another photographer asks you to photograph their wedding. The story with Chelsey and me as that we went to the same school. That’s it. We were never in the same section (aka Class for all you traditional students.) We never ran in the same circles and we probably said two words to each other in passing but yet I find an email in my inbox from her saying she wants to talk to me about photographing her wedding. WOW! Someone who knows the craft, has the same education you have, could have pick any number of talented photographers in her area or other photographer friends and she wants to talk to me? Ummm ok.

ALL BY DESIGN

We talked and she booked me for her wedding. The sweat glands began heating up. There are no do-overs with weddings, you understand. You get ONE SHOT!! Just one! God places us around certain people by design. Why Chelsey and I never crossed paths at school is not for me to know but I’ve learned a great lesson from the time preparing for her wedding and meeting her fiance/husband Kurt) and family. There are wonderful people everywhere…far away and right under your nose. Chelsey is a wonderful person. Kurt is a wonderful guy. (Okay, cowboys might not like being called wonderful so I’ll say a “Cool” guy.) Her family are some of the kindest people I’ve met. Her parents, siblings and friends all are absolutely a joy to be around. These are the kind of people you thank God for bringing your way because you leave them being a little better than you were before. It makes me wonder how many other wonderful people I never met at school. Perhaps that’s not for me to know either. I can only hope that I provide that same experience to others I meet.

LESSONS LEARNED

Like weddings, there are no do-overs in life.
You get ONE SHOT!!! Just one.
People come your way by design.
There are no accidents.
So be kind to everyone you meet.
Generously give of yourself without respect to race, political views or religious beliefs.
Be the kind of person where when someone leaves your presence they can say that they are better for having met you.
Giggle a lot. (Chelsey understands this one)

I’M BETTER OFF

Thanks Chelsey and Kurt so much for inviting me into your lives. The love between you is apparent and I hope that the images we captured reminds you everyday of how special you are to each other and to those around you.
I’m a better person for being apart of your lives.

All this from photographing a wedding? Yep! That’s why I do what I do.

Love these shots of Kurt by Peter Odegaard

“When I wake up in the morning and I feel the gentle breeze.
And there’s apple blossoms blooming everywhere
I hear the birds singing to each other in the trees
And I smell the pretty fragrance in the air

When it’s apple blossom time in Iowa,
And the grass is sprinkled with morning dew,
When it’s apple blossom time in Iowa
I’ll know the sweetest blossom, dear, is you.”
– from Apple Blossom Time In Iowa

I loved my stay in Davenport, Iowa. It was not near long enough. It’s charm, its beauty, the people and its promise draws you in. I could get use to it. I hope to be able to return someday but in the meantime I have the memories.

[caption id="attachment_937" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="A view of downtown Davenport, IA from within the Skywalk."][/caption]

Stay tuned for more from this wedding. This is going to be GOOD!
[caption id="attachment_901" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Michelle & Keegan - Sevier Park, Nashville, TN"][/caption]

Meet Rachel and Baby (as Rachel calls her) Sharron and I were in the other room when we were interrupted by Rachel’s scream. Its hard to get what actually happened. You see, Rachel’s not saying anything, but the best I can gather is that Baby was not eating her food. Actually its Rachel’s food, but we are teaching her to share so I can’t complain too much. We tried explaining that Baby was not hungry but Rachel would not have it.

Baby was going to eat this food!!!!

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Chelsey is the giggler and Kurt is the cowboy. A great combination! and they make it work well. I photographed Chelsey and Kurt in beautiful Davenport, IA and we had a great time. Its easy to see that they love each other which makes photographing any couple easy. Take a peak at the images and you’ll see for yourself.

Can’t wait for this wedding!

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