Nov 30, 2008

Andrea & Stuart : Sneak Peek

Most. Amazing. Location. EVER.

Yesterday Zach and I drove to Gainesville to photograph Andrea & Stuart's wedding at the gorgeous Baughman Center at UF. They couldn't have picked a more perfect day. The temperature was awesome, the light was beautiful and the church was incredible. The entire building is windows! Andrea and Stuart were so in love, and their venue reflected that perfectly. Here are a few shots from the church, it was just so incredible, I had to put some up. And they were incredible too - they totally rocked their photos! I can't wait to show you more!




Nov 27, 2008

Thankful

This is my first Thanksgiving to have a blog, and with the nature of blogs, I though this would be the perfect time to reflect on everything I am thankful for:

1. Always to top my list, my husband, my parents, my friends. They are always there for me when I need it, whether it’s Zach, loving me despite my craziness, my parents, who I can always count on for a good meal and good advice, and my friends for retail therapy and to gossip. I love you all so much and my life wouldn’t be complete without you!

2. My kitties. Though they are both very sick at the moment (kennel cough cat version) I love them very much. I snuggle with them even when they don’t want to be snuggled with, and the fact that they don’t scratch out my eyes tells me they enjoy it (just a little) too. My furry little children, I love them!

3. Our House. The whole thing happened so fast last Fall; I don’t think I really ever thought about what happened. Not even being in the market for a house, we suddenly were and had one in two weeks. Then with all of the fix-ups and moving, I never even though how amazingly awesome it was that we live in a house and not an apartment. Apartment living has its perks, but I wouldn’t trade my location, backyard view, or just the feeling that it’s mine for any luxury apartment. Our first home, I am so thankful for.

4. Photography. Without it, who knows what I would be doing. Seriously. Who knows? Though I spend more time in front of the computer than I’d like, I love all the other times I get to go outside and photograph happy people. I get to eat cake (awesome cake) year round, I'm always surrounded by love, and I get to document very special moments in my clients lives. What could be better? I truly love what I do and am blessed to be able to do it!

5. My Clients. Without all of you, I wouldn’t even be writing this. There would be no blog, no website and no expensive camera equipment sitting 10 feet behind me. You have all been so awesomely amazing to me; trusting me with your events, referring me to your friends, and giving me the praise and encouragement I need to keep motivating myself to do better than before. So many of you have become my friends, friends I would have never made had it not for photography. I love you all so much, and am truly thankful for how fantastic you have been to me. Thank you all!

Now for random items I am super thankful for:

1. Music – you get me through long days of editing *especially you, John Mayer*

2. Chocolate – no explanation necessary. I love you too much.

3. Mashed potatoes – seriously. I love you, probably more than Chocolate *sorry chocolate*. With butter and salt, you are the best. Plus, I will be eating you in 3 hours. Yum

4. Chapstick – my best friend in tube form. My lips love you.

5. Lavender Linen Spray – you make my bedroom smell amazing. Plus your soothing scent puts me to sleep after a long day.

6. Movies/Hollywood – you entertain me frequently and sometimes disappoint, but once a year there is always something you give me that rocks.

7. May 9th at 2pm. – Graduation day. Best day of 2009.

8. Fat birds – Little fat birdies, you make me soooo happy. There is no reason for it, you just do. The fatter, the better.

9. Solitaire – I have played waaaayy too many hours of you on my phone (over 50…I admit…) but you always clear my head and I love a challenge. Every game can be won, so figuring out the key is exhilarating. (Yes, I know. I’m weird…)

10. The Mall – Oh Mall, you present me with so many lovely things that can be mine with the swipe of a card. You provide my therapy, creating sheer joy for shirt, which cannot be matched anywhere else. You give me a place to chat with friends, forget about the world and eat greasy food. You are a haven, and you try to make me stylish. You are fabulous.

To everyone, I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, family filled, love filled, and tummy filled Thanksgiving. Happy Turkey Day!!

Nov 26, 2008

Sisters : Sneak Peek

I got home about an hour ago from an awesome shoot with three sisters. I just had to post these two photos, they were some of my favorites. Ariel *girl on right* and I knew each other as kids, we did children's theater together, and we hadn't seen each other in 10+ years! I love reconnecting with people randomly like that!

Here are two of my favorite shots from the very end of the shoot, one of the three girls and another with their fabulous Mom. More to come soon!



Nov 24, 2008

Allison & Kirk : Wedding

Earlier this month I had the privilege of photographing Allison & Kirk's wedding. I knew Allison from high school, we had art together with L. When Allison asked me last spring to photograph her wedding I was beyond excited. Always stylish, I knew her wedding would be fabulous. And of course, it was.

Allison & Kirk got married at The Lakeside Inn in Mt Dora, which is probably Mt. Dora's prettiest location for weddings. Set on a lake, the light was so yummy at sunset (just take a look below!) Everything about the day was perfect: her dress, the flowers, the weather, the lighting, the attitude of the whole day, and the love that everyone had. I didn't know Kirk before like I did Allison, but I could tell that he loved her so much, and she him. The excitement on both of their faces, nothing compared to it!

So thank you, Allison and Kirk for allowing me to be a part of your gorgeous day. I had such a wonderful time, and I know you two will have a "hot" life together :) Congrats!!



Allison's flowers were A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I am so in love with purple and green
Daisy a Day florist did an awesome job!







I just loved their little ring bearer and flower girl, they were too cute!!





Ok, it might be too small to read on the blog, but the cover of the book says "Allison & Kirk"
I love that it was personalized!









SOOOOOO gorgeous!! I just loved this light!



Here are some of the photos taken by my awesome friend/photographer/assistant
for the day, Heidi Mitchell!






Kaitlyn & Michael : Engagement

Kaitlyn & Michael were such a great couple to photograph. They were upbeat, willing to try anything, and so in love. Kaitlyn looked absolutely adorable, I always love it when a girl dresses super cute. And Michael was awesome, despite him thinking he doesn't photograph well. You and every other guy Michael! You did an fantastic job!

Congratulations to you both, I cannot wait until your wedding in March!!









Nov 20, 2008

Frost!!

This morning I had to get up super early for class (ok... super early for me is 7am, I am not a morning person) and woke up to my backyard filled with glorious frost! Frost? Glorious? Well, it's glorious for Florida and for me. And for November in Florida. I rushed in to Zach, so excited I could hardly contain it, giddy with frosty thoughts, and looking at me as if I had lost it, suggested, "Why don't you take some photos?" Of course, why didn't the photographer think of that. So I found my heaviest ski jacket, put on my shoes and trotted outside with my camera. Ok, I am not a landscape photographer and I will NEVER pretend to be, but I was super excited at 7:15am bouncing around my backyard photographing frost. We have a little stream that runs behind our house to a lake, and the steam coming off of it was beautiful. It truly felt like fall/winter, and despite my cold fingers, my heart was warm. Fall and Winter are my two favorite seasons, and though I'd like to think I could survive up North, I know I wouldn't. So I settle for a Florida fall and winter taking pleasure in any little bit they throw my way.

So Happy Fall and Winter everyone!



Look!! Red'ish leaves! How exciting!!

Water droplets are so much fun :)

Golden Rain blooming early. So beautiful!