MY ACCOUNT
Checkout
Courses + Products
SHOP

Weddings

Justin + Brooke

filed in:

This day has been 10 years in the making!! I loved seeing Throwback Thursday pictures of these two pop up here and there before their big day! Justin and Brooke have been together for so long and their wedding day was anticipated by so many!! As I emailed back and worth with Brooke before the wedding, I could just tell how excited she was. Details, planning, crafting… she did it all! So much time and energy went into making this past Saturday the most perfect event. And it was just that. From the weather to the details to the puppies… everything was beyond gorgeous. Brooke, with the help of her mom and sister, incorporated so many meaningful details into the day. I don’t think there were many details that didn’t represent something special to the couple and their families. As I walked up to Brooke’s parent’s home at the beginning of the day, I passed Brooke’s dad loading the final touches to the trailer full of vintage furniture.

After chatting with him for a few minutes about all of the hard work that went into this day, I couldn’t help but think of my own dad. When I was planning my wedding, we had a “vintage” theme and so I started collecting decor pieces over a year in advance! By the time our big day arrived, my dad was floored at the amount of details I had piled up in the basement! Just like Brooke’s dad, my dad loaded and unloaded the massive amount of STUFF because he loved me and he knew that this made me happy. I specifically remember Daddy saying to me “Do we really need ALL of this?!”… And then once it all came together on the big day, he admitted that it was amazing. I passed Brooke’s dad during the reception and he commented on how incredible everything turned out and I agreed. All of their hard work was worth it.

It wasn’t just the details that were awesome, their ceremony was amazing as well! It’s crazy to think that in a matter of minutes, their decade of dating ended and a whole new chapter of life began!! It was a beautiful ceremony.. and being the dog lovers that they are, their fur babies were a part of the ceremony! They were so cute and well behaved!! It makes me wish Bokeh boy was a part of our lives when we got married!! :)

Michael and I loved being a part of this sweet couple’s big day! Brooke is a photographer herself and so I was SO honored that she chose US to capture their day!! What an HONOR! That baffles me…. it also makes me a little nervous at the same time! :) I hope you enjoy this vintage, garden inspired wedding at Belmont Manor!! Beware, I had a TON of favorites!!

 
Brooke designed these herself! Aren’t they gorgeous!?
I love having the bouquet during the “getting” ready time of the day! …. Especially bouquets like THIS! 
 
Looking SHARP! Love Michael’s groom portraits recently!
 
 
 
Love this sweet moment…
Those eyes!!
AHHH! Love! 
Such a sweet first look! I think it’s safe to say he was surprised!
 
Loved these bridal portraits!! Ps. If you saw how far Brooke walked in 3 inch heels for these, you would be SO impressed!
 
 
So worth the walk! LOVED this little area! 
 
Beautiful! 
CUTE!!
Sister love!!
Love Michael’s angle!!!
Favorite!!
 
Excited because they saw their puppies!!
Oh my gosh look at that face on the right! so sweet! 
Flower girls! 
Married!!!!
Love!
 
This light!!!
 
Gorgeous reception!!
 
 
 
 
Check out that Groom’s cake that Justin’s mom made!! So awesome! 
Justin’s mom put together this special s’mores bar just for Justin!! So cute! It was such a hit with the guests!
Gorgeous cake by Charm City Cakes!!
I’m telling you, they LOVE their puppies! Look at those cake toppers!
 
 
Ceremony | Belmont Manor
Reception | Belmont Manor
Officiant | Natalie Tyler
Florists | Petals and Promise
Dress | Maggie Sottero
Dress Seamstress | Isabel Donnelly
Bridesmaids | Bella Bridesmaid
Groomsmen |  Jos. A Bank
Band | Children of a Vivid Eden
Videographer | The Image Of
Coordinator | Lemon and Lime Event Design
Cake | Charm City Cakes
Catering | Laurrapin
Event Artist Painting | Brittany Simms
Pet Artist | Jo Shepherd
Kiffles and Dessert Bar: Kiffle Kitchen
Pink Popcorn and Cotton Candy | Atlanta Concessions
Pink Macarons | Linda’s Bakery
Makeup | Alison Harper
Hair | Baltimore Bridal Beauty

Thanks for reading!

— Katelyn

Free Posing Class

Free Posing Class The KJ Way

Your sessions should be working FOR you not against you!

READ MORE
Education

Welcome to your Lightroom Classic Starter Guide video!

Lightroom Classic Beginner Guide
READ MORE

Lightroom Classic Starter Guide Everything You Need to Get Started!

Youtube
5 Essentials to Turn Pro

5 Essentials Beginners Need to Go Pro and make your photography business a success!

I’m breaking down the MUST-HAVE ITEMS that every photographer needs to be successful at the start of their career! 

READ MORE
Youtube

Danny + Megan A Biltmore Estate Wedding

Oh where do I begin? This wasn’t just another wedding for me. This was a legacy KJ Wedding and I have been looking forward to it ever since my first email from Danny and Megan!

READ MORE
Weddings

I’m really excited about this YouTube video because I know that it resonates with ALL photographers who photograph PEOPLE!!

10 posing red flags
READ MORE

10 Red Flags in Posing And how to fix them!

Youtube
How to Serve a Client Who Isn't a Perfect Fit

Ep. 33 | How to Serve a Client Who Isn’t a Perfect Fit And make it a great experience

Have you ever walked into a client experience and realized “oh wow, this is not what I was expecting?” ….

READ MORE
The Katelyn James Podcast

READER FAVORITES

"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”

- Kara Abbey, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”

- Shannon Drummond, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”

- Kate gansneder, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”

- Angie mcpherson, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”

- Brittany Lowe, ALl ACCESS MEMBER

"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"

- Joanna Krueger, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER
10 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business
Helping a friend survive a season of Infant Loss
How to photograph a first look in Harsh Light
OUR KJ COUPLES REUNION
A Lake Como Destination Wedding - Greg and Kate
A Letter to the Go-Getters fearful of Motherhood

The KJ blog
must-reads

The KJ Blog is where you get to know me, where you meet our KJ Couples and see their beautiful wedding days, where I have been building an archive of education for over a decade and where I let you see a peek into our life, our home, and hear about our purpose! 
don't miss the
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

YOUTUBE

Join 93,000+ others and learn, grow and get connected via our Youtube Channel! This is where I'm constantly sharing new content, talking all things gear, business, tips, tricks and letting you into the behind-the-scenes of our everyday life! 
MORE FREE EDUCATION + CUTE BABIES ON
WATCH NOW

"I have invested in all of KJ’s education!

The way she teaches makes so much sense and I’m so grateful for her! My business will be forever changed!"

- Renee Nicolo

"KJ education has been life-changing

 It has elevated my work so I could quit my day job and work from home with our baby boy!"

- joanna k.

"I'VE INVESTED IN SO MANY RESOURCES... 

and none compare to what I get from KJ!"

- LAUREN M.