Thistle + Wood Photo

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Thistle + Wood Photo

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

04/24/2025

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. 🤍

04/23/2025

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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04/10/2025

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.🤗

04/03/2025

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!

02/08/2025

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. 🤍

01/24/2025

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. ☁️❄️

01/15/2025

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.

01/14/2025

As the sun dips below the horizon and the world turns to shades of blue…my favorite time—I like to call it Lantern Hour—that magical time when the glow of a single lantern transforms a scene into something straight out of a storybook. ✨

From the misty mountains of North Carolina to the rugged coasts of the Pacific Northwest, these lanterns have traveled with me, lighting the way for couples who embrace the beauty of the outdoors and the intimacy of adventure. There’s something so timeless and romantic about their soft glow during blue hour, whether it’s illuminating vows whispered at a mountaintop or adding a touch of warmth to a foggy shoreline. It always makes me so happy when couples ask to use them.

Lanterns remind me that even in the quietest, dimmest moments, there’s light. Here’s to another year of chasing those moments and the glow they bring—no matter where the journey takes us. 🤍☀️

01/09/2025

It’s always the greatest honor when a fellow photographer trusts you to capture their story! This session was so special—watching Toni & Ryan let their walls down, have fun, and just be themselves is truly what makes these moments shine. is a remarkable photographer - please check out her work!

We explored picturesque bridges, tree-lined paths, and the dreamy glow of golden-hour light. From joyful laughter in the middle of the street to quiet, tender moments by the water, this time with these two felt like a perfect balance of playful energy and heartfelt connection.

It was a perfect evening 🤍🍁🍂

01/08/2025

The air was crisp, the leaves crunched beneath our feet, and the light had that golden autumn glow that only exists for a few fleeting weeks each year. As I walked up to the historic 1747 estate where Callan and Shane were getting ready, I could already feel that this day was going to be one for the books.

It wasn’t just the stunning location or the perfect weather—it was the energy. This wedding had the kind of warmth and intimacy that made everyone feel at home. Callan and Shane had poured so much thought into every detail, and it showed, starting with the incredible estate they chose to prepare for their big day.

The 1747 Historic Estate in Warwick New York where the couple got ready was a dream! This home wasn’t just a place to get ready—it was a masterpiece of character, charm, and natural light…think large windows spilling golden sunlight into rooms full of antique details. I was overwhelmed in the BEST way when I walked in. The space felt like something out of Pride and Prejudice, and it instantly inspired some of my favorite images to date.

Callan and Shane prioritized this location for a reason: they knew it would create a calm, inspiring atmosphere to start their day. And it truly set the tone. Friends and family gathered casually, lending a hand here and there, while laughter and excitement filled every corner of the house. We even took a moment to frolic in the piles of colorful leaves outside before heading to the ceremony—it SO echoed the carefree spirit of the day. 🍁🍂

THIS. This is why I’m such a big advocate of how you start your day sets the tone for the rest of the wedding. This sweet couple did it so well and we all felt the joy radiate from the start.

People ask me what my favorite part of a wedding to document., and though it’s close with a few others…I’m quick to say the start of it - the getting ready process. It’s the time I feel like I really get to launch into story telling mode and capture the details of the day, little interactions, and important moments that help tie the day together. 🤍

Let this be a reminder to pour into the start of your wedding day too. 🤍

12/18/2024

Even though the reception was calling, Gallan and Shane didn't hesitate to linger for a little while longer for golden hour portraits. And this became one of the most peaceful wedding evenings in all my career.

They savored the stillness, the quiet moments of just being together before heading back to the lively celebration. That willingness to pause, to soak in the last bit of light, speaks volumes about who they are as a couple - intentional, present, and deeply in love. And the sunset light was unreal this evening!

You'll often hear me going on and on about how worth it is to carve out a few extra minutes for golden hour phot moments like this are exactly why. There's something uniquely peaceful about stepping away from the hustle and bustle of the day, even for just a brief moment, to connect with each other and the natural beauty around you. It's a chance to breathe, to reflect, and to capture images that are as breathtaking as they are meaningful!

When I look back at those photos, I'm reminded of why I love this part of the day so much. Golden hour isn't just about capturing beautiful images-it's about creating space for couples to slow down and savor one of the most incredible days of their lives. For Callan and Shane, this time felt like a perfect reflection of their wedding day as a whole: peaceful, intimate, and filled with the kind of light that stays with you long after the sun has set!

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Cumming, GA
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http://www.thistlewoodphoto.com/

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