Today I leave for Meghan and Andrew's amazing wedding at a venue that's been on my bucket list for a few years now... The One & Only Ocean Club, on Paradise Island, Bahamas. Not only are they gracious enough to bring me down to the Bahamas for their intimate wedding, but they flew me up to St. Louis for their engagement session just a few weeks ago. Prior to this shoot, I only drove through St. Louis to see the Gateway Arch, so I didn't know much about the city... But Meghan and Andrew made sure I saw the best parts of the city, so I have a new found love/respect for St. Louis. I'll be honest, the crepes I had the morning after the shoot might have sealed the deal.
Courtney + Paul :: Cross Creek Ranch Engagement Session
Anyone that knows Courtney knows that she is a sweet southern belle, and that she loves cupcakes. So Cowboy boots, Cross Creek Ranch, and Gigi's cupcakes could not fit any better. Courtney and Paul are absolute troopers for waking up early and fighting through the stifling heat and humidity of a Florida summer morning. If these shoots are any indication of what to expect for the wedding, February can't come soon enough!
Courtney + Paul :: Notebook Engagement Session
I'll admit it, I've seen the notebook quite a few times... The last time I saw it was just a few days before I met with Courtney and Paul. Maybe they saw it on tv as well, because we had the same ideas for the engagement session... I had the perfect location to fit the shoot, and as it turned out, Courtney and Paul had the perfect outfits. The crazy part about this shoot... This is only half of the images, there will be a part II very soon, shot at Cross Creek Ranch, where they will be getting married in February. Feel free to leave some love.
Kelly + Josh :: Celebration Engagement Shoot
It's not hard to love clients that bring freshly picked blueberries to an initial meeting... But, as with almost all of my clients, the more I get to hang out with them, the more I love working with them! If their chemistry together wasn't enough to make for an amazing shoot, their dog Lola could be one of the most adorable dogs I've ever seen. Of course, I'm a little partial to anything mixed with a shih tzu. I also love their custom chess board made by Josh's grandfather. Not only is it a family heirloom, but it's one of the many things Kelly and Josh love to do together. I can't wait for Kelly and Josh's wedding at Bok Tower Gardens this fall.
Elizabeth + Evan :: Engagement Shoot
I can't quite quantify it, but Elizabeth and Evan have something amazing. They're so perfect together, and it sounds funny, but they're both perfect clients for me. When I was first contacted by them, my initial excitement came because they'll be getting married at the Black Diamond Ranch, a venue in Florida, that at times looks as though it might be in the mountains, or at least a different state (much like many of my images). But most of my excitement came from Elizabeth's initial email, which could not have been any sweeter. As I found out at our initial consultation, Elizabeth gets that sweetness from her mom. Two random facts, Evan rode a bike across the United States not that long ago, and he also restored the bike you see in the photos below. Amazing people... I can't wait for the wedding.
Lauren + Michael :: Bok Tower Engagement Session
If it looks like we had Bok Tower Gardens to ourselves, it's because we did. Bok Tower is already one of my favorite places in the area, but if anything can make it better, it's exclusive access. What's even more exciting is the beautiful wedding they're planning. Their ceremony will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with their cocktail hour and reception at the Tampa Yacht and Country Club. It was an absolute pleasure photographing these two and their sweet Boston Terrier. I can't wait for the wedding!
Karla + Andy :: Engagement Shoot
Fewer things excite me more than exploring. Through exploration, on occasion, I'm rewarded with a location in Florida that looks as though it could be somewhere out west, or simply a place with elevation. For this shoot, the light and land might feel like Southern California, but I promise, it's Florida. For Karla and Andy's wedding though, I will be traveling just north of the Florida border to the beautiful Pebble Hill Plantation. I cannot wait.
Kara + Mike :: Southern Engagement Shoot
You might not know it, but an hour and a half south east of Tampa, there are a few wonderfully southern towns. Places where a 4x4 is a must, and of course the home of southern hospitality and amazing accents. Judging from how small the towns are in these parts, the fact that their families own such vast tracts of land, and that Kara and Mike are so obviously in love, you would think they knew each other their entire lives! Either way, I'm confident they have a very long future together. Thank you guys for taking the trouble to transport your gorgeous horses and for taking me around your beautiful properties.
Alison + Drew :: Engagement Shoot
Alison and Drew make it look effortless... In fact, at one point I do recall Drew saying "man, models have the easiest job ever". As it turns out, their really cute dog Charley felt the same way about modeling. He is one of the easiest dogs I've ever worked with, and does he not look just like the dog from Cesar Canine Cuisine? The gorgeous weather, their great outfits, and their obvious love for each other all worked together to produce one pretty long blog post... And I was selective!
