The Root Photography Blog

2019 Tennessee Trip!

April 9, 2020 by Jensey Leave a Comment

Before we became parents, I had dreams of grandeur of blogging monthly personal photos. Every trip being documented within a week of returning from home.

The reality is I’m constantly treading water when it comes to our personal photos. Our bests are *incredibly* patient and never complain about getting our fall trip photos uploaded in March. *facepalm* I go back and forth on whether it’s even worth the effort to share them or if it’s just wrong to because we’re off season. I can’t wait until *next* fall to post, because I know I’ll have another load of memories I’d rather share but be behind on (and Oliver will be a whole year older!), so I’ll end up putting THOSE on the back burner, and the cycle just never ends.

BUT. I’ve decided this year I’m going to try to share more of these photos, even if we’re 6 months behind. Because this was my favorite trip of 2019 and Ollie in Tennessee just warms my heart. <3 And sometimes we get reallllllly cute photos of our favorite people, like this one that just begs to be seen! :)

If you’ve been following for the past decade, you may remember our best friends who got married in Africa. If you ever wonder what became of them, Lorie and Jon are happily raising their family of chickens in Nashville! We don’t get to see them often, but I’m always so happy when we do. <3 <3

All their chickens have fun egg names, like Scrambled, Sunny Side, and Deviled! They’re also a few tambourines away from being the chickens belting “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah” at the end of Splash Mountain. <3

Ollie is *very* impressed and talks about them often. :)

Every fall or early winter we try to make a trip to Tennessee! I want to raise my Florida boy aware of seasons, and appreciating our favorite place- Dollywood!!

He’s already off to a good start and definitely appreciates a good carousel <3

On our way to Dollywood’s First Aid for a scary splinter!

Can’t you feeeeeel the bravery in this one?! <3

“Pooh Bear, is that you?!”

There is NOTHING like Dollywood at Halloween. We were so happy to share this magic with Tim and John!!

He’ll cry when he meets Mickey, but somehow this motley crew wasn’t scary to him at all!!

THE table at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort where I filled out our home study papers to adopt!! I’ll cry if they ever get rid of this special little corner!

Favorite part of the trip? Nate was taking the above photo of Tim and John when Ollie proudly announced, “I want to take a picture with my uncles.” <3 <3 <3

We met this sweet couple taking photos with their phones in wedding attire! Nate made some friends and took some with our camera, too. :)

We loved getting a little taste of fall and can’t wait to go back!! <3

Claudia + Paul : Rainy Wedding at The Kimpton Brice Hotel in Savannah, Georgia

October 31, 2019 by Jensey 1 Comment

Claudia first met Paul when she was a Disney Tour Guide who visited the Jungle Cruise on a daily basis and Paul was a cute Jungle Cruise Skipper. It wasn’t until a decade later when they both took on new jobs in Disney Special Events and sat next to each other, and the rest is history. <3

Nate and I met beautiful Claudia years ago when she worked with our bests, Nick and Jessie at Magic Kingdom Guest Relations! She was a guest at a couple weddings we photographed and mentioned years ago that she wanted us to shoot her wedding someday. I was beyond honored she remembered us when the time came and I can’t imagine *not* being a part of this one! <3

This wedding had EVERYTHING:

– The rainiest first look you ever did see. (No- seriously. I was on my hands and knees with the bridesmaids blow-drying her veil.)
– Doctor Who touches galore!
– A STANLEY PRETZEL DAY BAR FROM THE OFFICE.
– A Nintendo wedding cake!!
– Jungle Cruise background music while guests were being seated (to honor the groom, a past skipper!)
– And… Last but certainly not least: BABY HANDS.

One of my favorite moments of the day took place when I was setting up this shoe photo in the lobby of the Kimpton Brice hotel! Two women were standing behind us and I heard one excitedly say, “Ohhh, that’s a great idea! Take a photo so our photographer will do that too!” Sure enough, the women were Claudia and Paul’s mothers and we immediately earned their seal of approval. <3

Leading up to this wedding day, the forecast wasn’t looking good. And by “not good,” we’re talking a 100% chance of rain thanks to a tropical storm rolling through! Thankfully, Claudia and Paul chose the Kimpton Brice Hotel to get married, which meant no shortage of amazing light, big windows, and indoor photo ops!

Just one of the many sweet personal touches of their day! Claudia and Paul exchanged private vows during their first look, and this little Tardis book held Claudia’s words for Paul. <3

Taken on our walk to the first look. I know. But the rain was worth it- Nate and I agree this may be our favorite first look ever. Ever ever ever ever. <3

My #1 favorite favorite favorite that I’m so happy we took before updating our website- Claudia, this is movie worthy!!

Nate’s favorite. <3

See? All dry! :)

Their wedding ceremony went rain back up, but it was just as sweet. <3

We had about a 3 minute break from rain so I grabbed the girls and headed outside!

So so sooooo many favorites. <3

Can we talk about how beautiful our best friends are? Jessie is my Kate Middleton and I’m convinced she made a deal with the devil to stop all signs of aging 10 years ago. <3

Root Lifers photo!!! Claudia and Paul, we love y’all- Thank you for giving us the honor of being your wedding photographers! We can’t wait to share more soon! :)

The Roots Take on the Disney Dream May 2019

September 12, 2019 by Jensey Leave a Comment

Sometimes we go years without a Disney Cruise wedding but this year we got lucky- TWO cruise weddings within 4 months!

In May, Ollie was at the peak of his Peter Pan obsession, but we definitely boarded with a lost boy and left with a PIRATE! He’s truly obsessed with all things Hook, Smee, and pirate related- This is him looking hard for pirate ships (or “potty chips” in Ollie-ese) on pirate night in a little outfit I snagged on Amazon!

He. Does. This. Every. Where.

One of my favorite memories of our trip was just snuggling in bed and watching Peter Pan every night before bed. <3

Ollie’s definitely been fur character phobic for the past year, so I was SHOCKED when he buddied right up to Pluto!! They dug for shells together and everything. Ollie’s definitely a dog person, so I think we need more visits with this pup asap!

Goofy, on the other hand… COMPLETELY different story!! Oliver nervously walked up to him, Goofy took that as a sign to grab his hand an walk him away from me…

… BIG mistake. HUGE. lol :)

Just the most picture perfect, gorgeous weather, empty beach for Ollie’s first blissful visit to Castaway Cay!!

Juuuust kidding. 100º and PACKED! :)

We were secretly happy he takes after us- Not a beach kid (for now!)

This was his face the rest of our time on Castaway!

Not the best photo of myself, but maybe the most “Mom” photo I’ve taken yet. This was the moment Ollie became obsessed with the alarm buttons on elevators!!! He’s so sneaky and will hit them every. damn. time. if we’re not paying close attention!!

He loves finding Nemo!!

You might remember his first reaction to the splash pad 4 months before– TOTALLY different game on this visit! But as of this summer, he hates them again! Oh, toddlers. ;)

I couldn’t believe our luck- A friend of mine from high school was on the same cruise with her gorgeous kiddos!! We made them take some family photos on Deck 4!! :)