Photographer | Lia Ballentine » family

She Said “Yes!”

Lia — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:46:31 +0000

My friend Stephanie Edwards (wonderful wedding and lifestyle photographer and owner of Stephanie Edwards Photography) and I got to be part of a very cool wedding proposal in Market Square this past week. On Thursday, one of our best friends decided to pop the question to the beautiful love of his life! Sam and Krissy (you can check out their family portraits I took just a few months ago) are engaged, and we couldn’t be any happier for the two of them!

Sam’s a very creative guy, so his method of proposing was a little out of the ordinary. That evening, he sent Krissy on a scavenger hunt around Knoxville (the pair are also known for hosting awesome scavenger hunt parties in the summer). At each checkpoint, she received a little gift and a card. The first card had “WILL” written on it. The second card at checkpoint number two had “YOU” on it. The third card has “MARRY” on the front. And the fourth card, which Sam held as he stood in front of a giant Christmas tree on the Market Square stage, said “ME.” And inside were two checkboxes with “Yes” and “No” — with “Yes” checked off.

And of course she said “Yes!”

Steph and I are really honored to have been part of the proposal excitement. It was truly a joyous occasion and a wonderful holiday experience! Congratulations to Sam and Krissy! We’re looking forward to the wedding!

Wedding Photography | The Proposal | Krissy and Sam – Images by Lia Ballentine

The Collins Family

Lia — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:25:18 +0000

I had an amazing time photographing the Collins family this fall at the UT Gardens. Natasha and Russell are an adorable pair — and their Christian is the cutest little boy with the biggest, roundest, and brightest blue eyes that I have ever seen! Natasha’s parents joined in on the fun, too. There’s so much love between everyone in this family, and you can definitely see it in the photos.

Below are just a few of my favorite images from the lifestyle session. Click here to view the entire gallery.

Krissy + Sam + The Boyz

Lia — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:18:57 +0000

I had a great time photographing my friends Krissy and Sam and Krissy’s boys in downtown Knoxville. The two are an amazing pair, and Krissy’s sons are full of energy and laughs. (Her boys are actors, too!) We had fun running through Market Square, taking in the cool weather and bright sun. The boys even had a “leaf race” — and apparently I was the only one who had never raced leaves down a stream as a kid!

Below are just a few of the photos from our session together. Be warned… their smiles are infectious.

My Orchid

Lia — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:41:51 +0000

Oftentimes, my favorite photos to take are the ones inside my own home. I love to photograph my family — Brandon, Otis, and Miu-Mius — and I love taking pictures of our house.

Today I grabbed a few photographs of my orchid in our sunroom. I don’t exactly have a green thumb, but I’ve managed to keep this orchid alive and blooming. Hooray for me! So when I saw the sun coming in through the windows beautifully, I had to snatch up my camera and photograph my stunning flower. I felt like a little bit like John Laroche, “the Orchid thief,” because I’m so proud of how I’ve cared for and obsessed over my orchid.

Here are some photos of my orchid’s latest blooms. I decided to play with the images and add a texture to them. I felt it enhanced the flower’s fragility and added some romance to the photos. Enjoy!

Orchid – Images by Lia Ballentine

The Hayes Family

Lia — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:44:32 +0000

Thanks to the wonderful Hayes family for inviting me to their home in Maryville, Tennessee, and letting me be a part of a fun Mother’s Day party! (And thanks to the Hayes family for donating their portrait fee to the American Cancer Society!)

It’s really an awesome thing to be a photographer and get the opportunity to meet a family that really, truly loves each other. You can tell by the smiles on their faces — and I could hear it in their laughter as the played by the pool.

Below are some images from our shoot!

Sneak Peek: The Hayes Family

Lia — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:55:38 +0000

I had the best time yesterday photographing the Hayes Family. They’re wonderful people, and all of them share the best sense of humor ever. The whole family is very spirited, and you can tell that they get energized from being around one another. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.

Below is a sneak peak of the shoot. More to come soon!

Family Photos for Relay for Life

Lia — Sun, 03 May 2009 15:27:11 +0000

On Saturday, I offered family portrait sessions from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to benefit Relay for Life at the Courtyard Cafe off Alcoa Highway. I had several families schedule shoots, and we had a great time! Each sitting was $10, with 100% of the sitting fee going to Relay for Life. In just those two hours, we raised more than $150 for the American Cancer Society! Thanks to everyone for coming out!

I’m also offering on-location photo shoots to benefit ACS. Click here to learn more and book a photo session!

Below is a short slideshow showcasing some of the families that came out to support the Relay for Life. Aren’t they fabulous?!

Say “CHEESE!” and Support Relay for Life

Lia — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 01:05:05 +0000

Together we can help the American Cancer Society!

Schedule a portrait session between May 1 and June 30 and 100% of your $100 portrait fee will be donated to Relay for Life. You get great photos of you and your family – and your donation helps the American Cancer Society.

Contact me today for more information or to schedule your shoot!

Details: Your $100 donation includes a one-hour portrait session at the location of your choice, online image proofing, and a CD of high-resolution images. ($400 value)

The Richardson Family

Lia — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:47:14 +0000

Photos of the Richardson family and cute baby girl, Zoey!

Amanda and Jenny: Sisters

Lia — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:30:04 +0000

Amanda and Jenny at the UT Gardens in Knoxville, Tennessee.