Kim + John | A Nostalgic Norris Dam Engagement

Several years ago, back before I became a photographer, before I got married, before I had graduated college, I worked at Starbucks in Knoxville, TN. It’s kind of a special place for me, as that’s where I met Jamie back in 2005 when I came home from the College of Charleston for the summer and got a job there. (Jamie was a regular and a friend of Carrie, who trained me… but that’s another story!) Anyway, at one point I was hired by a manager, Kim, to help open up a new store in Knoxville as a shift supervisor, and I have to admit, that couple of years I was there taught me a LOT about leadership, good decision making, and business in general. I may or may not have been a little scared of her at first, because she runs a tight ship and I made my share of dumb mistakes, but I soon realized that she was teaching me valuable lessons that would stick with me years later when I was starting a business of my own. Anyway, all this to say that the crazy summer we opened that store, Kim would always be off on Wednesday nights, and for a long time we had no idea what she was up to. It turns out she was rendez-vous-ing with this guy John, whom she had met on match.com and who lived just across the border in Kentucky. She soon shared with us that they were meeting up in Lake City, the halfway point between the two of them, for weekly dates.

She described their first “real” date this way, which I thought was just too awesome not to share in her words: “Our first date was a Nashville Predators game in Nashville, TN. We both planned to meet in Nashville that evening. Somehow I passed him on the interstate remembering the picture of him online and knowing what kind of car he drove. Once I saw the Kentucky license plate, I knew it was him. I passed him quickly and gave him a call. I asked if a blue car had just passed him, he responded with a blue something or other just passed me. I just waved my hand, and we proceeded to follow each other, except I drank like 5 Cokes already that day and my bladder was about to burst! I needed to make a pit stop… I got into the right lane, and so did he. We both ended up getting off at the exit and meeting for the first time at a super scary gas station in Crab Orchard, TN.” :)

I’m so INSANELY honored that Kim and John asked me to photograph their wedding. I know Kim has high standards, so the fact that she trusts me means a lot. We met up last weekend at Norris Dam in Lake City, where Kim and John laid the groundwork for their relationship that first 7 months of long-distance dating and mysterious meet ups. What was also really cool is that they hadn’t been to Norris (and the Mexican restaurant they would eat at, La Fiesta) in nearly four years, so it was really nostalgic for them, and I think that definitely shows in the photographs. What’s also really cool is that several years back, these two played a central role in MY engagement, as Kim worked with Jamie in secret to set up his proposal in our still-unopened Starbucks store, and Kim and John waited a few doors down at Blue Chips (remember that, Montvue people?!) and were the first to congratulate us after the fact! So now I get to be a part of their engagement, which is just so fun.

I know, I know, lots of words! I can’t help it… this is a special one. :) On to the photos!

Perfect light, perfect leaves, cute little outfits and a cute little couple… what’s not to love?!

Love this next series….

Then we headed to La Fiesta for some shots there. Fairly certain that the entire staff thought we were LOCO.

Kim and John, thank you so much for an afternoon of laughs, reminiscing, and chatting about wedding plans (BBQ? Bourbon distillery? It’s gonna be fab!). Can’t say enough how excited I am you picked me. :)