Tori + Brady Engagement Session

When you think Florida engagement photo shoot, Tori and Brady’s session is quite literally the picture you’ll envision. A stunning October evening on Fort Desoto Beach, Tori and Brady effortlessly displayed their love for one another. A light-hearted yet passion-filled session amid the backdrop of tall grasses and reflective, calm waters, these two could not have had a more perfect evening to celebrate their upcoming wedding.

Scroll below to see some highlights from Tori and Brady’s session.

We had so much fun spending the day capturing the love of these two. Follow us on Instagram (@justindemutiis) to see more picture-perfect engagement sessions and wedding day moments.

We are hiring!

We are thrilled to announce that we are hiring! Our current beloved wedding and office assistant is sadly moving out of state, and will need to pass on the torch. We are looking forward to the opportunity to link arms with someone who will add value to our lives and business! DeMutiis Photography is searching for the unique position of an Office and Wedding Assistant : a part-time position that will continue to help to efficiently move our business forward.

Applicants must be self-starters, motivated workers, and eager to learn. As an Office Assistant, you will be involved in the daily work of running a photography business : fulfilling print orders, packaging and shipping client gifts and album orders, running business and occasional personal errands, ordering supplies, assisting with blogging and social media, submitting weddings for publication, learning studio-specific software and tasks, preparing equipment for wedding days and shoots, and assisting us on our largest wedding days of the year by changing film, setting up equipment, and assisting us/our clients as needed.

This position is a mix of office work and wedding day assisting, not a shooting position. If you are an aspiring photographer or know how to work a camera, that’s great, but not required for consideration. We may or may not expand this position to include photography or editing training in the future.

This is not the same as an internship. We are looking for someone to join our team year-round with the Office Assistant position.

Qualifications:

• Professional, positive, friendly demeanor

• Ability to strike up a friendly conversation with new people

• Experience in the very basics of Photoshop or Lightroom is a bonus

• Must not only be organized, but also have a love for organization

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Knowledgeable of current trends, styles and publications in the wedding industry

• Personal/administrative assistant experience a big bonus

• Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license, as this job does require driving for business errands as well as driving to wedding day locations (most frequently in Tampa, St. Pete, Boca Grande, and Sarasota)

Logistics:

• Part-Time Position

• Works with Justin and/or Ashley in their home office 2 days/week (15 minutes of east of downtown Tampa) and assists them at approximately 25-30 weddings per year

• Position to begin August 5th (there is some flexibility here)

Compensation:

• Contracted position, $12-$15 per hour based on experience

• 10-20 hours per week, split between time in the office and wedding day assisting

• Mondays – Thursdays, + 25 to 30 weekend days per year; flexible schedule

A word from out current Office Assistant who is sadly moving:

"Hi, Jordan here! For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Justin and Ashley’s assistant. I’ve made the difficult decision to move out of state and away from this job. I am incredibly excited to embark on this new adventure however, I’m heartbroken to be leaving behind Justin and Ashley, as they are truly the best employers I have ever had.

I have had the opportunity to learn so much throughout my time with them, from all sorts of camera knowledge to all things social media. This job has also helped me become more confident as well has improved my instagram skills by 1,000% (thanks Ashley!). Having a relaxed, flexible schedule with this job has given me the ability to complete one of my college degrees while working, as well as having a good work/life balance. The thing that surprised me most about this job was actually how physical wedding days are! You actually walk several miles on a typical wedding day, and it involves lot of carrying camera equipment, fans and supplies to help the brides, and wedding gown trains ;) But it’s honestly a great way to get in some exercise without feeling like you actually worked out, because it’s so much fun.

This is a great position for someone who is considering a career in social media/marketing or weddings in the future. You’ll especially love this job if you’re an outgoing, hardworking, and creative person with a passion for photography. There have been so many incredible moments this year from experiencing all the different gorgeous weddings to getting Justin and Ashley to make some hilarious TikToks/Reels (Ashley is the reels queen), and of course…Justin’s dad jokes.

I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am to have had the pleasure of working with Justin and Ashley, as well as all the amazing wedding planners and vendors and of course brides and grooms! I will forever have a place in my heart for Justin and Ashley and will never forget all of the amazing things I learned during my time in this position."

To Apply: Complete this form no later than 11:59pm on June 28th, 2022.

We can’t wait to hear from you! 

5 Reasons You Need a Wedding Album

“Wedding albums are so expensive, and I really don’t see the point of spending all of that money when we have our pictures online to look at whatever we want.”- Me.

Yep, I said that exact sentence, years ago, right after Justin and I got our wedding images and he wanted to order an album. I’m the Sally saver in our relationship, and to be honest I had a little bit of sticker shock when I looked into purchasing a wedding album; I quickly decided it wasn’t worth it. 

Well, marriage is about compromise, so eventually Justin convinced me, and he did everything on his own when it came to ordering our wedding album and getting it on the way. When it came in, it sat in the box for days because I really didn’t care that much about looking at it. Fast forward to the night Justin and I finally sat down on the sofa to flip through it- and cue the waterworks. It was the first time I actually cried looking at our wedding images! Since then, I’ve reflected a lot on why the album made me feel the way it did, because let me tell you, I went from album scrooge to album believer in about 5 seconds.

Knowing what I know now, I truly feel it’s my responsibility to share with you the 5 reasons I firmly believe every person should own a high quality wedding album- scroll on! 

1) Re-visit your wedding day cuddled up in bed, not huddled behind a computer screen

Recently, I polled our followers on instagram about wedding albums… Did you know that 75% of people who don’t have a wedding album have to pull out their computer every single time they want to look at the images from their big day? This honestly and truly broke my heart. One of my all time favorite moments on Justin and I’s anniversary is when we crack open a bottle of wine, get in bed or sit on the sofa, and slowly reminisce on our wedding day as we flip through the pages of our album. I don’t know about you, but enough of my day is spent behind a glowing screen- I love having something I can physically hold and touch anytime I want to look back on our wedding day, and I know you will too.

2) Create a family heirloom

Ok- this was the cry moment for me. When we opened our album for the first time and I burst into tears, I immediately told Justin “Oh my gosh- Our grandkids are going to hold this someday”. That really hit me hard. Maybe I’m an old soul, but in today’s world of fast fashion and disposable everything, it seems like no one thinks about the future or invests in quality anymore! Sure, you can make a shutterfly book of your wedding images…. but I promise you it’ll be faded and ripped and thrown away someday. I didn’t realize until I held our album in my hands how sturdy and luxurious it felt, and I can honestly say I have confidence that this book will outlive us. I’m so excited we had the opportunity to create an heirloom that our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids can enjoy. 

3) Don’t rely on technology alone

Social media apps come and go, and yet the other 20% of people (that I polled online that don’t have a wedding album) said that that’s how they re-visit their wedding day. I have a hard time believing that at 75 years old, when you want to take a look at your wedding pictures, you’ll whip out your iPhone and scroll back on your instagram by 50 years. 

Computers fail, hard drives fail, the ‘it’ social media app is ever changing…. but a tangible wedding album is truly timeless and outlasts technology trends. 

4) Design a beautiful statement piece for your home

If nothing else- wedding albums are beautiful! Justin spent years sourcing the absolute best album company in the country, because we believe our clients are deserving of the best. Each album is designed from scratch, and made completely custom for each couple we work with. From the fabric and color, to what’s printed or debossed on the cover, you can choose something that fits your personal style so that you can proudly display your wedding album on a coffee table, bookshelf, or bedroom accent table. 

Our albums are all crafted by hand right here in the united states and truly have an un-matched quality and luxurious feel. You’ll be proud for any guest in your home to flip through it’s pages as they’re transported back to your special day! 

5) Tell the story of your wedding instead of combing through 1000+ images

Did you know that 50 years ago, most people typically only received a small handful of images from their wedding day? I’m talking… for sure less than 100. Goodness, how times have changed! Depending on the number of hours booked, most of our clients receive close to 1000 or more images from their wedding day! As great as it is to have all of those pictures, you don’t exactly have an hour or two to spare every time you want to look at your wedding photos. I love wedding albums because we design a concise story that showcases the wedding from start to finish- no overwhelm involved. 

That’s all I have for you today, friend. I’ll leave you with a quote I love: “Sometimes you never really know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory”. And I sincerely hope you’ll invest in a way to re-visit your wedding memories. I can promise you’ll never regret it <3 

Bridget + Will Engagement Session

Tropical palm trees, beautiful beach front sunsets, the iconic Gasparilla Inn…. what more could you want in an engagement session? Bridget and will are getting married in Boca Grande this December because it’s meaningful to them. They have so many special memories as a couple in this Florida paradise, so it was only natural that we captured their engagement session in Boca Grande doing all their favorite things: bike riding around the island, playing backgammon at the Gasparilla Inn, taking a cruise on Bridget’s boat, and watching sunset together on the beach. This session was too good not to blog- scroll below to see some of our favorite images, and read a little more about this couple and their story. 

How did you two meet?

“Bridget's family has been coming down to Boca Grande since 2005, and Will's family bought a home there in 2015.  We ran into each other on Christmas Eve in 2015 at The Pink Elephant, and Bridget decided to set up the parents because she thought they'd make good friends.  Bridget invited the Morrison family over for a boat ride (or what she calls the "parent date") and Will quickly developed a crush.  Flash forward to Christmas 2016, where we spent more time together in Boca Grande.  After flirting at the Boca Bande Bash (a party that a group of families organized), we shared our first kiss at midnight on New Year's Eve at Miller's Dockside.  And the rest.........is history.”

Tell us about the proposal!

“Will proposed on the first night of summer in 2020 in Cotuit, MA (where Bridget's family spends their summer).  Will was "going up to New Hampshire" to golf with his dad for Father's Day, when in reality he picked out the ring in Boston.  He then picked up Bridget's older sister, Lizzie, from the airport (she had just flown in from San Francisco) and drove back to Cotuit.  We grabbed a drink and went out to the patio overlooking Cotuit Bay, and Will got down on one knee and popped the question.  Bridget (obviously) said yes, and then they celebrated with Bridget's family afterwards! “

What is one thing that gets you excited about your wedding weekend?

“The weekend will kick off with our rehearsal dinner for the wedding party and immediate families at The Gasparilla Inn Beach Club, followed by a welcome party for the rest of the guests.  We're so excited to welcome everyone to the island, especially first timers!”

We’re counting down to be back with these two for their wedding in beautiful Boca Grande. In the meantime… follow us on instagram to see our day to day adventures (@justindemutiis) or take a peek at another favorite blog, BLANK.  

4 reasons to book an engagement session

“We had an engagement session with Justin 13 years ago and it was the best shoot we ever did- we had so much fun! They are our favorite pictures to date. Especially after getting married and becoming parents, and not having time for take pictures together during this season, it’s so great to have pictures of just us together and in love”. 

I think I’ll end the blog right here, actually. 

Kidding! But I did think that review from Elizabeth really gets to the heart of this topic: “Why do I need an engagement session with my wedding photographer?” DeMutiis Photography couples are people who really value photography, so about 75% of our clients book an engagement session with us from the start! But whether you’re our client or you just happened to stumble upon this blog- today I’m talking to that bride who is on the fence….

 And girl… I feel you in your doubt! Maybe your fiancé doesn’t like pictures, or you don’t want the extra expense, or maybe you already had one because your fiancé hired a photographer when he proposed! And if any of those reasons eventually wins out and you decide not to have an engagement session in your wedding package, I won’t blame you- but before you finalize that decision, you owe it to yourself to be fully informed! After you read this blog, I promise you’ll have all the best reasons in hand to book an engagement session with your wedding photographer so that you can truly make an informed decision as you’re finalizing your wedding collection. 

1) It’s a lot of fun

Though I’m about to give you four more reasons, if nothing else- book an engagement session because it’s FUN! While wedding planning, there’s a lot coming your way- constantly. Venues to select, vendors to choose, and hundreds of other choices to make. I remember well when Justin and I were engaged, sometimes weeks went by without having time for a date night or any fun beyond work and wedding planning. Our engagement pictures were a welcome break from the countless invitation choices and first dance song selections, and it truly felt like a date night. In fact, this is the most common response we hear from our couples after every. single. session. : “Wow! That was WAY more fun than I thought- it was really nice getting to just kiss, hug, cozy up, and spend time together.” 

2) You can get comfortable behind the camera and figure out what you like

Because lets face it- unless you’re an IG influencer, you’re probably not looking at yourself on camera every day. The first few minutes getting behind the camera can feel a little nerve wracking (although I promise we help to take that away quickly) so why not give yourself a chance to be comfortable with it prior to your wedding day? Not only that, but you can figure out what you like in terms of photos of yourself. Before a wedding day, Justin and I always go through the engagement session galleries of our couples to see which images they favorited, and we make ourselves a note to do a similar pose on the wedding day. 

3) You’re capturing a special season

How do you feel when you look back on photos of yourself as a kid or from high school? My guess is, you feel pretty nostalgic. To this same point, when it comes to ALL photos, we’ve found that they increase in value so much more over time. Someday, maybe 10, 20, or even 50 years from now, I can promise you 100% that you won’t remember the time, expense, or stress of choosing the perfect outfit for your engagement session. You WILL remember that special season when you were young and in love, and cherish these images of a once in a lifetime season. The special year or so that you’re engaged is a time that I guarantee you won’t ever want to forget. 

4) You can get to know your photographer better

One of the biggest factors in getting comfortable behind the camera, is getting comfortable with the PERSON behind the camera. The engagement session is 2 hours of hanging out at a beautiful location taking some epic images with Justin. There’s lots of time to chat as you move through the session, and by the end, everyone feels like they’ve made new friends. When it gets to the wedding day, you already know the guy behind the camera and that comfort most definitely translates in the final images! 

So my friend, if after reading these four reasons you still aren’t feeling it when it comes to an engagement session, go with your gut! BUT, if Ive changed you mind (and I hope I have!), be sure to contact us, or read another one of our favorite blogs: “Three engagement session tips”. 

Fall 2024 mini session locations

Scroll on to see a few samples of our mini session locations for fall of 2024!

Lettuce Lake Park

Lettuce Lake park is about a 15 minute drive from downtown/south Tampa. We love it because it has a very old Florida feel with gorgeous oak trees and areas with open grass for kiddos to run. It’s an expansive park, so you don’t have to worry about overcrowding or lots of distractions for your littles!

This year our Lettuce Lake Park sessions will take place in the afternoon of Saturday, October 5th. The address is 6920 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33637. Keep in mind there will be a $2 entry fee- CASH ONLY.

Bright Indoor Studio

An indoor studio is a new addition for this year! We’re renting the space for the afternoon to add some variety- especially for those of you who have been with us for many years! Because it’s new we don’t have a ton of photos to show you the exact space, but picture all white, lots of light and a few neutral pieces of furniture to do some seated shots as well as standing combos. I love this idea as well because it’ll look great on just about any Christmas card design, and if it’s a rainy day it won’t mean a re-schedule. It’s super conveniently located in Ybor city.

(This year our Indoor studio sessions will take place mid-day on Sunday, October 6th. The address is 1718 E 7th Ave Tampa, FL 33604)

University of Tampa

University of Tampa is a great place for mini sessions because it’s located right in downtown Tampa, and offers a plethroa of greenery and grass, as well as a covered area with bricks and stairs if we need to add in some variety.

(This year our University of Tampa sessions will take place in the late afternoon on Sunday, October 6th. The address is 401 W Kennedy Blvd Tampa FL)

Marjorie Park

Marjorie Park is a green space located right on Davis Island. Kiddos love running around, and looking at the boats on the water after the session!

Our Marjorie Park sessions will take place in the later afternoon on Thursday, October 10th. The address is 115 Columbia Dr, Tampa, FL 33606.

Pic Nic Island

Pic Nic Island is convenient for those who live in Tampa. It has a more beachy feel with sea grapes and water views, but also offers wide open spaces with grass and trees. The playground is a great incentive for kiddos to run to right after the session ends!

This year our Pic Nic Island sessions will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, October 20th. The address is 7409 Picnic Island Blvd Tampa, FL.

There you have it- you can’t go wrong with any of this years mini session locations! Can’t wait to document your family this fall.

You're engaged! 3 next steps to prevent overwhelm

“When is the date?” “Where is the venue?” “Who are your vendors?” “What does your dress look like?”  Ah, I can almost hear them now- the millions of questions that get thrown your way the moment you have some new bling on that ring finger! 

When Justin and I got engaged, I remember feeling really overwhelmed with all of the choices to make and decisions to think over… and it didn’t help to get asked about it immediately upon our engagement (Like, same day!). I don’t know about you, but when I’m overwhelmed, I just want to close the book on the task at hand because I’m not sure where to start! If this is you- you’ve come to the right place. I promise after reading this blog with tips on the three first things to do post-engagement, you’ll walk away EXCITED to start wedding planning- not feeling overwhelmed!  

Though I know quite a bit about weddings myself, I couldn’t think of anyone who could give better advice than the ever-important wedding planner, so I asked three of my favorites to share their tips- keep on readin’!

1) Pick a date

According to Nicole from NK productions, “ After you get engaged, one of the big steps is choosing a date for your wedding (and picking a backup, too!) The date you choose can hold special significance to you and your fiancé, or you may want to consider the weather, especially in Florida. 2021 and 2022 are gearing up to be especially busy years, so confirming your date/venue is going to be key! Having a planner from the beginning will help you with the dates and venues pros and cons so you are able to make an educated decision from the start.”

2) Choose some general ideas like location

On that same note Ashley from Love Lee Lane tells us: “Have a conversation right away with your partner about ideal time of year, possible date, and general location you would like to have your wedding.  The details can always change as you encounter the planning process, but it is a great staring point to have decided some of the basics together. 

Hiring a wedding planner shortly after engagement can give a couple valuable insight to venue locations, vendor suggestions, and general overall knowledge about where to begin in the planning process. “

I can’t tell you how true this is- once you have a general season and location in mind, the planner should be next on your list- they’re worth their weight in gold! 

3) Set a budget

The third tip, and one of equal importance is told to us by Lindsay Jimison from Burlap to Lace: “The biggest most important first step to do for your wedding planning after you say “yes”  is deciding on a price range! I can’t tell you how many brides call me and have no idea of a budget for their big day. You can’t buy a car without a price range and you certainly can’t plan a wedding without one either. When working on your budget, take a look at websites like Zola or Wedding Wire for budget planners. Also make sure to have an idea of guest count along with your budget since they affect each other. Happy planning!”

There you have it- pick a general season and location, then pick a date, set your price range, and finally (and most importantly, in our opinion) hire a planner!!! You’ll thank yourself later and actually enjoy your engagement, rather than starting it off feeling overwhelmed!

For more planning inspiration and ideas and advice, give us a follow on instagram (@justindemutiis) or keep perusing the blog- a personal fave of mine for the wedding planning groom can be found here.