Dotson Studios bio picture

Welcome!

We are Grant & Sara Dotson. As a husband and wife team, we bring a unique perspective to photography, one influenced by life experiences as well as comprehensive art and design training. Our cameras are an extension of not only our eyes, but our minds and hearts, instantly capturing moments and emotions just as they occur. We enjoy getting to know our clients on a personal level and helping them feel that they're a part of a partnership. Every client is different, and our photographs seek to reflect each individual personality for truly unforgettable memories.

 

Photo of Grant: Courtesy of Jamie Weiss. Thanks Jamie!

 


Category Archives: Engagements

Brittney & Devin: Engaged

Brittney and Devin’s engagement shoot took place at private barn owned by a family friend. On the outside, it has a beautiful rustic look, but the real surprise is when you step inside—rows and rows of carefully restored antique cars. We photographed them both inside and outside, and they were complete naturals in front of the camera! Sara and I can’t wait for the wedding, which is just around the corner.

Hear more about the relationship in Brittney’s own words. Be sure to scroll down—the whole story is interleaved between the photos:

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Devin and I met through some friends in August of last year. They set us up on a blind date (which we had to be persuaded to go on). I knew within 10 minutes on that date that Devin was the one for me. It took him a little longer, which was fine with me.

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On 11-11-11, Devin proposed. We had been looking at rings for awhile and I found the one I wanted so I guided him towards it (basically, I showed it to him and said that it was the one I wanted lol). It had 9 diamonds in the center to make a square and then smaller ones surrounding those. Then it had 6 small diamonds on either side set into the band. Its sparkly :) We had gone into the store a few days after I had shown it to him to look at it again and it was gone! I was so upset because I knew he had not gotten it yet. Little did I know that Devin called them later that day to order me one. Then over the next week he kept avoiding the store and other jewelry stores so I was even more disappointed because even though we had talked about marriage I thought he had changed his mind.

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On the day he proposed, I had the thought that morning “Maybe he will propose tonight.” So we went out to Red Robin to eat that night and then shopped a little in the mall. We actually ran into my parents and chatted for a while then left the mall to see a movie. After we saw my parents I met disappointment again because I decided that Devin wasn’t going to pop the question that night. My dad even told my mom that it must not be the night.

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As we were leaving the mall, Devin decided that he wanted to go home to change his shirt. I thought that was a little odd but didn’t say anything or think of it again. When we got to his house, I walked into the kitchen and he went to find a shirt. Next thing I know, he has walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around me saying that he loves me. Then he spins me around, pulls out a ring box, opens it and asks me to marry him. I was so surprised! I said “Yes” and then looked at the ring. It was the one I had asked for!! It was so special that he proposed in the house that we will be spending our lives together in and that it was such a surprise.

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The movie was forgotten and we spent the rest of the night telling our families. We went back to my house, where we toasted with eggnog with my parents lol. Since then we have has so much fun getting ready for the wedding.

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Devin is the greatest. I’ve been in nursing school our whole dating and engagement time (I graduated 3 weeks ago!), and he has been so encouraging. I think I told him every single day that I hated school lol. Weekends before a test, I spent every day, all day studying and he never complained about not seeing me. I’m just so thankful that the Lord placed him in my life. We really believe that God directed our steps and placed us together in His perfect timing and we are excited to see what he has in store for us in the future.

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Our wedding is in the church that I grew up in. The sanctuary is actually in a gym so my mom has had a time trying to dress it up but it is going to be gorgeous. My mother and aunt are doing all the decorating and catering and we’ve kept everything a secret. The colors of the wedding were just leaked out but no one has seen my dress :) I’m so excited!! lol

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Courtney & Grayson’s Engagement

Courtney’s wedding is coming up this weekend and we couldn’t be more excited! She’s from the Dalton area and we love working down there and often see people that we’ve worked with before. Courtney was a previous bride’s maid of honor and is one of the sweetest girls…I remember her so well. Her relationship with Grayson has a fabulous story and they have such a connection.

Grant had an amazing time during the shoot and loved all of the images from it.

Congratulations to Courtney and Grayson…we hope you love your images!

How did you meet?
My sorority has an annual philanthropy event called “Anchor Splash”. Most of the fraternities and sororities put together teams to compete in various swimming events. The main event is a synchronized swimming competition. I was assigned to be the coach for the fraternity that Grayson was pledging. It was during this time that we met and started to get to know each other. Grayson likes to say that his swimming abilities impressed me! :)

Anything special you’d like to share about dating?
Grayson and I have been together for over 6 years now, with at least 2.5 years spent long distance. Grayson was in the Marines and was deployed for 7 months and had about 5 months of training before he was sent to Iraq. It was a difficult time, but his Homecoming was one of the most exciting days of our relationship and I will never forget that emotion!

Describe your proposal.
My best friend from high school and her husband moved to China and were coming home for a couple of weeks during September. Her parents were throwing a small BBQ for family and friends on Saturday, September 24th. I knew that it would be a 6-7 hour drive for Grayson to make it to Dalton for the weekend, I also knew that he had been sick the week before and he had to drive to Kansas the following Monday for work. So when I mentioned the BBQ to him, I didn’t expect him to make it. The morning of the party, my friend called me and told me that she wouldn’t be in town until about 30 minutes before the party started, so to kill time I went to the nail salon and got a manicure. While I was there, my friend called and told me that she had arrived earlier than expected and she wanted me to come over so she could see me before the crowd got there. I went straight to her house when I got done and walked up to the front door, and noticed the handle move. I didn’t knock, and after a few seconds, the door finally opened and there stood Grayson with a small little box in his hand. I stepped backwards completely in shock and said “uhhh…what are you doing here?” It was at that point Grayson dropped to his knee and asked me to marry him and all I could do was jump on him and hug him! After a few seconds I realized I never answered him and finally shouted “yes!”

What is your ring like?
My ring is beautiful and is very special for a couple of reasons. The first reason is because Grayson picked it out completely by himself. He didn’t want any hints from me or anyone else! The second reason is because the three stones are from his mom’s engagement ring. Grayson’s parents decided years ago that they wanted to let Grayson use the stones when he decided to propose. Grayson and I have decided that it is a tradition that we want to continue one day with our children.

How would you describe the way you feel about each other?
It’s hard to put into words. We have grown to be best friends and we love each other so much. We’ve experienced a lot during our 6.5 years together, but I wouldn’t change a thing. God has truly blessed us with each other.

Do you have any special plans for your wedding that you’d like to share?
Our dogs, Jack and Clara will be apart of the wedding! Jack (a Newfoundland) and Clara (a Maltipoo) are both very important to us and we’re very excited to be getting married at a venue that is pet friendly!

Kelli & Taylor’s Engagement

Kelli and Taylor are such a fun couple! I love their creativity and all of the plans they are making for their wedding. Grant really enjoyed his time shooting with them. They are so easy and comfortable around each other…you can tell they have a very close bond.

These were taken at the beautiful Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center and downtown at the River Pier. All of the stars aligned for a spectacular shoot with a fun couple!

Congratulations…Kelli and Taylor!

How did you meet?
Taylor and I met at Tennessee Tech University in December of 2007. He was a Senior, and I was a Freshman. He is a Sigma Chi, and we met at his fraternity Christmas party.

Anything special you’d like to share about dating?
For the past 4 years he has lived in Nashville, and I have been in either Cookeville (for school) or in the Knoxville area (home) so we have almost always had a long distance relationship. Needless to say, we are looking forward to finally being together!

Describe the proposal.
He proposed to me on June 2, 2011. We went on a week long cruise with my parents and my two brothers. We decided to have some professional pictures taken on the ship when it was getting close to sunset. After the photo sessions was complete we were at the back of the boat. The photographer and the people that had been standing around just happened to leave. We hung around a little longer to just look out at the water and talk and the next thing I knew I said “Yes!” He had the ring box in his pocket the whole evening. You can even see kinda see it in the pictures that were taken that night. So it was on the back of the cruise ship at sunset. :)

What is your ring like?
My ring has a slim band with pave diamonds around it, and it has a solitaire diamond with a round brilliant cut.

How would you describe the way you feel about each other?
I was that girl that grew up watching Disney movies and dreaming about my Prince Charming…he is my Prince Charming. He is everything I could have hoped for and more. I know that he will love me and take care of me. He said that I make him relax and enjoy the little things in life that he sometimes takes for granted. We just make each other happy. :)

Do you have any special plans for your wedding that you’d like to share?
The wedding ceremony is at 2nd Presbyterian Downtown Chattanooga and the reception is at the Fairyland Club on Lookout Mt. I guess the theme of my wedding is kinda “romantic” and “classy”…however I want my wedding to be FUN, and I want people to dance! We got a band so I am pretty pumped about that :)

Maggie & Derek’s Engagement

This beautiful couple is getting married this weekend and we could not be more excited about the wedding! Grant talked about how much he enjoyed their engagement shoot…the chemistry and love that was so evident in every look. I love the smiles and expressions and the obvious connection that they have. There was fabulous light during the shoot and all of the stars aligned for an amazing session.

We hope you enjoy these photos…we can’t wait to photograph them tomorrow at what will be a beautiful wedding I’m sure!

Congrats Maggie and Derek…you guys are so wonderful to work with!

How did you meet?
In 1999, Maggie’s family moved to Ooltewah from Texas. We met through a love for basketball and have known one another since.

Describe your proposal.
I wanted it to be a surprise.  Given Maggie would wear her ring for the rest of her life, I wanted her to choose the setting–she left me to choose the diamond. We were on a family vacation in Cabo San Lucas, the last place she imagined me proposing. We planned a romantic dinner overlooking the ocean.  After dinner I popped the question…totally catching her off guard.

What is your ring like?
Round cut diamond with a halo of diamonds around it…micropave diamonds surrounding the band.

How would you describe the way you feel about each other?
We feel at home with each other. Comfortable, safe, and happy!

Do you have any special plans for your wedding that you’d like to share?
We want the wedding to be a celebration of our new life together.