Seaton Shoots Blog

To thrive in the wedding business it is all about helping each other out! Samuel Franklin is one guy who has been helping us look good for quite a long time. A bit of yellow spring inspiration from Sam…

So sorry to Don Samples of Midnight Magic Studios. I did a senior moment on my last blog post! Don is great to work with and easy to get along with.. enjoy his sneak peek!

Kim & Cullen’s Wedding Day ~ Wedding Trailer from Midnight Magic Studios on Vimeo.

On April 16th 2011, Barry, Mel and I photographed a wedding of not just two people but two families. Kim Bordelon and Cullen Carter grew up states apart but met and fell in love only living feet from each other.  Kim bought a house next door to Cullen, not realizing when she moved in she would meet her future husband. Not long after moving in Cullen asked her out and the rest is history!

Their spring wedding took place at the beautiful Maple Grove Inn located on the outskirts of Knoxville, Tennessee. Kim was a stunning bride with her hair perfectly in place, courtesy of AVEDA located on Market Square, (even if she was shivering uncontrollably). This was a very windy and cold day but the warmth coming from the love of Cullen and Kim was enough to radiate to everyone. The couple had a beach themed reception, to set the mood the tables were perfectly arranged with flowers, sand and shells by Samuel Franklin. Nothing was left out of this party including the music by Party Boys and the delicious buffet prepared by the Maple Grove Inn staff. The couple were showered with blessings from many family and friends including a close family friend Pat Head Summit.  The guest were showered with a song from Pat…. can you guess what she chose? Later in the night both families joined together to participate in a little New Orleans heritage. Cullen and Kim emerged from the house with elegant umbrellas and led the Second Line across the dance floor.  Second line dancing is a New Orleans tradition taking place at both weddings and funerals. The party did continue and will for years to come.  Kim and Cullen relaxed and warmed up on their honeymoon in  St. Lucia. We wish them forever happiness and health forever. - Jessica Grubb

[Read more →]

We recently celebrated with Ken Liao and Vicky Shyr for their tradition wedding blessing. The day they chose turned out to be fantastic and all the tulips were in full bloom! This wedding was a beautiful mixture of eastern traditions and modern fun times.  This family had everyone involved in the wedding planning from the many toast masters and hand made piggy  placecard holders to a slideshow detailing the lives of Ken and Vicky and the families coming together.  Love Vicki’s ring!-a heart shaped diamond. AND the purple! Purple flowers, purple bridesmaids dresses and fun argyle sweater vests for the guys. The beautiful house of Crescent Bend was decorated with flowers from Always in Bloom and accented by the amazing avatar creations all the way from Asia portraying the likeness of the bride and groom. Ogle Entertainment was wonderful providing the music during the slide show and throughout the evening. Thanks Jake. Ken and Vicky will be able to forever remember this day through video courtesy of Ryan’s Productions and Ryan Sutton.  Thanks to Judy for all her hard work. Barry and I were so glad to be a part of this blessing and wish them many years of happiness.

[Read more →]

Barry and I recently shared a special spring wedding day with Shellee Loze and Cory Holt at Crescent Bend House and Gardens in Knoxville, Tennessee. These two have worked hard on adding to their Adventure Book throughout their relationship and started a new chapter on April 4^th 2011. This couple built their foundation on religion which will support them through the storms of life. They asked their guests to sign a rock instead of a guest book and pledge to help support that foundation. Page one started with a stormy day brewing, but the saying goes “Rain on your wedding day brings good luck to stay.”  Before the raindrops fell we spent some great moments capturing this new family with their precious daughter, Kayla. Shellee was glowing with her bouquet from Always in Bloom as she walked down the aisle.  She and Cory read their hand written vows and broke bread at their first communion as husband and wife while sweet music played from Ogle Entertainment. Then the party began. The friends and family toured the Armstrong Lockett house before All Occasions Catering served a delicious meal that was followed by music and dancing including the “hokey pokey” lead by Shellee, Thanks Jim.  Everyone washed down the evening with cake, also by All Occasions, and a little taste from Shellee’s home state of Kentucky, Ale 8. We all had an amazing evening and wish this couple many memories to come. By- Jessica Grubb (our new blogger and wedding assistant)  Like what you have seen? We love comments!! and want to hear from our clients and friends. If you are getting married in fall of  2011 and 2012 we would love to hear from you. E-mail Barry! to check on your date.

[Read more →]

While this post has little to do with weddings some clients do ask,”What am I paying for?” As our client you are paying for your artwork- whether it be a custom designed heirloom album or a framed wall portrait and our time and talents. But also to create your work takes equipment and software. Sara Tennessee asked yesterday, “Mommie, you went to art school why don’t you do art all day?” Good question dear. What I do do all day is use loads of computer programs. This is what it takes to create in 2011. We have between studio and home 10 mac computer stations. Course several of these are over 10 years old!! Crazy! Our staff all does different things so each of us uses different programs during the day. Mel and Barry are on Lightroom and Photoshop most of the day. We all edit in Iview media. Since I come from the old print world I still use Quark. Debbie and I and also use Successware for running the studio.  (thanks to Judy Grann and team!!) I am a font junkie so Suitcase is loaded on my system. Iworks and word on all the machines. So I guess the ranking is a follows.

1. Iview
2. photoshop
3. lightroom
4. proselect
5. Successware- this runs the studio
6. Teamwork PM
7. Google docs
8. Blogs- wordpress
9. websites- Light CMS
10. iworks
11. word/excel– can’t link to Micro soft because I love apple!!
12. suitcase
13. evernote
14. SplashID– this is amazing !! keeps all your passwords and logins on phone and  desktop
15. MAIL
16. one more…. the web  safari