Thistle + Wood Photo

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Thistle + Wood Photo

Shelby Robinson is a photographer specializing in fine art & portraiture in Atlanta, Georgia. Inst Based in the North Georgia Mountains.

I am not a JUST a photographer – someone who takes pictures because I have the ability. I am Shelby: a woman who thrives to share light with others through the outlets God has blessed me in. Photography happens to be an amazing role I am able to do that through. No matter what stage of life I am passing through, I will always be a light seeker - moving to grow, wandering this pathway so that I can bring to other what God has given to me. Instagram: .woodphoto

10/07/2025

Like most summer days in the South, the drive to Oakleaf Cottage was all sun and blue skies. But as soon as I pulled into the venue, the clouds began to gather. The radar changed every few minutes, and the question hung in the air: would the rain shift the entire course of the day?

I’ve learned this lesson again and again: rain doesn’t ruin a wedding day, it reshapes it. I got married in the rain, drenched head to toe, and it’s one of my favorite memories of my own wedding. But I know that isn’t everyone’s dream.

Still, Lainey and James embraced it. They had their first look in the rain, surrounded by misty trees and quiet drops falling through the forest canopy.

Rain slows you down. It pulls you into the moment. You hear the thunder roll in the distance, the raindrops tapping on leaves around you, and suddenly the world feels a little more alive. 🤍 Oakleaf Cottage is one of my favorite places to photograph weddings - their team goes above and beyond to make sure every couple feels at peace, no matter the weather. (And their clear tent backup plan is next level!!)

Rainy wedding days? They’re some of my favorite to photograph. There’s something ethereal and unforgettable woven into the details that I can’t get enough of ☁️🌲

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04/06/2025

We weren’t sure if the skies would cooperate—but in the end, the fog rolled in just right ✨☁️

Jason and Victoria met on Hinge and got married exactly one year later, celebrating with an intimate church ceremony surrounded by loved ones. The only thing missing? Wedding photos. So they chose to revisit this season of their life, this time in a place that represented both of them—mountains for his Utah roots, and water for her Florida soul.

Cloudland Canyon gave us both. And on this rainy Georgia day, while most people ran from the weather, we stayed. The park was quiet. The cliffs were misty. The trees were draped in low clouds. And these two? They got to celebrate their marriage all over again—with joy, wonder, and fog that looked like it was straight out of a fairytale.

Sometimes the moody days are the most magical. ✨

30/05/2025

“If we were in a romance novel, we’d be the grumpy/sunshine trope for sure.” — the bride 🌤️

From the very first message, I could tell these two were something special. We connected instantly, and when I found out they were eloping in the North Cascades—my favorite state and one of the most breathtaking places in the world—I was all in.

We started the day at 3am, chasing sunrise and mountains… and somewhere along the drive, I spotted the most stunning lupine field bursting with color on the side of the road. I hesitated, then asked, “Would you be up for a quick detour for photos here?” Without skipping a beat, they were totally game. That’s just who they are—down for whatever, always ready to embrace the beauty and spontaneity of the moment.

Even with the Memorial Day crowds, the day somehow felt like a peaceful bubble just for the three of us. We wandered past alpine lakes and towering peaks, logging over 10,000 steps—and yes, this incredible bride did all of it in heels!

It was bright and sunny (and y’all know I’m usually team cloudy skies), but honestly? This day didn’t need a single filter. The light was radiant, the views were unreal, and the love between these two could’ve lit up the whole mountain range. ✨

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19/05/2025

City weddings usually aren’t my usual rhythm—I’m more of a mountains-and-woods kind of girl. But stepping into Raleigh for Taylor and Hunter’s wedding at The Heights House felt like walking into a big, cozy hug. The whole weekend was filled with so much heart.

These two are the embodiment of intentional living. They started their wedding day the same way they live their lives—with yoga, meditation, and each other. I always encourage couples to carve out a quiet moment together before the festivities begin… and this was such a beautiful reminder of why.

Most of the guests stayed on-site, so breakfast was a shared moment too—filled with laughter, quiet excitement, and the kind of togetherness that sets the tone for something really special.

From their shared breath during the ceremony… to passing out digestive enzymes as dinner favors (yes, really!), every detail was a reflection of them.

Joyful tears. Belly laughs. Thoughtful touches. Deep presence.
It was everything a wedding should be.

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24/04/2025

Three weddings and an engagement session in three days—all at Cloudland Canyon. The most I’ve ever taken on in such a short span…and yet somehow my heart felt more full than tired.

This wedding was the first of the weekend—welcoming the day with these two as the sun crested over the canyon walls. There’s something about sunrise that just feels different. Yes, it’s early. But the light? The stillness? The way the world feels like it’s just for you? Completely worth it.

For most of the morning, we had the entire park—and even the waterfall—to ourselves. Just them, their vows, laughter of their family, and the sound of rushing water echoing through the quiet.

More from this magical weekend soon—there’s so much I can’t wait to share. 🤍

23/04/2025

They originally wanted to elope.

The quiet, the stillness, the mountains—just the two of them wrapped up in something beautiful. But life shifted, as it often does, and they chose to share their vows in an intimate wedding surrounded by their closest people in the mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona. (Which was the most incredible day!)

Still, I didn’t want them to miss out on the part that originally inspired their hearts. So I offered an adventure session…and they jumped on it!

So the next day, we chased their original dream—just them two, dressed back up and glowing from the day before. We drove up all 9,200 feet of Arizona Snowbowl, crunched through snowdrifts under towering pines, and hiked until the sun dipped low behind the peaks. It was peaceful. Joyful. A space to breathe, reflect, and be fully present together.

This is why I love day-after adventure sessions.
No timeline, no expectations. Just time to be.
To soak it all in.
To let your story settle in your bones and celebrate it all over again.

If you’re dreaming of something both grounded and wild—something with space to roam—this could be the perfect way to honor both the party and the pause. 🤍

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10/04/2025

There’s a moment I always look forward to on these mountain sessions—the one right before we reach the top. ⛰️

We’d been hiking for a while…this is my hardest mountain location, and we were feeling it. We stopped to rest—me dramatically bent over trying to catch my breath, camera backpack abandoned on the ground, my couple laughing beside me as we looked up at the last big climb. This hike was showing my how OUT of shape I got in my off season. 🤪

And then… we made it.

The wind hit first. Then the sky opened up. I turned around just in time to see their faces—eyes wide, mouths open in awe, smiles growing as the view wrapped around us.

We didn’t say much at first. Just stood there, breathing it all in. And when we finally caught our breath (after a solid minute of heavy breathing and happy laughter 😋), this deep sense of peace washed over all of us.

This is why I love what I do. Yes, the photos are beautiful—but the experience? That moment of wonder? That’s the magic.🤗

03/04/2025

Still here? 👀

Between spending nearly a month in Kenya for missions work, buying our first home (!!), and focusing on being intentional in life, Instagram has definitely taken a backseat. So if you’re still here—hi, and thank you!

This year started off beautifully with an incredible wedding at Meadows at Mossy Creek. It was cold and windy, but this sweet couple embraced every moment. Like when the wind nearly took off Hayley’s veil mid-ceremony—she just laughed, handed it to her sister, and kept smiling the whole time. 🥹

Now, I’m gearing up for more weddings, including traveling back to Washington and Oregon—some of my favorite places! If you’ve been dreaming of a session in the PNW, this is your sign to meet me there.

I am so looking forward to connecting with more couples this to document remarkable love stories like this one 🤍

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03/03/2025

Valentine’s Day 2025 will forever hold a special place in my heart. I had the honor of capturing the most intimate, beautiful wedding at Amicalola Falls for Anna and Matt whose love story began right here on their first date. From hiking the trails to exploring the mountains, these two have shared countless memories together in this very place, and it was only fitting that they said ‘I do’ with the falls and those stunning mountain views as their backdrop!

Their ceremony was full of emotion, and the love they shared was palpable—each moment was a reflection of the bond they’ve built over the years. Including with the sweet family members that came to support them! After exchanging vows, they took a peaceful walk through the park, just the two of them, soaking in the beauty of the day and the start of their new chapter together. 🤍

It was such a remarkable evening, and I’m beyond grateful to have been part of their love story at one of my favorite places in the world!

08/02/2025

Almost two years of marriage, celebrated in the North Georgia mountains. 🌿✨

Vogel State Park gave us the perfect backdrop for their anniversary session, and we waited until closer to blue hour to really lean into the soft, emotive lighting. (MY FAV 🙌🏻) Even though it was a bright, sunny day, the magic happened as the sun dipped behind the mountains, creating a whole new dynamic with light that I’m obsessed with!

This is something I’m deeply passionate about—how light moves, how it shapes a scene, and how even “flat” light still holds endless possibilities. Just because the sun is behind a mountain or already set doesn’t mean it stops being a light source. You can still find backlight, sidelight, and even soft direct light depending on how you position your subjects. It’s more subtle, more of a challenge, but that’s what makes it so rewarding.

📷✨ TIP: Even when the sun isn’t visible, think of it like a giant softbox still casting directional light. Look for the way it’s reflecting off the sky, bouncing off surfaces, or gently wrapping around your subjects. Blue hour is all about nuance—and it’s one of my favorite lighting games to play. 🤍

24/01/2025

This past weekend’s engagement session at Cloudland Canyon felt like something out of a dream. Winter is my favorite season, and this place during winter is a sight to behold. A week before the session, I saw the forecast: clouds and low fog. I’ve been to this park nearly 30 times, but these conditions? Absolutely unmatched. Watching the fog weave through the canyon while still being able to see the mountains was pure magic. ☁️🥹

And then my couple arrived, and somehow the day got even better.

They’ve been together for over four years, meeting during college in the middle of Covid. What started as a close friendship turned into the sweetest love story. They got engaged in September during a trip to Peru (so epic!) and love hiking, traveling, and adventuring outdoors together—basically, the perfect match for a setting like this.

I love sharing this place with couples who have a heart for adventure. There’s something about Cloudland in the winter—especially with fog rolling through—that feels so raw and ethereal. ☁️❄️

15/01/2025

If you know me, you know this is one of my special places. 🍁☁️

Amicalola Falls State Park isn’t just a stunning destination—it’s a sacred space for me. I used to come here weekly to walk, hike, and talk to God. The sound of rushing water, the towering trees, and the endless mountain views always seemed to reset my heart and remind me of what’s truly important. But as peaceful and inspiring as it is, I’ll admit that it can be a tricky place for photography sessions or weddings. With steep trails, heavy foot traffic, and the logistics of navigating the park, it’s no surprise that many photographers hesitate to take on the challenge.

When Madisyn reached out to me about documenting her intimate wedding here, she mentioned that I wasn’t the first photographer she’d contacted. Others had told her it just wasn’t possible. But the thing is, I don’t believe in “impossible” when it comes to love stories. I took it as a challenge, and I knew—deep in my heart—that this could be done.

And we did it. ☀️🤗

On one of the coldest days of the season, Madisyn and Dylan braved the frosty mountain air and made Amicalola Falls the backdrop to their remarkable love story. We finished the day after the ceremony beneath the tumbling cascade of the falls, the mist kissing their cheeks as they embraced. Later, we hiked to the mountain ridge-line, where the sun dipped behind the mountains, painting the horizon in soft, golden hues.

Intimate weddings like this one hold a special place in my heart. They push the boundaries of what’s possible. There’s something so beautiful about stripping away all the noise—the big venues, the guest lists, the expectations—and focusing solely on two people, their love, and the breathtaking world around them. It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s deeply moving.

This day was everything I love about my job. It was proof that sometimes, when we lean into challenges and trust the process, we create something unforgettable.

If you’re dreaming of an intimate wedding that dares to break the mold, I promise you—it is possible. And it’s so, so worth it.

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http://www.thistlewoodphoto.com/

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