I knew his girlfriend’s mom, and I was honored to have been asked to do this for them, but I was also so nervous that I would somehow ruin this unforgettable moment.

Their story is super sweet! They met in college, and after around two years of dating, they were both in the final days of preparing for graduation. Family coming into town and Mother’s Day weekend to celebrate, meant they both had tons to look forward to. However, he made sure she would have something just a little extra! Since the campus had such significant meaning for them, he decided he wanted to propose in the spot where they typically hung out. That is fantastic for them, since he could get her there without her thinking anything, but for me, it was a wide open field. There was no place for me to hide, and since she knew me, and knew that I would never be out there, that was a must.

That’s where the funny part comes in. He and I met up a couple of days before he planned to pop the question, and we tried to think of everything that could happen, where in the world I could hide, and all of the other details that would go into making this absolutely perfect for his girlfriend. Well, the only option was me being up on the balcony of a nearby building. That was fine with me. I knew I’d be hidden, so we continued with all of the other details.

We could not have planned for what was coming next. The day came, and it POURED rain all day long. So, instead of a sweet, sunset proposal, he had to opt for taking her to breakfast the next morning, and then heading to the campus.

The morning came, and as I came around the building to where I had all but placed an “X” on the ground for where he should stand…there was a huge crew setting up for graduation! You can imagine my thoughts at that moment. This poor guy had went through all of this to make it perfect, and things just keep shifting his plan.

I went up to my perch-looking like a sniper, no doubt-waiting for them to walk up. After about an hour of sitting there, I got a text saying they’d be there in 20 minutes. So, as I sat there, I watched the field filling up with chair after chair. I felt so bad for this guy, and really hoped everything would go well for him.

Soon, I saw them walk up, and walk right on by me, to the middle of the field. If you can imagine me, I was saying, “Abort! Abort!” HAHA! I was so worried I would see him through the tree tops, go down on one knee. There would be no way I could capture that. I was so relieved when I saw them walk back. They sat for a little while, and then, I saw him give her a tiny box. Again, I’m thinking, “Abort! Abort!” I couldn’t see her very well, and he wasn’t on one knee! haha! I saw her take the ribbon off the box, open it, and then throw the ribbon at him. She was laughing, so I figured that was a good sign.

Let’s just say I didn’t give this guy enough credit. He had given her an empty box to lighten the mood and make her laugh. It was then that they stood up, and he pulled the ring from his pocket, and got down on one knee! It was beyond perfect! It was only a few seconds later when I saw them hug and him swinging her around as if I were watching  Nicholas Sparks movie.

The sweetest part of all of this, she never knew I was there that day. So, for a graduation present, he had three of the photos, printed in sequence and framed for her. I mean, how sweet is this guy? That makes me so happy because this girl is one of a kind! She is so sweet, and so beautiful! I hope they have many, many years full of moments just like that day!

And for the record, if I ever do that again for someone, I really think those secret service earpieces should be a must. haha! Being on a balcony, not being able to say anything was a very funny challenge for me!

I am choosing to not share these photos (as much as I would love to) out of respect for the couple’s privacy. There are some things that are just sweeter when they are kept private.

Here’s to the happy couple, and their wedding planning!!

~Alisha

She has been there for me through happy times, sad times, and she has supported my photography career before it ever got off the ground. I have been extremely blessed to have been given the opportunity to photograph many special moments for her and her family over the years.

A few months ago, her family asked if I could capture a renewal of vows ceremony and reception for the grandparents, who were soon going to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Of course, I was more than honored to do this for them!

I already knew what a sweet, sweet family they have, but nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed this past Saturday.

I watched as family member after family member began to arrive, and soon, it was time for the ceremony to begin. The couple of the hour walked out to their spot, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think they were just two teenagers in love. Even after all these years, they still looked at each other like they just started dating. It was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen!

The ceremony may have been short, but it was so incredibly special. The groom took out a piece of paper, where he had written a short speech to read to the family, and it was one of those moments when I had to keep the tears from coming. He told their story, he told about their love for each other, for their family, and it was probably the most genuine thing I’ve ever heard.

After the ceremony, everyone moved inside for them to cut their gorgeous cake, and make a toast! This is where the amazing expressions flowed like nothing I’ve ever seen! From getting to watch their family witness all of this, to seeing their laughter, my heart was just absolutely full.

Here are some of my favorite photographs of their incredibly special day:

I cannot express how honored I feel to have been a part of this day! Photos like these, that will be kept forever, and absolutely treasured by this family, are exactly why I wanted to become a photographer. I can never feel alone when I feel like I am a part of so many wonderful families.

Here’s to Cecil & Omie Lee!

~Alisha

There was absolutely no way I would ever cancel a shoot for that, but I did find a way around missing out on the whole day.

Since I was already in south GA for Mother’s Day and the shoot, I got up pretty early yesterday morning and made the little drive to Leesburg, GA. Before you think I’m crazy for wanting to ride around and just look at signs and things, even when I know I can’t stay for the actual event, there’s more to the story.

For as long as American Idol has been around, people have been telling me I should try out. Well, to be honest, I know me. I would have never made it through the auditions. If I had been lucky enough to, I certainly would have never made it through group week. haha!

Well, Phillip did! So, I was off to play tourist in my own backyard.

I always get chills, and usually tear up, during the Hometown Hero part of American Idol anyway, but I don’t even have words for how I felt driving into the tiny town of Leesburg yesterday. It wasn’t so much because, “AH! It’s Phillip Phillips!!” It was just thinking about how much his town looked just like mine, and how I could never imagine being in his position with my entire town supporting me like that. I would have never made it through the day. I was fighting back tears for him, so I can only imagine how it would’ve been.

Anyway, before you even got there, you started seeing huge banners for Phillip! Once there, it was one business after another who had Phillip’s name on their signs, and people with balloons and signs in their yards! The town was getting ready for his big day, and it was just incredible! Of course, I had to take some photos to share with you guys, and of course, I had to embarrass my husband and get him to take a photo of me with one of the banners. haha! I mean, how often does something like that happen in south GA? He told me I was crazy, and that he felt like he was driving around with a 13 year old girl. Sorry.

When we finally decided it was time to head to my shoot, we were getting back to the bypass, and…..here came Phillip’s motorcade!!!!!!! It shut down the bypass! That was awesome!

So, here’s my tiny peek into Phillip’s amazing day, and I’m not sure I have ever been more happy for someone I don’t even know! I hope he had an absolutely perfect day! I cannot WAIT for Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I apologize, in advance, for the hodge podge of photos. Some are with my phone, some with my camera, but it was still fun!! (The one of him on tv was when he first arrived home! We made it just in time to catch the live interview on the local news!)

And….on the way out…….I made a stop at Starbucks! I was so happy from the awesomeness of the day…I even forgot I was in Tifton! Success. haha!

Here’s to Phillip!!!!!!!

~Alisha

As I was trying to organize sponsors for the “Write Your Way to Prom” contest, open to any junior or senior girl, currently enrolled in the show choir at North Paulding High School, I got a whole lot of “no’s”. However, I also had the opportunity to get to know so many amazing businesses owners, and members of our community. It was so worth all of the phone calls and visits to local businesses!

To win the contest, all the girls had to do was write an anonymous essay about why this experience would mean so much to them. The winner would win the things they needed for Prom. I can tell you that I probably went through an entire box of Kleenex reading through these girls’ essays. Choosing a winner from this group of amazing girls was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my business so far. There wasn’t a single bad essay, and each girl had their own incredible story to share. By the time I finished reading all of them, I was wishing I’d won the lottery so I could just give every one of them the things for their Prom.

Before I share the winner, and her photos from prom day, I would love to thank all of the people who helped make my crazy idea a beautiful reality!!

First of all, Mrs. Wernette, the choral director at North Paulding High School. She was the entire reason this was even possible! Even though I’ve only just met her, I can tell she is an amazing person by the type of students she is teaching. They all seem to love her and they speak so highly of her. I look forward to hosting this contest for as many years as the community allows in the future!

Now for the businesses, I would love to thank Ed Long, with BB&T at 7 Hills, for the two Prom Tickets, Urban Renewal Consignment, located in Marietta, for the beautiful dress, La Bella Spa & Salon, located beside BB&T at 7 Hills, for hair and makeup, King Tux Rentals, located near Town Center Mall in Kennesaw,  for the tuxedo rental (and also for working with local high schools for music program fundraisers), and an enormous thank you to Acworth Florist, not only for the amazing flowers, but also for such incredible customer service, and Elizabeth, at Little Black Dress Little Red Wagon Magazine, for all of her support and help. The winner also received a gift certificate for a manicure/pedicure from a private sponsor. And, although the winner already had shoes she loved, I would still love to thank Kristi, at Lola Rose Boutique, in Ivy Walk, Vinings, for offering one of their gorgeous pairs of shoes.

And now, I am so excited to share Brittany’s photos from yesterday before she headed off to PROM!

Beautiful girl, and I hope she had a perfect Prom night!!!

~Alisha

Joe Smothers is no different. Such a great musician, and such a great person. In fact, he is surrounded by wonderful people, and I was honored to be able to work with him on photos for his upcoming album. The album is being produced by, yet another talented guy that I’ve met through Shaun, Matt Glisson.

One of the things I love most about working with musicians on projects like this is that I get to hear their new music first, and I can tell you that this album is incredible!

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day!

~Alisha

She is SO pretty, and I am so proud of her! She put up with me being completely out of it because I was so tired. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t even making any sense by the end of the shoot, but I am so glad she put up with me because I LOVE her photos!!

See, I wasn’t kidding…She’s beautiful!

~Alisha

With a phone call to my high school choir teacher, everything was set in motion, and the community came together and made this idea into a fairytale!

I opened a contest to all Junior and Senior girls. To enter, all they had to do was write an essay about what winning everything for Prom would mean to them. I was looking for a girl who would truly appreciate it, and who put time and thought into their essay. Their names were not on the essays, they were instead assigned a number. That way, it was all based solely on their words and nothing else.

When I came across Caitlin’s essay, I was in awe. She wrote the most amazing paper, and I was having all kinds of flashbacks to high school. haha! Without a doubt, her four page story was the winner! I contacted my choir teacher with the winning number, and she made a big deal about telling her she had won. It was incredible! They put the story and a photo in the newspaper, and then everyone started getting things in order to send Caitlin to Prom!

Before I share her photos from Saturday, I want to send a HUGE thank you to:

Michelle’s Formal Wear for that gorgeous dress, earrings, and shoes, Tina Dillard at Just My Style for doing such an amazing job with Caitlin’s hair, Merle Norman for the beautiful makeup, Sharon at Hair Works for the manicure and pedicure, Sister’s Florist for making such a pretty bouquet of flowers, and Cook High School for allowing me to do this and for the Prom tickets! A special thanks to Mrs. Williams for all of the time she spent helping to make this possible!

Now, onto Caitlin’s photos!!!!

What would Prom be without your best friend, right? Of course we had to have some of the two of them!!

This was such a wonderful experience for me. Not only because one amazing girl got treated like Cinderella, but because it showed me how many thoughtful people live in my hometown.

~Alisha

Here are some of the photos from their session! SO SWEET!

Such a beautiful place, and such an amazing couple!

~Alisha

My husband, Christopher, and I took a trip to visit some family and it was one of the first times I hadn’t taken my camera with me, but only because it was such a short trip and I didn’t think I would need it. Well, wouldn’t you know, I got a phone call from my friend, and amazing guitarist, Shaun Hopper…all excited about having me come out to do photos of his show while he was in town-only about an hour from where we were. So, there I was, heartbroken because, of course, this is the one time I didn’t bring my camera. There was only one person around who I knew had the same camera equipment as me, but it took everything I had to ask if I could use it for the night. Well, she may just be the nicest person in the world. Because of her, I got to shoot that show, and I will never have the words to thank her for her kindness! So, maybe everyone could just go check out her work? Leave her some love because that was one of the most selfless acts I’ve witnessed in a LONG time.  http://www.amandasumnerweddings.com/#/home/ This girl does hair and makeup like you would not believe!! She owns a huge salon, in Sylvester, GA, so if you’re anywhere nearby, go check her out! Here is a photo she took of me last year after she did my hair and makeup. Seriously, I felt like I should have been in some kind of pageant or something. Just awesome.

So, our Saturday night included an amazing show by Shaun Hopper, and it turned out to be way more than just a concert. Everything life has been weaving together over the last nine years sort of all came together and it was crazy! I realized how tables really do turn, and things came full circle when I met a family that has helped me out so many times in the past with photography opportunities! I also found out that one of them has been great friends with one of my best friends. It was just all kinds of great things.

Anyway, here are some of the photos from Shaun’s show!!!

This one means so much to me because this is after Shaun practiced forever, only to never get much recognition from anyone…I think he has it now, and I am so happy for him!!! I like to call this his ultimate high school reunion.

Can’t wait for his upcoming show in Athens, April 25th at The Melting Point!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Alisha

I am so honored to give them the title of the first ever Senior Models for Alisha McKellar Portrait Design! They were so much fun to work with, and I’m looking forward to working with both of them over the next year. I will most likely cry when they graduate-I’m quite sure of it, actually.

Here are photos from their first session!!! I’ve been so excited about sharing these with you, and I’m super thankful that they took time out of their Saturday to hang out with me!

I can’t wait for their Senior Sessions!!!!

~Alisha