Southern Living, July Issue

Don't you worry, it's not all going to my head. My family keeps me very humble, with comments like "Oh, that's cool, what's for dinner?" Mhmmm. But I just had to share my very first cover for this beautiful magazine. The shoot was a really great collaboration with the Southern Living team, all made even better by the Vershoors' beautiful home and farm. Did I mention we had full access to two very large barns filled with antiques and styling props for sale? Talk about distracting. We'd drift over during breaks like kids in a candy store, but there was so much awesomeness from top to bottom, it was hard to take it all in! And we really enjoyed quality time with local bad boy, Tibi, the goat. When not munching on the bottom of my sweater, or hopping the fence to terrorize small children with his crazy eyes, he actually jumped ONTO our carefully placed table and traipsed down the middle hoping for his moment of glory (or more likely, a snack). But he was so goofy and irreverent, you couldn't help but love him.

Southern Living, June Issue - Dinner with the Kelleys

I LOVED this photo shoot. I could do an entirely separate post on loving Nashville itself, but I am trying to stay on task here! But my gosh, the people, the food, the vibe... anyhoo...

I'll admit I was a little stressed just before this shoot, I mean, what with all the beauty, timing, trying to get it all done in one day, doing it all justice, famous musicians with not a ton of spare time, lighting (the nature kind, which has a schedule of its own), and it being my first assignment with Southern Living magazine. But as usual, once you show up, set up, the collaboration begins, and hit the shutter that first time, all your worries start to fade and you go into work mode, all pistons firing.

Our kind hosts, Cassie (check out her fashion Instagram @womanista) and her musician husband Charles (you might recognize him from his little band, Lady Antebellum), opened their doors to us for the day and wow, their home did not disappoint. Bright, comfortable, chic and stunning come to mind, and the garden was just perfect for cocktails and a delicious dinner. Their guests arrived and it was go time. I took a deep breath and got to work, maybe or maybe not hollering across the pool here and there some soft direction (Charles, tell a good story!, Cassie cross your leg the other way, Charles put your foot down, sit back, sit forward, GOT IT!!). I'm sure they were counting the minutes until I left! But they truly could not have been more kind, accommodating and easy to shoot.

I hope you enjoy the piece. And seriously, add Nashville to your travel list!