Ashley Merritt Photography Blog
A Mama’s Hands
"If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart."
Some favorite frames from a recently family session at the Four Seasons Resorts & Residences in Jackson Hole. Being a mama myself now, I love capturing real moments with a mother and her kiddos - usually chasing them around! As a photographer, years from when a session took place, I want people to look back at the photos I take and remember how special and sweet those moments were, even if they seemed challenging and chaotic at the time. Thank you Jacquie for these beautiful moments with your boys!
TAGGED:
Kristin & Andrew
Next week, Kristin & Andrew (and their precious pooch Bunny) are packing up and saying goodbye to Jackson Hole. This adorable couple is engaged and moving back to the East Coast, but before they left town, they wanted to capture this special time of their lives in a place they love so much. We came up with a great plan for a beautiful winter wonderland engagement session, but the only hiccup was that is hardly snowed at all this March! Not to be detered, we drove around Grand Teton National Park and the Moulton Barns in search of any and every snow spot we could find. So thankful for the gorgeous spots we found! Seriously, 3 days later most of this snow was slush and mud - we couldn't have timed it any better! Kristin & Andrew, here's to exciting new adventures, and hope to see you back in Jackson Hole from time-to-time!
TAGGED:
This Girl
TAGGED:
Cars
Happy Monday y'all! A favorite image from a recent shoot I did in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Working on a very exciting concept that I'm going to launch this spring, and can't wait to share the details soon!
TAGGED:
Memories from the South
While it's a beautiful winter wonderland here in Jackson Hole, I recently got pretty nostalgic thinking about our wedding weekend in North Carolina when I stumbled on this special a roll of film. I shot this roll last time I was back in the mountains of North Carolina, taking a little road trip back to the spot where John and I got married. All these frames are from Highland Lake Inn in Highlands, NC - where our families and friends stayed for our wedding, just down the road at Camp Greystone. Tucked away in between Asheville and Hendersonville, this place is pretty magical and holds some incredibly special memories for John and myself and our families. I just spent a few minutes driving around the property, capturing some of my favorite little snippets from the Inn.
I never noticed this little moose during the wedding, but when I saw him the last time I was there, I couldn't help but smile. It's a little bit of our Wyoming present and future in a special place from our past. And a little tidbit: Greystone is in Tuxedo, NC - which sounds pretty adorable to on a wedding invitation.
TAGGED:
Charlotte & Nelson
TAGGED:
Sweetness in the Snow
A favorite portrait from Charlotte & Nelson's snowy engagement session in Jackson Hole. When we saw the weather forecast was looking pretty stormy, we almost rescheduled their session - but it turned out to be perfect! It was so peaceful and quiet on their property in Wilson and with the slow-falling, giant flakes, the snow made the shoot all the more magical. More sweetness to come soon!
TAGGED:
Stephanie & John
TAGGED:
Baby Charlie
TAGGED:
Kirsch Family
TAGGED:
Dawn & Brian
TAGGED:
Smith Family : Rancho Alegre
TAGGED:
Sutton Family - 4th of July
TAGGED:
Alexandra & Jesse
TAGGED:
Angelique & Ian
TAGGED:
A Day at the Beach
"the cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears or the sea."
TAGGED:
Daddy’s Girl
TAGGED:
Louise
This is a very special post for me, sharing one of my favorite rolls of film I've ever shot. Normally I will do a tight edit when I post images, but I just wanted to share how one roll of film can capture so much. WIth this particular camera, I'm only able to shoot 12 frames per roll, so I take my time to make sure each image counts.
I love a simple portrait - natural light, clean background, focusing on what really matters: people. These photographs incredibly special to me - I photographed Louise with her grandparents, wearing her great-grandmother's dress, and using her great-great-grandfather's twin lens medium format camera. And now these photographs are another keepsake that we will treasure and pass down just like these other family heirlooms. This is why I love photography. These photos capture a special time in our family history, and the square frame and black and white film gives this images a classic, timeless feel. (well, the Carolina sweatshirt Poppy is wearing may look dated one day, but we love it anyway).
TAGGED:
Kimberly & Michael
2013 was a year of romance for Kimberly and Michael - they were engaged in Hawaii, married in Jackson Hole, celebrated Christmas in Scotland (where Michael is originally from) and honeymooned in Paris. What a way to spend a year! This sweet couple snuck away from Texas for a winter wonderland elopement at the Four Seasons in Teton Village. Kimberly was a champ and braved the freezing winter weather so we could get some beautiful shots in the snow. I couldn't think of a better way to wrap up the year than capturing this lovely couple and their love for one another.
TAGGED:
Henry
TAGGED:
MacNaughton Family
TAGGED:
Thorn Family
TAGGED:
Benjamin
TAGGED:
Beth & Jason
Beth & Jason snuck away to Jackson Hole from Atlanta for a beautiful, intimate elopement in Grand Teton National Park. They were able to celebrate their marriage just in time to start seeing the fall colors appear, and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful evening or backdrop.
TAGGED:
Sand & Shells
TAGGED:
Cody & Norah
TAGGED:
Thorp Family
The Thorps are a very special family. Thomas & Kylie were the first kiddos I photographed when I moved to Jackson five years ago, and it has been so fun to watch them grow up and capture their personalities year after year. Here's a look back over their last five summers in Jackson Hole.
TAGGED:
Whitehead Family
TAGGED:
Davis Family
TAGGED:
Alyson & Mary Lyndon
TAGGED:
Brianna
TAGGED:
Preston & Deanna
Preston & Deanna's engagement session at the Mormon Row Barns and Blackfoot Tail Ponds Overlook. In just a couple months, this awesome couple is gonna be married!!!
TAGGED:
Currie Family
TAGGED:
Megan & Viral’s Wedding Preview
One of my favorite images from Megan & Viral's beautiful Indian ceremony in San Diego, at NTC Liberty Station. Almost impossible to pick one favorite from the ceremony!
To see a slideshow of many, many more favorites, click on the following link (make sure to select the HD version for optimal viewing quality) : https://vimeo.com/71131366
TAGGED:
Shannon & Aaron
Shannon and Aaron took a roadtrip from Arizona to get married in front on the Tetons. Their elopement was sweet and special at the famous Mormon Row barns, surrounded by their closest family.
TAGGED:
Baby Miller
Meet one of the cutest babies ever. As Miller's aunt, I'm probably biased, but love this little kiddo so much already! Was so happy to make a trip down to Charleston and get to snap some newborn shots of Miller at two weeks. Hard to believe he was so tiny - little man is getting bigger and bigger by the second. I can already tell he is going to be a great friend to his little cousin....coming to Jackson Hole in October!
TAGGED:
Noelle’s Family
TAGGED:
Baby Christopher
TAGGED:
Ashley & Logan
TAGGED:
Mitch & Molly
TAGGED:
2012 - A Year In Photos
A look back at all the wonderful weddings from 2012. I really do think I have the best job in the world. Special thanks to everyone who made this past year an amazing one!
.jpg)
TAGGED:
Riley
.jpg)
.jpg)
TAGGED:
Katie & Nick’s Slideshow
Katie & Nick
Katie & Nick's wedding at the River House in North Carolina.
TAGGED:
Phoebe
.jpg)
.jpg)
TAGGED:
Meg & Phil
.jpg)
TAGGED:
Carla & Matt
.jpg)
TAGGED:
Jen & Levi
Hard to believe Jen & Levi's little baby boy will be here in just a few weeks. Stay tuned for pictures of the sweet bebe soon!
TAGGED:
Baby Elsie
TAGGED:
Erin & Greg’s Wedding
Erin & Greg's Wedding
Erin & Greg's wedding at the Charlotte City Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
TAGGED:
Leisel
i am completely smitten with little leisel. she's just too adorable for words.
TAGGED:
Elsie Sophia
TAGGED:
Brianna Belden - 6 Months
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
TAGGED:
Karen & Her Girls
TAGGED:
Brandi & Johnny
.jpg)
Brandi & Johnny took a roadtrip from Missouri to Jackson Hole and got married along the way. They had a sweet and intimate ceremony here in town and then we made our way to Grand Teton National Park for their portrait session. And as soon as we got in the car, the skies let loose and it POURED almost the entire time. Looking at their pictures, you'd have no idea that for most of the session we sat in the car, then make a mad dash for it every time there was a break in the clouds. I love this last picture - the only ones where you can actually tell what troopers these two were, posing in the rain!
.jpg)
TAGGED:
Heidi & White
TAGGED:
Ben’s Baptism
TAGGED:
Meg & Michael’s Wedding Slideshow
Meg & Michael's Wedding
Meg & Michael's wedding in Linville Ridge, North Carolina.
TAGGED:
Meg & Michael
TAGGED:
Meg & Michael’s Rehearsal Dinner
TAGGED:
Henry
The many faces of Henry. So adorable.
And yes, originally his hair started out dry. I just couldn't compete with the sprinkler.
TAGGED:
Beckett Girls
I adore these two little girls. Leah is so sweet to her little baby sister Cheryl and she rocked her shoot with her new friend Ash-e-ley. We had so much fun playing in the snow on their family ranch and I can't wait to go back! But seriously, these girls are too adorable.
TAGGED:
Mayers Family
An impromtu session for Trish's birthday. What's better than being with family to celebrate a birthday?
TAGGED:
A Day At the Beach
A family day out at the beach on the Isle of Palms. Perfection.
TAGGED:
Scenes from the Low Country
Some of my favorite moments from our trip to Charleston. All these photos were taken with my great-grandfather's twin lens camera - i'm falling pretty hard for square format! Also ready for another trip back!
TAGGED:
Orange Pickin’ & Putt-Putt
From an afternoon in Charleston pickin' oranges and playing putt-putt in the backyard.
TAGGED:
Jasper
Jasper is two and a half and one cutie patootie! I first met this little kiddo when he was just a few months old, and it was so much fun to capture him in this stage, leaving babyhood and becoming a little boy. He is so chatty now, full of giggles and smiles! It was totally worth braving the chilly weather to watch Jasper enjoy eating the snowflakes falling down. I loved watching him interact with his mom and dad - such a sweet family!
It's amazing to see the changes in two short years. This is why I really do love photographing kiddos as they grow - it's crazy to see just how much they change!
TAGGED:
Baby Briana
Briana was almost one month old for her very first holiday photo session. So adorable! We are going to for a First Year series with Briana, and I'm really excited to see just how much this beautiful girl grows in her first year. Stay tuned!
TAGGED:
Josie & Ned
love this couple. i've known ned since our freshman year at UNC and he and my hubby (john) are super close. they were both in the clef hangers (male acapella group) in college - hence the shots of all the guys singing at the reception - and their friendship that started in the group has grown into a lifelong bond. we were thrilled when they started dating, and so excited when ned confided he wanted to marry josie. there is a genuineness (ned, pretty sure this isn't a real word, sorry) and selflessness to their relationship that is very special. in fact, i'm pretty sure they were thinking way more about how their friends and family were doing over the weekend than themselves. pretty incredible. and they are also so much fun! the reception was a blast, and a mini-reunion for so many Carolina friends. ned & josie, we love y'all. come to jackson hole soon!
TAGGED:
Jack King
\
Jack King just recently celebrated this 2nd birthday! It's nuts to see how much he has changed and you can see his personality developing throughout his photographs. There's absolutely no chance of getting Jack to sit still or curl up on the bed like we did for his one year sessions. (If you wanna see just how much he's grown, check out his First Year Series here). It has been an absolute joy to document this little guy's life and watch him grow. Love these last two images with his daddy - could be a great Patagonia ad!
TAGGED:
The Thorp Family
\
What could be better than a night of pictures and pizza with friends? Thomas & Kylie hold a special place in my heart - they were some of the first kiddos I ever shot in Jackson Hole. It's been so fun watching them grow up and an honor to capture moments like these with their family (and some friends who joined for an awesome pizza night).
TAGGED:
Allison & Gavin
TAGGED:
Box Car
TAGGED:
Noah
love this series with his momma.
Love this little man. I was over at the Buczinski's house a couple weeks ago and we had a little impromptu photo session when Noah woke up from his nap. I mean, seriously, how adorable is he???
TAGGED:
The Marshall Family
TAGGED:
Fazzio Family
I was so excited to finally meet the Fazzio girls! I've heard so much about them, their parents can't help but brag about the girls & how wonderful they are. One of the best parts of my job is being able to spend time with families like the Fazzios.
TAGGED:
The Mauney Family
The Mauneys are a sweet, sweet family. It's always a joy to be around a family who adores one another, and it was really special to capture moments like these.
TAGGED:
Sarah & Austin
When Sarah asked if I could come back to Charlotte at the beginning of June to shoot her wedding, I was ecstatic! It was a joy to be back in the South and celebrate with them. Sarah & Austin's love for each other is palpable, and it was a honor to be a part of their gorgeous wedding at the Charlotte Country Club.
TAGGED:
