We have had several people ask if they needed a PayPal account to book a session.

The answer has always been no.

Hearing that for a while now has had me looking for better and simpler ways for you to book with us.

So we made a change.

You have never needed a PayPal account to book with us.

The problem was... that big "Pay with PayPal" button made it look like you did.

Now you can enter your credit or debit card right on the booking page. No confusing PayPal button. No wondering if you need another account. Just book your session.

It is not a huge change.

But if it makes things a little easier for you, then it was worth it.

We have always appreciated your good, honest feedback.

If there is something we can do to improve, I want to know.

That is how we continue to grow and make things better for everyone.

We will still make mistakes along the way, but we will always do our best to fix them.

This has always been our process for the small, important changes.

Summer has a way of bringing back memories.

For our family, it meant living on the road. Softball tournaments, hockey camps, dance lessons, hotel rooms, and more fast-food stops than I'd ever admit.

Our daughter was an amazing softball player. That's easy for a dad to say, but there was one moment that made me realize it wasn't just me.

If you've ever spent much time around travel sports, you know there's always that one player everyone starts talking about. Coaches notice them. Parents notice them. College scouts notice them. Somehow word just spreads.

That was her.

One day I was standing in line at a concession stand when I overheard a couple of college scouts talking.

They were asking each other if they had seen this girl playing on one of the fields. If they hadn't, they needed to go watch her.

They had no idea I was standing there.

They had no idea they were talking about my daughter.

I never told her.

The funny thing was, she never seemed to know it was happening... or at least she never acknowledged it. She was just being herself. She played because she loved the game, and she gave everything she had every time she stepped on the field.

The Great Bottle Rocket War of '85

I've always loved the Fourth of July.

The fireworks, cookouts, staying out too late... it's always been one of my favorite holidays.

Of course, when you're fourteen years old, your definition of "celebrating" isn't always the smartest.

Back then, a friend and I thought bottle rocket fights and Roman candle fights were perfectly reasonable ideas. We only had one rule.

Don't intentionally aim for the head.

Looking back, that probably wasn't the safety plan we thought it was.

One Fourth of July, we went to his house with what seemed like an endless supply of bottle rockets. We piled them all together, each grabbed one small pack, and took off.

He was easing his way across the yard.

I spotted him.

I lit the very first bottle rocket of the night, tracked him as he moved, waited until just the right moment, and let it fly.

It was perfect.

It was headed straight for his waist.

Then... something happened.

To this day, I swear it looked like there was an invisible force field around him. The bottle rocket got within a couple of feet of him, curved around him like it hit an invisible wall, and took off in a completely different direction.

There is something different about summer.

Maybe it's the longer days. Maybe it's vacations. Maybe it's simply that people spend a little more time enjoying life and a little less time rushing through it.

For me, summer was always a simpler time, centered around family and friends from the neighborhood.

There always seemed to be so much going on, and at the same time, nothing at all.

The days would end, but somehow the good times never did.

Maybe that's why summer still feels a little different to me.

As Ferris Bueller said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

The more summers I see, the more I realize he was right.

Summer sessions tend to have that relaxed feel.

Less posing. Less worry. More of the moments that capture your personality.

Over the years, I've learned that the photographs people treasure most are rarely the perfectly planned ones. They're the smiles that weren't forced. The laugh that wasn't expected. The look between family members that lasts only a second.

Those are the moments that tell the real story.

The people we love grow and change.

Look the Part: Why You Need a Professional Headshot (and Where to Get One in Middle TN)

In today’s digital world, your headshot is your handshake.

Whether you are a business owner, job seeker, real estate agent, actor, or corporate executive, your online presence starts with your photo. Before you even say a word, people are forming opinions—and that blurry selfie from 2017 just isn’t cutting it anymore.

What Is a Professional Headshot?

A professional headshot is a high-quality, well-lit photo that represents you at your best. It’s not just a photo—it’s your personal brand. Whether you need it for LinkedIn, your company’s website, business cards, or marketing materials, your headshot should say:

✔️ I am confident

✔️ I am professional

✔️ I am someone you want to work with

Why It’s Time to Update Your Headshot

🔹 First impressions are now online. People will search your name before they meet you. Your photo is often the first impression.

🔹 It builds trust and credibility. A professional image helps potential clients or employers feel more comfortable and confident in your abilities.

'Tis the season for twinkling lights, cozy sweaters, and, of course, capturing the genuine joy on our children's faces. Holiday photography with kids can be both delightful and challenging. Fear not, as The Big Event brings you four essential tips to ensure you capture those priceless moments with ease and grace!

At The Big Event, we understand the significance of finding the perfect local professional photographer to tell your unique story. Whether it's your wedding day, a corporate event, or a personal portrait session, the right photographer can help immortalize moments and emotions. In this blog, we aim to guide you through the key factors to consider when seeking a quality photographer, ensuring that your photographs stand as vibrant and enduring reminders of those special moments that punctuate the chapters of your life.