Hollie + TJ | A Grit-and-Glory Kind of Love at Sowell Farms

Some weddings feel like a warm embrace from the universe itself—an unscripted film shot on 35mm, full of moments that matter. Hollie and TJ’s day at Sowell Farms wasn’t polished perfection. It was better. It was real. It was wind-in-your-hair, dirt-on-your-dress, tears-in-your-eyes beautiful.

A Slow Burn Ten Years in the Making

Ten years. That’s how long these two have been building this thing—this connection that feels less like a fairytale and more like a battle-won, laughter-soaked, ride-or-die partnership. They met through friends, but what kept them together was something much deeper: resilience. As Hollie put it, they’ve stood by each other through the hard stuff. The kind of hard that either forges steel or breaks it. With them, it’s the former.

Sowell Farms: Cows, Chaos, and Cow Print

Look, when a couple says they chose their wedding venue because of “the animals,” you already know you’re about to shoot something different. And Sowell Farms in Milton, Florida did not disappoint. Rustic in all the best ways—open skies, rough wood, and that unmistakable Florida spring haze that kisses every photo with gold.

The vibe? Think taupe, blush, and champagne with a little bit of cow print swagger thrown in because of course. And somehow… it worked. Like whiskey in a teacup.

The Cast of Characters

The day kicked off with the bridal crew getting ready at the venue itself. Amanda Godwin and Natalie Watson worked their magic while the air filled with hairspray and hype. Hollie was calm, centered—like someone who’s waited a long time for this moment and knows exactly how precious it is.

She had five bridesmaids, each one a different shade of sisterhood—literal and emotional. Carrie, Katie, and Rayzie, her blood sisters. Ashley, her ride-or-die since childhood. Amanda, her chosen family. That lineup? Pure gold.

TJ rolled in with a lean but rowdy crew—Patrick (his brother and best man), RJ (Rayzie’s husband and a human spark plug), and Clay (married to Katie and probably the chillest guy in Florida that day).

And let’s not forget the flower girls McKenzie and McKinley—actual daughters of the bride and groom, alongside their sister Aisley, the self-proclaimed “ring fairy,” who stole every ounce of spotlight when she floated down that aisle.

The Ceremony: Tears, Laughter, and Aisley Stealing the Show

3:00 p.m. The sun hit just right. Guests in their seats, cows in the background being cows, and Hollie stepped out like a vision—graceful, grounded, and glowing in the golden hour light. Kyle Whitfield officiated, but Aisley was the moment. Dressed in her fairy wings, carrying the rings like she was delivering treasure to royalty.

You could see TJ breathe her in when Hollie walked down the aisle. That pause. That oh-my-god-this-is-happening moment. Yeah. That’s why I shoot weddings.

The ceremony was short and sacred. The kind of quiet that doesn’t need words because the air is already thick with meaning.

Post-Ceremony Chaos (The Best Kind)

After they sealed it with a kiss, it was time for what I like to call “organized beautiful madness”—family formals. The light was divine, the chaos was controlled (mostly), and the kids only cried twice. Hollie and TJ gave us that one golden hour window, and man—we used it. Wild love in a cow pasture never looked this damn cinematic.

Reception Vibes: Boots, Booze & Big Feels

DJ Feliz brought the heat, and the dance floor never stood a chance. First dances were full of heart:

Hollie & TJ: like a quiet storm.
Hollie & her dad: nostalgic AF.

The garter toss? TJ made it awkward in the best way. And yes, there was cake (shoutout to Rollin n Dough for bringing the sweet chaos).

Final Thoughts

Weddings like this remind me why I do what I do. It’s not about the trends or the Pinterest boards or the perfect pose. It’s about people. Real people. Messy people. People like Hollie and TJ who have loved each other for ten years, built a family, and decided to throw one hell of a party to say, “We’re in this for life.”

Hollie + TJ — You’re not just clients. You’re storytellers. Warriors. Weirdos in love. And it was an honor to frame your fire.

Let’s do it again in 10 years—same cows, same chaos.

Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Pensacola or Destin, Florida?

If you’re planning your wedding anywhere near Pensacola, Destin, Milton, or basically any spot where saltwater kisses the sand and live oaks drip Spanish moss like gothic lace—I’d be honored to tell your story.

I’m Shawn, the lead photographer and creative behind 8nfinity Photography, and I specialize in cinematic, documentary-style wedding photography for couples who crave real emotion over stiff poses, connection over perfection, and storytelling that hits you in the gut (in the good way).

Whether you’re having an intimate beach ceremony in Destin, a barn wedding at Sowell Farms like Hollie and TJ, or something totally out of the box—I’ll meet you there, camera in hand, heart wide open.

I also offer wedding videography services in Pensacola, Destin, and across the Florida Panhandle through a trusted crew I’ve built over years of shooting love stories across the country. If you’re searching for: