Gerrilynn & Kevin
I first met Kevin and Gerrilynn a couple of years ago when he contacted me about a portrait session as a gift for her birthday. Needless to say, I was stoked about the shoot. I mean, who wouldn’t be with such an incredible looking couple, right? They loved the first images that we did together at the time, and about a year after that, Kevin contacted me again. His intricate plan – as he described it to me – was to take Gerrilynn on a nice vacation first, and then stop in my neck of the woods for a new set of portraits on the beach. What he didn’t tell her was that these were NOT just another year’s worth of couple’s portraits, but rather an engagement session (in the most literal sense of the word). He had her hook, line and sinker … totally convinced they were just getting and updated beach session for the year. As the sun began to set over the gulf, he knelt down, suddenly, in the sand and asked her THE big question. This summer, I had the privilege of working with these two amazingly beautiful people, YET again for their wedding at Little Harbor Resort in Ruskin. It was a sunset ceremony on the very same beach where we shot the first portraits they (and I) ever did together. Funny how things seem to come full circle. Here are a handful of images from their day.
I just have to say that Gerrilynn has some of the the most amazing skin ever! Absolutely, fabulously gorgeous …
Love this one from behind. This, and all of the following images of Miss G were taken by window light (NO flash necessary).
We were fortunate to get an AWESOME sky and NO rain! I love sunlight that’s filtered through deep, dark blue clouds.
I’m totally hoping they decide to come back a do a Trash the Dress session with me in Ybor City. I know we could totally rock out some amazing images!
In the meantime, CONGRATS to you both K & G! You’re amazing people and I know you’ve found something spectacular in each other. Does this mean I get first dibs on shooting portraits of any little ones that may come along in the future?
Don’t you hate that that’s the FIRST question EVERYONE asks you as soon as you get married? (About when you’re going to have kids I mean, not whose going to shoot them.) ** grin **
Keep smiling everybody,
Archie & Danny
I had the EXTREME pleasure of capturing Archie and Danny’s wedding in Miami this summer at the Deering Estate. She is the cutest, sweetest, most genuine person you’ll ever meet. Not to mention she’s exceptionally photogenic (as evidenced in the photos below). Needless to say, she and her entire family made my job SO easy and enjoyable! The number of shots featured here may seem like a lot for a blog, but let me tell you … it was hard to narrow it down to so few!
Her dress was absolutely TO DIE FOR! Fitted, vintagey, cap-sleeved, open backed and covered in gorgeous lace from top to bottom. She was a vision of classic beauty, reminiscent of the silver screen.
A quiet, meditative moment during the make-up session …
So pretty.
Trying to hold back tears while getting dressed …
I snapped this one from behind while Archie was doing a final overview in the mirror.
The sunlight coming in was amazing, and flowed straight through her cathedral length veil.
Amazing light during the sunset ceremony on the lawn …
Probably my favorite candid shot the entire day.
It’s always amazing when you have a couple who just look perfectly comfortable in front of the camera …
A couple from down in the basement …
I totally could have posted a ton more. I really enjoyed working with these two and their families, and would do it all over again in an instant!
More to come later, but in the mean time …
Keep smiling.
The Fearless Wonder.
I often wonder if childhood fearlessness is a genetic thing. If so, then my daughter certainly takes after me. Or at least, the way that I was as a child.
I remember frequent trips to the emergency room, lots of stitches and never quite enough sense knocked into me in the process. I loved climbing trees and jumping off of rooftops with my brother. We were terrible, dare-devilish children and I imagine we drove my mother absolutely crazy.
She tells me that I have a lot of karma coming my way with Jiana. So far, I’m beginning to see the truth in that statement.
We went to Phillipe Park in Safety Harbor this afternoon for an amazing cook-out hosted by one of Jorge’s co-workers. (Thank you Ms. Pat!) Jiana was STOKED to go and play on the slides and in the dirt. She became especially enamored with the “CAD-A-PIDDER” (yes, that’s catepillar in two-year-old speak), though I’m not exactly sure if that’s what this thing was supposed to be.
She also ate her FIRST mouthful of dirt while trying to play soccer with some of the boys. Completely and utterly UN-PHASED, mind you, she got right back up again and wanted to keep going. She landed face-first, and was covered from head toe. So funny!
Here are a few snaps from her high-climbing adventure. Too bad I didn’t snap the mouthful of sand picture. I was busy trying to be the good mom, and get it all washed out somewhat expeditiously. Dangit!
If only we could all take such enormous pleasure in the little things, the way that children do.
Keep smiling…
School’s OUT for Summer …
Well it’s official. I finished up another semester of school successfully this week. The best part is that I’ll have a entire MONTH off until the start of the Fall semester at the end of August. THANK GOD for that!
What most people probably don’t know about me is that I am going back to school in pursuit of a degree in geology. I’m one of those folks who can’t settle on just one career in life. I’ll always be an artist. I’ll always be a photographer. Those things about me will never change. I love them too much to give them up. But I’ve suddenly come alive with this new passion to satiate my hunger for the sciences. I feel like I can combine all aspects of my work and creativity in some capacity, but if I can’t, I’ll just continue to do them separately.
I’ve had this improbable dream since I was kid (when I used to pore through every issue) that I might, one day, become a photographer for National Geographic magazine. I suppose that in some way, that desire derived from my inability to settle on just one aspect of what I love. I want to explore and discover, to challenge the scientific side of my brain. But I also have an intrinsic desire to imagine and create things that are beautiful and inspiring.
Who knows? I could finished this degree and then decide that I want to pursue under-water basket weaving. No, totally not my thing. But you get the picture.
Right now, I absolutely adore my career in photography … shooting portraits, weddings and all. I don’t think that will ever change, and I’m sure that it never will. There’s always something new and unique every single time, with every single couple, family or person. No two sessions are ever exactly alike, nor are the images that come from them. That’s what makes it so fascinating and fun.
I may become a scientist at the end of this didactic journey, but will always be a shutterbug, no matter what!
I don’t think that any of us should have to settle on one single thing in life. Human beings – I believe – have the capacity to commit themselves intellectually, passionately, and whole-heartedly to multiple things – if the love truly exists.
So here’s a shot out to all of you out there, who – like me – want to do it all (even if we don’t quite manage to get there.) **grin**
OH! And a BIG HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY to my niece Morghan!! You’re beautiful and I LOVE YOU!
Keep smiling …
Success!
After a few (nearly) sleepless nights, I think I have finally worked out all the kinks in getting my new blog design situated.
Funnily enough, I used to be in web development some years ago. But MAN did I have a fun time getting everything exactly the way I wanted it!
I’m sure there are still a few things here and there, but for the most part, I’m happy that the framework is settled.
Maybe after all the toiling and adjusting, I’ll be even more motivated to stay on top of my blogging!
Mission Relaunch …
The last couple of months have been spent in a whirlwind of weddings, school, my two-year-old, image processing and more school. Oh yes! Not to mention the fact that I have desperately been trying to overhaul my website and blog simultaneously!
I’ve sworn to myself time and again that I would be better about blogging. Up to this point, I’ve got to admit that I’ve dropped the ball. But it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, and I figure if I’m going to keep my plate chock-full, I may as well come on here and write about now and then. Who knows? It might just be the kind of release I’m looking for!
More to come soon. I mean it this time!