Hotel Finial :: Styled Shoot

This Spring, we had the incredible privilege of creating a styled shoot at Hotel Finial in Anniston, AL. Originally built in 1888, this historic hotel was a private residence for 128 years. Later it became the Victoria Hotel, serving hundreds of visitors to the Anniston area. Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair over time. In 2015 Del and Ginger Marsh decided to revive the hotel and bring back its former glory. (And we're so glad they did!)

It has been amazing to watch the transformation this hotel has undergone, and it was such an honor to shoot the first bridal photos after the renovation - before it opened to the public! Every vendor we worked with on this shoot absolutely fell in love with every detail of Hotel Finial, and we hope that after you see these photos, you'll fall in love with it too!

Our model for this shoot was a beautiful young bride named Beth. We started our day with the "bride" getting ready in the Kirby Suite. (More glimpses of this room to come in our next blog!) Our hair & makeup stylist, Christin Ray, fell in love with the natural light in this room. She did a beautiful job on Beth's loose, classic updo and gave her the perfect makeup for a springtime wedding!

From there, we moved the bride into our favorite room - the Wilson Suite. This room is incredible - from its aqua walls, to the beautiful bay window, and gilded accents. It was the perfect backdrop for these breathtaking bridal shots. Who knew that something as simple as putting on your shoes could be this beautiful?

Our flowers were provided by Alexander's Flowers and Gifts in Anniston, AL. This bouquet of coral and peach roses created such a beautiful palette for a springtime wedding! 

This stunning gown, and the tux for the groom were provided by Alexander's Prom & Bridal Shop in Anniston, AL. The gown is a Private Collection piece in ivory tulle with a sheer neck, lace bodice, rhinestone trim, and beautiful sequin, bead, and pearl adornments. From the cap sleeves to the full tulle skirt and buttons down the back - it's a timeless look for any bride. 

While we finished up with our bride, the groom was busy getting ready in the McKleroy Suite. Paul is actually marrying Beth in a few months, so this was a little bit of a preview of what's to come for them! He expressed that he was a little nervous about seeing his "bride to be" (even if this wasn't their actual wedding day!) 

Beth admitted that she too had butterflies as we got closer and closer to the moment Paul would see her for the first time in a wedding gown! You can see the excitement on her face as she waited to go meet her groom!

Once our models were ready, we decided to do a real "first look" with the two of them. We had the groom wait at the foot of the stairs, while the bride walked down to surprise him.

Beth and Paul were so sweet! They were truly excited and even a little emotional. This was almost like a dress rehearsal for their big day in August!

As you can see in these photos, the new style of the hotel is "past-forward" - holding true to the historic victorian architecture, original floors, chandeliers, and stained glass windows - while embracing a modern touch with glamorous decor chosen by owner Ginger Marsh and interior decorator Patsy McKinney of "Above and Beyond".

Every detail of Hotel Finial has been carefully selected. Ginger and Patsy couldn't have created a more beautiful location for a wedding, and they're now adding event planning to their plate with their new business, "Beyond the Finial"! So if you're looking for a timeless, unique location for your wedding day (or any special event), we would definitely recommend booking the Hotel Finial!

*The Hotel Finial Styled Shoot continues! Stay tuned for another blog to come with our 2nd and 3rd glamorous looks from this day!

Credits - [Photographer :: RJackson Media | Venue :: Hotel Finial | Decor :: Patsy McKinney, Above & Beyond | Stylist :: Ericka Jackson, RJackson Media | Hair & Makeup :: Christin Ray | Wedding Gown & Tux :: Alexander Formals | Florist :: Alexander’s Flowers & Gifts | Models :: Beth Milam & Paul Sewell ]

Waiting for Baby Patch

About a week ago, we met up with our dear friends Katie and Patrick for a quick maternity mini-session. May in Alabama is not the time for a pregnant woman to be outside in the heat for long... so we worked quickly to get a few special shots of these two and their sweet dog Lu, before their baby boy arrives!

We are so excited to see this wonderful couple welcome their son into the world! (Not yet named, but lovingly nicknamed "Baby Patch"). We are counting down the days until we get to see them as a family of 3. (Ahem, I mean 4 of course. Can't forget sweet Lulu! That puppy is going to be the best Big Sister ever! ;) Congratulations Reed Family!

Hannah & Richard :: Camp Sumatanga (Gallant, AL)

May 7th was one of those perfect days… blue skies, sunshine, a gentle breeze and unseasonably cool temperatures for springtime in Alabama. I guess when you’ve been waiting 7 years to marry the love of your life, God gives you a perfect wedding day.

Hannah and Richard met when they were in the 5th grade. They became best friends in middle school, and continued to grow closer as they grew up. They went to school together, and worked together in the summers at Camp Sumatanga. Then suddenly something changed. Their friendship evolved into something more, and their freshman year of high school, they became a couple.

Now both in college at Auburn University, they look back at Camp Sumatanga as “their place”. In Hannah’s words “everything happened for us at Camp”. This is the place their love story began… and so it only made sense that this would be the place they would begin their life together as husband and wife!

It was so sweet to see Hannah's mom & grandmother helping her get ready. We love this shot of their hands and rings together... 3 generations of "Happily Ever Afters"! 

Before she had her “first look” with Richard, Hannah chose to have special moment with the first man in her life, her Daddy.

Then it was time to head down to the lake to her waiting groom! They were so happy to finally see each other, and ready to say "I Do!" 

Hannah and Richard had such a beautiful wedding party. She was thrilled to see how everything she’d planned so carefully came together… from the gorgeous sage green dresses on her bridesmaids, to the suspenders and matching bowties (handmade by a groomsman) on the fellas!

This couple had plenty of family there to celebrate with them. You can see there’s a LOT of love on both sides for the new Mr. & Mrs.!

They said their vows by the lake at sunset. Hannah’s aunt officiated the ceremony, which added such a special touch.

Once they said, “I Do!” and Richard kissed his bride, it was time to party! And let me tell you - this crew knows how to party! 

The guests danced ‘till they were about to drop (and we might have danced a little while we shot too! It’s hard to stand still when everyone is having such a great time! Especially when “Ice Ice Baby” comes on!)

As the evening wound down, the bride and groom got ready for their getaway! They exited their wedding in the middle of a huge group of family and friends… cheering them on as they began their Happily Ever After! 

Congratulations Hannah & Richard! We wish you so much love and happiness. Thank you for letting us be a part of the “BEST DAY EVER!”

Breeanna & Buddy :: Tannehill State Park (McCalla, AL)

Valentine's Day is a time when we celebrate love around the world... so what better day to pledge your life to the one you love? Breeanna and Buddy Moore said "I Do" on February 14th in a little white church, deep in the woods of Tannehill State Park.

This historic venue has more than 1,500 wooded acres and so many beautiful places to shoot photos! The bride and her bridesmaids got ready inside one of the many cozy log cabins. Then we ventured out to the waterfall and nearby woods to capture some bridal portraits and bridal party shots.

The bride and groom decided not to see each other before the ceremony, so we spent the morning shooting the bridal party separately on opposite ends of the property. The groom and his groomsmen had a great time with us - cracking jokes between every shot!

One thing that was very important to Breeanna, was to have a "first look" with her father. We were honored to photograph such an intimate moment. The joy in her daddy's eyes was unmistakable when he saw his little girl for the very first time in her wedding dress! He couldn't stop telling her how beautiful she was!

Bree and Buddy exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony inside this lovely little chapel in the woods. This church was originally build in 1905. I couldn't help but wonder how many other couples have gotten married here in the last 111 years! These walls have seen a lot of love, of that I'm sure.

Breeanna's grandfather passed away a few years ago, so to make sure he was still a part of her wedding day she had the minister preach from his old, worn Bible. It added such a special element to their ceremony!

As the newlyweds left the church, the warm afternoon sun had just started to set. We were able to capture these beautiful images of the happy couple in their first few moments of wedding bliss before they headed off to celebrate with family and friends at their reception. 

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Buddy Moore! We wish you many Happy Valentine Anniversaries to come! 

Matt, Kristian & Parker

This past Saturday we made our way out to the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens for a custom family & engagement shoot. Normally we do one or the other... but there's a story behind this sweet (soon to be) family and their custom shoot!

Kristian has been my wife's best friend for 18 years. They were both friends with Matt back in high school, but unfortunately lost touch with him after he graduated and went off to college. They couldn't have guessed that they would reconnect more than 10 years down the road... but life has a way of taking you on twists and turns you never could have imagined. About a year ago Matt & Kristian found their way back into each other's lives, fell in love, and got engaged! Matt has an adorable little 7 year-old daughter named Parker, and once Kristian & Matt tie the knot - these guys will be a precious family of THREE!

We wanted to capture plenty of photos of the two of them, engaged and in love... but it was a real honor to also take their first family photos together!

The Botanical Gardens were the perfect backdrop for this photo shoot. We were surprised to find greenery there, even in the winter! It allowed us so many different background options for family and engagement photos. We took the majority of our photographs in the Japanese garden.  The scenery made for some gorgeous images!

Parker was such a sweetheart throughout the whole shoot. We really enjoyed photographing her! I hope she will look back at these images when she's all grown up and remember this as a fun and special day with her family!

I work hard to capture the true essence of each couple and family. Everyone is unique, and our goal at RJackson Media is to bring that uniqueness out in each photograph. Kristian and Matt - we are so happy for you two, and we hope that you will cherish these images for years to come! Thanks for choosing us for this special shoot!

Are you looking for a photographer for a special shoot? Drop us a line via our contact page today! We'd love an opportunity to capture the thing that makes you - YOU!