Category Archives: Trash the Dress

Post Wedding Blues No More! :: Marry Me Monday

Several of my brides have mentioned the “post wedding blues” and I was so relieved to know that I wasn’t the only girl who experienced this strange phenomenon.  It sounds weird to miss the chaos of wedding planning and the feeling of being anxious, nervous, and excited all at once over your upcoming wedding day, but you do miss it.  Actually I experience this with Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and my birthday.  It is such a high and wonderful experience to be surrounded by those you love and to be celebrated (or celebrating something).  I even miss being pregnant at times.  Very strange….

About a year ago you might remember a post of myself in my wedding dress doing a Bridal/Trash the Dress-esque shoot with a friend of mine.  At 4:30 this morning, I realized that by putting my wedding dress on again (although it was over 4 years after my wedding day and a baby later) reminded me of just how special that day was.  It was fun to see that it still fit even if it was a little snug.  Those feelings of post wedding blues might have been somewhat stifled if I would have done it sooner.

Many people ask about the “Trash the Dress” name.  It’s a catchy phrase, but I think it makes much more sense to call it a Just Married session.  Why?  Because not all brides want to “trash” their dress.  Some do, but the majority want to put their dress on after their wedding to get the photos that were missed or were too risky to do on the actual wedding day for fear that something might break, tear, or get a little dirty.  Most of my brides want to capture the essence of their wedding day for just a few more minutes, and have photographs taken that reflects a much more relaxed bride.  Anyone who has ever been in a wedding or has been married knows that the day flies by in a whirlwind, and your photographer doesn’t have 2-3 hours to take bridal portraits.  Actually your photographer has more like 30 minutes to do bride and groom portraits, and sometimes even less when friends and family want to congratulate them immediately after the ceremony (which I can’t blame them because the best part of a wedding day is giving the bride and groom a hug right after).  Besides who doesn’t like to get a little pampered and wear a wedding gown?!

I think the Just Married session is actually very romantic.  Your hair, make-up, and nails do not have to look as put together as they do on your wedding day, and it feels so much more real.  So much more… well, you!

Giving Thanks

The past year has been such a learning and growing experience.  I am so thankful for all of the brides and families I have met, photographed, and become friends with.  I am so thankful for my husband who believed that I could be a full-time photographer and more than just a part-time mommy.  I am so thankful for my family and friends who are my biggest screamers and trust me with their most precious memories.  Most of all I am thankful for a God who gives me more than I’ll ever deserve.

This year as one of my many “thank you’s” I created the Holiday Package, and I never expected the amount of response I would get from that one little package.  It completely opened my eyes to who my clients are and what they need.  The month of December is going to be REALLY crazy for the Brown family (my lil sis is getting married, Christmas before Christmas on both sides of the family, and then REAL Christmas), so I’m making this really count.  I’m celebrating my clients, and learning that I also need to prune away the parts of my business that don’t make sense.  The pruning process is really hard for me, because I don’t want to let go of things I like doing, but have realized that I want to specialize in one main area that I LOVE doing.

Since the inception of the studio, I’ve been thinking/dreaming/talking about what I want the studio to be about.  This has also made me realize what I love doing, talking about, and photographing.  How did I find this love – helping my sister with her wedding.  I realized quickly that I live for all things love, fashion, and dreamy.  What will the studio’s main function be?  Meeting with brides, grooms, mothers, sisters, etc…, Desire Sessions, client viewing sessions, and a place for brides to come and get inspiration for their wedding.  The studio will be located on the second level of Bliss Salon’s new location off of Callahan Drive.  How is that for convenience for brides who live/work North and East of West Knoxville?!  Seriously, though, that would have rocked my socks off 5 years ago when I was planning my own wedding.  Brides, how awesome will it be to have a few bridal portraits done after the test run of your hair???  ANYWAY, I’m going way off topic…  :)

So… To announce Black Friday/Weekend specials!  Gift certificates for bridal, engagement, just married, or desire sessions are half off!  Husbands and husbands-to-be, take note!!!  Email me for details on purchasing these certificates – jennifer {at} jennbrownphoto {dot} com.  Need to order portraits, canvases, or albums to give as gifts for Christmas?  Enjoy a 20% off savings on those products from November 25th – December 4th!  Has your session expired?  No problemo, just email me and I’ll get it on the website ASAP.  Newly engaged and need a photographer?  Book Jennifer Brown Photography for your wedding and receive an 8X8 album with 20 pages of either your engagement session, guest sign-in, wedding, desire session, or just married session FREE!  ** A wedding contract must be signed and non-refundable deposit paid during November 25th – December 4th to receive this special.  For your convenience, credit cards can be accepted by phone.  Email me with your phone number, and as soon as I’m somewhere I can take your information I’ll call you.

How’s that for announcements??  Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families, and a HUGE thank you to all of you who have believed and help me learn to believe.  I love you more than you know!